Zhu Yan was a businessman, and so was Tao Wanniang. Compared to the inexperienced city lord and Yun Pingting, Tao Wanniang ended up doing business with Zhu Yan.
"Manager Tao is willing to share the recipes of the Star-Picking Pavilion in the capital. Aren't you afraid that my Sifang City will eventually set up its own restaurant?" Zhu Yan asked curiously after hearing Tao Wanniang's words.
"A contract in black and white, signed and sealed, filed with the government, with the head office manager inspecting the stores. If any such phenomena are found, the cooperation will be terminated and those responsible will be held accountable." Tao Wanniang spoke in a businesslike tone. "At that time, we'll find a lawyer and take it to the government. I ask you, Young Master Zhu, are you afraid, or do you think you can do whatever you want in Sifang City?"
"No, Brother Zhu Yan wouldn't!" Yun Pingting said on Zhu Yan's behalf.
“Pingting understands me best. Indeed, the Zhu family has always prioritized integrity in all its dealings,” Zhu Yan said. “Manager Tao, it’s inconvenient for your people to come to Sifang City. I think it would be better if I were to take full charge of the Zhaixing Tower in Sifang City.”
"I just explained the joining algorithm. Is it acceptable to Young Master Zhu?" Tao Wanniang asked in return.
Zhu Yan nodded, then spoke to Tao Wanniang in detail, finally asking, "Manager Tao, can you draft a cooperation agreement on the spot?"
"Give me half a day, and I can draft it for you," Tao Wanniang said, then glanced at the city lord and Yun Pingting. Hmm, those two aren't important.
“In that case, I will come again this afternoon,” Zhu Yan said immediately.
"Lord, Miss, the three young masters from the Xu, Wu, and Du families have arrived!" A guard came to report from outside the door.
"Let's leave it at that for now!" Tao Wanniang felt that there were too many people talking, so she stood up and said, "Lord City Lord, may I borrow the study for a moment?"
City Lord Yun Qingshan immediately nodded, while instructing Yun Pingting to attend to the other three young masters, he himself invited Tao Wanniang to the study.
"Brother Zhu Yan, didn't we agree that I was going to open a restaurant?" Yun Pingting wasn't stupid. After listening to what Tao Wanniang and Zhu Yan were talking about, she felt that she was being excluded.
Zhu Yan smiled gently and patiently said to Yun Pingting, "Pingting, after I secure the franchise rights for Zhaixinglou in Sifang City, we can sign an agreement. Of course, we can also choose not to sign, as long as you trust me."
"No, I want to sign it. I'll take out my own savings, and I'll have a share in this restaurant from now on." Yun Pingting felt that only a written agreement would provide security.
"Pingting, if you become the young mistress of the Zhu family, wouldn't what's mine be yours?" Zhu Yan said softly, looking at Yun Pingting with a smile.
"What are you doing?" Du Heng shouted. "Zhu Yan, you bastard Zhu Yan, you actually came to see Pingting ahead of time behind our backs. Pingting, don't be fooled by him."
“That’s right, Pingting. Zhu Yan is the most cunning, and his Zhu family will never act without a profit.” Xu Ming also looked at Zhu Yan with dissatisfaction.
“Pingting, what Zhu Yan gave you, we can give you too. You must be careful!” Wu Tianming said cautiously.
"You don't need to be so wary. What I discussed with Pingting wasn't a private matter." Zhu Yan was quite frank. He would have more opportunities to spend time with Yun Pingting in the future, which the other three didn't have.
"Stop arguing! I've been away from Sifang City for so long, I don't want to see you fighting over me." Yun Pingting looked displeased. "Do I have to come back to face this scene of you blaming each other?"
"Pingting, it's not like that." Seeing Yun Pingting's expression, the group felt heartbroken.
"Yes, Pingting, where have you been all this time? We were very worried about you."
