Chapter 53: The Situation Is Exceptionally Favorable

Today, quite a few business associates who had previous dealings with Zhu Buhuo also arrived. Among them were some shrewd individuals who immediately sensed a business opportunity. Since this place was called the “Main Store,” there was the subconscious expectation of branch stores. Many began to inquire about possible ways to collaborate.

Zhu Buhuo made his intentions known: in each of the East, South, West, and North districts, he intended to divide each into three sectors. With the Main Store taking one, he openly invited eleven merchants to become regional agents. A fee of fifty thousand spirit coins would secure a spot for those with the means and ambition to join.

As for how many sub-franchisees each region could have, that was left to the discretion of the eleven agents. However, for every sub-franchise, the Main Store would collect a ten-thousand spirit coin franchise fee.

Some, aware of their own limitations, were content to wait for a chance to become sub-franchisees. Yet many with keen instincts saw the potential: securing a regional agency would allow them to recruit several sub-franchisees, quickly recouping their investment. After all, within their assigned area, they could charge fifteen or sixteen thousand each, and the others would have no choice but to accept. Those unable to raise the funds immediately hurried off to pool resources, with some even partnering up to claim a region together.

The truly astute sought out familiar friends, exploiting the information gap by persuading them to pay an “advance” franchise fee at a discount, rapidly gathering the fifty thousand needed for a regional agency.

None of this was the concern of Yang Cheng or Zhu Buhuo; all they had to do was wait. At this rate, the four major districts would soon yield a total of fifty-five hundred thousand in agency fees. What mattered most now was whether Yang Cheng’s supply could keep pace with this rapid expansion.

After closing the shop, Zhu Buhuo calculated the future alone, unable to suppress his joy, which soon turned to tears.

At last, his hardships had come to an end. This time, his business was set for an explosive leap forward. Were it not for the late hour, he would have gone to the Yang family himself to express his gratitude.

Within three days, the story of the Yang Family Furniture spread swiftly among the elite ladies of Wuzhou City, along with tales of Master Yang’s craftsmanship. The eleven regional agent spots were snapped up in an instant.

Within seven days, the eleven regional agents had recruited twenty-five more sub-agents. This was only for the right to secure a spot; for these thirty-some shops to officially open, site selection, renovation, and staff training would take at least another month. Yang Cheng could now adjust production and staffing at the furniture workshop accordingly.

In less than ten days, the five hundred fifty thousand in regional agency fees had been paid in full, with more sub-agents joining steadily. According to their plan, within a year, the goal was to have a hundred sub-agents across the city, generating over one million in franchise fees.

That evening, Zhu Buhuo had fine food and wine prepared and went personally to the Yangs at Nanqiu with the money. Normally, he would have sent a trusted steward, but this time he wanted to express his gratitude in person. With the major sects recently sending people to the city, things were unsettled, so he brought his own guards.

Yang Cheng had the accounts checked: Zhu Buhuo had brought forty-five hundred thousand in franchise fees. A quick calculation showed that Zhu Buhuo had already pocketed three hundred thousand just from franchise fees, no wonder the plump fellow was so cheerful that day.

The two sat together, drinking as they talked. Zhu Buhuo reported on the Main Store’s current situation: apart from a strong opening day, sales had settled at around thirty sets per day. Yang Cheng nodded; this was normal. As word spread further, sales would rise again, but eventually stabilize at a fixed level. Assuming forty sets a day, Yang Cheng would receive seventy-two hundred spirit coins daily from the Main Store, amounting to over two hundred fifty-nine thousand a year.

If the number of shops expanded to a hundred within a year, and even if each sold only one set daily, Yang Cheng would earn at least six hundred fifty thousand annually. The gross profit could exceed nine hundred thousand a year, and, added to revenue from his other ventures, breaking one million annually was entirely possible.

The challenge now was preparing to handle over a hundred orders in a single day, which meant further expanding the workshop’s workforce. He and Old Zhu had estimated that, at current prices, in a city of nearly ten million, at least a thousand families could afford such products, with several hundred thousand affluent households among them.

