Chapter 220: Request
Shang Wan went straight to the counter to find Lu Chengjing and told him everything.
“Jade Visage Powder and White Jade Paste are different from All-purpose Ointment. Their main function is for beauty, so even if mass-produced, they won’t attract too much attention.” Shang Wan first shared her thoughts. “If they sell well, we might be able to cooperate long-term with Boss Zhong in the future.”
Shang Wan thought having multiple sales channels was good too.
She said, “I want to agree, but we still need to discuss the price, and the cooperation details need careful consideration.”
Lu Chengjing’s concern was: “Do we have enough medicinal herbs and spring water?”
Shang Wan nodded.
The spiritual field in her space had not only increased in number; as the number of spiritual fields grew, the time flow rate also sped up. Now planting herbs was much faster than before.
Except for herbs like ginseng that relied on years to accumulate, almost all others could be mass-produced.
The herbs used to make Jade Visage Powder and Jade Visage Cream could all be mass-produced, so there was no worry at all about herb reserves.
The stock of spiritual spring water had also changed dramatically with the increase in spiritual fields. The spring was constantly bubbling water, already forming a small lake.
Compared to when she first arrived, Shang Wan’s space had changed tremendously.
After some discussion, Shang Wan called Xiao Huan over to temporarily take over the accountant’s work, while she and Lu Chengjing went together to meet Steward Zhong.
In the backyard, Shi Tou had opened his mouth and was chattering nonstop, all about the gossip he had heard that morning from various boss ladies.
Everyone has a heart for gossip.
Steward Zhong held his tea cup, listening with rapt attention.
If Shang Wan and Lu Chengjing hadn’t returned, he probably would have forgotten why he came.
Sharing gossip and listening to gossip both brought joy. Shi Tou stopped reluctantly, planning to go to the front to find someone else to continue sharing with.
As soon as Shi Tou left, the previously lively atmosphere immediately became serious.
Steward Zhong coughed lightly. His gaze swept over Lu Chengjing before landing on Shang Wan’s face. “How has Shopkeeper Shang considered it?”
“Since we’re sincerely discussing business, I won’t beat around the bush.” Shang Wan said, “The price you offered earlier, I can’t make it at that.”
Hearing this, Steward Zhong’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Shopkeeper Shang, in doing business, there must be losses to have gains.”
“I do small-scale business, not as deep-pocketed as Boss Zhong.” Shang Wan tapped the table. “Today is the first day Spiritual Medicine Pavilion opens. To attract customers, I’ve already lost quite a bit. If I lose more, I’m afraid Spiritual Medicine Pavilion will have to close down tomorrow.”
Steward Zhong set down his tea cup, his lips curling slightly downward.
Lu Chengjing spoke up at the right moment: “All-purpose Ointment at seven taels eight qian per box, Golden Wound Medicine price unchanged. If Steward Zhong agrees, we’ll sign the contract and deliver before the day after tomorrow.”
Shang Wan nodded beside him, clearly this was something she and Lu Chengjing had discussed in advance.
“This… I came with sincerity, and there will be bigger cooperation in the future. Shopkeeper Shang, give a little on the profit.” Steward Zhong extended a finger. “All-purpose Ointment six taels five qian, Golden Wound Medicine eight qian, how about that?”
Shang Wan smiled and picked up her cup to drink tea.
Lu Chengjing then bargained with Steward Zhong. Both were experts at bargaining, going back and forth, with the price gradually moving toward the middle.
Feeling it was about right, Shang Wan set down her tea cup.
The tea cup clinked lightly against the table.
“Steward Zhong, you must already know that Old Doctor Sun from Gu An Hall has specified to order medicinal herbs from my Spiritual Medicine Pavilion from now on.”
Steward Zhong nodded; he had indeed heard about it.
Shang Wan had a faint smile on her lips. “The Golden Wound Medicine I make uses all good medicine. As for the efficacy, Boss Zhong must have had someone test it, otherwise you wouldn’t order so much.
I dare to guarantee that the Golden Wound Medicine from my Spiritual Medicine Pavilion is no worse than the Golden Wound Medicine sold outside for twenty or thirty taels of silver per bottle.
Now that we’re just opening, I’m willing to give on the profit, let everyone buy it back to try. If it’s good, come back to repurchase, or help publicize Spiritual Medicine Pavilion and build up some reputation.
But I won’t keep losing money. Price increases are inevitable in the future. One tael of silver per bottle is already the bottom price; below one tael, I really can’t make it.
If Steward Zhong is not satisfied, please look elsewhere.”
Shang Wan made a gesture as if to see him off, and Lu Chengjing also fell silent, seemingly agreeing with Shang Wan’s decision.
Steward Zhong naturally wouldn’t leave; bargaining always involved this process—push until the other side is urgent, then it’s about right.
He tugged at his lips, and his usually expressionless face showed a shallow smile. “Shopkeeper Shang, don’t be hasty. I’m just following orders. Let’s talk more.”
Shang Wan secretly tsked to herself. So this person could smile; she had thought his facial features were frozen and couldn’t move.
Her lips curled downward, her tone not very good. “I don’t do losing business. I’m afraid I can’t reach an agreement with Steward Zhong.”
Seeing Shang Wan getting a bit urgent, Steward Zhong quietly glanced at Lu Chengjing.
Lu Chengjing was leisurely drinking tea, showing none of the agitation from bargaining with him earlier, as if he didn’t care whether this deal happened or not.
Steward Zhong thought about the bottom price his owner had given, and worried that really angering Shang Wan would mess up the task, so he finally relented.
The final pricing was All-purpose Ointment at seven taels two qian of silver per box, Golden Wound Medicine at one tael of silver per bottle.
Both sides signed the contract. Steward Zhong paid a deposit of one hundred taels first, and would make up the balance once the medicine was ready.
Steward Zhong didn’t rush to leave and continued discussing the order for Jade Visage Powder and White Jade Paste with Shang Wan and the other.
Shang Wan said, “I can supply here, but I have one requirement.”
“Please speak.”
“Reselling is fine, but the boxes and medicine bottles must have my Spiritual Medicine Pavilion’s emblem, so buyers know that Jade Visage Powder and White Jade Paste come from my Spiritual Medicine Pavilion, and you cannot mislead customers in any way.”
Shang Wan’s goal was to make Spiritual Medicine Pavilion big and strong to form a brand effect, not just simply earn silver. She didn’t want the good things she researched to end up making wedding dresses for others.
That Zhong Li was capable of something like taking over a nest; she had to nip the hidden danger in the cradle ahead of time.
At these words, Steward Zhong’s expression visibly stiffened.
Clearly, he hadn’t expected Shang Wan to make such a demand.
“Shopkeeper Shang, this is asking too much.”
Shang Wan acted completely indifferent. “If it’s too difficult, we don’t have to cooperate. I can sell it myself just fine.”
The goods were in her hands; whom she sold to was up to her whim, wasn’t it?
With one less Boss Zhong, there would still be Boss Li, Boss Wang, Boss Zhou, etc., in the future. As long as the goods were good, there was no worry about no one coming.
Steward Zhong: “…”
Why did this woman like pushing silver away so much?
Isn’t it good to just make money?
Lu Chengjing set down his tea cup and looked at the silent Steward Zhong. “If the steward can’t decide, why not go back and ask Boss Zhong first.”
He offered a way out, and Steward Zhong took it.
For matters his owner hadn’t instructed, he indeed couldn’t agree on his own.
Although the process was a bit drawn out, they had at least closed one deal. Shang Wan still politely saw Steward Zhong off and even packed a package of date paste crisps for him, as she had noticed he quite liked them.
