"Are you so sure? Then let me ask you, do any of your brokerage firms have someone like the manager for sale? If I can buy someone like that, then these five taels of silver are yours." An Shuyi said, showing the silver in her hand.
The waiter glanced around to make sure no one was watching. "Is Madam really telling the truth?"
"Of course, everything I say is true."
The shop assistant glanced at the silver in her hand and whispered, "A father and son were sold into our shop a while ago. They used to be managers, big managers, very capable ones, but I don't know why they were sold here."
"During this period, our manager has not taken them out to sell to others. Besides cherishing talent, the other reason is that the manager knows that father and son."
"If the two ladies are interested, they can try to find a way through the shopkeeper."
After listening to him finish speaking, An Shuyi smiled and said, "You're a good kid. If you don't want to work here anymore, come find me at the spicy hot pot restaurant. Although I haven't bought any servants yet, here's some money for you." As she spoke, she handed him the silver in her hand.
The clerk glanced at the silver in his hand and said, "Thank you for your generosity, Madam. Thank you for taking a liking to me. However, it's good that we work together as brokers. I don't want to change places yet. This way, Madam."
Upon arriving at the destination, he said, "Madam, please wait here for a while. I'll go find the manager." Then he ran off.
Not long after, the shopkeeper's voice came, "Welcome, ladies. I wonder how many servants you would like to buy today? I'll have someone bring them up for you to choose from."
An Shuyi glanced at the shopkeeper, who was followed by another young shop assistant. "Shopkeeper, we don't want to buy too many servants this time. We just want to buy two accountants who can do the math. Do you have any suitable ones here?"
“Madam, are you making things difficult for me? If you want someone who can sing or dance, I can get that. But I don’t have anyone who can do the accounting. I do have someone who knows a few words, but it’s hard for them to know how to do the accounting.”
“Since there isn’t one, then we won’t force it,” An Shuyi said, standing up. “Let’s go look elsewhere, but please keep an eye out for us, shopkeeper. If you find anything suitable, please let us know.”
"We treat the accountant quite well. He gets paid every day, and the indenture can be returned after ten years. If he has sons or daughters, the indenture will be returned in advance when they get married or take the imperial examination, so as not to delay their future."
"If you find a suitable one, please take the time to help us. We'll take our leave now!" With that, they prepared to depart.
"Wait!" The shopkeeper hesitated for a moment before finally making up his mind and calling out.
"Is there anything else, shopkeeper?" Heh, she's taken the bait.
"I suddenly remembered that the brokerage firm has a suitable person. I'll have someone bring him up for the two ladies to see. I just don't know if what you said is true." If so, then he wouldn't have to live in constant fear.
An Shuyi nodded and smiled, "Whatever I say is true. Of course, if the shopkeeper doesn't believe me, there's nothing I can do."
“I don’t disbelieve you. Since Madam says so, I’ll bring the people here for you to see… Xiao Shi, go and bring Xu Shan and his son here.”
When An Shuyi heard the shopkeeper mention the people, she and Xia Hua exchanged a glance, unable to hide their smiles. It seemed that these were the father and son the shop assistant had mentioned.
The waiter called Xiao Shi away and soon returned with two men. The older man looked to be about forty years old, but he had a worried expression on his face. In contrast, the younger man was very calm.
Even though he was about to be bought by someone else, he didn't seem to care at all. He remained calm and elegant, and still had a handsome appearance.
The shopkeeper looked at the people coming and said, "Madams, this is Xu Shan. He used to be a shopkeeper, but something happened and he was sold to our brokerage. This is his son, Xu Yunzhi. Please take a look and see if he is suitable."
"Can you tell me what happened?" Seeing that the other person's expression was not right, he hurriedly said, "Of course, if it's inconvenient, then you don't need to say."
"Shopkeeper, we'll take them, father and son. How much silver do we owe?"
"Two hundred taels each!" This price is very high. Other servants could buy several, or even more, but that's why he didn't let the father and son come out.
He had met Xu Shan a few times before, and after he was sold to their brokerage firm, they would sometimes drink and chat together. He felt sorry for Xu Shan because he was a talented man, and since he was sold for a high price, he didn't let the father and son come out.
But things are different now. If what that lady said is true, that the ten-year indenture can be returned, and the indenture can be paid in advance for the imperial examination, then Yunzhi will no longer be a servant, and will have the opportunity to make a name for himself in the future.
“Then it’s four hundred taels. Here’s the silver note. Take a look and see if there are any problems.” An Shuyi handed over the silver note.
The shopkeeper took the silver note. "No problem. This is the indenture of Xu Shan and his son. Please treat them well, madam. Brother Xu Shan, as I just told you, this is all I can do for you. Take care in the future."
Xu Shan nodded, "Thank you for taking care of me during this time. It's good that things are like this now. Take care of yourself too. If we have the chance to meet again, let's continue to enjoy drinks together."
"Alright, it's a deal," the shopkeeper said with a smile.
After leaving the brokerage, knowing that Xu Yunzhi could drive a carriage, An Shuyi and her husband sat in the carriage and let the father and son drive the carriage back to the mansion. After returning, they led the people to the hall.
"Please sit down!"
After everyone sat down, An Shuyi continued, "You can stay here from now on. Of course, if you don't want to stay here, there are also places to stay behind the restaurant."
"And your indentures, I won't give you Xu Shan's for now, this is Xu Yunzhi's. The brokerage said that if you want to take the imperial examination, then you should study hard." After all, she didn't want to bury talent. Although she didn't know if he was talented or not, judging from his appearance, he didn't seem fake.
"Our restaurant hasn't opened yet, but now that we have you as the manager, we can get started. These are the things the restaurant needs, and they're listed here. Tomorrow, take some people to buy them. If you can't buy them, we'll have them custom-made."
As for how to cook those dishes and the other ingredients, we'll teach you once everything is ready.
Xu Shan took the paper. "Don't worry, Madam. I'll bring people to prepare it tomorrow. Also, thank you for your trust in giving us the indenture. But don't worry, my son will repay you the money from the indenture later."
"As for me, I will serve as your manager for life to repay your kindness."
An Shuyi smiled and shook her head, "That's not necessary. We agreed on ten years, so it's ten years." Maybe in ten years, I'll still have to beg you to continue being the manager.
"There's nothing else going on now, you may leave. Tao, prepare rooms for Manager Xu and the others."
"Then we'll take our leave, thank you, Madam." Xu Shan thanked her again, while Xu Yunzhi simply held the contract of sale, lost in thought.
After they left, An Shuyi turned around and asked, "Huahua, are you angry that I gave them the indenture?" She hadn't asked Huahua's opinion at all when she gave the indenture to Xu Yunzhi.
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