An inn under the protection of a demon immortal...
"You mean we're not just creating a theme for fun, but actually presenting a real demon immortal? And those previous ghost stories weren't about ghosts at all, but because of the presence of the demon immortal?"
Xiao Jingnan replied, "We still need the theme and the fun. Otherwise, if guests just come, offer a stick of incense to the demon immortal, and then leave, our inn will turn into a temple."
"In your bet with the Imperial College, it was clearly stated that the original business of the shop should not be changed. If we turn the inn into a temple, even if you agree, Dean Chen won't."
He rubbed his temples, then picked up his brush again and sketched a rough framework on the drawing.
"The rumor of the demon immortal's blessing can ease people's fear of ghosts, while at the same time arousing their curiosity."
"However, just having the demon immortal isn't enough to make people feel truly immersed."
"So, we could say that while renovating the Changxing Inn, we accidentally discovered the presence of the demon immortal. Therefore, we decided to use the demon immortal's power to create illusions, allowing everyone to experience the various aspects of the mortal world."
"Of course, we can't say this directly. We should spread the news subtly, making it seem both real and illusory. That's the most effective way to attract people."
"If anyone asks, we'll deny it completely and claim that it's just a rumor. Our inn has just introduced some special features, and it's completely legitimate."
After hearing this, Li Wanming was stunned for a while and then said, "When it comes to swindling money and spouting nonsense, you're really the best!"
Xiao Jingnan gave her a reproachful look. "What do you mean by swindling? For a scholar to make money, can that be called swindling? We've painstakingly invested a huge amount of money to create the first haunted inn themed around a demon immortal in the capital."
He continued, "There's one more thing. We should also set aside an area for ordinary guests. What if some people don't want to participate? I suggest we partition off the front yard and reserve some rooms."
"Tell these guests that after nightfall, the backyard of the inn will enter a dreamland woven by the demon immortal. They should not wander around and definitely not go to the backyard."
Hearing this, Li Wanming became excited again.
"Right! Ordinary guests can stay in the front yard and enjoy the excitement in the backyard for free. Even if they don't participate, they can still promote our inn for free when they leave..."
Xiao Jingnan rubbed his forehead. "What do you mean by excitement? That's the demon immortal's blessing! Can you use a better word?"
"Okay, okay. The demon immortal's blessing, blessing..."
The two of them chatted and discussed for a long time and drew several drafts before finally sorting out the details of the inn.
By then, the sky was starting to brighten, and a faint white light appeared on the horizon.
Xiao Jingnan said, "We still have to go to the Ministry of Revenue to get the seal today. There's a lot to do. You should get some sleep, my dear."
Li Wanming had been thinking hard all night and was really tired. She threw the brush on the table, kicked off her shoes, and climbed onto the bed. "Okay, I'll take a nap. You should go to sleep too."
Soon, the sound of her even breathing came from the bed.
"She falls asleep so quickly," Xiao Jingnan sighed softly. He walked over, pulled the quilt over her, and tucked in the corners before turning around and leaving the Luoxue Pavilion.
With no one to serve them, he had to prepare breakfast for Li Wanming.
From that day on, they were really going to be busy.
The wine shop, the academy, the pawnshop, the inn, and the paper crafts shop... They had to manage five shops at the same time. The battle had just begun, and both he and Li Wanming would be extremely busy.
In the morning, the two shopkeepers, Lin and Wu, came to the Ministry of Revenue in person to complete the seal - stamping process with Li Wanming.
It seemed that the Ministry of Revenue had received some instructions because the formalities were completed very quickly. In just half a day, from drafting the documents, to signing and stamping, to archiving, everything was done.
The two shopkeepers, Lin and Wu, put away the contract. Then they signaled a young servant who had been standing nearby to bring up a wooden box. When they opened it, it was filled with silver notes.
"Mrs. Cheng, here are the silver notes as agreed, one hundred thousand taels. Please count them."
Li Wanming took the open box. She was a bit excited, and her hands couldn't help but tremble slightly.
She wasn't completely inexperienced with money. When Zhao Yanke had given her a box of gold ingots back then, she had been shocked and at a loss.
