"Add money?"

The moment Tang Huan uttered those two words, Wu Lanxi's heart skipped a beat.

Even though the sugar business made him quite a bit of money, the price of sugar was also extremely high.

If I were to pay more, I wouldn't be able to come up with that much money.

His own private treasury didn't have much money to begin with. Even including the profits from the sugar business, it was only a few tens of thousands of taels of silver. Right now, disasters were happening all over the country, and people were still suffering. The ministers might ask him to spend money on disaster relief at any time.

Otherwise, why would Wu Lanxi be in such a hurry to come to Qihuai County again?

I'm short of money.

If Tang Huan hadn't been able to earn enough money for her, Wu Lanxi wouldn't be here right now.

As the Empress's personal attendant, Lin Wan'er was well aware of the Empress's financial situation, and at this moment, she couldn't help but look worried.

Tang Huan glanced at the two of them a few times and realized something.

"What's wrong, Mr. Wu? Is he in trouble?"

Isn't he a big businessman from the capital? Can't he even make a living running a hot pot business?

Surely a big businessman shouldn't be short of money.

Wu Lanxi didn't deny it and simply admitted, "To tell you the truth, Lord Tang, I didn't bring much money with me to Qihuai County this time. I only have less than 20,000 taels to invest in the hot pot business..."

Even if we don't say it now, it will still be exposed when we sign the contract and conduct the transaction.

Since I can't come up with the money myself, I might as well be honest.

Wu Lanxi had no intention of hiding this fact.

I have no money...

Tang Huan sighed inwardly, then put on a smiling face.

It seems that even wealthy merchants in the capital have their share of problems. Wu Lanxi is, after all, a woman. Even if she comes from a prestigious family, she probably won't be the one in charge.

After all, it was a feudal society, and there was still a significant gap in status between men and women.

Not everyone is that empress.

Tang Huan didn't think too much about it and said with a smile, "It doesn't matter if you don't have money. There's a securities lending center in Qihuai County."

"Securities lending exchange?" Wu Lanxi asked curiously, wondering what it was.

"Boss Wu, this loan office is a place where people borrow money."

Xie Wu noticed the Empress's doubts and immediately offered an explanation.

"Isn't that just a money exchange?" Lin Wan'er pouted.

There are quite a few money shops in the capital.

Xie Wu shook his head. "Loan offices are different from money shops. In addition to pawning and depositing money, Qihuai County can directly lend money to outsiders."

"I'm afraid we'll need to pledge something as collateral?"

Wu Lanxi guessed.

Tang Huan chuckled and said, "Of course, collateral is required. Otherwise, if someone comes to me to borrow money and runs away, and Daqing is a vast area with people all over the country, I can't possibly bring them back."

That's true.

Wu Lanxi was momentarily tempted and asked, "Is there anything else I need?"

If this transaction can be completed through the loan, and I can bring the hotpot back to the capital to make another profit, perhaps the famine in Kuizhou can be resolved...

A glimmer of hope flashed in Wu Lanxi's heart.

But she also understood that it was almost impossible to solve the famine with just this amount of money.

But if you don't even have money, then there's absolutely no chance.

"To prevent customers from borrowing money and running away, we conduct various investigations beforehand, comprehensively comparing their identity, background, current job, and career prospects, and then lending them different amounts."

It sounds rather complicated.

Wu Lanxi pondered this and realized that it was inevitable.

Since it doesn't require valuables as collateral like the money shops in the capital, it must have a complicated and cumbersome process; otherwise, why would anyone lend money?

"I wonder how much money I can borrow in Qihuai County?"

Tang Huan clicked her tongue and looked at Wu Lanxi intently for a while.

Wu Lanxi did not look away, and the two stared at each other like that.

When Lin Wan'er saw this scene, she was about to reprimand Tang Huan for his abruptness in staring directly at His Majesty, but then she realized that the two of them were now wealthy merchants from the capital.

We're at a critical juncture when it comes to borrowing money, so I reluctantly gave up on the idea.

But she still glared at Tang Huan with a huff, wary of what inappropriate things this man might do.

"If Boss Wu wants a loan, it's simple. We've worked together before, and I trust your character. Besides, Xie Wu is backing you up. No problem, no problem..."

Tang Huan smiled and didn't seem embarrassed at all.

endorsement?

What does this mean?

The words that Tang Huan uttered filled Wu Lanxi with confusion.

Based on the content of the conversation, Wu Lanxi roughly guessed that it was because of Xie Wu that Tang Huan trusted their side.

"However, it should be agreed beforehand that there is interest on loans in Qihuai County, even if we are partners, this is still necessary."

"Interest?" Lin Wan'er asked back.

"Of course, I can't just lend you money for nothing. Money makes money. I've made quite a bit of money myself during the time I've lent you the money, so there's bound to be interest."

"How much do you want?" Wu Lanxi asked curiously.

Five fingers slowly extended.

"Are you crazy? You want half?" Lin Wan'er shouted.

Tang Huan rolled her eyes at Lin Wan'er, who seemed completely naive and unsophisticated.

Xie Wu quickly explained, "Lord Tang means five percent. If you borrow ten thousand taels, the interest is five hundred taels, and so on..."

This must not allow His Majesty to think that Tang Huan is making exorbitant demands and is a greedy and greedy fellow.

Out of a desire to protect Tang Huan, Xie Wu quickly offered an explanation.

Wu Lanxi nodded and said, "Five percent is reasonable."

Despite her outward appearance, she was already deeply shocked inside.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!