Xiao Youzhi put down his teacup, looked up and asked, "It's not such a coincidence. Is Mr. Meng's stay in Huian going well?"
Meng Zhao smiled and sat down opposite him. "It's alright. Huian County is bustling with activity. I've been dazzled by what I've seen these past two days. I've certainly broadened my horizons."
Xiao Youzhi said with a smile, "I heard that Boss Meng brought quite a few people with him this time, and the car was packed full. May I ask how the business is going?"
"Hi, I came to Huian mainly to take a look around. Business is not in a hurry." Meng Zhao spoke in a very relaxed tone, as if he really didn't care.
"Oh? I see. I was thinking of helping Boss Meng out, but it seems I don't need to." With that, he got up to leave.
Meng Zhao hurriedly reached out to stop him, "Oh dear, Young Master Xiao, we've finally run into each other, how can we not have a meal together? Please give me a chance to curry favor and let me treat you to breakfast, okay?"
Seeing Xiao Youzhi sit down again, Meng Zhao quickly called over a waiter and asked him to bring two bowls of hot porridge and a few side dishes.
Then she turned to Xiao Youzhi and said with a smile, "Young Master Xiao, please don't mind the blandness. It's not good to eat anything greasy so early in the morning."
While waiting for the food, Meng Zhao couldn't help but ask, "Young Master Xiao, how do you intend to help me?"
Xiao Youzhi glanced at her and said slowly, "Boss Meng, this trip has been quite difficult. How about this, I'll take all the starch you brought at a price of twenty-five coins per pound."
Upon hearing this, Meng Zhao's smile froze. In Qingshi County, when Chen Xiaowu came to pick up the goods, she sold them for 25 coins per jin. Now that she has rented a car, hired people, and risked danger to come to Huian County, if she still sells them for 25 coins per jin, then she would be a fool.
"So Young Master Xiao wants to buy starch? There's no rush. I've only been in Huian County for two days, and I haven't seen much of the scenery yet. I'll need at least two more days to explore the city before making a decision."
Xiao Youzhi sneered, "Boss Meng, you still won't give up? Don't worry, your donkeys can't outrun my horse no matter what."
"Of course, the Xiao family isn't the kind that leaves no room for maneuver. There are still many opportunities left in Huian County. With Boss Meng's abilities, he won't have trouble finding a market. However, Boss Meng, your group's daily lodging, food, and wages must cost a lot of money. I heard that Boss Meng stayed in a dormitory yesterday. If you stay for a few more days, I'm afraid you won't make much money on this trip."
Meng Zhao stared intently at Xiao Youzhi, knowing in his heart that what he said was true, and that he really couldn't afford to delay any longer.
Leaving aside the expenses of the past few days, the braised meat spice packet she left for the shop in Qingshi County is only enough for less than twenty days. If she can't go back by then, she will lose two or three taels of income every day, which will be a real loss.
However, if they were to easily compromise now and let Xiao Youzhi buy the starch, their relationship would likely not be as harmonious as it is now when they meet again.
So Meng Zhao still forced a smile and replied, "I appreciate Young Master Xiao's kindness, but I have things to do these next two days and can't discuss business with you for the time being. If you want starch, we can sign a contract when we get back to Qingshi County."
Xiao Youzhi stared at Meng Zhao, feeling that she was struggling like a trapped beast, but she couldn't see the situation clearly. She would rather suffer damage herself than save face. In the end, she would only suffer the consequences. He couldn't help but lose interest and said coldly, "Hmph, I will leave Huian County in three days. If Boss Meng wants to go back on her word, please do so as soon as possible. Otherwise, you will be stuck with this."
After speaking, Xiao Youzhi left without touching the food. Meng Zhao, not wanting to waste it, called Shen Yun to eat with him. Although the dishes were light, they were all quite good.
After finishing their meal, everyone sat around the table and discussed the day's plans.
Xu Ping spoke first, "Cousin, there are still a few restaurants we didn't visit yesterday. Let's go ask them again today."
Gu Yun immediately chimed in, "There are also several grain shops nearby. Although they are not large, as long as we introduce them properly, they will be willing to take some orders."
Meng Zhao nodded slightly, "Okay, then let's hurry up."
Meng Zhao's current situation is not optimistic; her products are cheap, but she has no way to sell them.
Previously in Qingshi County, they were all locals, and when they talked to those merchants, they had a certain degree of trust in them and were willing to sign contracts. After all, if they could not deliver the goods as usual, the merchants could directly report to the authorities on the spot or go to Shenjia Village to find them.
However, it takes four days to travel between Huian County and Qingshi County by mule cart. For those small merchants with only one or two shops, Qingshi County may never have been there before, so how can they be trusted? In addition, starch is a new product, so naturally they will not buy it easily.
Those large merchants who have the means and good connections have basically already cooperated with the Xiao family. Even if her products are cheap, they will not cooperate with her, whether for the sake of their reputation or because they do not want to offend the Xiao family.
As for the two or three hundred catties ordered from her, it was just a little money slipping through my fingers, just to leave room for future business, not because I valued her that much.
The market is indeed huge, but as Xiao Youzhi said, his donkey is not as fast as his horse. Where is the prospect of development? They know this, and he will probably always be one step behind them.
Meng Zhao's only bargaining chip is starch, but it's not difficult to make. Xiao Youzhi hasn't cut off her supply yet, probably because he doesn't care about her profits. After all, he can make a net profit of 20 coins per pound just by using the Xiao family's existing channels and connections to transport the starch out, so there's no need to deduct money from her anymore.
At this point, Meng Zhao had already seen the future clearly. Unless she was allowed to do live-streaming e-commerce and had a complete express delivery system, her attempt to sell starch on her own was destined to have little future.
Her current determination to sell these three thousand catties of starch is simply to increase her bargaining power in future negotiations, so as not to be completely suppressed by the other party.
Meng Zhao led Shen Yun around Huian County, visiting countless shops, including restaurants, grain shops, and some pastry shops, but still without much success.
Two days later, Meng Zhao checked the accounts at the inn. A total of 1,500 catties had been sold. Looking at the half-full of starch left on the donkey cart, he wondered if he really had to go to Xiao Youzhi.
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