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The opening of the Auspicious Grain Store went smoothly, and the news of the cheap and high-quality grains that sold quickly spread throughout the town and several surrounding villages.
Initially, the other grain stores in town didn’t pay much attention to it, thinking it was just a tactic used by the Auspicious Grain Store.
However, after a month of barely any customers, the owners of the other grain stores finally realized that something was amiss. They all sent people to pretend to be ordinary townsfolk and investigate the Auspicious Grain Store, and the information they gathered confirmed the rumors.
After another two weeks with no customers coming to their stores, they could no longer sit still.
While the owners of the three grain stores often had their differences, they had maintained a superficial peace. However, because of the Auspicious Grain Store, they had no choice but to come together.
One afternoon, the owners of the three grain stores gathered to discuss their plan. They decided to send a letter to Liang Hui, suggesting that they have a meal together to strengthen their relationship.
Liang Hui received the letter and went to find Shen Yu’an. They both looked at the contents of the letter and couldn’t help but smile.
The fish had taken the bait.
Shen Yu’an took a sip of the tea, which wasn’t to her liking, and placed the cup on the table. She asked, “How is Liang Hui’s plan coming along?”
Liang Hui replied, “I’ve hired a few people. Tomorrow, after they’ve seen me, I’ll have them whisper in the ears of those store owners and encourage them to take action.”
This plan was devised by the two of them, as they were concerned that those people might not take the bait.
In the past month, Fei Yanchen had used his influence to thoroughly investigate the backgrounds of the three grain stores. Besides Juxin Grain Store, which was backed by the Fourth Prince, the other two had their own powerful supporters, though their status and influence weren’t as high as the Fourth Prince’s.
However, during this month, Fei Yanchen had gathered enough information about them.
The second grain store was called Wangji Grain Store, and its main backer was a third-ranked government official. This official was notorious for his abuses of power and oppression of the local people.
As for the third grain store, named Dushi Grain Store, its backer, while not a high-ranking official, was a wealthy merchant known for his ruthless tactics, often involving the harassment and abduction of young women in the area.
Fei Yanchen passed on all the information his subordinates had gathered to Shen Yu’an, and Shen Yu’an felt no burden at all about the plan to deceive these grain shops.
As for what Liang Hui had just mentioned, it was about infiltrating people around the owners of the three grain shops.
However, it was difficult to insert someone directly into their trusted circle, so Liang Hui had been doing everything possible to bribe a few individuals.
During the month when the other three grain shops had not caused them any trouble, Shen Yu’an had also been active.
Because she knew that a small grain shop in the town wouldn’t be able to save many people in the vast Great Wei.
So, Shen Yu’an discussed with Liang Hui about redirecting Auspicious Grain Shop to other counties and jurisdictions in the vicinity, while keeping the base for grain transportation in the small courtyard.
They had already acquired three additional shops, with staff prepared by Fei Yanhen, and they just needed to open them one by one at the right time.
After the final agreement, their intention to benefit the people was sincere, but they also didn’t want to eliminate other grain merchants.
So, they settled on a price that would provide both grain merchants and the people with opportunities.
However, those grain merchants would definitely make slightly less profit.
Soon, it was the following day at noon. Shen Yu’an had already reserved a room next to the private room where Liang Hui was heading. She ordered a few dishes and leisurely began to eat.
In the next moment, Shen Yu’an heard the sound of a door being pushed open from the neighboring room.
She extended her mental senses, keenly aware of the activities in the adjacent room.
“Liang, you’ve been here for a while, and us elders haven’t even treated you to a meal. It’s really an oversight on our part. We’ll have to make up for it with three cups each later,” a voice came through, dripping with sarcasm.
The words seemed to be pointing out their own fault, but in reality, they were subtly mocking Liang Hui for not taking the initiative to visit them after opening a grain shop in the town.
Another voice chimed in, “Brother Du is right. Later, Liang, you must have a good drink with us.”
Liang Hui, seemingly oblivious to the sarcasm in their remarks, responded with a sincere smile, “There’s no blame on you, my friends. With your significant family businesses, it’s normal to forget about a small fry like me.”
“Hehehe…”
Hearing Liang Hui’s words, the smiles on the faces of those individuals in the neighboring room were becoming increasingly strained.
Liang Hui’s shamelessness was truly unbearable, and he seemed to genuinely believe that they were at fault.
However, the three shop owners didn’t dare to speak up. They had initially thought Liang Hui would be grateful and courteous when invited by them. They never expected him to be so uncooperative and audacious.
But because they still needed to figure out who was behind Liang Hui’s grain shop, the three of them gritted their teeth and entered the room.
The conversation between them and Liang Hui was filled with typical business pleasantries, and Liang Hui, the cunning old fox, handled it with ease.
Meanwhile, Shen Yu’an lazily picked at a few tender pieces of fish with her chopsticks, savoring them slowly.
In the adjacent room, the heated exchange continued. The three individuals openly and covertly pressed Liang Hui, trying to extract useful information from him.
But Liang Hui skillfully deflected all their attempts, and the faces of the three grew darker by the minute, unable to maintain their initial smiles.
Unable to extract answers or get Liang Hui drunk, the frustration was mounting. One of them violently slammed his wine glass onto the table, causing the liquid inside to splash out.
“Liang, if you’re so uncooperative, it must mean you have a powerful backing,” one of them sneered.
Liang Hui chuckled and replied, “Brother Sun, you’re just joking. It’s all about doing business; there’s no need to talk about backings.”
Another person angrily retorted, “All the grain prices have been fairly consistent, but since Liang Hui arrived, he’s been breaking that rule. Are you trying to go against the three of us?”
Liang Hui responded calmly, “Brother Sun, I find it hard to understand your words. The pricing of various grains in my grain shop is already more than twice the price I collect from the common people, and the profits are sufficient.”
“I know you all mean well, but I’m not greedy, so these profits are enough.”
Then, a loud crash rang out as the table shook violently.
“Are you suggesting we’re insatiable?” one of them demanded.
Liang Hui replied, “I have no such intention.”
The three men angrily stood up and said, “Hmph, if you want to go against us, you’re too inexperienced. I doubt your grain shop has enough stock to last for more than a few days!”
This so-called Auspicious Grain Shop was just an unheard-of place. To think they could challenge established businesses with deep roots and influential backers, Liang Hui was far from qualified!