Chapter 28: Finding a Manager

Li Shen stepped out of the Duke of Zhao's mansion, where Shitou was already waiting. He informed Li Shen that Xue Rengui had purchased a two-mu property for eighty guan, and was preparing to travel day and night to return to their ancestral home in Hedong. It was estimated that the round trip would take over ten days, primarily due to the poor condition of the roads; otherwise, it could have been done in five.

It was already past noon, and in a few hours, Li Shen would have to return to the palace, so he set aside his original plan to visit his own estate. He realized that this arrangement was unsustainable; he could not keep leaving the palace frequently. Without supervision, the construction of the workshops would stall, not to mention the distilling process. The technique for distillation was not overly complex, and it would not be difficult for an interested party to figure it out; if he were not at the estate, it would be hard to prevent theft.

After some thought, Li Shen changed his mind. He decided to first purchase a storefront in the East Market that included a residence in the back. This way, he could operate the shop in the front and the workshop in the back, starting on a small scale. Once he had enough manpower, he would arrange for people to build the factory at his estate, which he would worry about once he moved out of the palace—an event he was determined to expedite.

With his plan settled, Li Shen took his entourage to the real estate agency in the East Market and stated his requirements. The manager, sensing a large deal worth hundreds of guan, personally attended to him. After pondering Li Shen's request for a moment, he said, "Young master, it is quite a coincidence. Just a few days ago, such a property became available in the East Market. The location is excellent, the price is reasonable, and it features a two-story storefront in the front with a one-and-a-half-mu residence in the back. The storefront is right in the middle of the East Market—a prime location."

"Oh, such a coincidence? And what is the price?" The East Market was incredibly expensive, unlike the West Market, where a two-mu property with a street-facing storefront would cost around two hundred guan. In the East Market, it should be at least double that.

"Young master, it is only four hundred guan," the manager replied.

"So cheap? It isn't a scam, is it?" Li Shen asked in surprise. Based on the manager's description, it should have been at least six or seven hundred guan.

"I dare not deceive you, young master. The owner of the house is my fellow townsman, and we have always been on good terms. He offended someone in Chang'an, which led to the failure of his business. He intended to sell the house and return home to take refuge. Unexpectedly, someone else took an interest in the property and spread the word that no one else was allowed to buy it. Many who were interested were afraid to offend this person and risk disaster. My townsman, however, is unwilling to sell the house to this person at such a low price, so he would rather sell it for less, but so far, no one has dared to buy it."

"Oh, and do you know whom he offended?" Li Shen asked.

"Du He, the second son of the Du family of Jingzhao," the manager whispered.

"I see. So it is him," Li Shen said. He knew of Du He—the second son of Du Ruhui. Du Ruhui was half of the legendary "Fang-Du" duo, a great chancellor. Unfortunately, Du Ruhui had passed away a few years ago. His eldest son, Du Gou, inherited the family estate, though he held no official post, merely inheriting the title of Duke. However, the residual influence of Du Ruhui remained, and people gave him face out of respect. Du He, on the other hand, was a spoiled playboy, frivolous in nature, and worked under the Crown Prince.

"Go and fetch the owner. I want this property," Li Shen told the manager.

The manager hurried off to find him. Two quarters of an hour later, he returned with a man who looked to be in his forties.

"Young master, this is the owner, Wang Hongfu," the manager introduced.

"Mr. Wang, please sit. Do not worry; I have decided to buy your property. Let us sit and talk. What kind of business did you run before?" Li Shen asked.

"Young master, I used to be in the silk and textile business," Wang Hongfu replied.

"I heard you offended the Du family. Would you mind telling me about it?"

"Alas, I will not hide it from you, young master. I have been in this business for over a decade. I started as a traveling merchant and eventually bought this storefront and residence in the East Market, expanding my business as time went on. Things were going well, but while procuring silk, I offended the Du family. I had always sourced my materials from Henan Circuit, where I had many merchant contacts. The Du family is based in Hebei Circuit, but for some reason this year, they went to Henan Circuit and offered very low prices, which the local farmers were unwilling to accept. The farmers we had worked with for years preferred to sell to us. The Du family then sent people to tell us merchants that we must purchase at their prices. We couldn't bear to see the farmers suffer, so we secretly continued to buy their materials at the fair price.

