These words were overheard by Shen Qingquan, who was sitting in the car.
She didn't want to see Cheng Zhiwen again unless absolutely necessary, so she naturally wouldn't ask him for money.
If we really can't raise the money, we can simply give up our government job and stop dealing in raw silk, and go into other businesses.
Shen Qing returned to Jiangzhou late at night. After resting for two or three hours, he got up before dawn to wash and prepare all the account books that could prove the Gao family's current assets.
He tucked his belongings into his pocket and headed out at daybreak, intending to borrow money from a money lender.
As soon as I stepped out of the courtyard, I ran into Chunju, who was hurrying towards me.
"Young mistress, there is a telegram for you, from Shanghai."
Shen Qing assumed something had happened to the silk shop in Shanghai, so he quickly took the telegram and opened it.
It wasn't someone from the silk shop; it was a telegram from a man named Martin who said he wanted to do business with her.
Shen Qing immediately thought of the Frenchman that Cheng Zhiwen had mentioned a few days ago.
He told her that a Frenchman wanted to buy her silk shop in Shanghai and that she should sell it immediately without hesitation.
This move was to extricate her from the vortex of the revolutionary party.
Shen Qing began to seriously consider selling the villa.
In fact, ever since the Gao family regained their share of the silk business, she had begun to regret spending money on a villa in Shanghai. Now that the French wanted to buy it, that was perfect.
The original intention of setting up this silk shop in Shanghai was to promote the reputation of Gao Family Silk, regain the favor of the Qing court, and secure a government job.
Now that the Gao family has regained its share, the matter of marketing silk among the general public can be put on hold for the time being.
Shen Qing immediately set off for Shanghai, where he met the Frenchman named Martin at the villa.
Martin brought a translator with him.
Translation: "Ms. Shen, it's a pleasure to meet you. Mr. Martin is interested in buying your villa. Are you interested in selling it?"
Shen Qing knew Martin could speak English because she had overheard him communicating with the translator in English.
She smiled and looked at the translator: "I speak English, and I will speak with Mr. Martin myself."
After saying that, he spoke directly to Martin in English: "I'd like to know, what is your purpose in buying this villa?"
Seeing that she was dressed like an uncivilized Qing Dynasty woman, yet spoke fluent English, Martin and the translator were both taken aback.
Martin said, “I am the Asia head of the French brand Hermes. We plan to open a store in Shanghai. After seeing your villa, we think it is very suitable, so we are taking the liberty of coming to inquire.”
Shen Qing felt that the name Hermasen sounded very familiar. After thinking for a while, he remembered that he had bought bags and belts from this brand in modern times.
Even a century later in Shanghai, this brand still has several boutiques located in old villas.
Shen Qing wasn't bothered by selling the villa to a century-old luxury brand; the idea of a villa boutique was itself a copy of those luxury brands a century later.
This is a wealthy foreign brand, and Shen Qing decided to sell the villa to him for double the price.
“I’m willing to sell the villa to the Hermason brand, but I’d like to confirm one thing before we set a price.”
"Please speak."
"Do you know Cheng Zhiwen?"
The other person looked blank for a moment, then shook their head: "I don't know any Chinese people with the surname Cheng."
Since he wasn't Cheng Zhiwen's friend, Shen Qing confidently made a offer: "My selling price is 1.5 million taels of silver, and you must continue to employ the staff here for three years after purchasing this villa."
Martin looked troubled.
It was clear that the offer was higher than his original price range, and he couldn't decide for the time being.
Shen Qing smiled and stood up: "Take your time to think it over, or you can stay and tour the villa. I have to go now."
She needed to rush back to Jiangzhou to discuss borrowing money with the money lender.
After instructing the receptionist to take good care of Martin, Shen Qing immediately left the garden.
Just as she boarded the carriage, Martin chased after her, saying, "Ms. Shen, please wait."
Shen Qing lifted one of the carriage curtains and looked at Martin standing outside the window.
The slanted curtain obscured half of her eyebrows and eyes, revealing the other half of her alluring face.
Martin paused for a moment before saying, "One and a half million taels of silver, deal! We can sign the agreement today!"
Shen Qing raised an eyebrow: "Pay in full, cash only?"
"OK!"
...
Bank of France.
Shen Qing received a silver note for 1.5 million taels of silver, signed his name on the agreement to change the ownership, and gave Martin all the relevant deeds for the villa.
Martin stood up and shook hands with her: "Chen, it's a pleasure to meet you. I wish you great success in your business."
Shen Qing smiled and nodded: "I also wish Hermason a prosperous business."
Jiang Shen, He Fei, and two other bodyguards escorted her out of the bank.
The carriage deliberately took a detour to leave Shanghai.
On the way back to Jiangzhou, Shen Qing's heart, which had been hanging in her throat, finally settled down.
She didn't expect the money problem to be solved so easily.
He looked at the suitcase at his feet.
There are 1.5 million taels of silver in here, enough for her to accept 30% of the raw silk from Nanxun.
...
The three-day deadline passed quickly.
Shen Qingtian set off for the textile bureau before dawn and arrived before 9:00 AM.
Other merchants and Qi Zhenheng were already waiting for her at the weaving hall.
She walked in with her hands behind her back, smiling and nodding to everyone.
Everyone acted as if they hadn't seen her; some looked away, while others lowered their heads and talked.
In short, they just didn't like her.
Shen Qing sat down in the first seat to Qi Zhenheng's right.
Qi Zhenheng gave her a deep look, then stood up and said to everyone, "Does everyone have an idea about who will be the president of the raw silk merchants' association?"
The merchants said one after another, "We have discussed it and think that Mr. Wu is the most suitable to be the chairman."
Mr. Wu was the one who pleaded for the merchant who made the lewd joke that day.
Qi Zhenheng looked at Shen Qing and saw that she was calm.
Based on his understanding of Shen Qing, he knew she must have come up with a solution.
He also calmed down and said, "Now we have two candidates, Mr. Shen and Mr. Wu. How about this, you two each tell me how to regain control of the raw silk business. I will then make the final decision on the chairman."
Mr. Wu smiled and looked at Shen Qing, gesturing for him to speak first: "Mr. Shen, please speak first."
Shen Qing remained silent.
How to regain control of raw silk?
Of course she has a way; she has plenty of ways.
But this woman surnamed Wu might not have a solution. Letting her speak first means we're planning to adapt her ideas and then present them as our own?
Therefore, she didn't need to explain the solution to these people.
What they want isn't a solution, it's benefits!
They only care about face and money, and have no concern for the future of raw silk.
If the chairman appoints one of these people, then the Raw Silk Chamber of Commerce will not be able to play any role.
Thinking of this, Shen Qing turned to look at Jiang Shen standing behind her.
Jiang Shen immediately leaned closer to her: "Please speak."
“Go…” she whispered to Jiang Shen.
The other eight merchants, including Qi Zhenheng, looked over curiously, wanting to know what she had asked Jiang Shen to do.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com