Registering a contract with the government is not free. After signing the contract, you have to go to the government to pay the deed tax fee. This is just the beginning of the complicated procedures. The main expenses will come one after another later.
She thought that opening a cart shop in ancient times wouldn't be as complicated as it is now. She would just need to open a factory, hire some people, and then sell the carts. However, she didn't expect that she would need an official trade certificate and go through a series of procedures, including applying for a business license, paying taxes and fees, paying deed tax for rented houses, hiring employees, and applying for a business permit.
...Unbelievable! Even in the current dilapidated commercial district of Ye Kingdom, they still managed to establish such comprehensive fee standards. This taxation method, which uses every means possible, is truly astonishing to her.
Her eyes were vacant: "Is it really this complicated to do a legitimate business these days?"
"That's right, what they're saying is giving me a headache. I can't remember all the things that need to be prepared. When the people at the county government ask us a few more questions, they just ignore us. I don't know if they're deliberately making things difficult for us because they see that we don't know anything about business."
This matter is extremely difficult for Mu Gaoyi; it's even more infuriating than asking him to design a highly lethal military weapon.
Seeing Mu Gaoyi scratching his head and ears, Zheng Quchi understood that it was impossible to entrust this matter to them.
As the saying goes, "a trade is like a mountain," and she finally understood that now.
None of these people had ever been businessmen before. Without the guidance and help of professionals, they wanted to open a workshop overnight. Otherwise, they would either be "blind to their own shortcomings" and take many detours, wasting time, or they would spend money to learn from their mistakes.
“If that’s the case, then you shouldn’t go. You don’t understand these things, and it’s a waste of time to make these trips back and forth.”
If these people keep delaying, I'm afraid these procedures might not be completed for at least half a month.
“Yes, but we’ve never done business before, so this is really difficult to handle,” Mu Gaoyi sighed.
Zheng Quchi asked, "Where is Brother Wei?"
"Is Officer Wei off on military business? I saw him riding out of the camp early this morning. Madam, would you like to see him?"
Zheng Quchi knew that after Yuwen Sheng disappeared, not only would she have to step in and take on some responsibilities, but Wang Zebang and Wei Yao would also be extremely busy.
"No need... I'll figure out a solution for the workshop myself."
——
In the evening, Zheng Quchi carried some things to visit Uncle Mu in the suburbs.
She sat in front of the grave, arranged the offerings one by one, and burned paper money for him, wishing him endless wealth in the afterlife, unlike her who was constantly troubled by money.
"Uncle Mu, I've come to see you again. This time I've come to tell you that I've won the title of the top craftsman in the Jichun Craftsmen's Guild. You'll definitely be happy to hear that, right? I've brought honor to our Changxunpo camp and to the craftsmen of Ye Kingdom."
"Let's have a drink to that."
She poured him a glass of wine, sprinkled it around the grave, then poured herself a glass and drank it down in one gulp with great gusto.
Wow~ This liquor is strong, it's pungent.
"Ahem... Even though you can't see it, I'm sure you heard it."
"You really won the title of the top craftsman in Jichun Craftsmen's Guild?!" A clear and urgent voice suddenly rang out from behind.
Zheng Quchi subconsciously turned his head to look, only to see Mei Ruoling, whom he hadn't seen in a long time. She took a few steps forward, excitedly squatted down, and grabbed Zheng Quchi's shoulders: "What you just said was true?"
She nodded: "It's easy to find out if something like this is true or false. Would I lie to you? I am that Aqing from Ye Kingdom."
Upon hearing this, Mei Ruoling stared at her in a daze: "Old Mu was right about you. You really, really did it. You didn't just make it to the preliminary rounds, you won the top prize."
Zheng Quchi put down his cup and told her, "Aunt Mei, I also met the disciple of Zuo Mo of the Southern Chen Kingdom that you mentioned."
Mei Ruoling immediately snapped back to her senses and said coldly, "Zuo Mo's disciple? Ha, such a despicable and shameless person would have a disciple? I'm afraid his disciple is just like him."
Birds of a feather flock together – an age-old truth.
Zheng Quchi agreed: "That's right. He was also a participant in this Jichun Craftsmen's Guild competition, but he was defeated by me. I'm afraid that we've now formed a grudge between us."
“Zheng Quchi…” Mei Ruoling gently patted her shoulder, forcing an encouraging smile: “Well done, Old Mu was right about you.”
Zheng Quchi smiled back and asked, "Aunt Mei, do you often come to Uncle Mu's grave?"
Upon hearing this, Mei Ruoling's eyes flickered for a moment before she said, "I did come here often before, but it's quite a coincidence that I always seem to run into you."
"Yes, I have some worries and no one to talk to, so I thought I'd come and talk to Uncle Mu. I mainly want to tell him about what happened at the Jichun Craftsmen's Guild and cheer him up."
Her brow was furrowed, and her usually bright, star-like eyes were now somewhat dim and downcast. Mei Ruoling glanced at them twice, then turned to look at Mu Ke's tombstone. Her emotions were always reserved and restrained: "I believe he would be very happy to know what you did for him."
“Although your Uncle Mu is gone, your Aunt Mei is still here. If you have any worries, you might as well tell me,” Mei Ruoling said.
Zheng Quchi knew that Mei Ruoling was cold-hearted and never a kind-hearted person. She was only saying this now because of Uncle Mu.
It's like loving someone because you love their house and everything around them.
She sat before the grave, her expression blank, and said in a muffled voice, "I always felt that Yuwen Sheng's existence was a shackle on me, but now that he's gone, I don't feel any sense of freedom..."
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
