Chapter 319 You Come and I
Through word of mouth among readers, the four major bookstores of Liaodong Chamber of Commerce have been very popular recently, and are crowded with people every day.
On the contrary, Lu's Bookstore has been deserted these past two days.
That day, the owner of Lu's Bookstore couldn't help but say to the scholars passing by, "You've all been fooled. Don't be fooled by the cheap snow-white paper sold at the bookstore across the street. Just wait and see. Once he drives the Lu family's bookstore out of business, he'll definitely raise the price!"
"The bookstore across the street is weak. If our Lu family doesn't open a bookstore, you won't have any new books to read. Just wait and see."
These words made the scholars feel uneasy.
Wu Ren naturally had to come out and dispel the rumors. "Everyone, rest assured. On behalf of the Liaodong Chamber of Commerce, I hereby announce that our snow-white paper will not increase in price within three years! After three years, depending on the situation, there may be an appropriate price adjustment. But I guarantee that the price increase will not exceed 30%."
The scholars felt relieved after hearing this, but...
At this time, Wu Ren said, "As for new books, don't worry, our bookstore will release new books every month, with a minimum of ten copies. If you have a rare copy, you can rent it to us for a period of time. In return, we will pay a high rent."
So, the scholars were completely relieved and started to discuss the issue of renting the rare book.
"Boss, I have a rare copy. If I rent it to your bookshop, how long will it take for it to be returned to me? And how much rent can you give me?"
"Little brother, come over here and talk. What's the title of the only book you have?"
Lu family
Lu Yuan asked the elders and leaders of the Lu family present, "Does anyone have any good ideas for the current situation?"
Those present were all elites of the Lu family, and they began to whisper and discuss with each other.
When fighting with the Chen family, they were always coming up with ideas and solutions.
Now they have to deal with the newly emerged Liaodong Chamber of Commerce Bookstore. To be honest, they feel a bit helpless and can't do anything about them.
The problem with the Liaodong Chamber of Commerce's bookstore is that the quality of the books and paper is not inferior to their Lu family bookstore. The key is that the other party's price is only half of theirs.
Are they going to lower their prices to compete with them for talent? This won't work. Not only will it fail to solve the problem, it may even backfire and arouse the anger of the scholars.
Lu Yuan felt unprecedentedly tired.
Lu Yuan couldn't understand why things had become so serious?
Someone suggested, "Master, why don't we invite the old master back?"
"Yes, please ask the old master to come back!"
Lu Yuan hesitated, and before he could answer, the door of the conference hall was pushed open from the outside.
First, two lines of people came in one after another, then stood still, and then two people walked in against the light.
This battle——
Lu Yuan suddenly stood up and asked, "Dad, why are you back?"
Lu Yuanheng snorted coldly and cursed, "You idiot, if I don't come back, you will ruin the Lu family's assets!"
Lu Yuan felt that he was not to blame for this.
"Lu Xihua committed such a crime, why are you still protecting him? It's okay to protect him, but can't you do it secretly? You actually shielded him openly. Are you afraid of ruining our Lu family's reputation?"
Lu Yuan was scolded by his own father.
He really felt that he was wronged! After so many scholars united to boycott their Lu family, he no longer cared about Lu Xihua.
If the county magistrate wants to deal with it, then he will deal with it. He will definitely not hesitate.
But the county magistrate has not dealt with it yet. He can't just tell the county magistrate to throw Lu Xihua out to let the Chen family vent their anger, right?
Unbeknownst to Lu Yuan, he was actually being scapegoated. The county magistrate had been holding back and not dealing with Lu Xihua, simply to provoke the Chen family.
"Dad, what should we do now?" Lu Yuan asked.
Lu Yuanheng said calmly, "You should give up the position of Patriarch."
Lu Yuan was shocked, "What?!"
"You don't have to be so surprised. The Lu family is now at a critical juncture of life and death. If you can't solve it, hand it over to someone who can."
"Dad, who are you talking about? Who has a solution?"
"Lu Fei!"
Lu Fei took a step forward and said, "Dad, the person grandpa was talking about is me."
"You?!" Lu Yuan never thought that one day, the eldest daughter would come to compete with him for the position of head of the family! "Dad, this is not a joke, right?"
Lu Yuanheng said calmly, "I don't want to joke with you."
The others were also dumbfounded. Their Lu family was going to have a female head of the family?!
"Why?" Lu Yuan asked his father.
Lu Yuanheng: "I said, she can solve the Lu family's current predicament and crisis. Isn't this reason enough?"
If that's true, it's certainly enough.
Lu Yuan didn't believe it at all. "Can she solve it? How can she solve it?"
At this time, Lu Fei interrupted, "Grandfather, let me say a few words?"
"The Lu family is currently facing two crises. First, the Chen family's relentless pursuit forces us to brace ourselves and respond, which is a constant drain on our strength. Second, the Liaodong Chamber of Commerce's bookstore is under attack from our Lu family bookstore."
Lu Fei's words hit the mark, and everyone present nodded. Their Lu family's current situation was like the Lu and Chen families' forest rangers battling it out to death, while the Liaodong Chamber of Commerce seized a portion of their orchard. They wanted to stop it, but their strength was limited.
If they continue to be attacked from both sides like this, their Lu family will fall before the Chen family.
Lu Yuan said sarcastically, "Well said, which one can you solve?"
"The solution to the first problem is very simple. Just make Chen stop."
Indeed, if the Chen family had stopped, both the Chen and Lu families would have survived. Now, the Chen and Lu families were ruthlessly strangling each other. The Lu family wanted to let go, but the Chen family wouldn't, so the Lu family was forced to fight back.
