Chapter 229: Cui Mansion Birthday Celebration
Chapter 229: Cui Mansion Birthday Celebration
Xiao Xia felt that many things were predestined by God. If Ah Chu hadn't told him that there was a small door that led directly to the city, he wouldn't have been interested in taking a look, and naturally he wouldn't have seen the sign for the store to be transferred.
If he had no interest in the store transfer, he would have just passed it by and would never have delved into the tricks behind the store transfer. He would never have thought that this cloth shop would become the prince's base for monitoring him. They would chisel two holes in the wall of the town, and his every move would fall into their eyes.
At this time, Xiao Xia suddenly thought of another question: Would they bribe Achu to monitor him?
He even thought of buying the shop next door, so why wouldn’t he think of bribing the maid around him?
Xiao Xia knew exactly why the prince was spying on him. It had nothing to do with his father and was a secret between him and the prince.
This is the same reason why the prince was so adamantly opposed to staying in Hexi!
Thinking of this, Xiao Xia said to Shopkeeper Ma, "Just 6,000 strings of cash and I'll take over the shop."
Shopkeeper Ma said worriedly, "I'm afraid the city office won't be willing to handle the change of tenants, and they'll rent the shop to Shangqing Commercial Bank."
"Don't worry about this, I'll take care of it. Just help me buy the store."
Shopkeeper Ma nodded and said, "Then I will go talk to them right away. If we go to the municipal office to make the changes ourselves, then we can complete the transaction this morning."
"Could it be possible that their owner is still in Luoyang?"
Shopkeeper Ma sneered and said, "With something this serious happening, their owner must be in Chang'an, and hiding in the shop."
Manager Ma left in a hurry, and Xiao Xia waited in the shop drinking tea. About half an hour later, Manager Ma came back and brought an old man with him.
The old man clasped his fists and said politely, "I am Wang Runan, the owner of Runan Cloth Shop. If you want to take over my shop, I can sell it, but I have to make it clear in advance: 6,000 guan, a fixed price, to be paid in full. Secondly, I will not take care of the city government, you can make the changes yourself."
Xiao Xia smiled and nodded, "Then it's a deal!"
The old man immediately took out the original lease agreement. There was a transfer clause at the bottom of the lease. Xiao Xia and the old man each signed and sealed it, and finally the municipal office stamped it to complete the transfer.
Xiao Xia immediately took out a note for six thousand strings of cash from the counter and gave it to the old man. The old man opened an account to deposit the money, and then went to the Baocheng Counter in Luoyang to withdraw the money. There was no need to withdraw the six thousand strings of cash from the same counter.
The old man was overjoyed, having finally gotten rid of the big trouble. He was afraid that Xiao Xia would regret it, so he immediately got on the car and hurried away. Shopkeeper Ma said to Xiao Xia, "I have a suggestion for you, young master!"
"Speak, shopkeeper!"
"That store is not suitable for business. It is at the innermost part of the city, a bit out of the way. Businesses are usually located near the main gate."
Xiao Xia smiled and said, "Then continue to run the cloth shop. I actually just want to take over the shop. My mansion is right behind it, and I don't want to be neighbors with someone of unknown origin."
Xiao Xia and Shopkeeper Ma returned to the cloth shop. The shopkeeper and four employees were waiting for the new owner to arrive. Shopkeeper Tian was a little embarrassed. He was about to explain, but Xiao Xia waved his hand and said with a smile, "Shopkeeper Tian, you don't need to explain. I know all the inside story. If you continue to run the shop, I will make up for the daily expenses and the money for purchasing goods. I will take care of the tenant change of the municipal office, so don't worry."
Shopkeeper Tian put aside his worries and said with a smile, "Please go to the back and take a look!"
Xiao Xia nodded, and pointed at the store sign and said, "Change the name to Xihai Cloth Shop. It will be changed after the city office changes."
"I remember it!" Xiao Xia came to the backyard again. The shop covered an area of about five acres, and its width was just aligned with Xiao Xia's backyard. It consisted of a shop, a courtyard and a warehouse. There was a side door next to it, which was used for receiving goods. The warehouse was full of cloth, mainly high-quality fine linen and various plain-woven silks. This was also the best-selling variety. Ordinary people used this kind of cloth to make clothes.
Xiao Xia pondered for a moment in a corner of the warehouse. This place should be facing the long alley next to his backyard. He thought about building a small house here and opening a door at the end of the long alley. He could enter the city directly from the backyard.
