The next step is to choose the pawnshop owner.
Opening a pawn shop is not like a salt shop. The manager of a pawn shop requires extremely strong professional skills, which is beyond the capabilities of ordinary traders.
After all, the things sold in pawn shops are messy, and ordinary ones are fine, but ordinary people can't judge those valuable paintings, calligraphy, antiques, etc.
Kang Youfu told Zhu Shenzui that he had taken a fancy to an old shopkeeper who had worked for the Liu family before. After the Liu family collapsed, the Liu family's property was all divided up. This old shopkeeper also lost his job because of his old age and is now at home. It's sitting idle.
The Kang family has been in contact with the Liu family for many years, and they know the situation of the Liu family very well. This old shopkeeper is no stranger to him either.
When he was planning to open a pawn shop, Kang Youfu thought of the old shopkeeper, but Zhu Shenzui was not in Pingyang, so he couldn't make the decision. Now that Zhu Shenzui was back, he naturally wanted to talk about it.
"Tell me carefully." After Zhang Xijun was sent out, Zhu Shenzui and Kang Youfu were the only two people in the room, Zhu Shenzui said.
"Yes..." Kang Youfu nodded and said: "Shopkeeper Jin was the shopkeeper of the Liu family's pawnshop before. He has worked in the Liu family for more than thirty years. He has been with the Liu family since he was an apprentice..." Kang Youfu spoke to Zhu Shenzui carefully. After listening to Kang Youfu's story, Zhu Shenzui asked him that since Shopkeeper Jin had such ability, why did he lose his job after the Liu family fell?
Although the Liu family collapsed and the Liu family's properties were divided up, they still needed someone to take care of them when they were in the hands of others. For example, the Liu family's pawnshop was quite famous in Pingyang City. Now that the pawnshop has changed its owner, it stands to reason that shopkeeper Jin should stay on. Why is there no job?
"Master Liu, have you forgotten about the salt shop?" Kang Youfu reminded hesitantly.
As soon as these words came out, Zhu Shenzui reacted instantly, slapped his forehead and couldn't help but laugh.
Kang Youfu was right. When he took over the Liu Family Salt Shop, didn't he also change the shopkeeper? A pawn shop is not an ordinary business. If the shopkeeper is not someone whom he absolutely trusts, most owners will not use outsiders. In addition, Kang Youfu also said that shopkeeper Jin is not young and he is an old man of the Liu family. When others take over, they will naturally kick him out.
"Do you think this person can be used?" Zhu Shenzui asked Kang Youfu.
Kang Youfu nodded: "Sixth Master, I have known shopkeeper Jin for many years. Although he is the shopkeeper of the Liu family, shopkeeper Jin is a calm and reliable person. He has worked in the Liu family's pawnshop for more than thirty years and has never been out of trouble. Error, now that I have lost my job and the situation at home is not very good, I think this person can be used."
"In that case, let's use him. It's up to you to arrange this matter." Zhu Shenzui said.
Kang Youfu was stunned as soon as these words came out. He originally thought that he would have to spend some time convincing Zhu Shenzui. After all, shopkeeper Jin had worked in the Liu family for so many years and was considered an old man of the Liu family. Kang Youfu knows how their business came about and how the Liu family collapsed.
After all, using such a person is not like looking for a new shopkeeper. It is normal for the boss to have concerns. But Kang Youfu briefly talked about Shopkeeper Jin's situation. Before he could go into details, Zhu Shenzui actually agreed.
"Master Liu, aren't you worried about Shopkeeper Jin...?"
"Haha, what are you afraid of?" Zhu Shenzui said with a smile: "Don't forget, you are the big shopkeeper of Hengtong. Shopkeeper Jin is just the shopkeeper of this pawn shop. How do you choose and use the people below? This is all your business, it’s true that I am the boss, but these are the jobs of you as the boss, you can’t let me, the boss, do all the work for you, right?”
Zhu Shenzui's idea is very simple. Don't be suspicious of people when you employ them. Since Kang Youfu has been mentioned as the boss of Hengtong, Kang Youfu will be responsible for the daily operations of Hengtong. Just like a company, Zhu Shenzui is the chairman and Kang Youfu is the CEO or general manager. The CEO or general manager is naturally responsible for the specific operations, and the chairman controls the overall situation.
What's more, Kang Youfu played an important role in the Liu family's downfall. If it weren't for Kang Youfu, the Liu family wouldn't have been able to fall so easily. In this case, Jin shopkeeper Kang Youfu himself is not worried, so what is Zhu Shenzui worried about?
Having said that, Shopkeeper Jin has worked for the Liu family for many years, but after all, he is just working for the Liu family. As a worker, isn't it the same as working for whomever you work for? If he relies on craftsmanship and ability to eat this bowl of rice, what does it have to do with who his boss is?
Kang Youfu understood this in an instant, and immediately stood up and saluted Zhu Shenzui, with an expression of admiration and gratitude on his face.
"Sit down, since I let you be the boss of Hengtong, I will use you seriously. You have thought well about the pawnshop before and you have done well. In the future, you will continue to work hard and do well. I will not treat you badly." Zhu Shenzui He praised Kang Youfu skillfully and even drew a big pie, which made Kang Youfu feel even more moved that a man would die for his confidant.
