Chapter 7: The Round Tower

The document was signed, and just as Xue Poyue was about to take out the banknotes, Boss Song hurriedly said: "Don't rush, don't rush, Boss Xue, there's no need to hastily pull out the money; we should take our time with this matter"

"Do you think I am joking?" Xue Poyue said seriously, "I have mentioned before that I will take care of your matters. I will repay the debts you owe outside. I will give you 200 taels of silver; keep it for yourself, and I guarantee you will leave this tavern safely"

At noon, several people gathered together for a meal. Although the dishes were not many, they were quite delicious. Xiao Pingshi enjoyed the food immensely, feeling extremely content. Xue Poyue merely chatted with Song Qian about unrelated matters, lamenting the difficulties of doing business. Whenever the conversation touched on sensitive topics, both would share a knowing smile and cease the discussion.

Xiao Pingshi watched with a mix of surprise and concern

A large tree has grown in the courtyard, with a thick trunk and abundant branches and leaves, making it an excellent place to seek shade.

Xue Poya said leisurely: "Boss Song, have you heard clearly? I, Xue, am willing to offer two hundred taels of silver to lease your tavern!"

Both parties have established a written agreement, stating: "Today, Song Qian and Xue Po Ye have made a written agreement. Xue Po Ye shall pay a total of one hundred and eighty taels in cash, and additionally repay Song Qian a debt of four hundred and eighty-six taels, amounting to a total of six hundred and sixty-six taels, to purchase a restaurant under the name of Song Qian. Both parties have established this document as evidence, and shall not regret it in life or death!" This document is made in duplicate, and both parties have affixed their fingerprints.

Xue Poya coldly smiled: "One hundred and ninety taels!"

Boss Song was clearly moved, his face unable to hide a look of joy, yet he still said: "Xue... Xue Boss, I initially spent seven hundred taels to acquire this restaurant, and the debts amounting to five hundred taels were incurred later for renovations and the purchase of tables, chairs, and utensils. In total, that amounts to one thousand two hundred taels. This restaurant is worth one thousand two hundred taels, and you are only offering two hundred taels, which seems rather unreasonable, doesn't it?" Although Xue Poye was dressed simply, his tone was quite assertive, prompting Boss Song to begin addressing him as "Xue Boss".

Song Qian quickly shook his head and smiled, saying: "Boss Xue has misunderstood. The agreement is in black and white. Even if I, Song, have no virtue, I will not go back on my word"

Xue Poya

A cacophony of noise erupted, and the sound of footsteps on the stairs indicated that Song Qian had returned. With a hint of nervousness, he said, "I spoke with them, so it shouldn't be long now! It's already noon. Boss Xue and this brother can sit for a while; I will go with my wife to prepare some appetizers, and we can enjoy a few drinks at noon!" The trouble seemed to have been resolved, and Song Qian appeared quite excited.

Xue Poya frowned and asked, "Has Boss Song changed his mind?"

I never expected that the restaurant would really be taken over, it feels like a dream. I have been struggling for daily sustenance all my life, never imagining that today would come. Yet, I am quite worried; there is an external debt of over 400 taels of silver, where will the money come from to repay it? Brother Xue wouldn't have acted impulsively, would he? The matters that follow are going to be quite troublesome.

Song Qian's face flashed with a hint of cunning as she walked slowly to the window, quietly gazing down below where several figures were moving back and forth. She said softly, "After you escort me out, you can give me the silver, and I will hand you the property deed."

Boss Song felt a sudden jolt in his heart, and cold sweat began to pour down.

Boss Song sighed, sitting in his chair deep in thought. The woman suddenly approached with a cup of tea, clearly having overheard the earlier conversation. She served tea to the two of them and then, with a heavy heart, said: "Head of the family, you should sell the building. If we don't sell this building, we won't be able to get past this hurdle."

Boss Song hesitated for a moment, then said: "Seven hundred taels!"

In fact, he had long sought someone to sell the restaurant, but the business in this place was truly poor, and no one was willing to purchase it. Even if there were interested parties, they would only take advantage of the situation, offering a price that would make one feel like they were bleeding money.

"It's still the same thing, give me the restaurant, and I will handle everything." Xue Poyue said in a low voice: "You know yourself that there are only two days left for this restaurant. If you don't sell it today, you won't be able to sell it later. This location is difficult for business, and with your previous experience as a cautionary tale, I fear that apart from a fool like me, no one else would dare to take it on!"

