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"Have you heard? A young man showed up at Zhou Shenxing's banquet and took away all the money they had."
"You're so tactless, which family is this?"
"He's from Panyu. I heard he's a businessman."
"Can someone like this sneak into the Zhou family's banquet?"
"Who knows? Maybe he got in touch with someone else."
"We've all lost face, and it's no use to anyone."
"I heard it belongs to a silk merchant. I guess he's preparing to collect the silk."
"Wait, coming from the south? Could it be that..."
"Haha, I don't know about this little brother. Anyway, the rumor is very detailed. If it really came from the south, who can say for sure?"
"He really is a rude person..."
"Then should we sell him silk?"
"Hahaha, you're joking, brother. The price of silk is about to go up this year, and I don't have any left."
Yuhang was a relatively small city, and Zhou Zhenglun's banquet had gathered the best of the best. Within a day, news of "Master Fang" had spread. His actions were truly remarkable, and with the spring silkworm season approaching, within half a month, each family could estimate their annual silk production based on cocoon yields. At this point, the sudden appearance of a disruptor in the market was sure to raise eyebrows.
Anyone dealing in raw silk could sense the upward trend this year. There were simply too many refugees, and they were already attacking Jiangdong. Even near Yuhang, there were rebels, significantly impacting the mulberry fields. Meanwhile, every household had to accommodate the refugees, and with food prices expected to skyrocket, how could the price of raw silk possibly fall? Furthermore, the weather was somewhat unfavorable. If it rained for another half month, prices would likely soar.
Yet, everyone was watching Mr. Fang's movements. After all, he had just arrived in Yuhang, and no one had yet reported any deals. No one knew exactly how much raw silk he wanted, or how much of a shock the market would experience. Some watched in amusement, while others had already been eyeing him. After all, in business, there's no easier target than a young child.
Even though so many people were concerned about it, Mr. Fang, who was at the center of the controversy, didn't seem to care at all. On the contrary, he went to Wu's silk shop first.
Upon learning that the visitor was Mr. Fang, the Wu family's shopkeeper was quite surprised. He politely invited the visitor into the inner hall, served tea and water, and then asked, "Mr. Fang, are you here to purchase raw silk?"
Fang Ling's attitude wasn't as overbearing as the rumors suggested. He smiled and said, "Indeed, I've heard the Wu family is one of the most powerful families in Yuhang. I wonder if they're interested in negotiating a long-term business deal with our family?"
"May I ask how much goods Mr. Fang plans to buy?" When a business comes to your door, you have to ask in detail, said the shopkeeper Wu.
"At least 3,000 dan of raw silk a year. If the production increases in the future, it will increase further." Fang Ling said frankly.
Even the calm businessman like Wu felt a shudder at these words. Three thousand koku? That's probably the maximum amount of raw silk sold to Japan. How wealthy would one have to be to take it all in? Furthermore, the volume needed was so huge that it would be nearly impossible to find a way to fill Wu's existing contracts. So why would they come directly to him to inquire about the price?
After a brief hesitation, Shopkeeper Wu said cautiously, "In the past two years, the price of raw silk has risen to eight or nine cents per catty. You can't get one dan without a hundred taels. If it's three thousand dan, that would be three hundred thousand taels. I'm afraid I can't make the decision on such a big deal."
Fang Ling smiled slightly: "Then find someone who can make the decision."
Shopkeeper Wu was speechless. Did he mean he couldn't make the decision? He was asking if a young man like you could make the decision on such a big deal! Forget 300,000 taels. Anything over 100,000 taels usually required the head of the family to personally handle. How could this be a joke?
However, he was reluctant to say it out loud, and after a while he said, "Please sit down for a moment, Mr. Fang."
Whether it is true or false, it must be reported immediately.
Fang Ling didn't care about the lawsuit that was on the shopkeeper's mind. He drank tea leisurely for a long time and ate several snacks before he waited for the main person to come and talk to him.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting, Mr. Fang. I'm Wu Changming, the manager of the silk business." The man was a middle-aged man in his thirties. When he saw Fang Ling, he didn't put on airs and saluted with a smile.
Judging from his attire and demeanor, he must be a direct descendant of the Wu family. To be able to run a silk business, he must be quite capable. Fang Ling politely greeted him, and after they sat down again, Wu Changming asked, "I heard that Master Fang wants to do a big business with my family?"
Fang Ling nodded: "That's the idea. 3,000 dan of raw silk a year, shipped by sea."
Wu Changming smiled and nodded: "If it is really three thousand stones, it is a huge business. But can Master Fang make the decision on such a big deal?"
This is the advantage of having a status equal to or even higher than his. He can directly ask questions that a shopkeeper cannot.
Fang Ling smiled. "Three hundred thousand taels, it's impossible for a young man like me to bring all of it. But Panyu is a popular trading market nowadays. Generally, as long as you pay a 10% deposit in advance, you can reserve the goods and negotiate a deal. My father wants me to come here to see the world and see which company is the best to cooperate with."
