Chapter 327: Truly a Bond of Brotherhood [Part Two]
"That's natural."
Shen Tang is very easy to talk to in this respect.
She hoped to establish a business partnership with Xu Jie, but she couldn't allow it to create a rift between her and Wu Xian, or between Xu Jie and Wu Xian. It was best to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings; Shen Tang's understanding only left Xu Jie bewildered.
His original intention was to use this as leverage in negotiations.
After all, they are just "agents." Although the risks have decreased dramatically, the profits are far less than those of a monopoly.
At this point, it was time to discuss profit distribution, but Shen Tang's overly frank and unambitious attitude made things difficult for him.
Shen Tang changed the subject and said with a smile, "However, given my relationship with Brother Zhaode, this matter should not be a big problem."
Xu Jie: "..."
Looking at Shen Tang's smile, Xu Jie really wanted to ask an inappropriate question—Gu Chi mentioned "the affection between brothers," and Shen Jun mentioned "the relationship between me and Brother Zhaode." The two families have a very good relationship. Does Wu Gong himself know this?
Xu Jie didn't know how to answer, so he could only give an awkward laugh.
To avoid hearing more of what he found objectionable, Xu Jie prepared to take control of the conversation and steer the discussion toward profit, but Shen Tang unexpectedly said, "That's alright."
"Are you alright?"
Xu Jiexin frowned in worry.
What business doesn't involve discussing this?
He was highly skeptical of Shen Tang's sincerity in facilitating the cooperation.
Shen Tang smiled nonchalantly: "Wang Chao has been telling me a lot these past two days how good Wen Zhu is, how excellent his reputation is in Tianhai. How could an outsider like me understand business matters? Merchants should naturally leave things to those who know. Wen Zhu can make his own decisions and then inform me. Rather, I'd like to know about the varieties of seedlings Wen Zhu has, how many times a year they can be planted, what kind of soil they need, and how to care for them to increase the yield per acre..."
Xu Jie showed no reaction.
He was already speechless with astonishment.
How can we let him make this decision on his own?
They didn't treat him like an outsider at all!
Xu Jie's resolve began to waver.
Could it be that my previous assumptions were all based on my own petty-mindedness? Was I wrong? In fact, are Lord Shen and all the scholars under his command truly sincere and guileless people who care nothing for profit, only for the well-being of the people?
But that doesn't make any sense at all.
Before he could gather his thoughts, Shen Tang asked again, "How many sets of farming tools can Wen Zhu provide? As for us, the more the better. If you have any surplus oxen, even older ones, we'll take them. Wen Zhu has seen it too; Fu Gu is so poor that she doesn't have many oxen. Right now, even tilling the land requires several Martial Warriors, but this is only a temporary measure and cannot last..."
Xu Jie was speechless and choked with emotion.
Zhao Dayi must be among these "several brave warriors"!
"...These questions are beyond my control. I will write them down and discuss them with my lord when I return." Because Shen Tang was completely unpredictable, Xu Jie couldn't even negotiate. She had already let him make his own decisions, so what was there to negotiate?
Shen Tang completely disrupted his rhythm.
He then made requests for farm tools, oxen, and other items.
Xu Jie was not given any chance to react.
Even after Xu Jie left, he was still somewhat dazed.
Shen Tang watched Xu Jie leave, a slight smile playing on her lips. She held the teacup filled with boiling hot tea in both hands, blew on it to cool it, and carefully took a sip. The hot tea slid down her throat, a warmth spreading from within, clearing her nose.
At this moment, Gu Chi came out from the back.
He asked, "Why does the lord treat him so well?"
Even close brothers should keep clear accounts.
Anyone with a discerning eye can see that this fine wine is "priceless," and once it's transported back to Tianhai, it will be snapped up, especially by scholars and warriors. How much profit could be made from it? Our lord just pushed it away with a few words; the loss is too great.
Gu Chi had thought of it several times just now.
Shen Tang said, "Treat him well? How can you call that 'treating him with excessive praise'?"
Is it so easy to take advantage of her?
The boy's beautiful face was full of mockery, the look in his eyes as he stared at his unsuspecting prey.
He scoffed, "This is a risk-free business. The amount of wine given away isn't the problem; the problem is how many farm tools, seedlings, and oxen we can get back! I've repeatedly emphasized our close friendship with Wu Zhaode, and this matter will surely reach Wu Zhaode's ears. How much of an advantage will Xu Wenzhu dare to take? Don't worry, he won't do anything ugly."
Shen Tang said, "That's one thing."
Gu Chi smiled and raised an eyebrow: "Does my lord have other plans?"
Shen Tang smiled like a cunning fox who had stolen a bite of the neighbor's cured meat: "That's natural. Wu Zhaode and Xu Wenzhu didn't have a particularly close relationship. Rather than being master and subject, they were more like business partners. Xu Wenzhu poured all his wealth into helping him, and Wu Zhaode gave him power and affirmation—but is this kind of relationship really stable?"
Gu Chi finally understood Shen Tang's ulterior motives.
