Chapter 383: Sihai Opening

Song Mingzhen thought about it, and finally wrote a letter to his sister-in-law, the Crown Princess of Zhenbei Palace, begging her to help Song Chenghuan find a marriage in the northwest.

She wanted to show her face to her elder sister-in-law who had been talking behind her back how well she was living after coming to the capital.

But her daughter is not doing well, what can she do?

She could abandon anyone else, but this was her own daughter.

In this life, she will never truly let go of her until she closes her eyes.

Song Mingzhen finally admitted his failure in education.

"If she doesn't want to go out, then let her go. She doesn't need to go to the academy. Since she's married back to the northwest, she doesn't need to maintain relationships in the capital. Of course, she can't maintain them even if we ask her to. She's already offended everyone."

Aunt Huo didn't know how to comfort her.

Daya and Jiang Xuan's marriage was rescheduled for the 16th day of the twelfth lunar month because it became a marriage of the wife's wife.

Although there is still a month left, Lu Qiniang has already started to get busy.

She discussed with Daya that there was no need to hold a big banquet, but just invite some close friends.

For example, Dr. Hu's family, Jiang Yi's siblings, the Fifth Young Master, and then Jiang Xuan's good friends. A total of four tables are planned.

Lei Longzi has returned from Dengzhou to catch the end-of-year fireworks.

His research had achieved some success, but he was not satisfied with it. He took the initiative to tell Xiao Yan that he wanted to try again next year.

Xiao Yan naturally agreed.

The competition in the fireworks industry has become much more intense this year, but with Yun Ting, the gold medal salesperson, there is definitely still money to be made.

As for firecrackers, although the profit is low, I continue to make them.

Lu Qiniang said to the women working in the shop, "If any of you are diligent and brave, I think we can wholesale some firecrackers and sell them."

"Boss, please stop joking. Where would we sell it?"

"I've heard of it. Last year, a young man came from Zhili to Beijing with a cart selling dried shrimp. On his way back, he bought a cart of firecrackers from us. Guess what?"

"What's going on?"

"He made over ten taels of silver from selling firecrackers, enough for half a year's harvest!" Lu Qiniang said, "I didn't believe it at first, but then I asked around and it was basically the same for everyone."

Because, things are valuable because they are rare.

There are rich people everywhere.

Firecrackers are not meant to be sold to poor people who have no food to eat and no clothes to wear.

Instead, they are sold to local wealthy people and families with a little wealth. After all, during the Chinese New Year, most people who have money are willing to buy some to have fun.

"Think about it, when our firecrackers first came out, so many people in the capital praised them for being so loud," Lu Qiniang said. "Just think about it, have people from other places ever seen them?"

"Boss, do you want us to ship the firecrackers to other places to sell them?"

"Yes, you don't have to go far. Brothers, let's go to a place two or three days away from home, even to the countryside, and give it a try. You don't have to worry about the capital. I'll give you credit, and after you sell the goods, you can come back and pay me."

After listening to it, some people immediately wanted to try it.

Some people also consider that there is no one in their family who can travel far away together, and they are also concerned about the risks, so they don't consider it.

Lu Qinniang didn't force it, and smiled, "Any of you who have this idea, go ahead and give it a try. Don't be greedy. Each family gets one cart of goods and three taels of silver. If everything goes well, you can make five, six, seven, or eight taels and have a good New Year. You can also go out with the men. Not only can you make money, but you can also broaden your horizons. Don't live your whole life without leaving the city gates."

If she didn't have so much to do and couldn't leave, she would also think of pushing a cart to the countryside to sell firecrackers.

"By the way, if any of you want to go, remember to separate and don't gather in groups. There are so many places, enough for everyone to share. Don't gather in one place, it will be difficult for everyone to make money."

"Okay, boss, let's discuss this with my husband when we get home today."

"There's no rush," Lu Qiniang said with a smile, "Let's wait until the twelfth lunar month."

Now she can no longer do those small businesses, but she keeps an eye on them.

If she finds something reliable, she recommends it to those around her to try.

We developed feelings for each other after getting along with each other, and when we have feelings for each other, we hope that they can all live a good life.

As the twelfth lunar month approached, more than a dozen families, as Lu Qiniang had said, wholesaled firecrackers. Couples or brothers went out of Beijing together to sell firecrackers in nearby places.

After several months of intense preparation, the Sihai Grocery Store finally opened in a grand manner.

At three quarters past the hour of Yin, the thick darkness had not yet been completely permeated by the morning light, but inside the newly painted vermilion shop door at the end of the alley, lights were already on and figures were swaying.

Lu Qiniang stood in the hall, her fingertips slowly stroking the last row of neatly stacked tung oil wood shelves.

The slightly astringent fragrance of the wood is mixed with the smell of new paint, the slightly salty smell of seafood, the earthy smell of mountain delicacies, the sweetness of dried fruits, the fragrance of spices...all kinds of aromas silently evaporate and blend under the warm yellow light, and finally settle into a solid and hot expectation, hanging heavily on the heart.

Her shop, such a big shop, is about to open!

She must be dreaming.

Chang Hui and Daya were standing behind the counter talking about something, while Erya was in her own area, wiping the counter skillfully - a place where women do business must be especially clean.

San Ya was secretly eating the candy that was prepared for the children, like a cat stealing fish, looking around from time to time.

Lu Qiniang pretended not to see it.

It’s a good day, don’t beat or scold your children, and welcome the God of Wealth.

A tall and straight figure walked in against the gradually brightening light outside the door. He held a few bowls of freshly cooked millet porridge on a tray in his hand. The hot steam blurred his overly rigid outline.

It’s Xiao Yan.

"Come and have some, it's still early." He said with a smile.

Everyone gathered together to drink porridge. The warm porridge dispelled the cold.

At the beginning of the morning hour, the rosy glow finally tore through the clouds and splashed onto the bluestone slabs of the long street like golden threads.

A crowd of neighbors had gathered in front of the shop to watch the fun.

The vermilion door stood open, revealing the dazzling array of shelves and bustling crowds within. The air was filled with a tense, scorching sense of anticipation.

"The auspicious time has arrived—!"

Chang Hui's drawn-out shout was like a drop of water thrown into boiling oil, instantly igniting the long-accumulated clamor.

“Crackle, crackle—!”

The sound of firecrackers suddenly exploded, and the pungent smell of gunpowder spread everywhere. Red debris flew everywhere like a heavy rain, and the ground was covered with red fragments.

The sound of firecrackers was still lingering and the smoke had not yet dissipated when Lu Qiniang joyfully pulled off the red silk on the plaque at the door, revealing the seven large gold characters "Four Seas North and South Goods Shop".

A surging crowd rushed into the shop door. The shop, which seemed a little empty just now, was instantly filled with all kinds of faces, voices and bodies, and it was bustling.

Lu Qiniang looked at Xiao Yan, smiling so hard that her teeth were showing.

Their days are like sesame seeds that bloom and grow higher and higher.

And Xiao Yan, just by looking at her smile, had already gained the deepest happiness.

I hope Qi Niang will always be accompanied by a smile like she is now throughout her life.

At this moment, Lu Qiniang didn't know that this brand would last for more than three hundred years, weathering all the vicissitudes of life and becoming one of the most famous old brands in the capital.