The atmosphere of the banquet was quite harmonious. Due to Lu Chen's identity and style of doing things, the five businessmen all served him carefully.
Lu Chen felt that the fact that these five people came was a gift to him. Moreover, Shen Wanshan had just exposed Qiao Si's background and methods, which was considered a token of his loyalty to him.
If you really want to drive a nail into Yangzhou, or break the situation in Yangzhou, of course you have to start with these people.
So Lu Chen treated several people, especially Shen Wanshan, with even more enthusiasm. He even stood up and poured Shen Wanshan a glass of wine and said, "Mr. Shen, please."
Shen Wanshan was flattered and stood up at that time, raised his glass and drank it all.
Although he didn't say anything, his meaning was very clear.
I did it, you can do whatever you want!
Lu Chen was also very considerate and drank the wine in the glass on the spot.
Seeing this scene, several businessmen present also became excited.
They suddenly realized that they had come to the right place this time!
Coming here might offend Mr. Qiao Si, but I can also make friends with Lu Chen.
These people in front of him either have some grudges with the Qiao family, or the main body of their business is not here, so the Qiao family does not have much influence on them.
If they could really get on Lu Chen's ship, maybe their business would be even better.
So this group of people started to toast Lu Chen, and Lu Chen naturally accepted everyone's toast.
After three rounds of wine and five dishes, Lu Chen finally spoke again, "From what I've heard from you all, you and the Qiao family are not on good terms. Did the Qiao family even use their power to bully you?"
Shen Wanshan was a little drunk. He slapped his thigh fiercely and said, "That's right! The Qiao family relies on their influence in Yangzhou and is lawless and does whatever they want!"
"Their family is a salt merchant, and I'm in the silk business. Originally, we kept to ourselves, he took his way, I took mine. But who could have imagined that as the Qiao family grew in power and influence over the years, they would also want to get involved in my silk business."
"Originally, they should just run their business properly. I couldn't say to stop them from entering this industry. But who could have imagined that after they came in, they would start using some shady tactics. For example, they secretly signed contracts with silkworm farmers, forbidding them to supply me with goods, and they also used official means to cause trouble for me."
"Like intercepting the State Master's ship, they used this method against me before, and I suffered losses!" Shen Wanshan pointed angrily at the other four businessmen present and said, "State Master can also ask these people to see if they have suffered losses from the Qiao family."
Now that things have come to this, the other people no longer hide the truth.
Everyone talked at once, and soon they had a clear account of how the Qiao family had bullied them over the years.
After listening to these people's stories, Lu Chen nodded thoughtfully, then raised his glass and said, "I really didn't expect that the Qiao family would be so overbearing. It seems that we are all in the same boat. Come on, let's drink together!"
Upon hearing this, the five businessmen's eyes turned red!
This is the art of language. Lu Chen's words of sympathy instantly brought everyone closer together, and also made the five businessmen feel proud and grateful.
Who am I to be the same kind of person as the Imperial Master? The Imperial Master must look down on us. I must save face!
Among them, Shen Wanshan was the most clever. He immediately patted his chest and said, "Master Guoshi, if you have any use for me, please let me know. I still have several merchant ships for transporting goods. If you need them, I will immediately send them over to obey your orders."
When everyone heard this, they all agreed, and some even said that they could donate money to help fight the epidemic and would not mind spending any amount of money.
Seeing that everyone wanted to donate generously, Lu Chen became more cautious.
He waved his hand and said, "You all are talking about money but you are looking down on me, Lu. Do I need money? Our friendship is pure. Don't act like I'm taking advantage of this opportunity to rob you."
Shen Wanshan and others hurriedly said they dared not, and their attitude was once again very humble.
"Not only will I not covet your money, but I will also offer you a great deal of wealth. I just don't know if you are willing to accept it."
Shen Wanshan spoke again: "Being able to follow an immortal like the National Master is already a blessing we have cultivated in our previous life. We dare not covet any wealth. It is enough for the National Master to give us a drink of soup."
"Hahaha, Mr. Shen is really good at talking. You will definitely be rich and powerful in the future." Lu Chen clapped his hands and said, "Come on, change the wine!"
As soon as she finished speaking, a maid came up carrying several large basins filled with wine.
Wine produced in the Western Regions is a rare commodity in Yangzhou, so it is naturally expensive and even out of stock.
But those present were all big businessmen, and if they really wanted to drink, they could still afford it.
The reason why they stretched their necks and opened their eyes wide was not to look at the wine in the basin, but at the basins of ice that emitted cold air.
It's almost July or August, and the sun is scorching hot. Where can we get ice in this kind of weather?
If you say that the ice was stored last year, that's not right. Lu Chen is not a local, so where did he get the ice cellar?
Besides, they had never heard of anyone’s ice cellar being so great that there was still some ice left.
Seeing the five people's inexperienced looks, Lu Chen nodded with satisfaction and pointed at the ice in front of him. "This is the first deal I want to discuss with you. Our Chinese Academy of Sciences has just mastered the method of making ice in the summer. From now on, this business in Yangzhou will be handed over to you five. How about it?"
What!? They can actually make ice in the summer?! What!? They've given such a good business to them?!
The five people looked up at Lu Chen at the same time, and were glad that they had seized the opportunity this time. Shen Wanshan said excitedly: "If you have any instructions from the National Master in the future, please tell me. I, Shen, will go through fire and water to do it."
"Not really, this is just a small business deal. I want to discuss a bigger deal with you guys next."
"As you can see, we at the Chinese Academy of Sciences can sell anything we can get, so we are the goose that lays golden eggs. I have now established a chamber of commerce, which mainly connects with some of the products of the Chinese Academy of Sciences."
"I have the product, but I don't have many sales channels. I'm looking for partners now. I wonder if anyone is willing to invest in my chamber of commerce and make money with me."
"I plan to divide the Chamber of Commerce's shares into 10,000 shares, each priced at 10,000 taels of silver. What do you think?"
After saying this, even Lu Chen himself laughed!
"Damn it, finance is the fastest way to make money!"
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