"But I'm determined to do this business and I won't raise the price. You say I'm breaking industry rules, but I'm selling it at the normal profit margin of the purchase price..." Jiang Wei explained calmly and slowly.

Before she could finish speaking, Wang Congwang interrupted her, "Didn't you understand what Master Liu and the others said? They gave you such a good way out, and instead of thinking about how to thank them, you're here talking about this grain and charcoal business. If Master Liu and the others didn't let you do this business, would you still be able to continue?"

Although Master Liu had been subtly trying to undermine Jiang Wei and prevent her from doing business, he was still somewhat displeased that Wang Congwang had said it so bluntly.

"What nonsense are you spouting!" Master Liu replied with dissatisfaction. "This business is not so easy to do. She has never done business before. It is perfectly normal for her to fail and suffer losses. How can it be that I am not letting her do it?"

The meaning behind their words couldn't be clearer: they wanted Jiang Wei to give up the business.

I was originally thinking of having a proper discussion, but seeing how they were acting, I no longer considered discussing it with her; I was only focused on forcing her to back out.

Jiang Wei wasn't in a hurry. She picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and said calmly, "I'm determined to do this business. There's no way I'll back out. I invited everyone here today to discuss how we can all make a profit. We can't make a fortune overnight from a natural disaster, but we can still make money, and people will remember your kindness..."

"Remember our kindness? We're businessmen, we work hard all the time to earn more money. We could be earning a lot more money right now, but you're telling us not to, and to expect people to be grateful to us. What do we need that gratitude for? Can it be used as money?"

Interrupted once again, Jiang Wei, having served as the mistress of a marquis's mansion for several years in her previous life, looked calmly at the speaker with an air of authority.

“I know you are all businessmen, and you’re out here in this cold weather just to earn more money. I’m also planning to do business to earn money.” Jiang Wei made no attempt to hide his purpose.

"Only if we can distinguish clearly when it's okay to make money and when it's not, will we be able to stop this heavy snow anytime soon. If some people freeze to death because our charcoal is too expensive, what do you think the government will do? Do you want money or lives?"

The shop owners say I'm disrupting the market, but the goods in my shop are sold according to my profit margin from purchasing them; I'm not deliberately selling them at low prices to grab market share.

"Stop spreading alarmist rumors. How could it be that people are freezing to death?" This isn't the first time Wang Congwang has tried to make this kind of money; he's never failed to make any money before.

“Doing business is all about adapting to the times. Prices can change at any time, and it’s not normal. It’s a matter of mutual consent. If we go to buy more goods, do you think they will give us the original price?” These business owners were all dissatisfied with Jiang Wei’s approach.

"This is also the purpose of my inviting you all here today. I want to discuss with you how to properly resolve this issue," Jiang Weike replied politely.

"Discuss? The best solution is for you to go home and stop showing your face in public. There's no reason for women to do business in this world." Master Liu said in a commanding tone, trying to scare Jiang Wei back.

"How about we see what good ideas the female boss has?" Li Yousen asked hesitantly, and he was the only one among so many people who gave Jiang Wei some face.

Of course, he also incurred the displeasure of these owners, and Master Liu even gave him a meaningful look.

"How much money can you make with just a small shop like yours? You're not losing anything, are you?" Wang Cong saw that Li Yousen was the one with only two small shops and immediately retorted without any politeness.

The door to the private room opened again, and Chen Yunfan walked in from outside. "I apologize to all the owners; I'm late."

Chen Yunfan wore his usual smile, neither too formal nor too familiar.

Master Liu and the others were somewhat surprised. Had this woman really invited the Chen family?

The usually shrewd businessman would not treat Jiang Wei the way he had just treated him. He quickly stood up to greet her, saying, "It's not late, it's not late. It's close to the end of the year, so it's normal for your business to be a bit busy."

Master Liu quickly approached Chen Yunfan and started chatting warmly. After all, it was the Chen family, the richest family in the country. If they had the opportunity to cooperate with the Chen family, it wouldn't be too difficult for them to make some money. They could share some of the rare treasures brought back from overseas with them to sell.

Or give them some salt to sell; making money wouldn't be too easy.

"Yes, yes, not late, not late. Second Master's arrival is just in time. We haven't even started eating yet." Everyone echoed in response, with ingratiating smiles on their faces.

Master Liu moved to the side, making room for Chen Yunfan in the main seat.

Chen Yunfan didn't stand on ceremony with him at all, and looked at Jiang Wei with affection, asking, "Wei'er, how did your conversation with the hosts go? Since it's your treat today, please sit in the head seat!"

Jiang Wei knew that this was her uncle giving her face and elevating her status among these businessmen!

She had already stood up and stood to the side when Chen Yunfan came in.

Hearing Chen Qufan ask her this, Jiang Wei smiled sweetly and curtsied to Chen Yunfan, "Second Uncle, please sit down first, let's sit down and talk slowly."

Chen Yunfan nodded and sat down in Jiang Wei's seat.

Jiang Wei walked to the head seat, about to speak.

"Second Master, we've almost finished our discussions, and we agree with most of what the mistress said," said Master Liu, who was afraid that Jiang Wei would speak first and repeat what they had just said.

Master Liu's face was beaming with smiles. "What do you say, mistress?"

Jiang Wei saw through the situation and spoke frankly: all they needed to do was agree to lower the price of grain a bit, so that those with more money could buy from them. That would help them get through this difficult time.

Although my second uncle brought back quite a lot of things, it wasn't enough for everyone in the capital.

If they sell more to others, her situation will be easier, and she can avoid raising the prices of her grain and charcoal.

“Yes, Second Uncle, Master Liu and the others have agreed that the prices of grain and charcoal will not be raised and will be sold at the previous prices. If they purchase more, they will also sell them at the profit margin agreed upon before.” Jiang Wei continued Master Liu’s words.

"What do you think!" he retorted, asking Master Liu a question in return.

The Liu family looked rather grim, but they still reluctantly agreed.

Chen Yunfan raised his glass, "I would like to offer a toast to everyone here to express my gratitude. My niece just wouldn't listen to any advice and insisted on going out to do business. She said that her mother and grandmother appeared to her in a dream, asking her to help the poor people in the capital and prevent them from freezing and starving to death. Her grandfather and I were so pestered by her that we finally agreed to let her go out to do business for a while."