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As soon as the words "Wencheng Qian Family" came out, the face of the woman opposite changed, her eyes wandered, and she looked quite flustered.
However, even so, she pretended to be calm and spoke with all her might: "The Qian family is a big salt merchant, so we naturally want to make friends with them..."
Xiao Lin interrupted her defense and said bluntly, "Then the Jiang family's boat is flying the Qian family's flag, so they are close friends? Since Madam is here, it's better to tell the truth."
The young woman fell silent for a long time before she said, "Since Lord Xiao already knows, why ask more?"
Seeing her yield, Xiao Lin felt even more reassured. "It's the same question as before. Why did Madam come to see me? If I remember correctly, the Qian family and the Lu family have a pretty good relationship."
This is what Xiao Lin cares about most. Since he knows that the person behind her is Lu's ally, he should be wary of the deal that comes to him.
The Xiao family and the Lu family have had a long-standing feud, but it is just not obvious on the surface. If you get dragged into it inadvertently, it will be troublesome.
However, after the question was asked, the little woman pursed her lips and did not answer.
What hidden secrets were behind this? Xiao Lin immediately said coldly, "If Madam refuses to speak frankly, then please return."
As if being whipped, the woman gritted her teeth and finally spoke: "I didn't mean to hide it, it's really a matter of great importance, it's inconvenient to talk about it."
As she spoke, she looked up at the servant in the room. Was she still afraid that someone would overhear her secret? Xiao Lin immediately waved his hand, asking the servants to leave, and then said, "Madam, you can tell the truth."
Seeing she couldn't escape, the young woman made up her mind and whispered, "Second Master Qian had previously instructed me to be wary of the Lu family. There aren't many families in Tingzhou City who aren't afraid of the Lu family, so I've come to see Master Xiao."
Beware of the Lu family? Xiao Lin's eyes narrowed, and he asked, "Why would Qian Er say that?"
Qian Qian should be in charge of the Qian family’s fleet. Could something have happened at sea?
This question made the young woman even more hesitant. After a while, she said, "I don't know the inside story either. I'm afraid it's related to the incident in Panyu City..."
What had happened in Panyu City? It was, of course, the feud between the Lu brothers, with the leader of the Straw Clothes Gang taking advantage of the chaos to escape. This incident was so serious that it shook the government and the country, so how could Xiao Lin not know about it?
But what did this have to do with the Qian family? Would they support a runaway and turn against the Jiangdong Lu family?
No, it’s definitely not that simple!
Looking at the woman who forced herself to remain calm, Xiao Lin's heart suddenly moved.
Right, shouldn't the Lu family's fleet be returning from Southeast Asia by this time of year? There's been no news yet, could it be that something's wrong with their fleet?
Lord Lu just suffered a defeat in the court. If the fleet encounters problems again, the Lu family's foundation will immediately be unstable. It is not impossible that the Qian family will suddenly rebound and change their allegiance.
This is big news, he has to find out more!
Thinking of this, Xiao Lin smiled. "If Madam is willing to speak openly, then we can discuss this business. I just wonder how much goods you can ship here?"
This apparent concession cheered up the young woman, and she stopped hiding anything and said directly, "There is a batch this year. The number is not too large, but it is not small either. We don't know what will happen next year or the year after next."
How many families could ship goods from Southeast Asia? The Qian family definitely doesn't have connections, so they must have established connections with others. Who knows which wealthy family... Wait, is it the Lu family or the second son of the Lu family who are colluding with the bandits? The straw raincoat bandits are causing trouble again. Will they attack Tingzhou? If the Lu family becomes chaotic, wouldn't they be more likely to establish connections with the Qian family, or the forces behind the Qian family?
Thinking of this, Xiao Lin smiled and twirled his beard, saying, "Of course I'm interested in those goods. I could share some of the food with you, but I can't do it right now."
The person on the other side immediately became anxious: "Is Mr. Xiao playing a trick on me?"
Xiao Lin chuckled, "Madam, do you really think I'll believe you just because you say something? You know, the Lu family is a prominent family in Tingzhou!"
This is of course a retreat to advance, to force the other party to make more promises, and even to bring out the Qian family behind the scenes.
