Shopkeeper Wu hesitated, then said, "Well, it’s hard to say. If you want a profitable business, don’t each one have its own execution? Doing well is how you make money, right? I think your grape wine is already quite profitable. Over ten liang of silver per half a kilogram, what wine can match your price?"
But Xin He shook her head, "Isn’t that a bit arbitrary, shopkeeper Wu? My grape wine indeed brings in profits, but when it comes to the most profitable venture, it hardly makes the cut. For instance, the Gui Lin restaurant, doesn’t it make more money than I do? Hence, running a restaurant is more lucrative than solely selling grape wine."
Shopkeeper Wu widened his eyes, looking at her somewhat wary, "You want to run a restaurant?!"
If she opens a restaurant, would there still be a way for the Gui Lin restaurant to survive in Lian’an Town?
However, Xin He simply laughed and winked, "Shopkeeper Wu, you’re worrying too much. Lian’an Town already has the acclaimed restaurant, Gui Lin. If I open a restaurant now, it will be challenging to surpass it and might even cause bad blood between us. Wouldn’t that be more harm than good?" 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
Only then did Shopkeeper Wu feel a little relieved. He cleared his throat and said, "There are indeed many profitable industries, but also, one must consider whether they are up to the task. After all, different businesses have different operations. If you want to do it, you also need to see if it suits you, right?"
Shopkeeper Wu’s words were sincere. Xin He just smiled, "That’s precisely why I came to find shopkeeper Wu for guidance, as I also feel I may not be suited to this."
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Shopkeeper Wu laughed, "Then Miss Ji should just speak frankly. What kind of business does Miss Ji want to start now?"
Xin He tipped her chin, "On my recent trip to the capital city, I learned about the famous Golden Cave. I’m very interested in it. Unfortunately, I lack the know-how in this area. I wonder if Wu Zhanggui has relevant knowledge, or perhaps some useful contacts."
However, when Shopkeeper Wu heard the words "Golden Cave", he spurted out the mouthful of tea he was about to swallow, staring dumbfoundedly, "You’re not thinking of running a brothel, are you?!"
Xin He laughed, "Indeed."
Shopkeeper Wu stared at her in shock, "This... this..."
"Is it not allowed?" Xin He fluttered her eyelashes, sensing her intent. Brothels weren’t illegal in this era.
"No, it is not that it is not allowed, just that, I am thinking Miss Ji, such a pure and innocent girl, why should you go into this industry? I’m afraid it would damage your reputation, making it difficult for you to marry in the future!" Shopkeeper Wu said quickly.
Xin He responded, "I do want to start this business, but only as a silent partner. I will not take part in the front-end affairs, and, furthermore..."
She paused slightly. The smile on her face deepened, "I am already married."
Shopkeeper Wu was taken aback but decided not to ask if it was the same person from the last time. He quickly changed the subject, "If you are determined to take up this line of business, it’s not impossible. But this industry is hard to get into. You need to think things through."
"Since I decided to do it, I naturally have the certainty and planning. You don’t need to worry about me, Shopkeeper Wu." Xin He replied.
Seeing Xin He’s determination, Shopkeeper Wu knew that she was serious. He thought her new business venture was absurd, but now seeing her so adamant, he began to have mixed feelings. He had witnessed Ji Xinhe’s talents and methods before.
Once Shopkeeper Wu made up his mind, he said, "There are many brothels in our town of Lian’an. On Hua Street alone, there are at least five or six, so competition is fierce. The most profitable one seems to be Yihong Courtyard. Which brothel does well is basically determined by the attractiveness of their girls. However, this business is deep and intricate; it’s a place only for the wealthy and involves the interests of many powerful people, thus controversies abound..."
Shopkeeper Wu was saying this with a rueful look at Xin He, afraid that as a young girl entering this muddy business, she would be horribly bullied in the end.
But then he recalled the scene where Xin He publicly reprimanded her stepmother. The ferocity in her eyes couldn’t be faked. This girl was far from a pushover.
Considering this, Shopkeeper Wu couldn’t help but trust Xin He a bit more.
Xin He listened attentively. She wished to start this business but certainly couldn’t recklessly rush into it without understanding it properly. That would result in a nasty crash.
That was why she had specifically come to look for Shopkeeper Wu, to glean some information. Considering that the guests at the Gui Lin Inn were mainly wealthy locals of Lian’an Town, Shopkeeper Wu must have a wide network and knowledge about many matters. Thus, asking him for information was the best option.
"So, what does Yihong Courtyard rely on to do so well? Is it just because their girls are prettier?" Xin He asked.
"Isn’t it? They have a top performer named Hua Lian, who’s currently very popular. She’s beautiful and has a good figure. More importantly, she knows how to handle affairs!" Wu Zhanggui murmured.
Xin He raised an eyebrow, "What does ’know how to handle affairs’ mean?"
Shopkeeper Wu felt somewhat embarrassed, how could he discuss such matters with a young lady?
However, looking at Xin He’s sincere desire to learn, he felt embarrassed to refuse and simply stated, "Well, let’s put it this way: the women in the brothels are basically of two types!"
Xin He looked interested, "Which two types?"
"One kind are women who are not very attractive and don’t have much fame. These women are very outgoing. To the guests, they are especially attentive, especially to those who tip them—heaping servility on them like they were their masters."
Xin He listened without showing any sign of contempt on her face, instead she gave a calm nod, "They are not outstanding performers. If they do not try to please the patrons a bit more, I’m afraid they won’t be able to attract any customers."
Feeling encouraged, Shopkeeper Wu continued, "The other kind is like the difference between earth and sky. They carry themselves like goddesses! The madams raise them like ladies of fashion. Their lifestyles are more luxurious than rich young ladies. They are proud by nature, much like the Hua Lian I just mentioned."
Xin He nodded. She had experienced this before, at Wanhua Tower in the capital city. Weren’t Ah Lian and the newly debuted girl Hanxiang just like that?
"But where does Hua Lian’s charm lies? Actually, it’s because she may act aloof on the surface, but is wild at heart. She’s very good at seducing men, which made her so popular. Currently, in Lian’an Town, no one is more popular than her. Yihong Courtyard is also a formidable competitor. If you want to enter this business lacking any foundation, you can easily be oppressed and bullied. You should think it through."
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