Chapter 83 Invitation

Chapter 83 Invitation

Chapter 83 Invitation

The next step is to select the pawnshop owner.

Opening a pawnshop is not like opening a salt shop. The owner of a pawnshop needs extremely strong professional skills, which is not something that an ordinary businessman can do.

After all, the items that pawnshops collect and sell are all kinds of things. Ordinary items are fine, but it is difficult for ordinary people to judge the valuable calligraphy and paintings, antiques, etc.

Kang Youfu told Zhu Shenzhu that he had taken a fancy to an old shopkeeper. This old shopkeeper used to work for the Liu family. After the Liu family went bankrupt, all of their properties were divided up. This old shopkeeper also lost his job due to his old age and was now idle at home.

The Kang family and the Liu family have been friends for many years and are very familiar with the Liu family's situation. This old shopkeeper is no stranger to him either.

When Kang Youfu was planning to open a pawnshop, he thought of the old shopkeeper, but Zhu Shencui was not in Pingyang, so he had no say in the matter. Now that Zhu Shencui is back, he naturally has to talk about this matter.

"Tell me in detail." After Zhang Xijun was sent away, only Zhu Shenzui and Kang Youfu were left in the room. Zhu Shenzui spoke.

"Yes..." Kang Youfu nodded and said, "Manager Jin was the manager of the Liu family pawnshop before. He has worked in the Liu family for more than 30 years and has been in the Liu family since he was an apprentice..." Kang Youfu carefully told Zhu Shenzhu about this Manager Jin. After listening to Kang Youfu's story, Zhu Shenzhu asked him that since Manager Jin had such abilities, why did he lose his job after the Liu family went bankrupt?
Although the Liu family went bankrupt and their assets were divided up, they still needed to be managed by other people. For example, the Liu family's pawnshop was quite famous in Pingyang City. Now that the pawnshop has a new owner, it stands to reason that Manager Jin should stay in his position, so why is he out of work?

"Sixth Master, have you forgotten about the salt shop?" Kang Youfu reminded him hesitantly.

As soon as these words came out, Zhu Shenzhui reacted instantly, slapped his forehead and couldn't help laughing.

Kang Youfu was right. Didn't he change the shopkeeper when he took over the Liu family salt shop? A pawn shop is not an ordinary business. If the shopkeeper is not someone who is absolutely trusted, the owner will generally not hire an outsider. In addition, Kang Youfu also said that this shopkeeper Jin is not young anymore, and he is also an old man in the Liu family. Naturally, he will be kicked out when someone else takes over.

"Do you think this person is useful?" Zhu Shenzhui asked Kang Youfu.

Kang Youfu nodded, "Sixth Master, I have known Shopkeeper Jin for many years. Although he is the shopkeeper of the Liu family, he is a steady and reliable person. He has worked in the Liu family pawnshop for more than 30 years and has never made any mistakes. Now he has lost his job and his family situation is not very good. I think he can be used."

"In that case, let's use him. You can arrange the matter." Zhu Shenzhui said.

Kang Youfu was stunned when he heard this. He originally thought that he would have to spend some time to convince Zhu Shenzhui. After all, this shopkeeper Jin had worked in the Liu family for so many years and was considered an old man in the Liu family. Kang Youfu knew best how their business came about and how the Liu family collapsed.

After all, hiring such a person is not like hiring a new shopkeeper, so it is normal for the boss to have some concerns. But Kang Youfu had just briefly explained the situation of Shopkeeper Jin, and before he had time to explain in detail, Zhu Shenzhui actually agreed.

"Sixth Master, aren't you worried about this Shopkeeper Jin..."

"Haha, if you are not afraid, then why should I be afraid?" Zhu Shenzhui said with a smile, "Don't forget, you are the head shopkeeper of Hengtong, and Jin is only the head shopkeeper of this pawnshop. How to select and use the people below is all your business. It's true that I am the boss, but these are the jobs of you as the head shopkeeper. You can't let me, the boss, do all the work for you, right?"

Zhu Shenzhu's idea is very simple, trust people when you employ them, and don't employ people if you don't trust them. Since Kang Youfu was promoted to the position of Hengtong's chief manager, then the daily operation of Hengtong would be in charge of Kang Youfu. It's like a company, Zhu Shenzhu is the chairman, Kang Youfu is the CEO or general manager, the specific operation is naturally in the charge of the CEO or general manager, and the chairman controls the overall situation.

Moreover, Kang Youfu played an important role in the downfall of the Liu family. If it were not for Kang Youfu, the Liu family would not have collapsed so easily. In this case, Kang Youfu himself was not worried about the shopkeeper Jin, so what was Zhu Shenzhu worried about?

Having said that, Shopkeeper Jin has worked for the Liu family for many years, but no matter how you look at it, he is just working for the Liu family. As a worker, it doesn't matter who you work for, right? He relies on his skills and abilities to make a living, so what does it matter to him who his boss is?

Kang Youfu understood this truth instantly, and immediately stood up and saluted Zhu Shenzhui with an expression of admiration and gratitude on his face.

"Come and have a seat. Since I've appointed you as the manager of Hengtong, I mean you're going to be valued. You've thought about the pawnshop well and done a great job. Keep working hard and do a good job. I won't treat you unfairly." Zhu Shenzhui praised Kang Youfu skillfully and made a big promise, which made Kang Youfu feel like a man will die for his friend.

