novelraw Chapter 115: Prime Shop for Rent
Chapter 115: Prime Shop for Rent
Chapter 115 Prime Shop for Rent2025-08-25 Chapter 115 Prime Shop for Rent The two Sheng family laborers, after exchanging their produce for food ration tickets in Jingxing District, still felt a bit guilty towards their boss.
But then they thought, they had only shared their farming experience and given a few tips for increasing production for the sake of the food ration tickets.
It had nothing to do with the Sheng family, so it wasn't betraying their master, right?
What was wrong with earning a little more through their own ability?
After quickly rationalizing it, the two laborers felt no psychological burden, which was followed by more little thoughts.
"I heard that the food ration tickets from Jingxing District can be exchanged for many things in Xin Prefecture City."
They needed to exchange for items that were easy to carry and not easily discovered, to bring back and resell.
Since we are here…
Even with a reduced staff, a large merchant caravan still consisted of dozens or hundreds of people.
There were always close relationships, and good things should be shared.Soon, others learned of their method for earning food ration tickets and quietly came to Jingxing District the next day.
Unfortunately, after inquiring, they learned that the old man from the village who rode the ox cart had already returned to the village when the district gate opened in the morning.
He wouldn't be back in the city for at least half a month!
By then, they might not even be here.
They had come hesitatingly, suspecting a trap. Now that they couldn't get what they wanted, they regretted not coming earlier.
The busy stewards were unaware of the private matters of a few laborers.
The steward who had been inquiring about Jingxing District came again the next day.
Today, his target had changed. He was no longer interested in the laborers and loafers but in the clerks of Jingxing District.
He engaged a few people in conversation and then struck up a conversation with a clerk surnamed Tao, who had a local accent, to gather information.
After receiving a bribe, the clerk surnamed Tao was very enthusiastic.
He took the steward to the construction site and revealed some "inside information."
The merchant caravan steward thanked him on the surface but remained skeptical.
He then spotted another clerk surnamed He, who had a southern accent and was said to be at odds with the clerk surnamed Tao.
The clerk surnamed He also brought people to the construction site.
Whether it was under construction or vacant, he spoke enthusiastically about the prospects, and in his words, he also revealed some "inside information."
The information was a mix of truth and falsehood, presented with reason and evidence.
In short: Prime shop for rent!
That night, the steward returned to the merchant caravan.
Sheng Ren, the leader of the merchant caravan, called a few of his close confidants into his room.
He had visited the Zhao Residence on the first day and successfully met the Young Master Zhao.
However, that meeting was for a different matter.
Today, he had gone out again to visit some old acquaintances and confirmed some news.
"Xin Prefecture is about to establish a 'Four Seas Trading Company' to manage the markets and set regulations.
By then, this trading company will handle external procurement."
Sheng Ren understood clearly that this so-called "Four Seas Trading Company" was essentially just a tool for the Zhao family to manage commerce in Xin Prefecture.
"The current situation is unstable, and Xin Prefecture is just this small place. There are no separate guilds; it's just a general management of markets, with different people in charge of various categories.
The grain market… the head of the grain market is Shen Yuan, the current head of the Shen family."
Sheng Ren shared this information so that his close confidants would have a grasp of the situation.
A steward hesitated and asked, "Boss, should we join this Four Seas Trading Company?"
Sheng Ren paused for a moment before replying, "Becoming a member of the Four Seas Trading Company will provide us with more convenience in our dealings in Xin Prefecture."
Others showed concern, "But we are afraid the Dong clan will be displeased."
Sheng Ren smiled calmly, "There's no need to worry too much. In such times, we cannot use common sense.
Besides us, other merchant caravans that come to Xin Prefecture will make the same decision, otherwise, it will be impossible to move an inch in Xin Prefecture."
As he spoke, Sheng Ren's smile faded, "Our Sheng family merchant caravan, when outside, only engages in business, not politics."
The group discussed the matter in the room for a while before others left, leaving behind the steward who had gone to Jingxing District and Qingyun District to gather information.
Sheng Ren picked up his teacup to moisten his throat and asked, "How did it go?"
The steward briefly reported the information he had gathered and offered a stick of incense:
"This is what I bought from Qingyun Temple.
The temple is indeed under construction. The place is not small, and the construction looks quite meticulous, not like they are just going through the motions.
The exorcism incense and talismans I bought were examined by the team's pharmacist and are both good items!"
Sheng Ren took the stick of exorcism incense and examined it carefully. In these turbulent times, their merchant caravan encountered a lot of exorcism incense, so they could naturally distinguish between good and bad.
"Daoist Master Qingyi, if there is an opportunity… I should meet him."
Sheng Ren mused to himself.
