On the morning of the sixth day of the second month, a series of firecrackers exploded in the sky. The Lingtong Storage Shop on South Street raised its red silk curtains and lit its sign to officially open.
A small stage was set up at the entrance, where martial students performed swordplay and hand-to-hand routines, immediately drawing a crowd. Meanwhile, the shop staff handed out leaflets introducing the business.
“What kind of store is this storage shop? Is it like the warehouses at the docks?”
“What can you store here? How much does it cost?”
The onlookers murmured curiously.
“Our storage shop specializes in keeping all kinds of items, large or small. Pricing depends on the size of the item and the length of storage. Students taking exams can store their trunks and luggage; merchants’ goods can be temporarily stored in transit; weddings, moving—anyone needing a secure place for their belongings can rely on Lingtong Storage Shop,” a clerk announced.
“Our shop is different from ordinary places that accept items for safekeeping. We have skilled martial students guarding the goods. Should anything go missing during storage, the shop will compensate at double the value!”
The clerk’s voice boomed as he struck a gong for attention, while the two shopkeepers on stage showcased their martial skills in a dazzling display.
Lu Ling hadn’t wanted to do this, but Zhong Dayang insisted on having a performance for the opening. The two argued, then brought the matter to Shu Rui for a decision.
Initially, Shu Rui had thought a display at the door unnecessary. People could get excited watching the performance and then store nothing. But on second thought, a martial display had benefits: it attracted attention and demonstrated the skill of the staff, reassuring potential clients who needed temporary storage.
Lu Ling couldn’t resist the insistence, so he consented.
In addition to this promotion, they reused the same methods from when the inn opened and added printed leaflets for distribution. Though printing and paper weren’t cheap, Shu Rui thought trying different promotional methods was necessary to gauge effectiveness. He selected rough paper from the bookshop and compared printing with handwritten copying. In the end, distributing the leaflets cost three strings of coins.
Leaflets were handed out not only at the shop but also by agents at the city gate by the docks. Shu Rui, now with more disposable funds, treated it as a proper opening gift.
An older man watching the commotion commented, “I see here it says storing a trunk for a month costs sixty coins. Larger items taking up more shelves must be at least two hundred! That’s expensive.”
Shu Rui smiled and replied, “You have a point. Storing luggage in a shop does cost money, unlike leaving it with relatives or friends. But consider this: leaving items elsewhere relies on social obligation. If anything goes missing, it’s difficult to claim compensation. Conflicts might even harm relationships. Here, money buys peace of mind. Sixty coins for a trunk for a month is frightening at first glance, but broken down daily, it’s just two coins a day—barely anything.”
“Also, items left in inns or temples aren’t carefully guarded. Nowadays, many disputes arise when lodging guests lose items.”
The old man muttered, still reluctant to pay, but several others were persuaded. “What he says is true. Locals with family and friends nearby don’t worry about storage, but outsiders and traveling merchants need such a service.”
Seeing the discussion had shifted favorably, Shu Rui left the clerks to handle the crowd.
He almost bumped into Lu Ling, who had just finished a performance and was still sweating from his winter clothing. “Why didn’t you watch my swordplay?”
Shu Rui laughed, “I’m not a customer. You performed to draw attention.”
Lu Ling frowned slightly, regretting the effort. Shu Rui, sensing the tension, led him into the shop.
The shop was spacious, with a façade similar to the inn. The backyard was larger, containing six rooms: three for shelving, three lockable for valuables. Customers could choose shelves or lockable storage, as higher-value items naturally cost more. To prevent overflow, temporary sheds could be erected in the yard for items not vulnerable to rain or humidity.
Shu Rui inspected the shelves, finding them solid. “We promised compensation for lost items, so we must keep accurate counts and prevent theft.”
Lu Ling added, “If a thief dares enter, they’ll regret it.” He led Shu Rui on a thorough walkthrough, revealing clever hidden mechanisms, traps, and rodent-catchers.
