In the fifth year of the Jin Dynasty, in autumn.
Li Lanzhen bought half a street in Youzhou City, and the thirteen shops there were doing brisk business.
In the past two years, the population of Youzhou City and the surrounding counties and towns has increased by more than 100,000.
With the increase in population, the speed of trade and commerce gradually accelerated.
As a prefecture-level city, Youzhou Prefecture was undoubtedly a focal point for merchants.
North Street, once a "dead street," has been given a new lease on life.
She combined two large, single-level shops, knocked down the walls, and used pillars to support the space in the middle, creating a spacious and open area, which became known as "Peach Blossom Spring Supermarket No. 1".
This supermarket has a wide variety of goods, but they are much more refined than those in general stores.
Of the thirteen shops, one was given to Bai Houpu to open a "Guangji Pharmacy".
Bai Houpu didn't take the pharmacy for nothing; he gave Li Lanzhen 20% of the profits.
Li Lanzhen declined the offer, saying she was grateful for his efforts in helping her injured family member, not only by using good medicine but also by personally visiting her every day to provide medical care.
Bai Houpu was also determined to give away these two percent of the profits.
He told Li Lanzhen that without her, even if his family had been able to come to Youzhou City, they wouldn't have made it here intact, and they wouldn't have been able to come to Medicine Valley so quickly and resume their old business here, where they could live a life of comfort and ease.
Moreover, Li Lanzhen saved the bloodline left by his sister and brother-in-law.
They helped them find their brother-in-law who had been missing for many years.
Later, seeing that she couldn't refuse, Li Lanzhen accepted.
Then every year, they would be given a lot of food.
If they can eat it, they should eat it; if they can't, it's up to them how they handle it.
This is a disguised way of subsidizing them in terms of food.
Bai Houpu was also helpless, knowing that Li Lanzhen was the kind of person who would repay even the smallest kindness with the greatest gratitude.
So I stopped refusing. Sometimes, being too calculating in dealings with people can actually make people feel distant.
Bai Houpu and his team were even more attentive to ensuring the health of Li Lanzhen's family.
Every year when the seasons change, he would come over in person to examine Li Erhan and the others, and prescribe some nourishing medicines.
She made it very clear at the family meeting that whoever wanted a shop should tell her and also specify what kind of business they planned to do.
After considering it, she will rent it to him if it is feasible.
To Li Lanzhen's surprise, Miao Miao found her one day.
Tell her that she wants a shop, which is essentially rented from Li Lanzhen, and that she will pay the rent.
Li Lanzhen looked at the 12-year-old girl and solemnly told her that she wanted to rent her shop to do business.
Li Lanzhen did not look down on Miaomiao; instead, she solemnly took her hand and asked.
"Miaomiao, have you thought it through? You want to rent one of Grandma's shops, what do you want to do with it?"
Miao Miao was indeed a little apprehensive before coming.
The education she received was that boys could read and write and could study in private schools.
Boys can leave home and travel far to do business and earn money.
Girls are not allowed to do these things; they can only stay at home cooking, taking care of children, and embroidering handkerchiefs and purses to earn a little money.
But ever since we fled the famine, Grandma has said that boys and girls are the same, they are equal.
Especially after arriving at Peach Blossom Spring, Grandma made all the girls who were willing to learn to read, write, and do arithmetic.
She went with her mother to the "Wangwang Embroidery Shop" in Youzhou City and stayed there for more than two years.
Having seen many people and things, especially after the Gu Yuli incident, she felt like she had grown up all at once.
When Grandma held a family meeting, she asked them who wanted to start a business and who needed a shop to come to her and tell her.
Miao Miao was anxious for two days. After Zhang Yuniang and Han Minghai learned of Miao Miao's thoughts, they were very supportive.
Han Minghai put his hands on Miao Miao's shoulders and said earnestly, "Daughter, Dad supports you!"
Father will give you five hundred taels of silver.
"What else do you need? Just tell me, and Dad will make it for you."
Miao Miao didn't expect Han Mingjiang to be so supportive of her.
When she had this idea, she was afraid that her father, Han Minghai, would not support it.
As for her mother and grandmother, she felt there were no major problems.
But now, when she speaks up, her father supports her without hesitation.
"Father, thank you so much. I will manage it well. I will ask you for help if I encounter any problems."
With their encouragement, Miaomiao became more confident in seeking out Li Lanzhen.
At that moment, she met Li Lanzhou's serious gaze and said firmly.
"Grandma, I want to open a 'Want Want Toy Store'."
Li Lanzhen laughed, "Oh, you've even thought of a name for the shop?"
Let me guess, is this shop a toy store?
Miao Miao nodded vigorously, her expression now relaxed.
"Yes, Grandma, my shop not only sells plush toys, but also wooden dolls and other ingenious toys made by Uncle Guangyang and his friends."
"Oh, have you discussed it with your great-uncle and Uncle Guangyang?"
What if they also want to sell these toys?
Miaomiao shook her head and said, "Grandma, I've already asked Uncle Guangyang."
He and my aunt both said they could help me make the toys I need. They don't sell these.
Then, grinning, he said, "Of course, as long as I pay."
The grandmother and granddaughter laughed for a while, and Li Lanzhen said, "Alright, as long as you've thought it through, then go open a toy store."
As for the renovations and the shelves, go find your dad or Uncle Guangyang.
"Okay, Grandma, thank you."
Li Lanzhen took out a silver note from her sleeve.
"Miaomiao, here you go. Take this hundred taels of silver note. It's a donation from Grandma."
Miao Miao didn't reach out immediately. She tilted her head and thought for a moment before readily taking it.
"Okay, thank you, Grandma."
"I will definitely give my first penny to my grandmother."
And so, a "Want Want Toy Store" opened on the east side of North Street.
Whether it's a sales problem or a conflict with a customer, Miao Miao would immediately go to Li Lanzhen, talk to her, and find a solution right away. Then she would confidently go back to looking after her shop.
Miao Miao's "Want Want Toy Store" earned more than three times the amount of sponsorship Li Lanzhen gave him in its first month.
Li Lanzhen opened the first "Peach Blossom Spring Grain Shop" in Youzhou City here.
The owner of that teahouse was a woman.
She is Master Xu's granddaughter, Zhihua.
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