Chapter 9: The Extension of Debt

Xiao Pingshi was very excited, looking at the grand restaurant, unable to hide his joy

Xue Poya touched his nose and frowned, saying: "Has he left? How much was he paid?"

Xue Poyue smiled and said: "This is easy to handle. You just need to make the effort to talk to him. I will give him four taels of silver each month, so he can come back and continue working!"

Seeing Xiao Pingshi walk away, Xue Poyue then took Song Qian's hand and sat down at the table, smiling as he said: "Old Song, the restaurant is about to open, and we can't do without a chef. Think about it, is there any good chef we can invite?"

Song Qian was momentarily taken aback: "Four taels?" After a brief silence, he nodded and said: "Rest assured, Boss Xue, if we give him four taels of silver each month, he will crawl back here no matter what!"

"Boss Xue, what is your purpose in giving away silver so freely? Don't treat us like children to be fooled." One person raised a question

Xue Poya revealed a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, indicating that sometimes things are truly simple, not as complicated as one might imagine

Xue Poyue let out a cold laugh, took out a twenty-tael silver note from his pocket, and threw it over, coldly huffing: "Don't think that Xue is trying to play tricks and waste time. Since you don't want to earn that ten taels, I won't force you. Just take back your twenty taels!"

Song Qian was taken aback: "Child? Younger sister?" He then added: "Dachun is sleeping in the hall, he can watch the shop!"

After Xiao Pingshi sent the various shopkeepers away, he also leaned over and said excitedly, "Elder brother, you are truly impressive. I was worried about how you would resolve this situation earlier!"

Song Qian thought for a moment and replied: "When he was with me, I gave him two taels of silver each month. Later, business here declined, and another restaurant poached him for two and a half taels of silver!"

Xue Poya discerned the thoughts of the crowd and continued: "Everyone here is a former partner of the restaurant. I believe that we can continue to collaborate in the future. After the restaurant opens, there will still be many needs, and there will be business opportunities for all of us."

Everyone signed the new agreement in a harmonious and friendly atmosphere, filled with joy

Xue Poya immediately understood and smiled, saying: "Boss Song wants to stay and help me?"

Xue Poyue said little, patting Song Qian on the shoulder: "Thank you for your hard work!" He turned to Xiao Pingshi: "You go and bring Yue Zhu and the children over. From now on, we will have a real home."

Xiao Pingshi was taken aback by what he heard, not expecting his elder brother to be so eloquent and sharp. He had never noticed this side of him before and felt a deep sense of admiration.

Xue Poya glared at the person and said coldly: "How much do I owe you?"

Song Qian feigned politeness and said: "Oh, no need, no need, Boss Xue, you are really... oh, you... you are truly courteous, then... then I must thank you!" After a pause, he continued: "Boss Xue, I have one more request, I wonder if...!"

Song Qian smiled somewhat obsequiously and finally said: "Boss Xue, if possible, you may take your time with my one hundred and eighty taels of silver. You are in urgent need of funds for your operations and have helped me out of a great predicament, so I naturally cannot take the silver at this moment."

If we can't even handle such trivial matters, how can we accomplish great things?" Xue Poyue said, touching his nose, "We are destined to make a fortune!

Xue Poyue nodded and continued: "Additionally, please hire a few more sous chefs for me, as well as a pastry chef and a fruit specialist. The wages are negotiable, as long as their skills are good."

Xiao Pingshi was unusually agitated, nodding vigorously, ready to run out. Xue Poyue called him back, took out a small amount of silver coins, and instructed, "There are many items, hire a cart to bring them here"

Xue Poyue said calmly: "The purpose is very simple. Since I have taken over the shop, I want to expand and strengthen it. With more money at hand, things will naturally go more smoothly!"

Xiao Pingshi was even more moved to see how thoughtfully Xue Poyue had considered everything

The person picked up the banknote, feeling somewhat awkward, as a vague sense of loss began to rise within.

As soon as Boss Shao spoke, everyone began to relax. One person, feeling somewhat embarrassed, said: "Boss Xue, your... your building only owes me eight taels of silver. I will... heh heh... pay it back in three months!" It was truly difficult for him to continue.

"By the way, Lao Song, can the few rooms in the backyard be inhabited?" Xue Poyue suddenly asked

Song Qian smiled awkwardly, opened her mouth as if to speak, but hesitated.

Xue Poyue nodded and said: "Alright. From now on, you will be the second manager of the tavern, and I will trouble you with those trivial matters on a daily basis"

Although there are certain risks, all present are businessmen, and businessmen seek wealth and prosperity amidst risks

Song Qian gazed at Xue Poyue, somewhat lost in thought. Indeed, Boss Xue acted with remarkable decisiveness, far surpassing her own petty calculations, which made her admire him even more

Xue Poyue said cheerfully: "Feel free to speak, as long as Xue can manage it, I will certainly do my utmost!"

Song Qianshi truly could not have imagined such a result, it was indeed a great surprise, and she was deeply impressed by Xue Poye.

At the beginning, someone took the lead, and when others saw a great opportunity, they all expressed their opinions. The boss who accepted the twenty taels of silver regretted it immensely, feeling extremely awkward

Song Qian respectfully stated: "There are a total of six rooms in the backyard, each properly furnished and ready for occupancy". He and the librarian awkwardly remarked: "At the time of opening, I was worried about good business, so I hired quite a few assistants, and they all live there"

Xue Poya waved his hand with great elegance: "Congratulations, in three months, you have transformed into eighteen taels!"

