You expect me to serve your mistress? The mistress is driving this scumbag and his entire family cra

Chapter 107 Renhetang is mine

"A connection?" Manager Zhao chuckled sarcastically. "Your Highness probably doesn't know about my relationship with Manager Ding of Renhetang."

"I'm not bragging, let me tell you this: any medicine our pharmacy can't sell, Renhetang will buy it up at a high price with just a word from me. Whatever price I say, that's the price."

Liang Jiang exclaimed in surprise, "Oh! The people at Renhetang aren't stupid. Why would they lose money to gain publicity?"

"Tch, whether Manager Ding makes a profit or a loss, that money isn't his. The boss behind them is just a sucker. There are countless Renhetang pharmacies throughout Chang'an and the whole country. Who has the time to care about these trivial matters? Besides, she has never shown her face at the Renhetang pharmacies in the capital."

The sucker Liang Jiang scratched his head: "Even so, it's not like you can just ask for an exorbitant amount, is it? After all, there are people specifically in charge of monitoring these ledgers."

"The princess is truly naive. It's naturally difficult to record the price, but isn't the quantity determined by the subordinates? If I were to sell 300 catties of medicinal herbs as 1,000 catties, would you be able to tell from the ledger? It's easy to adulterate them, spray some water, and tamper with the scales when they leave the warehouse."

Liang Jiang's expression darkened, and a chill immediately ran through her.

"Isn't this just deceiving superiors and subordinates, and lining one's own pockets?"

"Yes," Manager Zhao readily admitted, "I'm not afraid for the princess to know, but I'm the one who set up Renhetang's business. Without me, the cooperation between this pharmacy and Renhetang will fall through. Brother Liu, you should carefully consider your decision."

Manager Liu still tried not to offend the two: "We are all businessmen, and harmony brings wealth. Even if Second Master Liang no longer manages this pharmacy, it is still the property of the Duke's Mansion, isn't it..."

Before he could finish speaking, Master Liang interrupted him immediately.

"You want to play both sides and act like a good guy? I'm not buying it. I'm telling you right now, this pharmacy is definitely going to go out of business without me and Manager Zhao!"
If you insist on staying, from this day forward, we have nothing to do with each other. Don't come crying to me begging for help when you're desperate.

Manager Liu was caught in a dilemma.

Liang Jiang smiled dismissively: "Then I'll say it here today: I'm taking Renhetang's order, and the supply rights for the army will absolutely not fall into your hands."

"If you leave this pharmacy today and later regret it, come begging to me, and I will remember my resolute words today."

"Good!" Master Liang slammed his hand on the table: "Let's break up now, settle the accounts of Manager Zhao's shares, draw up a contract, and never go back on our word."

"Okay."

Liang Jiang readily agreed and immediately ordered someone to bring the account books, writing materials, and paper. Since the pharmacy had always been profitable, there was no need for further wrangling. She split the shares, drew up a document, and quickly dismissed Manager Zhao.

Seeing that she was confident and could throw out more than 10,000 taels of silver without batting an eye, Manager Liu realized that she was indeed capable. After weighing the pros and cons, he gritted his teeth and said, "I am willing to believe in Princess Heya."

Manager Zhao sneered, "Then I won't stand on ceremony. I'll send someone to inform Manager Ding of Renhetang that from this day forward, all cooperation with the pharmacy will cease."

Both parties readily signed and sealed the document.

Liang Jiang accepted the document: "Since you are going to deliver the message, I might as well have Manager Ding come to the pharmacy. There are some things I need to tell him in person, so I don't have to send someone else on the way."

Manager Zhao seemed to have heard the funniest joke: "Explain? With such a big tone, Princess, I wonder what kind of close relationship you have with Manager Ding?"

“He doesn’t know me,” Liang Jiang said calmly, “but the second young master of the Earl’s mansion is more familiar with him.”

Manager Zhao sneered, "Tsk tsk, so the princess doesn't actually know Manager Ding, but is trying to curry favor with him. Brother Liu, you've bet your money on the wrong person."