"Use this to sow discord between the two?" Gu Chi was not optimistic. "Even if the discord is successful, given Xu Wenzhu's temperament, he will side with another force that is no less powerful than Wu Zhaode, such as our old acquaintance Gu Ziyi. He would never help us."
It's not that he's diminishing his own prestige.
Their foundation is simply too weak right now.
Newly sprouted saplings.
How can we provide shelter for the Xu family?
Shen Tang said, "Who knows what the future holds? I just want to see how big Xu Wenzhu can make this business and how much money he can earn! The more he earns, the more wary Wu Xian will become—unless Xu Wenzhu is willing to share 70-80% of the profits with Wu Xian. But why would Xu Wenzhu do that? As long as Wu Xian is wary, that's enough."
At crucial moments, Xu Wenzhu may be an important piece in the game.
Now—
He was the "great philanthropist" who sent her all sorts of necessities.
It is pronounced as "a great philanthropist" and written as "a great victim".
“That’s the second point.” Shen Tang took a slow sip and smiled. “As for the third point, it’s to attract Xu Wenzhu to invest in us. I’m sure he’s seen the changes in Fugu these past two days. Even if he doesn’t think highly of this place, he’ll still give us a token of appreciation… Merchants, you know, it’s not shameful to invest in multiple areas. If we lose that little bit of money, so be it; consider it as making a good connection.”
Gu Chi: "..."
Shen Tang noticed his gaze and asked, "What's wrong?"
Gu Chi shook his head: "Nothing much."
He just wanted to complain.
My lord is probably, possibly, perhaps, a lotus root in human form? His entire body is covered with countless tiny, hidden eyes.
The scheme was masterful; even Xu Wenzhu, a scholar of letters, probably didn't realize it—of course, being in the thick of it himself, he probably wouldn't have realized it either. After all, what malice could someone as rare and sincere as Shen Jun possibly harbor?
Even if they truly harbor ill intentions, they are the literary figures around them.
Gu Chi took the blame for this.
Shen Tang looked at him and asked, "Do you think I'll believe that?"
Gu Chi replied with his eyes—Xu Wen's CPA exam letter.
Shen Tang: "..."
Let's offer some sympathy to Xu Wenzhu in advance.
When Xu Jie left Fugu, he took two hundred jars of fine wine with him and paid a substantial deposit. He stated that he would discuss the matter with his lord, Wu Xian, as soon as possible and strive to give a concrete reply within the month. Shen Tang personally escorted him to the city gate.
Zhao Feng held Xu Jie's hand tightly, reluctant to part.
He instructed him to make sure to deliver his reply to his family.
After repaying his debt of gratitude, he returned home.
Xu Jie: "..."
He felt like his hands were being crushed!
These brutes!
"Shen Jun, goodbye!"
Xu Jie, carrying two hundred jars of wine and New Year's greetings to Wu Xian, left in a grand procession and disappeared into the distance.
Shen Tang stretched.
With a wave of her hand, she said, "Let's go back and continue building our earthen beds. Wangchao, let's strive to achieve the goal of one earthen bed per family this year!"
Gu Chi saw that Shen Tang was in a very good mood.
He also said, "Good! Then no one will freeze to death anymore."
Upon hearing this, Shen Tang smiled and her eyes crinkled.
His eyes were wide open, as if he could really see that scene.
"Okay, let's go!" The motorcycle beneath him trotted along with light steps, and the bell around his neck jingled.
The country lanes are exceptionally pleasant to the ear.
"My lord, wait for Chi."
Gu Chi immediately spurred his horse and caught up.
Zhao, the outsider, touched his nose: "..."
Tianhai and Heyin are neighbors.
The journey from He Yin's capital to Tian Hai's capital was not long. Xu Jie and his group were quite skilled, and with the banners of Wu Xian's administration displayed, there were no fools who dared to obstruct or rob them along the way. They returned smoothly and, after a short rest, went to see their lord.
Wu Xianzheng was discussing with the others.
Upon hearing the announcement, he exclaimed in surprise, "Wen Zhu is back so quickly?"
Upon hearing that it was Xu Jie, Qin Li, who was about to take his leave, stopped and silently took half a step forward—he wanted to hear firsthand news about the River Governor. He wanted to know what kind of state the River Governor had become under Shen Tang and his associates; those who aided him with wicked schemes were not to be underestimated.
Wu Xian still quite liked Xu Jie.
Although Xu Jie rarely offered him advice, he was very generous and used money to solve many of his problems.
"My lord, the prisoner has been brought back."
"Wenzhu, please sit down!" Wu Xian's joy was almost overflowing. "When did you get back? You look so thin, Wenzhu. You must have suffered a lot on the way back."
Xu Jie naturally replied that it was his duty to share the burden for his lord, and that the trip had gone very smoothly without encountering any trouble.
Wu Xian asked, "How is my younger brother Shen?"
Xu Jie's lips twitched slightly.
For some reason, I feel that the lord's art style is similar to someone else's.
They keep referring to each other as "brothers of the same family," "Brother Zhaode," and "Brother Wu." Could it be that their feelings for each other are mutual?
He learned this word from Shen Jun.
