In this era, the common interest rate for money houses, pawnshops, and even private lending was nine out of 13.

That is to say, if I lend you nine taels of silver, you have to pay back thirteen taels three months later. The monthly interest is 1.3 cents.

The annual interest rate of Jiangnan Company's bonds is only 0.12 cents, and the interest in one year is not as much as others' monthly interest.

That’s why the two old men asked this question - what fool would be willing to lend them money?

"Don't be dissatisfied." Young Master Zhao rubbed his buttocks and smiled faintly: "Do you believe that you are still fighting for this?"

"I believe it, but I'd be foolish to believe you." Zhao Liben rolled his eyes and said, "Is he crazy?"

Master Zhao smiled and was about to explain the reason, but he heard his servant report that Hua Bozhen wanted to see him.

Zhao Hao and Jiang Xueying looked at each other and smiled, "Here comes the fool."

He winked at Sister Jiang and told her not to explain yet and let the old man open his eyes first.

"If Grandpa doesn't believe me, just go next door and listen to see if I'm bragging."

"Let's listen." Zhao Liben was also full of curiosity, so he and Ye, who was equally curious, went to the inner hall separated by a curtain.

Jiang Xueying also went in with him, leaving Zhao Hao alone outside.

After a while, Hua Bozhen came in with a smile on his face and greeted the young master.

"Brother, why are you here today? The bank will open on the eighth day of the first lunar month." Zhao Hao also greeted him with a smile and let him into the hall, sitting in order of east and west.

"I heard that the company is in trouble, so as your brother, I'm here to help you." Hua Bozhen looked enthusiastic, took out a thick envelope from his sleeve and handed it to Zhao Hao.

Zhao Hao opened the envelope and saw that it was a stack of bills worth 100,000 taels each, twenty in total.

"Brother, are you going to donate money?"

"Uh... ahem, I heard that the company wants to borrow 1.5 million taels. How embarrassing would it be if this got out?" Hua Bozhen smiled awkwardly and said, "Let's just handle it among ourselves. Take all the 2 million taels, and the Hua family only needs 1.5 million taels of bonds."

~~

Behind the pearl curtain, Zhao Liben and Ye were both stunned.

Did Hua Bozhen get his brain covered with cement on Xishan Island?

Not only did he have to buy the bonds worth 1.5 million taels, but he also had to pay a premium of 500,000 taels.

You know, the total interest due on this bond is only 540,000 taels.

The Hua family was essentially lending two million to the Jiangnan Company for three years.

Yes, their family has plenty of money, so there’s no need to waste it like this, right?

The two of them cast inquiring looks at Jiang Xueying.

Jiang Xueying covered her mouth, shook her head and smiled. Her brother said not to tell them first.

~~

In the outer hall, Young Master Zhao also offered praise: "Generous! Very considerate, good brothers for life!"

"I am also a member of the company. How can I stand idly by when the company is in trouble?" Hua Bozhen said seriously: "This matter is settled. Brother, don't refuse. If you refuse, you don't consider me a brother..."

"I only want brothers, not money." Zhao Hao smiled and stuffed the ticket into the envelope, then threw it back to Hua Bozhen and said:

"Thank you for your kindness. I am very grateful. However, the shareholders of the company should not get involved in this bond issuance."

He sighed and said, "Everyone has contributed money and effort to the company, but now we haven't earned a penny. We can't let the shareholders spend money anymore."

"It would not be good if our shareholders did not contribute a penny, right?" Hua Bozhen still did not give up.

"Brother, let me tell you the truth. There is almost nothing left of the 1.5 million taels." Young Master Zhao said calmly.

"Oh?" Hua Bozhen was surprised: "Who acted so quickly?"

"Dongting Chamber of Commerce subscribed for half of it on the same day." Zhao Hao naturally did not hide it from him.

"Ah?" Hua Bozhen opened his mouth wide and said in a ridiculous manner, "They have no money to start work and need you to help them out. But they have money to lend to you. Isn't this a bit too shameless?"

"You can't say that." Zhao Hao chuckled and said, "They use the money to start construction to fill the hole, but they can earn interest by lending it to me. How can it be the same?"

"It's different." Hua Bozhen shook his head. "But they are still quite shameless."

But this is not the point. After sighing, he asked anxiously: "What about the remaining 750,000 taels?"

"After arriving in Suzhou, the Gu family of Changzhou subscribed 200,000 taels, the Lu family 200,000 taels, and eight or nine other families, including the Zhang family, the Zhu family, and the Zhou family, subscribed 200,000 taels together."

Zhao Hao explained to him: "I was planning to leave a share of 100,000 taels for Pan Zhongcheng's family, but now there are only 50,000 taels left, right?"

"Fifty thousand taels is not too little for me." Hua Bozhen gritted his teeth.

"Well, you're really not picky..." Young Master Zhao said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, "If I give it to your family, what will happen to the other shareholders? Old Master Wang will definitely ask me to treat everyone equally."

"It's first come, first served. Even Mr. Wang has to be reasonable." Hua Bozhen said with a bitter face, "Brother, I'm not trying to embarrass you. It's really that my old man has issued a death order. If you return empty-handed, you will be punished. Please help me..."

Just as he was begging, Xiwa came in and reported that Wu County Magistrate Yang Chenglin and Changshu County Magistrate Zhang Defu had arrived together.

"Hurry up and open the middle gate to welcome you." Jiangnan Bank wanted to take root in Suzhou, so it couldn't neglect the two officials.

Zhao Hao smiled and said to Hua Bozhen, "Brother, come with me to receive the guests."

On Xishan Island, Hua Bozhen had hosted the two people in distress, and they became familiar with each other.

He did not refuse and followed Zhao Hao out of the hall. He had planned to greet them at the garden gate, but the two county magistrates had already arrived at the pond.

"I'm sorry that I didn't come to welcome you in person. Please forgive me." Young Master Zhao bowed with a smile.

"We two have come uninvited. We hope we haven't disturbed Zhao Jiantao." The two county magistrates had learned from the governor that Zhao Hao was now a seventh-rank Hanlin Jiantao, only half a level lower than them, but much more noble.

What's more, what they valued was not Zhao Hao's official position, but the Jiangnan Company behind him.

To be more precise, cement.

In order to move up a few spots on Jiangnan Company's client list, the two county magistrates tried every means to get close to Zhao Shouzheng a few months ago.

They had been to Kunshan several times, and when Zhao Shouzheng came to the provincial capital to report on his work, they also hosted him several times.

Mr. Zhao was deeply moved by the sincere friendship between colleagues, so he told them the truth. He couldn't make the decision on the cement issue. Instead of looking for him, it would be better to work on his son.

At first, the two thought that County Magistrate Zhao was trying to shirk responsibility again. After all, people in the same industry are enemies, so there was nothing strange about that.

But the time they took refuge on Xishan Island opened their eyes. Not only did the prefect humbly ask Zhao Hao for help, but even the high and mighty governor had to see Zhao Hao before making a decision.

If these two can't figure out who is the real boss, then they are truly blind.

As soon as they returned to Suzhou and sorted out the situation, the two of them couldn't wait to come over to visit. This was a good opportunity to show their courtesy!

ps. Second update, please give me your monthly vote!