And this Dou Family is one that even Lord Lai dare not offend lightly.
Zhu Wu said, "The Dou Family is an Imperial rchant, their business is so vast, and they have connections with many nobles."
Upon hearing this, Gu Youlu’s dissatisfaction vanished, and instead, he beca excited: "Uncle Zhu, it’s not easy for us to encounter Young Master Dou. We should definitely pay him a visit. If we could get to know the Imperial rchant Dou Family, it would be a great help to Uncle Lai."
Zhu Wu thought for a mont and then nodded: "Getting to know the Imperial rchant Dou Family is feasible, but we must not be too hasty; we need to be cautious."
Everyone wants to make the acquaintance of the Imperial rchant, for they are imnsely wealthy, but such an acquaintance cos with risks. He needs to ask Lord Lai for his opinion first before deciding whether to visit Young Master Dou or not.
Gu Youlu frowned upon hearing this and cursed inwardly: Idiot, this is the Imperial rchant, and you’re not hurrying to fawn over them. What are you waiting for? If you want to wait, then wait on your own, but don’t get in the way of my road to wealth.
Gu Youlu cursed Zhu Wu in his heart, but as it had already gotten dark, it wouldn’t be proper for him to rashly seek an audience with Young Master Dou, so he had to bear with it. He’d wait until the next day when he went to Qingfu Town, hoping for another chance encounter to get to know Young Master Dou, this gold mine.
Gu Youlu was so excited at the thought of not only seeing the Gu Family tomorrow and discussing partnership opportunities but also of making the acquaintance of the Imperial rchant Dou Family that he couldn’t sleep.
It was almost dawn when he finally dozed off, but after only two hours, he was awakened by soone Zhu Wu sent.
"Elder Lu San, hurry up, we will set off for Qingfu Town," two Protectors called Gu Youlu to get up. After he changed his clothes, he rode the mule cart towards Qingfu Town.
After racing on the road for four hours, they finally arrived at Qingfu Town.
Zhu Wu was truly astounded at the sight of Qingfu Town: "Although Qingfu Town is small, it has everything one might need, even a bank and a Silver Building."
Most towns are poor, lacking a bank and Silver Building; only counties have them.
Two porters waiting for work heard their conversation and said: "You must be from other places? It’s no wonder you’re surprised. Qingfu Town used to have neither a bank nor a Silver Building. However, since we got tofu, spices, and braised food stalls, along with the opening of Yanfu Building, many wealthy families from other places have co to visit. In just three years, the town has beco much more prosperous than before, and hence the bank and Silver Building were established."
Upon hearing these porters ntion Yanfu Building, Gu Youlu eagerly asked: "Do you know where Yanfu Building is located?"
The two porters heard the question and tacitly remained silent.
Zhu Wu, being experienced, imdiately took out a tael of silver and handed it to them: "We co from the prefecture and have heard that the dishes at Yanfu Building are delicious. We made a special trip to try them. I hope you brothers can tell us where Yanfu Building is located."
After receiving the silver, the porters cheerfully said: "Yanfu Building is on the Main Street; you just go straight ahead, and you’ll get there. However, if you want to dine in the restaurant today, it’s not possible."
"Why?" asked Zhu Wu.
The porter explained: "The people from Yanfu Building have said two days ago, today they are hosting important guests from the prefecture and will not be open for business. If you want to dine in the restaurant, you’ll have to co back tomorrow. Otherwise, you can still buy dishes at the window; the restaurant is not serving guests inside the building today."
He added: "If you’re here to buy dishes, you better hurry to get in line, lest you arrive too late and nothing is left."
Hearing this made Gu Youlu quite dissatisfied: "Why does Yanfu Building put on such airs? It’s one thing to not allow people to dine in, but even making them line up to buy dishes at the window; is this how they do business? Don’t the custors get angry?"
The porter laughed and said: "Why would they be angry? The restaurant’s dishes are well-made, and they give away crystal cakes for free during festivals. The local residents from the surrounding townships can’t even wait to get their hands on them; why would they get upset? They wouldn’t want to miss out on the free crystal cakes, would they?"
Gu Youlu was again shocked: "The Gu Family really doesn’t know how to do business, giving away such delicious pastries for free, how much silver must that waste?"
Gu Youlu was in imnse pain; he felt that Yanfu Building was wasting all his silver.
Upon hearing this, the two porters glanced at Gu Youlu and thought this man was crazy. This was Yanfu Building’s own business; if they were willing to give it away, what did it have to do with him?
"Guests who want to buy vegetables should hurry up; we still have work to wait for." After receiving a piece of silver, the two porters were very satisfied. They no longer paid attention to Gu Youlu and his party, instead they moved aside and continued squatting on the ground waiting for work.
Gu Youlu said, "Uncle Zhu, ti is of the essence. Let’s hurry to Yanfu Building."
Any later and the Gu Family would squander all of its assets.
Uncle Zhu nodded his head, left two servants to watch the mule cart, and took Gu Youlu to Yanfu Building.
The main entrance of Yanfu Building was tightly closed, but there was a window open on the side, with many custors queuing in front of it to buy food.
The two porters were right; the business of Yanfu Building was indeed booming.
Seeing that Yanfu Building had only opened a window and was doing such good business selling food, Gu Youlu was even more envious of the Gu Family’s business. He imdiately went up and banged on the main entrance of Yanfu Building, shouting, "Open the door, open it fast, we’re here to eat."
"What al? Where are you from? Do you understand the rules?" Ah Jiang, holding a wooden stick, pointed at Gu Youlu and said, "Today Yanfu Building is not serving dine-in custors. If you want to buy food, queue up at the window. If not, scram, don’t co here to cause trouble."
With the auction of the ham involving a large sum of money, Gu Jinli specially called Ah Jiang, Feng Jin, Da Tuan, and Zezi over to help. And Ah Jiang was guarding the main entrance to prevent anyone from knocking on the door and startling the noble guests inside.
Gu Youlu looked at Ah Jiang, frowning, about to scold him, but was stopped by Uncle Zhu.
Uncle Zhu asked Ah Jiang, "Are you a person from Yanfu Building?"
Ah Jiang nodded, "Sort of."
Uncle Zhu laughed, then asked, "Do you know why Yanfu Building is closed? Is it because there is a ham auction inside?"
Although Ah Jiang was not as smart as Qiu Lang or Feng Jin, he beca alert upon hearing this, "Who are you? How do you know about the ham?"
Seeing his wariness, Uncle Zhu hurriedly said, "Young brother, no need to be tense. We have co from the Prefecture; during the New Year, we dined at Futai Building and heard that there is a thing called ham, which tastes extrely rich and delicious. Curious, after learning that the ham originated from Qingfu Town, we ca here inspired by its fa."
The words Uncle Zhu said were flawless, but once Feng Jin heard them, he beca wary.
Feng Jin ca out from the corner gate and said to Uncle Zhu, "You guys should leave, Yanfu Building will not do business with you."
When Gu Youlu heard this, he beca furious, "Kid, what did you say? Not do business with us? You run a restaurant; if we have silver, why wouldn’t you let us in to eat?"
Feng Jin was very arrogant and sneered, "Yanfu Building’s dishes are not lacking custors. If we don’t like the look of you, so what if we don’t sell to you?"
Gu Youlu choked on his anger, wanting to roll up his sleeves and beat up Feng Jin, but was stopped by Uncle Zhu, "It’s not worth it."
Gu Youlu was very angry, "Not worth what? You’ve stopped twice now, what exactly do you want? Lord Lai sent you to help , not to block my fortunes."
However, Uncle Zhu didn’t say anything but instead imdiately dragged Gu Youlu away.
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