"Shopkeeper, you don't need to be so polite. You've come to introduce business to me. I should be the one thanking you."
Li Ying spoke politely. Only then did the old shopkeeper finally put away some of the panic on his face.
With him arranging the meeting, it didn't take much effort. All the small tea shops interested in cooperation gathered together.
Everyone knew well that if today's matter succeeded, they would have to rely on Li Ying in the future. So they were all extremely respectful to her, and their words were full of flattery.
Li Ying wore an amiable smile on her face, chatting and toasting with them politely. However, a faint sense of impatience welled up in her heart.
These tea merchants had dealt with those pedantic scholars who had achieved nothing but still adhered to the rigid rules of the three cardinal guides and five constant virtues for too long. Their ways of dealing with people had become slow and fussy, which was really unlikable.
"If you want to cooperate with our Lu Family Tea Shop, why don't you come and talk to me in person instead of bothering others?"
Just as Li Ying was wondering how to cut to the chase, Lu Xunguang's voice rang out in time. She immediately felt overjoyed.
"Brother Lu, you've come just in time!"
Lu Xunguang gave her a gentle smile, glanced around at everyone present, and then unceremoniously took the seat of honor.
"A Ying has a lot of affairs in her tea - snack shop and has to take care of everything personally. I'm not an idle person either. Today, both of us are here. If you gentlemen have any plans, just be straightforward and show some sincerity!"
Both he and Li Ying were straightforward people who never liked to beat around the bush. As soon as he said these words, Li Ying immediately let out a sigh of relief.
As a junior and a woman, she had to be cautious in her words. Many things couldn't be said too explicitly. Fortunately, Lu Xunguang came to her rescue.
As a result, it was these tea merchants' turn to look at each other in bewilderment. After a long time, they finally murmured timidly.
"Master Lu... We... We also want to be the agent for selling the bamboo - sealed tea... I wonder what your opinion is?"
These people had really done their homework. They had long heard that the canned food and hot - pot base in the fishing village adopted the method of "agent distribution". Although they only had a vague understanding of this new term, they still followed suit and spoke up.
Lu Xunguang remained calm and calmly asked in return, "The bamboo - sealed tea is very popular at the moment. The tea trees and tea masters are all obtained by our Lu Family. For this business, I can just make money on my own. Why on earth should I recruit you as agents and let you share the profits for no reason?"
These words were rather blunt and to the point. The tea merchants looked at each other, their faces flushing and then paling, unable to say a word.
After a long time, it was the old shopkeeper of the tea - snack shop who took the lead to smooth things over.
"Master Lu, you're wrong."
"These shopkeepers have been in business in the capital for many years. Although they're not big shots who can stir up the situation, they have accumulated some regular customers. The Lu Family Tea Shop has been away for many years and is now making a comeback. All the big tea shops are eyeing it covetously. If we cooperate, combining several shops into one, we can turn the tables. The Lu Family can also gain more customers. It's really a win - win situation with no harm at all."
This statement made sense. Li Ying couldn't help but secretly admire it in her heart.
Lu Xunguang just raised his eyebrows slightly and looked up indifferently.
"A good saying of 'combining several shops into one'. So, do you gentlemen mean that you've already made up your minds to be willing to be under the Lu Family and follow our lead?"
Seeing them looking at each other, he added, "I'm a businessman and only value interests. Your half - hearted flattery can't be exchanged for a single copper coin. It's useless to me. If you want to ride on the coattails of the Lu Family, you must offer something in equal exchange."
"If you become franchise dealers, I'll supply the goods to you at the cost price. You're not allowed to inflate the prices. All aspects of the bamboo - sealed tea must follow the rules of the Lu Family. You mustn't bring in the bad habits of other tea shops. Besides, since you've managed to stay in business in the city for all these years, you must have your own strengths in tea - making."
"I want you to show your best skills and invest in the business of bamboo - sealed tea together. Really regard this business as your own and manage it whole - heartedly. As long as you're down - to - earth and do your best, I, Lu Xunguang, will surely not treat you badly."
His gaze slowly swept across each tea merchant's face, enunciating each word clearly.
"What the Lu Family wants is like - minded business partners, not obsequious servants. Gentlemen, you can make your own choices."
The tea merchants looked at each other, seemingly not expecting that this young - looking Lu Xunguang could speak so directly. For a moment, they were stunned and didn't know how to respond.
Li Ying knew that what he said made perfect sense.
The Lu Family didn't lack loyal servants. What they were up against now was the entire tea market in the capital with the collusion of officials and merchants. If it were just the two of them, they would be too weak. A single slip might lead to being plotted against.
Only by winning over as many allies as possible could their chances of success be greater.
She nodded and also said, "That's right. What Master Lu means is also what I of the Li Ji means. Gentlemen, please think it over as soon as possible."
The tea merchants were still hesitating. The meaning of the two of them was very clear. Now, the Lu Family Tea Shop was openly challenging them. If they wanted to make money from the Lu Family, they had to draw a clear line and stand on the same side.
The old shopkeeper of the tea - snack shop got a bit anxious and couldn't help shouting, "What are you still hesitating about! It's rare that Master Lu and Boss Li are willing to offer their help! Do you still think that you can stay out of it by being ambiguous and indecisive?"
"The higher - ups have already taken action. If you hesitate for a few more days and miss this great opportunity, I'll be your future!"
Looking at his decrepit appearance, the others couldn't help but feel a sense of sorrow for the impending fate. The leader hesitated and said, "Master Lu, this matter concerns the future of our several tea shops. It's really not easy to make a hasty decision. Please give us a few more days and allow us to go back and discuss it."
Lu Xunguang naturally agreed. After seeing them off, Li Ying didn't leave in a hurry. Instead, she softly called out to the old shopkeeper of the tea - snack shop.
"Shopkeeper, please wait a moment."
The old shopkeeper let out a bitter smile, bowed to her, and sighed, "Boss Li, don't make fun of me! How can I still be a shopkeeper now!"
"May I ask, do you have any plans for the future?"
Her question stumped the old shopkeeper. He showed a helpless look and hesitated before whispering, "Most likely, I'll go back to my hometown to farm. I just don't know if I, an old man, can still swing a hoe."
This was exactly what Li Ying had expected. She smiled slightly and asked in a low voice, "Shopkeeper, since you have nowhere to go, why don't you just stay in the capital?"