“This shop faces north and south, with streets on both sides. The front faces the prestigious North Second Street in the inner city, frequented by nobles and distinguished guests. If you engage in business here, it couldn’t be better.”

 

“The street behind is Shuzhai Hutong, a very pleasant place to live. The residents are mostly scholars or families with ancestral properties. It’s exclusive, and outsiders can’t get in. As the saying goes, in a big forest, you find all sorts of birds, but in our hutong, only seven families live here. Everyone knows each other well, with excellent moral character!”

 

“Take a look at the three-story storefront in the front. Not to boast, but ordinary folks can’t get a place like this. In a short time, you won’t find a second one. You gentlemen are so handsome; it’s evident that fortune is smiling upon you. The God of Wealth follows you. When you came, you encountered this excellent shop.”

 

“If I, Old Niu, don’t help you handle everything, it’s like a fly sitting on a mooncake. I’ll be to blame for you!”

 

This eloquent speaker was Old Niu, the manager of the official business in the capital. His smooth talk and persuasiveness left Xiao An, Dongjiang, and Dongshan in a daze.

 

“Alright, Uncle Niu, thank you. We’ll discuss it among ourselves,” Xiao An quickly interrupted Old Niu, expressing gratitude and indicating that they needed time to discuss among themselves.

 

“Sure thing! You gentlemen are too polite. You discuss it, and I’ll go admire the backyard of this place.” After saying this, Old Niu cheerfully hummed a tune and went to the backyard of the shop.

 

Leaving the three brothers looking at each other, they burst into laughter.

 

Dongshan, holding his head and laughing, said, “Oh, this guy from the capital speaks in such a set manner. My head hurts from his fancy words.”

 

Immediately, Xiao An also made a funny remark, “In that case, I need to learn these days. Big brother said, being able to talk is important to find a wife!”

 

Dongjiang, also unusually humorous, joined in, “Then I have to practice too. Since big brother invests money, and the second brother and Dongshan are doing business, I’ll learn to talk.”

 

Dongshan, still in a good mood, said, “Although Uncle Niu’s words are exaggerated, he’s reliable. Otherwise, Dean Wen wouldn’t have recommended him.”

 

A few days ago, the emperor instructed Dean Wen to agree to the joint venture in pearl trading and entrusted Dean Wen to act as the agent for this private property, providing help within his capacity but not participating in decision-making.

 

Old Niu, the broker introduced by Dean Wen, came along with the news. With Old Niu’s arrival, he brought resources from three large shops, and this one was the best and naturally the most expensive.

 

“Well, let’s just be straightforward. Let’s go for this shop. There’s not much to choose from,” Xiao An said, feeling a bit distressed despite the expensive cost.

 

“No problem!” “Agreed.”

 

After that, the three of them found Old Niu, finalized the deal for this shop, paid the deposit, and agreed to return the next day with the remaining money to complete the transfer formalities.

 

“Thank you so much today, Old Niu. You’ve really helped us a lot!”

 

“Oh, this is just what I should do. Your praise makes me a bit embarrassed. I’m just a small fry trying to make a living.”

 

“Hahaha!”

 

With the shop matters resolved, the three of them felt much more at ease. However, they didn’t dare to rest too much and immediately went back to handle their respective tasks.

 

Xiao An was responsible for contacting well-known suppliers of gold and silver jewelry. Such a large shop couldn’t just buy a few pearl accessories. They also needed to train the servants they had purchased.

 

Dongshan was in charge of the decoration work for the shop and various procedures for opening the shop, as well as smoothing out relationships both overt and covert.

 

Finally, Dongjiang took on the responsibility of finance. Since it involved the emperor, they had to ensure the accounts were in order for the first few months. They couldn’t afford to make mistakes, as it could lead to serious consequences.

 

Most importantly, they needed to start producing their own branded jewelry.

 

Dongshan: “The old craftsmen we bought earlier can start working now.”

 

Xiao An: “Big brother gave us some drawings before, and these days the craftsmen have also designed quite a few. I think they all look good.”

 

Dongshan: “What kind of aesthetics do you have? No, no. We need to have big brother or Xiao Shu to help. But with Brother Yi taking brother Chuxia around these days, I doubt they’ll be available.”

 

Xiao An: “Then let’s ask Xiao Shu for help. We can’t treat him unfairly, can we?”

 

Dongshan: “Just Xiao Shu alone? Will that work?”

 

At this moment, Dongjiang frowned and disagreed with his younger brother, “Why not? Xiao Shu is very capable.”

 

Dongshan raised both hands in surrender, “I was thinking about safety, Second Brother! Dear brother!”

 

Dongjiang’s expression relaxed slightly as he said, “Well, that’s okay. I’ll bring the account book and paper. We can do it anywhere. I’ll go accompany him.”

 

Dongshan & Xiao An: “Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo!”

