Chapter 758 Risks of Investment
After Xing Yu finished explaining everything he needed to say about his visit to the Li family that day, he stayed at the Li family's house for another quarter of an hour. He listened with great interest as Li Dalang, Wang Dadan, and Gao Haiping talked about the border battles.
During the conversation, Li Dalang and the other two could clearly sense that Xing Yu had a natural affinity for soldiers; the envy that was practically overflowing in her words was hard to miss.
In Xing Yu's words, "Defending one's country is a very high honor for a man."
"If it weren't for you guarding the borders, how could we merchants act with peace of mind?"
After seeing Xing Yu and Xing's eldest son off, Li's father and mother said to Li's eldest son and second brother, "The matter of investing that Young Master Xing mentioned was something that Third Sister had told us about before."
Third Sister meant that money sitting there is useless; the children in the family are growing up and will all get married in the future, and there will be many places where money will be needed.
It would be better to take some of the money you have and invest it in business; that's how money can make money.
I've been practicing medicine for most of my life, so I'm not very knowledgeable about business.
However, I still have this basic perspective.
The fact that such a wealthy merchant as Master Xing would personally come to our door to discuss this investment is only because of Third Sister's influence, and also because we happened to save Master Xing's son back then.
Why would they need our few thousand taels of silver to invest?
Although Mr. Xing said it was a sure thing and there would be no loss, let me be clear from the start: how can investing money always guarantee a profit?
Ups and downs are normal for business people. If you can't take risks and only think about dividends and profits, that's wishful thinking. It's better to just hold onto the money and not make a profit or loss.
Don't wait until you've made money in the future to forget the good things about Third Sister and the Xing family;
On the contrary, if they lose money later, they'll blame Third Sister for cheating them out of their money.
Li Ersao, who had been thinking of taking advantage of the situation, quickly lowered her head after hearing what Li's father said.
Although Li's father never looked at Li's second sister-in-law, she always felt that he was speaking to her.
"Tiger Head, when your father comes home tonight, tell him about this matter. Your whole family should discuss it carefully. If there is a result, have your mother come to me later."
After giving instructions to Li Dalang, Li's mother looked at Li Erxiong and said, "Erlang is just as good. You have many children in your family, so you have to think about the future of your sons."
Go back and discuss it with Lanniang, then come and tell me later.
Third Sister already told me everything, so you don't need to worry about her.
Li's mother and father exchanged a glance, and she nodded to Li's father before concluding, "Three days. After three days, I will personally visit the Xing family to discuss this matter with them."
After speaking, Li's mother dismissed everyone.
After a while, Guo Sanlang and Guo Silang came out of the house. In fact, the two brothers had gotten up earlier, but since the Xing family had come to talk to them, he felt that he was still an outsider to the Li family and it was not appropriate for him to eavesdrop on their family affairs, so he and Guo Silang waited in the house.
Li Dalang was quite informal. He led Wang Dadan and Gao Haiping to the room where the Guo brothers lived. After everyone sat down, Li Dalang said, "...That's how it is. You are all my brothers, so there's nothing I can't say."
Since Guo Sanlang started taking the cough pills made by Brother Li, his cough has indeed improved a lot, but it's not completely cured in just a few days.
Turning his back, covering his mouth and nose, and coughing lightly twice at his clothes, Guo Sanlang turned around and saw Li Dalang handing him warm water. After thanking him, he took two sips to suppress the itch in his throat and then slowly said, "I really didn't expect that my cousin's family would know this Xing family merchant."
Li Dalang had only been in the border town for a little over a year, so naturally he wasn't as familiar with the local business as Guo Sanlang, who was born in the border town and had grown up in the business world.
"Could it be that Sanlang has heard of the Xing family's reputation in the border town?"
Guo Sanlang quickly nodded when Li Dalang looked at him questioningly. "I have indeed heard of it. The Xing family business has only gained some reputation in the border town in recent years. My maternal grandparents think the Xing family business is trustworthy."
I've heard that the Xing family values harmony above all else; they believe that making money together is better than making it alone. They have a long-term vision, unlike those short-sighted merchants who are greedy and lose sight of the bigger picture.
After a few more words, Li Dalang stood up and said to everyone, "Come on, today I'll take you to see Xuandu Temple (Chongye Ward) and Daci'en Temple (Jinchang Ward). These two places are very famous in Chang'an City, with great incense offerings. If it's a holiday, it's so crowded that you can't even squeeze in."
(A map of Chang'an City during the Tang Dynasty is available on Qidian's online reader community; those interested can check it out.)
Everyone naturally agreed to Li Dalang's request. Since they were all men, there was nothing much to pack. After taking their money bags and exchanging a few words with Li's mother and sister-in-law, Li Dalang and the others went out.
Chongye Lane was not close to Changshou Lane, where the Li family lived. After eating at a shop outside, the group rented a carriage and headed to Chongye Lane.
Li Dalang sat with Guo Sanlang in the carriage. Guo Silang, fascinated by the street scenes of Chang'an, sat on the carriage shaft with Wang Dadan, who knew how to drive a carriage.
Gao Haiping was originally sitting in the carriage, but as a soldier, he really didn't know how to talk to someone as refined as Guo Sanlang, so he made up an excuse and went to sit on the carriage shaft.
Thus, Li Dalang and Guo Sanlang were left alone in the carriage. Li Dalang was quite comfortable. He lifted the curtain and would make a point of exchanging a few words with Guo Sanlang, who was sitting opposite him, whenever they passed a building or shop.
"...Xiang Gui Ji is a well-established brand in Chang'an. Whenever they release a new pastry, it will sell out in less than half an hour."
Guo Sanlang was very supportive and followed Li Dalang's words to look at Xiang Gui Ji. Guo Sanlang saw that it was indeed a large storefront, with two well-dressed servants standing at the entrance.
While his eyes were looking at the street scenes of Chang'an, Guo Sanlang was actually thinking about the important matter he and Guo Silang were going to handle during their trip to Chang'an.
Guo Silang turned his head to look at Li Dalang, then turned back to look at the bustling city of Chang'an, which appeared to be a peaceful and harmonious place. Yet, his heart was heavy.
"How am I supposed to tell the Li family what my mother told me before I came?"
When would be the right time to take out that letter?
Thinking about everything he had seen at the Li family's house these past few days, and considering the Xing family's visit just now, Guo Sanlang felt that it would be difficult for his mother, Hongniang, to achieve what she wanted this time.
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