Chapter 111 Taking a Big Risk with a Small Investment
"Hahaha... Your Highness, what are you saying? How could I dare to sit on the kang after cooking?" Qi Yingyu's smile became even more lewd. "Speaking of which, the Qi family of Xiangnan is so successful today thanks to the blessings of our ancestors. In this ever-changing empire, the Qi family has always been on the right side. The rulers may come and go, but the Qi family will never fall... Oh dear... I misspoke. Our Great Yu will last for thousands of generations..."
"Hey, it's alright, I don't mind. Yu Kingdom belongs to the King, and it has nothing to do with me. I just want to reclaim the status and position that rightfully belong to me." Mu Xi waved her hand dismissively, hoping that Qi Yingyu would say whatever she wanted in front of her. "Say whatever you want. I don't want to pretend in front of you. Our cooperation is based on mutual benefit, so it's fine."
Seeing that Mu Xi's expression was indeed unintentional, Qi Yingyu finally felt relieved: "Hahaha... I have long appreciated Your Highness's magnanimity, otherwise I wouldn't be standing here today. Hahaha... If Your Highness is willing to provide me with an opportunity to establish a family alliance with Xiangnan, I would be more than happy to accept. My family is of humble origin, and even if we sold everything we own, we wouldn't have much to offer Your Highness, but the name Qi Jinlin is not for nothing. Hahaha..."
Without needing to say more, Mu Xi could see that Qi Yingyu's desire to curry favor with the Qi family of Xiangnan was definitely not something that had happened overnight.
She went along with it: "Didn't you just say that Master Qi is already semi-retired? So it would be better to make a move through his daughter, right?"
“If the young master truly intends to bring the Qi family of Xiangnan under his control, one daughter alone is not enough.” Qi Yingyu pondered this sentence and realized that she might have exposed her earlier intentions, so she quickly laughed awkwardly to cover it up, “Hahaha… Of course… If that Miss Qi were to be a cash cow, that would be perfect.”
Mu Xi never intended to take over the Qi family of Xiangnan, and she didn't even reveal any such intention during the entire conversation. But Qi Yingyu just blurted it out, which shows that she had been daydreaming about it for a long time.
It's true that people's ambitions are higher than the heavens; even emperors want to become immortals.
However, there's nothing wrong with that; whether or not one can achieve it depends on individual fate.
She can provide opportunities and help; the chance encounter with Qi Zhuying is an opportunity. But unless Qi Yingyu firmly controls her, if she grows too powerful in the future, she will only be doing the work for someone else.
While Mu Xi remained calm, Qi Yingyu, observing the situation, asked again, "Why doesn't the young master like Qi Zhuying?"
"How do you know I don't like Qi Zhuying?" Mu Xi had only met Qi Zhuying once and hadn't even realized it herself.
Whether Qi Yingyu was trying to justify herself or had actually figured something out, she said, "Hahaha... If you want to amass more wealth, with Qi Zhuying's reputation for being so generous, it would be easy for you to control her. There's no need for me to try and climb up to the Qi family."
"Hmm, that makes sense. Maybe she's just too fond of showing off her wealth." Mu Xi has never lacked money in either of her lives.
She has always believed that money is enough and should be used freely, and she never tries to show off her wealth.
Qi Zhuying is somewhat disgracing the image of the rich kids in this respect, and she does look down on them.
But that's not the point: "Since you don't want to start with Qi Zhuying, which young master would you like to get to know? I can help you with that too."
After his chance encounter with Qi Zhuying that day, Mu Xi briefly inquired about Mu Xun's relationship with the Qi family of Xiangnan.
Unexpectedly, Mu Xi was more familiar with the family head, Qi Qingyuan, than with Qi Zhuying.
The Qi family's business required them to befriend not only the Jin Fangjun Mansion but also the Yongguo Marquis Mansion. In fact, Mu Xun's initial acquaintance with Qi Qingyuan was facilitated by his uncle, Shen Lun.
Without much thought, Qi Yingyu answered, "The best choice is the second son, of course."
"Why the second son?" Mu Xi thought she would choose the third son. "Didn't you just say that the third son is a playboy? Wouldn't it be easier to befriend and curry favor with him?"
Qi Yingyu didn't mince words: "Hahaha... Your Highness is right. Of the three young masters of the Qi family, the third one is the easiest to deal with. That's why he should be put on hold for now. The eldest one is the most difficult to handle. It would take many years of effort, and there's no guarantee of success. Your Highness needs capable men right now, so you probably can't wait. That leaves only the second one... Qi Zhenyang may be unfathomable or he may just be a good-for-nothing, but he's stuck in the middle, which is perfect for creating a rift between the upper and lower classes. That's how I can take advantage of him. Hahaha..."
Hehe, if that's the plan, it's not for Mu Xi's sake.
It seems that Qi Yingyu is quite ambitious and really intends to swallow an elephant whole.
While speaking, Qi Yingyu had even thought out a specific strategy: "Hahaha... Didn't Your Highness just ask me to handle the Binhe Wharf and merchant ships? To be honest, Your Highness does have a small fleet and a security escort company, but compared to the 'True Ocean Shipping' of the Qi family in Hunan, it's like comparing a watermelon to a sesame seed. If we can get to know the second young master of Qi Zhenyang, it will definitely be of great help to Your Highness's plans, hahaha..."
Mu Xi wasn't sure if it would help her, but if she could really bring the Qi family of Xiangnan under her control, it would definitely be of great benefit to the future, since Qifengtai was just the first step.
But this step will definitely be of great benefit to Qi Yingyu.
True to the nature of a merchant.
Mu Xi sighed inwardly, then suddenly had a brilliant idea and chimed in: "If that's the case, I can give you an idea. I guarantee you can achieve great results with minimal investment."
"Hahaha... The young master's idea is definitely first-rate." Qi Yingyu flattered, not taking Mu Xi's idea seriously.
Mu Xi didn't mind and said directly, "Since you have a fleet and a caravan, why not directly invest in the 'True Ocean' fleet in the name of the Qi family's minor branch?"
"Invest in?" Qi Yingyu didn't understand.
Mu Xi disregarded the word "investment" and explained, "It means giving away all your fleet and escort teams to that Second Young Master Qi for free. Of course, it's not a free giveaway; it's just a gesture of 'sincerity' to join 'True Ocean Shipping.' They have no reason to accept it for nothing; they'll demand something in return. You can use this opportunity to 'play the humble card' and secure a position within the company. After that, you'll have a say in the entire 'True Ocean Shipping.' I don't need to elaborate on what to do next, do I?"
"Oh my, Your Highness is truly a business genius! This idea is brilliant, hahaha..." Qi Yingyu gave a thumbs up. "This first step is the key to achieving big results with small investments, something I never thought of before. It's like a gentle rain nourishing the earth, a perfect example of a weasel wearing a straw hat. Then there's the second step, perhaps we could use a borrowed hen to lay golden eggs, but this hen is a real golden hen laying golden eggs. However, the name 'Qi Jinlin' isn't given lightly; I doubt it'll be so easy to fool him. As for what comes next... we'll have to cut off his supply lines, turn the tables, and make a big splash... hahaha... It's fortunate that Your Highness is Your Highness. If Your Highness were to enter the business world, would there still be food for us? Hahaha..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
