Chapter 71: Learning Commerce

Chapter 71: Learning Commerce

The next morning, Mother Jiang came to Shutong Courtyard.

"Mother," seeing Mother Jiang, Jiang Shu rose to greet her.

Mother Jiang took her hand and asked, "Did you get along well with your sisters from the family yesterday?"

Since Jiang Shu had married and left, she rarely returned to the Jiang family and didn’t see her sisters often, which led to estrangement and coldness.

But now that Jiang Shu was back, she would be seeing more of them in the future, and she had to get used to it.

Jiang Shu shook her head and said, "Not really. If I can avoid seeing them in the future, I will."

"What happened? Did they say something to upset you?" Mother Jiang pressed.

Jiang Shu pursed her lips and told Mother Jiang about Jiang Yun trying to set her up.

Upon hearing this, Mother Jiang angrily said, "She’s dreaming too beautifully!"

"Are you upset and don’t want to see them just because of this?"

Jiang Shu said, "Not entirely. It’s mainly that I have no interest in what they talk about and can’t get along with them."

Mother Jiang sighed lightly, "I know you have a broad perspective. If you don’t want to spend time with them, I won’t force you. It’s not easy to live life again. From now on, do what you want."

"Really?" Jiang Shu’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Seeing this, Mother Jiang’s eyelid twitched, "What is it that you want to do?"

Jiang Shu’s bright eyes gleamed as she said word by word, "I want to learn commerce with Father."

"This… you’ll have to ask your father about this," Mother Jiang couldn’t decide.

Although more open-minded than ordinary mothers, Mother Jiang, being a woman of the inner quarters, couldn’t quite understand Jiang Shu’s thoughts.

In Mother Jiang’s view, it was best for a woman to find a good husband, live comfortably in the rear quarters, and have enough to eat and wear, just like her.

But obviously, Jiang Shu didn’t see it that way.

"Has Father left? I’ll go ask him now," Jiang Shu couldn’t wait.

Mother Jiang said, "He drank a lot of alcohol yesterday and just got up."

Hearing this, Jiang Shu’s eyes lit up, and she pulled Mother Jiang to find Father Jiang.

Father Jiang had just finished washing up and was about to have breakfast. Seeing him, Jiang Shu immediately went forward to serve him porridge.

"It’s good to have a daughter at home," Father Jiang said with moist eyes, feeling warmth in his heart. It was as if these six years had been a dream, and Jiang Shu was still the filial daughter who had been by their side.

Mother Jiang didn’t say anything, silently watching Father Jiang fall into Jiang Shu’s plan.

"Father, eat quickly, or it will get cold," Jiang Shu placed the porridge, cooled to just the right temperature, in front of Father Jiang.

Father Jiang took it and ate happily.

After patiently waiting for Father Jiang to finish, Jiang Shu carefully said, "Father, I have something to discuss with you."

"What is it?" Father Jiang didn’t think much of it.

Jiang Shu solemnly said, "I want to learn commerce with you."

"What?" Father Jiang thought he had misheard and looked at Jiang Shu and Mother Jiang in surprise.

"I want to learn commerce with you," Jiang Shu repeated.

Father Jiang frowned, "A girl shouldn’t show her face in public, what’s the point of learning commerce?"

Commerce wasn’t something that could be directed from the inner quarters; it required going out to inspect shops and observe current events.

"I can dress as a man, so it will be convenient to go out," Jiang Shu had already planned.

Father Jiang widened his eyes and looked at Mother Jiang, "Is she delirious or feverish? Get a doctor to check her."

Mother Jiang coughed lightly, "Shu’er is perfectly fine; she just wants to learn commerce."

"What commerce for a girl? Isn’t it better to enjoy a peaceful life at home?" Father Jiang was greatly puzzled.

Commerce wasn’t a trivial matter; it involved dealing with people from all walks of life and going on long business trips, which were fraught with dangers and hardships, not suitable for a girl like Jiang Shu.

"The Jiang family has many properties, and my younger brother is still young. It’s too hard for Father to manage alone. I want to share the burden," Jiang Shu sincerely said.

Father Jiang was touched in his heart and sighed, "Commerce isn’t as easy as you think."