Manager Liu was secretly annoyed. Not only had he lost his fortune, but he had also offended Manager Zhao and Master Liang. Could it all have been a joke?

Manager Zhao smugly sent his assistant to Renhetang.

Before the transaction was even completed, the shop assistant brought Manager Ding in. Manager Ding swaggered into the pharmacy, and Manager Zhao immediately went to greet him, bowing warmly.
"Manager Ding, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to make this trip. It's because someone claims to be very familiar with you and is using your name to travel around, so I had no choice but to ask you to come in person."

Shopkeeper Ding said casually, "There are plenty of people in the capital who know me. Let me see who it is."

Manager Zhao deliberately exaggerated: "This person is no ordinary person. She is Princess Heya of the Duke's Mansion and the new owner of the medicine shop."

Shopkeeper Ding was taken aback: "New owner? What do you mean?"

"It means that the pharmacy is changing hands, and Master Liang and I will be starting our own business from now on. We hope Manager Ding will continue to take care of us then."

Manager Ding was a shrewd man; he immediately understood the hidden meaning in his words.

"Of course, based on our friendship, there's absolutely no question about it."

After speaking, he stepped forward and bowed to Liang Jiang: "Please forgive my poor eyesight, I don't know when I met you, Princess."

Liang Jiang shook her head: "I've never seen him before. I just took over the pharmacy and I hope to continue working with Manager Ding in the future."

Manager Ding looked as if he had known this all along: "I have long heard of the Princess's name, and it is an honor to meet you today. However, I am sorry, Manager Zhao and I have a long-standing friendship and have cooperated for many years. If word gets out that I have betrayed my trust and am trying to curry favor with the powerful, I am afraid that my colleagues will laugh at me."

Liang Jiang chuckled: "Manager Ding isn't afraid of breaking his promise, but rather afraid that the benefits I offer aren't enough, right? As long as you continue to cooperate with me, Manager Zhao will give you 30% of the benefits, and I'll give you 50%, it will only be more, not less, how about it?"

Manager Ding's displeased expression darkened slightly as he glanced at Manager Zhao beside him. Manager Zhao's gaze darted away, looking somewhat embarrassed.

Although Manager Ding spoke politely, he couldn't hide his arrogance: "Then let's be frank. It's true that I did take money from Manager Zhao, but our cooperation is more about our friendship and has nothing to do with anything else."

Liang Jiang's brows suddenly turned cold and sharp: "Friendship? Just because you have a relationship, you think you can betray your own people, wantonly damage Renhetang's interests, buy up other people's stockpiled medicinal materials at high prices, inflate the weight, adulterate and sell them, and profit from it?"

She suddenly questioned him, her voice sharp and stern, and Manager Ding was taken aback: "I... no, Princess Heya, what are you saying? Although you are a princess, it doesn't seem to be your place to interrogate me about matters within Renhe Hall."

I work my ass off the boss, just to skim a little profit. As long as the shop makes a profit, my boss won't say a word against me.

Liang Jiang narrowed her eyes slightly: "So, everything Manager Zhao said is true?"

"So what if it's true? It's not illegal for a petty person to do this, is it?"

"It's good that you've admitted it. As for whether it's illegal or not, you'll find out when you go to the yamen."

Manager Ding gave a forced smile: "Is the princess trying to blackmail me with this? Forced relationships are never sweet, and forced cooperation will never be pleasant."

Besides, what I just said is irrelevant; once it left my mouth and entered your ears, I won't admit it once it leaves this room. Without evidence, the authorities have no jurisdiction, do they?

"I know that's enough, no evidence is needed. You've served your time as manager. Go back and hand over all the affairs of Renhetang, and return all the money you've embezzled over the years, or you'll be facing legal trouble."

Shopkeeper Ding was taken aback by her words, then burst out laughing.

“Your Highness is of noble birth, and I should not be so presumptuous in your presence. But this yamen is not yours to run, is it? Does your word carry weight in the yamen of the Prefect of the Capital?”

“I don’t run the yamen, but I can run Renhetang. Tomorrow I will send Lu Er and Song Lu to Renhetang. You’ll see whether I can handle it or not.”

(End of this chapter)