in spring

Chapter 25 Partnership
The sky became more and more gloomy, and the dark clouds covered the sun. After a while, it started to rain, and pedestrians on the road rushed to avoid it. For a while, the street was mostly empty.

At the small tea stall of Nandeng and his wife, a thin shed was propped up with bamboo poles. It was originally used to block the sun, but now it can barely cover the rain, and occasionally a few drops will leak, and the ground is full of muddy water.Only Nan Deng and his wife, Mr. Hu's master and servant, and Chun Ying were left in the shed, surrounded by a table, talking in low voices.

Seeing that both of them were silent, Chunying couldn't help feeling a little anxious: "Let me tell you, do you agree with this idea? At least give me a word!"

Nan Deng bowed his head and stood aside, saying: "Since we want to change places, why bother to borrow money from this young master? As long as those people don't come to harass us, we husband and wife will be able to start a business. A small business like ours, a You can't make a lot of money every year, this young man is from a wealthy family, how can you value such a small profit?"

Chunying was in a hurry, if they didn't borrow money, how could they have the money to rent a storefront?Setting up a stall outside without a backer, isn't it just letting people bully you?Since Mr. Hu's family is an imperial merchant, he should have some influence in the capital. It would be good for them to have him standing in front of them. Why can't Brother Nandeng be able to turn around?
Hongyu seemed to feel the same way, looking at her husband anxiously, trying to persuade her but felt embarrassed.

On the other side, before Young Master Hu could speak, Mo Han was no longer happy: "You think we have money but nowhere to spend it? It's just that the second young master is kind and willing to lend you money to help you. What about buying shares and opening a store?" , When did our Hu family build such a small tea stall? If people know about it, they will laugh at the second young master for being stingy. If you get into trouble, or if you have a problem with eating, won’t it hurt the second young master’s reputation?! "

Mr. Hu immediately turned his head and glared at him: "Mo Han! What nonsense are you talking about?!"

Mo Han shrinks his head, but still looks unconvinced: "I'm just telling the truth, Second Young Master, if you just borrowed 20 taels of silver for emergency, the master and wife will know, but just say a few words to you, but if you take out the money and give it to me If you are a partner in business, you don’t need to talk to the master, and the wife will blame you first, so why bother?”

Mr. Hu was silent, and after a while he said: "As long as you don't say it, it will be treated as if I am treating guests outside to eat hops, how can the master and wife know?" Mo Han pouted.

Seeing this, Nan Deng said: "So it was the kindness of the young girl from the Lu family. Our husband and wife didn't want to trouble the young master. When the rain stopped, we packed up our things and left. We are used to moving anyway. The kindness of the young master, our husband and wife Never dare to forget, but the money is unnecessary.”

"Meeting is fate. When a virtuous couple is in trouble, I happen to be there. How can I stand by?" Mr. Hu looked at him disapprovingly, "Even if you don't care about being forced away, you should also think about your family. Days, how long are you going to live? I am not giving charity, why don't you accept it?"

Nan Deng remained silent, and Mr. Hu persuaded again: "Actually, I want to help you because of my own thoughts. To tell you the truth, I am also a concubine at home. I’m not at ease. I lived such a life at home, but when I heard that the person you mentioned lived such a... publicity, I also worried about him in the future. He failed a loyal servant like you, so I will replace you He helps you. Maybe it's strange to say that, but I just..." He paused and didn't continue.

Chunying looked around and saw that the atmosphere at the scene was a bit heavy and oppressive, so she casually pulled a bench and put it in front of her, sat on it and said, "I think you all think too much, it's really annoying." Depressed!" She said to Nan Deng: "Young Master Hu wants to lend you money, but you don't want to accept it, because you don't want to receive grace? You think it's okay to work in another place, right? But there is no money, you go to other places, You can still only set up small stalls on the side of the road. Where are there no hooligans? Even if the second young master doesn’t bother you, you are enough trouble. Sister Hongyu suffers from the sun and rain every day. It’s much more comfortable, and it’s a serious business, if those hooligans go too far, the government will not ignore it, otherwise, who else is willing to do business?”

Nan Deng lowered his head and did not speak, Chunying turned to Mr. Hu's master and servant again: "The business of the small tea stall is of course mosquito meat for the young master's family, but no matter how little mosquito meat is, it is still meat! Didn't the young master say that Are you uncomfortable at home? You must be constrained by spending money, right? Brother Nandeng and their craftsmen are very good. No matter where they set up a stall, there are many customers who come to their door. If they open a store and do business seriously, they can earn at least a few taels a month. The young master goes out to treat friends to a meal, buy something, and you can have more pocket money. You don’t need to tell the family about such trivial things, and the young master treats it as extra money.”

"External... quickly?" Mr. Hu didn't understand, Chunying coughed, and said: "Anyway, it's an income, it's better than borrowing 20 taels of silver to go out, 20 taels is nothing to you, spent It’s just spent, and after a year or so, the capital can be recovered, and the dividends can continue to be distributed, and the family doesn’t know, isn’t it great?” Then she glanced at Nan Deng again: “Brother Nan Deng, don’t feel burdened. Mr. Hu didn't lend you money for nothing, but wanted you to earn money for him. If you do a good job in the business, return Mr. Hu's principal, let him get more dividends, and the rest of the money will be yours Isn’t it much better to set up a small stall with sister Hongyu than it is now?” She winked at Hongyu again: “My sister’s family is angry with my sister, isn’t it because Brother Nandeng is down and out? Wait until you have money , they will definitely calm down."

