Chapter 294: Chapter 294: Weaver
Yin Shaoting had done business in the capital for many years and possessed a keen eye for talent. Anyone he recommended was sure to be excellent.
Of the six shopkeepers who came that day, only two had truly come after seeing the public notice. The rest were all connected to Yin Shaoting in some way.
Yin Shaoting waved his hand dismissively. "You know, you have one flaw—you’re far too modest! Those men do have a knack for bookkeeping and management, but getting them to turn those run-down shops around and make a profit in such a short time would have been nigh on impossible. If you hadn’t given them specific guidance, I’m afraid they’d be at their wit’s end right now!"
He knew that Ye Chutang had previously invited those men to her residence for a discussion.
He hadn’t paid it much mind at the time, assuming Ye Chutang had just taken over the shops and needed to brief them on some matters.
Only later did he realize that Ye Chutang had actually had a plan for these businesses all along.
Never mind the tea business. Besides Ye Chutang’s skills in roasting and brewing tea, she had his backing, good channels for procuring tea leaves, and help from Tang Zhongli. Naturally, business was no concern.
But for the other shops to get up and running so quickly was truly beyond his expectations.
He knew Ye Chutang was certainly capable. For the first fourteen years of her life, she had been a sheltered young lady who never left home. But after a family tragedy, she had supported her three younger siblings with her medical skills and established her own household.
That was something no ordinary person could accomplish.
But she was a woman, after all. It stood to reason she’d have little experience with the business world. Even if she could open the tea business with his cooperation, he feared other ventures like the clothier and the pawnshop would be difficult to sustain.
Who would have thought that the few ideas she offered for each of them would be so remarkably effective?
"You think too highly of me. The fact that these matters went so smoothly was also partly due to luck." Ye Chutang took a sip of tea. "Countless people in the capital are waiting to see me make a fool of myself, so they’re paying close attention to my every word and deed. From a certain perspective, that’s actually a good thing. Once my shops reopened, I didn’t have to worry about attracting a crowd."
Whether they came to watch the spectacle or to stir up trouble, a crowd was a crowd.
The worst thing for a new shop is a lack of buzz. Without foot traffic, there’s no potential for anything.
Yin Shaoting’s eyes widened in realization. "So that’s why you made such a show of driving those people away and caused a huge commotion in the street?"
Ye Chutang blinked and said tactfully, "Not entirely."
’It saved me a fortune in compensation and let me stomp all over Ye Heng’s pride. Why wouldn’t I do it?’
Yin Shaoting clicked his tongue.
He was beginning to feel more and more that he knew far too little about the woman before him.
"Let’s not talk about those. They were your Ye Family’s properties to begin with, so it’s only right that you manage them well. But... that Yunlai Tavern... you didn’t open it just to earn a bit of silver, did you?"
As soon as he spoke, the air around them seemed to fall silent.
Ye Chutang raised her eyes to meet his gaze directly, and a faint smile spread across her lips.
"You already guessed that, didn’t you? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have invested, right?"
To open such a tavern, one couldn’t even get started without sufficient funds.
Taking over the premises, renovations, every brick and timber, every cup and bowl—didn’t everything cost silver?
And then there were her exclusive brewing recipes. Without Yin Shaoting’s help in preparing the venue, staff, and sourcing ingredients from all over, it would have been impossible to successfully brew the wine.
If Ye Chutang had relied on her own two hands, she couldn’t have brewed more than a few jars a year, let alone open a tavern.
Yin Shaoting didn’t feel the least bit embarrassed at having his thoughts exposed.
He was an old fox of the business world who prioritized profit above all else. If there wasn’t something in it for him, he naturally wouldn’t have gone to such trouble.
However—
"Your connections are truly impressive. The distinguished guests who came in the first three days are notoriously difficult to invite!"
Princess Qingyang was on good terms with Ye Chutang, so it was expected she would come to show her support. But Feng Zhang, who came later, is not an easy man to deal with.
As for Grand Scholar Chen Songshi, that went without saying. Scholars are known for their aloofness. His willingness to come was a truly pleasant surprise.
Ye Chutang pondered for a moment before admitting frankly, "To be honest, I didn’t expect Mr. Chen would go either."
After all, she and Chen Songshi were complete strangers.
Yin Shaoting was stunned. He asked skeptically, "Really? Then why would he be willing to help you like this?"
"Of course it’s true." She had no reason to lie about this.
Yin Shaoting studied her expression and finally believed her. He chuckled. "You’re so resourceful, it would be normal for you to know him. It’s just like how you hadn’t been back to the Capital City for three years, yet you got into Feiyun Temple so easily, didn’t you?"
Master Shiyuan isn’t someone who grants an audience to just anyone.
Ye Chutang couldn’t help but laugh. "You give me far too much credit."
Yin Shaoting laughed heartily. "If it were anyone else, maybe. But you? Is there anything you can’t do once you’ve set your mind to it?"
Ye Chutang remained noncommittal, though she secretly had a hunch—she possessed a piece of calligraphy by Chen Songshi.
It had been a gift from Shen Yanchuan, back when she had first returned to the Capital City.
Yan deeply respected the grand scholar, so he had been carefully looking after the calligraphy ever since.
’His visit this time...’
Yin Shaoting was unaware of the inside story. Seeing that Ye Chutang genuinely seemed not to know, he stroked his beard. "Perhaps he heard from someone that your wine is good?"
Ye Chutang was naturally confident in the wine she brewed, but she also knew that this alone wasn’t enough to make Chen Songshi pay a visit.
’Looks like I owe a certain someone another favor for this...’
She smiled. "Perhaps."
Yin Shaoting nodded, not pressing the point any further.
"In any case, Yunlai Tavern’s reputation is made. The private rooms are all booked for the next half-month; we can’t keep up with the demand. But as you initially instructed, we’re still limiting the number of guests per day and not accepting any more."
When Ye Chutang had first proposed this, Yin Shaoting had been quite puzzled. When you open a business, isn’t it ’the more customers, the better’? If they only accepted a limited number each day, what profit was there to be made?
Later, when he saw the prices, he was even more convinced the business was doomed to fail.
But three days after opening, the turn of events completely exceeded his expectations.
"The capital has no shortage of restaurants. There are countless places to eat, drink, listen to music, and be merry. To succeed, you have to be different from the rest."
A slight curve touched Ye Chutang’s lips.
"Since ancient times, the money of the rich has always been the easiest to earn."
Elevate the standards, and everyone will naturally flock to it, with guests arriving like clouds.
Yin Shaoting paused, his eyes fixed on her for a moment. In his heart, his estimation of Ye Chutang rose another few notches.
The young woman was not old, yet she was remarkably intelligent and perceptive.
Yin Shaoting felt more certain than ever that agreeing to partner with her had been an exceptionally wise move.
He pondered for a moment, then finally asked:
"Earning silver is one thing, but with a clientele composed entirely of distinguished guests, given time..."
Their interactions would eventually form a vast network of connections.
And Ye Chutang would be the Weaver.
