Opening an antique shop and getting rich through all the worlds

Chapter 115

Inside the shop, the Liu family steward was still dealing with people from trading companies.

These same people who yesterday had said foot-wear couldn’t have much variety were now singing a different tune, wanting to get first-hand goods.

Faced with their disbelieving stares, the steward was ready to raise his hand and swear an oath.

“Everyone, please calm down. Originally we were afraid the foot-wear wouldn’t sell well, so we only had the Western Region side import a small amount to test the market. We really don’t have any left. If you don’t believe me, search the shop yourselves.”

Not just the trading companies. Several young gentlemen from aristocratic families who had some friendship with the Liu family were also blocking the private rooms.

They wanted to use connections to have Liu Zheng privately allocate some to them.

The problem was there really wasn’t any left. The reserved stock had all been grabbed by people sent from the Zhao Marquis Manor and Duke Zheng’s mansion.

Even Liu Zheng himself had cleverly taken his share out last night, or he wouldn’t have been able to keep it today.

“Then get more stock!”

“You called us brothers when we studied together, but you don’t save the good stuff for us. Last time we couldn’t buy the snow cream either!”

“We’re getting more, right away!” Liu Zheng promised with a headache. “But shipping from the Western Region takes time, right? Once the goods arrive, I’ll definitely save some for you.”

While Liu Zheng was overwhelmed with work, elsewhere, after several days of experimentation with different materials, Liu Erniang had finally made the most comfortable slippers.

They looked very similar to what Shen You had worn that day. She had put considerable effort into researching these finished shoes.

Using comfortable thousand-layer soles and fabric cut from thermal clothing, they were very warm.

There were also ones made with cotton fabric.

The most expensive pair was made after spending a lot of money to buy processed rabbit fur. Not only was it beautifully styled, but also softer.

This type of shoe was suitable for wearing on clean floors, something only wealthy people could afford.

Now the biggest problem was sales channels.

The silver she had was only enough for a small workshop; she couldn’t afford to rent a shop front in the capital.

She could only collaborate with other shops. Liu Erniang brought her products to a famous clothing shop in the capital.

Many young ladies from wealthy families liked to shop at this store, so selling here shouldn’t be a problem.

But as soon as she took out her goods, the shop assistant looked at her plain clothing and immediately showed a disdainful expression.

With such clothing that was too crude, what fine things could she possibly have?

“The items our shop sells are all the finest of current times. See that brocade over there? Woven with gold and silver threads, real wealthy families use this to make shoes. What is this thing of yours? So strange.”

After speaking, the assistant ignored her completely.

Liu Erniang helplessly carried her bundle out of the shop. These shoes cost too much to make. If they didn’t sell, the loss would be huge.

Walking down the street, she looked at the shops she passed, her gaze falling on ‘That Shop’ Store No. 1.

This was currently the most popular shop in the entire capital, selling Western Region items, with any random item costing dozens or hundreds of taels.

For ordinary people like herself, she didn’t dare enter.

Liu Erniang lingered outside the door for a long time before finally making up her mind to go in and try.

The shopkeeper here had seen strangely styled items before, so when he saw the slippers, he didn’t call them strange but first tested their texture.

“Miss, please wait a moment. Our owner is in the shop right now. Let me show these to him, how about that?”

Liu Erniang saw an opportunity and nodded joyfully. “Good.”

Such a large shop wouldn’t cheat her out of these few items.

The shopkeeper took the bundle to the back room. When Liu Zheng saw the slippers in front of him, he was stunned. “You said it was a Miss Liu?”

That must be the person who weaved brocade for Shopkeeper Shen.

“Quick, invite her in!” Liu Zheng made an immediate decision.

These shoes were great, and paired with thermal socks, how comfortable they’d be to wear indoors in winter.

He seemed to have seen Shopkeeper Shen wearing them, but women’s shoes were extremely private matters, so he hadn’t dared ask.

The shopkeeper led Liu Erniang inside. Liu Zheng’s first words were: “Miss, however many of these shoes you have, our shop will take them all. Name your price.”

She’d thought it would take some effort, but unexpectedly they sold just like that. Liu Erniang was so happy her breathing quickened.

“This is all I have now, but if your shop wants them, I can go back and rush to make more.”

“Good, I’ll pay you a deposit!”

The matter was settled. When Liu Erniang left the shop, she was still somewhat dazed. Three pairs of slippers sold for 80 taels!

Not counting labor costs, the materials only cost thirty taels.

Plus the workshop’s first order, where they requested the more exquisite and luxurious the better, money was no object.

She already had ideas. Wrapping a layer of brocade over the slipper surface would make them both beautiful and warm. Using thermal clothing directly for shoes really didn’t look that good.

Thinking of this, she hurried back to the workshop with the silver to tell her sisters the good news.

Currently the workshop had only four people including herself and Sister Chen, plus two other girls who were also unfortunate souls.

One was from a poor family and had nearly been sold; the other was a refugee who’d come seeking relatives but was driven out.

She had entered Miss Shen’s shop and seen a way forward, so she wanted to give these women with difficult lives a way out too.

“I told you Sister Liu’s craftsmanship was so good, it would definitely sell!”

“I know an old woman who makes soles that are good and cheap. We can go look there.”

Everyone spoke excitedly. Though the newly established workshop was simple, when it came to work, everyone was really meticulous.

In ‘That Shop,’ the shopkeeper looked at Liu Zheng with confusion.

“Master, that lady’s goods, even if you’d offered fifty taels she would have happily agreed. Why did you still…”

“You don’t understand.” Liu Zheng shook his head without explaining.

That lady knew Shopkeeper Shen, and the shoes were made imitating the ‘Western Region slippers’ that Shopkeeper Shen used.

He couldn’t very well drive down prices when it involved his financial deity.

——

Shen You had ordered 500 yuan worth of cakes from that shop today. When Liu Zheng came, she gave them all to him to distribute himself.

Liu Yunyan was waiting on the road. When she saw him carrying a large package of pastries, her eyes were especially bright.

“Quick, let me see what delicious things there are.”

“Don’t touch them yet! Some are for His Highness and Master Zhong.”

Liu Yunyan withdrew her hand. After watching him divide them up, she took the Liu family’s share and began eating.

How could they taste so good? She really wanted more and more to meet that Western Region merchant, and if possible, to visit the Western Region herself!

The shop returned to quiet. After Shen You finished coordinating with the foreign trade company about procurement, she continued focusing on restoring artifacts.

Until evening, during her break after dinner.

The random entrance brought customers again. This time the visitors were… hard to describe.

When they entered, they startled her.

From their dress, she could tell they were customers from [Lan City]. The key point was that these two people each held a bomb in their hands!

This appearance, who wouldn’t be stunned seeing it!

Two people covered in blood, disheveled hair, faces blackened with soot, looking like a suicide squad, holding bombs and shouting as they charged toward her.

“Calm down.” Shen You quickly raised her hands. “Otherwise, I can’t guarantee your safety.”

The two people in front of her heard someone speaking and finally looked up, warily examining Shen You and this strange shop.

Weren’t they supposed to have charged into a pile of alien creatures? What was this place?