Chapter 185 Fang Shijie's Plan
Ji Wensheng's voice lowered, tinged with anxiety.
“You know about the Ji family’s porcelain business. Recently, we’ve run out of porcelain, and our competitors in the capital are stealing our business. If this continues, our shops will have to close down. If we can get there first and find the person behind this exotic fragrance, and secure the supply, then the Ji family’s business might just be able to be revived!”
After listening, Cheng Fang refused without even thinking:
"I don't have time to get involved in this. The disaster victims haven't been dealt with yet, and I have to entertain important guests. I can't be in two places at once."
Ji Wensheng hurriedly said, "You don't need to go in person! Just send a few capable and reliable confidants to help me with the investigation. If necessary, let me use the Cheng family's name to avoid some trouble. When the exclusive business in the capital is successful, I'll give you a 20% share!"
Cheng Fang remained uninterested.
His family is not short of money, and there are plenty of people who want to do business with them.
Having exhausted all other options, Ji Wensheng changed tactics and spoke directly:
"I saw that girl. She is a rare beauty with an elegant demeanor. No wonder you have been longing for her day and night."
However, I see your relationship is a bit distant. Haven't you thought about giving her a special gift to take things to the next level? You know, every girl loves cosmetics. Let me tell you, that fragrance is really unique; any girl would love it.
Cheng Fang hesitated for a moment when he thought of Jiang Ling.
He had indeed been looking for a special gift for Jiang Ling to thank her for her many generous help, and he also harbored a selfish desire to win her favor.
I just haven't found anything suitable yet; they've all been just ordinary things.
Besides, she had just agreed to continue providing supplies; given her selflessness and righteousness, we really should do something to express our gratitude.
Ji Wensheng has been a seasoned player in the world of romance since he was a child. Even he said he had never seen such a unique fragrance before, so it must be extraordinary.
If we could find this thing and give it to Jiang Ling... perhaps she would truly like it.
Cheng Fang remained silent for a moment, then finally relented, but his tone carried a warning.
"Fine. I'll send someone to you tomorrow. But listen to me carefully: don't let my person do anything they shouldn't. And absolutely no one is allowed to use the Cheng family's name to do anything unjust. If I find out, we're no longer friends!"
Upon hearing this, Ji Wensheng felt a great weight lifted from his heart, his face beaming with joy, and he repeatedly assured him:
"I know, I know! Young Master Cheng, you can rest assured! I, Ji Wensheng, am a man of principle!"
The rain was still falling outside the window, pattering against the windowpane.
Cheng Fang picked up his teacup, watching the tea sloshing around inside, a hint of anticipation in his heart.
If we really find this exotic fragrance, I wonder if Jiang Ling will like it?
The carriage drove back to the mansion in the drizzle, and the lanterns in front of the gate cast a warm glow in the rain.
Zhao Jingxing safely delivered Jiang Ling and the other two, and was preparing to send Cheng Jiaojiao back.
Cheng Jiaojiao insisted on seeing Jiang Ling inside, muttering, "I have to see Sister Jiang drink some hot soup to warm her up!"
The servants in the mansion had already received the news and were waiting respectfully.
Upon entering the main hall, a wave of warmth washes over you, as silver charcoal burns brightly in the copper stove.
"Miss Jiang, Miss Cheng, hot water and ginger soup are ready," the head maid reported.
Cheng Jiaojiao was relieved. She held Jiang Ling's hand and said a few more words, agreeing on a time to come again tomorrow. Then, she reluctantly got into her own carriage and left.
After all, Xiao Ran and Xiao Yi were young. After playing all day and having a big meal, they were feeling sleepy in the warm and quiet hall.
Seeing this, Jiang Ling gently instructed the maid standing beside her, "Take them to wash up and settle in, and let them rest early."
"Yes, miss." The maid replied and led the two children to the side room.
————
late at night.
Fang Mansion Study.
There was only one candle lit in the study. Fang Shijie sat on a pear wood chair, the candlelight casting a long shadow of him onto the bookshelf behind him.
He stroked the crystal-clear bottle of floral water in his hand.
His eyes were cold and thoughtful.
Today, I heard from the villagers...
Today, he went to the grocery store again, but was turned away once more.
According to the villagers, Jiang Ling went to the capital for a trip and will not be back for some time.
Hongxiu came to see him secretly in the evening.
She said that more and more people have been asking her about floral water in the past two days.
From small merchants to servants of various high-ranking officials and nobles.
She kept claiming she bought it from a merchant from out of town, but now she's being pressed about where that merchant was and what his appearance was like.
Some people even brought artists with them, just to paint the appearance she described.
Unfortunately, these were all powerful and influential people, and Hongxiu had no way to turn them away, so she could only deal with them helplessly.
The mother under the peony was also alarmed and kept putting pressure on her, which she was about to reach her breaking point.
Fang Shijie has also noticed recently that there are more and more tails following the trail these past two days.
He mobilized various forces to investigate, from textile manufacturers in Jiangnan to maritime merchants in Fujian and Guangdong, and even secretly inquired with several big merchants who often dealt with the Western Regions and Southeast Asia, but none of them had ever seen this item, nor had they ever heard of anything similar.
At the risk of having his motives discovered, he had no choice but to turn his attention to the Song family cloth shop, which had the closest cooperation with Jiang Ling.
Song Family Cloth Shop has always had dealings with Jiang Ling's shop; it could be said that one-third of their goods come from Jiang Ling's shop.
In just six months, relying on the novel goods flowing from Jiang Ling's shop, it quickly expanded from a small business in a county town to a chain store that has gained a foothold in the capital.
I thought I could get some clues from the Song family, but even the Song family has never seen or sold this floral water.
In other words, this floral water is unique to Jiang Ling; she has never even given it to her long-term business partners.
If we can get the agency rights from Jiang Ling, then this floral water business will be an exclusive business.
A glint of light flashed in Fang Shijie's eyes.
He knew all too well how much wealth and power lay behind this.
The rise of Song Family Cloth Shop is the best example.
If one could obtain the exclusive agency rights for the floral water, not only could one make a fortune from its unique fragrance, but one could also use the opportunity of supplying the wives and daughters of powerful and wealthy families to get in touch with officials of the Great Yu Dynasty whom one would normally never even see.
This will greatly help what he needs to do behind the scenes!
The candlelight crackled softly, pulling Fang Shijie back to reality.
He looked down at the secret letter that had been delivered that morning.
The letter mentioned that his recent work was progressing too slowly and had stalled. It urged him to hurry up!
He grabbed the letter angrily and crumpled it into tiny pieces!
He threw it out with all his might!
That guy! All he does is give orders from behind the scenes!
He had no idea how difficult each step he took was!
A cold wind blew in through the window, carrying a light drizzle, and the candlelight flickered.
"We can't wait any longer."
After calming down, Fang Shijie said something in a low voice.
Jiang Ling went to the capital, a place teeming with all sorts of people and with many more informants from various factions.
What if someone with more power beats them to it...
The floral water is now the stepping stone in front of him; if he loses it, the road ahead will be even more difficult.
Fang Shijie's eyes suddenly became sharp and determined; he had to take the initiative.
No matter what method we use or what price we pay, this floral water business must not fall into the hands of others!
He summoned the butler and whispered his instructions:
"Prepare the carriage; we'll head to the capital first thing tomorrow morning!"
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