"Jiang's Private Kitchen" has been making quite a splash these past few days, with its advertising being rather ostentatious. Many merchants from Guyang County and even surrounding counties have flocked to Guxian Town upon hearing the news.
Jiang Shan rented an empty garden in town to hold a trade fair. Any business related to her business could participate and enjoy free samples of all the food, drinks, snacks, fruits, and so on.
All the food, drinks, and supplies at the tea party were voluntarily and free of charge sponsored by the businesses, and all sponsored items were marked with the businesses' unique trademarks and advertising slogans.
Merchants participating in the tea party can bring a small amount of local specialties to the garden for exhibition and sale. Merchants can freely seek business opportunities among themselves. For example, seafood sellers can sign supply agreements with restaurants, reach cooperation agreements with condiment sellers, and dried goods sellers can try their luck with a pastry shop.
In short, Jiangshan's promotional advertisement fully embodies and expresses one meaning: there are business opportunities everywhere at the tea party, so don't miss out!
Magistrate Cao looked at the thick account book presented by his clerk, his cheeks puffed out in a sour tone, "More than a hundred merchants have registered? The registration fees of more than a thousand taels of silver have all been sent to the county government?"
The clerk wiped the sweat from his brow and sighed sincerely, "Yes, sir, you didn't see those people. They usually try to stretch every penny they have, but when they pulled out their money to register, they didn't even flinch. I've truly seen something amazing. That Lady Jiang is quite a remarkable person!"
The taxes that Guyang County sends to the imperial court each year amount to only tens of thousands of taels of silver. In just a few days, Jiangshan has managed to scrape together more than a thousand taels of silver for him. No wonder the advisor is so impressed!
Magistrate Cao said leisurely, "She just came up with an idea and took on the title of organizer. She didn't have to spend a penny of her own money, and she still gained a great reputation and fame. What's so great about that!"
The advisor glanced at him out of the corner of his eye but didn't say anything.
The meaning is obvious, why don't you give me some ideas?
"Take two hundred taels and send it to the garden. Tell those people to guard the garden well and follow Madam Jiang's instructions in everything. After it's done, I will reward you handsomely!"
"Yes, sir!"
The trade fair lasted for three days and was more lively than ever before in Guyang County.
All the merchants were putting in their best effort to promote their products. Eloquent salespeople were loudly hawking the selling points of their products in front of the makeshift counters. Unheard-of advertising slogans were coming out of their mouths one after another, so novel that it was hard to tear yourself away.
In addition to all kinds of merchants, big and small, the fair also attracted ordinary people who came to watch the excitement. The dazzling array of goods made them feel that they would have wasted their trip if they didn't take a few things back with them.
The trade fair also featured more than a dozen VIP rooms, available only to those who paid the highest price and acted quickly, specifically for business negotiations. Soon, the VIP rooms were packed, with queues forming outside some.
Jiang Shan was hiding in one of the private rooms.
At that moment, she looked at the owner of the VIP room sitting opposite her and asked with a wry smile, "Mr. Zheng, you said you wanted to partner with me in business, but you can't specify what kind of business we're going to do. How can we even talk about this?"
Zheng Fusheng was in his forties, and his appearance was just like his name: square-faced, with large ears and a benevolent look. He chuckled and cupped his hands in greeting to Jiang Shan, saying, "Boss Jiang, let's not beat around the bush. I admire your character and how you conduct yourself. I'm not bound by any rules; as long as it's a business you're interested in, I'm willing to cooperate with you. I can provide capital, manpower, and effort, and you can decide the profit sharing!"
Jiang Shan always avoids anything that seems too good to be true, especially since her purpose in arranging this trade fair was to set a trap for others. Before achieving her goal, she wasn't so bored as to fall into her own trap.
She chuckled, her beautiful dark eyes drifting through the latticed window into some unknown distance, clearly just going through the motions.
Zheng Fusheng sighed helplessly in his heart. As the second manager of Juxianzhuang, he had condescended to do business in this rural area, only to be looked down upon. This was the first time he had ever done so!
After thinking it over and over, he said with a wry smile, "Boss Jiang, I know you don't believe me. In three months, I will open a restaurant in Guyang County. At that time, I will talk to you in detail with my sincerity!"
Jiang Shan turned to look at Zheng Fusheng with some surprise, paused for a moment, and said, "Mr. Zheng, it's not that I don't trust you, but I've seen my current state. Even if you really want to cooperate with me, I'm willing but unable to do so."
Zheng Fusheng nodded without hesitation. "I know you're about to give birth. As I've said before, I'll provide the money, the manpower, and the effort, while you'll provide the advice. We can discuss anything that's not covered here, so you don't need to worry."
Jiang Shan slowly leaned back in his chair, propping himself up on the table, and laughed, "Since Boss Zheng is so sincere, I appreciate your kindness. I hope to have the opportunity to repay your special treatment."
Zheng Fusheng let out a long breath, and the smile on his face became much brighter.
The two chatted for a few more minutes. In the middle of the conversation, someone came in and whispered something to Jiang Shan. Jiang Shan went out with that person and returned quickly. He never went out again after that.
Clearly, this VIP room is special, reserved exclusively for a single important client.
The first day of the trade fair was a great success. Judging from how many merchants didn't want to go home even after dark, they must have made a lot of money.
Jiang Shan set aside a warehouse in the garden for merchants from outside Guyang County to store their goods and signed a guarantee to ensure that the goods would not spoil under her management.
A gust of wind blew up at night and knocked down a shed in the garden. The two guards outside the warehouse rushed over when they heard the noise and spent a lot of time putting the shed back in place.
When they returned to their posts, the scene before them almost terrified them.
The warehouse was brightly lit and surrounded by men armed with weapons. Inside their encirclement, some people were rolling on the ground, clutching their legs and howling in pain, while others lay motionless, their fate unknown. Clearly, a fierce battle had just taken place.
"Take them all back to the yamen and keep them under guard. Don't let a single one escape! Leave a few men to continue guarding them, and the rest of you come back with me to report!" someone shouted, and the people inside scattered like birds and beasts.
Within a few breaths, the warehouse returned to calm.
The two guards looked at each other, their legs a little weak, and slowly moved to the warehouse door, where they sat down against it.
I don't know if they'll be able to work tomorrow... And their wages, they were promised no less than 300 coins a day, and if they do well, they can get one tael of silver, so each of them can get 500 coins!
But now... I don't know if I'll get paid, but I guess I'll have to pay the penalty.
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