Xiao Yuelou could no longer sit still.
Even though the two maids kept fanning him and he drank two glasses of ice-cold honey water, the sweat on his forehead still kept flowing down from his fat face.
As soon as May entered, the sunshine became rough, and the whole capital felt like it was being roasted on a fire.
This kind of weather is not friendly to an obese person at all, but it is not the hot weather that makes Xiao Yuelou unable to sit still.
The business of He Chang Lou is going from bad to worse. Today there are only two tables of customers, and these two tables are still reserved a few days ago.
Xiao Yuelou wiped the sweat from his forehead and kept staring at the monkey-like person in front of him: "You mean that all reservations have been canceled in the past half month?"
Although Hou Qu was thin, the sweat on his forehead was no less than that of Xiao Yuelou. He lowered his head and the sweat fell on the floor drop by drop.
"Back to the shopkeeper, I'm afraid it's not just this half month..." After saying this, Hou Qu smiled bitterly: "I guess that there will only be very few people coming to dine with us in the next two months."
Xiao Yuelou asked in surprise: "Is the ice in Qianqiu Restaurant really inexhaustible?"
"This subordinate doesn't know. I only know that even before entering Qianqiu Restaurant, even standing in front of the restaurant, I can feel the cool breeze, which is extremely refreshing. Compared with the two, who would be willing to dine in other restaurants? "
Xiao Yuelou pondered: "How much ice do we have in our cellar?"
Hou Qu shook his head: "If we use ice like Qianqiu Restaurant, the ice in the cellar will be used up within five days."
Hearing this, Xiao Yuelou felt that his whole body was covered with sweat, which could not be wiped off.
At this time, Hou Qu looked up at him again, but hesitated to speak.
Xiao Yuelou wiped his sweat and said with a grimace: "You can say whatever you have to say. In my opinion, there is no worse news than this."
Hou Qu calmed down and replied softly: "Qianqiu Restaurant is now expanding aggressively. It either directly acquires restaurants or cooperates with other restaurants through Binghe Jiangjin Wine. In just three days, thirteen restaurants have fallen under its banner. .”
Xiao Yuelou looked happy: "In that case, why don't we cooperate with them?"
Hou Qu's face looked as if he had eaten coptis: "The other party agreed to cooperate, but the condition is that they must account for 70% of the restaurant's profits."
Xiao Yuelou sighed: "Her Highness the Princess made this condition clear that she is unwilling to cooperate with us." Then she asked doubtfully: "But by doing this, Your Highness the Princess is not afraid that King Qi and King Zhao will unite with those aristocratic families to counterattack?"
Hou Qu suddenly showed a sarcastic look on his face: "Those aristocratic families were punished by Her Highness the Princess three days ago. Now those people want to enshrine Her Highness like a living Bodhisattva. How can they dare to go against Her Highness the Princess?"
Xiao Yuelou was shocked: "Is this happening? What happened?"
Midsummer is coming, and he is so fat that he is sweating after taking only two steps, so he can hardly go out. In the past few days, he has been worried about the restaurant, so he pays little attention to things outside. Now I heard that the aristocratic family in the capital has been taken care of by Her Royal Highness. Submissive, I couldn't help but be surprised.
Hou Qu said: "The shopkeeper must have heard that most of the aristocratic families in the capital have obtained the right to distribute glass products in various states."
Xiao Yuelou nodded.
After this incident was reported, it immediately caused a sensation in the capital. Everyone thought that Su Shi was crazy because he was willing to let them get involved in such a profitable business. Some even thought that Su Shi was showing his favor to King Qi and King Zhao.
Hou Qu continued: "Three days ago, the jewelry store of Qianqiu Trading Company suddenly launched a so-called promotion. A mirror that originally cost 3,000 taels was only sold for 300 taels, and buying a large mirror also comes with two small mirrors and eight Shot glasses.”
Xiao Yuelou frowned involuntarily. This kind of discount method was not uncommon, but it was usually used when the goods could not be sold or when the backlog was dealt with. Glass products were now in short supply. He really couldn't figure out why Qianqiu Company would use it. This is a way to promote sales.
He couldn't help but wonder: "It is said that glass products are not easy to make. Qianqiu Store does not have much inventory, so it restricts sales, and it also needs to be distributed by various aristocratic families. Why does it adopt this strategy to sell?"
Hou Qu smiled bitterly and said, "I'm afraid everyone has been fooled by Su Shi."
Xiao Yuelou was shocked again: "How can you say this?"
Hou Qu said: "On that day, from the opening to the closing of the jewelry store of Qianqiu Store, all kinds of glass products were continuously put on the shelves, and there seemed to be no shortage of inventory. So it is said that many aristocratic families approached Her Royal Highness the Princess that day."
Xiao Yuelou was stunned for a long time after hearing this. After a long time, he murmured: "It turns out that this is Her Highness the Princess demonstrating."
Then he sighed again: "Presumably after those aristocratic families found the princess, the so-called preferential activities stopped."
Hou Qu nodded: "Yesterday, the prices of all glass products returned to the previous level, and the daily sales quantity was also restricted as before."
Xiao Yuelou suddenly felt a chill, and the sweat on his forehead turned into cold sweat.
After doing business for so many years, he naturally understands the intention of Her Royal Highness the Princess's behavior in the past few days.
Su Shi was placed under house arrest by His Majesty. From the outside, the Qianqiu Company was probably at the end of its rope and in danger. Her Highness the Princess took action at this time, not only to establish her authority, but also to stabilize the morale of the army, and of course, more importantly, to win over the aristocratic family.
Those aristocratic families had finally obtained the distribution rights of glass products from Qianqiu Trading Company, and when they were preparing to reap profits, Her Royal Highness's actions clearly told those aristocratic families that if you want to make money, you must look at my face.
Even if Qianqiu Company does not extend its influence to other states, it can still drive down the price of glass products, making them unprofitable.
Of course, if the family is willing to rely on Qianqiu Trading Company, everyone can still make money happily and peacefully.
At this time, Hou Qu suddenly whispered: "Shopkeeper, people in all walks of life outside are now panicked and afraid of becoming the next target of Qianqiu Trading Company."
Xiao Yuelou was shocked and said: "What does this mean?"
"Now it is said that Qianqiu Company is preparing to enter all walks of life, and they are doing so in a big way. Yesterday it was spread that Qianqiu Company is preparing to enter the silk industry."
Xiao Yuelou thought for a while and said with a smile: "If Qianqiu Company wants to run the silk industry like a restaurant, I'm afraid it won't be easy."
Hou Qu shook his head: "Qianqiu Trading Company is not a silk shop."
Xiao Yuelou was stunned: "Then what are they going to do?"
"Silk. Qianqiu Company is planning to buy silk on a large scale. Does the shopkeeper know that as soon as this news comes out, the price of silk has increased by at least 10% today?"
Xiao Yuelou took a breath: "Just as the news spread, the price of silk increased by 10%. If Qianqiu Company really takes action, the price of silk will skyrocket."
