Chapter 31: Poaching

Mo Yi and Song Jiafu looked at each other.

Boss Zhang looked very happy and clapped his hands, "Mr. Mo! So I thought you were just joking, but I didn't expect the business to be so good. It's almost a big deal! Jiafu is busy all day long, and the two young men in my shop are always helping him!"

"Haha, huh?! I appreciate Brother Zhang's kindness! Here, this is a toy for your grandson. I'll come to your house in a few days to wish you a happy new year..."

"Mr. Mo, no need to be polite! Actually, we are not only good friends, but also have the same vision. I just happen to have something I want to discuss with you!"

"Oh? Brother Zhang, please go ahead."

"I see that you are doing well in this business, but your investment is a little small."

Mo Ruhai laughed again: "Brother Zhang, you don't know this! The jade business is no joke! There are so many tricks! Besides, if you want to make a big investment, the investment is beyond my financial means."

"That's just your modesty! You are originally a scholar, and you have an official duty. You are an official! This is called business, but it is actually your hobby! If your hobbies can bring benefits, it is a high level!"

Mo Ruhai found this pleasing to the ear and nodded proudly.

Boss Zhang added: "I was thinking... since you brought back some good stuff, why don't we..."

“Daddy!”

"Daughter! Come and meet your Uncle Zhang!" Mo Ruhai waved to his daughter.

"Hello, Uncle Zhang!" Mo Yi bowed.

"Hey, Miss Mo! I haven't seen you for a while. You've grown a lot taller. You've become a grown-up girl, and you've become prettier too!"

Seeing Mo Yi's neat appearance, Boss Zhang couldn't help but think about it. His youngest son, who hadn't been engaged yet, seemed to be a good match for her age. If they became in-laws...

Mo Rushan was a high-ranking official and had property. Mo Ruhai was a scholar, not a commoner, and he worked for the chief official, so he must have made a lot of money. His wife's family was wealthy.

This girl’s dowry will most likely be quite substantial.

At first, when Mo Ruhai said he wanted to rent a counter, he didn't take it seriously, and didn't bully him. He just asked for a little rent. Then the stall was set up, and Song Jiafu was in the store every day, helping to clean, sort the goods, and even greet customers and sell goods! He was like a clerk!

I was happy with this decision. No matter how high the rent is, it's better than nothing!

But I didn’t expect that this business would be so good!

He was itching to do it himself, but the effect was not good. It seems that he still has some tricks! With Mo Ruhai's simple nature, if he cooperates, he will definitely take the initiative!

If we become in-laws again...

Mo Yi pulled her father's sleeve and said, "Dad, it's getting late. You promised me that you would go..." She stopped talking...

Mo Ruhai didn't understand what she meant, "Daughter, why don't you wait a little longer? Your uncle Zhang is looking for your father..."

"Daddy..." Mo Yi shook him, looking a little pitiful.

Mo Ruhai softened his heart, "Brother Zhang, look..."

Boss Zhang smiled and said, "Mr. Mo is busy now. We'll talk about our business in detail later!"

Song Jiaxing followed the father and daughter. Song Jiafu stood at the door, smiling with his hands in his pockets, watching them go away.

After walking for a while, he said, "Dad, let's sit in this teahouse? I need to discuss something with Brother Jiaxing."

Mo Ruhai nodded, took the two of them in, and asked for a seat for tea.

Song Jiaxing put the bag in his hand on the table. There was silver and a few banknotes in it.

"Girl, have you seen the goods in Jiafu's hand?"

Mo Yi took the paper and said, "I see, there are not many left. I took a look and found that they are all in very poor condition. Tell Jiafu that there is no rush to sell them. When the new year comes, we will have new stock. You can treat them as a bonus with the good stuff, buy one get one free."

"Yes. Here are two hundred and fifty taels of silver notes and thirty-seven taels of silver in cash. This is the account. In addition, the master has been away for a few months, and our monthly salary and some expenses... are recorded on this piece of paper..."

The accounts, goods, and silver were all in Mo Yi's mind, and he checked them all briefly.

Let father collect the money and accounts first.

He took out a few more bags of buns and handed them to Song Jiaxing: "We don't have time today, you go back and share the buns with them. Tell Li Qi that we will go when we are free in the next two days. We have also prepared New Year's goods and bonuses. Our business is good this year, and we can let everyone have a good New Year!"

Song Jiaxing was so happy that he couldn't stop smiling, "Thank you, Master, thank you, Miss!"

Mo Ruhai was used to Mo Yi making decisions, so he didn't interrupt.

"You go and do your work first!" He sent Song Jiaxing away and turned to ask, "Dad, what did you say to Boss Zhang?"

"Oh, he asked Dad how his trip went this time. Also, what plans he had for the coming year. Haha, Dad told him that he had imported some good stuff." Mo Ruhai was quite proud.

"Dad..." Mo Yi was helpless.

"What's wrong?"

"Song Jiafu said that Boss Zhang is jealous of our good business and is probably planning to do this business as well."

"Ah? He..." Mo Ruhai was a little confused, "But..."

After thinking for a while, he said, "No wonder he kept asking me... Eh? My daughter..." He still didn't realize what impact this would have on him: "This, isn't that a good thing!?"

"Dad, we have been to many jade shops before, especially the big ones. They have been running the business for generations. They know the goods, have sources, masters, stores, and customers. These are things we cannot compare with.

The advantage of my father and I's small business is that we are smart. We don't have big products, we only make small things, which are not worthy of big stores. We make them carefully and at a low price. In addition, Li Qi and Song Jiafu are very useful, so we make money.

If we do it as a big business, one, we can’t afford the investment. Another, there aren’t that many customers for these little gadgets! It’s not going to be big!”

Mo Ruhai scratched his temples, "Then..."

"Song Jiafu said: Boss Zhang also bought a few pieces a few days ago. He just didn't understand the ins and outs of the business. He couldn't afford the high-end items and couldn't sell them. The low-end items were of poor workmanship and no one cared about them. He bought ten pieces, but has only sold two or three so far. And Song Jiafu helped sell them all."

"This is troublesome..." Mo Ruhai murmured, realizing that things were not simple.

"Boss Zhang even asked his assistant to learn from Song Youfu secretly. When he failed to learn, he asked him to help sell it. He also promised that he would get a commission from the sales."

"There's such a thing? You're just trying to steal our customers!"

"Don't worry, Dad. Song Jiafu didn't discuss it with you and me, so it's hard to refuse. So I agreed to help when I'm free, but I don't want his commission. Song Jiafu said that if it's sold, Boss Zhang will be happy. If it's not sold, he will be unhappy. And there are always some things to say about the high or low selling price."

Mo Ruhai blinked his beautiful eyes and looked at his daughter. After a long while, he said, "I never thought he would be such a person."

(End of this chapter)