Great Tang Idyll Volume 02 Chapter 25
This week's chapters!
Volume 02 Chapter 25: Turning Sponsorships Into Business Deals
The middle-aged man couldn’t come up with any other ideas. The only thing that he could think of was that Housekeeper Zhang wanted to take a portion of the money that others gave them. He couldn’t figure out what the result of this would be like.
Fortunately, the people here were reasonable. Even though Li Xun and them regretted their decision, they didn’t reject them directly. Instead, they made a proposal that seemed to do no harm to Li Xun and them.
He felt that he was a bit of a failure to resort to doing this. How was he any different from a rascal? Even if he succeeds, relying on this method will only show that he was incompetent. Anyone else like the Young Prince can come here and do the same thing, so why would he be needed?
After Li Cheng left, the middle-aged man felt that he was about to become an elderly person soon. Even though he clearly knew what he was facing was a scheme, he couldn't figure out what was going on, let alone find a way to counteract it.
Li Cheng left quickly and also came back quickly. As soon as he saw Housekeeper Zhang, he smiled and said, "Housekeeper Zhang, the childe has agreed. When will you have time to go upstairs to write a new contract? The one from last time…?"
"Oh, okay, let's go up right now then. Mister Li, don’t worry, I have it here. Look, is this the right one?" Seeing that they had agreed, Housekeeper Zhang finally breathed a sigh of relief, and he took out the paper from the inside of his sleeve. He shook open the folded paper to show Li Cheng.
Li Cheng wasn't angry at all despite knowing that it was impossible for Housekeeper Zhang to go from the restaurant to the Zhang Manor and back in such a short time even if he was able to fly. He extended his arm out to gesture Housekeeper Zhang to take the lead, and then he followed Housekeeper Zhang upstairs.
Housekeeper Zhang first greeted Li Xun and then he took out the contract and returned it to Li Xun. Afterwards, he began to write a new one. When the old contract came into Li Xun's hands, Housekeeper Zhang didn't worry that Li Xun would just tear up the paper and deny the contract. The people from the Imperial family couldn’t possibly be that shameless.
After a short while, the new contract was created. Both parties signed the contract, and then Housekeeper Zhang brought the contract with him to go look for the businesses that wanted to discuss sponsorships with Li Xun.
Li Xun, who didn't understand what was going on, ordered Li Cheng to follow behind him to see what Housekeeper Zhang wanted to do.
Housekeeper Zhang didn't try to shake him off. He walked around the inside and outside of the restaurant and found fourteen businesses that wanted to sponsor the survival game. He invited all of the businesses’ decision makers to a private room on the second floor. Li Cheng did not shy away and he also followed them into the room.
"Everyone, everyone." Housekeeper Zhang yelled twice and asked the fourteen decision makers to look at him. Then he continued,
"Thank you for the assistance you have offered towards the survival game. Unfortunately, there are too many people. Thus, Young Childe Li has handed this matter over to the Between the Water and Clouds. Everyone, please have a look, this is the contract that we have just signed."
While speaking, Housekeeper Zhang took out the contract and showed it to the fourteen people. After they were done reading it, they nodded to admit that this was true.
"Housekeeper Zhang, since you’re the one handling this matter, I wonder which store you have in mind?" An extremely thin man with high protruding cheekbones spoke up first.
Other people also nodded; they all wanted to know his answer since it was better than being kept in suspense. They have seen how effective the advertisements that Between the Water and Clouds made were. Each and everyone of them wanted to do the same thing during the wilderness survival training. They knew for certain the children who came to this training were either wealthy or notable.
"Shopkeeper Yu, you don’t need to be anxious. I’ll tell everyone right now. Shopkeeper Yu’s shop is the top butcher’s shop in the county. Almost all of the butcher’s shops in the town are owned by Shopkeeper Yu. Everyone, how about you all write down what you want to give on a piece of paper--- this will be used as evidence in the future."
Housekeeper Zhang smiled at the person who was talking, and tried to comfort him with a few words. Then, he gave everyone a suggestion. He really doubted whether the meat at this shopkeeper's shop could actually be eaten. He knew the answer just by looking at the appearance of the shopkeeper, who was as skinny as a monkey. Could it be that all the meat he sells is not edible?
Everyone had no clue that Housekeeper Zhang was slandering Shopkeeper Yu in his heart. Hearing this proposal, they all felt that it was a good idea. Everyone wrote something down. This way, regardless which one was selected, it was selected fairly.
Just when they lifted up their brushes to write, Housekeeper Zhang spoke again.
"Everyone, you have to think clearly when you write. For example, Shopkeeper Yu’s shop sells meat, so he can give those children meat. Shopkeeper Shang’s store sells fabric, so the children’s clothing can be taken care of by his store. Likewise, everyone should not write down an item that is inferior to another store’s.”
With this reminder, everyone had a sudden moment of realization. Each person carefully thought about which item of theirs would receive the approval of others. When they started to write, they also used their arms to carefully block the paper so that others can’t see what they wrote.
It didn't take much time for the fourteen people to finish writing. They carefully blew the ink dry, folded the paper and handed it into the hands of Housekeeper Zhang.
Housekeeper Zhang took the papers, but he didn't even look at them, and he directly gave them to Li Cheng. He asked Li Cheng to send the papers to the people on the roof floor so that can decide whether these items are enough.