After leaving the shop, Xiao Xia smiled and said to Shopkeeper Ma, "Shopkeeper Ma, you can start looking for a store for a merchant company. Look for one in the metropolitan city. Don't worry about the price. I will transfer some money to you from the Great Zhou Store later."
Shopkeeper Ma nodded and reminded Xiao Xia, "Sir, don't forget to transfer some money to the store for operation."
The store's working capital had been withdrawn by the previous owner. Xiao Xia immediately went to the shop and allocated 5,000 strings of cash as working capital for the store.
This does not mean taking out 5,000 strings of cash and putting them in the store. That is not the meaning. The money is still in the shop, but the money belongs to the cloth shop. The shopkeeper has the right to withdraw an amount below 100 strings of cash for daily expenses, including the monthly wages of the shopkeeper and his employees.
In addition, the shopkeeper is also responsible for purchasing goods, but he does not have to run around. Instead, he has to go to the largest united silk and cloth store to place orders. The united silk and cloth store is equivalent to wholesale of wholesale. It does not retail to the outside world and only accepts orders from member cloth shops. It will go to Hebei, Jiangnan or Bashu to purchase in large quantities.
Interestingly, the three major owners of the United Cloth Shop were Changxin Trading Company, Wei’s Trading Company and Dazhou Trading Company. The three of them monopolized the silk and cloth in Chang’an and Luoyang, that is, they monopolized the supply of silk and cloth in Guanzhong and Central Plains.
At noon, Xiao Xia came to Cui's residence in Guangfufang. This was the residence of Cui Hongsheng, the governor of Xiangzhou. Today was Cui Hongsheng's 50th birthday, and Emperor Yang Jian allowed him to hold a grand banquet. Today, Cui's residence held a banquet for guests. More than 200 celebrities from all walks of life in Chang'an were invited, and most of them came with their families.
Xiao Xia did not ride a horse, but came in an ox cart. The front of the gate was already full of carriages. Standing at the door were the brothers Cui Chuzhi and Cui Churen. The brothers were responsible for receiving distinguished guests, while the butler was responsible for receiving ordinary guests.
The social hierarchy in the Sui Dynasty was strict. Cui Hongsheng belonged to the Cui family of Boling, one of the five surnames and seven noble families in the world, and had a very high status. When Cui Hongsheng held a birthday party, he certainly could not only invite guests of high status, but also guests of middle status, middle-level officials, and small and medium-sized nobles.
For guests of middle status, although they only received ordinary guest invitations, they did not think that the Cui family looked down on them. On the contrary, they believed that this was a rare opportunity to make friends with the upper class, so many ordinary guests came happily with their wives and daughters, looking for opportunities to curry favor with the upper class.
The invitation Xiao Xia received was an invitation for ordinary guests given by his brother Yang Zhao. A member of the Cui family took a look at it and asked him to enter through the side door. The main door was for distinguished guests, and ordinary guests went through the side door. The difference in status was very obvious from the moment they entered the door.
Ordinary guests also thought it was natural and did not feel snubbed. Everyone was used to this strict hierarchical system. On the contrary, if an ordinary guest felt insulted and insisted on going through the VIP door, everyone would despise his rudeness and presumption.
In addition, ordinary guests also have an advantage, that is, they can give small gifts, which is actually very important. Although it is an honor to visit a VIP, a generous gift is also required. Anything less than fifty strings of cash is not acceptable. Fifty strings of cash is two months' salary for a middle-level official. Few ordinary officials would pay two months' salary just to save face.
When Xiao Xia arrived, it was the climax moment of the guests' arrival. Carriages of distinguished guests kept stopping, and the dignified male host got off with his wife dressed in jewels. The master of ceremonies sang the guests' titles loudly, and the two Cui brothers kept coming forward to greet the guests.
There was a long queue for ordinary guests to check in, so naturally there was no emcee to call out their names.
Xiao Xia handed over the invitation and five taels of silver, picked up a pen and wrote his name, Jiangdu Xiao Xia. Someone next to him wrote under his name, Congratulatory gift of five taels of silver.
The accountant handed him a red bag, which was a return gift from the Cui family.
The butler smiled and waved his hand, "Young Master Xiao, please!"
Xiao Xia smiled and nodded, then walked into the gate of Cui Mansion.
(End of this chapter)