That person disdainfully said: "While that may be the case, let’s not end up like Boss Song... Heh heh, just like Boss Song, losing everything and unable to repay us our money!"

Boss Song, is it time to trade now!" Xue Poyue took Song Qian aside and said with a smile, "I can take over your mess now!"

Xue Poyue became interested: "Where is he now? Can he be invited back?"

Xiao Pingshi leaned in and whispered: "Elder brother, is this... is this really feasible? Where are we going to find that much silver?"

Song Qian's face flushed slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed: "I wonder if Boss Xue will give me a chance"

Xue Poya hesitated for a moment, then smiled and said, "What a rare opportunity, what a rare opportunity. Boss Song is so generous, I am truly grateful, but it is a bit of a burden for you, Boss Song!" He thought to himself, "This guy must be worried, afraid that if I incur losses, I won't be able to repay his two hundred taels of silver, so he stays here to keep an eye on me. But that's fine; I am not very familiar with this line of work, and having this guy assist me should save me quite a bit of trouble"

Although many people still feel somewhat apprehensive, the presence of a large restaurant here means that even if Xue Poye were to flee, the property would still fetch a reasonable price, allowing everyone to at least recover some of their investment

Xue Poyue understood that Boss Shao's intentions had shifted. In this world, interests can always change a person's attitude. He smiled and said, "If Boss Shao wants to reclaim the money, I can give it to you right now!" After saying this, he pretended to take out the banknotes. Boss Shao hurriedly smiled and said, "Boss Xue, you misunderstood!" Gritting his teeth, he continued, "Boss Xue, Pinshi was once an employee in my shop, after all, we are like family. Since you say you need three months, I will give you three months!"

Xue Poya seemed to understand something, a strange smile appearing at the corner of his mouth as he gazed at Song Qian: "Boss Song, feel free to speak your mind. Now that we can be considered friends, if there is anything my younger brother can assist with, it is naturally just a matter of a word."

Xue Poya smiled faintly and instructed, "Lao Song, please clear five rooms at the back. One room for you and your wife, one for me and Pinshi, two for the children, and one for my sister!" After a pause, he added, "The last room can be reserved for your nephew Dachun!"

Boss Shao of the rice shop finally said: "Boss Xue, you, hehe, are you really saying this?"

That person was extremely excited, raising his voice: "Boss Xue, it's a deal, great! I will come back to visit in three months!" With a beaming face, he truly felt he had struck an incredible bargain

Song Qian immediately said: "The chef I used before was quite good, and the dishes he prepared were very delicious. He is from Shu and is quite skilled in cooking."

Song Qian expressed his gratitude, saying: "Boss Xue, you are benevolent, and I, Old Song, will certainly live up to your expectations." As he spoke, he took out a document from his pocket and handed it to Xue Poye. Xue Poye took it, glanced at it, and it was indeed the property deed, which he gladly accepted.

Upon hearing Xue Poyue's agreement, Song Qian could not hide her excitement and repeatedly said: "Thank you, thank you. Mr. Xue, please don't call me 'boss' anymore. I feel quite embarrassed. From now on, just call me Lao Song!"

Xue Poya saw him squatting and immediately understood what he was doing. Clearly, he was envious of the benefits that the creditors were receiving, so he also wanted to get a share. He straightforwardly said: "If Boss Song is willing to assist me, I, Xue, of course cannot refuse. With such kindness from you, I naturally cannot be ungrateful. I will borrow this silver for three months, and after three months, I will return you two hundred taels!"

Song Qian observed that the arrogance of the crowd was swiftly extinguished by Xue Poyue's few words, and she felt a deep admiration for this.

At present, everyone presented their IOUs. According to the number of IOUs, those exceeding one hundred taels added twenty taels, while those below added ten taels, and new IOUs were rewritten.

Boss Hu heard that he could repay an additional twenty taels, and his eyelids twitched. This was indeed very appealing to him

Interest is always the best tool

Song Qian awkwardly said, "Later, the business could not continue, and he was asked to leave."

Song Qian chuckled and said: "Boss Xue, this restaurant is yours now. From this point on, you are the owner of the restaurant. If, hehe, Boss Xue has a prosperous opening, I wonder if you will need any staff. If so, I..."

Xue Poye cast a sidelong glance at Boss Hu, dismissing him with a smile and said: "A delaying tactic? There is no need for that. Boss Hu, you are owed one hundred and eighty taels. If you can wait for three months, I will return you two hundred taels, principal and interest!" He pulled out a stack of banknotes, shook them, and immediately stuffed them back into his pocket, saying leisurely: "Don't say I have no money. If anyone wants money, just speak up. However, if someone can give me three months, I will return an extra ten taels for amounts within one hundred taels, and an extra twenty taels for amounts above one hundred taels. This is like a pie falling from the sky; you all can calculate it yourselves!"

"Not much, just twenty taels!" The person was taken aback and replied

Seeing Xue Poyue so readily give out money, everyone calmed down

Xue Poya turned back with a smile and whispered, "Sometimes I enjoy gambling"

Everyone was taken aback when Xue Poyue actually took out a stack of banknotes and shook them. It seemed that this Boss Xue truly had the ability to repay his debts