Chapter 176 I Have Confidence in Him

Xiao Wan'er took a short rest.

The strange thought that Chen Yu had given Chen Yi to do with Chen Yu had finally dissipated.

Just as Shen Huatang and Xie Tingyun said.

Chen Yi was not skilled in martial arts; he was merely a frail scholar proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and had absolutely no connection with Chen Yu, the owner of Baicaotang.

She felt that the reason the two were similar could only be attributed to coincidence.

It couldn't possibly be something as bizarre and strange as Chen Yu being Chen Yi's long-lost brother.

Seeing that it was still early, Xiao Wan'er instructed Xiao Wuge to study etiquette diligently before heading to Qingjing Residence with the book "Baicaotang Expansion Regulations".

Actually, she's not a decisive woman; it's just her nature.

Or perhaps it's due to physical reasons.

This will help her develop a gentler personality from a young age, making her considerate of others and rarely thinking of herself first.

Just like the case of Baicaotang.

The reason she was in such a hurry to find the old man was simply because she recognized the value of this charter.

If Baicaotang can grow rapidly as described in its charter, it will be entirely beneficial to the Xiao family.

It will not only bring considerable wealth to the Xiao family, but also solve the problems related to the government, the Dingyuan Army, and most of the money-related issues in the future.

We should still do good deeds.

Treating the sick and saving lives can also be considered doing good deeds and accumulating merit.

This will also improve the reputation of the Xiao family.

Xiao Wan'er knew very well that for aristocratic families, the latter was often more important than the former.

After the house is quiet and peaceful.

Xiao Wan'er told Shen Huatang and Xie Tingyun to wait under the eaves, and didn't forget to give them instructions:

"If anyone comes to visit, just say that Grandpa is not available at the moment."

She still remembered Mr. Chen's advice to be cautious and discreet in this matter.

Xie Tingyun and Shen Huatang nodded and stood guard at the door.

Although they didn't quite believe that Baicaotang could open branches throughout the three prefectures of the Great Wei, seeing how much the young lady valued it, they naturally didn't show it on their faces.

Afterwards, Xiao Wan'er went to pay her respects to the old master alone, holding an oil-paper umbrella.

The once quiet house is not so peaceful at this moment.

The torrential rain inevitably made it a bit noisy.

It falls on the bluestone pavement, on the flowers, trees, and grass, and drips onto the roof tiles.

The voices were all different, and when they came together, Xiao Wan'er couldn't hear the people talking inside the room.

"...The young lady has arrived."

It seems someone said that.

But when Xiao Wan'er entered the main room, she only saw the old master drinking tea alone in the living room.

She glanced around, found nothing amiss, and smiled as she bowed slightly, saying, "Granddaughter greets grandfather."

The old man sat upright in his armchair, smiled and nodded, gesturing for her to sit down and speak.

"It's been raining heavily and the wind is cold these past few days, so you should stay home as much as possible. If you need anything, just send someone to let me know, and I'll come over to Jiaxing Garden myself."

"That won't do. Grandpa has just recovered and needs rest too."

"Besides, Wan'er is just sick and it's nothing. If something happens to you, then the grandfathers and uncles in the mansion will blame Wan'er."

"Who dares? My eldest granddaughter is not someone anyone can blame."

"grandfather……"

Such a conversation may seem warm and intimate, but to outsiders, it sounds like two patients discussing their symptoms.

Let's chat for a bit.

Xiao Wan'er then took out the "Bai Cao Tang Expansion Regulations" and placed it in the old man's hands, "Grandpa, please take a look."

"This is……"

The old man looked at the booklet in his hand. He had naturally heard of the name Baicaotang and knew about the tea drinks it sold.

And recently, because of the relationship between Xiao Family Pharmacy and Baicaotang, he even specially found a few bottles to try.

Wangji tea is refreshing, Laobaijin tea is slightly bitter but has a sweet aftertaste, and Shenniu tea has a strange taste but leaves you feeling energetic after drinking it.

As for the strawberry tea and beauty tea, he only looked at them and did not actually taste them.

However, after trying it, I found that the old white gold tea does make me feel much more relaxed, and I've been drinking a bottle of it every day lately.

But tea is tea, and the old man still had some doubts about what kind of expansion plan there was.

"I heard the owner of Baicaotang came today. Did he bring him?"

Xiao Wan'er smiled and nodded, "Mr. Chen is a promising young man. He is not only skilled in medicine, but also has a great business sense."

After offering a few words of praise, she continued, "This charter was indeed brought by him today; he wants to cooperate with our Xiao family."

As the old man flipped through the booklet, he said, "I've said before that you'd be in charge of everything at the Xiao family's pharmacy, so there's no need for you to do anything special..."

Before he could finish speaking, he saw what was written in the booklet, grunted, and showed some interest on his face.

Seeing his expression, Xiao Wan'er knew that her grandfather was just as shocked by the contents of the document as she had been earlier, and said with a smile:

“The matters mentioned in this charter are of great importance. Wan’er is unsure of what to do and can only come to consult her grandfather.”

The old man grunted in agreement, holding the manual far away so he could see the contents clearly, and muttered to himself.

"Bai Cao Tang intends to use Shu Prefecture as its base, first expanding into neighboring prefectures and counties, and then developing the land of the Nine Provinces and Three Prefectures..."

Seeing this, Xiao Wan'er sat quietly in the chair and waited.

She had confidence in the charter, and also had some confidence in Mr. Chen's plans and ambitions.