Shu Rui was impressed. “Ingenious! No wonder so much was spent on the shop.”
“This was all planned with Zhong Dayang. I spent a few days thinking like a thief, setting traps along possible entry routes,” Lu Ling explained.
After the inspection, Shu Rui felt reassured. Lu Ling and Zhong Dayang had anticipated every concern, so he could relax.
The storage shop opened. Unlike other businesses, the start wasn’t spectacular. For the first few days, transactions were sparse. Shu Rui consoled Lu Ling and Zhong Dayang daily, advising Qing’er to promote the shop at the inn, encouraging guests to store items there.
Gradually, business picked up. Initially, small boxes and light luggage were stored for a few days. Agents began attracting traveling merchants with larger items, extending storage periods to ten to fifteen days. By March and April, the shop had built a reputation in the city. The inn offered incentives for referrals, merchants stored goods, and clients referred others, creating mutual benefits and steady growth.
However, a few months in, careless staff occasionally mishandled items, resulting in disputes and compensation.
Shu Rui reviewed the accounts with Lu Ling. “It’s not that I look down on martial-trained staff, but such people tend to be straightforward and rough, rarely meticulous. In one month alone, losses from compensation cost over six strings of coins. After paying rent and wages, we barely made forty or fifty. Half of that goes to you. Reducing losses would increase profit by several coins.”
Lu Ling, having finished washing up, draped a towel over his shoulder and listened patiently.
“I’ve already disciplined Zhong Dayang and the staff, deducting wages where necessary. Mistakes happen in busy times,” he said.
Shu Rui replied, “I know they’re diligent, and mistakes aren’t entirely their fault. Hiring other martial-trained staff may not yield better results. Still, perhaps we should find a reliable accountant—someone more meticulous—who can oversee storage.”
Lu Ling considered, “Good idea, though we don’t have the right person yet.”
“Take your time. We’ll find someone suitable.”
Lu Ling sat beside Shu Rui, closing the ledger and draping an arm around his shoulder. Shu Rui squinted, suspecting mischief, but instead found Lu Ling, rarely so serious, looking earnest.
“Something wrong?”
Lu Ling said, “I went home for a visit around noon.”
“Did something happen at home?”
“Next month is already May. The government office grants a fifteen-day field leave, and Father’s rotation falls in the first ten days. He wants to take advantage of the long break to visit our ancestral home.”
Lu Ling continued, “Originally, he had planned to go during the New Year, but several matters made that inconvenient, so it was moved to the field leave. If he doesn’t go this time, the next long break won’t be until September.”
Shu Rui felt an unexpected pang at hearing this. Life had been smooth lately, and he had somewhat forgotten the matters with the Bai family. Suddenly being reminded felt like a warning bell ringing in his chest.
Time had flown—without noticing, an entire year had passed.
He held Lu Ling’s hand. “So, Father wants us to go together?”
Lu Ling shook his head. “Let me handle this with the family. You needn’t trouble yourself.”
“I can’t not go! I have to apologize to Aunt and my cousins in person. If I’m absent, and you go with Father alone, they won’t be satisfied.”
Shu Rui felt uneasy. “I can’t just hide away and let you and Father face their trouble alone.”
Lu Ling had expected this response and had already discussed it with the family. They advised him:
“It would indeed be good for you to go, to show the Bai family that life has been better since leaving. But if you go, even with fast horses, it will take at least twenty days. What about the inn’s business? The storage shop can’t run with only Zhong Dayang.”
Shu Rui calmed himself. That was indeed an important consideration.
If the inn closed for that long, it would lose income, and the two shops could not be left unattended. Leaving him behind was the safer choice.
Shu Rui’s mind wrestled with this, but he decided they should meet at the Bai residence the next day and discuss things face-to-face before finalizing. He did not want to hide behind others to handle matters, but he also could not act impulsively at the expense of the business.