With the Spring Festival holidays and the imperial examinations approaching, many people came to buy paper at the West Market Paper Mill. Some came from bookstores, some from private schools, some from scholarly families, and some from candidates waiting for the imperial examinations.
Xu Jiang saw that the owner was busy, so she didn't rush him and just waited patiently. Unexpectedly, two people came in from the door, pushed aside several customers who were buying paper, walked up to the owner, and said arrogantly: "Bring out your new flower paper."
Xu Jiang recognized the person who was speaking. It was Zhou Huai, who had been to the bookstore with Feng Miao before. The person who was traveling with him was wearing the robe of Jisheng Bookstore, but he was not the manager Wu.
The owner didn't recognize Zhou Huai, but he did recognize the people from Jisheng Bookstore. He didn't want to argue with Zhou Huai and said with a smile, "Sir, could you please wait a moment? These two customers will make their selections shortly, and I'll show them to you after the settlement."
Zhou Huai took a look at the two customers selecting paper. Seeing their poor attire, a hint of disdain flashed across his face. Then, he raised his chin and said to the owner, "Master, this isn't your first time dealing with our Jisheng Bookstore. How can you not distinguish between good and bad? You have a big business deal, but you're patronizing these poor scholars instead. How tactless!"
The two guests who were accused of being "poor scholars" suddenly changed their expressions. One of them was so angry that he was about to argue, but was stopped by the other.
"Forget it, it's better to have less trouble than more. Let him choose first."
The scholar reluctantly stepped aside and gave his place to Zhou Huai. Zhou Huai snorted and said to the owner, "See, these two have good eyes."
The abbot smiled at the two scholars and turned to Zhou Huai, his friendly demeanor subsided a bit as he said calmly, "Since the two gentlemen are so polite, you can choose first."
After saying that, he turned around and brought out a few pieces of floral paper for Zhou Huai to choose from.
Zhou Huai just flipped through it and stopped reading. However, the man who came with him looked at it carefully and then asked the paper mill owner, "How much did your paper mill pay for this flower paper? How much is it per piece?"
The owner said, "Each kind of pattern costs one hundred coins each. There are five kinds in total, and each kind costs six hundred coins."
After the New Year, the price of paper rose, and it was one hundred wen more than the plum blossom paper sold to Xu Jiang, but compared with the market price, it was not expensive.
Zhou Huai's follower nodded and said nothing after hearing the offer. But Zhou Huai yelled, "Six hundred coins for a knife, why don't you just go and rob it?"
The owner's face froze for a moment, then he said, "This is the market price. If you think it's too high, you can compare prices at a few more stores."
"Where can we compare? You're the only one who has this paper, and yet our boss has his eye on it." Zhou Huai raised his eyebrows and said, "Could it be that they're taking advantage of your family being the only one who has it, and seeing that our bookstore is big, they're deliberately raising the price?"
"Young Master, you're joking. Our shop has always set only one price for each type of paper, regardless of the customer. We treat everyone equally. If you don't believe me, you can ask Manager Wu. He's been in contact with me for many years and knows the situation best."
Zhou Huai waved his hand impatiently, "The bookstore's procurement has been handed over to me. I don't care how you negotiated before or what rules you followed. From now on, none of that counts with me." He added, "I won't waste any more time talking to you. Let me be frank. Jisheng Bookstore will handle all of your flower paper, and from now on, it will be supplied exclusively to us. However, six hundred coins is too expensive, so I'll have to discount it."
Everyone present thought to themselves: How rude and overbearing!
It would be fine if he bought out the goods and supplied them exclusively without raising the price, but he even offered a discount. This person is either completely ignorant of the market or intends to bully others by taking advantage of his power, or perhaps both.
"Sir, how much do you think the discount should be?" The abbot's face had turned cold.
Zhou Huai, however, acted as if he hadn't noticed and offered a discount, "Four hundred coins a piece."
As soon as he made the offer, not only did the owner's face change, but even his attendant was startled and hurriedly tugged at his sleeve. Zhou Huai, however, glared at him.
The owner put the paper away and said expressionlessly, "Sir, this shop cannot do this business. Please go somewhere else."
Zhou Huai was about to explode when he heard this, but his attendant stopped him and advised, "Don't worry, Master. Our young master has just taken over this purchasing job and is not familiar with the market. We can discuss the price later."
The shop owner said coldly, "Your young master doesn't know the market, but you should know. If one company were to buy out this new flower paper and supply it exclusively, they wouldn't be able to get 400, or even 600, wen. If your office sincerely wishes to facilitate this transaction, I can continue to supply you at 600 wen per blade, considering our past business relationship. But if you want a discount, there's nothing more to discuss. Find another dealer."
"This..." The attendant glanced at Zhou Huai and whispered, "Manager Zhou, what the owner said is true. This price is already the lowest market price. Why not just leave it as it is?"
Zhou Huai, however, felt embarrassed and his face sank as he shouted, "What do you mean by agreement? Is this your decision, or mine?" He then turned to the shop owner and threatened, "Four hundred wen, not a cent more. I'm going to go to you instead of anyone else. If you don't agree? Okay, then forget about doing business with other bookstores."
The scholar who had been pushed aside earlier could no longer bear it. "How can there be forced buying and selling in business? Even if you are the Successor of the Holy Book, you can't bully others by taking advantage of your power."
Zhou Huai glanced at him and said sarcastically, "Who do you think you are? How dare you meddle in my affairs?"
The scholar's face flushed red, and he wanted to argue, but his companions stopped him and pulled him outside.
"What the hell?" Zhou Huai spat, then turned to the owner and said, "Just do as I say. Hurry up and sign the deed. I'm busy."
The owner, who was usually amiable, was furious at this moment, his face livid. However, he suppressed his anger and said politely, "We can't do this deal. Please go ahead, both of you."
Zhou Huai slammed the table and said threateningly, "Don't be ungrateful. If this deal doesn't work out, then you can't do business with this paper mill anymore."
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