Chapter Sixteen: A Covenant of Gold and Stone
Rumors of the preparations for "Datong Pawnshop" were like a boulder thrown into a deep pool, creating ripples within the seemingly monolithic organization of the five surnames and seven clans. This forward-thinking financial concept, spearheaded by women, revealed for the first time the ideological cracks in these centuries-old aristocratic families.
The Cui family ancestral home, the council hall.
The fragrance of sandalwood wafted through the air, yet it could not dispel the heavy atmosphere. Cui Jiulang knelt at the lower end, his back straight as a pine tree, and presented the blueprint for cooperation to the clan chief Cui Mingyuan and the other clan elders who sat at the upper end.
"...In conclusion, if this 'Datong Counter Shop' can be built, it will not only integrate the idle funds of our various companies, but also allow us to control the financial lifeline of future Silk Road trade. Its benefits far exceed those of today's piecemeal traditional trade." Cui Jiulang's tone was calm, but his phoenix eyes gleamed with an undeniable light.
"Absurd!" A cold rebuke suddenly rang out. It was Cui Jiulang's cousin, Cui Yan, who had always disliked his cousin's seemingly effortless and adept handling of everything. "Cooperating with a young widow of unknown origin? And a child bride used by the Dou family to bring good fortune! Jiulang, have you been bewitched by that witch? How could the Cui family, with its century-old reputation, associate with such a person! In my opinion, this woman's actions are bizarre and bordering on demonic; she should be eliminated as soon as possible to prevent future troubles!"
"Eliminate her?" Cui Jiulang sneered, his gaze sweeping over Cui Yan like a blade. "And then? Hand over her 'flying money' and 'ticket' methods to the Lu and Zheng families? At that point, my Cui family will be excluded from this new game, forced to watch helplessly as others control the future of wealth. Cousin, is your vision still stuck in the era of manors and throngs of servants? Future wealth will flow through intangible credit!"
"You!" Cui Yan blushed, but was speechless for a moment.
"Enough." Clan Chief Cui Mingyuan finally spoke, his voice low yet carrying an undeniable authority. He scrutinized Cui Jiulang: "Jiulang, how confident are you?"
"Fifty percent," Cui Jiulang admitted frankly.
"Fifty percent?" An elder with white hair and beard frowned. "The risk is too high! If we lose..."
"But the returns could be a hundredfold, a thousandfold," Cui Jiulang retorted, "and this is no longer just a matter for my Cui family. As far as I know, the Lu and Zheng families are already interested. If we don't participate, we'll be cutting ourselves off from the future. The risks are manageable. If that Liu Bao'er really makes any moves..." A cold glint flashed in his eyes, "...I have my own ways of making her disappear."
Cui Mingyuan pondered for a long time, his fingertips lightly tapping the rosewood armrest. He knew his nephew's abilities and ambitions well, and also vaguely sensed that the world was undergoing unprecedented changes. Finally, he slowly said, "Alright. But the Cui family's resources must be invested in three batches, depending on the progress of 'Datong Courier Shop.' Jiulang, you are fully responsible for this matter. If there are any mistakes, you know the consequences."
Meanwhile, the Lu family of Fanyang were at their villa in Chang'an.
The person in charge, Lu Chengsi, was playing chess with his trusted advisors. On the white jade chessboard, black and white pieces were locked in a fierce battle.
"Cui Jiulang has quite the nerve, actually getting involved with that 'God of Wealth's Tablet'," the advisor said softly, placing a piece on the board.
Lu Chengsi chuckled, holding a black chess piece. "That fool Cui Yan only saw the risks, while Cui Jiulang saw the opportunities. And that Liu Bao'er..." He paused, a glint of shrewdness in his eyes, "...she probably saw some inevitability. This woman is no ordinary person."
"Then our Lu family..."
"Follow up," Lu Chengsi decisively decided, "but not with the same all-out effort as Cui Jiulang. We'll provide the money and some distribution channels, but we'll try to stay away from the core technology and personnel. Let them take the plunge and experiment. If they succeed, we'll share the profits; if they fail, the losses will be limited." He glanced at his advisors, "Remember, don't put all your eggs in one basket, especially not in such a...novel basket."
The attitude of the Zheng family of Xingyang was more complicated.
Zheng Yuanchang, the person in charge, paced back and forth in his study, his brow furrowed. He was conservative by nature and was skeptical of Liu Bao'er's financial concepts that were ahead of their time, but seeing that the Cui and Lu families had already entered the fray, he was afraid of falling behind.
"Go," he finally stopped and instructed his trusted steward, "find a few people from the Dou family, or from that street urchin named Hu Liu, who were involved in the operation of 'salt permits' and 'glutinous rice coupons'."
"What does the head of the family mean?"
"If they can do it, so can our Zheng family!" Zheng Yuanchang said firmly. "We don't need to completely follow in Liu Bao'er's footsteps. She's doing 'Silk Road settlement,' so we might as well test the waters with 'Jianghuai Canal transport' first. Imitate, then improve."
The internal strife and intrigues among these powerful families quickly reached Liu Bao'er's ears through Hu Liu's increasingly sophisticated network of connections in the city and Cui Jiulang's subtle hints.
She sat in the study of her newly purchased Danfengmen residence, listening to Hu Liu's report, a cold smile curving her lips.
"The Cui family is internally divided, the Lu family wants to get something for nothing, and the Zheng family wants to start afresh..." she murmured to herself, "Very well."
"Master, is this disadvantageous to us?" Hu Liu asked with concern.
"Disadvantageous?" Liu Bao'er shook her head. "Quite the opposite. If they were united, they would either join forces to swallow me up or join forces to destroy me. Now that they each have their own agendas, it actually gives me room to divide, win over, and maintain balance."
She spread out mulberry paper, dipped her brush in ink, and began to write down her solutions:
"Firstly, Cui Jiulang will be given the status of a core partner and invited to participate in the construction of some risk models to deepen the partnership."
"Secondly, promise the Lu family stable and substantial profits from their distribution channels, using tangible benefits to guide them from speculation to dependence."
"Thirdly, regarding the Zheng family..." She paused, the ink slightly spreading on the paper, "...it's appropriate to leak some outdated, irrelevant 'technical details,' allowing them to imitate. Imitation takes time, enough to distract them. Besides..." A sharp glint flashed in her eyes, "...misguided imitation is often more fatal than no imitation at all."
She put down her pen and gazed out the window at the myriad lights of Chang'an. This struggle against the powerful clans had long transcended the realm of mere commerce. She not only had to calculate profits, but also weigh human nature and maintain a balance of power.
"Only by keeping them in check can we maneuver with ease," she said softly, as if stating a simple fact. "The muddier the water, the better."
As preparations for "Datong Pharmacy" progressed, the internal divisions among these powerful families not only failed to subside but were amplified in the struggle for profit distribution and decision-making power. The Cui Yan faction closely monitored every decision made by Cui Jiulang; the Lu family constantly weighed the input-output ratio; and the Zheng family stumbled along the path of imitation...
These fissures are exactly what Liu Bao'er needs. In this intricate game of chess, she is quietly becoming the one who wields the pieces.
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