 

Dongjiang: “…”

 

After the discussion, the three of them were full of energy. They planned to have dinner after returning home and then start writing plans for their respective responsibilities. This was also a good habit cultivated by Jing Yi.

 

Xiao An and Dongshan chatted while walking back. Suddenly, they noticed that someone was missing. They turned around and found Dongjiang standing still, staring at the shop selling sugar-coated chestnuts on the street.

 

Dongshan urged, “Come on, Second Brother. The queue is so long. Let’s come back early tomorrow to buy.”

 

Xiao Anadded, “Yeah, Dongjiang! You’ll have to wait at least two quarters in this line.”

 

Dongjiang remained unmoved, silently walked over to join the queue, and said, “Xiao Shu likes to eat. You guys go back first.”

 

Dongshan & Xiao An: “Yo yo yo yo yo!”

 

Dongjiang: “…..”

 

Are these two stubborn? Always “Yo yo yo yo yo”…

 

Busy days always pass quickly; in the blink of an eye, it was almost time for the grand opening of the Pearl Shop.

 

On this day, family members gathered again in the house of Jing Yi and Chuxia to discuss the opening arrangements. It can be said that the whole family was present, including Jing Feng. Even steward Tong, Gao Kun, Renhe and Renyi attended the meeting.

 

Even Xiao Shu, who had been immersed in the workshop with the craftsmen lately, and Ah Qi, returned.

 

Now the entire room habitually waited for Jing Yi to give orders.

 

However, when Jing Yi waved his hands and casually said, “Why are you looking at me? Your brother here just holds the shares. Understand?!”

 

Shareholder, not worker – a delightful situation!

 

Helpless, the three younger brothers could only take charge of the situation themselves.

 

Dividing the tasks among them, they each communicated their respective responsibilities to Jing Yi.

 

Dongshan took the lead, his lively nature shining through as he began, “Let me talk about the shop first. Since our main products are pearls, the shop’s design will follow a marine theme. Blue and white colors will dominate, giving it a fresh, natural, and stylish look.”

 

“…Inside the shop on the first floor, several areas are prepared as large display stands, each dedicated to selling gold and silver jewelry, distinguished by brand. The second floor features our main products, pearls, and some jade jewelry. The third floor has private booths, accessible only to VIPs, though we’re still deciding if VIP status is based on a minimum consumption amount or a membership system.”

 

Jing Yi inquired, “Why not both, meeting a certain consumption amount and requiring membership?”

 

Dongshan replied, “Of course, that works.” Indeed, a clever proposal from the ever-witty Brother Yi.

 

Next, Xiao An spoke about the cooperation with several jewelry shops they had agreed upon, focusing on those with unique designs outside the capital, collaborating through a commission-based system.

 

He also updated them on the progress of training the shop assistants, a task he found quite familiar due to growing up under Jing Yi’s influence. His outgoing personality made him adept at handling external relations and personnel work.

 

Finally, it was Dongiang’s turn for the financial part. Since this involved sensitive information, he mainly spoke about the opening day’s procedures and marketing strategies.

 

Today’s gathering’s critical part was: “In the first three days of the opening, it will be relatively chaotic. We’re not worried about customers who are just looking and not buying, but we’re concerned about competitors trying to take advantage of the situation. So, I’ll trouble steward Tong, Renhe and Renyi to lead our brothers in patrolling the shop. This is to prevent troublemakers from taking advantage of the situation.”

 

“Yes, understood.” Three of them responded in unison.

 

“Then, I’ll also trouble Jing Feng and Gao Kun to stay at the accounting offices on the first and second floors, handling customer disputes and supervising the accounts.”

 

“Sure, no problem.” “Yes, understood.”

 

“Finally, since the majority of customers at the jewelry shop are gers and women, and Xiao Shu and Ah Qi understand our shop’s design concepts and styles the best, while Brother Xiaochen has extensive sales experience, I’ll trouble you to help receive those customers who are genuinely interested.”

 

Watching his three younger brothers efficiently organize their tasks, both Jing Yi and Chuxia felt proud in their hearts. This is the result of having brothers who have grown up well!

 

Jing Yi, looking at each of them with their assigned tasks, couldn’t help but interject, “What about me and Chuxia?”

 

Dongshan scratched his head and said, “Brother Yi, you said you wanted a share of the profit, right?” We don’t dare to assign you anything.

 

Hearing this, Jing Yi smiled and said, “Humph, then we’ll find ourselves something to do; let’s just oversee the third floor.”

 

Turning to Chuxia, he asked, “Is that okay, head of the household?”

 

Chuxia agreed nonchalantly, “Of course, it’s perfect. Besides, we can also see who can attract more members between us.”

 

Hearing this spirited challenge, Jing Yi instantly felt invigorated, his eyes shining as he looked at his husband, “Sure, let’s compete!”

 

Winning this would also mean bringing up some demands that are usually not dared to be mentioned!