Qiao Yanhe was dressed in her usual luxurious attire. If an ordinary person wore such clothes, they would probably be laughed at for wearing all their wealth on their person. But she wore them perfectly, without appearing gaudy at all.
"Has President Qiao made a decision?" Meng Zhao asked expectantly.
Qiao Yanhe nodded. "After careful consideration, the managers of the herbal medicine shops still feel that renting a shop is more suitable, but a long-term contract of at least five years is required."
Meng Zhao immediately replied, "Of course, Chairman Qiao, rest assured, I will provide you with detailed blueprints of the shop within five days, and then we can discuss the rent in detail."
Qiao Yanhe looked at Meng Zhao, whose eyes were shining, a mischievous glint in her own eyes. She elegantly picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and then slowly said, "Now that we've finished discussing official business, I have a personal matter I'd like to ask you."
"What is it?" Meng Zhao was thinking about the venue when she heard this and looked up.
"How are things between you and Xiao Youzhi..." Qiao Yanhe deliberately drew out her words, "...now?"
Meng Zhao gave an awkward smile, "Why did you suddenly ask that?"
Qiao Yanhe put down her teacup, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes: "When my husband was alive, we were like brothers. If anything, he should address me as 'elder sister-in-law.'" She chuckled softly, "It's just that I was afraid of being called old, so I always stopped him from doing so. But as an elder, seeing him nearing thirty and still single, how could I not worry about him?"
Seeing Meng Zhao bow his head and remain silent, Qiao Yanhe continued gently, "Although this is the first time I've seen you at the Lantern Festival before the New Year, I've heard of your reputation before. After all, he used to go to Pingyang County whenever he had some free time."
I remember one year at the Double Ninth Festival banquet, someone jokingly asked him if he had been bewitched by a girl from Pingyang County. Normally, he would have laughed it off, but that time, surprisingly, he didn't refute it. He simply picked up the wine on the table and drank it all in one gulp. That's when I knew there really was a special girl in Pingyang County.
Qiao Yanhe gazed at Meng Zhao and said softly, "Xiao Youzhi has always been a quiet person, and no one can guess what he's thinking. But over the years, I've never seen him care about any girl like this."
"So, Chairman Qiao is here as a mediator?"
Qiao Yanhe was taken aback at first, then covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes sparkling with charm: "Now that you mention it, it really is true."
Meng Zhao pondered for a moment, then suddenly changed the subject: "President Qiao, why hasn't that young master I saw at the lantern festival been by your side these past few days?"
“He’s so young, yet he’s always hanging around in front of me. I thought he was a mess, so I sent him to the academy to study.”
Meng Zhao continued, "President Qiao is still young and wealthy, and her husband has been dead for many years. Hasn't she ever thought about remarrying?"
Qiao Yanhe's smile froze on her lips as she gazed at the scenery outside the window, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible: "I'm used to being free and can't stand being constrained. This way, when I'm happy, I can call him over to amuse myself; when I'm unhappy, I can send him back to the academy to study. It's quite nice."
Suddenly, her expression hardened, and she turned to stare at Meng Zhao: "What do you mean by that? Are you trying to imitate me? What I said last time was just a joke. If I really corrupt you, given Xiao Youzhi's personality, he'll blame me to death."
She looked up to meet Qiao Yanhe's probing gaze and said frankly, "President Qiao, don't be fooled by my simple clothes and dignified appearance. I'm not cut out to be a good wife and mother. Like you, I can't stand being constrained and just want to live as I please. I do envy you, President Qiao, for having someone so caring who is always there for you."
Qiao Yanhe was taken aback. The court musician he had found was an orphan, so he naturally allowed her to do as she pleased. But given Xiao Youzhi's family background and temperament, how could he possibly listen to her arrangements? He couldn't help but be somewhat surprised.
"You really have a bold idea." He sighed after saying that. "It's just a pity."
"What's a pity?"
“If the medicinal herb business is properly prepared, it will inevitably need to transport medicinal herbs to various places in the future. The Xiao family's trade routes are extensive, making them an excellent partner.” Her eyes gleamed with a hint of cunning. “I originally thought that if you could become close to him, I could approach him for cooperation. Since you were also involved in the medicinal herb business, I might be able to gain some advantages from him. But now it seems I'll have to think of another way.”
"Hehe." Meng Zhao chuckled dryly. She thought to herself, how could Qiao Yanhe, who usually seemed so carefree, suddenly care about such romantic matters? It turns out that after all the twists and turns, it was all for business calculations.
However, this also shows that she takes the herbal medicine business very seriously. Being able to cooperate with such a shrewd and capable person will surely save her a lot of trouble in the future.
After parting ways with Qiao Yanhe, Meng Zhao went to examine the shop closely. The shop was located in the most bustling area of Zhuque Street, making transportation extremely convenient. Considering the initial scale of the herbal medicine business, the size was just right. If expansion was needed in the future, the shop next door would also be hers, so it wouldn't be a troublesome matter.
Taking advantage of its geographical location, Meng Zhao intends to develop this place into a business venue that integrates trading, exhibition, and negotiation. If he can invite high-quality merchants from all over the country to set up a store here, attract out-of-town merchants with high-quality goods, and then attract more merchants to settle in with the resources of these merchants, once this virtuous cycle is formed, he can not only make a profit through rent and transaction commissions, but also generate a series of value-added services such as warehousing, transportation, and intermediary services.
If she can operate successfully, it means that she has simultaneously mastered the two lifelines of a high-quality supply chain and a stable customer base, and the profits will naturally flow in continuously. But on second thought, others are not stupid. If there are no merchants with truly high-quality and low-priced goods, why would customers come to her? If there is not enough customer traffic, why would merchants be willing to pay rent?
Meng Zhao rubbed his temples. "Looks like there's still a lot to prepare."
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