Chapter 55: Hoarding Grain

The shop was filled with workers in coarse clothing and commoners in plain attire. When the master and servant, Lin Jinyan and her companion, entered dressed in fine garments, they drew many sidelong glances.

A worker approached with a forced smile and asked uncertainly, "Are you two here to buy grain?"

Lin Jinyan smiled and said, "Yes, we need to buy a lot. Where is your manager?"

"The manager is in the back," the worker replied. "Please, come inside to the inner room and have a seat."

The worker led the two into a simple yet elegant small room. Just as tea was being served, an elderly man dressed in plain clothes with a goatee walked in.

Seeing that they were two female guests, the elderly man bowed, sat at the outermost seat, and spoke kindly, "This old man is the manager of Taifeng Grain Store. May I ask what kind of grain the Madam and Young Lady wish to purchase? And in what quantity?"

Gu Momo spoke up, "Manager Li, it has been many years. Do you still recognize me?"

Manager Li frowned slightly as he looked closely at Gu Momo. His eyes suddenly widened, and he stood up. "Oh! It is Gu Momo! I failed to recognize you after all these years. My apologies, my apologies."

Gu Momo smiled. "It is not a discourtesy to not recognize me; I am merely here accompanying the young lady."

Manager Li turned to Lin Jinyan and asked, "Could this be the young lady of the Lin family, the daughter of the Eldest Miss?"

Gu Momo nodded with a smile. Manager Li bowed deeply and said, "Li Ru did not realize it was you, Young Lady. Please forgive my lack of etiquette."

Lin Jinyan smiled. "There is no need for such formality, Manager Li. Please, sit. I have come this time to inspect my mother's dowry shop. I wonder if it would be convenient for you to show me the ledgers?"

Li Ru responded without hesitation, "Of course. This was originally the Eldest Miss's dowry and will naturally be left to you in the future. You are the owner. I shall go fetch them immediately; please wait a moment."

After exiting the room for a moment, Li Ru returned with two workers carrying chests. The workers set the chests down and withdrew.

Li Ru opened the chest to reveal two neat, large stacks of ledgers. "Miss, these are all the ledgers from the fifteen years since I took over as manager. Please, have a look."

Lin Jinyan picked up a book at random and flipped through it. The accounts were clear; the daily sales and profits were recorded in great detail.

Lin Jinyan nodded. "One can tell from the ledgers how diligent you have been. Who has been auditing the accounts since my mother passed away?"

Li Ru replied, "To answer you, Miss, it was originally the Old Madam of the Lin family who sent people to audit the accounts every month. For the past two years, it has been the Madam of the Lin family's Second Branch. Twice a year, the ledgers are sent to the Lin Estate, and they are returned after being reviewed."

Lin Jinyan nodded. "How have the profits been these years?"

Li Ru said, "Our grain store is small and cannot match the business of the Qi family's grain store, but on average, we bring in five hundred taels per month."

Lin Jinyan smiled. "That is already quite good. Since you recognize me as the owner, Manager Li, I assume you will support the decisions I make."

Li Ru said, "Please, Miss, speak your mind."

Lin Jinyan said, "At this time of year, the new grain harvest is approaching. I imagine the price of last year's old grain will be considerably cheaper?"

Li Ru replied, "Yes, Miss. The further we go into the season, the cheaper the old grain will become."

Lin Jinyan said, "I want you to take advantage of the low prices of the old grain. Before winter sets in, stockpile as much as you possibly can. If funds are insufficient, I will provide them to you."

Li Ru said with difficulty, "Miss, you are still young. I fear you may not realize that the price of old grain will only continue to drop. Stockpiling will only result in losses, not profits."

Lin Jinyan smiled. "Do not worry, Manager Li. The General's wife and my father both know that I am here to inspect the shop; I am not playing around. If there are losses, I will compensate you myself. Just focus on stockpiling in large quantities."

Li Ru looked conflicted, casting a pleading glance toward Gu Momo.

(End of Chapter)