The most important thing right now is to get the government's support as much as possible. After all, without official backing, large-scale activities may be classified as "illegal gatherings" or "disruption of order," which could lead to bans or even crackdowns.
Moreover, if they could get government support, they could enhance their credibility and attract more merchants and customers to participate. So after inspecting the shop, Meng Zhao began to write a proposal.
Meng Zhao was engrossed in writing at his desk when Huang Cui pushed open the door and entered, carrying a newly drawn scroll of blueprints. "Manager, the shop layout plans are ready."
The blueprints neatly mark the layout of the shop: a two-story front hall with a spacious backyard. The first floor of the front hall is about 200 square meters, while the second floor is slightly smaller due to the roof structure. If the backyard is also utilized, the total area is about the size of a basketball court.
Although it's far inferior to modern exhibition venues, it's sufficient for a small-scale expo if the area is well-planned.
As she spoke, she buried herself in studying the blueprints again. The sunlight outside the window gradually slanted westward. Huang Cui lit all the candlesticks in the room and asked softly, "Shopkeeper, shall we go back today?"
Meng Zhao waved his hand without looking up, "Let me write down everything I can think of first. You go and rest first, don't wait for me."
Meng Zhao originally planned to move during the Chinese New Year, but one thing after another came up and she had no free time. She really didn't want to bother with it, and Shen Qinghe had also rarely shown up during this period. So Meng Zhao didn't look for a house. However, she had been busy with the restaurant business during this period, and spent seven or eight days out of ten staying outside, so it was no different from moving.
Early that morning, Meng Zhao finished arranging things at the restaurant and went straight to a shop in the west of the city. As soon as she entered, she saw a reclining chair by the door with a young man lounging on it, a cloth draped over his face. She gently kicked the reclining chair, and the cloth slipped off, revealing a sleepy-eyed face.
Meng Zhao stood with his arms crossed, "You call this looking after a shop? I bet someone emptied it out and you don't even know it."
The man rubbed his sleepy eyes, but instead of being annoyed, he grinned and said, "My shabby shop is so bad that even mice would have to leave with tears in their eyes. If some blind thief were to come and take a few old items, it would be a good thing if he helped me make room."
As he spoke, he stretched lazily. "You've been so busy these days, how come you have time to come over today? I'm free today too, how about we play backgammon together next time?"
The man speaking to Meng Zhao was none other than Zhou Yu, the shop owner who had tricked Shen Qing and a large sum of money with a few planks of wood. Meng Zhao later bought many seeds from him, but because they were so messy, he couldn't see them all clearly. He came back a few more times and gradually became familiar with him, and they would occasionally play chess together.
Meng Zhao found a wooden stool in the shop, moved the clutter off it, sat down and said, "I'm not here to play chess with you today. I have something I'd like to ask you for help with."
Zhou Yu said helplessly, "You've practically turned this place upside down, even searching the rat holes for supplies. What valuable stuff could you possibly find?"
Meng Zhao chuckled, "There is indeed one more useful thing."
Zhou Yu immediately perked up, "What is it?"
Meng Zhao pointed at him, "Look, you're the shop owner."
"Me?" Zhou Yu leaned back exaggeratedly, pointing to his nose. "Manager Meng, did you not wake up properly last night? I'm just a junk seller, what help could I possibly be to you?"
Meng Zhao looked disapproving. "How many people in the whole capital can swindle two hundred taels of silver with just a few pieces of broken wood? Don't underestimate yourself."
Zhou Yu immediately waved his hand with a bitter face: "Oh my dear aunt, why are you still harping on this matter of a settled transaction?" He rolled his eyes and suddenly smiled mischievously: "Besides, if anyone really wants to collect a debt, it should be that Young Master Shen. You're always standing up for him every other day; people who don't know better would think you're all in cahoots."
Meng Zhao rolled his eyes. "Stop talking nonsense." Then he became more serious. "The reason I'm looking for you today is because I'm planning to form a caravan to expand our trade routes in the Western Regions. I remember you once said you wanted to visit the Western Regions, so I came to ask if you would be willing to lead the caravan?"
Upon hearing the words "Western Regions," Zhou Yu's face darkened. After a long silence, he said, "You should find someone else for this matter. I will not go."
Since he didn't refuse immediately, it meant he had considered it to some extent. Meng Zhao said gently, "Are you worried that your grandmother will be left unattended? If so, I can assure you that I will arrange for proper care for her."
Meng Zhao approached Zhou Yu not because of his ability to run a shop—after all, the shop had become a junkyard in his hands—but because after several encounters, Meng Zhao discovered that although Zhou Yu seemed lazy on the surface, he was incredibly talkative when discussing the customs and culture of the Western Regions and their rare treasures.
Moreover, Zhou Yu is not only clever but also has a business mind, which is why Meng Zhao came to him. Seeing that Zhou Yu was silent, Meng Zhao did not press the matter and said in a calm tone, "Of course, this is just a suggestion. If you really don't want to, I will find someone else. But I remember you said before that your father left you some notes and books. If it's convenient, could you lend them to me to take a look?"
Zhou Yu nodded blankly. Meng Zhao said that he would send someone to pick it up tomorrow, and then left. At this time, the sun was shining brightly outside, which was a good time to open the shop for business, but he had no intention of doing business at all. He mechanically closed the door and went straight home.
Upon arriving home, Zhou Yu did not return to his room. Instead, he went to a locked door in the courtyard. This was the room where his father had lived. Ever since he went to the Western Regions and disappeared without a trace, his grandmother would come to this room every day to weep. Later, he couldn't bear it any longer, so he took it upon himself to lock the room.
He took out his key, inserted it into the lock, and slowly pushed open the long-sealed door. He pulled out a box from under the bed, opened the lid, and found a stack of yellowed picture books neatly arranged. Each page was densely filled with records of what he had seen and heard along the way, interspersed with some strange writing.
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