The Spring Festival is often the most lively time of the year for every family.
The capital city was decorated with red and colorful decorations, creating a very festive atmosphere.
After the New Year, Jin Yu Lou did not open for business until the fifth day of the Lunar New Year.
People generally prefer to spend holidays with their families. Those who don't spend the New Year with their families and instead go to restaurants are truly rare.
Jin Yu Lou would not open its doors, leaving its staff to sit idly inside.
The opening rhythm of Jin Yu Lou is almost identical to that of the government offices in the imperial court. Although it is not explicitly stated, regular customers generally know this.
Therefore, after officially opening for business after the Lunar New Year, Jin Yu Lou was very lively.
In the new year, the board of directors of the Shuojing Chamber of Commerce underwent a routine rotation. The board of directors rotates every three years. Gu Yaoniang had not yet arrived in Shuojing when the last meeting was held, so she did not participate.
This time, Gu Xingzhi took her with him to the Shuojing Chamber of Commerce.
Shuojing City was the economic lifeline of the Chenghua Dynasty.
During the Great Cheng Dynasty, the country was at peace and commerce developed rapidly. The current emperor deeply understood the principles of "enriching the people, benefiting the people, and strengthening the people." The status of merchants was no longer as arduous and lowly as it had been in the previous dynasty, where they were subject to the control of others everywhere.
Chambers of commerce play multiple roles in business and are of great importance in many aspects.
Chambers of commerce are places where business people discuss business matters and formulate business rules. They are also information hubs in the business world and sometimes act as intermediaries between unfamiliar business people.
It serves as a hub for commercial information and a center for organizing business activities, helping merchants understand market dynamics, seize business opportunities, and facilitate the smooth progress of trade activities.
The healthy competition and honest business practices among merchants in Shuojing owe much to the role played by the Chamber of Commerce.
Although the Shuojing Chamber of Commerce is simply a union of merchants in the Shuojing area, it is well-managed and operates, and has even received commendations from the Ministry of Revenue in the past. It is highly regarded in Dacheng. Chambers of commerce across the country are showing a subtle trend of learning from the Shuojing Chamber of Commerce and taking it as their leader.
In the past, when the Gu family came to the Chamber of Commerce, Gu Xingzhi usually came alone, or with one or two capable managers.
This is the first time I've brought Gu Yaoniang to the Chamber of Commerce.
The Shuojing Chamber of Commerce building is just a small courtyard with two sections. The courtyard is not large, but it is quite quiet.
When Gu Xingzhi and Gu Yaoniang entered the guild hall, the courtyard was already packed with people.
The manager of the guild hall welcomed the two into the council chamber, where the two seats at the head of the table remained empty.
Gu Yaoniang glanced around the crowd but didn't see Lu Zhaoan. She guessed that Lu Zhaoan hadn't arrived yet and thought to herself, "He really has a big attitude."
While she was still in a daze, she saw Lu Zhaoan stride in, and Gu Yaoniang's eyes lit up.
Gu Yaoniang still vividly remembers that when they first met, her impression of Lu Zhaoan was that he was "melancholy and unhappy". But in the past two years, he has started to wear brighter colors and often has a smile on his face, making her initial impression of him as melancholy and rigid seem like an illusion.
Today he was dressed in a light green long gown, with his jade crown tied high, and he looked very energetic.
He also saw Gu Yaoniang and smiled gently at her.
Gu Yaoniang didn't notice the strange expressions on the faces of those around her. She smiled, winked at Lu Zhaoan, and returned the greeting.
Gu Xingzhi coughed softly, and Gu Yaoniang quickly composed herself and stood obediently behind him.
"Mr. Lu, are you busy with important matters?"
Although Gu Xingzhi's voice and face were smiling, his words were ambiguous.
People around him stared at him.
They all knew that the Gu family and the Lu family had frequent business dealings, but the two people in charge didn't seem to have a friendly relationship.
Lu Zhaoan smiled good-naturedly: "Second Master Gu, you've kept me waiting."
The chamber of commerce manager led the two to their seats.
Gu Xingzhi and Lu Zhaoan were seated at the head of the table, facing each other. Gu Yaoniang followed behind Gu Xingzhi, and could see Lu Zhaoan with just a glance.
It's not surprising that prominent wealthy families like the Gu and Lu families were placed in the first position below the head of the table in Shuojing.
Although both were seated at the head of the table, Lu Zhaoan's position was more prestigious. Lu Zhaoan came from a higher social class and his business dealings were more refined. Even within the Chamber of Commerce, social status still created a hierarchy.
Gu Yaoniang secretly pondered the intricacies of the matter.
The previous president of the chamber of commerce was surnamed Jiang, a middle-aged man with a large belly. Seeing that everyone had arrived, he took the main seat in the hall.
That's the rule. The president, naturally, sits in the main seat.
Chairman Jiang smiled and looked extremely cheerful: "Everyone! Now that everyone has arrived, I won't say much more. You are all prepared for why we are here today."
For the past three years, I've worked diligently, not daring to slack off for a single day, and I've even lost weight!
As he spoke, he raised his arm in a gesture, and everyone present laughed good-naturedly.
President Jiang continued, "This president is truly exhausted! Three years have finally passed. Everyone, let's put aside everything else for now and elect a new president, okay?"
He didn't beat around the bush at all and just said it directly.
"I'll go first! I recommend Second Master Gu!"
His words immediately sparked a murmur of discussion in the hall.
The new president of the chamber of commerce is first recommended by the outgoing president, and then the members of the chamber of commerce vote to elect the final result. This is a process that is always followed in the selection of the president.
However, Gu Xingzhi and Lu Zhaoan were never among the candidates.
Because both of their businesses were extremely large and their influence was significant, in order to ensure fairness and to maintain checks and balances, a new chairman of the chamber of commerce was usually chosen in addition to the two of them, creating a three-way balance of power within the chamber.
This is a tacit understanding among members of the Chamber of Commerce over the years, and it is also what Gu Xingzhi and Lu Zhaoan have always done.
Therefore, Chairman Jiang's choice surprised everyone.
Gu Yaoniang was also aware of the Chamber of Commerce's usual rules, and she was somewhat surprised as she looked at Lu Zhaoan opposite her.
Lu Zhaoan showed no annoyance at not being nominated, nor did he offer any congratulatory words. Instead, he seemed lost in thought, his eyes filled with worry.
When he saw Gu Yaoniang looking at him, he subtly shook his head at her.
"He must also think this is inappropriate," Gu Yaoniang thought to herself.
Gu Xingzhi first stood up and bowed to Chairman Jiang, then turned to the others in the hall and said loudly, "I am honored by Chairman Jiang's kindness, but I dare not presume to hold the position of chairman. As you all know, the Gu family's business is large, but it is all about rice, flour and oil. How can we possibly win people's hearts?"
"I, Gu, am also of humble origin and lack experience. I may be good at business, but I'm not suited to be the chairman of this association or to act as a messenger between you all and the government. Please forgive me!"
He spoke politely, but in essence, he summed it up in just two words: "I won't do it."
Gu Yaoniang was surprised to learn that her second uncle dealt with such matters in this way.
It's kind of cute. You can tell it's an excuse at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it doesn't seem like there's a single lie in it.
President Jiang looked surprised: "Oh my... Second Master Gu, you... you're being too modest."
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