CHAPTER 189: CHAPTER 189: SHORT ON SILVER

The shopkeeper readily agreed, and in less than half an hour, the waiter brought over a lean middle-aged man.

The broker looked very shrewd but smiled amiably, "My surname is Huang, young lady, you can call me Lao Huang."

Yun Jiao smiled, "I’ve invited you here to ask for your help in finding a shop for me."

Lao Huang perked up upon hearing this, "What size shop is the young lady looking for?"

"How many storefronts?"

Yun Jiao had already thought about this and replied unhurriedly, "Three storefronts would be best, but if there aren’t any, two will do."

Lao Huang asked attentively, "Any other requirements?"

Yun Jiao said, "Ideally, it would be one of those with a shop in the front and a courtyard in the back, as my family needs a place to live."

"If such a shop isn’t available right now, I would need your help finding a residential courtyard."

Lao Huang asked again, "Is the young lady looking to rent or buy?"

Yun Jiao replied, "Buying would be best, but renting is fine if there’s no other choice."

Lao Huang’s eyes brightened, realizing this was a big business opportunity.

Yun Jiao pondered and said, "I just don’t know how much silver a three-storefront shop would cost."

Lao Huang stroked his chin, "It’s hard to say."

"In the two most bustling streets of Xiang City, a three-storefront shop would be around three thousand taels."

"In areas slightly less central, it would still be around two thousand taels."

Yun Jiao thought, opening a medicinal shop doesn’t need to be on an extremely busy street, "The location doesn’t need to be too prime."

"Around two thousand taels should be fine, please start looking, and let me know once you’ve found one, and I’ll go take a look."

Lao Huang nodded, "Alright, young lady, expect my message, if not tomorrow, then the day after, I will definitely get back to you."

After seeing Lao Huang off, Yun Jiao returned to her room to ponder.

Buying a shop would require several thousand taels of silver, and she only had three hundred taels at hand.

After much contemplation, she could only sell that ginseng worth a fortune.

She wasn’t worried that there wouldn’t be major patrons in Prefecture City.

Even if it costs several thousand taels, there would surely be someone who can afford it in Prefecture City.

The only question was where to find these major patrons.

At dinner that evening, Yun Jiao said to Lin Shuo and Ah Hu, "I’m going to the medicinal market tomorrow, who will accompany me?"

Ah Hu glanced at Lin Shuo, "The medicinal market is crowded, how about the young master and I both go?"

Yun Jiao shook her head, "One of you should stay to watch the children."

Mrs. Chen quickly said, "No need, they’re not so precious that they require guards."

"Don’t worry, I’ll make sure they don’t run around outside."

Jiang Youzhi glanced at Lin Shuo and said, "How about this, tomorrow Ah Hu and I will accompany you."

"This gentleman—Mr. Lin has just recovered from a serious illness, it’s better for him to rest at the inn."

Yun Jiao nodded, "Sanlang is right, let’s do that."

Ah Hu was reluctant to leave his young master, but since he was there as a guard, he had to follow the household’s arrangements.

He had no choice but to nod in agreement.

Early the next morning, Yun Jiao saw Liu Er off first.

She specifically said to Liu Er, "By the way, Uncle Liu Er, when you return, please tell Sister-in-law Guihua."

"Tell her that I’m planning to open a medicinal shop in Prefecture City, and since she cooks well, I’d like her to come and help cook for the family."

"If she’s willing, let her know that she will receive one tael of silver each month, with meals and lodging included."

Liu Er’s heart skipped a beat, "So much pay?"

Yun Jiao nodded.

After all, this is Prefecture City, and it’s hard to get by without earning at least one tael of silver a month.