Understanding Father Jiang’s thoughts, Jiang Shu proposed, "I’ll learn from you for three months. If after three months I don’t have the ability for commerce, I’ll stay at home obediently."

"It seems you’re determined. Aren’t you afraid that showing your face in public will ruin your reputation and no one will dare to marry you?" Father Jiang was somewhat worried.

Jiang Shu said seriously, "If that’s the case, then such a man isn’t worth marrying."

Six years were enough for Jiang Shu to understand that being gentle and obedient wouldn’t earn respect and affection. It was better to be honest and true to oneself.

Father Jiang was silent for a long time, feeling that Jiang Shu’s words made sense, and hesitantly agreed to the three-month trial.

"Thank you, Father, thank you, Mother," Jiang Shu was overwhelmed with excitement and ambition.

In the evening, Jiang Ning came home from school and saw Jiang Shu dressed as a man, her hair tied high, without makeup, her eyebrows drawn thick. The once delicate maiden had become Young Master Jiang.

"How is it?" Jiang Shu spun around in front of Jiang Ning, showing off with delight.

Jiang Ning was stunned, his brush dropping to the ground in surprise.

"Sister, why are you dressed like that?"

Jiang Shu raised an eyebrow and said, "I'm going to learn business with Father."

"A girl learning business?" Jiang Ning thought his sister was incredibly cool.

From that day on, a handsome young man appeared by Jiang Father's side, learning the trade from him.

Jiang Shu was already clever and had a keen interest in business. She had some experience managing her dowry shop, so she learned quickly.

In just a couple of months, she had grasped the key points of the various Jiang family shops and became her father's capable assistant.

One day, after inspecting the grain shop with her father, they took a break to drink tea and discuss. Suddenly, a silk shop employee hurriedly reported.

"Boss, something's wrong."

Jiang Father put down his teacup. "What happened?"

The employee said, "Today we went to the dock to pick up the goods, but we didn’t receive a single cart of merchandise."

"What's going on?" Jiang Father asked seriously.

"The silk supplier who provides us with goods went back on their word and started working with the Fang family instead. All the silk that arrived today was taken by the Fang family."

"This is outrageous." Jiang Father slammed his hand on the table and hurried out.

Jiang Shu quickly followed.

It was early winter, a crucial time for the silk shop to make profits as people needed new clothes for the season. If they ran out of stock, Jiang Silk Shop would suffer significant losses.

Upon arriving at the silk shop and understanding the situation, Jiang Father went to the inn to find Manager Zhao, who was in charge of delivery.

"We've been partners for years; why did you suddenly stop supplying us?" Jiang Father demanded angrily.

Manager Zhao was prepared and took out the contract and several banknotes, saying, "Boss Jiang, don't be angry. According to the rules, we compensate with double the deposit. Please count it."

Seeing the banknotes, Jiang Father realized what had happened. Months ago, he had fallen into the trap set by the Fang family and Manager Zhao.

In the past, when the Jiang family placed orders with Manager Zhao, they would pay a 30% deposit. This time, Manager Zhao, citing years of trust, suggested that the Jiang family only needed to pay a deposit of 1,000 taels.

Although the Jiang family had been suspicious at the time, they didn’t think much of it.

Only now did Jiang Father understand the reason.

The Fang family's scheme was indeed malicious.

But the Jiang family had no evidence and could only swallow this bitter pill.

"Despicable!" Jiang Father's chest tightened with anger.

Manager Zhao sneered, "The way of business is profit. You didn't do anything but still earned 1,000 taels. What are you dissatisfied about?"

"You!" Jiang Father was too angry to speak.

"Goodbye, Boss Jiang." Manager Zhao shoved the contract and banknotes into Jiang Father's hands and ordered him to leave.

"Shameless villain!" Jiang Father stormed back to the silk shop and called Manager Liu to discuss countermeasures.

"How much stock is left in the warehouse? Is it still possible to find a new supplier in time?"

Manager Liu frowned and said, "There are only a few dozen bolts left in the warehouse, and it's too late to find a new supplier."

"Then what do we do now?" Jiang Father paced anxiously.

Manager Liu hung his head and remained silent.