Chapter 149: Heading to the Capital

When Su Wan arrived, it was still early, not yet time for dinner, and the restaurant was quite empty. Shopkeeper Xu was busy doing the accounts.

“Knock, knock—”

Su Wan lazily tapped on the counter.

Shopkeeper Xu looked up and, seeing Su Wan, said happily, “Why are you here today? Weren’t you coming tomorrow?”

“I’m heading back to the capital tomorrow, so I don’t have time.” Su Wan said as she headed straight to the third floor.

Shopkeeper Xu locked up the account book and cheerfully followed behind her. “Have you thought more about franchising?”

“I have some ideas,” Su Wan replied. She had thought long and hard about it and felt that the people interested in franchising were not her own trusted people. Even if they were, giving them full control could easily lead to their original intentions being clouded by profit, causing them to betray their loyalty.

Such things happen all the time, especially when the authorities are distant and far removed. Even if she wanted to oversee them, she would be powerless to do so.

Moreover, unlike in modern times, there’s no backend system where data can be reviewed at a glance.

Even if there were a backend system, anyone determined to falsify data could still find loopholes, making a commission based on total revenue unsuitable.

Shopkeeper Xu closed the door and sat across from Su Wan. “As you suggested, I found a broker and bought some people; their indenture contracts are in my hands. If they ever betray us, we can directly sell them off or report them to the authorities.”

Su Wan nodded slightly, took a neatly folded draft paper from her sleeve, and pushed it in front of Shopkeeper Xu. “In the future, if anyone wants to franchise, we will personally inspect their location. Based on the local economic situation, we will set a fixed amount of money that the restaurant needs to pay us annually.

The amount we receive will be a percentage of the estimated profit the restaurant can make locally.

In the first year, we will assign someone to be stationed at the franchise store to help them achieve the predetermined profit target, maintaining it continuously for three months, whether breaking even or showing steady growth.”

“If later, due to poor management on their part, they fail to meet the profit target and incur losses for a year, we will refund the franchise fee and take over the management of the restaurant ourselves. These terms need to be clearly detailed in the contract.”

This approach would effectively prevent the other party from falsifying accounts.

Shopkeeper Xu’s eyes lit up instantly; he felt that this method was feasible but still had one concern: “What if our assessment is wrong?”

“This is flexible, not a rigid rule. The person we send will help get the business on the right track, and we’ll take an average value and base our commission on that data.”

Su Wan smiled, “If the business exceeds our assessment, we won’t take a commission from the extra profit. This way, it can actually serve as an indirect incentive for the franchisees.”

Shopkeeper Xu, excited, rubbed his hands together. “Then let’s do it this way. The people I selected from the broker are all smart and capable. They were bought on lifetime contracts with no option for redemption, and I will train them well.”

“You can tell them that if they do well and remain loyal without betraying their master, their indenture contracts can be returned to them after five years.”

Su Wan had dangled a carrot in front of these people. Once people have something to hope for, they will strive toward it, and in their hearts, they will establish their own boundaries.

With her business just starting, Su Wan was cautious and didn’t dare to casually enlist others. Having the indenture contracts in her hands meant she effectively held their lifelines, making them think twice before considering betrayal.

Shopkeeper Xu quickly understood Su Wan’s intention. Those who were sold to brokers by their families had their fates almost sealed for life, destined to be servants or maids.

If a woman was good-looking, she might become a concubine. Though her status would still be low, she could at least live a more comfortable life.

By offering them the chance of freedom, Su Wan was giving them hope.

“Alright.” Shopkeeper Xu was impressed, silently realizing that to make good use of someone, especially when lacking trustworthy people, it was essential to find those with weaknesses.

Unaware of what Shopkeeper Xu was thinking, Su Wan finished handling the matters there and then headed to Yan Zhi Pavilion across the street.

Shopkeeper Jiang had just sat down for a sip of water when he saw Su Wan arrive. He beamed with excitement and said, “Mrs. Gu, the new product you developed—I sent it to the girls at Cui Yan Pavilion, and the next day we received a large order.

