This is precisely the matter that Qin Yuan is extremely concerned about, so she asked, "How many taels per pound is pepper now?"
"Forty-two taels per pound."
"Oh."
Shen Changle asked, "Madam, how low do you think it will fall?"
Qin Yuan raised three fingers.
"Thirty taels?"
Qin Yuan nodded.
Shen Changle hesitated and said, "This drop is too drastic."
Qin Yuan said, "The surrounding provinces will only drop more. At that time, I will let you run to other places. The faster the price falls, the better. You should think of some more strategies."
Shen Changle understood, this meant having him find ways to spread some news, and he would also be sent to other places to collect pepper.
"What Madam orders, I will definitely execute. But does Madam think the pepper prices will surely rise again?"
Qin Yuan nodded.
Shen Changle didn’t ask further. After talking about some other matters, he said, "I still need to pay respects to Sixth Master."
Qin Yuan nodded, "Go ahead."
Once Shen Changle stepped out of the door of Wutong Garden, he bumped into Manager Wu.
Manager Wu, accompanied by a servant carrying boxes of various sizes, smiled and stroked his beard, "Does Manager Shen have business with Madam?"
Manager Wu is the old shopkeeper left by Mrs.Cui, while Shen Changle is newly appointed and serves as Qin Yuan’s attendant.
There is some hidden rivalry between them.
Shen Changle nodded, "Yes, talking about the poetry collection. It might need to be reprinted. I still have to ask Sixth Master."
Manager Wu’s expression darkened.
"Competence comes with responsibility. It’s also why Manager Shen is appreciated."
"It’s just the master’s trust. We, the servants, must think of ways to solve problems for the master. By keeping the master’s affairs at heart, naturally, we earn appreciation."
Manager Wu said, "Manager Shen speaks truly, that’s the principle, but few accomplish it."
Shen Changle bowed, "I’ll go find Sixth Master. Talk to you later."
With that, they parted ways.
Qin Yuan heard from the maid that Manager Wu had arrived, and smiled, "Today is indeed busy, one after another. Let them go to the hall first, I’ll be there soon."
Cui Ming asked, "So quickly have the account books arrived?"
Qin Yuan said, "Perhaps there’s something else. I heard from Shen Changle that those shopkeepers want to change the business they do."
Manager Wu came this time not only to deliver the account books for the past few months but also included several trendy little items, all packed in exquisite boxes, looking quite valuable.
Qin Yuan let Cui Ming collect the account books, and curiously asked, "Why send these over?"
Manager Wu laughed, "These are little gadgets the staff brought back from the south. Recently, the wealthy offspring in Jinling and Gusu fancy local Qiu Family aluminum kettles, Lian Family fans, Zhou Family screens... and some earthenware, inexplicably priced several times higher than others and they have to queue to buy. The staff found them fresh and bought them for the master to enjoy."
Qin Yuan inspected each of them and smiled, "Thoughtful."
She knew that in a previous life, many idle scholars who couldn’t attain fame would coax wealthy young men into spending money, writing many fine articles, spreading many praises, and boasting about some craftsmen’s works as uniquely exceptional, making it seem like using these items marked distinguished taste.
This must be what Manager Wu delivered.
She and Lin Ziqi, while in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, heard of a salt merchant in Yangzhou whose young heirs were disappointing. After their decline, they attempted to pawn these extravagant purchases, only to be told they were mere junk.
Yet, the money used could buy multiple gold pieces.
Manager Wu tentatively asked, "Recently, these have become trendy in the south, and the young masters there enthusiastically pursue them. Do you think this trend might reach the Capital City? The Capital traditionally admires southern goods, maybe we can try our hand at this business too?"
Qin Yuan neither confirmed nor denied, saying, "Let me think about it."
As they spoke, someone came to report that Manager Leng from Ranxiang Inn had arrived.
Qin Yuan joyfully said, "Invite Manager Leng in for a seat."
Cui Ming went to instruct others to prepare tea.
Manager Wu felt awkward, as he ran smaller shops, incomparable to the renowned incense shops in the Capital.
When Manager Leng entered, he too was surprised, clearly hadn’t expected other guests.
Qin Yuan greeted him and introduced everyone.
Manager Leng exchanged greetings with Manager Wu, engaging in brief pleasantries.
Without shying away, Qin Yuan began discussing the incense pills business with Manager Leng.
Manager Wu was increasingly shocked, realizing the significant capabilities of the mistress.
Compared to incense pills, his proposed businesses required more capital, offered smaller profits, and posed greater risks, making him reconsider.
Qin Yuan showed these items to Manager Leng and asked, "These were brought back by the staff from the south. They say these are currently trendy there. What do you think of starting this business in the Capital?"