Lu Ting brought them to a main street that was bustling with activity and her horse carriage stopped.
After she had stepped out of her horse carriage, her guards ca over to Lin Xuan Qi and Sima Long’s horse carriage and inford them that they had arrived.
Lin Xuan Qi got down from his horse carriage and saw that the location was ideal with the amount of foot traffic that was going on.
There were young masters and mistresses with their servants strolling leisurely past the rchandise that was on sale.
After he got a glimpse of how it was, he walked over to where Lu Ting was with Sima Long.
"Wow. This street is so crowded and bustling with people." Sima Long exclaid excitedly and said, "I don’t think anywhere is as busy as this in Hong Feng City."
Lin Xuan Qi nodded his head at it.
So far, he figured that the population of Bian Jing was at least three tis more than Hong Feng City.
It wouldn’t be a surprise that there were no streets that could compare to where they were.
"This street isn’t the busiest one, but it is where the affluent people co to shop for luxuries." Lu Ting said and glanced over at Lin Xuan Qi.
It was what he would want for the soap business, she thought.
And she was right.
Lin Xuan Qi nodded his head and gave her a smile, "Thanks. It is what I’m looking for."
"Co with ." Lu Ting led them into one of the shops where the shop owner was waiting for them.
Inside the store, there was no rchandise on the racks but the interior was well kept.
Everything was clean and free from dust or damage.
"Welco, young mistress Lu." The shop owner saw Lu Ting and bowed at her.
He proceeded to turn around and bowed at Lin Xuan Qi and Sima Long, "And you must be Master Lin and Master Sima Long, pleased to et you."
They had a tour around the shop and Lin Xuan Qi saw that at the back of the shop, it had a huge space for storage.
Which was perfect for his needs.
The retail shop in Bian Jing didn’t need to produce anything and served only one purpose, which was to sell as much as possible.
Having storage for it ant that he didn’t have to go around looking for a warehouse.
After they were done with the tour, Lin Xuan Qi gave the shop owner a nod and asked, "Why are you selling the place?"
There was foot traffic going past the shop, which should be getting him enough business and so, Lin Xuan Qi wanted to find out why.
The shop owner gave out a long sigh and said, "My wife and I are too old to continue with this.
"We’ve made enough for both of us so we are planning to go back to our village and live out our remaining lives there in peace."
"What about your sons and daughters?" Sima Long frowned and asked.
The shop owner shook his head and gave Sima Long a wry smile.
"We couldn’t have kids when we were younger and it was a blessing for us..." He said and stretched out his hands to the side where a few young won were standing.
"They have been working with us for many years, tending to the shop.
"All of them are very capable.
"My wife and I treat them like our daughters.
"It will be great if you can take them in as your workers if you buy the shop.
"I can give you a better price if you can promise that."
Lin Xuan Qi glanced at the young won who were standing by the side.
They were young and looked bright.
He didn’t mind having workers for the retail shop without having to spend ti searching for them.
But he wasn’t going to take the shop owner’s word for it.
He walked up to one of the young won and asked, "A custor bought three items at eighty copper coins each and two items at twenty five copper coins each, how much does he have to pay?"
The young woman startled for a mont, and her eyes looked up into the corner while she made a ntal calculation.
After a mont, she gave her answer, "Two hundred and ninety copper coins."
Lin Xuan Qi nodded his head at her and moved on to the next person.
He gave them similar questions and all of them managed to answer correctly.
So took a longer ti while so could answer imdiately.
It was good enough for him.
For most of the population in Da Qian, they didn’t have much of an education.
It was hard to find soone who could do the sums, and it would be a bargain for him to have so many shop attendants who could do so.
"So, do you agree to take them in as your workers?" The shop owner stretched out his neck and asked with an expression of concern.
Lin Xuan Qi nodded his head and said, "I can do so, as for the price of the shop..."
Sima Long chid in and said, "Brother Lin operates many factories in Hong Feng City with the workers being treated very well.
"They get free food and accommodation and a clear path for promotion.
"You wouldn’t have any worries about them being ill-treated.
"Other buyers might not be as kind as brother Lin."
The shop owner glanced over at Lu Ting and Lu Ting gave him a nod, giving him confirmation that whatever Sima Long had said was the truth.
"In that case..." The shop owner glanced at the young won standing by the side and lowered his head.
The shop owner wanted to sell it for one hundred and fifty taels of gold but changed his mind after the persuasion.
After so deliberation, he lifted his head and glanced at Lin Xuan Qi, "Ninety taels of gold for the shop but on the condition that all of them get at least one tael of silver per year as remuneration.
"You don’t have to worry about their lodging and food since their family is in the city.
"That would be sothing less for you to worry about."
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