I was a conman in the Ming Dynasty.

Chapter 247 Prince

Chapter 247 The Prince

Zhang Shize looked up and saw Wang Wenzhou. He quickly went to greet him and asked in confusion, "Boxin, why are you so late? Everyone is waiting for you. If you hadn't come, they would have felt awkward having the meal."

Wang Wenzhou said helplessly, "There were too many people. Xiao Lanlan and I got separated in the crowd. It was not easy to find Xiao Lanlan."

Gao Guilan's eyes were red, and she looked at Zhang Shize with a wronged expression.

Zhang Shize shook his head with a wry smile. "Silly Xiao Wu, can't we have something serious to do? Don't go around hugging pretty girls everywhere you go."

Wang Wenzhou cupped his hands in apology to the crowd and said, "Everyone, I'm so sorry to have kept you all waiting!"

"Xiao Wu! How can you be so distant? I've watched you grow up, how could I be angry with you?"

"Boxin, please sit down!"

Wang Wenhua looked at Xu Yingjie and said sarcastically, "Brother Xu, shouldn't you call our Xiao Wu 'Grandpa' now?"

"Hahaha..." Everyone burst into laughter. Although it had only been open for half an hour, the income of each shop was almost equivalent to half a month's income before, and the better-selling shops had already exceeded a month's income. Wang Wenzhou was sure to win this bet.

Xu Yingjie had just received a report from his colleague that he owns six shops in the supermarket, and the worst-performing shop was barely making enough to cover ten or more days' worth of income.

Xu Yingjie was extremely embarrassed. In front of so many people, he couldn't go back on his word. Nobles were all people who cared about their reputation. If he dared to break the contract this time, he would have no future in the noble circles.

That's enough! That's enough! Just admit defeat! Xu Yingjie was quite decisive, quickly picking up his wine glass and standing up, saying, "Sir, I'd like to offer you a toast!"

"Haha..." Everyone laughed.

Wang Wenzhou quickly waved his hand and said, "Brother Xu, it was just a joke, don't take it seriously. We've been classmates for years, it would be so embarrassing if you called me 'Grandpa'! Everyone here is a businessman, and the customers are all our lords. You can just call me 'lord,' no need to call me 'Grandpa'! If you call me 'Grandpa,' your father will definitely be angry!"

"Hahaha..." Everyone burst into laughter. Silly Xiao Wu had really made Xu Yingjie lose face today.

At this moment, Xu Yingjie wished he could strangle Wang Wenzhou, but he couldn't be shameless, so he could only say in a wronged tone, "Sir! Sir Wang Wenzhou! I'd like to offer you a toast!"

"You're too kind!" Wang Wenzhou raised his glass and said, "Gentlemen, let's all drink to this and wish our business prosperity and abundant wealth!"

"Cheers!" Everyone drank it all in one gulp. Everyone likes money, and no one is unhappy when they make money. Today, everyone was very happy.

The meal lasted for over an hour, with a waiter coming in every half hour to report the earnings to the boss. Everyone was thoroughly enjoying the meal. At this rate of earning money, they were making almost half a year's income in a day, and they were all so happy that they drank quite a bit.

Chen Daoning vaguely heard that Wang Wenzhou planned to open a Hanshan supermarket elsewhere. He stood up, staggered over to Wang Wenzhou, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Little...Little Wu, you..."

Chen Daoning was drunk and didn't hold back. Moreover, he had martial arts training, and the blow made Wang Wenzhou wince in pain.

Wang Wenzhou turned around and realized he didn't recognize Chen Daoning. Chen Daoning was in his fifties and had no prior connection with Wang Wenzhou.

Wang Wenzhou was also quite drunk, and he cursed, "Who the hell are you? Who are you calling Xiao Wu? Who do you think you are to call Xiao Wu?"

Chen Daoning's expression changed. "You little brat, I'm your elder, how can I not call you Xiao Wu?" But then he thought again, "This guy is a money-bringer, I can't offend him!"

Chen Daoning said with a smile, "Your Highness... Wang Wenzhou... please don't be angry!"

Chen Daoning was quite drunk and slurred his words, calling Wang Wenzhou "Master Wang" instead of "Master Wang." Xu Daoning simply went along with it; after all, Silly Xiao Wu was a spendthrift!

Chen Daoning asked with a smile, "Your Highness, I heard that you intend to open Hanshan Supermarkets in various places. My hometown is Nanning Prefecture, and I have quite a few connections there. I wonder if Your Highness would allow me to participate?"

"Hahaha..." Wang Wenzhou laughed heartily. It was like a pillow being delivered to someone who was sleepy. These nobles were all shrewd! Seeing how popular the Hanshan Supermarket in Nanjing was, they immediately thought of opening supermarkets in other places as well.

Wang Wenzhou put his hand on Chen Daoning's shoulder and asked, "Brother, what is your name?"

Brother? Chen Daoning was both amused and exasperated. I am of the same generation as your father, and you call me brother? Fine, fine, Xiao Wu, you are the master! Call me whatever you want.

Chen Daoning smiled and said, "Your Highness, I am Marquis Chen Daoning of Chengshan."

Wang Wenzhou nodded and said with a smile, "Xiao Ning, to be honest, I really am planning to open Hanshan supermarkets in various places. It's already on the agenda. After the Nanjing matter is settled, Hanshan supermarkets will be opened in various places gradually. You'll be included in the share of the Hanshan supermarket in your hometown of Nanning Prefecture."

Chen Daoning quickly expressed his gratitude: "Thank you, Your Highness!"

Someone glanced at Chen Daoning with disdain and sneered, "A man in his fifties calling a young man in his twenties 'master'? Old Chen is really shameless!"

One of the people at the same table as that man said softly, "What's the use of having a face in this world? Can a face feed you? Money talks!"

"Your Highness, my hometown is Dengzhou. May I take a stake in Hanshan Supermarket in Dengzhou?"

"Your Highness, I would like to invest in Hanshan Supermarket in Xuzhou."

Soon, many shrewd people swarmed around, begging and pleading to invest.

Wang Wenzhou smiled slightly, waved to the crowd, and said loudly, "Please don't be impatient, everyone. Let me say something first. First of all, no matter where Hanshan Supermarket is located, it will make a lot of money! Please be patient and wait until tomorrow. After today's revenue is tallied, I will announce today's revenue for the Nanjing Hanshan Supermarket flagship store. In addition, tomorrow we will hold an investment auction to auction off the investment rights for Hanshan Supermarkets in various locations."

Wang Wenzhou continued, "As you all understand, the larger the population of a city, the more revenue the supermarket will generate. You are all elders who have watched me grow up, and I cannot show favoritism. Therefore, I have no choice but to hold an auction. In cities with larger populations, many people will surely want to invest. The highest bidder wins!"

"Pfft..." Everyone was dumbfounded. Silly Xiao Wu really knows how to make money! But what could they do? No one understood how the supermarket operated; they only knew it was very profitable. If they wanted to make money, they could only invest and be at Xiao Wu's mercy.

Zhang Shize shook his head slightly. "Silly Xiao Wu, I really admire you! It seems that you asked me to invest one million taels of silver because we're family and you didn't take advantage of me!"

Wang Wenhua was also considering where to invest. After all, Xiao Wu was his own brother, and he couldn't let him suffer a loss.