Chapter 289 Opening an Independent Shop

After returning from the metropolitan city, Xiao Xia found that A Chu was a little dazed, as if he was worried about something. He asked Xiao Qing to make a pot of tea. Not long after, Xiao Qing brought the tea up. Xiao Xia winked at her, and Xiao Qing immediately tactfully withdrew.

A Chu felt a little uneasy and asked, "What's the matter, sir?"

Xiao Xia slowly drank a sip of hot tea, then calmly asked Ah Chu: "Now it's just the two of us, just tell me what's on your mind!"

"Sir, I don't have anything to worry about!" Ah Chu waved his hands hurriedly.

Xiao Xia smiled and said, "You followed me shortly after the Lantern Festival last year. It's already the beginning of August. You've been with me for almost two years. Can't I tell if you have something on your mind? Is it because of Xiao Qing?"

Ah Chu lowered his head and said, "I actually knew that Xiaoqing was the young master's concubine a long time ago. I was a little sad at the time, but now I feel better. My worries are not because of Xiaoqing."

"what is that?"

"Because of my mother's matter!"

"Does your mother want to start her own business?"

Xiao Xia had long noticed that Chen was a rather proud woman. Her grandfather was the great scholar Chen Zai from Guanzhong, and her father was the chief professor of Xianyang County School. She could be considered to be from a scholarly family.

But she did not marry well. Although her husband was also a scholar, he was not doing well. She was a noble person and did not want to live under someone else's roof. She was only forced by life to become a cook. Even so, Chen still insisted on teaching her two daughters to read and write.

Ever since she had three hundred strings of cash in her hands, she probably had her own ideas.

However, Xiao Xia was still very grateful to Chen. If she hadn't thought of the good idea of stealing the engagement letter, Cui Yu would have been promised to Yuwen Shiji by her father. Once the two parties exchanged the engagement letter, the marriage was basically settled.

Ah Chu nodded gently, "My mother wants to open a steamed bun shop herself!"

Xiao Xia's eyes lit up. This was a good idea. He could also invest some money to promote the steamed buns and various pastries of the future.

"Sir, I don't agree with my mother's idea. I think she is a little ungrateful. She has actually forgotten how you saved our family of three. She should do good things and repay your kindness!"

Although Ah Chu is only twelve years old, she is very mature in thinking, far beyond her actual age, and has a strong sense of justice.

Of course, Xiao Xia was joking when he asked her to be a housekeeper. How could she be a housekeeper at the age of twelve? But it was true that she could become his trusted maid.

Xiao Xia smiled and waved her hands, "People always strive for higher goals. I don't object to your mother's ideas. Maybe I have better ideas. Go call your mother and I'll talk to her!"

Although Achu was very reluctant, he had no choice but to go.

Not long after, Chen hurried to the back house. She was only 27 years old this year, plump and fair-skinned. Her appearance was actually very ordinary, with a few white pockmarks. However, white skin can cover up a hundred uglinesses, and her white skin was a good thing.

Ever since she knew that Xiaoqing became Xiao Xia's concubine, she dared not come to the backyard. As an experienced person, she knew that once a man took a step and tasted a woman, his desire would become very strong.

She knew very well that a mature woman like her was extremely attractive to young men, and since she had vowed to remain faithful to her husband, she did not want to do anything to let her husband down.

Chen was relieved to see her daughter was also there. She bowed and said, "Greetings, sir!"

In fact, Chen was a little too suspicious. Xiao Xia had deeply practiced Yuan Shoucheng's magic. He was not an ordinary person. He had strong self-control. Unless he wanted to indulge in lust, no woman could seduce him.

Xiao Xia smiled and said, "I heard from Ah Chu that you want to open your own shop outside?"

Chen was really embarrassed and said, "I have always had this idea, but I feel sorry for your kindness!"

“That doesn’t matter!”

Xiao Xia waved her hands and smiled: "I only care about Ah Chu. Are you going to take Ah Chu away?"

"I am a mother, of course I want to keep my daughter with me, but Ah Chu doesn't want to, so I can only respect her idea."

