The head of the Mu family

Chapter 55 I never expected to start a business first.

Mu Huaisheng asked Pingbo to take her to a clothing store, where she bought a high-end men's suit from Wanxing.

The clothes made by the Duke's mansion before were too small even for the apprentices at the Imperial Hospital.

I'll buy a set; it'll be just what I need when I go to the Imperial Hospital.

He then approached Xiao Qianyan and told him that he might need his help in the next couple of days, and that if he needed anything, he should leave a message for Pingbo.

The following afternoon, Pingbo's nephew arrived and asked us to come over for a meeting.

Mu Huaisheng changed into men's clothing and spoke to the noblewoman.

He went with him to pick up Xiao Qianyan, and told her that he would be her servant for half a day, and that they would go to a room together.

Normal young masters would have a servant. Xiao Qianyan had been with him every day for a year and knew him inside and out, mainly because the child was too clever.

They went directly to the Vice Minister's residence, probably because the Vice Minister was afraid that his nephew Pingbo was lying.

However, if someone goes directly to the Vice Minister's residence without fear of being recognized, they must be from out of town.

Upon entering the Vice Minister's residence, one finds that there are far fewer servants compared to the residences of other officials of the same rank.

A moment later, a quick-witted servant ran back to the main hall first.

"Reporting to the master and madam, it really is a young master of eight or nine years old, accompanied by a servant boy of four or five years old."

The two entered the mansion through the main gate, showing no surprise at the layout of the mansion as they walked.

The butler is almost here.

The Vice Minister and his wife had a better understanding of the situation. Because it was a child, the Vice Minister's wife did not avoid the situation.

A short while later, the group arrived. The Vice Minister did not rise, but gestured for them to enter.

Mu Huaisheng walked calmly to the chair for the guests and sat down, and Xiao Qianyan immediately stood next to him.

Immediately, a servant brought tea, and Xiao Qianyan touched the teacup with her hand to test the temperature while lifting the lid slightly.

He immediately stood up straight and said as soon as he uncovered it:

"My young master won't drink last year's Longjing tea!"

If you want Longjing tea, bring this year's pre-rain Longjing for our young master.

Mu Huaisheng: Good boy~

Xiao Qianyan, I give you a huge thumbs up!

The Vice Minister's wife was immediately stunned, and the Vice Minister's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Please forgive me, young master."

I am about to be transferred to another post, and my household is temporarily not fully prepared. Please forgive me.

Mu Huaisheng sat still and didn't answer. Xiao Qianyan immediately leaned close and whispered in his ear:

"Young master, he's a high-ranking official; he's being transferred to another place to hold a higher position."

"Oh~ So, sir, you want to sell the house?"

"It is indeed I, this old man!"

Pingbo's nephew immediately said:

"Reporting to you, sir, I have already taken the young master to see your shop."

"But the young master only has three thousand taels, as I told you before."

"Well, it's not easy for a mere child to venture out into the world, so let's leave it at that!"

"Young master, you've spent all three thousand taels. What are we going to eat now, the two of us and Aqi and the others?"

Where are you staying?

Xiao Qianyan spoke to Mu Huaisheng in a 'whisper' loud enough for everyone to hear.

Mu Huaisheng was stunned; in fact, everyone in the hall was stunned.

The vice minister's face also showed some signs of unease.

Pingbo's nephew immediately picked up the conversation:

"Young master, if you don't mind the simplicity of my humble abode, I have an empty courtyard house at home."

You and your servants can make do with this; no money is required.

"Hmm...that's fine, but then someone has to stay at my residence!"

"Of course, no problem, you can stay whenever you like!"

"Let's talk about the details then!"

This young master has some knowledge of shops.

Where is the servant's indenture, and what are the specific details of his/her situation?

Are the quantities of goods in the store correct?

How should I and the adults divide the store's profits for the month?

I need to know the store's ledgers for the previous five years, as well as the inventory receipts.

This young master needs to know if there are any accounts receivable, any outstanding debts, and any intentional bad debts on the books.

I can pay a deposit of one thousand taels first, and give Ah Yan and me three days.

"Ayan, isn't three days too short?"

"Three days is enough. I'll go through it once and categorize and label all the ledgers."

Put the corresponding receiving slips away properly, circle the problematic inspection slips, and let Ayan and the others do the heavy lifting.

We checked it carefully with the young master twice more, and then went through it again briefly.

This is just one store, and it's not very big, so it should be fine.

Upon hearing this, the Vice Minister finally became serious and gave his wife a meaningful look.

Mu Huaisheng didn't hesitate at all; he immediately took out a thousand taels of silver and gave it to Pingbo's nephew.

With paper and pen in hand, nephew Pingbo prepared to write down the deposit agreement.

The Vice Minister said he could write it, but after Mu Huaisheng took a look, he threw it on the ground.

"What does this gentleman mean?"

Want to sell yourself to two men?

"Where does this come from?"

When Pingbo's nephew picked it up and took a look, his expression changed.

"My lord... this~"

You just made a typo, you misspelled a word~

"If this gentleman is not sincere, then I will look at something else!"

"Young master, I was indeed too old to see the mistake clearly just now."

"Oh?

Do you think I'm from the same clan? Why do you dare to let a mere child like me bring three thousand taels of silver to the capital to buy property?

When I came to pay today, was I even slightly dishonest with you?

Is it a typo?

"In that case, it was indeed a clerical error that I personally gave away one hundred taels of silver to give you tea, young master!"

All profits earned before today, and up to the 8th of this month, are yours.

I will write down information about everyone in the store and give it to you.

The store's accounts and inventory, starting today and continuing for the next three days.

I'll have the housekeeper check everything for you in person, and we can resolve any issues on the spot.

"Alright~ Please rewrite the contract and include these conditions in it."

There should also be a formal contract that states the deposit is non-refundable.

If you sell to two different stores, the cancellation fee will be doubled.

Of course, if I don't buy it, your deposit will not be refunded.

Furthermore, the contract amount is still written as three thousand taels, and if you write down the deposit today, you will still receive one thousand taels.

After we both sign the agreement, you have to give me one hundred taels of silver before you can treat me to tea.

As for the wages from the shop, just settle them up to last month.

Since you're not taking the profits this month, there's no reason for you to be paid wages.

"These young people are truly formidable! Excellent!"

After the contract was written and signed, the vice minister indeed gave him one hundred taels of silver.

Next, we went to the store to complete the transaction. This time, the housekeeper was really thorough.

Mu Huaisheng went inside and first re-examined the layout of the store.

The butler solemnly introduced to everyone:

"This is the new owner!"

"Uncle Butler, you misspoke too, I am the owner!"

Seeing that the steward was very polite to the child, everyone suggested changing employers.

The indenture had changed hands, which shocked everyone!

"Uncle Butler, there are still three days left. For now, I'm just the new owner of this shop."

The steward then invited the manager out to the accounting office to reconcile the accounts.

Mu Huaisheng asked Pingbo's nephew to buy a few locks.

Mu Huaisheng started checking the accounts, but Xiao Qianyan immediately came to help.

Confident, Mu Huaisheng began to observe from the second year onwards.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Qianyan could read ten lines at a glance. By dinner time, she had already read a year's worth of material and categorized it in an orderly manner.

The accountant gradually became serious as well.

The way Mu Huaisheng was addressed was changed to 'future employer'.

As dusk fell, I locked the door to the ledger storeroom with the butler and the accountant.