Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 243 - 127: How Small Businesses Can Make Money_1

Chapter 243: Chapter 127: How Small Businesses Can Make Money_1
Lady Zhang was in the midst of brisk sales when she heard Lian Manman say this and was somewhat bewildered.
"Dad, Mom, let’s not sell these pickled vegetables today. Can we give them away instead?" said Lian Manman.
Lian Manman had already counted the money in her pouch. They had sold approximately seventy pounds of pickled vegetables that day, and she already had seventy-eight wen in her pouch. There were roughly ten pounds of pickled vegetables left in the basin.
"Manman, whom are you planning to give all these pickled vegetables to?" Although Lady Zhang was a bit reluctant, she still asked.
"Mom, I’m thinking of giving some pickled vegetables to Shopkeeper Wu from the Yue Lai Tavern," Lian Manman explained. Generally speaking, people wouldn’t be able to eat pickled vegetables for another one and a half to two months. In winter, dishes cooked with pickled vegetables were popular at the tavern. If they could provide dishes with pickled vegetables now, it would surely attract more business to the tavern. Shopkeeper Wu was a shrewd businessman, and he would definitely recognize this business opportunity.
So, Lian Manman planned to send some pickled vegetables to Shopkeeper Wu for a taste test. If Shopkeeper Wu approved of the flavor, they were very likely to land a sizable order.
"Right," Lian Shouxin immediately understood Lian Manman’s intention and nodded continuously in agreement.
"Besides, let’s also send a few pounds of pickled vegetables to Third Uncle Wu," Lian Manman added. "Last time, Third Aunt Wu mentioned that she wanted you to come and visit when you were in town."
Of course, giving pickled vegetables to the Wu family was to foster good relations. Additionally, it was intended to pave the way for selling more pickled vegetables. Wu Yugui was a capable broker, knew a lot of people, and was not confined to Qingyang Town; he had many acquaintances in Jinyang County Town as well. If they could sell pickled vegetables through him to Jinyang County Town and other towns in Jinyang County, that would be even better.
Selling pickled vegetables was a low-margin business; if they only sold a few dozen pounds at the market each time they came to Qingyang Town, the money they earned was enough to cover everyday expenses and improve their diet. They had to sell in large quantities to truly make a profit. Lian Manman even planned to use the money from selling pickled vegetables to buy a few more acres of land.
"Manman is right. Then let’s not sell anymore, but pack it up and deliver it to these two places."
The family then divided the pickled vegetables into three portions. They first delivered them on the way to Yue Lai Tavern and gave one portion to Shopkeeper Wu.
"Oh my, pickled vegetables! I heard someone in the tavern talking about it just now and couldn’t believe it, but it’s true," Shopkeeper Wu laughed while receiving the pickled vegetables. "I was wondering who could have pickled these vegetables so early. In these ten villages and eight towns, only you folks... I was right. ...How much for these pickled vegetables?"
"Shopkeeper Wu, you’re too polite. These pickled vegetables are a gift for you to enjoy, they’re free," said Lian Manman with a smile. "If Shopkeeper Wu likes them, we will bring more for you."
Shopkeeper Wu then laughed heartily.
"Good, good. I’ll have to try these properly."
After leaving Yue Lai Tavern, the family next visited Jisheng Hall, only to find that Wang Youheng was not there. Shopkeeper Wang told them that there was an issue in the county town and Imperial Doctor Wang had called him back, likely taking a few days to return. These days, Lian Manman and her siblings almost always visited Jisheng Hall when in town, and often brought household goods to Wang Youheng. Shopkeeper Wang noticed that the Lian family children were very well-mannered and genuinely kind to Wang Youheng, so he treated them better than before. His politeness remained, but now there was an added touch of warmth.
Since Wang Youheng was absent, Lian Manman gave the pickled vegetables to Shopkeeper Wang.
"Our home just finished pickling these vegetables. Shopkeeper Wang, if you don’t mind, please accept and try them," said Lian Manman to Shopkeeper Wang.
