After being reborn, I stole the female lead's cheat ability and raised the empress.

Chapter 99 No Merchant is Without Deceit

The Snow God Temple is located behind the Golden Jade Hall. Because it's on a back street, people can't sell much there, and it's too noisy to live in. So Xia Li simply bought it at a low price to establish a connection with the Golden Jade Hall. The Snow God Temple was built in the center, surrounded by pavilions and terraces in the style of a small garden. After worshipping, people can rest, play, and enjoy the flowers and fish there. Outside the temple gate, on both sides are the Golden Jade Hall's small shops. The first floor is more affordable, with various goods sold on the left and food, drinks, and entertainment on the right. The second floor is for luxury goods, reserved for the wealthy. Commoners can start browsing from the left, where the items are inexpensive and practical. The rightmost building has an extra-wide staircase leading directly to the second-floor aristocratic area, preventing contact between the two groups and reducing many potential problems.

The most amazing thing was that three of the shops connected together actually had three floors. She was so grateful to the city lord!

Xia Li opened up the third floor, combining her modern entertainment projects with the characteristics of this place to create a one-stop service for eating, drinking, and having fun. However, this is a high-end venue aimed at elegant people. The lowest price is ten times that of the first floor.

Some people came because of its reputation, while others were attracted by the shop's decorations after worshipping the Snow God.

For a time, they came in droves.

First of all, what separates the Little Snow God Temple from the shops is not a wall but a large area of ​​transparent glass. People inside can clearly see the goods displayed on the other side. They are inexpensive but not ordinary, and each item is carefully designed.

Here, glass is more precious and rare than gold. After researching and creating beautifully colored imitation glass by adding impurities to the glass, she began to sell it in Duzhou. These were the first batch of glass products. She opened a separate antique shop on the third floor to display these glass products of various shapes.

Lin Wangxuan stood at the entrance, looking at the bustling Jin Yu Man Tang, a deep sense of resentment flashing in his eyes. Since Jin Yu Man Tang opened, the number of people coming and going had been endless.

When Xia Li saw him, he smiled and went out to greet him: "Boss Lin, it's all thanks to you that my Jin Yu Man Tang has become so famous."

These words were undoubtedly a stab in the back for Lin Wangxuan. He said angrily, "I clearly poisoned you and locked you in the room. How did you manage to escape?"

"You want to know the truth? All the maids I brought are loyal to me. You had someone poison you, and she took the money and handed the poison to me. As for that craftsman, he was just hired temporarily to help with the renovation. He took the money and did the work, which caused me to destroy a door so I could make it in time for the competition! By the way, that door was made of deep-sea sandalwood. Boss Lin should pay for it."

"Pfft!" Lin Wangxuan was so angry that he spat out a mouthful of blood. He never expected that his brilliant plan would be so easily and violently thwarted by her.

The more Lin Wangxuan thought about it, the angrier he became, and he fainted from sheer rage. Imagine this: you pay someone to help you, but they take your money and then sell you out. Then you lock them in a room, and they kick down the door and try to extort money from you… That's truly…

Xia Li sneered and turned back to her room: "Go and inform the manager of Xiangyixuan to come and take the person away."

Suddenly remembering something else, she waved her hand, "Oh, no need. Please ask him to rest in the side room."

Afterwards, Xia Li extended an invitation to all the shop owners, and everyone gathered at Xia Li's Golden Jade Hall.

Zhang Dingnan, the owner of Fudingxuan, whispered to Kong Xiang, the owner of the jewelry store next door:

"What do you think she called us here for?"

Kong Xiang said irritably, "Isn't it all because of the ferry? If it weren't for this, do you think the place would be packed?"

Zhang Dingnan said awkwardly, "I was just trying to start a conversation with you—so what do you think she'll do? Will she do what Lin Wangxuan did and take half of our profits?"

To be honest, people in the industry really don't like Lin Wangxuan. Over the years, he has relied on his right to use five cargo ships to make them hand over half of their profits every time. In addition, there are the gifts during holidays and the expensive gifts required to get him to transport goods first. Most of the money they earn ends up in Lin Wangxuan's pocket. How can they have any goodwill towards him?

So when he stepped down this time, not a single person spoke up for him; everyone just looked on with amusement and anticipation.

It's also Lin Wangxuan's fault for being too ruthless; otherwise, no matter how Xia Li rose to power, there would always be people trying to trip her up.

Kong Xiang guessed, "It seems unlikely. Judging from her current behavior, she is a tolerant and magnanimous kind person."

"A kind person? Ha~ We're in business, where are the kind people? We're not here to do charity!" Zhang Dingnan immediately showed a mocking expression upon hearing this. "I think she's still too young. She doesn't even understand the principle that there's no business without guile."

Upon hearing this, Kong Xiang couldn't help but remind him:

"Hey! You don't know the name of her shop, do you?"

"Golden Jade Abundance, isn't that just a common, tacky name? What's wrong with it?"

This level of intelligence is alarming!

Kong Xiang whispered a reminder: "There is also a Jin Yu Man Tang in the capital."

"Oh...what? You mean she...she's the owner behind Jin Yu Man Tang?" Zhang Dingnan exclaimed in surprise, raising his voice suddenly. Seeing people watching him, he immediately lowered his head and whispered.

"Then, she won't drink our blood like Lin Wangxuan, will she?"

Xia Li, the protagonist of the story: "..."

I'm so sorry, but you two were talking too loudly; everyone here could hear you clearly.

She coughed softly: "Everyone, I think you all know why I invited you here, so I'll keep it short."

"Regarding the right to use the cargo ship, barring any unforeseen circumstances, it will be in my hands for the next three years. Since you are all cargo dealers, I have decided to share the right to use the cargo ship."

Upon hearing this, the crowd didn't react much, simply waiting for her to continue.

Xia Li didn't want to keep everyone hanging. She took a sip of tea and continued, "I've done my research, and everyone usually buys goods at the beginning of the month. So, to avoid conflict with everyone, I've decided to use it on the last day of each month. Apart from that day, you can rent the cargo ship; the rental fee will be calculated based on the quantity of your goods. Of course, I won't charge you any extra fees, nor will I require a 50/50 profit split. Except for Xiangyixuan, if Xiangyixuan wants to transport goods, the profits will be split 50/50."

His words caused an uproar. "What?!?!"

People started whispering among themselves, but Lin Wangxuan stood up and said loudly, "Why don't they charge me anything, but I have to split it 50/50?"

Xia Li swirled her teacup and sneered, "Hmph! Why should I? Doesn't Boss Lin know? You've poisoned me, locked the door, and destroyed my work—each and every one of those things is enough to get you expelled from the city! I've been more than polite to Boss Lin!!"

Lin Wangxuan's face flushed red, but he couldn't utter a single word. He could only sit back down, embarrassed and unwilling.