Chapter 275: Chapter 275: The County Magistrate’s Private Property
In the study, Hu Kaicheng, dressed in casual attire, held a teacup and gently skimmed the tea leaves: "The Qi Family wants to open a teahouse in town? Is this feasible?"
"Sir, I believe it is feasible."
Liu Qinghe sat respectfully at the edge of a chair and said, "The craftsmanship of Mrs. Qi Quanjin, you have also tasted, though it may not be on par with the master chefs of the city’s grand restaurants, it can certainly support a small teahouse."
"Hmm."
Hu Kaicheng took a sip of tea, set down the cup, and continued, "That woman’s skills are indeed quite good."
"The Qi Family has also helped me with some favors, so in that case, I will give them a convenience."
As he spoke, Hu Kaicheng raised his hand and clapped, and a servant boy immediately came in.
Hu Kaicheng said, "Have the madam bring over the family’s property deeds."
The servant boy immediately left.
Liu Qinghe was almost dumbfounded.
Listening to the lord’s words, is he going to... lease a shop to the Qi Family?
Hu Kaicheng had been a County Magistrate in Concord City for many years and had acquired quite a few properties in the city; this was no secret in the county government.
After all, being the County Magistrate’s property, during the usual patrols, these constables and government officials took extra care to prevent any trouble from those who couldn’t open their eyes.
Furthermore, Liu Qinghe knew that the properties held by the County Magistrate were all well-located.
If they really could lease one to the Qi Family, even if their business wasn’t booming, they could still benefit from the prime location.
Hu Kaicheng asked some more questions about the village work, and Liu Qinghe dared not hide anything, replying one by one.
After a while, Hu Kaicheng’s wife walked in, followed by a young maid holding a small box in her arms.
"My lord, why do you suddenly want to see the property deeds?"
"Just leave the property deeds here and go back first! I’ll discuss it with you later."
Hu Kaicheng’s words made his wife a little unhappy, but she said nothing more, leaving the box and turning to leave.
The whole time, she didn’t spare Liu Qinghe a single glance.
Hu Kaicheng opened the box, flipped through it, and pulled out a piece of paper from the very bottom, then closed the box again.
"Liu Qinghe, this shop is my private property, not large, but well-located. Have a middleman take a look, set a price, and then speak to the Qi Family. If they can afford the silver, then this shop will be sold to them."
Hu Kaicheng placed the just-retrieved property deed on the table and pushed it forward.
By this time, Liu Qinghe was not just shocked but stood frozen on the spot.
The County Magistrate is actually going to... sell the shop to the Qi Family?
Could it be that it’s because the Qi Family has caught the attention of the Holy Emperor, and he wants to please them?
Liu Qinghe felt he had figured it out.
Coming back to his senses, Liu Qinghe quickly and cautiously picked up the property deed, carefully folded it, and tucked it into his chest.
Upon leaving the county government, Liu Qinghe felt as if he was walking on cotton, it felt so unreal.
When he picked up the property deed, he made sure to take a look; the shop was located on the main street of the city, about two to three hundred meters from the central point.
This was indeed a prime location in Concord City.
But when he was walking with the horse’s reins to find the middleman, he recalled that this shop seemed to be currently in use; if he wasn’t mistaken, it was being run as a teahouse by the County Magistrate’s wife’s younger brother.
Even though that teahouse was struggling, due to the connection with the County Magistrate’s wife, it was still getting by.
If the shop were to be transferred to the Qi Family, who knew if the County Magistrate’s wife would cause a commotion.
Liu Qinghe patted his own face, feeling perhaps he was overthinking it.
If the County Magistrate dared to do this, surely he wasn’t afraid of his wife’s tantrums, right?
It should be... like that, right!
Whatever the case, as a subordinate, he should do what the lord instructed, so he directly went to find a middleman.
When the two met, Liu Qinghe explained the situation, and the middleman also had some difficulty: "Sir, are you kidding me? That shop is currently being used by the County Magistrate’s brother-in-law to run a teahouse. How is it possible to sell it?"
Liu Qinghe thought the same way, but he had the property deed in his chest, and the County Magistrate had personally said it, so how could it be fake?
Thus, Liu Qinghe kept a straight face and said sternly, "Just estimate the price, don’t ask about anything else!"
"Yes, yes!"
The middleman didn’t dare offend the government officials; he was still hoping to have a good relationship with them!
After careful calculation and consideration, the middleman said, "I’ve never been to the back of that courtyard, but according to what you said, the shop should at least be sold for three hundred taels."
"Three hundred taels?"
Liu Qinghe frowned.
It’s not because it’s expensive, but because it feels too cheap.
Even given the good relationship with the Qi Family, this price seemed low.
The middleman nodded, "At least three hundred taels, but if you want to ask for more, five hundred taels could also do."
But five hundred taels would be too expensive.
Liu Qinghe immediately dismissed this suggestion.
Three hundred taels is little, and five hundred is too much, though it seemed like whatever the price, it would still be too much for the Qi Family to afford!
So Liu Qinghe decided on a price of four hundred taels.
If the Qi Family could muster the amount, he would waive fifty taels later.
This way, he would also help the County Magistrate earn fifty extra taels, and pacify the brother-in-law later. That should suffice.
Liu Qinghe made up his mind, took out one tael of silver, and rewarded the middleman: "When this matter starts, they might come to you to handle it, make sure you don’t spill the beans, understood?"
Which middleman wasn’t clever? Hearing this, he understood immediately and quickly agreed.
One tael of silver, not a small amount.
Liu Qinghe headed to the inner courtyard.
The door was open, and as soon as he arrived at the entrance, he could hear chatter and laughter from inside the courtyard.
The Liu Family elders were now a hundred percent satisfied with the Qi Family.
Though the old chap of the Qi Family seemed yet to be enlightened, he was indeed nice, good-looking, willing to eat hardship and work hard.
And as for the Qi Family, from top to bottom, they all cherished their daughter-in-law greatly.
Especially Mrs. Qi Sr., who values her daughter-in-law even more than her son.
If their girl could marry into such a family, it would truly be like falling into a nest of blessings.
Upon seeing the inner courtyard, known only by hearsay, Mrs. Liu Sr. was even more pleased.
"Dear sister, your courtyard is really nice. With us living not too far apart, once you settle in town, we should visit often."
Mrs. Liu Sr. held Mrs. Qi’s hand, grinning widely: "We’ll take you to our home for a look later, though my courtyard is small, not as grand as yours."
Mrs. Qi quickly replied, "Older sister, what are you saying? We are family, who would mind their own not being as nice?"
The two elder ladies laughed and chatted, while Qi Manman ran wildly from the front yard to the back yard.
Yi Meng had gone to feed the baby, Xiao Shiyi, while Liu Meiniang watched over Qi Manman, now drenched in sweat from running around.
Just as they reached the front yard, she saw her older brother leading the horse reins inside.
