Though it's not the information age, the speed of spreading gossip is just as fast.
"Your shop and Old Wang's Large Cart Inn aren't owned by the same person, are they?" Lian Manman asked.
"Not the same owner, but might as well be. Our boss is friends with them. Customers from Liaodong who come to Taicang stay at Old Wang's Large Cart Inn, and if they want to buy cotton, they come here to De's Old Shop," the shopkeeper said. "Don't worry, the goods will be assuredly delivered shortly, and as for the price, we'll offer the familiar customer rate from Liaodong, round down to the nearest whole number, and then give you a discount, 5% off. Whether buying hundreds of pounds or more, the discount remains the same. It's not about making money; it's about making friends."
Lian Manman left half the payment for the cotton and agreed that the goods would be delivered to Old Wang's Large Cart Inn and the rest of the money would be paid then.