After saying a few nice words, he gave Kang Youfu some rewards, including this month's salary and the furs he brought back this time. In addition, Zhu Shenzhui took out a small gadget he had traded from Mongolia. Although the gadget was not big, it was made of silver and inlaid with sparkling gems. If it was sold, it would be worth dozens of taels of silver. Zhu Shenzhui gave it to Kang Youfu as a gift.

After all, he was a former civil servant. Zhu Shenzhui's grasp of people's hearts is not comparable to that of ordinary people, and he is also very skillful. Otherwise, Wangjia Village would not be so obedient to Zhu Shenzhui. Although Kang Youfu has not been with Zhu Shenzhui for a long time, his importance is self-evident. Such a person must be reused and won over. Naturally, in some cases, he must also be firmly controlled. Zhu Shenzhui is very clear about this.

By the way, he asked about Zhang Xijun's situation. He placed Zhang Xijun next to Kang Youfu so that they could supervise each other, and at the same time let Kang Youfu help him keep an eye on Zhang Xijun.

At least, it seems to be working well now. Zhu Shenzhu is satisfied with Zhang Xijun's performance these days, and it remains to be seen how he will perform in the future. Zhang Xijun is a talent, but he is a different talent from Kang Youfu. Putting him in Hengtong is just a stopgap measure. If nothing unexpected happens, Zhu Shenzhu has other plans for using this person.

"Sixth Master!"

"Uncle Ma, what are you doing...?"

Walking out of the main room, Ma Shizhou walked towards Zhu Shenzhui and bowed. Looking at Ma Shizhou's packed luggage, Zhu Shenzhui frowned and asked.

"Sixth Master, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave." After returning to Daming, Ma Shizhou's mission was considered completed. This trip to the grassland was much smoother than expected. Now that things were done, Ma Shizhou prepared to say goodbye and leave.

"Uncle Ma, you just got back, why don't you rest for a few days before leaving?"

"Haha, I can't sit still. It's better for me to go back early than to stay in the city. Someone has to do the work in the fields. Besides, there is nothing for me to do now." Ma Shizhou said calmly.

He was usually taciturn, but after taking Zhu Shenzui for a walk on the grassland these days, the two of them had no more estrangement after spending so much time together, and they spoke more casually.

"Uncle Ma, come over here and talk." Zhu Shenzhui brought Ma Shizhou to the side and said to Ma Shizhou sincerely, "Thanks to you these days. If it weren't for you, this trip wouldn't have been so smooth."

Ma Shizhou waved his hands and said, "It's all your own blessing, Sixth Master. I just did what I should do. Besides, Sixth Master, you paid me to do these things, right?"

"Haha, that being said, but without you, things wouldn't have been so smooth." Zhu Shenzhui said this with a smile, and then asked Ma Shizhou what his plans were this time when he returned. Ma Shizhou said what plans he could have, isn't it just to live a peaceful and stable life?
This time he took Zhu Shencui to the grassland, and Zhu Shencui paid him a lot of money. The money was enough for him to buy a few acres of land when he returned and live a stable life.

After hearing what he said, Zhu Shenzui frankly told Ma Shizhou that if Ma Shizhou was willing, he would like to invite Ma Shizhou to formally join his trading company and be responsible for the caravans traveling to and from the grassland in the future.

Zhu Shenzhui's words surprised Ma Shizhou. He had never expected that Zhu Shenzhui would make such an invitation. To be honest, it was impossible not to be tempted. Ma Shizhou was naturally well aware of the huge profits made by the business in the grassland. However, the problem was that Ma Shizhou was not a businessman. Although he was familiar with the grassland, knew Mongolian, and had served as a frontier soldier, it would be absolutely fine if he was just asked to lead the way or do something else. However, Ma Shizhou was not sure if he was responsible for doing business in the grassland.

"Uncle Ma, don't worry about this. The specific transactions will be handled by others. You just need to be responsible for the transportation of goods and ensure the safety of trade. I don't trust others to do this, but Uncle Ma is different. As long as you agree, you will be the leader of the merchants in the future. You will have the final say in everything when you arrive at the grassland. Your status is no different from that of the head shopkeeper here. In addition to the due remuneration, I will give you half of the profit for each trip. How about it?"

"This..." Even Ma Shizhou, who had experienced many ups and downs, could not help but be tempted by the price offered by Zhu Shenzhui. This price was really not low, and it also gave Ma Shizhou great power.

Ma Shizhou saw clearly how much profit there was in doing business on the grassland. Moreover, during this trip to the grassland, Zhu Shenzui got in touch with Burigude again. He saw all of this with his own eyes.

Not to mention other tribes, if the Burigude tribe could establish long-term trade, the profits would be considerable. Zhu Shenzhu not only gave Ma Shizhou a generous reward, but also promised him half of the profit, which was a huge sum of money for an individual.

No matter how dangerous it was to be a trader on the grassland, driven by such huge profits, Ma Shizhou could not help but feel his breathing quicken. Ever since he escaped from the grassland, a young officer who had a promising future not only became disabled, but also lost his military position, and became an ordinary military household.

Ma Shizhou has long lost all ideas in these years. The only thing he can do is to spend the rest of his life peacefully like before and be an ordinary person.

But unexpectedly, an accidental invitation not only allowed him to return to the grassland, but also gave him such an opportunity now. As long as he nodded and agreed, his second half of life might change dramatically.

(End of this chapter)