It fits perfectly here.
Xu Jie had already prepared his answer on the way, so he answered without hesitation. He recounted everything he had seen and heard in Fugu City, including the recent situation of Zhao Dayi, which Wu Xian was most concerned about—of course, he omitted the fact that Zhao Feng was cultivating two hundred mu of land every day.
If I were to tell him, my lord would truly weep.
This is not an exaggeration but a statement of fact; he has a criminal record.
Wu Xian had six valiant generals under his command. One of them had narrowly escaped death in his early years while protecting Wu Xian. During his recovery, his snobbish elder brother and sister-in-law withheld his tonics. When Wu Xian visited him and saw his pitiful state, he was so heartbroken that he burst into tears.
To be frank, my brother and sister-in-law are not human.
How could he treat his precious darling so cruelly?
_(:з)∠)_
Since Zhao Feng himself didn't complain and even praised Shen Jun for making him plow the land, he decided not to stir up trouble.
Wu Xian listened intently.
Every now and then, he would exclaim in surprise, "Brother Shen is so righteous!", "Brother Shen is so kind!", "It is a great fortune for the Governor of He to have such a brother as Brother Shen!"
Xu Jie: "..."
One by one, the words "Chen Di" slid from his left ear to his right.
My mind is filled with "Chen Di, Chen Di, Chen Di".
Xu Jie couldn't help but doubt whether the "brotherly affection" was real!
Finally, and most importantly—
The brewing recipe in Shen Tang's hands.
Of course, Xu Jie didn't reveal everything openly. He used some subtle language to downplay Shen Tang's threat, and his stance shifted from neutral to one side. Wu Xian and the others were all absorbed in the wonderful uses of the wine.
Only one person remained vigilant and clear-headed.
“The annotations are muddled,” Qin Li said coldly.
Xu Jie looked up at Qin Li: "Gong Su, what makes you say that?"
Qin Li said, "Given time, Shen Tang will surely become a scourge!"
The changes in He Yin far exceeded his expectations. Judging from Xu Jie's description of the various reconstruction measures, one could glean a glimpse of the whole picture from a single instance; neither those who issued the orders nor those who carried them out should be underestimated. And this man was their neighbor!
The speed of development and growth is too fast!
Qin Liguang felt a chill run down his spine just thinking about it.
Xu Wenzhu still wants to negotiate with a tiger?
Tiger?
Haha, many people don't take this seriously.
This is clearly a cat that poses no threat at all.
Although it looks like a tiger, its nature is completely different.
Is Hebei developing rapidly?
That place was already in such a terrible state that it would be easy to see any changes if you just sent someone there.
Qin Gongsu overestimated Shen Tang.
Xu Jie made his position clear, and immediately many people he was on good terms with were willing to give him face and help him strike up a conversation—while inwardly they were filled with curiosity about the wine and couldn't wait to order some and try it.
Qin Li was ultimately not from Tianhai.
It is inevitable that local communities will band together and exclude outsiders.
In the past, Zhao Feng had helped him, but now he was isolated and helpless. Seeing that the situation was settled, Qin Li couldn't help but lose his temper and spoke harshly.
"It's fortunate that Wen Zhu is well-versed in business, but he doesn't know that the real exorbitant profits come from a single dominant player. Since we have the excellent brewing recipe, we should just take it. Why should we take a cut from Chen Youli for no reason? Doesn't he feel bad about it?"
Enraged by Qin Li's retort, Xu Jie also lost his temper.
He retorted sarcastically, "How could Gongsu say such a thing? Our lord and Lord Shen have hit it off immediately and are close friends, a fact known to all our allies in the alliance. Since they are like brothers, how could Gongsu be here instigating such banditry and plunder? If the world knew, who knows how they would misunderstand our lord. I urge Gongsu to be careful with his words!"
It would be even better if one could also be "cautious in conduct".
Wu Xian looked rather embarrassed; he himself had no idea that he and Shen Tang had become "instant friends and close confidants."
Qin Li was his strategist, and Xu Jie was his purse.
Favoring either side is not a good idea.
Wu Xian was about to step down and gloss over the matter when he saw Qin Li snort coldly, looking at Xu Jie with icy eyes, and say, "The head of the Xu family, as a scholar, acts like a mercenary merchant, short-sighted and opportunistic? Ha, I will not associate with you. My lord, I suddenly feel unwell and must take my leave..."
Wu Xian: "..."
It’s over——
As expected, Xu Jie revealed a hint of anger.
Wu Xian could only quickly separate the two, grant Qin Li permission to take "sick leave," and gently told him to take good care of himself.
Seeing Qin Li leave in anger, Wu Xian appeared helpless, but said in a serious tone, "Wen Zhu."
No need for further words, Xu Jie understands.
Xu Jie softened his tone: "My lord, please forgive me. I was rash."
Wu Xian held his hand, and said with great sadness, "Wen Zhu is my left arm, and Gong Su is my right arm. The two of you are the closest and most important people to me besides my own family. For me, your fighting is like mutilating my own arms. Do you understand, Wen Zhu?"
(End of this chapter)
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