The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

When Chen Heng mentioned his idea of ​​buying another batch of raw cloth from the year before, Lin Ruhai immediately nodded and said, It's easy. He, a fourth-grade Futai master, asked the canal transport river workers to make a trip to transport the goods. It's really a matter of one sentence.

Lin Daiyu had some free time and diligently poured water into Lin Ruhai's tea cup. She sat behind Chen Heng and watched the two of them continue to discuss things on Qiupu Street. Lin Ruhai was also deliberately trying to impress her daughter, deliberately not nodding and only talking to Chen Heng.

The latter didn't know what kind of riddle the father and daughter were playing. Seeing that Uncle Lin kept asking questions, he had something to say and answered every question. Now there are still 20 to 30 unsold shops on Qiupu Street. Chen Heng's idea is very simple. He is ready to continue attracting investment.

Then who do you want? Lin Ruhai asked.

Chen Heng already had a plan in mind about this matter, so he roughly stated the requirements such as eat, drink and play. These are the things that are most lacking in Qiupu Street. The shops on the street are still mainly made of gold and cloth, and their attributes are rather monotonous. He hopes to design Qiupu Street into a comprehensive commercial street.

For guests who can't come to play, just buy two sets of clothes and leave. Chen Hengguang's heart ached just thinking about how many less opportunities he had to make money.

When Lin Ruhai heard the sentence, Anyone who comes to Yangzhou must go to Qiupu, his eyebrows were filled with joy, and he directly said, Just go ahead and do it. He thought about it again, and quickly added, Remember to write a Submit the charter. Just write down the details in detail.

At the end of the year, it was time for officials to report their work to the court, so Lin Ruhai naturally had to write a memorial document to the palace. With Chen Heng's charter, His Majesty will surely feel much better after seeing it.

Chen Heng nodded immediately. He knew that Uncle Lin liked to read the plan he wrote. His writing style is crisp and clear, and he often directly quotes data and actual situations as circumstantial evidence, making it clear at a glance.

The two discussed the issue of the government's withdrawal of shares, and Lin Ruhai was the most concerned about this matter. But Chen Heng advised the other party not to worry. Now that they have just introduced jewelers, they have not found a suitable third party. If the government government withdraws rashly, it will definitely become unscrupulous according to the former's behavior. After all, the current business situation on Qiupu Street is indeed a bit scary.

Speaking of this, Lin Ruhai also became interested and asked about the business on Qiupu Street these days. When asking, Lin Ruhai had some idea of ​​the excitement in the street. Even the government office had been spreading rumors about it in the past few days. There were even many police officers who talked about the scenes they saw when they were on duty.

The accounting offices on the street are still counting, but Chen Heng is personally in charge, and the entries for each shop have been handled by himself, so there is no problem in estimating the approximate figures. Chen Heng calculated in his mind and stretched out his hand to make a sign of 'five'.

Lin Ruhai was shocked when he saw this. After being silent for a long time, he said, Finally, I have lived up to your majesty's trust.

In the past few months, His Majesty was very short of money. It was Lin Ruhai who resisted the pressure and did not hand over the money in the treasury. Only by keeping preparations in hand can prices in the city stabilize as soon as possible.

However, after this incident, there was indeed not much silver in Yangzhou's treasury. On the salt merchant side, Lin Ruhai and Jia Yucun also discussed it and asked them to slow down.

Now that there is an additional source of income like Qiupu Street, when taxes and dividends are collected next year, the Yangzhou government office will have much more money. With money on hand, Lin Ruhai naturally didn't have to worry.

My uncle also contributed to the governance. Chen Heng said sincerely. He was an outsider and could see more clearly. The people of Yangzhou can still have spare money and elegance to go shopping and have fun in Qiupu Street. The governance of Yangzhou government has indeed contributed a lot.

Both prefects were capable ministers, good at affairs and far-sighted. It not only provides a comfortable living environment for Yangzhou people, but also creates good conditions for Chen Heng's plan. The relationship between these three is indispensable and can be regarded as complementary to each other.

When Lin Ruhai heard this, he accepted Chen Heng's compliment with a smile and said with a smile: If you are in your position, you will do your best.

After sighing with emotion, he added, Have a meal at home tonight? Have a glass of wine with uncle?

Uncle, I'm afraid that's not possible. Chen Heng smiled bitterly and shook his head. He briefly described the recent situation on the street. When my nephew goes home at night, he has to teach the waiters on the street how to greet and send them off. doorway.

Things like the quarrel with the guests in the afternoon have happened frequently on the street in the past few days. What kind of thing is this? How can you rush out when guests come to your door? The lack of professionalism and the lack of professional talents are all due to the rapid development of Qiupu Street and the lack of necessary training.

Speaking of this, Chen Heng thought of something again and asked for advice: Uncle, I have one more thing that I want to ask you for advice.

You say it. Lin Ruhai nodded, indicating to the other party to just say it.

Chen Heng then talked about his idea of ​​recruiting a group of women from the shop to be waiters. This is also a matter of solution. Nowadays, the most popular items sold on the street are women's clothing and children's clothing. If the waiters are all men, not only will they not be able to accurately understand the guests' thoughts, but conflicts in communication will also inevitably occur.

