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How can I meet the bank's head? Sitting at the desk, Tang Yansheng frowned, feeling a little anxious.
In the past half month, he has sent out several invitations, but he couldn't even get an appointment with Wang Cai, the person in charge of Minsheng Bank, let alone the real person in charge.
Logically speaking, since he had deposited 1,000 taels in Minsheng Bank, he should have left some impression on the other party. Could it be that they really treated him as a sucker?
No, the Red Flag Gang's actions these days don't seem like those of a group of bandits who make a living by looting.
When he thought of the workshops that were rising from the ground, Tang Yansheng calmed down.
Although the family runs a tea business, the turbulent situation in recent years has made it questionable whether the business can continue to thrive.
Otherwise, he would not have had the courage to invest in the Red Flag Gang for the interest when they opened a bank.
Originally, he wanted to use this opportunity to establish a relationship with the Red Flag Gang and then open up a sales channel for his own tea products. After all, tea is considered a bulk business in maritime trade. However, after seeing the newly built workshop of the cloth shop, his mind changed.
Everyone knew that the cloth shop was built of red bricks, but no one could have imagined that the house could be built so quickly and smoothly.
In just half a month, the bright house was built and painted white on the outside. It was no worse than an ordinary blue brick house.
Some people thought that the Red Flag Gang was showing off their financial strength, but Tang Yansheng saw that what they were showing off was not their financial strength, but the red brick houses and the "cement" used to build them.
Tang Yansheng also spent a lot of effort to find out the location of the cement workshop.
This is the first workshop opened by the Red Flag Gang in Dongning. The "cement" produced there is something very similar to mirage ash, but its cost is obviously lower than mirage ash, and it is probably cheaper than cement. Otherwise, how could it be used to build a workshop?
Because the construction was so swift and tumultuous, many people in the county came to inquire about the cost after the house was completed. The price they got was astonishing—at least 30% cheaper than a blue brick house! Furthermore, after it was completed, it could even be painted white, making it look like the whitewashed walls of a wealthy family.
With such a cost, how could it not be tempting? Someone immediately hired people from the Red Flag Gang to repair the courtyard wall and rebuild the house.
As a result, these newly built houses are all strong and sturdy, and can also be rainproof. For a small coastal county like Dongning, they are a rare combination of good quality and low price.
How can a simple red brick have such an effect? I think the "cement" applied between the red bricks is the fundamental reason why red bricks are stronger than blue bricks.
This kind of business is definitely worth getting involved in, and the Red Flag Gang opened a bank and paid interest on deposits, probably just to build these workshops.
If you think about it this way, the Red Flag Gang might be a little short of cash. Will they allow others to invest money and get a piece of the pie?
With this idea in mind, Tang Yansheng repeatedly tried to invite the manager of Minsheng Bank to come out for a talk. However, he never expected that the other party was so arrogant and did not take the one thousand taels he deposited in the bank seriously at all.
Is it possible to just sit and wait for that one cent of interest?
No! He had to think of another way...
Tang Yansheng was quite capable and he finally found his way through. With the help of the county magistrate's advisor, he contacted the leader Sun of the Red Flag Gang and presented him with a lot of gifts. Only then did he get the confirmation that there was no need for a banquet and he could go to meet Mr. Tian.
It was not until this time that Tang Yansheng found out that the person in charge of Minsheng Bank was the current head of Dongning Camp and the trusted aide of the leader of the Red Flag Gang.
It seems that Minsheng Bank is really useful!
With a determined mind, Tang Yansheng specially prepared some new tea from before the Qingming Festival as a gift and came to the headquarters of Minsheng Bank.
This is a two-courtyard house with a front hall and a back yard. It is very spacious. Of course, it is not as spacious as an ordinary mansion, but it also has the style of a big store.
When he entered the door, Tang Yansheng saw a few farmers with dusty faces and wearing coarse cloth clothes. He thought they were also here to borrow the "Qingmiao Loan".
The early rice harvest hadn't yet begun, and the people were facing their greatest hardship. But the fact that they dared to skip the moneylenders and borrow directly from Minsheng Bank showed that they had made a name for themselves.
But he didn't come here to borrow or save money. He was invited into the backyard after just a glance.
The layout of this yard is much simpler than the previous shop, and it is quite plain. It is estimated that Mr. Tian is not a person who enjoys pleasure.
Of course, there are some special features, such as the fact that all the rooms have no thresholds. Tang Yansheng felt even more relieved, as it seemed that the information he had heard was not wrong.
As soon as I entered the hall, I saw a young man with a cold and arrogant face and a slightly thin figure sitting in the first seat. Everything else about him was nothing special, but the chair he was sitting on was really eye-catching.
