Chapter 93 - 76: From now on, you are my half-brother from another father and mother!_3
Moreover, the loose cultivators who collaborated with the Lu Family’s Spiritual Talisman Shop were mostly fixed, so it was enough to inspect a portion of the goods each provided.
Lu Miaoge explained the inspection standards for the goods to Lu Changsheng.
For instance, with talisman inspections, first and foremost, the quality of the talisman paper couldn’t be too poor.
Then, the sketched talisman lines should flow smoothly at first glance, without any bumps or scrapes, and finally, the spiritual power within should circulate unimpeded.
Talismans could be used as soon as they were made.
However, there would be a ten to twenty percent difference in effectiveness due to the quality of materials, the lines, and the spiritual power.
Previously, when Lu Changsheng brought his talismans to the Spiritual Talisman Shop to sell, it was because their quality was very good, which is why the sales went so smoothly.
As for the talisman paper and spiritual ink, there should not be a single flaw in quality.
Having heard this, Lu Changsheng finally understood the shop’s standards for goods.
He couldn’t help thinking about the talismans he had bought from the shop a few days earlier, only to find that one of them was flawed.
Was this just his bad luck, a coincidence, or was it a lapse in quality control?
Immediately, Lu Changsheng started inspecting more seriously.
After all, he was going to be responsible for managing the Spiritual Talisman Shop in a short while.
If there were quality issues with the goods under his watch, or if their reputation suffered, that would be problematic.
“Sister Miaoge, according to the standards, would you say the spiritual power inside this talisman is flowing smoothly?”
Lu Changsheng, holding a middle-grade talisman in his hands, gently felt the spiritual power coursing within and voiced his inquiry.
“This one is just on the passing mark, any worse and we wouldn’t accept it.”
Lu Miaoge said aloud.
Hearing this, Lu Changsheng nodded and began to work.
The work took the two of them a full two days to complete.
“Changsheng, you’ve worked hard. If it weren’t for your help, it would have taken me two or three more days to finish the spot checks.”
Lu Miaoge said with a light smile on her face.
“It’s what I should do.”
Lu Changsheng smiled and then took out a list and said, “These people’s goods have issues, so we’ll return them. We won’t cooperate with them in the future, right?”
During the two days of inspections, they indeed found some talismans, talisman papers, and spiritual inks that failed to meet quality standards.
“That’s right, the main thing about running a shop in the marketplace is reputation.”
“If there are too many issues with the goods, a bad reputation will essentially ruin the shop. That’s why strict quality control in this area is a must.”
Lu Miaoge nodded her head with a serious tone.
“Okay, I’ll make sure to control this aspect well.”
Lu Changsheng naturally understood this principle too.
They say that becoming an official or getting rich means making enemies in the same trade, and rivals within the same industry harbor nothing but naked hatred for each other.
With so many spiritual talisman shops in the Nine Dragons Market, competition is fierce.
The Lu Family’s Spiritual Talisman Shop had not reached its current state easily.
If any issues arose, other talisman shops would definitely pile on, and the business could plummet drastically.
“Uncle Zhang, I’ve finished inspecting the goods. These few suppliers have a low rate of quality goods, return all their items and cease future cooperation.”
Lu Changsheng, holding a list, said to Zhang Shan.
“Yes, Second Master.”
Shopkeeper Zhang Shan nodded and took the list to look. Upon seeing a name on it, he said, “Second Master, this loose cultivator named Jia Huairen has cooperated with our shop for several years, and there has never been an issue during that time.”
“Could there be some problem this time? Shall I ask him about it when I have a chance?”
Zhang Shan suggested.
“Has he been cooperating for several years without ever having an issue?”
Lu Changsheng raised his eyebrows upon hearing this.
“Yes, ever since the First Master took over the shop, Jia Huairen has been working with us without any problems, and the quality has always been good.”
Zhang Shan said evenly.
“In that case, send his goods back to him and have him check everything himself.”
“I’ll take another look later; if there’s no problem, then let’s overlook it this time.”
Lu Changsheng eyed Zhang Shan, his gaze narrowing slightly as he spoke after a moment’s thought.
“Alright, Second Master.”
Zhang Shan immediately responded with a nod.
After that, Lu Changsheng also discussed the matter with Lu Miaoge.