Wu Changming wasn't surprised by the exchange; in fact, it was a common practice among silkworm farmers. Rural silk cooperatives often paid an advance before the silkworm season arrived, allowing farmers to secure food and raise their silkworms with peace of mind. The farmers could then pay the remaining balance once the cocoons were harvested.
The silk cooperatives were able to do this because they paid extremely low prices for silk from farmers, but large silk merchants couldn't do the same. After all, no one could predict the annual silk price. Signing a contract early and then paying according to the agreed price when it skyrocketed could result in significant losses. Aristocratic families like the Wu family might even take advantage of the price increase to stockpile goods, waiting until the price reached a desired level before releasing them. After all, raw silk is only the first step in the weaving process, and silk merchants can't afford to delay.
Looking at the confident young man, Wu Changming smiled. "What's done in Panyu wouldn't work in Yuhang, especially since a large transaction of 3,000 dan (approximately 1,000 dan) can easily affect the market, and there's no way of negotiating an advance payment. If Mr. Fang is truly interested, why not openly discuss it?"
Fang Ling looked him up and down, as if he had made up his mind. He said slowly, "If it's just raw silk, this deal really won't work, but what if we add rice? My family has some connections and can transport grain from Panyu to the north."
This remark truly shocked Wu Changming, and he swallowed his contempt. Jiangdong had been a land of plenty since ancient times, yet grain prices in Yuhang were high. A large amount of farmland had been converted to mulberry fields, and grain had to be purchased from other places, which, with shipping costs, was a significant expense. Compared to the price of silk, however, the grain price was insignificant, so no one took it seriously, and continued to convert farmland to mulberry fields.
But things are different now. Jinghu, once the backyard of Jiangdong, has been ravaged by various rebels, even wealthy families like the Lu family have been affected. Without farmers, grain prices will continue to rise. The Wu family, not known for its grain fields among the four clans, is now even more stretched. If this person can really get grain from Panyu, it's not impossible to negotiate an advance payment. After all, grain prices fluctuate much more drastically than silk prices.
But can a kid like him really make the decision? Or is he just sent by the South to test the waters?
After a long pause, Wu Changming finally said, "If we can really bring in grain, then this matter is not impossible to discuss. However, Master Fang should also know that my Wu family is not the largest silk merchant in Yuhang. Since you have been to the Zhou family's poetry gathering and met Gu Sanlang, why not go to them?"
Such a large deal shouldn't be discussed in person, but rather through connections and private negotiation. Gu and Lu are the top silk merchants in Yuhang, and he already has connections with Zhou Zhenglun, so why bother going to them?
As soon as these words came out, the boy across from me laughed: "Lu's is definitely not an option, and Gu's looks down on me, so why bother coming here and embarrassing myself?"
So, was his embarrassing performance at the poetry gathering intentional? Wu Changming began to look at the other person differently. If so, this was something worth pondering.
First, he attracted everyone's attention at the poetry gathering, then, leaving the Gu family behind, he went directly to his silk shop. This way, no one knew how much raw silk he wanted to buy, or what price he was willing to pay. After all, if word got out about a 300,000 tael deal, silk prices throughout Yuhang would skyrocket, and the buyer would be left with a huge loss. He specifically approached them to maintain secrecy. After all, with grain smuggled in, the deal was negotiable. Since it was negotiable, Wu wouldn't let anyone know. Operating privately, he might actually achieve his goal.
The phrase "Lu's definitely not an option" also has a deeper meaning. Everyone knows that the Lu family suffered a great loss in Panyu, even having their ocean-going fleet seized by the Red Flag Gang. If this guy really has connections to the Red Flag Gang, he certainly wouldn't go to the Lu family. Is this also a way of revealing his identity to him?
Don't be fooled by this man's young age and playboy-like demeanor, but his simple mediation was really flawless. No wonder the Fang family sent him out to make contact. Such scheming and trickery are hard to guard against.
Wu Changming then laughed and said, "Since my dear brother values this so much, we can certainly discuss this deal. Why don't we set up a time so we can discuss it in detail?"
Such a large deal required careful consultation with the clan members just for the intention and stocking. How could it be easily decided? Fang Ling was obviously not surprised by Wu Changming's answer. He smiled and replied, "I'll be staying at the Pengyue Restaurant in the city. If Brother Wu is interested, just come and discuss it with me."
Having said that, there is no need to say anything more. Wu Changming personally saw the person off. As soon as the person left, he immediately called a carriage and rushed home.
Naturally, no one else knew about this conversation, but Fang Ling's visit to Wu's Silk Shop could not be concealed, which caused an uproar among the crowd.
After all, the largest silk merchant in Yuhang is the Gu family. Although they had met the third son of the Gu family before, they did not try to win him over, so they went to find the Wu family instead.
Not to mention that Sanlang Gu was embarrassed, even Mr. Zhou who introduced him would blame him. However, this man surnamed Fang really had no scruples and directly changed his allegiance.
What was even more puzzling was that the Wu family hadn't revealed anything, which made things seem strange.
Not to mention Gu Sanlang, even other families have started to have their own ideas. Could it be that the boy surnamed Fang really has some background?
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