Chapter 413 - Chapter 413: Chapter 409: Entering Beijing_1 (1/2)

Chapter 413: Chapter 409: Entering Beijing_1

Ten days later, the caravan finally arrived in Jiankang.

They first crossed the river by boat in batches, and then took a carriage to the majestic city gate.

On either side of the gate, soldiers were posted, checking the household registration and travel passes of each merchant and traveler entering the city.

Once they were inside the city, the group first found an inn to stay near the Imperial College. Chunniang paid the escorts their escort silver, and also gave them twenty taels of silver for their accommodation.

Jiang Quan then went to the Imperial College to deliver a letter to Jiang Jie.

At noon, Jiang Jie arrived at the inn enthusiastically with his second cousin.

“Mom! Sister!” As soon as Jiang Jie entered, he saluted Chunniang and Yingbao, “Was the journey smooth?”

“Yes.” Chunniang nodded, smiling broadly as she pulled her son in for a closer look: “You’ve grown so tall, it’s a good thing I made your clothes a little longer.”

Jiang Jie scratched his head: “I’m not as tall as my sister yet.”

Yingbao smiled: “In a few more years, you’ll be taller than your sister.”

After chatting for a while, Yingbao asked: “Where does Mr. Wu live? Once we settle down, we’ll go visit him.”

Jiang Jie: “Grandpa Wu is currently staying with his daughter-in-law. Once I’m rested, I’ll take you to visit him.”

“Are there any properties for sale in the city? I brought money with me, and I want to buy a house here. It would be more convenient for us to live here.” Yingbao asked.

Jiang Jie: “There are, but the locations are a bit off. Wu Grandpa and I have been to Teeth Row to have a look.”

Mr. Wu also wanted to buy a house, but because the location was too remote and the transportation was not convenient, he temporarily stayed at his daughter’s house.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s a bit remote, as long as it’s in the city.” Yingbao handed her brother a package: “It contains various kinds of incense pills and health pills. You can take them first.”

Jiang Jie took the small package, chuckling: “Grandpa Wu often misses the medicine pills you make. He specifically asked me to write to you to come over.”

Yingbao: …

In fact, Yingbao had sent a few batches of medicine pills to her brother and Mr. Wu, but because the postal service did not accept mail from ordinary people, she had to ask someone else to deliver them, which was somewhat slow.

From the side, Chunniang asked, “I heard that Magistrate Wu also came to Beijing. Is he living with his parents at his sister’s home?”

Jiang Jie shook his head: “Uncle lives in the government office. The emperor said he will assign them a place to live in the future.”

As the new dynasty had just stabilized, the living quarters for the officers had not been built yet, so they had to take it slow.

Jiang Quan walked into the room and handed the food he bought to the two little maids to set up.

Then he sat down on a chair nearby and said to his little cousin, “Yingbao, let’s open a shop in the county. I walked around earlier, and it’s bustling with people doing business in stalls. It’s very lively.”

“What kind of business are you planning to do?” Yingbao asked.

Jiang Quan blinked: “How about we open a specialty store?”

“Where will we get our stock? Where do you plan to buy it from?” It was not realistic or cost-effective to get supplies from their hometown.

Since the supply of mushrooms was limited, if they supplied them to their eldest cousin, they wouldn’t have any for Beijing. The mushrooms in their own cave were also limited, and fruits and the like could not be taken out for sale.

“Well, what about…” Jiang Quan scratched the back of his head, “How about we open a pastry shop?”

Yingbao thought for a moment, saying, “That could work, but I don’t think it’ll make much money.”

The pastry shops in Beijing are all old brands, and they offer a diverse range of premium products. Some of them, she’d never even seen before. Her second cousin’s half-baked pastry making skills could hardly compete with the popular street food vendors.

Hearing this, Jiang Quan immediately wilted.

Chunniang said: “You two go out and take a look tomorrow, rest well today and recharge your energy.”

“Okay.”

By this time, Magnolia had already prepared the braised dishes and went to the innkeeper to get several sets of bowls and chopsticks. She then went to the kitchen to fetch a large bucket of rice, inviting her masters to dine.