"What?" Lu Zheng looked bewildered.
My business is doing just fine. It's possible you would come to discuss a cooperation in acquisition, but you just directly come to buy my shopfront...
Lu Zheng had never done business before, and when buying this shopfront in ancient times, it was first rented through the brokerage. He really didn't know if there was a direct way to ask if an opening shop was for sale.
Maybe it's something that happens in urban web novels when the protagonist is showing off?
Seeing Lu Zheng's confused look, Zhou Mingsheng also felt a bit awkward.
For businessmen running their own shops, directly asking if their storefront is for sale is indeed a bit impolite.
Unless you offer a price that is tempting enough, otherwise, that's just bringing embarrassment upon yourself.
This time Zhou Mingsheng's door-to-door purchase request doesn't fall into this category.
The Zhao Family of Yizhou is a large and wealthy household. This time, they are entering Tonglin County to engage in the fabric business, preparing to directly buy a row of five shopfronts in Cong'an Square to open a large fabric store. Lu Zheng's entire shopfront happens to be one of the five that the Zhao Family has taken a liking to.
Facing ordinary small businessmen with only one or two shopfronts, the Zhao Family couldn't care less. They would directly come and offer a price 5% to 8% above the market, and basically, those businessmen would give them face.
The worst case would be to switch to a different shopfront, which would be a hassle for a few days. But they could forge a connection with the Zhao Family, and who knows, they might even collaborate in the future?
At first, Zhou Mingsheng thought Lu Zheng was also one of these types of businessmen. After all, according to the information he gathered, Lu Zheng is an outsider who just migrated here two years ago, owning only one shopfront and a sugar workshop in Tonglin County.
For this kind of person, the Zhao Family's face should work quite well.
But today, as soon as he entered the door, Zhou Mingsheng realized that his previous thoughts were wrong.
Although living in an ordinary residential area, the courtyard layout was distinctly not simple.
Tea sets, vases, incense burners, furniture—each item was exquisite and beautiful, not cheap.
The owner, though young, was obviously extraordinary in demeanor and knowledge, not an ordinary merchant.
Zhou Mingsheng found himself unable to see through Lu Zheng.
Would such a person covet a relationship with the Zhao Family and the marginal profit difference, and then bother buying other shops and moving?
Upon hearing Zhou Mingsheng's words, Lu Zheng was momentarily bewildered.
"Buy my shopfront, and the price is up for negotiation?"
Lu Zheng blinked and instinctively asked, "How much are you prepared to offer?"
This is where Lu Zheng's inexperience shows. Despite cultivating for a long time and having a certain demeanor, he still has ordinary thoughts. After all, a shopfront isn't an asset that must be sold, so he instinctively asked for the price.
Upon hearing there might be a chance, Zhou Mingsheng couldn't help but brighten up, "I am willing to offer four hundred and fifty coins!"
"What?" Lu Zheng was even more bewildered.
You're coming to buy the shopfront, acting all determined, saying the price is up for negotiation, and I thought you would directly throw out double the price, but this is that?
Lu Zheng said displeased, "I spent four hundred and thirty coins when I purchased it!"
"Huh? Isn't the market price four hundred coins?" Zhou Mingsheng thought he had already offered quite a lot, more than a 10% increase.
"Can't I also purchase at a premium?" Lu Zheng seemed to figure it out, realizing that the so-called negotiable price wasn't as financially overwhelming as it was written in web novels.
Lu Zheng now realized as well that he didn't lack money, so why bother bickering over the price with him!
Waving his hand, Lu Zheng said, "Alright, Shopkeeper Zhou, I run a small business, self-sufficient and for personal enjoyment. I have no plans to sell my shopfront. There are plenty of shopfronts in Cong'an Square, you might want to look at other options."
Zhou Mingsheng was startled into action, as Lu Zheng's shop is precisely the second one from the left in the five-shopfront sequence they were planning to purchase, and they had already bought the one on the left!
The other three, two are listed with the brokerage, and the final one is nearly negotiated. Only Lu Zheng's shop remains.
If they couldn't negotiate with Lu Zheng for this shop, Zhou Mingsheng would certainly face trouble with the Zhao Family.
"Young Master Lu! Please wait!" Zhou Mingsheng quickly said.
"What is it?" Lu Zheng asked.
"I am indeed sincerely seeking to purchase," Zhou Mingsheng said. "I didn't know the purchase price for Young Master Lu's shop earlier, please forgive me."
"No problem." Lu Zheng shook his head, that's not a big deal, "It's just that I don't lack money and really have no intention of selling the shopfront. You might want to look at other shopfronts, there are quite a few good ones listed with the brokerage in Cong'an Square."
Although good shopfronts are in the hands of notable families in Tonglin County, and no other suitable five consecutive shopfronts are available!
"Four hundred and seventy coins." Zhou Mingsheng quoted a new number, "Our third young master will also enter the county school to study, and both of you can become friends."
"No need." Lu Zheng shook his head and said, "Shopkeeper Zhou, if there are no other matters, please leave."
"You scholar are really clueless, our Zhao Family looking at your shop means that..."
"Shut up!" Zhou Mingsheng hurriedly interrupted his attendant speaking behind him and apologized to Lu Zheng, "The servant doesn't know the rules, sorry for the offense!"
Lu Zheng remained expressionless and simply nodded slightly, sending them off with tea.
Seeing that this visit would certainly yield no results, Zhou Mingsheng had to go back and report, so he cupped his hands in farewell and hurriedly left.
Shaking his head, Lu Zheng didn't take this matter to heart. As it neared noon, he traveled to the modern world, took some fruits out of the fridge, and went downstairs to buy a five-spice roast chicken. He then had Aunt Liu arrange it on a plate. Finally, he carried the lunchbox and leisurely headed to Renxin Hall.
As soon as he exited, he bumped into Liu Qingquan and Liu San, who were on their way to deliver food to Liu Qingyan and her father.
"Qing Quan, Uncle San."
Liu Qingquan sniffed and immediately caught the aroma of roast chicken.
"What a keen nose, let's eat together at noon," Lu Zheng said with a smile.
"Yes, yes!" Liu Qingquan nodded like a pecking chick.
The group arrived at Renxin Hall and saw Liu Qingyan and Elder Liu treating patients.
"Uncle Liu! Qingyan!"
Seeing Lu Zheng appear, Liu Qingyan happily waved at him, then turned back to the patient in front of her.
Consultation, pulse check, prescription—all were skillfully handled, and the elderly patient was seen.
Amidst the old man's gratitude, Liu Qingyan's smile was innocent and sincere, and Lu Zheng could vaguely see the purity in her expression. Newest update provided by novel·fire.net
With deeper cultivation of the Divinity Transformation Technique, Lu Zheng could already sense the faint Merit Golden Light around Liu Qingyan.
Doing good and accumulating virtue, without relying on external objects, with sincere heart, naturally draws down merit.
"Father, Elder Sister, let's eat first," Liu Qingquan said softly.
"No rush, there are still a few patients. I'll join after seeing them," Liu Qingyan said.
"Doctor Liu, please eat first, we're not in a hurry."
"It's okay," Liu Qingyan said with a smile, "You haven't had your lunch either, it's better to eat after seeing them so you can go home for a meal."
"Let me help," Lu Zheng said, setting the food down and calling a few patients over.