But what Xiao Lin didn't expect was that the woman hesitated for a while, then suddenly said, "If I say that the Ye family wants to form an alliance with the Lu family, would Lord Xiao believe it?"
Xiao Lin's face suddenly darkened: "Madam, please don't listen to my words!"
As if she had given up everything, the young woman said, "I just received this news a few days ago. If not, why would I only come to look for Lord Xiao?"
Xiao Lin's face was gloomy and uncertain, he was really hesitant.
If this news is true, it will be extremely disadvantageous to the Xiao family.
The Lu family has official connections, and the Ye family has maritime power. If the two form an alliance, Tingzhou will definitely be invincible.
The Xiao family has a grudge against the Lu family, and recently had some business disputes with the Ye family. Will they still have a foothold then? We must find out the truth as soon as possible and report it to the clan leader!
After looking at the stubborn young woman for a long time, Xiao Lin sighed softly, "Madam, you are quite calculating. Since you have said so much, please wait at the inn for a few more days. However, Tingzhou City is too big, so please be careful and don't get yourself into trouble."
The implicit threat in the words also made the little woman's face look ugly.
She is a woman, alone in a foreign land. Even if she brings some servants with her, how can she deal with the local tyrants? I am afraid that is as it should be.
Seeing the other person's pale face, Xiao Lin couldn't help but feel a little proud in his heart. No matter how calculating she was, she was still a weak woman.
Everything that should and shouldn't be said is poured out all at once, so what trump card do you have left to rely on?
Madam Jiang took a deep breath and said with all her might, "Since I have come to see Lord Xiao, I have no second thoughts. I only hope that Lord Xiao can make a decision quickly. Otherwise, I dare not stay in Tingzhou for long."
This was really scary. After all, if he could find out the details of the Jiang family, others might be able to find out as well. If the deal really couldn't be concluded, it would be better to leave early.
However, Xiao Lin was not willing to let this frightened bird go. He smiled slightly and said, "Don't be afraid, Madam. I am not an unreasonable person. If everything is as you said, we can still negotiate this business."
Hearing this, the young woman breathed a sigh of relief and said seriously, "Then I will wait for good news from Lord Xiao."
Xiao Lin nodded with a smile. Of course, the business could be discussed, but it was not without cost.
If there is a possibility that the Lu and Ye families will join forces, he cannot sit idly by. At that time, the Xiao family will not be able to take action and will have to rely on others.
I heard that the Jiang family also had two ships coming, and both were powerful salt transporters. Aren't they the perfect chess pieces?
After a series of beatings and dragging, Xiao Lin mercifully escorted the young woman away himself. After the young woman had boarded the carriage, he summoned his trusted aides and instructed them, "Go investigate the Lu family and see if they've had any private dealings with the Ye family recently. We also need to thoroughly investigate whether the Lu family's fleet has returned..."
…
"You're back!" Fang Tianxi asked anxiously when he saw Cheng Xi coming back. "Did Xiao get fooled?"
Cheng Xi laughed and said, "Boss Xiao is really smart. He anticipated the enemy first, so why wouldn't he take the bait?"
This was quite hurtful, but Fang Tianxi didn't mind at all: "Then we have one more chess piece! Tsk tsk, these high-ranking families in Tingzhou are really something, each and every one of them is full of venom, just wishing they could bite each other a few times."
"Aren't all the noble families in the world like this?" Cheng Xi asked indifferently.
Fang Tianxi was stunned for a moment, then laughed heartily: "Indeed, when profit is at hand, how can there be any such thing as modesty and kindness? But it's better if it's poisonous enough, so that it can breed a Gu."
For them, the more scheming a company is, the easier it is to control it.
Their interests are different, but they are forced together. Just a little push will cause them to fall apart immediately. This is more effective than simple provocation.
After laughing, Fang Tianxi straightened his expression and said, "I'm telling you in advance that the Suoyi Gang is about to take action. It will only take two or three days. Our arrangements must be ahead of schedule."
Cheng Xi nodded slightly: "Sir, just go ahead and do it. No matter what happens, I'm here."
This spirit is really like that of General Qiu back then.
Fang Tianxi sighed in his heart, said nothing more, and continued to be busy.
Three days later, the news spread throughout the city like wildfire.
The straw raincoat bandits led tens of thousands of troops to attack Tingzhou!
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