"I’m afraid my mother won’t want to leave the village, after all, she’s used to living there. Besides, I can’t afford a house in the Capital," Sun Xian spoke of this anxiously.
These years, his family had saved nearly a thousand taels of silver thanks to Gu Chengyu selling pickled vegetables. In the village, this amount would make him a small landlord, but in the Capital, it wouldn’t amount to much; houses there are incredibly expensive!
Sun Xian is a dutiful son, and Gu Chengyu knew this beforehand. It was he who didn’t consider it properly, failing to think about Sun Xian’s future studies.
It’s not that filial piety is bad, but if Sun Xian is away for long periods, and Sun’s mother is unwilling to leave the village, then Gu Wan would have no reason to follow him to the Capital. After all, leaving her mother-in-law alone at ho is certainly not an option.
Now, it’s just about studying, but if Sun Xian becos an Advanced Scholar and official, returning ho could only happen during holidays assigned by his superiors.
As things stand, they can only take it one step at a ti. Sun’s mother following him to the capital would be the best solution, and he believes that a widowed woman like her would certainly want to live with her son, since they’ve depended on each other for many years. However, the matter still needs to be communicated properly.
"Brother Sun, theoretically, I’m just a brother-in-law and shouldn’t interfere in your family matters. But since my second sister is not yet married, as her brother, I have to be concerned."
Gu Chengyu laid out all his considerations. A couple being separated for long is not a long-term solution. Moreover, they need to consider offspring; how could there be any nephews if the couple doesn’t stay together?
Gu Chengyu’s words made Sun Xian blush; he didn’t have Chengyu’s experience, after all, he was thin-skinned!
Once reminded, Sun Xian took it seriously and repeatedly promised that he’d ensure his mother follows him to the Capital. However, he wanted to buy the house himself, and if he didn’t have enough silver, he’d borrow so from Gu Chengyu and repay gradually.
With this, the two reached an agreent, and Gu Chengyu felt relieved; he was worried Sun Xian might hold things back. As for Sun’s mother, if she’s willing to go to the Capital, it would simplify everything. If not, he’d figure out how to persuade her.
In the evening, after returning from the Yin Mansion, Gu Chengyu called Gu Wanqian and Yu Tuanzi to discuss so matters in the Capital, instructing them to manage the inn and First-class House in his absence. If any trouble arises, they should go straight to his senior master.
As for the manor and house, Gu Chengyu could only give a response tomorrow.
The next day, Ming Mo and Ming Yan were packing their luggage, which was more than when they arrived because Gu Chengyu had bought so specialties from the Capital and a dowry for Gu Wan.
"Uncle! That broker Jiang ca! He said he had settled the price and ca to inform you! Also, here is the account book from the inn and First-class House from yesterday; please have a look!"
Xiao Sanzi had already left for school, and Yu Tuanzi was busy as well, managing the servants of the Ding Generation. Therefore, Gu Wanqian ca to report.
Gu Chengyu had requested to see the account book because the inn and First-class House had just opened yesterday, and he wanted to see the first day’s profit to estimate the annual revenue of the inn.
"Let him co in and report!" Gu Chengyu took the account book and reviewed it in detail.
He first looked at the First-class House and saw that, true to the reputation of the Capital, the day’s profit was more than three tis that of the shop in the Prefecture. The inn was even better, with profits several tis that of the Prefecture’s.
"Greetings, Young Master Gu!" Jiang Yazi said upon entering the room, finding Gu Chengyu engrossed in the accounts!
He had inquired the day before and discovered that this was the renowned Gu Jieyuan of the Capital.
The youngest scholar of the Dayan Dynasty, and currently recognized as the most talented scholar.
"No need for formalities! I’m leaving for ho today, as you may know. I don’t have ti to haggle; if your price doesn’t satisfy , I won’t buy."
Yesterday, Yu Tuanzi had inspected the land; both the hot spring manor and the house were good investnts. Finding two hot spring manors was quite lucky, even Yu Tuanzi thought so.
Yu Tuanzi’s experience had broadened over the years while working for Gu Chengyu. But hot spring manors were rare and hard to co by. eting two at once was indeed exciting.
The only downside was that the two manors weren’t adjacent and were on opposite sides; otherwise, it would have been perfect.
"You jest! If I couldn’t give a good discount, I wouldn’t dare disturb you," Jiang Yazi smiled, sweet-talking but revealing so hints of deceit in his words—is this less than he previously ntioned?
Gu Chengyu arched an eyebrow, "Oh? Then tell the price."
"Previously, The lowest price I gave you was twelve thousand five hundred taels for the large one, eight thousand four hundred for the small one, and one thousand eight hundred for the house. Am I correct?"
Gu Chengyu nodded; indeed, that was what had been discussed before, without any mistake!
"You overcharged earlier. The hot spring manor can’t all be fertile land. I heard from my steward that there’s also a small forest covering over three hundred acres, and of the land next to the hot spring, several dozen acres can’t be used for farming. Isn’t that a significant loss?"
Gu Chengyu had calculated; good land in the Capital should be more expensive, at about ten taels per acre, but with around four hundred acres unusable, the large manor should be worth just over eleven thousand, and the small one nearly the sa, likely only about seven thousand taels.
As for the house, it’s even cheaper; just a single-entry house, how big could it be? Twelve hundred taels would suffice.
Of course, these estimates were based on Jiang Yazi’s quoted price, with a possible bargaining margin of at most fifteen hundred taels less.
"But the owner decided, and I’m here to find a way for you! A forested manor offers ga to hunt! Besides, both manors, big or small, have several houses near the hot springs. The big manor’s house is like a small estate almost. The interior decoration is luxurious; purchasing it would surely be a gain. Eleven thousand for the big one, seven thousand for the small one, and eleven hundred for the house; how about it? Are you satisfied?"
Jiang Yazi was confident about this price; he’d leveraged a lot of connections to arrange this, even spending a hundred taels in the process.
After all, these are the thods to make a living; without giving silver, who’d offer such a great deal? The main reason was that the owner urgently wanted to sell; otherwise, there wouldn’t be such a bargain.
This ti, Gu Chengyu was genuinely surprised, realizing Jiang Yazi had so substantial connections! This price was even lower than what he had in mind! He certainly knew the small estate within the manor was well-built; Yu Tuanzi had praised its exquisite structure. It was constructed around the hot spring for bathing purposes.
Gu Chengyu grew curious; who was in such a hurry to sell? This price was indeed quite low.
"I have a question, who owns the manor for sale? I need to find out, otherwise, what if there are complications later?"
"You don’t trust ? Our brokerage is reputable in the Capital; rest assured about integrity!"
Jiang Yazi imdiately guaranteed, slapping his chest as he spoke, not lying as his brokerage indeed had backing.
"However, a hint isn’t bad; we aren’t supposed to discuss this here though, because the seller isn’t small fries and must maintain discretion given their background."
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