Yun Pingting pretended to be annoyed and complained a few times, but then pulled the four of them aside and started telling them about her interesting trip to Youzhou. Naturally, she also mentioned Tao Wanniang.
However, Yun Pingting cleverly concealed the fact that she had opened the Star-Picking Tower in Sifang City. Zhu Yan glanced at Yun Pingting a few more times. Their young lady seemed to have grown up!
In the afternoon, Tao Wanniang drafted the franchise agreement. Her fine calligraphy caught the eye of City Lord Yun Qingshan.
"Manager Tao is truly a man of great talent!" Yun Qingshan exclaimed approvingly after reading the contract. "But when did I, the city lord, become a guarantor?"
"Oh, isn't that so?" Tao Wanniang smiled faintly. "Doesn't the city lord want to make some money?"
Yun Qingshan was immediately pleased when he saw the clause about the guarantor receiving three hundred taels of silver annually. "This contract is so thorough and meticulous; Manager Tao is no ordinary businessman!"
"You flatter me, Lord City Lord. I am, after all, doing business with the Prince of Youzhou," Tao Wanniang said modestly.
Yun Qingshan took the lead and invited Zhu Yan. The two sides then talked in detail for two hours before finally signing the contract.
"It's a pleasure to cooperate. I will have someone describe the scene of the Star-Picking Tower in the capital city in detail. When you arrive in Sifang City, the Star-Picking Tower must be the same as the one in the capital."
"That's achievable. My Sifang City gathers talents from all over the world, and we'll make Manager Tao's eyes light up," Zhu Yan assured him.
It was already evening, so Tao Wanniang had to stay at the city lord's mansion for another night.
When leaving Sifang City, Yun Pingting looked reluctant to part.
“Sister Tao, how about I come to the capital to see you later?” Yun Pingting said. “I also want to see the prosperity of the capital.”
“Of course. If I am fortunate enough to be able to return to the capital before the end of the year, you can write to me in advance if you wish to come.” Tao Wanniang left Yun Pingting her address in the capital.
Yun Pingting nodded, her eyes lighting up as she said, "Perhaps, I can go with Brother Zhu Yan to see the Star-Picking Tower in the capital first."
"Oh, are you sure you can come with him alone?" Tao Wanniang had also witnessed the rivalry among the four people, and it was really difficult for Yun Pingting to decide on one person to come.
Yun Pingting thought for a moment, then whispered in Tao Wanniang's ear, "I'll come alone."
Tao Wanniang smiled. Yun Pingting's idea was good, but it would be difficult!
After leaving Sifang City, Tao Wanniang urged Ling Feng and Chen Yan to hurry on their journey, as the return trip to the capital would be relatively smoother.
Tao Wanniang was unaware that the capital was indeed in turmoil at that moment.
With the efforts of both Lingyunzhou and Youzhou Wang, the marriage between the eldest princess and the Tatar prince is now a done deal.
However, the eldest princess was not happy. She blamed the emperor for not cherishing the affection between siblings, and she blamed Ling Yunzhou for turning his back on her. Only because Tao Wanniang was not in the capital could she vent her anger on her, but she was furious with Hailan, who was by Ling Yunzhou's side.
"Ling Yunzhou, you abandoned our ten years of companionship for that vile woman Tao Wanniang. Now, you're watching me go to marry a barbarian because of this brat. Do you hate me?"
Snow was falling heavily in the capital. The eldest princess, dressed in a fox fur cloak, was causing a ruckus in the general's mansion.
Hailan was covered in blood after being whipped by the eldest princess, but Ling Yunzhou held her in his arms.
"Your Highness, as a royal princess, you made a marriage alliance with the Tatars for the sake of the court and the country. The people of Yue will remember your sacrifice." Ling Yunzhou suppressed his anger and spoke righteously with a straight face!
"I don't want the people to remember me, Lingyun Continent, I only want you!" the princess roared. She didn't want any of this royal righteousness!
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