"Not long after, the county magistrate's office raided our workshops, claiming we were using substandard goods that violated regulations. My shop was constantly harassed by thugs, and there were frequent inspections. Customers dwindled, and eventually, I couldn't even pay my workers' wages. I knew it was the Du family's doing, and since I couldn't afford to cross them, I prepared to sell the house and return to my hometown. But a steward from the Du family came to me and offered to buy the house for fifty guan. I refused, and they spread the word that anyone who bought my house would be making an enemy of the Du family. In the end, no matter how low I dropped the price, no one would buy it."

Li Shen listened, calculating in his mind. Wang Hongfu had offended the Du family for the sake of the farmers, so his character seemed sound. Having been in business for over ten years, he clearly had experience. It would be better to hire him as his manager. "Mr. Wang, what are your plans now?"

"Alas, what plans could I have? I suppose I will just take my money, return to my home in Henan Circuit, and live as a small landlord for a few years to avoid further trouble," Wang sighed.

"I have a proposal, if you are willing to hear it," Li Shen said.

"What is your proposal, young master?"

"I am planning to start a business, but I lack a manager. If you are willing to work for me, I will buy your property, and I will pay you a salary of one hundred guan a year. What do you think? Of course, since I dare to buy your house, I am not afraid of Du He, and I can keep you safe."

Wang Hongfu was tempted. The conditions Li Shen offered were extremely generous—one hundred guan a year was more than any manager could hope to earn. Furthermore, although Li Shen appeared young, his attire was not that of an ordinary person, and he was accompanied by maids and guards. He might truly be able to protect his family. He was uncertain if the Du family would continue to harass him even if he returned home. Perhaps finding a powerful patron would even lead to future prosperity. He bowed deeply to Li Shen and said, "Thank you, master. From now on, I will do everything in my power to serve you."

"Good. In that case, you need not worry about the Du family. Tomorrow, I will have someone deliver five hundred guan to you—four hundred for the house and one hundred as your salary for the year. Have the deed ready tomorrow, and we will go to the county office to transfer the title," Li Shen said, rising. "Let us go take a look at the property."

Wang Hongfu led Li Shen to the house. The storefront was large, spanning two floors, and in a prime position—it was no wonder the Du family had taken an interest. If the Du family had offered a fair price, it would never have fallen to Li Shen.

Li Shen then went to the back to inspect the residence. It covered nearly two mu and had many rooms, with walls high enough to deter petty thieves. Wang Hongfu's family was still living there, but that would have to change; the place was intended to be a workshop, and it was too noisy for a residence.

Li Shen was satisfied with the property and told Wang Hongfu that he could now begin looking for a new place to move. He would return tomorrow with the money.

"Master, what about the Du family..." Wang Hongfu asked, still worried.

"Don't worry. I am going to have someone pass a word to Du He; he shouldn't dare to come again," Li Shen said.

"Master, the Du family has great influence in the Jingzhao Prefecture. They usually don't give face to ordinary people," Wang remained unconvinced, knowing how deeply rooted the Du family was.

"Rest assured, this person will definitely be effective. I am going to find him now," Li Shen replied. He then turned to Shitou and his group, "Let us go visit my eldest brother."

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince may not have returned to the Eastern Palace yet," Shitou reminded him.

"It is fine; speaking to my sister-in-law will have the same effect. It is nothing major," Li Shen said. Since he had to return to the palace anyway, and the Eastern Palace was right next to it, he departed with his entourage.

"Your Highness," "Crown Prince," "Eastern Palace"—Wang Hongfu was stunned by the sensitive titles he had just heard. His new master was a young prince, and the person he was going to ask to mediate was the Crown Prince himself. A wave of overwhelming joy washed over him, and he ran back into the house shouting, "I am saved! I am saved!" The servants were startled, wondering if Wang Hongfu had lost his mind.