Even if each bought only one set, and all the merchants combined could sell forty or fifty thousand sets a year, it would take over a decade to saturate the market. Along the way, there would be replacements and wear and tear. As the furniture became more common and less of a luxury, prices would drop, but each price tier would open up the market to even larger customer bases.

Old Zhu had done his own math. With forty percent of the Main Store’s profits, he’d earn at least one hundred seventy thousand a year. From the branches, a ten percent share would bring in another hundred thousand. With over two hundred thousand in annual gross profit, he would become a significant businessman overnight—a dramatic leap from his previous ventures, which brought in tens of thousands at best.

Now, his sole focus was on running the Yang Family Furniture business and expanding the branches. Of course, his greatest gratitude was reserved for Yang Cheng, who had given him this opportunity.

After several rounds of drinks, Old Zhu’s eyes reddened. Grasping Yang Cheng’s hands, he said, “Brother Yang, never mind that you’re younger than I am; I feel as if I’ve lived in vain. If I hadn’t met you, I would have spent my days tending my little patch of land, living a life of quiet mediocrity.”

He continued solemnly, “Brother Yang, I won’t say more about my gratitude. Whatever you need in the future, just say the word. The Zhu family will never hesitate. From now on, our families are firm allies. In business, you take the lead—I’ll be your right-hand man.”

Yang Cheng replied with a smile, “Old Zhu, you deserve this. I’ve seen that you value integrity and harmony in business, and you’re shrewd yet principled. What you lacked was simply the right opportunity.”

Old Zhu expressed his thanks repeatedly, and the two drank heartily.

After a while, Old Zhu asked, “Brother, in half a month, will you watch the cultivators’ grand tournament in Wuzhou City?”

Yang Cheng had been hearing rumors everywhere about the duel between two experts at the Golden Core stage. Naturally, he was eager to see the masters compete and witness a rare clash between formidable cultivators. “Of course I’ll go. Even if we’re only at the Qi Refining stage, we’re still cultivators—watching great battles might be enlightening.”

Old Zhu chuckled, “True. We’re not suited for cultivating the Dao or seeking immortality, that much is clear. But who wouldn’t want to improve their cultivation and extend their lifespan? Otherwise, what good is all the money in the world?”

Yang Cheng agreed. Old Zhu added, “I’ve made arrangements. I have a friend who’s a member of the Merchants’ Guild. Their pavilion is near the central plaza, so we’ll have a good vantage point. Otherwise, with the crowds, ordinary people won’t even get in.”

“That’s perfect. I’ve never attended such a gathering, so I don’t know what to expect. Following you will save me a lot of trouble.”

Old Zhu laughed, “Leave it to me. I’ll also introduce you to some business contacts—you never know when such connections might come in handy.”

“That’s great. I’ve been hoping to meet more friends.”

Taking a bite of roasted beast meat, Old Zhu recalled, “That set of furniture I arranged for Li Qingfeng at the Municipal Market Department—he was very pleased. His wife has since recommended us to many prominent families. From what she said, it seems Li Qingfeng has an eighty or ninety percent chance of being appointed as the next chief of the South District Market Department.”

Yang Cheng was delighted. “Old Zhu, you should visit his home more often these days. Strengthen the relationship. Some things are better done before an official takes office, rather than after.”

Old Zhu clapped his hands. “Exactly. He’s already promised that once he’s in charge, he’ll be lenient with our market taxes. That’s a whole ten percent—on several million, that’s tens of thousands saved. Just thinking about it makes my heart ache less.”

“Doesn’t his family still need more furniture? I’ll have Steward Su pick out a bed, a set of sandalwood tables and chairs, and various lamps. You can take them with you and deliver them.”

“Good. A local official is less useful than the one in charge. The chief of the Market Department might not be high-ranking, but for us merchants, he’s the direct authority. If he secures the position, our lives will be much easier.”

The two drank several more cups, thoroughly enjoying themselves before Zhu Buhuo finally took his leave.