After lunch, before she could even take a short rest, Xu Zhi was invited over by someone sent by the Marquis of Yongning.
The Marquis had already helped her present the bamboo paper to the Emperor. Perhaps because he had obtained Xu Zhi's pastry shop, which made a fortune every day, Emperor Liang Cheng readily ordered the bamboo paper to be made into a tribute. As a result, Xu Zhi needed to coordinate various matters with the Imperial Household Department, which was responsible for the Emperor's daily necessities.
In the future, Xu Zhi will not be able to oversee the bamboo paper business all the time, so she needs to find someone who can be in charge of the whole matter. This not only requires maintaining good relations with the officials of the Imperial Household Department, but also maintaining daily communication with the workshop in Huitouling, Luzhou.
Xu Zhi initially wanted the Marquis to help her find someone, but later she felt that she was the one who wanted to lead the people of Luzhou to prosperity and could not always rely on her family. So she thought of selecting one from the people she had brought with her. Once such a person was selected, he would be in a shop in the capital. If there was anything, the Imperial Household Department could come directly to him.
While Xu Zhi was busy discussing the tribute with the people from the Imperial Household Department, she was also looking for a suitable shop in the capital. Finally, she found a small shop not far from the South Gate. The location was not very good. The front three rooms were used as the shop, and there was a small courtyard in the back. The courtyard faced north. The three rooms used as the shop were the original east wing of the courtyard.
Xu Zhi was drawn to the small courtyard, the five main rooms, the west wing, and the well in the yard. This way, she would not only have a dedicated warehouse for storing bamboo paper, but also ready-made staff dormitories. This small courtyard would make the people who ran the shop very comfortable.
After signing the contract with the owner, Xu Zhi had people quickly prepare the shop and courtyard, but she ran into trouble when it came to deciding on the person to take over.
This time, Zhou Ersao volunteered to come along. After a few days, Xu Zhi thought Zhou Ersao was the most suitable candidate. However, Zhou Ersao had a family to support, including her husband and children. She couldn't stay in the capital alone. If Xu Zhi wanted Zhou Ersao to stay in the capital with peace of mind, it would be best to send Zhou Erzhu and their dog over as well.
Zhou Erzhu is now the workshop manager, and he manages the workshop very well. Xu Zhi really doesn't want to send him to the capital like this. It's too difficult to train good managers, and Xu Zhi doesn't have the confidence to train another talent like Zhou Erzhu.
However, things have all come to this point, and after weighing the options, Xu Zhi decided to transfer Zhou Erzhu over. The main reason was that Xu Zhi had been following Zhou Erzhu around everywhere she went these past few days. Zhou Erzhu was not only quick to learn, but also shrewd and experienced in dealing with people. She really won Xu Zhi's heart. Xu Zhi believed that Zhou Erzhu was the most talented manager she had ever seen. Xu Zhi decided to give such a sales talent a try.
Having finally gotten half a day of free time, Xu Zhi invited Zhou Ersao to her courtyard. Zhou Ersao sat very reservedly on a stool in front of the kang (a heated brick bed).
Xu Zhi smiled and said, "Second Sister-in-law Zhou, I invited you here because there's something I want to discuss with you and see what you think."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Ersao smiled and said, "Master, please feel free to ask if there's anything you need."
These past few days, Zhou Er Sao felt like she was in a dream. She was actually sitting with the palace eunuch who was in charge of the emperor's daily expenses and discussing matters. It was only at this moment that Zhou Er Sao realized that her initial purpose for coming to the capital was still too small. Xu Zhi had shown her another world, and she was not even prepared. This world had unfolded before her so suddenly.
Xu Zhi smiled and said, "Our shop has been secured. The next step is to renovate the shop and prepare for opening. As for the contract with the Imperial Workshop, we just need to supply goods on time. I don't think they will hold back our payments. Second Sister-in-law Zhou, I want you to stay in the capital to be in charge of daily communication with the Imperial Workshop and the operation of the shop."
When Zhou Ersao heard the last part, she couldn't believe it. After a long while, she asked, "Master, do you mean you want me to stay in the shop in the capital as a manager?"
Xu Zhi shook her head and said, "It's not a manager, it's a shopkeeper. He's in charge of all matters related to our Luzhou bamboo paper in the capital."
After a long pause to process it, Aunt Zhou, her face flushed with excitement, nodded repeatedly and said, "Master, I'm willing, I'm willing."
Xu Zhi smiled gently and said, "Second Sister-in-law Zhou, you're willing, but what about your steward Zhou and your children?"
Zhou Ersao then remembered her husband and child, and her face stiffened. Xu Zhi smiled reassuringly and said, "Don't worry, I'm discussing this with you. I'm thinking of transferring your husband, Steward Zhou, to the capital as well, and you can take care of your child as well. As for the child's education, I'll talk to my family and arrange for him to attend the clan school affiliated with our Yongning Marquis's residence. What do you think?"
Zhou Ersao was surprised by this unexpected joy and nodded repeatedly, saying, "Master, we are willing, we are willing. Not for anything else, but just so that our Gouwazi can study at the Hou Mansion's clan school. It's not easy for us peasant children to study, let alone study under famous teachers. Gouwazi is our hope. I can make a decision for my husband here. However, he is currently the workshop manager. He will definitely not agree to leave like this unless he can bring out another manager who can take charge of the daily affairs of our workshop."
Xu Zhi nodded and said, "You don't need to worry about that. We'll be in Luzhou in a few days. You and your husband can discuss it then. As for the workshop manager, we can always find a suitable one."
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