CHAPTER 197: CHAPTER 197: STOREFRONTS

Ah Hu drove the carriage, and after more than a quarter of an hour, it stopped.

Lao Huang got off the carriage, pointed to the three large storefronts facing the street, and said, "This is it."

The shop housed a tavern.

Inside, it was filled with tables and chairs, but there wasn’t a single customer.

A waiter was dozing off at a table.

Lao Huang led the group inside and commented as he walked, "Look at this shop front, three open sections, it’s big enough."

"There’s another floor above, which can be used for living or storing goods."

Yun Jiao looked around, indeed the shop was quite large, with a partitioned area, though she didn’t know its purpose, and there was a staircase leading to the second floor.

The shopkeeper behind the counter saw Lao Huang bringing people in but didn’t bother to get up, casually waved his hand, signaling Lao Huang to show them around.

Lao Huang led them to the backyard.

In the yard, there was a well, and a rack for growing honeysuckle.

Besides that, there were five main rooms, and three rooms each in the east and west wings.

The house was well-maintained, suitable for immediate occupancy.

Yun Jiao was relatively satisfied, but she didn’t voice it, only asked Lao Huang, "How much silver does it take to buy this all together?"

Lao Huang gestured, "The shopkeeper wants two thousand three hundred taels of silver, all furniture included."

He lowered his voice, "You saw it yourself, there’s no business here, he’s eager to sell, I think the price can be pressed down a bit."

Yun Jiao nodded, not giving a definitive answer, "Wasn’t there another place? Let’s have a look there first."

After leaving the shop, Yun Jiao didn’t get on the carriage, strolling along the street to assess the foot traffic.

Unexpectedly, she hadn’t walked far, only passing about four or five shops, when she saw a pharmacy across the street.

The signboard had the big characters "Qilin Hall," next to it hung a cloth banner with a big "Medicine" character on it.

Yun Jiao sighed, fearing this shop wouldn’t do; otherwise, with two pharmacies so close, business would inevitably compete.

The group followed Lao Huang through a few more streets to reach the second shop.

This street was much quieter compared to the previous one.

The shop had two open sections, with an upper floor as well. The backyard was much smaller, with only three main rooms, plus a makeshift kitchen on one side, and no well in the courtyard.

Yun Jiao shook her head, "No, this house is too small. We have a big family, this won’t accommodate us."

Lao Huang said, "So should we go with the first place?"

Yun Jiao shook her head, "Are there any others?"

Lao Huang expressed awkwardness, "Miss, you need it urgently, but there aren’t many shops up for sale right now."

"That first shop was the best. Was there something you weren’t satisfied with?"

Yun Jiao thought for a while and told him the truth, "I’m buying it to open a pharmacy, but there’s already one across the street, that won’t work."

Upon hearing this, Lao Huang said, "I was wondering what the problem was!"

"In business, you do yours, I do mine."

"That street is bustling, two pharmacies can still do good business."

Yun Jiao was still hesitant when Lao Huang added, "Look, in our Xiang City, the busiest streets have several taverns, and each one does roaring business."

Yun Jiao was undecided, so she looked at Jiang Youzhi, who said, "How about this, let’s go back and discuss it. Tomorrow morning, you come for the answer."

Lao Huang cupped his hands, "Alright, I’ll be at the inn for your answer tomorrow."

After Lao Huang left, Jiang Youzhi quietly asked, "What’s your concern? Are you worried that two pharmacies being so close, and since yours is new, it won’t have business?"