Chapter 264: Something’s Happened
Chapter 264: Chapter 264: Something’s Happened
On a day with no classes, Shen Ningning went to check on the shop.
When the cold disaster first hit, people were banging on the Sweet Water Shop’s door every day, begging for help.
It scared Uncle Zhong and Aunt Yun so much that they didn’t dare open the doors.
Later, after the heavy snow stopped, people started abandoning children at the entrance.
No matter what Uncle Zhong and the others tried, everyone just assumed that since this was the blessed girl’s shop, it must have food and drink.
If they didn’t open up, people would smash the doors. Several times, they nearly had people break in during the middle of the night.
This month alone, Uncle Zhong and the others had reported to the authorities no less than ten times.
Shen Ningning had come this time to help them figure out a solution.
For safety, she brought the Black Wolf King, Wolf Three, and Chen Ye with her this time.
The moment the carriage stopped in front of the shop, an urgent voice called out from nearby, "Blessed Girl, I’ve finally managed to catch you."
The Black Wolf King leaped down, scaring the man so badly that he immediately fell over.
It let out a furious howl. The man, who had tumbled to the ground, turned deathly pale and cried out in terror, "I-I’m not a robber! Don’t eat me!"
Chen Ye helped Shen Ningning out of the carriage, frowning as he looked at the man.
The little one saw that the man was dressed in embroidered robes and a mink-fur cloak, so he didn’t seem like a bad person.
Only then did she speak in her soft, sweet voice, "Langlang, come back."
The Black Wolf King immediately turned and stopped in front of Shen Ningning.
Its wolf eyes stared warily at the man.
The man was helped up awkwardly by his servant. He cupped his hands and tremblingly explained his reason for being there.
"Blessed Girl, I listened to you and continuously stockpiled supplies and grain before the cold disaster arrived."
"Even when the State Preceptor performed a divination and declared the winter would be disaster-free, I insisted on buying firewood, cotton clothes, and other cold-weather supplies, all because I believed you when you said the cold disaster would definitely come!"
"And see, the disaster did indeed come. But I have one thing I’d like to ask you, Blessed Girl."
The man glanced around cautiously, making sure no one was eavesdropping.
He lowered his voice and asked, "I bought several extra warehouses’ worth of wood. The market price is good recently, and I want to sell it off."
"But, Blessed Girl, can you tell me, is now a good time to sell?"
"If there’s another snowstorm later, I’ll hold on to this wood and wait for the price to double before selling."
’So he’s a shrewd businessman.’
Shen Ningning’s soft, pink face was framed by a circle of rabbit fur, making her pair of moist, dark eyes appear even more lively and bright.
She thought for a moment, then spoke in her soft, sweet voice.
"Uncle, if you believe me, you should sell off all this wood while you have the chance."
"Because, I don’t know if another snowstorm will come. I only know that if you don’t sell it soon, people driven to desperation by the harsh conditions will madly loot all of your supplies."
Upon hearing this, the man pondered for a moment and then seemed to have a sudden realization.
His eyes lit up with surprised understanding. "I get it! Let a little blood to avoid having others devour your flesh!"
This rule also applied in the world of business.
Sometimes, one couldn’t be too greedy, lest it lead to future trouble.
The man cupped his hands in thanks, left two fresh cuts of pork as a gift, and departed under the protection of his servant.
Shen Ningning turned and entered the shop, telling Chen Ye to give the pork to Aunt Yun to make soup.
Once they were all inside, Wuer quickly shut the door, as if terrified by the events of the past few days.
The group gathered together, all looking at Shen Ningning.
"Miss, we’re all waiting for you to decide what to do," Uncle Zhong said. "We already moved everything valuable in the shop to a safe place."
But this couldn’t go on forever.
When Shen Ningning had first arrived, she hadn’t yet thought of a good plan.
However, after just walking around the street, she now had an idea.
"Right now, many restaurants in the city are in the same situation as us. They don’t lack food, but they don’t dare to open for business."
They’re all afraid of people, driven mad by the cold disaster, coming to smash and rob their shops.
Shen Ningning said in a serious, decisive tone, "That’s why we, of all people, must open."
"When some people are pushed to a certain point, my shop will bear the brunt of it and become their primary target."
The little one had thought it through very clearly.
Especially since everyone thought she was the blessed girl and had supplies, all eyes would inevitably be on her.
Keeping the doors shut would instead create the wrong impression, making them mistakenly believe the shop was full of supplies.
Shen Ningning stated her plan: "Starting tomorrow, we open for business."
"Uncle Zhong, take this down. We will only sell one thing: a bowl of body-strengthening, warming soup, for the price of one tael."
"Every five days, we will offer free clear broth to everyone, all they can drink. Tomorrow will be the first day we prepare the clear broth."
The shop’s employees looked at each other in dismay.
"Miss, will this work? The moment we open, won’t everyone come to rob us?"
Shen Ningning nodded. "The strong young men and uncles in the shop will stand guard. Anyone who causes trouble or dares to steal will be beaten and then handed over to the authorities."
"Let’s try this method. I believe it will be effective." As she spoke, she took out a small pouch and handed it to Aunt Yun.
