Last month, January, the sun shone brightly every day, and many shops thought this year would be a mild winter, so they all lowered their prices to sell charcoal.
Jiang Shuwan did the opposite, ordering the two managers to buy up large quantities of charcoal and firewood.
They thought they would lose money, but unexpectedly, the recent heavy snow caused the price of charcoal to skyrocket four or five times, making them a fortune.
Moreover, the weather has been getting colder these past few days, so you can imagine how booming their business will be.
The shopkeepers, who initially thought they were being ripped off by selling them charcoal at a discount, were now filled with regret.
"Young mistress, please come in."
"Young mistress, these are the account books."
The two shopkeepers led Jiang Shuwan into the inner room of the shop, where two large screens were placed between the inner and outer rooms.
The location is relatively secluded, making it less likely for people to bump into her, while still allowing her to see the business outside.
As soon as she entered, the two shopkeepers ordered their servants to add more charcoal to the brazier.
She always wears thick clothes wherever she goes; everyone knows she's afraid of the cold.
"Thank you very much, Manager."
"Please, both managers, have a seat."
Both managers were capable people given to her by Old Madam Pei, and Jiang Shuwan didn't act like a young mistress to them.
This makes the two managers feel embarrassed.
They had previously planned that if the charcoal business lost money, they could borrow some to manipulate this young mistress.
Now that charcoal prices have skyrocketed and shop profits have doubled, the young mistress didn't ridicule them for being short-sighted.
Their attitude towards them remained the same as always. Not only did they treat them with respect, but they also remained calm and composed when they saw the profits in the ledger multiplied several times.
Such demeanor doesn't seem like that of a stay-at-home woman; she has the air of a business tycoon.
The two shopkeepers no longer dared to underestimate her, and their previous attempts to take advantage of her youth had long since vanished.
They treated her with the same respect as the maids and servants in her courtyard.
Jiang Shuwan naturally noticed the change in their attitude, but she glanced at them and didn't take it to heart.
These two managers are different from the maids in the courtyard; they are free agents.
Even with Madam Pei on the other side, there was no shortage of respectability and affection.
With such a young owner and no prior experience managing a shop, it's no wonder the two managers couldn't trust her.
Now that the two shopkeepers have expressed their trust, she is naturally happy.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with the two shopkeepers, Jiang Shuwan focused on calculating the accounts.
She had learned abacus at the Children's Palace when she was a child. She quickly calculated the accounts in the ledger, leaving the two shopkeepers dazzled and dumbfounded.
"The young mistress is truly amazing."
"That's some pretty clever planning!"
"I've been doing accounting for decades, but I'm still not as fast as the young mistress."
She not only calculated quickly, but also accurately, which impressed the two shopkeepers to the extreme.
"Young mistress, please have some tea."
After she finished calculating, the two shopkeepers quickly took over Qingxing's job, serving her tea and water.
Jiang Shuwan thanked her softly, sat down in the armchair and leisurely sipped her tea, her gaze occasionally falling on the shop outside.
At this moment, the shop was bustling with people, and there was a constant stream of people buying charcoal.
The waiters were all busy, some greeting guests, others fetching charcoal, and everyone was beaming with joy.
If the shop makes a lot of money, their rewards will certainly be substantial.
The people who bought the charcoal weren't so happy.
"Why has the price gone up again?"
"Didn't it just go up a few days ago?"
The man buying charcoal was clearly the steward of a large family; he was dressed richly and was even playing with walnuts in his hand.
He complained that charcoal was expensive, but he bought it without hesitation.
During the Lunar New Year period, there are many social interactions among aristocratic families, and each household is a major consumer of charcoal.
"Waiter, give me another cartload of charcoal."
He originally only ordered one truckload, but now he's added another.
"Okay, please wait a moment!"
The waiter quickly went to handle it.
"Young mistress, the price of charcoal has skyrocketed, and the weather is cold."
"Right now, our shop is the only one in these surrounding streets that supplies charcoal. Could you perhaps increase the price by 20%?"
The two shopkeepers suggested.
"Add it!"
Jiang Shuwan agreed without hesitation.
The two shopkeepers collected a lot of high-quality smokeless charcoal, which was used by noble families.
They are very rich.
"Should the price of firewood also be increased?" the two shopkeepers asked tentatively.
"Young mistress, the heavy snow has blocked the roads, causing not only charcoal prices to skyrocket, but firewood prices have also increased several times over."
"But we still sell the firewood we collect at the same price as before."
"This is such a bad deal, let's double it..."
"We won't raise the price of firewood."
Before they could finish speaking, Jiang Shuwan refused outright.
Nowadays, those who use firewood for heating are mostly the poor and the lowest social classes.
They were all dirt poor.
If you're going to make money, make money from the rich. What kind of skill is it to covet the few coins in the pockets of the poor?
Seeing her resolute attitude, the two shopkeepers felt embarrassed and dared not bring it up again.
Unbeknownst to them, this act earned the two shops a reputation as Confucian merchants who benefited the people by offering discounts.
He did a lot of favors for Jiang Shuwan in her future career.
But that's a story for another time, so let's leave it at that for now.
"Miss, Miss Sun has arrived."
As soon as Qingxing finished speaking, Sun Wanwan came in with her maid.
"Wanwan, thank you so much these days. Because of you, I've made a lot of money."
Sun Wanwan was overjoyed.
Last month, when Jiang Shuwan asked the two shopkeepers to collect charcoal, she also asked Sun Wanwan to collect some. Sun Wanwan went back that day and told her mother about it.
Madam Sun was skeptical and didn't dare to buy too much charcoal, but she still made a profit.
"My mother said thank you for the dividends you received."
As she spoke, Sun Wanwan handed a red envelope to Jiang Shuwan.
Jiang Shuwan smiled and politely declined, saying that there was no need to be so particular about her relationship with the Sun family.
"Come on, I'll take you to the West Market."
After saying goodbye to the two shopkeepers, Jiang Shuwan took Sun Wanwan to the West Market.
The two were riding in a carriage when they saw a group of wealthy young men riding horses towards the outskirts of the city before they even left Zhuque Street.
"Are they going to enjoy the snow scenery?"
"Aren't you afraid of the cold?"
"What do they have to fear from the cold? These young masters have plenty of money. On snowy days, they can light several stoves, drink and eat meat in the freezing cold, and have a great time."
The people on the street were talking about it, casting envious glances at the young men in their fine clothes and riding spirited horses.
There were also young girls who cast admiring glances at them.
The leader, in particular, was dressed in a bright red robe with butterfly and flower-patterned sleeves, and wore a purple-gold crown on his head.
He not only looked wealthy, but was also quite handsome, making the women blush and their hearts race.
"Miss, it seems to be the young master."
Qingxing stared at the departing figure of the young master with the purple-gold crown.
"Is it Pei Lingyu?"
"He and Jiang Yao were newlyweds. At that time, in order to marry her, he even offended the entire aristocratic family."
"They've only been married a month, and he hasn't even spent time with her?"
Sun Wanwan asked curiously.
Qingxing quickly told her quietly about Jiang Yao's embarrassment at the clan banquet.
Sun Wanwan was shocked when she heard this.
"How come I haven't heard anything about this?"
"Family scandals should not be aired in public; everyone is keeping quiet about them."
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