The city is bustling with shops lining the streets, and new shops open and close every day.
Therefore, when the sugar shop was being renovated, only a few neighbors nearby found it strange and came to inquire.
They were selling cosmetics and face powder just fine, so why did they suddenly switch to selling candy?
These are clearly two completely different things, things that have nothing to do with each other.
During those days, the shopkeeper, Liu Er, would greet people with a smile, welcome them in, and after some polite exchanges, would see them off with another smile.
Anyone who asks will be told it's the master's decision; how could a mere shopkeeper know so much?
However, when Liu Er got home at night and lay in bed, he couldn't fall asleep until late at night, showing none of the relaxed demeanor he displayed in front of others.
Especially in the days leading up to the opening, we received a message from the Empress Dowager. It included the suggested retail price on the order form, as well as arrangements for promotional activities.
Liu Er praised Consort Cheng's boldness highly. Even the best wine needs advertising; the outer city was inhabited mainly by Han Chinese, Hui people, and others.
The inner city was divided into plots according to the Eight Banners, and the residents were all descendants of the Eight Banners, including princes, nobles, and imperial relatives.
The owners behind each of the shops on Dongzhimen Street are no ordinary people.
Although the Sun family held a lucrative position, in the capital, they could only be considered a middle-class family.
So they could only find a place in the outer city and set up two small shops in decent locations, but not the best ones.
There's no way around it; throughout history, housing prices in the capital have never been cheap. Especially these street-front shops with a storefront in the front and a courtyard in the back, where people can live.
Liu Er could already imagine that a nice-looking sign would be hung under the signboard.
If the words "Even the Emperor said it was delicious" are written on it, then it must be a place that attracts a large number of customers.
As for whether the Emperor will have any objections, isn't that because of their Lady? Everyone in the capital knows that their Lady is deeply favored by the Emperor.
She was promoted to the rank of principal wife in less than a year after entering the palace, and she also raised the Fifth Prince. No other concubine could compare to her!
But along with the joy came immense pressure. The family had invested so much money in the milk candy business.
The Empress trusted him and made him the head manager. If the business failed, it would be a small matter if he were punished, but it would be a huge loss of face for the Empress in the palace.
He must watch very carefully and make sure there are no mistakes!
Firecrackers crackled and popped, and a large crowd had already gathered three or four deep outside the shops, completely blocking the street.
Fortunately, as the Empress had instructed, she found about ten soldiers to help maintain order.
Otherwise, if something unexpected happens and a good day is tainted with bad luck, how can business go smoothly in the future!
Passerby A: "Even the Emperor said it was good?" Wow, this restaurant is really arrogant!
Passerby B: You don't know this, do you? This shop belongs to the Sun family. They have connections in the palace!
The recipe for this candy is said to have been sent by a concubine from the palace. If the Emperor didn't like it, and the concubine dared to casually hang it under the signboard, that would be a crime of deceiving the Emperor!
Passerby A: Really? Who are you? How do you know this?
The ladies in the palace have everything they could want, why would they care about such a small amount of money!
Passerby C: I can vouch for him, what he said is true, our family also has a concubine in the palace.
A few days ago, someone delivered a box of these milk candies to our house. The young ladies, young masters, mistress, and even the matriarch all love them.
I heard this store opened today, so they specially asked the two of us to come and buy some things to help boost the store's popularity and liven things up.
Passerby A: This is the most popular spot on the whole street, there's no need for heating here!
Passerby Ding: Hey, I'm just here to add to the crowd, and maybe buy some to take home...
Passerby E: We are too, what about you two...?
Passerby Xu: No, we are not. Our master heard that the milk candy from this shop is good for your health, so he sent us to buy some.
Passerby: We heard that there's a candy shop that sells milk candy that even the Emperor praised, so we came to see for ourselves.
......
Liu Er listened to the surrounding chatter and looked at the people in the crowd who were dressed as servants and stewards from various households.
The slaps became even more vigorous; with these people around, today was sure to be a great day for the grand opening.
When the auspicious hour arrived, Manager Liu, dressed in a bright red robe embroidered with the character "福" (fortune), stood at the shop entrance and shouted loudly,
"Thank you all, fellow villagers, gentlemen, ladies, and gentlemen, for your support. Honey Candy Shop is opening today, and for the first three days, all items will be offered at a 20% discount."
"Those who have money, please support us financially; those who don't, please support us with your presence. Welcome to our store."
After Liu Er finished speaking, he pulled the red silk hanging under the plaque, revealing a signboard with black background and red characters.
He then stepped aside, making way for the doorway and welcoming guests with a smile. The more than two thousand kilograms of milk candy he had prepared sold out in less than two hours.
The customers who came later to buy candy didn't even see a trace of it.
By the time they closed, the production for the next two weeks had already been booked, making the neighboring shops extremely envious.
Liu Er excitedly went over today's accounts three or four times. Only after ensuring that everything was in order did he happily put down the abacus.
With his legs crossed, he spoke to his equally excited wife, Ms. Su, beside him.
"Your Majesty is truly a business genius; the profits from this milk candy business far exceed our imagination."
"Today, we sold 17,254 taels of silver just from spot goods. There were also losses of over 100 catties, which is a bit much, but still within expectations."
"The remaining two weeks' worth of 200 catties per day has already been booked. Since the orders were placed within the first three days of opening, they are still discounted by 20%, totaling 24,000 taels."
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