Hongyu looked at Nandeng with hope in her eyes, Nandeng and his wife looked at each other for a moment, and finally calmed down, Mr. Hu smiled and said: "If this is the case, the management of the shop will be entirely up to the wise couple, I just Just wait for the dividends." Mo Han moved his lips, wanting to say something, Mr. Hu said to him: "Don't be afraid, I just had Jianbie wine today, and Li Xu returned the money I was supposed to send, so I took it back. Put that one on top." Mo Han stopped talking, and Mr. Hu took out a silk bag from his bosom, and said: "Here is 30 taels, and I passed the Ming Road at home, so you two will accept it for now. To open a store, it is natural to do better, and the more money you have, the easier it is to turn around."

Nan Deng didn't refuse anymore, since it was a shareholding, there was no difference between 20 taels and 30 taels, but he secretly made up his mind to make a good appearance, so as not to let down these good people, nor let him down. own ambitions.

Seeing that they had reached a consensus, Chunying just felt happy. Seeing that it was raining heavily outside and they couldn't leave for a while, she simply raised a substantive question: "Let's discuss and discuss, where is it?" Only by opening a shop can we avoid those guys?" She turned to Nan Deng and asked, "Brother Nan Deng has been with the Second Young Master for so long, do you know where he is active?"

Before Nan Deng could speak, Hong Yu had already smiled: "Sister Chun'er, if you say that about the master of the mansion, be careful to let the housekeeper hear it and punish you."

Chunying curled her lips: "What are you afraid of? I've seen it a long time ago. There is no one around here except us. The rain is so loud that even if someone passes by outside, they can't hear what we say. Moreover, if someone passes by , we can see it as soon as we look up." This tea shed is propped up with four or five bamboo poles, and the surrounding situation is clear at a glance.Such an environment is safer than any private room in a hotel.

Mr. Hu smiled and said: "I used to think that the little girl was clever, and she didn't speak or act like a child. Now, it seems that she has added a thoughtful mind. It's really amazing."

Chunying was very happy to hear that, but she still hadn't forgotten the important thing: "Which place should I choose?"

Nandeng said: "In the Caoqiao area on the south side of You'anmen, I heard that there are many flower growers, and the flower market on Huaishu Xie Street is also very lively. When I was young, an aunt married there. Although she is dead now, there are still relatives. It's better to move there, and the business should be good during the market."

But it was far away outside You'anmen, Hongyu hesitated a little.Mr. Hu said: "Although it is lively there, most of the people who come and go are common people, but there are not many people who actually pay for food, and they are not familiar with the place. I have an idea. You do business because you are afraid that others will make trouble. If that person doesn't come, you don't have to worry. I have a friend, who was originally from the Li family. I heard that the patriarch's family has several shops near Longfu Temple, and they are about to rent them out. You can simply rent one, Lord Qing. Even if the Second Young Master knew about it, he would not dare to make trouble."

Chunying felt great when she heard this.Since the second young master wanted to fight for the family property, he would not dare to make trouble in front of the patriarch. Nan Deng and Hong Yu would never have to be afraid again!But she was a little worried: "Will the patriarch refuse to rent it to you?"

Nan Deng frowned, Hong Yu gritted her teeth and said, "I have to ask the young master once!" This might be the best chance in their lives.

Although Mr. Hu didn't know what they were worrying about, he had heard some rumors about the Qingguohou's mansion, so he said, "I might as well go to someone to negotiate, since it's a shareholding, it's not good to do anything except pay money. Don't do it?"

The young couple looked at each other, Qiqi bowed down to him, Mr. Hu hurriedly helped them up: "From now on, it will be regarded as a partnership, and a virtuous couple doesn't have to be like this."

Mo Han saw his young master laughing at Yan Yan from the side, and couldn't help muttering: "What is this called? The young master's business is worth tens of thousands..."

After hearing this, Chunying secretly smiled, but she was thinking in her heart, what kind of dishes should this small shop sell?It's a pity that she has only saved less than one or two taels of silver in the past few months, otherwise she will definitely get involved.

After a while, the rain stopped.Mr. Hu left his name, address and contact information, and left with Mo Han. Chunying helped Nandeng Hongyu and his wife pack their things and sent them back to their place of residence, only to find out that they lived in a nearby alley, probably I'm used to living here, so I thought it would be convenient to get news from the backstreet area?Because it was getting late, she didn't dare to delay for too long, so she hurried home.

As soon as he stepped into the yard, he saw Widow Cui wandering around the door. As soon as he saw her, he came up to pull people: "Quick! I've been waiting for you for a long time, come here quickly!"

Chunying was inexplicable: "What's the matter?" They don't seem to be familiar with each other, right?

Being dragged into her house by Widow Cui, Chunying stared at the girl from Cui's family sitting by the bed, feeling a little dazed.

(End of this chapter)