Xiao Xia nodded and said, "Tell me about your idea of opening a shop first!" Chen was a little embarrassed and said, "I actually want to open a steamed bun shop in Qinrenfang. I have seen the shop. The monthly rent is 10 guan, paid once a year. The 300 guan I have is just enough to open the shop. After deducting the capital, I can make a net profit of more than 10 guan every month, and I will be satisfied."

Xiao Xia smiled and said, "Making steamed buns is not difficult. Once others learn how to do it, they will immediately open a store to compete with you. Your income will definitely drop significantly. You may only make a net profit of five or six strings of cash a month. Normal snack shops can only make this much."

"This..." Chen was a little confused. She had never thought about the competition from others.

At this time, Ah Chu beside him couldn't help but said, "Mother, listen to the young master's advice!"

"Ah! Sir, do you have any good suggestions?"

Xiao Xia said slowly: "If you want to do a good business, you must not only have excellent quality and customers like it, but more importantly, you must have a lot of capital and a large scale. If you become the best in Chang'an, others will not be able to compete with you."

Chen cried out in amazement, "Number one in Chang'an, how is that possible?"

Xiao Xia smiled and said, "As long as I take action, nothing is impossible. Let me give you a plan! I will invest 2,000 strings of cash to open a large steamed buns shop. I will take half of the share and give you the other half. You recruit ten female apprentices to make steamed buns. You must ensure that they are clean and delicious. All the steamed buns will be provided to my restaurant, and then other restaurants will also come here for the reputation. I tell you, you must make at least 1,000 strings of cash a month. If you take half, you will make 500 strings of cash a month. How do you think? Of course, I have a condition. The condition is that Ah Chu stays by my side for another five years!"

Chen was stunned. She had never even dreamed of earning five hundred strings of cash a month.

At this time, Keke came running over and said, "Sir, Fatty is here!"

Xiao Xia stood up and said to Chen with a smile: "You don't have to rush to answer me, go back and think about it carefully, and then answer me!"

After saying that, Xiao Xia quickly walked towards the courtyard. His elder brother Yang Zhao was already waiting for him in the guest hall.

"I'm sorry, I just got back yesterday and haven't had time to visit my brother yet."

"No problem! No problem! I have something important to do."

The two sat down, Xiaoqing came in and served them tea. Yang Zhao's eyes lit up, and after Xiaoqing left, Yang Zhao smiled and asked, "Did you do that to Xiaoqing?"

"Brother, can you tell?"

Yang Zhao nodded, "Once a woman is moisturized, she will undergo great changes. I have experience and can detect it."

Xiao Xia also said frankly: "I have already taken her as a concubine."

Yang Zhao nodded and said, "There used to be a pair of maids in my mother's room, surnamed Liu, and I took them in as concubines. I won't hide it from you, my two sons were actually born to them, not to Cui. But she is the legal wife, so Cui is the legal mother, and the biological mother will take care of the children at night."

Xiao Xia then realized that his two nephews were not born to Cui. He had always thought that Cui was their biological mother.

"Okay! Brother, tell me the business first. I will need your help later."

Yang Zhao then said, "Regarding the rebellion of Weizhou Baoguo, the emperor will convene a cabinet meeting tomorrow morning to discuss the matter. Several prime ministers, as well as the crown prince and four princes, my father does not know enough about the rebellion in Weizhou, and would like to hear your opinion."

Xiao Xia thought for a moment and said, "I actually have two opinions. First, hold the thief leader accountable and let the ordinary soldiers go. Second, upgrade the Weijun Military Office to the Grand General Office and station heavy troops in Weijun. Although Qijun is the home base of the Baohui Association, Weijun is the foundation of the Baohui Association. I may also participate in tomorrow's meeting, but I will only explain the situation. Let father make the two suggestions just now!"

Yang Zhao nodded, "I understand. I will go back and report to my father. Is there anything else you want me to help you with?"

Xiao Xia smiled and said, "I just want to ask my brother to talk to father and have Xiaoqing's parents and brother turned into civilians."

Yang Zhao laughed, "Of course I should, it's just a small matter, I'll tell my father when I get back!"

"Also, I want to take the Cui sisters to Shenmu Villa again in the fall. Are you interested in going with us?"

"of course can!"

Yang Zhao readily agreed, "I heard that your villa is almost finished, I want to go take a look!"

(End of this chapter)

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