Han Ren Xu, hearing her nagging, felt annoyed and wanted to quickly return to his room. But then a maidservant outside said: “Third Young Master, are you back? The Madam requests your presence.”
“I know, go tell the Madam I’ll change my clothes and come over shortly,” Han Ren Xu responded to the maidservant, then turned to Mother Yin with surprise: “Mother, what happened in the family today?”
Mother Yin briefly told him about the day’s events.
I don’t know if she was hiding something or for other reasons, but you should be careful when dealing with her.”
Han Ren Xu agreed, changed his clothes, and hurried to the main courtyard.
Chapter 9: Gathering Hearts (3)
Han Ren Xu wondered what the Madam wanted to see him about, suspecting he might be scolded. Soon he arrived at the main courtyard.
Yu Yi saw him and greeted him warmly, calling a maidservant to serve tea, and then directly said: “Han Ren, I have a task for you.” She pushed two account books toward him.
Han Ren Xu hesitantly took the account books without opening them. From the headings, he could tell these were account books for two medium-sized silk shops and clothing stores in the western part of the city. He looked at Yu Yi with an inquiring expression: “Mother, what are you referring to?”
Yu Yi said: “Han Ren, you’ve always been clever, so don’t play dumb with me.”
Han Ren Xu could guess the Madam’s meaning but could hardly believe it. Not even his late father, Master Xu, had ever trusted him. Despite Mother Yin’s persuasions, Master Xu had always allowed his two legitimate sons to manage the shops, telling Han Ren to focus on studying and pursuing official titles. When Mother Yin pleaded too much, Master Xu would say he would leave land for her and her son to ensure they weren’t left without support.
Han Ren Xu felt disappointed in Master Xu, believing that being told to study was just an excuse, and that he would always be different from his elder brothers no matter how hard he tried. Since he didn’t enjoy studying, he began frequently going out to play and enjoy himself.
However, he wasn’t fond of drinking or gambling. He loved collecting and appreciating wood and lacquer carvings, made friends with like-minded companions, and would sometimes travel far to view interesting artifacts.
Now the Madam was actually giving him shops to manage? Han Ren Xu put down the account books and said: “Aren’t you afraid I’ll collude with outsiders to falsify accounts and line my own pockets?” He intended to speak calmly but ended up sounding somewhat resentful, fearing the Madam was only temporarily giving him the shops because his elder brothers were currently unable to manage them.
Yu Yi understood his concerns and handed him several contracts: “Take a look. I don’t believe you’d falsify accounts in your own shops.”
Han Ren Xu was extremely surprised after carefully reviewing the documents, never expecting the Madam would truly give him these two shops. He momentarily didn’t know what to say.
Yu Yi said: “Han Ren, I believe you’re not an aimless man. Your past behavior wasn’t without reason, but you can’t continue like this. Since you’ve never managed shops before, I’ll start by giving you these two.
If you manage them well, I’ll let you manage more.”
Excited, Han Ren Xu tucked the property and shop deeds into his chest, picked up the account books, and told Yu Yi: “Mother, please be assured, Han Ren will do his best.”
Yu Yi smiled: “You start working, and if you don’t understand anything, ask Han Xiao. I’ll have Han Xiao guide you.”
Mother Yin sat in the hall, waiting nervously for Han Ren Xu to return. Seeing him walk in with a radiant expression, she asked: “What did the Madam tell you?”
Han Ren Xu handed her the account books and contracts: “The Madam said these two shops are now mine.”
Although this was what Mother Yin had long hoped for, she feared it might be a trap. After thinking for a while, she said: “The Madam just scolded me for your days away from home, so how is she suddenly giving you shops? Han Ren, you must check the accounts carefully to ensure you’re not inheriting any debts.”
Han Ren Xu nodded: “Han Ren will review the accounts today and go to the shops early tomorrow to verify.”
The next morning, Han Ren Xu went to the western shops. After checking the accounts, everything balanced. Neither the silk shop nor the clothing store had any outstanding debts, and they were even performing well.
At the shop, seeing the shopkeeper and workers were diligent, he finally felt relieved.
That day, Han Ren Xu stayed at the silk shop and returned to the Xu residence in the evening, going to Han Xiao’s courtyard.
Xu Hanxiao saw him coming over and did not show a surprised expression, because his mother had previously mentioned to him to give more guidance to Hanren. Yesterday, he had requested the batch of silk fabrics from Hanchong because of his mother’s intervention, so he could not refuse her. After all, he was his third brother, and he would give some guidance, but whether Hanren could learn was up to him.
Xu Hanxiao thought this way and raised his eyebrows to ask: “What a rare visitor. What brings Hanren to see his second brother today?”
Xu Hanren knew that Hanxiao was implying he would not come without a reason, and his face slightly reddened before saying: “Hanren was playful before and spent little time at home…”
Hanxiao said: “It is your second brother’s fault for not fulfilling his brotherly responsibilities and not caring enough about you.”
Hanren became even more embarrassed. Now having a request for Hanxiao, he knew Hanxiao was just making polite conversation, but he could only continue to blame himself: “It is not second brother’s fault, but Hanren’s own shortcoming.”
Xu Hanxiao first suppressed Hanren’s momentum, then laughed: “Alright, those are past matters. Hanren, tell me directly why you are here.”
Xu Hanren thought he finally got to the main point, and after reorganizing his thoughts, said: “Second brother, mother asked Hanren to manage the shop in the west of the city, but this is Hanren’s first time managing a shop, and there are many things I do not understand and want to ask second brother for advice.”
Xu Hanxiao said: “Hanren, ask away. Your second brother guarantees to speak without reservation.”
Xu Hanren nodded: “Hanren looked at the account books last night. Most of the business in the west city silk shop is small transactions. Although the profits are rich, the total amount is small.”
Xu Hanxiao, being a shrewd person, knew from these words that Hanren wanted to ask how to secure large business deals. As expected, he heard Hanren continue: “Hanren thinks that second brother is skilled in management, and all the businesses you do are large deals, so you must have special techniques.”
He thought that this third brother had only taken over the shop for a day and had already thought of this point. He was not stupid and seemed quite ambitious. But how could he easily tell Hanren the real techniques? He laughed and said: “The technique is to manage with sincerity, be warm to people, and treat small businesses as big businesses.”
Only then will others think you are serious, and slowly they will be willing to do big business with you. This, you see, cannot be rushed.”
These words were not wrong, but they were just general advice and slow to take effect. Essentially, they were just Xu Hanxiao’s requirements for his shopkeepers and workers.
Xu Hanren nodded, not expecting Hanxiao to truly reveal everything. After asking a few more questions, he thanked and prepared to leave.
Xu Hanxiao said: “Third brother, walk slowly.”
Xu Hanren asked: “Does second brother have any instructions?”
Xu Hanxiao smiled: “Does Hanren know why mother previously allowed you to play freely, but now suddenly wants to give you two shops to manage?”