Shopkeeper Wang knew the pickled vegetables were intended for Young Doctor Wang, and since Young Doctor Wang was not there, Lian Manman didn’t mention it and offered the pickled vegetables to him instead.
"How could I accept that?" demurred Shopkeeper Wang.
"We intended to give some to Young Doctor Wang for him to try, and there’s also some for Shopkeeper Wang, so please feel free to accept," said Lian Shouxin.
After a bit more token resistance, Shopkeeper Wang accepted the pickled vegetables.
"It’s the perfect time to buy a couple of pounds of meat to treat the workers to a feast."
Finally, the Lian family arrived at Wu Yugui’s house. Wu Yugui had gone out with his son for errands, leaving only Lady Wang and her daughter Wu Jiayu at home. Lady Wang warmly welcomed them upon their arrival.
"I just love pickled vegetables. It must have been tough getting them ready so early." When Lady Zhang brought over the pickled vegetables, Lady Wang’s smile brightened even more.
Lady Zhang originally planned to chat with Lady Wang for a bit and then head home. However, Lady Wang secretly asked the neighbor next door to buy some vegetables and called Wu Yugui and his son back home, insisting on having Lian Shouxin and his family stay for a meal. Seeing Lady Wang’s sincere desire to keep them as guests, Lady Zhang didn’t feel good about leaving and helped Lady Wang with the cooking. The two families had a lively and enjoyable meal together.
Lian Shouxin and Wu Yugui, Lady Zhang and Lady Wang, got along famously during their conversation, and the children from both families grew even more familiar with each other. As a result, by the time the Lian Manman’s family returned to Thirty Mile Camp, it was already evening.
"Let’s make more pickled vegetables quickly, so we can sell them at the next market." Lady Zhang said excitedly upon returning home, "I reckon there will be even more people buying our pickled vegetables at the next market."
"Third Brother Wu also said he would go to several taverns in the county town to inquire for us and see who wants pickled vegetables," Lian Shouxin added with a smile.
"Dad and Mom are eager to make money too," Lian Manman couldn’t help but laugh.
"Mom is anxious," stated Lady Zhang without denying, "Selling pickled vegetables relies on our skills and labor. Even if we don’t earn much, making a hundred wen at the market is equivalent to one silver coin. Every market, I’ll buy you a pound of pork and save some money, so we can..."
Lady Zhang hadn’t finished expressing her savings plan when Lian Xiuxiu pushed the door open and walked in from outside.
"Fourth Brother, Fourth Sister-in-law, you went to the market. Why did you return so late?" Lian Xiuxiu pouted, expressing her discontent, "Dad and Mom are calling you over to discuss something urgently."
Without waiting for Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang to ask, Lian Xiuxiu turned and left.
"What do Dad and Mom want to discuss with us?" Lian Shouxin asked himself.
"What else could it be? Huahua is about to leave home, isn’t she? The day after tomorrow is when we add to her trousseau, and we’ll definitely have to hold several festivities at home and also take care of the wedding procession. Surely, we will need many hands," said Lady Zhang.
"Then let’s go now," suggested Lian Shouxin.
"Yes, we’ll make more pickled vegetables when we come back," agreed Lady Zhang, nodding.
In their eyes, Huahua was still their dear niece, and this was the first time the Lian family was marrying off a granddaughter—such an important event. They were more than willing to help and even ready to put the pickling and money-making aside for a while.
"Mom, I won’t stop us from helping, but we can’t let that delay the pickling and money-making," Lian Manman said.
"It won’t delay things. At most, we’ll just work harder, sleep less, and we definitely can’t let it affect the pickling," assured Lady Zhang with a serious nod.
Reassured by Lady Zhang’s words, Lian Manman was curious about the preparations for Huahua’s trousseau feast and so decided to follow Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang to the Upper Room.
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These past two days have been quite hectic; I’ll update this one Chapter for now and will try to update more once I’m less busy. Please be understanding and continue to support my work. (To be continued. If you enjoy this story, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)