Chapter 191: The Big Order

Su Yaoguang was about to close the door when she saw the haughty Young Master Cui standing at the entrance.

"What a rare guest!" She laughed as she opened the door.

Cui Rong awkwardly walked in, glancing around and seeing a dazzling array of goods on their shelves.

"Your shop’s business isn’t too great recently!"

Su Yaoguang raised an eyebrow, "I thought after saving you, you’d remember the favor and not come looking for trouble again. Haven’t we called a truce?"

"Who said I was at war with you?" Cui Rong replied indifferently, "I never considered you a match."

"Alright, alright. Young Master, what brings you here today?"

"I’m here to discuss a collaboration with you," Cui Rong said, "Do you want to call your family out to discuss it?"

"No need, talk to me first, and I’ll see what kind of collaboration it is," Su Yaoguang said, going to personally pour some tea. "You came alone?"

"The steward is waiting outside, said it was enough for me to talk to you." After all, he’s the future head of the Cui Family and needs to learn to be independent.

"What type of collaboration does Young Master Cui want to discuss?"

"Our Jinle Square’s rouge and powder can’t match yours. It’s pointless to keep selling them, so I’m planning to stop this business."

"Then what do you want to collaborate with me on?"

"Our Cui Family’s shops are all over the country, more than a hundred in total. You sell me your Taoyao Square goods, and I’ll sell them elsewhere. Of course, I want a thirty percent cut."

"Snatching a thirty percent cut so easily, Young Master has quite an appetite!"

"I have to provide the manpower to transport your goods elsewhere and sell them, while you only need to provide them to make money."

Su Yaoguang lightly tapped the table, her mind racing.

Thirty percent cut.

The Cui Family is vast, and if this collaboration succeeds, they will have to significantly expand production, making more than just a little money.

"I have a suggestion. Don’t just focus on our products; look at something else," Su Yaoguang leaned closer, "Our door-to-door service makes quite a bit too."

"That’s your craft. Can you sell that to me?"

"Why not? As long as it’s written in the contract, once we reach an agreement, you can arrange for people to learn the craft, and I just want a share of the money."

"You have quite an appetite."

"If we’re going to collaborate, it should be a big collaboration. Why bother with small money?" Su Yaoguang said, "You think about it first."

"What is there to think about? If you dare to share your craft, I dare to take on the deal."

"Fine, then let’s write the contract."

When Zhou Wangshu returned, Su Yaoguang and Cui Rong had already written the contract and pressed their fingerprints on it.

The contract was made in three copies; each would keep one, and the last one would be filed with the government for official record, so any profit disputes could be judged by the government.

Cui Rong saw Zhou Wangshu and returned to his usual haughty demeanor, tidying his clothes before leaving.

Zhou Wangshu, looking at the contract, said, "It seems he’s not a fool after all."

"The Cui Family’s business is so extensive, which shows their ancestors were smart people. This Young Master Cui is just spoiled but not stupid."

Su Yaoguang blew on the ink of the contract and added, "He has a good eye too, knowing to find me for cooperation."

Even though Taoyao Square’s business is good, it’s only one of the top ones in this county. There are just so many people in this county, it’s saturated, and can’t make big money. Now, with the Cui Family’s collaboration, without much effort, she can expand her business and establish her brand reputation, which is beneficial and prestigious, a truly great opportunity. Of course, the Cui Family gains too; they don’t have to worry about product formula research, just sell the goods and earn a thirty percent share.

Even considering labor, they can earn a twenty percent profit.

Su Yaoguang has to hire workers to rush the orders, and take care of raw material losses, leaving her with just a fifty percent profit after those deductions.

Everyone gains, and it’s a win-win situation.

"With such good fortune today, should we celebrate?"

"How are we celebrating?"

"Let’s light a fire in the yard later and roast a whole lamb."

Before Zhou Wangshu could speak, Su Yaoguang had run to the backyard to share this fortunate news with the others.

The other members from the Su Family, hearing that they landed such a big order at the last moment, were all beaming with joy.

Soon, a bonfire was set up in the back yard of Taoyao Square.

"The lamb’s here." Zhang Zhaodi called out to two staff behind her to set up the freshly slaughtered lamb. "I ordered three lambs from Old Yang who sells them. The other two are still being processed and will be sent over as soon as they’re ready. Today is a great day, everyone eat and drink well, and celebrate properly."

"Today we enjoy good food and drink, but tomorrow we’ll be busy," Zhang Yingdi said, "When it’s time to rush orders, no complaints."

Su Yaoguang laughed, "We don’t have enough people as it is; we’ll need to start hiring tomorrow. The backyard of Taoyao Square is too small; we’ll have to rent a bigger yard."

Zhou Wangshu sat by the bonfire, watching Su Yaoguang and the others discussing Taoyao Square’s upcoming work plans.

Life was peaceful.

With fine wine, good food, bright smiles, and hearty laughter...

It was wonderful.

Across from them, Fenghua Pavilion.

Zhong Lanhua looked at the empty box and questioned the staff in front of her, "Business was good today, wasn’t it? Why isn’t there any silver?"

The staff answered, "The eldest master took it."

"Hui’er?" Zhong Lanhua frowned. "How much did he take?"

"Fifty taels," the staff replied, "Not just today, but yesterday, the day before, and anytime we earn any silver, the eldest master takes it."

"Has Hui’er returned?"

"Not yet."

Zhong Lanhua waved her hand.

The staff didn’t hurry to leave, instead saying, "Madam Boss, our wages haven’t been settled yet."

"What’s the rush? Do you think you’ll be shortchanged?" Zhong Lanhua replied impatiently, "We’ll talk about it once we sell goods tomorrow."

The staff pursed their lips and left begrudgingly.

Zhong Lanhua was very troubled: "What’s Hui’er up to, taking so much silver out? With business being tough, if he continues spending like this without restraint, how can we save enough silver for him to marry?"

Zhong Lanhua thought of Jiang Yihuan. If she were here, there would be someone to discuss things with. Now that she’s gone, I’m like a headless fly.

Should I try to bring Huan’er back?

But lately, Hui’er has been fussing about her choosing between her son and daughter.

He was sensible before and has become like this, surely because those people outside always mock him with the useless Xiao Yanci.

It’s all Xiao Yanci’s fault, that incompetent.

Perhaps, I’ll wait until Hui’er calms down a bit before suggesting bringing Huan’er back. Tomorrow I’ll go check on how Huan’er is doing and secretly give her some money.