A steward's status was certainly not enough to invite the Daoist Master. He would go himself next time!
He then asked about Jingxing District.
After hearing the summary of the information collected by the steward, who mentioned the construction site there, the steward still had some doubts despite having inquired with the clerks.
Sheng Ren's heart stirred.
He asked the steward to get paper and brush, "What is the general layout of that area, draw it out for me."
The steward quickly drew several important locations in Jingxing District on the paper, such as the office, the Wanfu Garden under construction, and the vacant land marked "Prime shop for rent."
Sheng Ren merely glanced at it and pointed to the vacant land, "Tell me about this place."
The steward recalled the glowing prospects described by the two clerks and cautiously said, "The clerks there revealed that a row of shops will be built here soon, mainly for external rental."
Sheng Ren asked, "Whose shops are they? Who is the boss? When will they be built?"
The steward replied,
"Zhao family members. The Zhao family members from Zhaohui District just bought the land. They said the blueprints are still being designed, and they are expected to build two stories. They should be completed by the end of this year."
Sheng Ren was surprised, "It's actually the Zhao family!"
When he visited some old friends in the past two days, he had heard about the conflict between the Zhao family in Zhaohui District and the Shen family in Xianghui District. The younger generation would fight every few days; they had never seen them get along peacefully.
Some people also said privately that Jingxing District was Shen family territory. The Foreman, Wen Gu, was the nephew of Madam Shen, and the largest building complex, Wanfu Garden, was also built through the Shen family's mediation.
If these shops belonged to the Shen faction, he would definitely observe and evaluate further. But since they belonged to the Zhao family…
He remembered the strange treasure bridge radiating an imposing "noble" aura that he saw upon entering the city.
To build such a treasure bridge in such a chaotic time in a short period without affecting military pay was undoubtedly a display of financial strength and background!
Coupled with the Wanfu Garden under construction, the dignitaries of Xin Prefecture City would surely be active there in the future.
"What about the rent?" Sheng Ren asked.
"Since the shops have not been built yet, the rent has not been determined, but a deposit can be paid in advance. Rent and deposit will only be accepted in Xin Prefecture money certificates, as they say it's for clear accounting," the steward replied.
Sheng Ren decisively said, "Go and book two shops."
Two?!
The steward dared not question, only respectfully acknowledged.
Sheng Ren picked up his brush and marked the approximate location of the chosen shops on the drawing. He said again, "I have important matters to attend to in Sihai District tomorrow, so I won't be free.
You should go to Jingxing District as soon as possible to handle this."
With Sheng Ren's repeated emphasis, the steward dared not delay any longer, fearing that the place would be sold off.
As soon as the district gate opened that morning, he rushed over.
The young men of the Zhao family took turns to guard Jingxing District every day.
Even though the land was still vacant, since they had decided to make their presence felt in Jingxing District every day, someone had to come and wander around.
The young man on duty today arrived at Jingxing District yawning.
Before he could even enter, He Da, who was guarding the district gate, stopped him and informed him that someone wanted to rent their shops.
The Zhao family youth looked bewildered, as if he had heard a dream.
"Huh? What shops? Where are the shops?"
He Da pointed, "The place you bought."
The Zhao family youth exclaimed, "That's just an empty lot!"
He Da said,
"So it's a reservation. The other party heard that you are going to build a row of shops there for rent and is very optimistic about the prospects of the area. They decided to reserve two shops and have sent a steward to pay the deposit today."
The Zhao family youth mumbled, "Where did this sucker come from…"
He Da pretended not to hear and asked, "Huh?"
The Zhao family youth snapped back to attention, "Ahem, I mean, this gentleman is far-sighted and has keen insight!"
He wiped the sweat that had appeared on his forehead. He was just here to go through the motions today; he couldn't handle such major matters!
He quickly had his attendant run back to notify his friends and family.
The Zhao family youth felt that this matter was too absurd and a bit guilty. He looked around and quietly asked He Da, "Where is your Foreman?"
He Da thought to himself, *Tch, such a small matter doesn't require our Foreman to step in.
*
But he politely replied, "The Foreman is busy with official duties, but he asked us to keep an eye on things. Don't worry, no one would dare to mess around in Jingxing District!"
The Zhao family youth thought to himself, *Of course, I know no one would dare mess around in Jingxing District.
I'm just a little suspicious and curious—*
Although buying the land was their own decision, building shops there for external rental was actually Wen Gu's suggestion.
But Wen Gu had never said that they could conduct transactions there when it was still an empty lot!
What kind of black-hearted person would do such a thing?!
If he were looking from an outsider's perspective, he would have scolded them, but as a beneficiary…
Sincere!
Wen Gu is indeed sincere! He's a good person to associate with!
(End of this chapter)