He said some kind words and gave Kang Youfu some rewards, including this month's monthly reward and the furs he brought back this time. In addition, Zhu Shenzui also took out a small gadget traded from Mongolia from his arms. Although the thing was not big, it was made of silver and inlaid with sparkling gems. It would be worth selling it. Zhu Shenzui gave dozens of taels of silver to Kang Youfu directly as a gift.
After all, he was a civil servant. Zhu Shenzui's grasp of people's hearts was unmatched by ordinary people, and he was not lacking in skills. Otherwise, everyone in Wangjia Village would not be so obedient to Zhu Shenzui's orders.
Although Kang Youfu has not been with Zhu Shenzui for a long time, the importance of Kang Youfu is self-evident. Such a person must be reused and win over. Naturally, in some cases, he must be tightly controlled. Zhu Shenzui knew this very well.
By the way, he asked about Zhang Xijun and placed Zhang Xijun next to Kang Youfu in order to supervise each other. At the same time, he asked Kang Youfu to help him keep an eye on Zhang Xijun.
At least, it looks good so far. Zhu Shenzui is still satisfied with Zhang Xijun's performance these days, and we need to continue to observe what happens next. Zhang Xijun is a talent, but he and Kang Youfu are different talents. Hengtong is just a temporary measure. If nothing unexpected happens, Zhu Shenzui has other plans for using this person.
"Sixth Master!"
"Uncle Ma, are you...?"
After walking out of the main room, Ma Shizhou walked towards Zhu Shenzui and saluted. Looking at Ma Shizhou's packed luggage, Zhu Shenzui asked with a frown.
"Sixth Master, if nothing happens, I'll take my leave." After returning to Daming, Ma Shizhou's mission was completed. This time going to the grassland was much smoother than expected. Since it was necessary now, Ma Shizhou was ready to say goodbye and leave.
"Uncle Ma, I just came back, why don't you rest for a few more days before leaving?"
"Haha, I can't stay idle. If I stay in the city, I might as well go back early. Someone has to do the work in the fields. Besides, I have nothing to do now." Ma Shizhou said calmly.
He was usually taciturn, but these days he took Zhu Shenzui for a walk on the grassland. The two of them got along day and night without any previous barriers, and they talked much more casually.
"Uncle Ma, talk here." Zhu Shenzui led Ma Shizhou to the side. He said sincerely to Ma Shizhou: "Thanks to you these days, if it weren't for you, this trip wouldn't have been so smooth."
Ma Shizhou waved his hand: "It's all your own blessing, Mr. Liu. I just did what I should do. Besides, Mr. Liu, isn't that what you paid me to do?"
"Haha, having said that, how could it have been so smooth without you?" Zhu Shenzui said with a smile, and then asked Ma Shizhou what plans he had for returning this time. Ma Shizhou said that he had any plans, other than An Are you living a stable life?
This time he took Zhu Shenzui to the grassland, and the reward Zhu Shenzui gave him was not small. The money was enough for him to buy a few acres of land after he returned, and he could live a peaceful life.
After hearing what he said, Zhu Shenzui told Ma Shizhou frankly that if Ma Shizhou was willing, he would like to invite Ma Shizhou to officially join his trading company, and from now on he would be responsible for the caravans traveling to and from the grassland.
Zhu Shenzui's words surprised Ma Shizhou. He never expected that Zhu Shenzui would make this invitation. To be honest, it is impossible not to be tempted. Ma Shizhou naturally knows the huge profits made by trading companies in the grasslands, but the problem is that Ma Shizhou is not a businessman. Although he is familiar with the grasslands, understands Mongolian, and has been a frontier soldier, if It would be absolutely fine to just ask him to lead the way or do other things, but if he was responsible for going to the grassland to do business, Ma Shizhou was not sure at all.
"Uncle Ma, you don't have to worry about this. Others will be responsible for the specific transactions. You only need to be responsible for the exchange of goods and ensuring the safety of the trade. I don't trust leaving this matter to others, but you are different, Uncle Ma. As long as you agree, you will You are the leader of the merchant team. You have the final say on everything when we get to the grassland. Your status is no different from that of the big shopkeeper here. In addition to the due remuneration, I will give you half a percent profit for each trip, how about it?"
"This..." The price Zhu Shenzui offered even Ma Shizhou, who had seen the storm, couldn't help but be moved. This price was really not low, and it also gave Ma Shizhou great rights.
Ma Shizhou clearly saw the benefits of doing business in the grassland. Moreover, this time he went to the grassland, Zhu Shenzui got in touch with Buri Gude again. He saw all this with his own eyes.
Not to mention other tribes, just the Burigude tribe, if they can establish long-term trade, the profits will be very considerable. Zhu Shenzui not only gave Ma Shizhou a generous reward, but also promised a half-percent profit. This half-percent profit was a huge sum of money for an individual.
No matter how dangerous it is to be a merchant on the grassland, Ma Shizhou can't help but feel his breathing quicken when driven by such huge profits. After escaping from the grassland back then, a young officer who had a promising future not only became disabled, but also lost his military rank and became an ordinary military household.
Ma Shizhou's mind has long been empty of ideas these years. The only thing he can do is to spend the rest of his life peacefully as before and just be an ordinary person.
But he didn't expect that a chance invitation not only brought him back to the grassland, but now he also had such an opportunity. As long as he nodded and agreed, the rest of his life might change dramatically.
