"This is a hot potato that I wouldn't dare to take even if I wanted to." Su Erhu shook his head, glanced at the street corner, and revealed a suitable amount of gossip in his eyes. "I just came out to see what was going on because it was so noisy outside."
Following his gaze, Master Wu saw the four large characters "Selling oneself to bury one's father" and cursed inwardly.
Then he looked at the bustling customers in the restaurant across the street, his round face breaking into a smile, "What hot potato? As long as Young Master Su wants to take it, this shop will immediately become a hot commodity in your hands."
Being so close to the source of the water, my shop is just a few steps away from your restaurant, which couldn't be more convenient for Young Master Su.
"I'm acquainted with Young Master Su. If he's willing to take over the shop, I, Wu, will definitely give you a satisfactory price."
"I don't have the abilities that Master Wu claims!" Su Erhu waved his hand and smiled. "I wonder how much Master Wu plans to ask for this shop?"
Seeing that it wasn't entirely hopeless, Master Wu's smile deepened. He pointed to the wooden sign outside the shop and said, "I originally offered this shop for 800 taels, but considering my friendship with Young Master Su, how about I give him 780 taels?"
Su Erhu frowned slightly. "Seven hundred and eighty taels?"
Master Wu nodded and smiled, "To be honest, Young Master Su, I had only been at the shop for a short time today when four or five families wanted to buy it. I didn't offer them a single penny less. If they had enough money, the shop would have been sold long ago. Why would it have waited until now?"
Su Erhu's lips curled up. "Wasn't Master Wu just cursing Meng Yongfu for letting your shop become a dead stock? I thought no one wanted this shop, but it turns out it's in high demand!"
Master Wu's lips twitched, and he wished he could slap himself hard across the face.
However, this regret was only momentary. He quickly regained his composure and sighed, "Isn't this a huge loss? My shop used to be one of the best in Qingshui County, both in terms of location and popularity. It would have cost at least 1,400 or 1,500 taels of silver. But Meng Yongfu not only managed it terribly, but he's also a murderer. Now I have to sell it for half the price. I've suffered a huge loss."
Su Erhu listened quietly, and after he finished speaking, he smiled slightly and said, "Let's not beat around the bush. If Master Wu really wants to sell this shop, I, Su, can offer six hundred taels to take it over."
"What! Six hundred taels?!"
Master Wu exclaimed in surprise, a bitter smile spreading across his round face. "As the saying goes, 'Asking for the moon is easy, but bargaining is hard.' But I've never seen anyone bargain like Young Master Su. He's practically slashing my neck with a knife. Isn't this going to leave me with nothing?"
"If I'm not mistaken, Master Wu took over this shop for at most five hundred taels of silver."
Su Erhu's smile remained unchanged. "Leaving aside the money from taking over the business, the rental income from Master Wu's shops over the years is enough to buy several such shops. How can you say he lost everything?"
Upon hearing the voice, Master Wu's smile appeared somewhat forced.
He has indeed collected a lot of rent over the years, but he spent 580 taels to take over this shop 20 years ago. Now he is selling it for 600 taels. Isn't he making no profit at all?
You know, the shops nearby have all doubled in value. Asking him to sell at cost price is like cutting his own flesh.
The man's eyes darted around several times before an idea struck him. "Young Master Su, if you like this shop, how about I rent it to you? I used to charge the Meng family three taels of silver a month, but I'll only charge you two taels a month."
Su Erhu chuckled as he looked at the shrewdness in the man's eyes. "That's why we say Master Wu is a famous businessman in our Qingshui County. Your calculations are so clear that people ten miles away can hear them clearly."
Having said that, he turned on his toes and said, "I've seen enough of this excitement. Since you don't want to part with it, sir, then I'll take my leave."
Seeing this, Master Wu quickly pulled the man back and said with a flattering smile, "Young Master Su, if you don't want to rent it, then don't. But six hundred taels is really too low. How about adding a little more, six hundred and eighty? It sounds nice and auspicious!"
In Qingshui County, everyone knows that the Su family's businesses are always booming, even surpassing the Li family's Tianxiang Restaurant.
He originally planned to wait until the Su family had rented the shop and built up their business, so that the shop's reputation would gradually improve before raising the rent. Even if they didn't rent it, it wouldn't matter, as at least the shop would be saved.
To everyone's surprise, the other party didn't fall for it at all!
Su Erhu lowered his eyes and glanced at the man's hand tugging at his sleeve. "Everyone avoids this shop now. The Meng family has been ruined and there's even a murder case involved. Six hundred taels is already a high price. Master Wu should know that in a few more days, this six hundred taels will probably be gone."
Master Wu was well aware of the shop's situation; otherwise, he wouldn't have been so anxious to transfer the shop out.
Seeing that the other party was not willing to budge, he could only sigh and say, "Well then, as Young Master Su agrees, I'll sell it to you for six hundred taels!"
"Okay." Su Erhu raised his eyebrows and smiled.
He then pulled out a stack of silver notes from his wide sleeve and handed them over, saying, "Here is six hundred taels. Master Wu, please count it. If there are no problems, we will go to the county government today to complete the transfer of the shop."
When Master Wu saw that there were exactly six hundred-tael silver notes, he was suddenly stunned.
No wonder the Su family entrusted the restaurant to this second son. He's more than ten years younger than his son, but he's more cunning than anyone else.
Why are you saying you came out to watch the show? You're clearly here for his shop.
However, just as Su Erhu said, if the shop doesn't sell soon, it'll probably lose all six hundred taels in a few days.
The man sighed and accepted the silver note. "Young Master Su, please wait a moment. I'll go back and get the contract. We can meet outside the county government office when it opens at dawn. Is that alright?"
"Alright, as Master Wu says." Su Erhu nodded with a smile and turned to head towards the restaurant.
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