Zhou Ming has always been at odds with Hou Fu.

The main reason is that I can't stand Hou Fu's incompetence and how he always thinks highly of himself.

In previous years, if they couldn't say more than three sentences, the two would choke each other and eventually break up.

This year Hou Yao was selected as a scholar, and his status was different.

Zhou Ming did not dare to get into too much of a fight with Hou Fu for fear of making Hou Yao unhappy.

When Zhou Sheng goes to discuss the matter of affiliation, it will be difficult to talk.

With Zhou Ming's initiative to show weakness, the two families enjoyed the meal happily.

After drinking and eating, Zhou Sheng invited Hou Yao to the inner hall to discuss the matter of affiliation:

"Cousin, you won the scholarship this year, can you give me one of your tax-free places?

The court's taxes are getting higher year by year, and our shop can no longer sustain itself."

Hou Yao thought for a while. He needed a businessman with white gloves, but he hadn't found a suitable candidate yet.

Zhou Sheng is quite shrewd and a good candidate.

However, Zhou's shop was for the grocery business, and it was old and dilapidated, so it was not suitable for the business he wanted to do.

"There's nothing wrong with my cousin opening his mouth, but..."

Hou Yao paused for a moment when he said this, and Zhou Sheng's heart rose to his throat.

"But what? My cousin says something bluntly."

Hou Yao sneered:

"Don't be nervous, cousin. It's like this. In fact, my cousin is also looking for a partner to start a big business.

It's just that your shop is shabby and old, and it's really not worthy of my business, so I have an idea,

I will pay to renovate your shop, and then you will do my business, and I will give you 10% of the share capital.

As for your grocery business, it’s okay if you don’t do it. How about it?”

Zhou Sheng was dumbfounded when he heard this:

"Cousin, are you kidding me? Yi Cheng? How do you want us as a big family to cope with this?"

If Hou Yao hadn't been a scholar, if someone else had said this, he would have slapped him away.

Hou Yao nodded slightly and said:

"10% is indeed too much, but my cousin is a relative of my own, so I have to treat him favorably. If it were someone else,

At most, he will be given five hundred taels of silver a year to complete the work, and it is impossible to give him a share."

When Zhou Sheng heard that it was more than 10%, he almost ran away on the spot.

But later when I heard that I could get five hundred taels of silver a year, I was immediately shocked and couldn't open my mouth from ear to ear.

Five hundred taels, his entire store is not worth that much.

Zhou's grocery store can earn more than 20 taels of silver after spending a full year in it.

In addition to various tax expenses and management,

I’d be thankful if I could have seven or eight silver left over for my family’s expenses.

Five hundred taels, that is a number that is unimaginable.

But this seems to be just drizzle in my cousin's mouth.

Zhou Sheng couldn't help but be tempted, but he was afraid that this decision would ruin his family's livelihood.

If Hou Yao's business fails, what will everyone do in the future?

"Cousin, can I ask, what kind of business do you want to do? Can you really make so much money?"

Hou Yao took out a glass bead from his arms, which was one he had left as a sample.

"It's a specialty store that sells this stuff. Of course, it won't be all beads, but also bowls, cups and so on."

Zhou Sheng took the glass beads with trembling hands and exclaimed:

"This... this is... Liu... Liuli Bead?"

Hou Yao smiled contemptuously:

"It's not glass, it's glass. How about it? Are you interested?"

Zhou Sheng immediately shouted excitedly:

"Yes... yes, of course I'm interested. I just heard that the source of this item is in a mysterious place called Bonaparte. I'm afraid it won't be easy to obtain, right?"

Hou Yao shook his head slightly:

"You don't have to worry about the supply of goods. I have my own arrangements. You only need to consider whether you want to do this business and how to do it well."

Zhou Sheng stood up and cupped his hands:

"Yes, but it depends on the master's orders."

Hou Yao was quite satisfied with Zhou Sheng's attitude. He was worthy of being from a business family and his mind was spinning very quickly:

"Okay, since you have this intention, then I will leave my business to you.

Now let’s talk about how much money it will cost to build one of the best shops in the state.”

Zhou Sheng pondered for a moment and then said:

"If you want to be the top store in the state, I'm afraid it will cost you at least two hundred taels of silver."

Hou Yao nodded, it was a little less than he expected:

"Okay, I'll give you three hundred taels of silver. Before March, I must see the best commercial building in the state completed.

By the way, one more thing, this building must have at least three floors, so don’t build less.”

Zhou Sheng nodded seriously and said:

"Please rest assured, Sir, nothing will go wrong."

Hou Yao discussed the details with Zhou Sheng again, and they didn't leave the inner hall until the sun turned to the west and dinner was called outside.

When Zhou De saw Hou Yao coming out, he couldn't wait to greet him:

"Cousin, you and my brother are finally done talking."

Hou Yao glanced at Zhou De. In his memory, this little brother was never very convinced of him.

Why did I change my gender today? I couldn’t help but wonder:

"Oh, cousin, are you looking for something to do with me?"

Zhou De looked embarrassed, obviously a little embarrassed, but in the end he still said bravely:

"Cousin, I heard that there will be a poetry meeting on the fifth day of the lunar month, and Yao Yingzhe, who is known as the most talented person in the South China Sea, will also participate.

I really want to see it, please... can you take me with you?"

Hou Yao almost forgot about this. He thought it wouldn't be bad to bring a follower, but he immediately nodded:

"If you can bring someone with you, then you can go."

Zhou De suddenly shouted excitedly:

"Thank you, cousin. You can have a book boy at that poetry club. You just need to say that I am your book boy."

Hou Yao screamed strangely:

"Oh, my book is a bit big for childhood grade."

Zhou De suddenly flushed with anger, but in order to participate in the poetry meeting, he had no choice but to endure it.

However, he wanted to settle the matter, but someone didn't want to let him go. Four-year-old Zhou Ping pointed at Zhou De's face and shouted:

"My uncle's face is so red. Is he going to turn into a monkey's butt?"

Mrs. Zhao grabbed her daughter and dragged her away.

Zhou De quickly said:

"I'm going to wash my face."

After saying that, he lowered his head and ran towards the kitchen.

Hou Yao lowered his head and let out a burst of laughter.

Zhou Yu couldn't help but snicker,

Hou Fu still kept a straight face, but the raised corners of his eyebrows showed the immense contentment in his heart.

I made you look down on me. Now the whole family will come to beg for my son, right?

snort.

…
To be continued...