In every household, it is mostly women who manage the house and money. Since the current situation of the customers cannot be changed, the only thing that needs to change is Qiupu Street. It's just that nowadays, except for brothels, there are very few other shops that allow women to work as waiters.

This matter is bound to attract criticism. Lin Ruhai understood that Chen Heng needed the government's help to endorse him. He thought about the pros and cons that Chen Heng just said. Considering that his sales could increase in the future, he said: Okay, but it needs to be If this matter goes well, uncle will recommend someone to you...

Is it Master Pei? Chen Heng replied.

Lin Ruhai laughed when he heard this, nodded and said: He is a leader in the literary world, tell him. As long as he comes forward with me, you will not have any obstacles in doing this.

Yes, I will go to the Master to discuss this matter tomorrow.

When the matter comes to this point, the things that need to be reported and requested for instructions are pretty much explained. The two reached a tacit understanding of the overall situation, and Lin Ruhai no longer invited guests. When Chen Heng resigned, he only said a few words to remember to come home to pay New Year's greetings after the new year.

Chen Heng agreed with a smile and left the study with Daiyu. Seeing that her brother wanted to go back to Qiupu Street to continue doing business, Sister Lin was embarrassed to chat with Chen Heng. When sending him out of the house, she talked about her worries and questions on the road.

Hearing that Aunt Lin was in poor health and mood recently, Chen Heng thought for a while and said, It should be something in the capital. He told Pei Huaizhen what he had heard from him, and then suggested, Sister, you Don’t we often exchange letters with them? You might as well write a letter and make some insinuations. I think my aunt is in a bad mood, and there must be something going on in the capital.

What action can be taken is nothing more than building a grand view garden. Chen Heng knew about this, but he didn't want to be a prophet, so he mentioned it in a vague way.

He was talking about Tanchun, Xiangyun and others. After Daiyu returned to Yangzhou, she did not lose contact with these cousins ​​and sisters.

Only then did Lin Daiyu know that there was such a big event in the capital, and she vaguely understood something in her heart, so she said: Okay, I will write to my sisters when I get back.

The two of them were talking and had already arrived at the side door. The sky is very dark now, and the cold wind blows in from time to time from the collar. Lin Daiyu saw Chen Heng shivering and complained: Brother, you should wear more clothes.

Chen Heng didn't pay attention. He accepted his sister's concern with a smile and explained: It's okay. Just walk a few steps outside and your body will be warm. They had been staying in the study before, and there was always a heater in there. It was really different from the cold outside. The difference.

Lin Daiyu looked up again and saw that it was already half way through the day and it was already extremely dark. She said again: Brother, I'll find someone to take you back.

It's dark like this. How can anyone walk at night without someone holding a lantern to guide the way?

Chen Heng suddenly became interested, pointed to the door, and said with a smile: Sister, brother makes a bet with you. Believe it or not, as long as you open the door, there will be gods to guide me.

Being teased like this by her brother, Lin Daiyu showed disbelief. She just raised her eyes to look at the moonless and starless night, shook her head and said: Brother knows nonsense, I don't believe it.

Hey. Chen Heng called out, smiling and declining Zijuan's offer to open the door for him. He held the two door handles and said proudly, Sister, take a look.

As soon as the door opened, Lin Daiyu couldn't help but tiptoed and poked her head. On the dark long street, in the corner on the right, there was indeed a person waiting here with a lantern. Hearing the sound from the side door, he was looking over here with the lantern. The person he saw was indeed Chen Heng. That person He immediately said happily: Second brother.

It's me, Xinda. Chen Heng winked at Daiyu, indicating his clever plan, and then said to Xinda who was coming, You must have been waiting for a long time.

Soon, soon. Xinda waved his hands repeatedly, and the white breath from his lips was blown away by the cold wind.

Only then did Lin Daiyu know why her brother left in such a hurry. She was happy for the relationship between the two of them, but also said a little anxiously: Why do you know to wait at the door? What should I do if I get frozen?

Ms. Lin, I'm fine. Xinda shook her head quickly and stamped her feet, I've been hot since I was a child and I'm not afraid of the cold.

Chen Heng laughed, knowing that if the two of them continued to answer each other, it would probably take a long time. He stepped out of the door and waved directly to Daiyu, Sister, I'm going to do some business first. You should also go back and rest early, so as not to freeze yourself.

Xinda, let's go.

Xinda didn't say anything, but walked in front of his brother tacitly, holding the lantern in his hand.

Didn't I ask you to wait for me on the street?

I'm afraid it's too dark and my second brother can't see the road clearly.

Haha, have you forgotten who took you to play when you were a kid?

Lin Daiyu waited until the two figures disappeared into the long night, until no sound could be heard. Only then did Zicuckoo close the door and walk into the house together.

…………

…………

When Chen Heng returned to Qiupu Street, the store, warehouse, and office had all checked the accounts and were waiting for him to come back to sign for acceptance. Seeing that everyone had already eaten, Chen Heng felt at ease. While eating the snacks Xinda left for him, he personally checked the calculations in front of everyone. After confirming that they were correct, he finally let everyone go back.