Li Cheng didn't expect that Housekeeper Zhang would not look at it at all. Despite that he was shocked, he did not dare to neglect his duties, so he immediately turned and left.
"Everyone, perhaps you don’t understand why I have done this. I’ll explain to everyone right now. If two tigers fight, one of them is bound to be injured. I don’t have the heart to see anyone of you be left out. Thus, I worked hard to help everyone with the sponsorships. There are a total of fourteen businesses, and six of them sell the same things as each other.
For example, Shopkeeper Shang and Shopkeeper Zhu both operate fabric stores. The two of you must be thinking that if we use one store, then the other one won’t be used. Wrong. What I meant was that this thought is wrong. We will use both stores. The two of you must know that there are three stages in this game, so the two of you can provide the clothes for the first two stages.
The clothes that are suitable for wearing on the grassland are absolutely different from the clothes that are suitable for wearing in a sand area. The two stores can each work on one type of environment. As for who makes clothes for the grassland and who makes clothes for the sand area, the two stores can discuss this by themselves. When the third stage comes, we will ask those children which one they liked more, and the more favored store can continue providing clothes for the children. As for the other store, we are sorry to say that you lost your chance.
When Housekeeper Zhang said these words, those two people had already started staring at each other. It was as if they wanted to use their gazes to fight for a victory.
Housekeeper Zhang ignored them. He couldn’t be bothered by how others plan to compete with each other. As long as they provided the clothing, then everything was fine. As for the remaining four businesses, it was also two stores competing against each other, so he handled them the same way.
After the six people’s affairs were settled, Housekeeper Zhang spoke to everyone again, "Everyone, we want all of your things. Remember what you wrote down, including the amount of money, and when the time comes, we will tell everyone who provided the items that are used.
Additionally, the Between the Water and Clouds will be responsible for making some banners for everyone. When the time comes, the colorful banners will flutter in the wind and everyone who sees it will understand. If anyone thinks that the cost is too high, you can back out now. We will absolutely not do anything to stop you. Is there anyone? "
After Housekeeper Zhang said this, the expressions on the fourteen people’s faces didn’t look good. Their original plan was to pay for all of the expenses, so they wrote down a large sum of money. They didn’t expect Housekeeper Zhang would divide things up this way. Some of them wanted to back out, but at the same time, they felt discontent. They were hoping that someone else would back out so that they could reap more benefits.
It was a pity that no one decided to leave. After all, the children's families were not ordinary this time, and there was a chance that these families would use their businesses in the future, so they didn’t dare to quit now.
For example, Shopkeeper Yu wanted to back out, but if he did, then things would be troublesome. Many people saw him come here, and there was also Housekeeper Zhang, the people from the thirteen stores, and the person upstairs. Once he backs out, other people will no longer buy his shop’s meat and all kinds of rumors will spread.
You have come here, but in the end, they didn’t buy your shop’s meat, so that must mean that your shop’s meat is not good. Shopkeeper Yu felt that Housekeeper Zhang would definitely do this, and he would even spread the news that he backed out.
At almost the same time, the fourteen people let out a sigh and they submitted to their fate.
They all gave in. Housekeeper Zhang did not finish speaking yet, so he continued, "Everyone, the Between the Water and Cloud has helped everyone so much. We shouldn't be receiving any benefits from any of you, but the Between the Water and Cloud is not mine alone. There are quite a few people waiting for their bread and butter, so another tenth of the value of the things you have written down needs to be paid to the Between the Water and Cloud.
Whoever disagrees can find the person upstairs. If he agrees, then you don’t have to give a tenth of the items or money. Everyone should not think that it’s expensive. This is a good deal. In the future, the Between the Water and Cloud will still provide everyone with the same opportunity, and we will discuss that when the time comes. There will be chances for other sponsorships or for certain urgently needed purchases.
If you encounter anything that is difficult to resolve, you can also find the Between the Water and Cloud, and we will help come up with a solution. Today is the first time, so that’s why we asked for a tenth. In the future, we can discuss new conditions. For example, for ten thousand pieces of cloth, the Between the Water and Cloud will not dare to take one thousand pieces. Perhaps it will be one hundred pieces or perhaps it will be fifty pieces. "
After Housekeeper Zhang finished speaking, he didn’t say anything else. He looked at the fourteen people sitting there, waiting for someone to quit. The fourteen people were simultaneously angry and happy. No one was willing to give out more money, but they felt happy when they thought about the extra business opportunities that will open up in the future.
"Housekeeper Zhang, I agree. I'll write you a contract right now." Shopkeeper Yu spoke up first. When he got here, he asked around a bit and he found out that the Zhang and Wang manors were raising a lot of pigs. This was the perfect supply for him.
When the others saw that he had taken the lead, they also all agreed. The fourteen people started writing again. The smile on Housekeeper Zhang's face did not change the entire time. This time, the amount earned had greatly surpassed the amount they had to pay at the beginning. Although they made advertisements for the stores, when the time comes, the words ‘managed by the Between the Water and Clouds’ will be added at the bottom of the ads or be mentioned during the introduction.
When the fourteen people finished writing and handed the papers to Housekeeper Zhang, Li Cheng came down from upstairs and heard about what was going on. He stood at the door completely dumbstruck. In his mind, he thought, "So that’s why. Not just any ordinary people can come to this place. ’
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