Lu Yuan felt that she was dreaming. If the Chen family listened to his advice, would he still be helpless?
"The Chen family will not stop." So many people have died in the Chen family, and they unilaterally declared a blood feud with them.
Lu Fei smiled. She knew that once she successfully took over the Lu family, Xie Zhan would also start to take action. When he took over the Chen family, it would naturally be impossible for him to confront the Lu family anymore.
"Then use the second method. At present, it can be said that the Lu family and the Chen family have both suffered losses in the fight. Whoever can get a living silver will have the upper hand in this fight."
"And I can get a large sum of money. The Ruan family agreed to lend me 300,000 taels of silver."
This was the most important thing. Ever since the two families started fighting, they had been pouring money into the project. Now, all the Lu family's funds had been invested, leaving everyone with nothing. The South was in chaos, and everyone was struggling to take care of themselves, with no money to borrow.
Nowadays, no matter which company it is, if there is an influx of funds, it is equivalent to an additional external force, which may become the key to winning or losing the battle.
"After we take care of the Chen family, we can slowly clean up the Liaodong Chamber of Commerce Bookstore. There will always be a way."
Lu Fei's words received initial approval from the elders and leaders of the Lu clan.
The solution she provided at least solved the immediate problem.
The head of the family had asked the Ruan family for money before, but they refused. Now they have lent it to their own granddaughter, apparently hoping to help her get promoted.
Lu Yuan was not a very capable patriarch, but because the Lu family bookstore was so powerful, the Lu family did not go downhill because of him.
The people were content. The Lu family had been forced to fight the Chen family for so long, and the clan members had suffered heavy losses along with the clan, so they had long since given up on fighting. Now that Lu Fei had demonstrated some ability, and she still had the support of the old clan leader, the clan elders and leaders had no objection to her becoming the next clan leader.
The most important thing is that they currently have only two choices: either change the head of the family or die. Therefore, even if changing the head of the family is like drinking poison to quench thirst, the Lu family will give it a try!
Therefore, Lu Fei was appointed to become the new head of the Lu family.
Upon learning that Lu Fei would become the next head of the family, her personal maid was completely dazed. After she came to her senses, she said, "It's a pity that the Lu family is no longer what it used to be."
Lu Fei smiled. She knew in her heart that if the Lu family had not experienced this disaster and its vitality had not been severely damaged, she would not have been able to become the head of the family. No matter how big the pancake was, it was useless if it was not hers. No matter how small the pancake was, it was still fragrant if it belonged to her.
In the evening, Liaodong Chamber of Commerce Bookstore Dongcheng Branch
"Please make way, please make way, thank you." Wu Ren led the way in front, and several men behind him followed him carrying boxes.
It was almost closing time, and a familiar scholar in the bookshop asked Wu Ren, "Shopkeeper Wu, what are you doing?"
Wu Ren said with a smile, "It's okay, don't think too much."
What he said made people even more curious.
The scholars in the shop all looked outside and saw Wu Ren outside the bookstore, distributing shoulder poles to the people below. At his feet, there were already many boxes piled up, all of which were brought in by others.
The men who were given shoulder poles picked up two boxes tied with hemp ropes and left.
The scholars gathered together, discussing in groups of three or four.
"What's in these boxes? They seem pretty heavy."
"I estimate it's the revenue from these few days."
"I think so too. The small box contains silver, right? And the big box contains copper coins?"
"This bookstore just opened for the third day, and they actually made this much money?"
"They are already very cheap, and they earn what they deserve."
"Yes, we can't just focus on how much money others make, we also have to see if we benefit from it."
"No, no, no, what I mean is, before the Liaodong Chamber of Commerce Bookstore opened, didn't Lu's Bookstore make a lot of money?"
"Should we follow them and see where they are carrying the silver?"
"Carry it home, where else can it be taken?"
"No, Shopkeeper Wu said he lived in the west of the city."
"But they are heading towards the south of the city now."
"Come on, let's follow and take a look. The bookstore is almost closing anyway."
Ji's Money House
There are still many people queuing up to withdraw money today.
Young Master Ji was standing outside the bank, looking forward to it.
Many people saw his appearance.
"Is Young Master Ji waiting for someone?"
"It seems so."
"Who is this person? Is he worthy of waiting outside so early?"
As soon as Wu Ren appeared, Young Master Ji came to greet him, "Manager Wu, you're here?"
"Yes, Young Master Ji, these are the three-day revenues of the four bookstores of our Liaodong Chamber of Commerce. Please count them."
"Okay, okay. After you count them, will you deposit them all into our bank?"
"Yes."
In the lobby, the people who were waiting to withdraw money fell silent upon hearing this.
Then, the boxes were lined up in the lobby and the bank's clerks began to count them.
It took seven or eight clerks half an hour to complete the counting. The silver and money were then deposited in boxes at the bank.
Ordinary people looked at each other in confusion. Do they still want to withdraw money?
Wu Ren's move of depositing active money was equivalent to injecting fresh blood into Ji's bank and giving the people peace of mind.
Taking another look, there was still a pile of gold and silver in the lobby of Ji's Money House that had not been moved. Now the Liaodong Chamber of Commerce Bookstore had deposited so much gold and silver that it was impossible to withdraw all of it.
From then on, the bank run crisis of Ji’s Money House was completely resolved.
When the two pieces of news, one good and one bad, reached Xie Zhan, Xie Zhan knew that his previous decision was correct and that he should indeed slowly close the net.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
