บท 35: Selling the Shops?

Strawberries were known to originate from the northern hemisphere and Blueberries were initially cultivated in North America.

Both can be planted in mid or late spring, so it wasn't too late yet. And they were seedlings, too, so she didn't have to start from germinating seeds, saving her time.

"Shopkeeper, I want all these and these." Fu Mei Li happily pointed to all the strawberry and blueberry plants she saw.

"Oh, the lady likes decorative berries!"

Huh? Decorative berries, again?

What a waste if these were used only for decoration. What about her strawberry shortcake and blueberry cheesecake? No, she must farm them!

But that reminded her. "Shopkeeper, do you have cherry tomatoes and tomatoes?" She described what those look like.

"Yes, yes. We have more of these decorative berries. You want them all?"

Fu Mei Li, who could already picture out her berry and tomato plantation in her mind, happily assented.

In the end, the shopkeeper told her that his stock had 50 strawberry seedlings sold for 300 coppers each and 75 blueberry seedlings at 200 coppers each. There were 105 cherry tomato seedlings for 250 coppers and 30 tomato seedlings for 450 coppers.

Mei Li could easily tell that these were sold based on the size of their fruits. The bigger the fruit, the higher the price. She wasn't surprised as these plants were treated as decorative berries.

In total, Mei Li racked up a bill of 69 silvers and 750 coppers.

The two Jin brothers who were accompanying were dumbfounded again. The wife's ability to earn money was scary, but her spending ability was also scary!

Mei Li, who didn't notice her husbands palpitating, happily agreed to a deal with the shopkeeper that he'd deliver all the seedlings the next day to her home in Shenghuo Village.

After sorting out the delivery instructions, Mei Li paid half of the price. She would pay the rest upon delivery.

Mei Li then dragged her husbands to the butcher's and grain shop. She purchased pork, rice, and wheat flour. Next, she went to the spice and condiments area and bought salt, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, cinnamon, cardamom, and more.

If her husbands didn't stop her with the reason that they couldn't carry all these things back, she would have replenished her whole kitchen!

Still, Mei Li spent another 7 taels to buy food.

She didn't flinch at her spending. What was the point of making money when she couldn't live a better life with her family?

With that, the 200 taels that they didn't deposit to the bank dwindled quickly to 124 taels. She figured it was time to go home.

Just as they were making that decision, they heard an urgent call.

"Young Master Jin, Young Master Jin!"

The trio turned to see a slightly portly middle-aged man huffing and puffing in an effort to get to them.

"Shopkeeper Ling, what's the matter?" Apparently, Mingyu knew this guy.

"Young Master, Jin. I'm so glad I found you today! Some people are interested in buying your family's two shops, what do you think?" He blurted out.

Mei Li hastily grabbed the corner of Mingyu's sleeves. "Big brother, don't sell the shops."

What a joke. She was still planning to revive those shops. Why would they sell them?

Mingyu looked at her and then at Shopkeeper Ling. "The streets are not the place to talk. Let's go find a quieter noodle shop."

And so they did. Everyone sat down over their noodles, but nobody focused on eating.

"Mei Li, this is Shopkeeper Ling. He helped my fathers manage both the clothing shop and restaurant before. Shopkeeper Ling, this is our wife, Mei Li." Mingyu made the introductions.

"Congratulations on your marriage! Nice to meet you, lady."

"So, about the shops. I got acquainted with a young miss from the prefecture city and she was looking to buy shops in our county. Since the Jin family shops have been closed for months now, I thought maybe you should sell to her?" Shopkeeper Ling plowed on.

Ah, this shopkeeper was a tad too eager, wasn't he? Mei Li thought he might be promised a fat commission from this.

She was half right. That young miss from the prefecture city did indeed promise Shopkeeper Ling a commission for helping her find shops she could snap up.

However, Shopkeeper Ling also had a plan in mind.

Since the Jin family trusted him so much that he was even able to embezzle some of the profits when their fathers were still alive, they should still trust his words now.

He planned to force the Jin brothers to accept a low price for their shops. He would then tell that young miss a higher price and the difference would go to his pocket. What a happy thought!

So he was truly pushing for this sale.

"We're sorry, Shopkeeper Ling, our wife has other plans for those stores." Mingyu refused, which surprised Shopkeeper Ling.

His expression fell as this was not going according to plan. But Mingyu remained firm in his decision so Shopkeeper Ling could only drop the matter for now.

Shopkeeper Ling met the young miss from the prefecture city that afternoon and explained the matter.

"But I really like the location of those stores. You said they were for sale. Didn't I promise you a big commission if this goes through?" The young miss questioned in her high-pitched voice.

"Young Miss Feng, this is just a tiny wrinkle in the plan. I'll figure out a way to make them sell. Just entrust them to me." Shopkeeper Ling promised.

"Very well, I need these shops by the end of the month. If you need assistance from my people to sort out the troublesome owners, let me know." She said viciously.

What she, Feng Ruxi, had set her eyes on, she must obtain!