However, Tang Yansheng didn't even glance at him. He immediately bowed and said, "I'm Tang Yansheng, nice to meet you, Mr. Tian."
This is a big shot of the Red Flag Gang. Even if he has a leg disease, he cannot show surprise and must be polite.
Tian Yu said coldly: "Shopkeeper Tang, please take a seat."
This attitude is really difficult to deal with.
In just a moment, Tang Yansheng knew that Mr. Tian must be difficult to talk to, so he became more solemn and sat down in the guest seat in a proper manner.
When doing business normally, you have to be polite and build relationships first before talking about money.
Unexpectedly, Mr. Tian came straight to the point and asked, "I wonder why Shopkeeper Tang is here?"
This was so direct, it was practically the same as kicking someone out. Tang Yansheng wasn't one to put on airs in front of a Red Flag Gang member. He smiled and said, "Actually, this is all for my family's business. Mr. Tian probably knows that the Tang family makes their living selling tea, and we have some connections in Fujian. But with the constant wars on land these days, shipping goods is quite difficult. I was wondering if you could ask your gang to ship the goods by sea?"
This is said to be letting the Red Flag Gang transport goods, but in fact it is providing a tea route. The Tang family is considered a wealthy family in Dongning. Although they are not as good as those big tea merchants, they have no shortage of connections and relationships. If the Red Flag Gang can help them, it will be like adding wings to a tiger.
Of course, he dared to do so because he must have something to rely on, and his own tea route would not be swallowed up directly by the Red Flag Gang.
This is a deal that comes right to my door. After leaving him alone for more than two months, he is still of some use.
Tian Yu said casually: "It's a small matter, of course it's okay."
His tone was too flat, lacking the joy of having gotten a bargain. Tang Yansheng immediately knew that this small profit would not impress the other party, so he hurriedly said, "I am relieved to have your help. However, besides this matter, there is another thing I would like to ask Mr. Tian."
The other party only raised an eyebrow without even saying a polite word. Tang Yansheng was not embarrassed at all and said directly, "It is really amazing that your gang has established a 'bank'. Not to mention the loan, I am afraid that inviting us to deposit money is not only to establish your authority, but also to use it for cash flow..."
Having said this, he paused deliberately to observe the other person's expression.
However, that cold, coffin-like face didn't reveal much, so Tang Yansheng didn't waste any time and immediately continued, "Just like those new workshops, although the world doesn't care much about them, I think each one of them is a business that can make a lot of money. Tang is also quite wealthy, I wonder if I can join forces with your gang and share some of the profits?"
Tian Yu snorted coldly: "Manager Tang wants to buy shares?"
Tang Yansheng smiled and said, "That's what I meant."
Tian Yu refused directly: "No outsiders are allowed to interfere in the business of our gang."
Tang Yansheng hadn't expected him to be so straightforward, and hurriedly said, "How dare I interfere with your gang's business? It's just that some things are hard to make big money without expanding the business. For example, if the production of cement is too low, how much money can be made from building a few houses? I don't have much else, but I do have some money. If I can buy some shares, I will be very satisfied."
He had already lowered his stance sufficiently, but the young man opposite him remained unmoved: "If you think the money is too much, why bother with all this? Why not just put it in the bank and wait for the interest to come in?"
That was too harsh, and the interest was only one cent. How much could it be worth? Tang Yansheng sighed, "Sir, why do you have to turn me away? We're all investing money. Instead of putting it in a bank account, I'd rather put it in another account."
"The Red Flag Gang isn't short of money." Tian Yu sneered, "Manager Tang is really calculating. He doesn't even consider whether we will agree."
This was too unreasonable. Tang Yansheng felt a little frustrated and didn't know how to persuade the other party.
While he lowered his head in thought, the maid standing behind Tian Yu gently refilled Tian Yu's tea. Of course, she did not forget to blink while pouring the tea.
Tian Yu's face turned dark and he glared at the dishonest "maid". When everyone smiled and retreated, he straightened his face and put away the revealing expression.
At this time, Tang Yansheng seemed to have made up his mind and asked, "Then, Mr. Tian, what do you think I should do to have a chance to talk?"
This was a significant concession, and it made Tang Yansheng a little uneasy. After all, the other party was from a boat gang, and they might not leave out bones even if they were to eat people. If they pushed their limits, it would be difficult to deal with them.
Tian Yu stared at him for a long while before slowly saying, "Shopkeeper Tang isn't giving up, but since you're here, I won't say anything empty. It doesn't matter if it's coal or iron. As long as Shopkeeper Tang can find one and the price is right, we can discuss this matter."