The only uncertainty is whether the Xiao family can fully support Baicaotang's expansion as Mr. Chen requested.

Not long after.

The old man carefully read through the entire charter, and a hint of amazement appeared on his thin but wrinkled face: "This is interesting."

"Wan'er, was this charter written by the owner of Baicaotang?"

Xiao Wan'er nodded, "Grandpa, it was him who brought it. Judging from the handwriting, it was written by Wang Ji."

"Oh, what do you think about this?"

"Wan'er, Wan'er wants to try, but Wan'er is well aware of the difficulty and the effort required."

"If the family decides to support Baicaotang, it might affect other things."

The old man nodded slightly: "You're quite right. This matter isn't that simple."

"Not to mention outside of Shu Prefecture, dealing with the powerful families in just a few counties within Shu Prefecture itself is no easy task."

"If Baicaotang earns less, that would be fine. But looking at the profits of our Xiao Family Pharmacy over the past month, those tea drinks... are very profitable."

The old man had lived in Shuzhou for many years and knew all too well how troublesome those powerful clans were.

Especially tribes and clans located in mountainous areas.

Even if the Xiao family's power could subdue them, it would still attract some criticism.

When Baicaotang starts making a profit and when the Xiao family's medicine shop starts sharing the profits, even if the members of those powerful families don't say anything, they will inevitably feel some dissatisfaction.

They'll probably say things like, "The Xiao family is hoarding their wealth," or "They don't think about helping their old subordinates and brothers when it comes to making money," and so on.

Ultimately, the Xiao family has cultivated the land in Shu Prefecture for two hundred years, and their relationships with various ethnic groups and prefectures are deeply intertwined, so a simple one-size-fits-all approach is not feasible.

Just like the trade market jointly built with the mountain tribes.

They would bring along some people, and try to win over some powerful families, in order to reassure everyone.

Xiao Wan'er thought for a moment and asked, "Grandpa, do you need our family to share some of the money?"

Upon hearing this, the old man joked, "It is true that some profits should be distributed, but why can't it be distributed by Baicaotang?"

Xiao Wan'er was slightly taken aback, and hesitated before saying, "After all, this charter was proposed by Boss Chen, I..."

Feeling bad?

“There are some.”

Seeing her nod, the old man smiled and said, "Wan'er, you are too kind-hearted, which will cause you to suffer in business."

Xiao Wan'er blushed and lowered her head slightly: "Wan'er knows she was wrong."

"You've gone too far."

"This matter is neither right nor wrong; it's just that you don't understand the stakes involved. It may seem that my Xiao family can get 50% of the profits in Shu Prefecture, but in reality, it's at most 30%."

"And Baicaotang provides the regulations, prescriptions, and personnel... well, taking 50% is reasonable."

Xiao Wan'er couldn't help but smile. "Grandpa, you think so too?"

The old man smiled and shook his head, "I just think he makes money too easily."

At this point, he had finally understood the value of that charter.

Baicaotang has the formulas, the means to make money, and the brains; the only thing it lacks is the connections to various powerful figures.

Fortunately, the Xiao family had close ties with various parties and connections, but lacked a way to make a living.

They can complement each other's strengths and weaknesses.

"That owner of Baicaotang has unique insights, which are truly commendable."

Seeing him praise Boss Chen, Xiao Wan'er asked with a hint of joy, "Grandpa, you... you agree?"

The old man raised his hand, signaling her to wait a moment.

He pondered for a moment.

Looking at the rain falling outside the hall, the old man weighed the pros and cons and said, "This business is worth doing. I agree."

Xiao Wan'er was delighted, but knowing that he still had something to say, she didn't rush to speak.

Then the old man said, "However, this matter should not be rushed. Many things need to be carefully considered, at the very least..."

"At the very least, we need to find out the boss's name... what's his name?"

"Chen Yu, I heard he's been studying medicine with his master in the mountains."

The old man nodded, "We should also be at ease with Chen Yu."

Xiao Wan'er paused for a moment, then said knowingly, "Grandpa is right."

"Our Xiao family is going through a lot of trouble right now, so we have to be careful in everything we do."

"Wan'er understands."

Xiao Wan'er was well aware of the family's situation and could understand the reasons why the old master did this.

However, she had a strange confidence in Mr. Chen and didn't think he had any problems.

Not long after.

Xiao Wan'er left with a smile on her face.

The old man watched her walk away before letting out a soft sigh.

"Did you hear everything?"

"Later, go and investigate that boss... Chen Yu, and also investigate the others in Baicaotang."

"My Xiao family has had extremely bad luck for the past five years. To encounter such good fortune so suddenly makes me think a lot."

As soon as he finished speaking, a figure emerged from the side room and bowed respectfully.

"I will go shortly."

The old man nodded, "Just check it out while you're at it."

"Your primary task these days is to keep a close eye on the Liu family in Jingzhou."

"Since they have started to change their ways again and imposed a 10% grain tax on the summer grain in the three towns, they will likely take other actions afterward."

"Rest assured, my lord, their movements are all under the surveillance of the secret guards."

"But there's been strange activity at the black market lately."

"oh?"

"Last night, a letter came from the newly planted secret guards saying that Old Demon Fang died at the hands of Black Fang. In addition, there are quite a few evil spirits gathered in Spring Rain Pavilion, as if they are discussing some big deal."

The old man frowned slightly, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his cloudy eyes.

What kind of big deals require sifting through the black market's informants?

"Now that we've found out, let's see what Mingyue Tower is up to."

"yes!"

(End of this chapter)