Oh no! My grandmother made me shoulder the responsibility for eight households!

Chapter 23 Accompanying Sister-in-law 5 on an inspection of industries

"Ding! Daily check-in successful!"

"Received: 800 taels of silver"

"Obtained: [Item - Tranquil Jade Pendant] ×1 (Low-grade Earth Rank, can calm the mind and spirit, and resist mental attacks)"

"Obtained: [Martial Arts - Illusion-Seeing Eye Technique] Manual x1 (High-grade Earth Rank, can see through disguises and illusions)"

Lin Chen took out the Qingxin Jade Pendant and hung it around his neck, the warm and cool sensation penetrating his mind.

The manual "Pupil of Illusion" was automatically activated, and his eyes felt slightly warm. His vision became several times clearer, and he could even see the texture of the leaves on the leaves outside the window clearly.

"Good stuff." He smiled slightly.

Although this eye technique is only of the Earth rank, it is extremely practical, especially suitable for dealing with various disguises and illusions that may appear at the Cui family's birthday banquet.

He got up and pushed open the door, and saw Wen Ruoxi standing in the courtyard, wearing an apricot-yellow dress, holding an account book, looking hurried.

"Fifth Sister-in-law, so early?" Lin Chen asked with a smile.

"What do you mean 'early'? It's already Chen Shi (7-9 AM)." Wen Ruoxi quickly stepped forward.

"Eighth Brother, the renovation plan for Zuiyue Pavilion is out. Please take a look."

In addition, gifts for the Cui family's birthday banquet also need to be prepared, and...

She talked about seven or eight things in a row, speaking very quickly.

Lin Chen listened patiently until the end before speaking:

"Fifth Sister-in-law, you can decide on these things. I trust you."

Wen Ruoxi was taken aback: "Eighth Brother, this involves tens of thousands of taels of silver..."

"Then we should trust you even more," Lin Chen said with a smile.

"Fifth Sister-in-law is a business genius, better than me in this area, but I really need her help today."

"What kind of help?"

"Take me to 'inspect the industry'." Lin Chen winked.

"If Zuiyuexuan is going to reopen, it should at least learn about the operating models of other high-end venues in the capital, right?"

Fifth Sister-in-law knows the shops in the capital best, so she'll be my guide.

Wen Ruoxi's eyes lit up: "That's a great idea! I've been wanting you to see the Lin family's other businesses for a long time."

There are three shops in the south of the city and a teahouse in the east. Although they are not large, they are in good locations…

"Let's go then," Lin Chen said.

"But Fifth Sister-in-law, today we're not just looking at the Lin family's property, we're also looking at other families' properties—especially the Cui and Wang families' properties."

Wen Ruoxi understood: "I understand, know yourself and know your enemy."

Just as the two were about to leave, Chu Yueyao came back with a bowl of medicine.

"Eighth brother, it's time to take your medicine."

Lin Chen's face fell: "Second sister-in-law, could you...?"

"No." Chu Yueyao said firmly, "Good medicine tastes bitter, drink it all."

Wen Ruoxi covered her mouth and chuckled.

Lin Chen had no choice but to grit his teeth and finish it, grimacing from the bitterness.

Chu Yueyao handed over the candied fruit as usual, but her eyes were filled with worry: "Eighth Brother, are you going out today?"

"Yes, let's go shopping with Fifth Sister-in-law."

"Be extra careful," Chu Yueyao said in a low voice.

"Last night I was researching the antidote for the Bone-Corroding Spirit Stone and discovered that it requires a 'Seven-Leaf Resurrection Grass,' which is only kept in the 'Ten Thousand Medicines Pavilion' of the Heavenly Mystery Institute."

If you can get your hands on it, perhaps... you can concoct an antidote to counteract the bone-corroding poison.

Lin Chen's eyes narrowed: "Seven-Leaf Resurrection Grass? I understand."

Chu Yueyao nodded, then said to Wen Ruoxi, "Fifth Sister, take good care of Eighth Brother."

"Don't worry, Second Sister-in-law."

Watching Chu Yueyao's departing figure, Wen Ruoxi sighed softly:

"Your second sister-in-law really cares about you. She barely slept last night because she was researching the antidote."

Lin Chen was touched, but smiled and said, "Doesn't Fifth Sister-in-law care about me?"

"You're concerned, aren't you?" Wen Ruoxi rolled her eyes at him.

