Lu Zheng took a stroll around Sweet Delights Shop.
Sweet Delights Shop naturally no longer had the bustling crowds from its opening day, but since it sold only premium rock sugar, every successful transaction brought in a handsome income.
Moreover, their rock sugar was unquestionably high in quality, so quite a few wealthy households specifically purchased their rock sugar from Sweet Delights Shop. These were all long-term dealings.
Now, after deducting rent and labor costs, Sweet Delights Shop could provide Lu Zheng with nearly one string of cash in income every day. Converted to modern terms, that was the purchasing power of a thousand yuan.
Do not underestimate one string of cash. One string a day meant that in a year, he could earn the price of Lu Zheng's three-courtyard residence—a sum many commoners could not afford in their entire lives.
After encouraging Shitou and the other clerk, Ma San, Lu Zheng gave each of them a reward of twenty copper coins. The two were immediately overwhelmed with gratitude and swore to work diligently for Lu Zheng.
It made Lu Zheng feel as though he had already become one of the capitalists.
They did not eat out at noon. The Liu Family Sisters dragged Lu Zheng home.
That afternoon, Liu Qingquan brought Lu Zheng to another garden.
Jade Ling Garden.
It was a dedicated opera garden that kept two opera troupes of its own, with traveling troupes occasionally taking up residence as well. It was one of the liveliest places in Tonglin County.
However, Lu Zheng had no interest in the operas of the Great Jing Dynasty, so he had never come before.
"Today's performance is Jade Ling Garden's signature play, The Tale of Hong Ling. It is deeply moving and brings people to tears," Liu Qingyan introduced.
Lu Zheng