How did such immense wealth fall into my family?

Chapter 36 Miscalculation

The middleman who was willing to take on this business was surnamed Zheng.

Zheng Zhongren was probably in his forties, fair-skinned and plump, and his smile resembled that of Maitreya Buddha.

As Zheng Zhongren poured tea for Qian Laifu, he said, "You made the right decision to agree to your son selling the house and land. Let me tell you, there are many opportunities in the capital. With a bit of luck, becoming rich overnight is not a dream."

Qian Laifu repeated his previous statement: "I don't want to get rich quick; I just want to make sure my little grandson doesn't starve to death."

"Don't worry, if you rent that shop, your grandson will not only not starve, but he'll also be able to wear gold and silver."

"is it?"

"Of course! If your grandson can't afford to wear gold or silver, come to me and I'll buy it for him."

Qian Laifu didn't believe it. "How could I let you buy it? Where's that shop you're talking about?"

Zheng Zhongren knew Qian Laifu was interested when he started asking questions. "You've just arrived in the capital, and even if I told you, you wouldn't know. I'll just take you to see it for yourself. I'm telling you, once you see it, you'll definitely rent it."

"Then... let's go take a look."

"okay."

The innkeeper's son, Tingzi, quickly said, "Uncle Wang, since you're going to look at the shop, I'll head back now." His father had told them to come back quickly if someone was willing to take them to look at the shop, lest they be taken advantage of by this family.

When Qian Laifu heard that he wanted to go back, he immediately said, "You go back first. Uncle will buy you some snacks when I go back."

"No need, no need," the innkeeper's son said as he walked out.

In the blink of an eye, the shopkeeper's son had vanished without a trace.

Zheng Zhongren's smile became even more genuine after the shopkeeper's son left. "Come on, I'll take you to see the shop. That shop is excellent; you'll definitely be satisfied."

"sorry to bother you."

"No trouble."

After Zheng Zhongren led Qian Laifu and the others away, the Zhongren Hall began to discuss the matter.

A: "Which shop does Old Zheng want to take them to see?"

B: "Which one else could it be? It must be the one on East Street."

C: "Isn't that one on East Street for sale?"

B: "If Lao Zheng does the math for them, they'll realize that buying is more worthwhile than renting, so they'll switch from renting to buying, right?"

C: "That's true."

A: "Old Zheng really knows how to pick people. Whoever buys from that shop on East Street is doomed. I heard that the shop has been cursed."

C: "I've heard about it too. That's why it hasn't sold after three years."

B: "That shop is now in Han Dafu's hands, and Han Dafu is so eager to pay someone else to buy it."

A: "It seems that Han Dafu promised Lao Zheng quite a few benefits."

B: "That's for sure. Maybe the money from selling the shop will end up in Old Zheng's pocket."

C: "Old Zheng is going to make a fortune again."

A: "I dare not take this money; I'm afraid it will burn my hands."

B: "I wouldn't dare either. Old Zheng is really bold."

……

Meanwhile, Zheng Zhongren's colleagues were both envious and disdainful.

On the other side, Qian Laifu and his grandson, along with Dong Laoqi, were all taken aback when Zheng Zhongren led them to a large shop in a prime location. They had expected Zheng Zhongren to recommend a dilapidated and out-of-the-way shop.

Qian Laifu looked at Zheng Zhongren and asked, "Did you hear me wrong? We only have one hundred taels of silver, not one thousand taels." They just wanted to find a legitimate business as a cover; they didn't really want to do business.

Zheng Zhongren chuckled and said, "I didn't mishear. This shop only costs two taels a month."

"What?!" Qian Laifu's eyes widened instantly. "Two ounces?"

"Ah."

"Silver?" "Yes."

"Don't kid me. Even back in my hometown, a shop this big wouldn't be this cheap."

"I'm not kidding you. This shop really is that cheap."

"impossible."

"If you don't believe me, I can go with you to the yamen to sign the documents."

"Is this shop really that cheap?"

"Is it really that cheap? It'll be even cheaper if you buy it."

"purchase?"

"Yes. If you want to buy it, fifty taels will do."

"What?! Fifty taels?!"

"Hmm. Why don't you just buy it? Didn't you sell your house and land back home? If you buy this shop, you'll have a family business again, wouldn't that be great?"

Qian Laifu looked at the little dog, Sheng.

The little dog blinked three times. This was her and her grandfather's secret signal: two blinks meant yes, and three blinks meant no.

What they need are small shops hidden in alleyways, not large shops in such bustling areas. Besides, such a big shop in such a good location, yet it's only selling for fifty taels—even a fool would know something's wrong.

Upon receiving a hint from his granddaughter, Qian Laifu immediately said, "This shop is too big, we can't manage it, we don't want it."

Zheng Zhongren looked at Dong Laoqi. "You don't want it either? Let me tell you, if you miss this shop, you'll never find such a good deal again."

Old Dong thought to himself, "Do I look like a fool?" before asking, "Why is this shop so cheap?"

"Because the owner of this shop can tell fortunes, he predicted that three generations of people would come to see the shop today. He also predicted that the three of you would bring him good fortune. So he asked me to sell the shop to you for fifty taels of silver. You are so lucky."

Dong Laoqi: Do you think I would believe that?

Little Dog Sheng: This person doesn't take them seriously at all.

Qian Laifu: If the three of us were lucky, we wouldn't have met you. No, you can't say that. This person is just taking advantage of them because they're outsiders; it has nothing to do with whether they're lucky or not.

Seeing that Qian Laifu and Dong Laoqi didn't speak, Zheng Zhongren waved to the opposite side.

Eight burly men immediately emerged from the alley across the street, each carrying a stick.

Dong Laoqi: "..." No wonder he could make up such a perfunctory excuse.

Xiaogou Sheng: "..." She miscalculated. She thought they just wanted to trick them into renting a remote and old shop, but she didn't expect them to force her to buy something.

Qian Laifu: "..." Dad! Dad! Are you free? Dad! Dad! Hurry up and come up. If you don't come up soon, Gousheng and I are doomed. Dad! Dad! Hurry up and come up.

Zheng Zhongren waved again only after confirming that Qian Laifu and his group had seen the eight burly men.

Eight burly men disappeared into the alley.

Zheng Zhongren smiled at Qian Laifu and Dong Laoqi. "So? Have you made up your mind?"

Old Dong clenched his fist. If that brat hadn't said not to attract attention, he would have beaten this fatso to a pulp. "You're threatening us."

Qian Laifu pulled his granddaughter behind him. "Is there no law anymore? This is under the emperor's nose."

Zheng Zhongren smiled. "How could I threaten you? I just introduced you to a reasonably priced shop. You should thank me." Master Han said that if he could sell the shop, he would not only not ask him for the money from the sale, but would also give him another two hundred taels.

Dong Laoqi: Shameless scoundrel!
Little Dog Sheng: Thank you my foot!

Qian Laifu: Dad! Dad! We've been attacked by robbers! Come up here right now!

Seeing that they still wouldn't compromise, Zheng Zhongren waved to the alley across the street.

The burly men in the alley emerged from the shadows again.

Zheng Zhongren pointed to the burly man in the alley and then to Xiao Gousheng. "Old man, is this shop as I described? It's cheap and in a good location? Old man, do you want it or not? Old man, you should think it over carefully before you decide."

(End of this chapter)