"But I'm more concerned about whether you can earn money to support your family. Let's go, Mr. Lin."

……

The two left the mansion by carriage and went to the south of the city first.

Wen Ruoxi is indeed very knowledgeable about the business world in Beijing. She can describe the background, customer flow, and profit model of every place she visits.

Lin Chen listened and took notes, secretly admiring her—if this Fifth Sister-in-law were in her previous life, she would definitely be a top business consultant.

"Look at that Jin Yu Lou," Wen Ruoxi pointed to a three-story wooden building on the street corner.

The Cui family's business mainly deals in jewelry and jade. They have a large customer base, but the profits are average.

Although the Cui family had a wide range of supply channels, they were too aggressive in driving down prices, and suppliers often sold inferior goods as superior ones.

"What about that 'Drunken Immortal' restaurant?" Lin Chen asked.

"The Wang family's restaurant specializes in high-end banquets," Wen Ruoxi said, shaking her head.

"The food is so-so, but the location is good, close to the Ministry of Personnel, so business is good."

However, I heard that the kitchen is not clean, and an imperial censor is preparing to impeach someone.

As he traveled along the way, Lin Chen gained a clear understanding of the commercial landscape of Beijing.

The Cui family controls high-end luxury goods, the Wang family monopolizes official banquets, and the other families each have their own territories.

The Lin family's original businesses were mostly located on the fringes, and remained stagnant.

"Fifth Sister-in-law, if I want to increase the Lin family's profits by 50% within three months, what should I do?" Lin Chen suddenly asked.

Wen Ruoxi pondered for a moment: "Difficult. Unless... a new track is opened up."

"for example?"

"For example, the 'private club' you mentioned before." Wen Ruoxi's eyes lit up.

"There's also the 'customized service.' These are things that don't exist in Beijing. If you can get started, the profits will definitely be considerable."

But the prerequisite is—having enough capital and powerful backers.

"We have the capital," Lin Chen said. "As for backers... we can find them."

"Who should we look for?" Wen Ruoxi asked, puzzled. "Who in the capital is willing to be the Lin family's backer right now?"

Lin Chen smiled without saying a word.

The carriage traveled to the east of the city and stopped in front of a teahouse.

"This is our family's 'Qingfeng Teahouse'," Wen Ruoxi said.

Business is so-so, but the backyard is quiet, so I often meet guests here.

The two got out of the car, and the teahouse owner, an elderly man in his fifties, hurriedly came out to greet Wen Ruoxi:

"Fifth Madam, Eighth Master, please come in."

Upon entering the private room in the backyard, Wen Ruoxi dismissed everyone around her and said solemnly:

"Eighth Brother, there are no outsiders here now, tell me the truth—what exactly do you want to do?"

"To revitalize the Lin family," Lin Chen said.

"How to revitalize?"

"Three steps." Lin Chen held up three fingers.

"First, purge the internal traitors and consolidate the family's strength—Lin Fu's matter is just the beginning."

Second, explore new businesses and accumulate wealth—Zuiyuexuan is a pilot project.

Third, uncover the truth and avenge our wrongdoing.

Wen Ruoxi stared at him: "Third point... do you know who your enemy is?"

"I have a general idea," Lin Chen said in a low voice. "Cui Yongnian, Zhao Yuan, the Blood Hand of the Underworld, and possibly... members of the royal family."

Wen Ruoxi gasped, "Eighth Brother, this...this is too dangerous!"

"We have to do it, even if it's dangerous." Lin Chen's eyes were firm. "Fifth Sister-in-law, Father and Brother cannot have died in vain, and the Lin family cannot be trampled underfoot forever."

After a long silence, Wen Ruoxi finally asked, "What do you need me to do?"

"Help me make money," Lin Chen said.

"A lot of money is needed to maintain guards, cultivate relationships, and gather intelligence... all of which require money."

Additionally, I need a visible business network to act as my eyes and ears.

"Understood." Wen Ruoxi nodded.

"Give me a month, and I can increase the profits of our existing businesses by 30%. In three months, by 50%."

But the prerequisite is—no one can cause trouble.

"I'll deal with the troublemakers," Lin Chen said.

Just then, a commotion arose outside.

"Get out of the way! I've booked the whole place!"

It was Wang Sheng's voice.

Lin Chen and Wen Ruoxi exchanged a glance, both seeing the annoyance in each other's eyes.

"It's like a persistent ghost." Wen Ruoxi frowned.

"Let's go take a look."