But even then, she hadn't been as nervous as she was now.
One hundred thousand taels...
This was a huge amount of money! It was also a great responsibility.
Once she took this box of silver notes, it wasn't just her, Li Wanming, who was involved. The fates of both the Li and Cheng families were at stake!
Xiao Jingnan knew she was scared. Without saying a word, he took the box of silver notes from her and began to count them in front of the two shopkeepers.
"Gentlemen, it's not that I don't trust you. But this is a very important matter, and we have to be cautious."
The two shopkeepers smiled apologetically. "Mr. Cheng, what are you saying? Even brothers should settle accounts clearly. It's only right to count everything accurately."
Xiao Jingnan placed the box aside and bent down to count slowly. He took a long time.
After he finished counting once, he counted again, being as meticulous as possible.
After an incense - stick's worth of time had passed, he still hadn't finished counting.
This... wasn't right.
"Mr. Cheng, is there a problem with the amount?" Shopkeeper Lin finally couldn't help but ask.
They had finally managed to lend the money to Li Wanming. They couldn't afford any more problems... After this, they still had to report back to Princess Chengping.
Xiao Jingnan seemed to be waiting for this question. He straightened up, let out a long sigh, and said, "There's no problem with the amount. One hundred thousand taels, exactly. It's just that..."
He suddenly stopped speaking, and his expression seemed a bit troubled.
Shopkeeper Lin quickly said, "Mr. Cheng, if you have any difficulties, please tell us. We can help you figure it out."
He was really anxious.
They had finally managed to get you to sign the contract. You couldn't suddenly say you didn't want the money!
How could he explain this to Princess Chengping when he got back?
But Xiao Jingnan still didn't say anything. He just kept sighing, almost as if he wanted to cry looking out of the window.
Li Wanming looked at him but didn't say a word. She just quietly stepped back a bit.
Although she didn't know what Xiao Jingnan was up to, based on her understanding of him, she knew that when he started acting all high - and - mighty and mysterious, it usually meant he was about to make a big move...
The more exaggerated his act, the more ruthless his move.
Judging from his current expression, which looked as if he had been constipated for three days, he was definitely going to take a big bite.
Since most of the "meat" he had taken in the past had ended up in her mouth, Li Wanming kept quiet and watched calmly.
Shopkeeper Wu was a few years older and more experienced. After thinking for a while, he tentatively asked, "Nephew, are you worried about the repayment period?"
Xiao Jingnan still looked troubled and sighed, "Shopkeeper Wu is really an experienced person. You've seen my problem at a glance."
Shopkeeper Wu cursed silently in his heart: Of course! There are only three key elements in a loan: the principal, the interest, and the repayment period. Since there are no problems with the first two, it must be the repayment period!
Generally, in a loan contract, the principal, the interest, and the repayment period are clearly stated. But this loan to Li Wanming was not a normal situation.
They were the ones who were eager to lend the money.
So, they were in a very passive position.
The principal of one hundred thousand taels was proposed by Xiao Jingnan, and there was no problem with that. The interest rate of one percent was personally stated by Li Wanming, and there was no objection. As for the repayment period...
Li Wanming was afraid that she couldn't pay it back in three months and didn't want to mention it. And they, on the other hand, were eager to lend the money and didn't dare to mention it. The Ministry of Revenue just wanted to finish signing the contract quickly and didn't mention it either.
As a result, the just - signed loan contract was missing an important part.
Both Shopkeepers Lin and Wu thought this part would be overlooked and didn't take it seriously.
The competition between Zhaoyu Academy and the Imperial College would last for three months. It wasn't a long time, and they could wait.
If Zhaoyu Academy lost, no matter how powerful the forces behind Li Wanming and Xiao Jingnan were, they would be affected and wouldn't dare to interfere.
By then, they would surely find a way to make the Li family pay back the money.
If Zhaoyu Academy won, they could use this matter to make Li Wanming owe them a favor.
Either way, they wouldn't lose.
But they didn't expect that Xiao Jingnan hadn't forgotten about the repayment period. Instead, he was deliberately waiting for them here!