Previously, the Red Jade Cream brought great fame to our Yan Zhi Pavilion, and many people have heard about it and have come directly to Yan Zhi Pavilion to seek it out.”

He eagerly presented the account book, hinting with anticipation, “If you have the time, please create more new products.”

Su Wan opened the account book and, seeing the orders for the new products, couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.

As expected, throughout history, women’s money is the easiest to earn.

“Alright, I’ll release a new product every month.” Su Wan closed the account book, took a letter from her sleeve, and placed it on the table. “I will be in the capital from now on. If you need to contact me, send a letter to this address.”

Su Wan could no longer stay at the Dingyuan Marquis Residence, so the address she left was the house given to her by the Regent.

Shopkeeper Jiang put away the letter. “No problem, and about the account book?”

“You should come to the capital once every three months.” Su Wan was very confident in Shopkeeper Jiang; he wasn’t a short-sighted person who would be tempted by immediate gains when a long-term partnership with her promised much more profit.

Since she held all the skills in her hands, Su Wan wasn’t worried about Shopkeeper Jiang betraying her.

“Alright.” Shopkeeper Jiang quickly handed Su Wan a jade token. “This represents our Yan Zhi Pavilion’s earnings. I settle the accounts every month and deposit the funds in the bank. If you need money, you can withdraw it from there.”

“Great, thank you for your hard work.” Su Wan accepted the jade token.

Su Wan had already given instructions for the matters at Xinglin Medical Hall, so she returned to Xinghua Village.

Gu Baozhu and Gu Jingyun, the brother and sister duo, had red, puffy eyes as if they had been crying.

“Are you sad about leaving your little friends?” Su Wan took out a handkerchief and wiped the tears from the two little ones.

Gu Jingyun nodded.

Gu Baozhu let out a sob. “Sister-in-law, it’s okay. As long as our family is together, that’s what matters. When we get to the capital, we’ll make new friends.”

Su Wan: “…” How realistic!

This little girl was clearly very sad, but the words she spoke were lighthearted, just trying to cheer her up.

“Yes, you’ll make many new friends.” Su Wan patted her little head. “In the future, I’ll bring you back to Xinghua Village every year to see your friends, how about that?”

The little girl instantly brightened up and hugged Su Wan’s waist. “Sister-in-law, you’re the best!”

“Alright, you’ve cried so much your face looks like a flower now; go wash your face.” Su Wan saw Gu Huaizhi coming out of the house. He stopped in front of her. “I’ve already found a doctor and an apprentice for Xinglin Hall.”

“Thank you for that.” Su Wan planned to stop by the prefectural city for half a day; some matters still required her personal attention.

Gu Huaizhi’s eyes darkened slightly. “We’re family, there’s no need to be so formal.”

“Alright, I won’t be formal with you.” Su Wan’s lips curved up as she walked towards the house, saying, “We’re setting off early tomorrow morning; go and pack the trunks.” 

——

At the fourth watch of the night, the whole family got up, and after finishing breakfast, they locked the door.

Mother Gu stood at the entrance, looking at the small courtyard, her eyes misting over with tears, filled with too much reluctance to leave.

Her husband had disappeared without a trace, neither alive nor dead, and Mother Gu always held onto the hope that he was still alive and that one day he would come back to find her. Because of this, she stubbornly refused to leave Xinghua Village.

But no matter how important the lost ones were, they could never outweigh the living people by her side.

Mother Gu wasn’t worried about her husband not being able to find them. Her son had grown successful, and the villagers were harmonious. As long as he returned to Xinghua Village, someone would tell him where his wife and children were.

“Let’s go.” Mother Gu wiped away her tears and got into the carriage.

Gu Huaizhi’s gaze fell on Gu Jingyun’s small face. The boy was filled with a curious longing for the capital, along with the unease of going to an unfamiliar place. His chin rested on the carriage window as he blankly watched the familiar surroundings rapidly passing by, his small face filled with loneliness.

Gu Huaizhi pinched the bridge of his nose. He had never planned to bring Gu Jingyun back to the capital so soon, fearing that his identity wouldn’t remain hidden for long.