Xiao Pin's lips moved: "Elder brother, you...!"

Boss Song was taken aback, and Xiao Pingshi beside him was also somewhat nervous. Although the shop prices in this area are quite low, two hundred taels of silver for such a large restaurant is indeed too low.

"Then why slow down a bit?" Xue Poyue found it somewhat strange.

Mismanagement has led to significant losses. Boss Song wouldn't blame all of this on me, would he? For your restaurant, including tables, chairs, and utensils, I estimate that no one would offer more than 400 taels of silver. The lessons from past experiences are well known; everyone understands that business in this area only incurs losses and never profits. Who would dare to come here and seek their own demise?" Xue Poyue said with a sinister smile, "Wealthy individuals will naturally choose bustling locations. In such a desolate and remote place, I doubt many would have it in mind.

Xue Poya took a small sip of tea, feeling quite content: "Boss Song, I would like to ask, how much silver did you spend to acquire this shop back then"

Boss Song had previously been disheartened. Although he owned a restaurant, creditors were pressing him, and he had very little silver on hand. His staff had all run away, and he had only hoped to repay his debts and extricate himself quickly. Unexpectedly, today a great benefactor appeared, and he saw the hope of leaving with two hundred taels of silver. His spirits suddenly lifted, but he still showed a troubled expression on the surface: "Well, Boss Xue, this restaurant is my life's work. If it weren't for this difficult situation, I truly would be reluctant to part with it. Now that you sincerely wish to take it over, you must add a little more!"

Song Qian hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Wait a moment!" Mali and Tu Shu quickly went downstairs.

Xue Poyue chuckled a few times and said loudly, "Boss Song, since I have already said that I would let you go, I will naturally allow you to leave in a dignified manner, without any need for secrecy. You should come forward and let all those creditors come over now; we will clarify the matter face to face in the hall."

"You, will you take on this for me?" Boss Song asked in confusion: "How will you take on this for me?"

Boss Song was drenched in cold sweat, damn it, just two sentences and the price dropped by twenty taels, it couldn't go on like this any longer. He slammed the table and said, "Deal, let this serve as proof. One hundred eighty taels in cash, plus you will repay four hundred eighty-six taels of silver, and this restaurant will be yours!"

Having just finished lunch, I heard the sound of horses neighing from the main road outside the restaurant, the sound resonant and echoing all around.

Xiao Pingshi was taken aback, took out two hundred taels of silver, and then repaid the debts, which added up to six or seven hundred taels. Where did elder brother get so much silver? Could it be that he has gone mad?

Boss Song shook his head like a rattle drum, "No, no, two hundred taels of silver just to take over my shop? That wouldn't even cover my debts. Are you joking?"

Xue Poya smiled faintly and said, "Nonsense, if you can mention seven hundred taels, then the actual amount is naturally much lower." After a pause, he stated clearly, "I will offer two hundred taels!"

"You negotiate once, and I will reduce it by ten taels. Haha, Xue has already been exceedingly generous; do not take advantage of the situation with the books!" Xue Poye sipped his tea, utterly relaxed.

Boss Song looked at Xue Poyue and finally asked, "What is your surname?"

Xue Poya took the opportunity to inspect the tavern and discovered that there was a courtyard behind it. On the left side, there was a well, and next to the well was a large kitchen. On the right side, there was a row of houses, approximately five or six in number, which seemed to be residential quarters

"Brother Xue, how much silver are you prepared to offer?" Finally, Boss Song conceded; under such a severe situation, his options were indeed limited

What? Boss Song does not understand

In a moment, they heard Song Qian below shouting: "Call your shopkeepers over, let them come to collect the silver!"

Song Qian's face showed a look of tension, and her voice was somewhat soft: "Let... let them come over?"

Xue Poya slowly stood up and smiled, saying, "Boss Song, you are straightforward. If you don't mind, let's formalize the transaction now!"

Xue Poya immediately understood that this fellow was clearly afraid that after handing over the property deed, the debt collectors would still hold him accountable for the debt. If Xue Poya did not return the property deed at that time, it would be a case of losing more than gaining

Although Xue Poyue is only willing to offer 200 taels of silver today, when including the debts owed, it amounts to a total expenditure of 700 taels, which can be considered an extremely high price

No, two hundred taels

Xue Poyue nodded, appearing quite relaxed: "Since I am to repay your debt, you must clarify the matter with them in person, so that I may also recognize my creditor"

one hundred eighty taels