Shen Yaoqing was also thinking along the same lines. Staring at the empty backyard, he said, "If we bring chickens, ducks, and rabbits here in the future, this backyard might be too small. I’m not even sure if the cages for the chickens and ducks will fit."
"They’ll fit, they’ll fit," Hu Ping chimed in with an ingratiating smile. For days now, potential buyers had come to see the shop, but depending on their business, some found it too small while others thought it too big. No one had made an offer yet. With his debt repayment deadline approaching, he couldn’t afford to wait much longer.
He pointed to the back left corner of the wall and said, "Build a stove here, put up a thatched shed on top by borrowing the two walls, and you'll have a kitchen for cooking. The right side is spacious, it can definitely fit two or three rows of cages. If there are really too many, the left side along the wall can also hold some. As for the passageway, it depends on what you compare it to. It's narrower than the street, but two people can still walk side by side, it's not too narrow. Placing a few cages against the wall won’t be a problem. People can always get through. That’ll make it work."
Since Yang Xian had only inquired about the price of the shop earlier, he didn’t yet know what business the Shen brothers intended to run. When he asked and learned it was a butcher shop, he quickly said, "Selling meat is just right. For Xixing Street and the nearby alleys, people have to go all the way to Changxing Street to buy meat. If you open a butcher shop here, business will naturally be good."
Old Man Yang had already discussed this with Shen Xuanqing. They had specifically chosen this shop for its location.
Speaking of which, Old Man Yang’s daughter, Yang Yujun, had married Qian the Butcher in Jixing Town. However, Qian’s family and shop were on the southeast side of Jixing Town, far from Xixing Street. Besides, Shen Xuanqing mainly sold rabbits, chickens, and ducks. He would certainly sell pork as well, but unlike other butcher shops, it wouldn’t be his main focus.
What Hu Ping said was something Shen Xuanqing had already considered. Once the courtyard was tidied up, there would definitely be space for cages. He didn’t say much more, just glanced around the courtyard again before walking up to Old Man Yang and Yang Xian. In a low voice, he said, "Master, the shop itself is fine, it just needs to fit a cutting table and meat hooks. The backyard is a bit small, but if I’m going to start this business, it’s only the beginning. Who knows how things will turn out later? A small shop is fine as long as it makes money. We can think about a bigger shop later."
Old Man Yang and Yang Xian thought the same way. They happened to find a shop in this location, with no competing butcher businesses nearby. Every business starts small before growing. Buying a large shop upfront would cost a lot of money, and if cash flow became tight, wouldn’t that be like hanging over a fire? It was better to be cautious and steady.
"That’s what I originally thought too. Since you’re willing, let’s do it this way," Old Man Yang nodded in approval. Though he no longer handled business matters, among those present, he was the eldest and held the highest seniority, so they naturally had to consult him.
Once Old Man Yang gave his approval, Shen Xuanqing looked at Yang Xian and Shen Yaoqing, both nodded in agreement .
With that settled, he turned to Hu Ping and said, "Shopkeeper Hu, let's cut the case. How about forty taels?"
"Too low, too low." Hu Ping’s face scrunched up. After a moment’s thought, he gritted his teeth and held up five fingers. "If you’re serious, add five more taels, forty-five taels. I won’t even mention fifty taels. Just forty-five. How about it?"
He was desperate to sell so he could pay off his debts. Otherwise, it would become a huge problem later. Previous buyers had nitpicked endlessly, never giving a firm answer. He knew they were deliberately stalling, waiting until he was truly desperate so they could drive the price even lower, maybe even below forty taels.
Seeing Shen Xuanqing frown slightly as if considering, Hu Ping steeled himself. His face twisted into a pained expression, looking even older than Old Man Yang. He forced a smile and said, "Just forty-five taels. As for the paperwork at the yamen such as permits, deeds for the property and land, I’ll arrange everything properly. Once it’s all written up, we’ll submit it to the prefectural office for approval. You won’t have to worry about any of that."
Yang Xian glanced at him and smiled. "Shopkeeper Hu, I heard Dai Yongsheng came to see this shop?"
Hu Ping’s face stiffened. He couldn’t even muster a smile now. He had fallen into a trap set by Dai Yongsheng’s men, losing everything he had. Dai Yongsheng himself didn't need to dirty his hands, he wouldn’t bother with such small fry like him. But if he could snatch up a cheap shop, he certainly wouldn’t hesitate. If Shen Xuanqing bought it, there might be trouble later. A timid person would’ve left immediately upon hearing Dai Yongsheng’s name.
"Ah." He sighed heavily, his face bitter. "Fine, forty taels it is. But, it has to be in silver."
Yang Xian patted his shoulder. "Naturally."
After some more discussion, they settled the deal. Since Shen Xuanqing had brought the mule cart and it was still early, they could make it to Yuqing Prefecture that day. They sent Hu Ping home to fetch the deeds. With nothing left in the shop, he didn’t even need to lock the door, leaving Shen Xuanqing and the others to wait inside.
After Hu Ping left, Shen Xuanqing turned to Yang Xian. "Brother, who is this Dai Yongsheng?"
Yang Xian chuckled. "After you left last time, I came to ask around. Dai Yongsheng is the son of a gambling den owner, wealthy and influential. He sometimes drinks at my tavern, so we’re somewhat familiar. Your brother-in-law Qian grew up in Jixing Town and is on good terms with the Dai family. A small shop like this means nothing to them. You don’t need to worry. If Dai Yongsheng comes knocking, just mention me and Qian, and there won’t be any trouble."
"We’re all honest businessmen here. We don’t do underhanded things. Forty taels is fair, Hu Ping won’t lose much. Besides, this is a willing transaction. The gambling den can’t interfere."
The "Qian" he referred to was his brother-in-law, Qian the Butcher.
Butchers might deal in the dirty work of slaughtering pigs and chopping meat, but they interact with all sorts of people. Ordinary folks consider themselves lucky if they can afford pork, so butchers naturally have closer ties to wealthy families. They were physically strong, earned more than most, and weren't squeamish about getting their hands bloody. A successful butcher is someone to be reckoned with.
"So that’s how it is. Thank you for your trouble, Brother," Shen Xuanqing said with a smile.
If not for these connections, neither Yang Xian nor Old Man Yang would have brought him here to see the place. Besides Qian the Butcher, Yang Xian himself knew many people from running his tavern. His younger brother, Yang Yi, was a teacher in town and also had some influence.
With no tables or chairs outside, they went inside. There were only two chairs, so Shen Xuanqing let Old Man Yang and Yang Xian sit while he and Shen Yaoqing perched on the edge of the bed.
The room was sparsely furnished, smaller than their village quarters, but it was livable.
Yang Xian actually had full confidence in Shen Xuanqing. People tended to bully the weak and fear the strong. With his height, martial skills, and archery training passed down from Old Man Yang, few local troublemakers would dare pick a fight. His straightforward, honest nature meant he’d do well in Jixing Town.
The four of them chatted and joked for a while. Old Man Yang was pleased that his disciple would be coming to town and even suggested bringing Lu Gu and Little Lingjun along. In old age, one naturally hopes to have family nearby.
When Hu Ping returned with the deeds, they left the mule cart at the Yang residence and headed toward Yuqing Prefecture. After locking up the shop, they all set off together.
The mule cart made the round trip, and by the time Shen Xuanqing drove home, it was already mid-afternoon.
Shen Yaoqing sat on the other side of the cart, both brothers smiling. Shen Xuanqing carried several contracts, permits, and the shop’s keys in his pocket. From now on, that shop was his.
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