Afterwards, they went to Qingqu Street, the second busiest street, and visited cloth shops and embroidery workshops. Hu Yi kept saying her legs were breaking, but she still had a lot of fun shopping.

We went to the restaurant for dinner at the end of noon.

When the wine was at its peak, Hu Wan said a few words about his frustration at having such a hard time making a big splash in the provincial capital.

Hu Wan was running a business in the provincial capital. If he had followed the Hu family's previous model, there would have been no problem at all. They had always made purchases between the north and the south. However, Hu Wan wanted to expand and become stronger, and he had never thought of a better way.

The Hu family's ancestors were foot traders, speculators who bought and sold goods from southern China to the north. Each generation of the Hu family was hardworking and shrewd, earning more and more money and expanding their business, but their scale remained modest. Without their own workshops or proprietary products, and without access to large businesses or maritime trade, they were limited, and their ambitions to expand and prosper were simply impossible. They opened numerous shops, restaurants, and teahouses, but lacking distinctive features, their businesses were mediocre.

The ancients liked to run family businesses. When they had good products, they would not only make them themselves, but also share them with their family members. For example, his father-in-law's Xu family had a one-stop service for growing, making and selling tea. They also sold tea to other businesses, but in very limited quantities.

The Hu family had lived in the capital for generations, but due to poor business conditions, Hu Shaogeng and his family moved to Nanping County. Hu Wan, knowing he didn't have the skills to expand his business in the capital, chose Ningzhou, the provincial capital. He always wanted to surpass his father and make his business even better.

Xu Lanyin said, "Brother Hu wants to expand his business. Unlike at home, he must break out of the old framework and find a new way."

Hu Wan smiled bitterly and said, "I know I need to find another way, but I don't know where it is..."

Xu Lanyin didn't know much about business, but seeing Hu Yi shouting his legs were broken all the way down the street today reminded her of the large shopping malls in her past life. Inside, you could buy basically anything. The Hu family's funds and connections wouldn't allow them to open a large-scale mall, but they could certainly open a small or medium-sized "department store."

Then he smiled and said, "I have an idea. I hope it can give Brother Hu some inspiration. I hope Brother Hu won't laugh at me for showing off my skills before an expert."

Hu Wan immediately said seriously, "Miss Xu, please speak."

Xu Lanyin said, "If we change the business model of the mall and make it different, the business may pick up."

The word "mall" was unfamiliar, but Hu Wan understood its meaning. He smiled and said, "Calling a shop a mall is indeed more appropriate. If Miss Xu's idea is a good one, I, Hu, will definitely reward you handsomely."

Xu Lanyin smiled and said, "I don't deserve such a generous reward. As long as I can help Master Hu, that's all I need." He continued, "Because there are so many things to buy, sometimes I have to walk several streets, or even halfway across the city, to get everything. If there were a shopping mall like this, covering food, drinks, clothing, and almost every commodity... if this kind of mall was well built, it would definitely attract a lot of people. Not only would people from this city like to go there, but even outsiders who come to Ningzhou Prefecture would prefer to go there to buy things..."

She briefly explained the model of a modern shopping mall and continued, "If you have a lot of money, you can build a bigger mall and sell your products there, or you can rent out small shops to others. Once your reputation spreads, merchants with good brands will be willing to rent shops here. If your financial resources are limited, you can rent a large shop with several floors and sell only your products. Give it a catchy name, like 'Ningzhou Prefecture's First Department Store'..." She laughed and said, "I don't understand business either. I'm just talking nonsense. Please forgive me, Mr. Hu."

I thought to myself, although the name is a bit rustic, it is definitely well-known in this era, and may even lead the fashion in the business world.

Hu Wan pondered for a moment, then began to rub his hands and said with a smile, "Excellent, it's feasible. Miss Xu, can you give us more details?"

Xu Lanyin then went on to describe the models of many shopping malls and supermarkets in her past life. They could specialize in high-end department stores, mid-range department stores, or even daily necessities. Different target groups should choose different ports. She even drew a picture on the table with her finger dipped in water...

Hu Wan was overcome with emotion, eager to return home to gather his thoughts and discuss the matter with his parents-in-law. His mother-in-law had only one biological daughter, Xu Wan, his future wife; her other sons and daughters were illegitimate. Therefore, his mother-in-law must have been completely focused on Xu Wan and him.

After lunch, Hu Cheng had to suppress his excitement and took them to Xu Wan's embroidery shop.

The shop wasn't big, and wasn't in the heart of the city, but it was bustling with customers, mostly children. They came mainly to buy the small dolls in the shop—ducklings, rabbits, and piglets—that Xu Lanyin had taught Hu Yi to make.

Hu Yi was very happy that she had made a contribution to her future sister-in-law.

Xu Lanyin and Hu Yi bought a bunch of small things in the shop, including silk money, plain satin, plain silk, round fans, purses, silk flowers, bracelets, etc.

The shopkeeper was too embarrassed to take the money, so Zhao Wu and Hu Wan gave it to him reluctantly.

Hu Wantu was in a state of detachment along the way. Zhao Wu and he had no common language. They were both thinking about their own things and didn't say a word when they arrived at Hu's house.

After getting off the mule cart, Hu Wan went straight to the study, while Xu Lanyin and Zhao Wu went to the guest room. Hu Yi followed Xu Lanyin wherever she went.

As soon as they entered the courtyard of the guest room, they saw Ma Zi eating brown rice in the courtyard. Seeing Zhao Wu coming back, he flew into his palm and chirped.

Xu Lanzhou came out and handed him the small bamboo tube, and said with a low laugh, "Ma Zi will be back at noon." Then he went to find Xu Lanyin.

Xu Lanyin took Hu Yi to Xu Lanting's house and gave him the food he had bought. Hu Yi also bought him two small toys.

When the two brothers heard that the embroidery had sold for five hundred taels of silver, they were overjoyed. They had never dreamed of such a price. Xu Lanzhou, in particular, smiled brighter than the sunshine outside the window.

Seeing their expectant eyes, Xu Lanyin took out the silver note and showed it to them. Ignoring Xu Lanzhou's outstretched hand, he put the silver note into his purse and then into his own arms.

Xu Lanzhou's face turned slightly red, but he was still embarrassed to say that as the eldest son of the Xu family, he had to keep the money.

Xu Lanyin did it on purpose. She wanted to change the child's thinking and habits. At home, Xu Lanyin often beat the naughty child, but he would not listen at all.

After breakfast the next day, Hu Wan and his sister accompanied the Xu siblings and Zhao Wu to Huichuntang for medical treatment.

Hu Wan's eyes were red and had big dark circles under them. He must have stayed up all night thinking about business matters.

Xu Lanyin smiled and said, "Brother Hu, please rest at home. Let the servants accompany us."

Hu Wan smiled and said, "I'm worried, so I'll take you there myself."

They took a car to Huichuntang. Doctor Fang's consultation fee was extremely high, two taels of silver, and poor people could not afford it.