Today's business is much better than the previous two days. When everyone said goodbye, there were always happy words on their lips.

Boss, our business is getting better and better day by day.

We all rely on our boss's wise eyes and strategizing.

Chen Heng agreed with a smile, and politely sent the cashier away before taking Chief Zhao to continue discussing the matter. Director Zhao also looked happy when he heard that the government office would personally handle the matter of receiving the goods.

What about opening the workshop early?

The government office is also on track. Chen Heng smiled and nodded, When spring comes after the new year, we can open the workshop an hour earlier.

Okay, okay. Manager Zhao cheered repeatedly. Now he was eager to have the workshop open for twelve hours. There are millions of people in Yangzhou city, and it’s the New Year’s Eve, so there’s no need to worry about selling the clothes on the shelves.

We will continue to recruit workers after the New Year. Chen Heng has already begun to prepare for the next step.

How many will we recruit this time?

Based on 10,000, we will only recruit female workers. Chen Heng thought for a while and added, This time we will only recruit people from Yangzhou. We can consider more peasant women from various counties and villages.

There have been major and minor disasters in the past two years, and the country people must have had a difficult time. Taking this opportunity, it is urgent to invite women who are locked up at home to release more labor force.

If you miss this east wind, you won’t know when the opportunity will come when the country people get over it. Director Zhao couldn't guess what Chen Heng was thinking, so he only calculated the money in his mind. If this situation continues, I feel that if 10,000 more people come out, Qiupu Street will be able to support them.

Okay, I'll get ready to take care of this right away. Director Zhao nodded immediately.

There are two more things that need to be prepared. One is to go to the city to find some female teachers. We will set up evening classes in the workshop to teach the female workers to read and write. It would be best if the female teachers know how to arithmetic.

As soon as he heard Chen Heng's instructions again, Director Zhao quickly took a piece of paper and wrote it down.

One more thing. Now we can release a batch of the shops we have on hand. This time we only need food shops. If the restaurants in the city are willing to come in, we will also give them some discounts.

Restaurant? Director Zhao asked after finishing writing, But we have sold all the good shops. Will the restaurant come? If they come, we don't seem to have room for them.

It can be placed on the second floor. Chen Heng smiled and started to mention Mr. Zhao again, Most of the rooms on the second floor are empty. People in the shop buy them for rest.

It would be too wasteful to keep it idle. Chen Heng shook his head and sighed, We can just take the lead in this matter. Let them decide what the negotiation is like and whether it can be achieved.

good.

Chen Heng thought about it a few more times and confirmed that there was nothing to explain, so he told Mr. Zhao to take a rest early, and he took Xinda home.

When the two of them arrived home, Gu and others came back not long after. There are a lot of things going on in the workshop recently, and Mrs. Gu herself doesn’t have time to teach the children who leave early and come home late. She only chatters to her family at the dinner table: I don’t know who is coming to the workshop. There are more and more work tasks recently.

Li and Xinda Niang have been transferred to the tailoring workshop because their skills are better. During this period, they spent all day with scissors and cloth, and they also wondered: When business was not good before, they were always worried about not being able to pay wages. Now that business is good, they feel that business does not have to be this good. So exhausted.

Chen Heng and Xinda eavesdropped for a while, with suppressed smiles on their lips. Chen Xian, who was on the side, saw that her brothers had strange expressions. She thought about Chen Heng and Director Zhao who had been in and out of the workshop before, so she asked: Brother, do you know who the people in the workshop are?

Sister, you will know in a few days. Chen Heng chuckled. It was not that he deliberately concealed it, but his family would not believe it if he said it. It would be better to meet in the workshop later and speak with facts, which would be more convincing.

I heard that there will be another batch of shops on the street. If mom and second aunt feel tired, our family might as well pool some money and set up a shop for you. Then we can directly get the goods from the workshop and sell them ourselves. The cloth shop is also good.”

I'm afraid it won't be easy to get it now. Mrs. Gu also wanted to move when she heard the sound, but now everyone could see the bustle of Qiupu Street. Let’s not talk about the price. Whether we can grab it or not is another question.

Chen Huaijin was very thoughtful and took the initiative to ask Mrs. Zhou, Mom, do we still have enough money?

When Mrs. Zhou heard this, she already showed a bit of pride, You and your elder brother share a shop, and Heng'er often passes money home. If the money is not enough, how can our family survive?

Ordinary people can only eat a meal of meat in a day or two, but at Lao Chen's house every meal is indispensable. The dried fruit snacks that are always available at home are no worse than those of small families. Compared with Chen Heng's childhood, Chen Qingyue and Chen Yin's childhood was much better.

Chen Heng also knew this, so he made suggestions to his family, Grandma, you and your mother might as well prepare money. Wait until after the new year when the shop is released. Just go and give it a try. Maybe our family will be lucky. I just bought it.”

Hearing this, Xinda couldn't hold it in any longer, so he put down his chopsticks, covered his mouth and burst into laughter.

I will never take a nap again. I was too tired after lunch, so I lay down and wanted to squint for a while. When I opened my eyes, it was almost six o'clock, and I was speechless. . . . .