Aunt Yun opened it and saw a handful of small, grass-like things inside.
Shen Ningning said softly, "There are about thirty stalks here. You only need to put one stalk into the daily pot of soup and clear broth."
Aunt Yun nodded, only half-understanding, and carefully put it away for safekeeping.
After giving her instructions, Shen Ningning went back.
Wolf Three was lying in the carriage, leisurely licking a large bone.
It let out a few confused AWOOS.
Wolf Three was asking if Xiao Ningning’s plan would really work.
Shen Ningning lay nestled in the Black Wolf King’s fluffy fur and rolled over contentedly.
She blinked her watery eyes, her soft voice lazy. "Of course it’ll work. But this isn’t the most effective method."
’If I can find a troublemaker and make an example of them—kill a chicken to scare the monkeys—I can establish the rules by showing both kindness and power.’
「Five or six days passed.」
When Shen Ningning returned to the Sweet Water Shop, it happened to be a free clear broth day.
Many people dressed in thin clothes were lined up at the door, each of them shivering from the cold, all waiting for that bowl of warming soup.
Word had now spread through the streets that the blessed girl’s soup contained a special medicinal ingredient that could strengthen the body and fight off the severe cold.
One bowl would warm you from the inside out.
When Shen Ningning appeared, the crowd remained orderly. They all bowed their heads, looking at her with the reverence one would show a deity.
No one dared to rush forward and cause a scene.
Seeing this, Shen Ningning knew her plan had worked.
Moreover, the little one had also just seen that many restaurants on the street had opened for business, and were even imitating her method.
Every seven days, they would offer free thin porridge to the public.
Shen Ningning had just entered the Sweet Water Shop and sat down for a moment when a commotion arose at the entrance.
Mrs. Meng, wearing a jade bead ring and leading two maids, arrived carrying a pile of thank-you gifts.
"Commandery Princess, I came especially to thank you." Mrs. Meng’s face was wreathed in a warm smile.
Her well-maintained face broke into a gentle expression upon seeing Shen Ningning, as if she were looking at her own daughter.
"It’s all thanks to you, Commandery Princess, for having Shao Yuan remind me. I didn’t go with the trade caravan to the Capital to discuss business that day. I heard later that the entire official road was blocked by a massive avalanche!"
It was a good thing she didn’t go, or she wouldn’t have been able to come back.
Mrs. Meng grabbed Shen Ningning’s small hand, her expression one of utter warmth and excitement.
Shen Ningning smiled sweetly. "I only reminded you to avoid the danger, Mrs. Meng. A heroine among women like yourself must take care of her own safety."
"I heard that you set up a stall to distribute porridge a while ago, Mrs. Meng. You’re so wealthy and kind-hearted, you’re a role model for me!"
Mrs. Meng beamed, unable to close her mouth, her jeweled hairpins shaking and glittering.
"You sweet-talker, there’s no need to be so modest with me."
She glanced at the commoners lined up outside.
She lowered her voice. "I’ve heard all about it. Your method is truly brilliant, Commandery Princess."
"The free clear broth doesn’t attract competition from wealthy merchants, but it allows the poor to catch their breath."
"And to ensure they can continue to get the free soup, the commoners will spontaneously protect these shops."
"Your move not only stabilized the people’s livelihood in the city, but also showed the other restaurants a way to survive. Did you know, when I was at the chamber of commerce for a discussion yesterday, those old foxes who dominate the business world were all praising you, Commandery Princess."
"’With a tiny force, she has pacified a chaotic world.’"
Shen Ningning sat upright in her chair, her small hands resting obediently on her knees.
Her long lashes fluttered as she said, "I just thought of a very simple truth."
"People won’t fight if their bellies are full." With that, the little one and Mrs. Meng laughed together.
Mrs. Meng then turned to business. "In a few days, it will be Shao Yuan’s birthday banquet. I want to throw a proper celebration for him."
"You are his best friend, Commandery Princess. Would you do us the honor of attending the banquet that day?"
Shen Ningning thought for a moment, then nodded. "Of course! Lu Shaoyuan is the second boss of our Sweet Water Shop. Since it’s his birthday, I should definitely go."
Mrs. Meng’s eyes curved with a smile. "Oh, that’s wonderful, that’s wonderful! I was so afraid you wouldn’t have the time, Commandery Princess."
"Then in six days, it will be a day with no classes at the National Academy. I will send someone to Xiangyun Village to pick you up, Commandery Princess."
Shen Ningning agreed and then saw Mrs. Meng out.
She looked at the pile of ginseng and deer antler that Mrs. Meng had left behind and said in front of the commoners lined up outside, "Aunt Yun, unwrap it all. Put it in the soup for everyone to drink."
The commoners immediately cheered for the Commandery Princess’s kindness.
In the evening, Shen Ningning returned to the village, planning to go see her grandmother first.
Unexpectedly, she ran right into a hurried-looking Uncle Deng.
When he saw Shen Ningning, it was as if he had seen his savior.
"Ningning! You’re back! Something’s happened! Something’s happened!"