Lu Miaoge felt the issue was not too serious and that giving them a chance was fine. It was up to Lu Changsheng to handle it.
She then mentioned that she would be returning to Qingzhu Mountain in two days.
After returning to the Lu Family’s courtyard, Lu Changsheng also told Shao Yuyao he would have to go back in a few days.
Shao Yuyao was aware that this son of hers had a pile of wives, concubines, and children at the Lu Family and obediently responded.
Meanwhile.
In a small courtyard in the Western District.
“Brother Zhang, why were all the materials from this batch sent back for rework?”
A burly man asked Zhang Shan.
“Sent back for rework, and you’re still asking me?”
“This month, the shop got a new owner, so for the next few months, the shop will be monitored much more closely. Keep an eye on the quality yourself, and don’t give me any of those shoddy goods passed off as first-rate again.”
“If I hadn’t spoken up this time, they would have directly terminated the partnership.”
Zhang Shan replied irritably.
“Terminate it then. When the time comes, we’ll just change the name and continue the partnership as usual, won’t we?”
The burly man said with an indifferent expression.
“Changing the name would only bring more trouble if the inspections find issues again.”
“Moreover, I haven’t quite figured out this new owner’s temperament yet. Let Old Zhou and Old Yang keep an eye out as well.”
Zhang Shan continued, his face stern and beyond questioning.
“Alright, Brother Zhang, I got it.”
Seeing the situation, the burly man nodded earnestly.
Two days later, early in the morning, Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge rode the Iron Feather Eagle from Nine Dragons Market back to Qingzhu Mountain.
Similar to their journey there, it took two days for the pair to safely return to the Lu Family.
“Husband~”
“The husband has returned!”
“Daddy, Daddy!”
As soon as Lu Changsheng entered, several wives, concubines, and playing children caught sight of his return and ran over to him with boundless joy, surrounding him in hugs.
“This is what home feels like!”
Seeing this, Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but smile, patting his wives and embracing his children.
Afterward, the other wives and concubines also came to meet Lu Changsheng.
In the process, Lu Changsheng noticed a woman he hadn’t seen before.
This woman, appearing to be seventeen or eighteen years old, had a demeanor of refined grace and seemed somewhat shy.
Later on, through Lu Miaoyun’s explanation, he learned that this woman was named Guan Xin.
She was sent over by Hong Yi not long ago when he came to Qingzhu Mountain to trade talismans and possessed an Eighth Grade Spiritual Root.
At this point, Lu Miaoyun pouted slightly and coquettishly said that Lu Changsheng having them was not enough, and insisted that he had others find women for him outside.
Hearing this, Lu Changsheng immediately envisioned the scene.
Lu Miaoyun, pregnant, had gone to trade talismans on his behalf, and as a result, Hong Yi sent him a young girl.
Under such circumstances, it was normal for Lu Miaoyun, as his principal wife, to show a bit of temper.
He immediately soothed her, assuring her that he truly had no idea, and was unaware of this development.
After Jiu’er and Shui’er, he had told Hong Yi not to engage in such activities anymore.
He stated that if he had been there, he would have definitely declined.
He then showered her with sweet talk, praising Lu Miaoyun’s conduct as a leading wife and declaring her to be an exemplary helpmate to him.
Of course, he said what he said, but in his heart, it was ‘Hong Yi, what a good brother!’
In secular society, finding someone with a Spiritual Root was not easy.
Let alone a young woman in her prime years.
Now that Hong Yi had found one and sent her to him, he was truly like a brother, though not by blood.
Lu Changsheng also thought that he could now start selling some Middle Grade talismans to Hong Yi.
On the one hand, it would increase his income.
On the other hand, it was a way to give Hong Yi some benefits.
After all, Hong Yi had treated him so well, like a brother, so he could not fail to reciprocate.
Later, Lu Changsheng chatted with Guan Xin, inquiring about her family situation and whether she came of her own will, ensuring she hadn’t been coerced in any way.
She conveyed that her family was an ordinary family of five and she had willingly sold herself to the Ruyi Marquis Mansion to serve the celestial master.
Hearing this, Lu Changsheng was relieved.
A gentleman adores the fair sex but always acts in an upright manner!
His bottom line, Lu’s own, was not to coerce anyone and to avoid any possible trouble.