Chapter 249 Cooperation with Ji Wensheng
"No, no!" Ji Wensheng interrupted her, his words firm and unequivocal.
“Miss Jiang, you are mistaken! This thing has many uses beyond just repelling mosquitoes. Its unique fragrance can be used as incense, to clean clothes and body, and even to add a pleasant scent after bathing! It is useful in both hot and cold weather!”
His family has been in business for generations, and he has an extremely keen sense of the market, having long seen the huge potential behind floral water.
Jiang Ling was somewhat swayed by his words.
She has indeed been spending a lot of money lately. The fireworks factory has just started to be rebuilt, and the investment in various raw materials, machinery, and labor is huge.
There won't be any returns so quickly.
In addition, with the recent purchases of grain and cloth, she has already spent almost all her money.
While she was in the capital, she was considering whether to cooperate with Fang Shijie, but she was afraid that Fang Shijie would find out the secret of the shop.
Now that Ji Wensheng is far away in Beijing, he only comes to pick up goods occasionally, which doesn't seem to have much of an impact.
Moreover, Cheng Fang acted as guarantor.
Seeing her hesitation, Ji Wensheng added fuel to the fire:
“Miss Jiang, as long as you are willing to supply goods, the price, transportation and sales will all be handled by my Ji family. You just need to sit behind the scenes and collect payments regularly! Or, you can be the behind-the-scenes boss, and I only need the resale rights. You can give me whatever percentage of profit you are willing to give.”
He had thought things through very clearly. The supply of floral water was valuable, but the hype was even greater.
As long as it's an exclusive business, even if it means losing money.
After all, he can boost sales of many of his family's products with his floral water.
This was the first time Cheng Fang had seen Ji Wensheng so serious. He had long since shouldered the heavy responsibility of the family and was no longer the carefree and irresponsible young master he once was.
He also spoke up, saying, "Miss Jiang, although Wen Sheng may seem unconventional, he is a man of his word in business and is trustworthy. If you are interested, you can cooperate with him."
Finally, under Ji Wensheng's expectant gaze, Jiang Ling took a deep breath and made her decision:
"Since Young Master Ji is so sincere, then I accept."
Upon hearing this, Ji Wensheng was momentarily at a loss for what to do, and almost jumped up.
However, Jiang Ling's expression immediately turned serious, and she clearly stated:
"However, I have one condition: you must not inquire about the origin of anything in my general store! The source of my goods is the foundation of my livelihood, and I cannot reveal even a fraction of it. If Young Master Ji can agree to this, our cooperation can continue; if not, then let it be as if this was never mentioned today."
Ji Wensheng paused for a moment, then his joking expression vanished, and he solemnly bowed.
"Miss Jiang, rest assured! Wen Sheng hereby swears that during the cooperation period, he will never inquire into the secrets of the source of your goods! If he breaks this oath, may our business be ruined and may he be condemned by both gods and men!"
People in ancient times valued oaths, and seeing how serious he was, Jiang Ling finally felt relieved.
"In that case, it's a pleasure to cooperate with you, Mr. Ji."
"It's a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Jiang!"
Ji Wensheng beamed with joy and immediately began to plan how much stock to order for the first batch, how to package it, and how to create buzz.
Jiang Ling arranged with him to come and pick up the goods in three days. She prepared one hundred bottles for him first.
It's summer over near the iron gate, so it should be easy to buy there.
This collaboration with Ji Wensheng is not just about supplying goods alone; it involves me taking 60% and the Ji family taking 40%.
Jiang Ling's purchase costs are also included in 60%.
Profits are distributed quarterly.
"Don't worry, Miss Jiang, I will come in person in three days."
Before leaving, Ji Wensheng glanced back at the strangely packaged pastries on the shelf:
"Miss Jiang, next time I come, may I try those pastries? They look delicious."
As soon as he entered, while Cheng Fang and Jiang Ling were chatting, he looked around the shop.
Although the shop was located in a village and had an unassuming appearance, the goods it sold were all very unusual, things he had never seen before.
The last time I visited the Cheng residence, I saw Cheng Fang eating noodles. The noodles smelled delicious and were very tempting.
She pestered Cheng Fang until he cooked her a bowl of soup.
After finishing the meal, I was absolutely amazed; not a single drop of soup was left.
Cheng Fang refused to reveal where it came from. Only after seeing the same packaged items on the shelf today did he realize that the noodles were also bought from this Jixiang General Store.
If the noodles are this delicious, then these pastries must be just as good.
Jiang Ling smiled and nodded: "Why wait until next time? We can do it this time."
Jiang Ling asked Xiao Ran and Xiao Yi to help her get plastic bags and pack a bag of snacks and pastries for each of the two young masters.
Xiao Ran and Xiao Yi have already tried everything in the shop.
While packing, he said, "This is delicious, and this is delicious too."
The two large bags were so full that they were hanging precariously on the horse's neck.
Cheng Fang was used to it, but Ji Wensheng expressed his gratitude profusely.
After seeing Cheng Fang and Ji Wensheng off.
After much hesitation, Jiang Ling finally couldn't bear to let Hongxiu suffer in hopeless waiting and panic.
She decided to go to the peony tree in person; some things are better said face-to-face than in a cold letter.
Jiang Ling, under the pretext of delivering a batch of newly arrived rouge and powder and some novelties to the peony garden, took Xiao Ran and drove a carriage to the town.
Inside the carriage, Jiang Ling remained silent, pondering repeatedly how to bring up the subject with Hongxiu.
Xiao Ran noticed that she seemed preoccupied, so she obediently didn't ask any questions and simply drove the carriage more steadily.
"Sister Jiang, we've arrived."
The carriage stopped in front of that familiar little black lacquered door in the back alley of the charming street.
The area under the peonies seems quieter than usual today, and the entrance appears somewhat deserted.
It was the same pimp Erhu who answered the door. Upon seeing Jiang Ling and Xiao Ran, he put on his habitual fawning smile.
"Oh my, Young Master Zhao, Boss Jiang, you two are rare guests! Are you here to deliver goods?"
"Yes," Jiang Ling nodded, her gaze sweeping across the courtyard.
"I'll also take this opportunity to visit Miss Hongxiu and catch up with her."
Upon hearing the words "Red Sleeve," Erhu's smile instantly froze, and his eyes flickered uncertainly.
He stammered, "Well... Miss Hongxiu... she... she's probably not available right now..."
Jiang Ling's heart sank slightly, but her face remained expressionless:
"Oh? Is she feeling unwell? I noticed she didn't look well the other day, and I just happened to bring some calming spices with me today."
Fine beads of sweat seemed to appear on Erhu's forehead. He glanced at Jiang Ling's expression, and said with a hint of helplessness and fear:
"Mr. Jiang, to be honest... Miss Hongxiu... I haven't seen her for two days!"
"Disappeared?" Jiang Ling's heart skipped a beat, and she exchanged a surprised look with Xiao Ran.
"Yes!" Erhu said with a bitter face.
“She was here the night before last, saying she was tired and went to bed early. But she was gone the next day. Some of her personal belongings and valuable jewelry were missing. My mother is going crazy looking for her…”
The money tree we've painstakingly nurtured has just vanished like that; who wouldn't go crazy!
Her mother usually didn't keep a close eye on her because she was a courtesan and behaved herself.
Who knew that this little vixen would dare to run away!
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