Tang Yansheng was startled; this request was beyond his expectations. Coal was fine, most likely used to heat the kiln, but the iron was probably going to be used to forge weapons and strengthen himself. This was quite a big deal!
However, it wasn't that difficult for him. After all, he was a well-connected tea merchant, so how could he not have a few friends who had goods? However, he still had to find a way to bargain for the Red Flag Gang and secure the supply, which would require some effort and connections.
Of course, compared to these, dry shares are more coveted.
After pondering for a while, Tang Yansheng said, "Then may I ask how much the shares in the cement workshop are worth?"
This was the question he had been waiting for. Tian Yu said, "The one thousand taels you deposited in the bank can be converted into shares in the cement workshop. The workshop is divided into ten shares, and you can own half of it. You can share the profits at the end of the year."
Tang Yansheng nearly gasped. Wasn't the price of this cement workshop too high? One thousand taels for half a share? Didn't that mean the workshop was worth twenty thousand taels? It's only been open for a few months, and they're asking for such a ridiculous amount... Wait, Tang Yansheng suddenly realized. So the scale of the cement workshop and the Red Flag Gang's ambitions were beyond his imagination? One thousand taels in the bank would only earn him one hundred taels of interest per year, and there was a chance the value would drop in the future.
However, if you invest in a workshop, as long as the scale of the workshop continues to expand and it continues to make profits, the profits you will receive in the future will be very considerable.
If the Red Flag Gang grows stronger, these shares will become a family business that can be passed down from generation to generation!
The world is in chaos nowadays, and it is impossible to hold on to such a strong supporter.
After thinking it through clearly in an instant, Tang Yansheng quickly said, "Can I invest another half share to make it a full share?"
Tian Yu chuckled: "It's all because of Shopkeeper Tang that he didn't save money earlier. Of course he can't do that now."
Tang Yansheng really felt regret at this moment. He was too cautious at the beginning. If he had deposited 3,000 taels directly, he could have obtained a 15% share now.
However, after finally convincing the other party, he didn't dare to say much and just agreed.
Even if the deal was done, the documents could not be signed immediately, after all, he had not yet brought in the coal and iron supplies.
Faced with such a stubborn guy, there was obviously no possibility of getting close to him, so Tang Yansheng didn't stay any longer and stood up to say goodbye.
After the people left, Tian Yu snorted unhappily: "Have you seen enough?"
The maid-dressed woman behind him laughed and said, "Danhui, with your temper, you'll lose money if you really do business."
Tian Yu was so angry that he said, "Then why don't you do it yourself, Gang Leader? If you're worried that you won't be able to control the situation, you can wear women's clothes."
The outfit of the "gang leader's wife" can even scare the county magistrate, so why would she be afraid of a small businessman?
Cheng Xi had already sat down and poured herself a cup of tea: "I just went to Tingzhou. I can't appear in the mall as a woman again."
Moreover, a woman's identity is enough to scare the county magistrate, but not necessarily to negotiate business.
In such a situation where one needs to use force to pressure others, it is obviously better to use Tian Yu's stern face than to do it personally.
Tian Yu was obviously unconvinced and wanted to say something, but Cheng Xi suddenly changed the subject: "Besides, you've already revealed yourself, and I'm still appearing as a woman. I'm afraid that someone with ulterior motives might guess my identity."
Tian Yu shut up immediately. What identity did he guess? Naturally, it was General Qiu's only daughter.
He is an old subordinate of a general, but he is willing to stay in the Red Flag Gang. Now a woman appears who can negotiate business on his behalf. It is hard to say whether he will be exposed.
General Qiu’s grievances have not yet been cleared, and he doesn’t want to see Cheng Xi suffer because of him.
And there was one thing that Tian Yu didn't really want to admit. Instead of watching Cheng Xi dressed up like a weirdo and talking business with a strange man, it would be better for him to do it himself.
With a cold snort, Tian Yu said, "Forget it. As long as Tang takes the bait, the bank won't have to pay back the money."
Cheng Xi chuckled, "Not only do I not have to pay back the money, but when the year-end dividends are distributed, I can use the profits to increase production and expand the scale of operations without distributing dividends for the time being. That's a sure-win business."
She had heard a lot about this routine, and now that she was using it herself, it felt really good.
In this way, all shareholders are tied to their own boat, and the price-performance ratio alone is off the charts.
"You profiteer!" Tian Yu couldn't help but glare at her and pushed the wheelchair away.
However, when he turned around, the corners of his lips couldn't help but curl up.
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