If you want to attract more merchants, it is not enough to have profitable business, you also need a good business environment. This was the basic strategy when the market was first established.
In order to attract more caravans, County Magistrate Zheng took many measures, and strictly ordered his subordinates not to ask for benefits under false pretenses. Merchants already had a low status, and if they were exploited severely, all their hard work would be in vain!
This is also one of the reasons why Rongcheng’s market has been able to develop rapidly.
Qiao Da bowed gratefully to everyone and said, "Thank you for letting me know. I'll pay for the tea!"
The leader didn't refuse, and said with a smile, "Don't be polite, we are all from the same hometown, and we should help each other when we are away from home!"
Qiao Datong thanked everyone, paid the teahouse owner some money, and turned around to meet Lu Kang who was standing nearby.
Seeing that Lu Kang was very happy, Qiao Da said, "I have to thank Brother Lu for his advice yesterday." If it weren't for his suggestion, they might have gone straight to the grain store today.
Lu Kang smiled as he walked out with the others and asked, "Are you guys going to Rongcheng?"
Qiao Da nodded slightly.
They have so much grain, and Rongcheng only collects 10% tax, so they can save a lot of money. What's more, there are best-selling goods there, which is definitely worth a trip for them brothers.
Lu Kang didn't hesitate and said, "So, my brother and I are planning to go to Rongcheng too. I'd like to know if I can go with you. Don't worry, I won't delay your trip. I'll go to the car dealership and rent a donkey cart. Then I'll just go with you."
"Why not? We can look after each other along the way!" Joe said with a big laugh.
If Lu Kang asked him to give them a ride, he might still be a little hesitant. After all, their carriage was full of food and had limited carrying capacity. They had two children at home, so they naturally couldn't walk such a long distance.
Now that Lu Kang had his own car, that was another matter, but as long as they were traveling together and had each other as companions, there was no problem. Qiao Da readily agreed.
"Then when is Brother Qiao going to set off? So I can have an idea of what's going on." Lu Kang asked.
Qiao Da thought for a moment and said, "I plan to leave early tomorrow morning. Can Brother Lu make it in time?"
Lu Kang nodded. "I've already plowed the most important fields this morning. I'll have time to pick up the rest when I get back."
After the two men agreed, they left separately, and Lu Kang went to the car dealership.
Renting a donkey cart is also imperative.
Except that my younger siblings are young and can’t walk for a long time.
On the other hand, he would definitely take the "Analects of Confucius", "Mencius", "Book of Rites", "Zuo Zhuan" and other classics and historical collections at home with him to Rongcheng.
When Lu Kang arrived at the car rental agency, the business was booming. There were rows of car racks in front of the agency, and there were quite a few customers coming and going.
Lu Kang waited for a cup of tea after entering the store before the waiter came up with a smile and apologized, "I'm sorry, sir, for neglecting you. What kind of car would you like to rent? How many days do you need it for?"
"It's like this. The three of us in my family are moving to Rongcheng. We don't have much luggage except for the books at home. But we are going one way. I wonder if you can do this business with me, young man?" Lu Kang asked.
Lu Kang knew that most car rental companies would charge a daily rental fee upon return after paying a deposit. He would go there and not return, so he didn't know if they were willing to do that.
The waiter didn't refuse, but asked, "Even if it's a one-way trip, our donkey cart still has to come back, so we still have to charge according to the round trip time."
He thought for a moment and continued, "It will take about eight days to get to Rongcheng, and sixteen days for the round trip. Our donkey cart rental service charges eighty wen a day, so the round trip would cost one thousand two hundred and eighty wen. Are you willing?"
Lu Kang nodded in agreement.
Seeing that he had no objection, the waiter continued, "There's also the cost of hiring a driver, which will cost three hundred coins. If that doesn't make sense, we can sign a contract here."
Lu Kang actually felt relieved when he heard him say that. As far as he knew, the deposit for renting a car was five taels of silver. If he hired someone to drive the car, he would still have enough money on him, so he wouldn't have to worry about buying things when he arrived in Rongcheng.
At the same time, the two signed the contract. Lu Kang paid half of the deposit first, and the rest would be paid when they arrived in Rongcheng.
In order not to delay tomorrow's trip, Lu Kang and the boy agreed to let the coachman wait at the city gate early tomorrow morning. At that time, Lu Kang only needs to take the wooden stick he gave him and show it to the coachman to take the person home.
After the clerk sent the man away, he quickly reported the matter to the shopkeeper.
"What a coincidence! Rongsheng Grocery asked us to help carry some goods. We'll withdraw some money from the account and give it to the driver. It's just the right time for him to bring back a batch of goods!"
His car dealership has been open for some years. Originally, it only provided car rental business because of its low cost and it did not require spending extra money to hire someone who could drive a car.
However, the situation has changed this spring. Many merchants pass through Yuncheng and then go to Rongcheng. Those passing caravans want to transport more goods, so they will rent cars from the car dealership.
Some restaurants, eateries, and grocery stores also hired their vehicles and people to transport goods, and their car dealership business also became prosperous.
When Lu Kang returned home, Qiao Da and others were already packing the goods in the yard. They were going to set off tomorrow, so they had to make full preparations before hitting the road.
Seeing Lu Kang coming back, Qiao Da asked, "Brother Lu, have you dealt with your affairs?"
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
