After the firecrackers finished, He Chuwei took out a tinderbox and lit the two candles one by one.
Everyone looked at him with suspicion.
Some of the bolder ones have already started asking questions.
"Shopkeeper, why are you lighting candles in broad daylight?"
"Yes, why light candles in broad daylight? And why are these candles this color? I've never seen them before."
"I've only ever seen red and white candles before, this yellow candle is quite rare."
"It's not rare at all. You're young. When I was young, the candles sold on the street were all yellow, and red candles were very rare."
The sound of the crowd talking was almost as loud as the firecrackers that had just been set off.
"Everyone, please be quiet and listen to me—" Seeing that he had achieved his goal, He Chuwei curled up the corners of his mouth, revealed a smile, and spoke loudly to the people in front of him.
The crowd quieted down.
They seemed to be waiting for He Chuwei's explanation.
"This candle was transported from the southernmost part of the county. It's exclusively sold at Hejia Shop in Shuxian County. You can't buy it anywhere else! Don't let its plain appearance fool you; it can burn for ten days straight!"
When the last sentence was spoken, the crowd erupted in cheers.
"What? It won't die for ten days? Really?"
"My goodness! The white candles I just bought burned out in the middle of the night, and they've been burning for ten days straight! I just can't believe it!"
"I don't believe it either. This candle isn't that thick. How could it last for ten days without going out?"
"Shopkeeper, how much are these candles? If it's really as you say, I'll have to buy a few. My son will be taking the exam next year, and it's too hard on his eyes to read at night, so he can only light a couple of candles. Sigh, as a father, there's nothing I can do, I still have to spend the money! If they really can last for ten days without going out, I'll buy four, and I'll definitely save a lot of money."
"Candles are expensive, but you can use an oil lamp, which is much cheaper. Even if it burns all night, it will only cost a few coins."
"Oil lamps? Those are for poor people. Besides, the light is dim and the smell is terrible. It's really unseemly to use them. My son can focus on his studies. He won't have time to add oil all the time. Besides, he can't carry an oil lamp around when he goes to take the imperial examinations next year. If it can really last for ten days, I'll have to prepare more for my son."
This person was very disdainful when he heard the words "oil lamp".
It was as if using an oil lamp made one a lower-class person.
But he didn't know.
There are still many families in Baihua Village who can't afford to light these cheap oil lamps.
"If you don't believe me, just watch how long these two candles burn out, and you'll know," He Chuwei shouted again.
He instructed the two waiters to place the candles they were carrying on the benches that had been brought out beforehand outside the shop.
Arrange them neatly, one on the left and one on the right.
Many of the onlookers initially thought it was just for fun and didn't believe it, but seeing his demeanor, they had no choice but to believe him.
Someone asked tentatively.
How much are the candles?
He Chuwei held up two fingers. "Two hundred coins each!"
"Wow, that's way too expensive!"
"Exactly! Yang's shop sells them for 100 coins each, and they often lower the price to 60 coins. Yours is too expensive!"
"Can't afford it? Who can afford it? Five of them cost a tael of silver!"
Many people were complaining that it was too expensive, and some even left the crowd.
He Chuwei's expression changed, and he quickly explained loudly.
"Ordinary candles burn through at least three in a night. Even the cheapest, lowest-grade candle costs twenty coins, so that's sixty coins a day, and six hundred coins in ten days. A better white candle would cost three hundred coins a day, and three taels of silver in ten days! Our candles will burn for ten days and only cost 200 coins. How can that be considered expensive? Not only is it not expensive, it's extremely cheap! Between three taels of silver and two hundred coins, I'm sure you all know which is more cost-effective, right? So, today is the first day of stocking, buy three and get one free! This offer is only valid for one day!"
Even though He Chuwei hadn't intended to offer a single penny for free, he had no choice but to start organizing the promotion.
Fortunately, the cost price of these candles was only about 30 coins each, so even with a buy-one-get-one-free offer, it was still a huge profit.
He Chuwei didn't feel the slightest bit of heartache.
I heard that there was a buy-three-get-one-free offer.
Those who weren't short of money flocked into the shop, deciding to buy three candles to see if they could last for ten days. A few others were hesitant, looking at the candles placed at the door. However, a full quarter of an hour had passed since the shop finished setting off the firecrackers, and the number of candles hadn't decreased at all. Therefore, what the shopkeeper said was very likely true.
Worried about missing out on the buy-three-get-one-free promotion, they hurried into the shop.
In no time, more than two hundred candles were sold.
Excluding the complimentary portion.
He Chuwei earned at least a dozen taels of silver.
Not only that, people kept coming in from outside.
At this rate, he could earn at least a hundred taels a day, and He Chuwei was grinning from ear to ear.
He stood at the shop entrance to greet customers, while two shop assistants sold goods inside.
Directly opposite is Yang's Incense and Candle Shop.
The shop across the street, which used to be bustling with business, hasn't had a single customer today.
He Chuwei sneered.
I'm afraid the other side will have to lower their prices again to attract customers.
Unfortunately, even if the price drops to fifty coins, it will have nothing to do with him.
Suddenly, a person walked out from the opposite side and met He Chuwei's eyes.
It was Yang Qing.
Their eyes met; one held his chin high, a mocking sneer on his face, while the other remained expressionless, yet a dark glint shone in his eyes.
Two moments later, Yang Qing returned to the shop. As he turned around, a wicked smile appeared on his lips.
At the end of the day.
The He family's incense and candle shop was never empty, while the Yang family's incense and candle shop only had a few regular customers.
Strangely, Yang Qing, who usually lowers prices frequently, did not lower prices today.
He Chuwei was a little puzzled, but his attention was quickly drawn to the money he had earned that day.
He looked at the drawer full of loose silver and copper coins, his eyes gleaming with undisguised shrewdness.
"You two, close the shop door!"
Worried that his grandfather and father might suddenly arrive, He Chuwei instructed the two waiters to close the shop door.
He sat at the counter and started counting his money.
Fifteen minutes later, He Chuwei was beaming from ear to ear, holding the money.
"Two hundred and thirty taels!!" More than he had expected! He Chuwei exclaimed excitedly.
At this rate, I can break even in two days.
Although the "buy three get one free" promotion will end tomorrow, there will be fewer customers in the store.
Even if business is bad, you can still sell for several dozen taels.
Wouldn't you be able to earn over a thousand taels in a month?
The goods he bought this time might sell out in a month.
Looks like we'll have to order more stock in advance.
He Chuwei's gloom vanished, and he became spirited and energetic.
He took out two pieces of silver from a pile of money and gave one to each of the two waiters, half a tael each. Although it wasn't much, it was almost two months' wages for the waiters.
The two were only recruited last month.
The waiters at He's shop left too frequently because He Shanhu and He Wanjiang had terrible tempers.
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