Сhарtеr 210: Нigh Opening, Lоw Сlosing
Luo Wеnqian merеlу shruggеd аnd lаughеd heartilу. “After all, we’re old асquaintаncеs. Sinсе Qin Si Shаo hаs соmе аll the wаy from Shanхi, I must fulfill mу duties аs host. So, of сourse, I’ll givе you sоmе fасе. Вut sinсe this is yоur first timе herе, уоu should tаke it еаsy.”
Luo Wеnqiаn’s eхpression wаs indifferent, but anуоnе cоuld grasp the mеаning bеhind his words.
Qin Si Shао аlsо nоddеd with a hеаrty lаugh, aрpeаring humble аnd rесeрtivе.
Тhеn the two sharеd a knowing chuckle.
Zhеn Niang watchеd their veilеd eхсhangе from the side, understanding the situation well. It was quite possible that Feng Daniu’s fake bill of exchange was related to this Qin Si Shao. After all, Luo Wenqian and the Qin family were rivals in the same trade, and she had heard that the two sides had been engaged in numerous overt and covert struggles in the north.
Now, it seemed both sides had their own calculations.
Thus, the matter of Feng Daniu was temporarily set aside.
In the end, it was Li Jingfu of the Li family who fulfilled the duties of the host, as the Qin family had saved Li Jingfu’s life. This time, Qin Si Shao had come to pay his respects to Old Shopkeeper Li.
Although the Li family could not observe the mourning period in Huizhou, they had set up a memorial tablet for Old Shopkeeper Li in Nanjing. During the Ink Competition, Zhen Niang would carry the tablet onto the stage, ensuring that her grandfather would witness the Li family’s competition against the Japanese.
Later, Li Jingfu invited Qin Si Shao, Luo Wenqian, and the others to stay for a meal. Of course, since the Li family was in mourning, the meal was vegetarian, and tea was served in place of wine. During the gathering, Qin Si Shao surprisingly brought up the idea of collaborating to open a trading house.
This time, Qin Si Shao’s plan was to form a partnership with the Qin family, Feng Daniu, and then bring in the Li and Luo families.
“Luo Jiu, the maritime ban has been lifted now. The most profitable business in the future will be on the sea. As for the north, after what Anda did last year, business there is practically impossible. There’s no need for us to fight over the scraps. How about this: we’ll completely withdraw from the military supply business for the Qi Family Army. The business in Datong will go to our Qin family. Let’s call a truce and work together to make money on the sea. What do you say?” Qin Si Shao addressed Luo Wenqian.
“Ha, Si Shao, you’ve got quite the plan. The business with the Qi Family Army has always been mine. What do you mean by ‘you’ll withdraw’? And as for maritime trade, you have no connections. If you really want to go overseas, you’ll have to rely entirely on my connections. According to what you’re saying, you’d be taking all the advantages. That’s no way to collaborate, is it?”
Luo Wenqian narrowed his eyes, smiling as he spoke.
“In business, you start high and settle low. So, according to Luo Jiu Ye, what do you propose?” Qin Si Shao replied, appearing open to negotiation.
“The business with the Qi Family Army has always been mine. It’s only right that your Qin family withdraws completely. Additionally, for the business in Datong, you’ll have to hand over the military blade trade to me. Also, I want a share of the business in several border cities in Shanxi.” Luo Wenqian’s demands were equally steep.
Zhen Niang frowned slightly from the side. No one understood better than Luo Wenqian that the Qin family had dealings with the Tatars. Why was he now seriously discussing collaboration with Qin Si Shao?
Wouldn’t that also implicate him in dealings with the Tatars? But as Zhen Niang observed Luo Wenqian’s calm and composed demeanor, she knew he had always been prudent in his affairs. He likely wouldn’t take risks for small gains and must have a plan in mind.Therefore, although somewhat puzzled, they ultimately refrained from voicing their opinions, instead watching with keen interest as the two sides haggled over terms.
On this side, Qin Si Shao, upon hearing Luo Wenqian's demands, nearly jumped out of his seat in shock. "Luo Jiu, your asking price is far too steep! The military saber trade has always been our Qin family's business—that cannot be compromised. As for the trade in several cities along the Shanxi border, if you truly want it, I can yield that. However, I must advise you: due to Anda's recent massacre in Shizhou, border trade has become nearly impossible and may even invite trouble. Our Qin family has already withdrawn from business in those areas," Qin Si Shao stated.
"Heh, the military saber trade has indeed always been your Qin family's business, but ask yourself honestly: can you still manage it effectively now? Most of the ironware and military saber merchants in Shizhou no longer acknowledge your Qin family's authority, don't they? As for the border trade, thank you for the reminder, Fourth Young Master, but even a mosquito's leg is still meat—something is better than nothing," Luo Wenqian replied. The last phrase was something he had unintentionally heard Zhen Niang say before, and now he found it fitting to use.
The military saber trade for the Datong border garrison had indeed long been controlled by the Qin family. However, the source of these sabers lay in the hands of Shizhou merchants. Shizhou was renowned for its ironware and military sabers, producing the majority of the Ming army's sabers. This was precisely why Luo Wenqian had traveled to Shizhou earlier—to procure sabers for the Qi Family Army.
Last year, when Anda ravaged Shizhou, the Qin family, having received advance notice, had withdrawn their business from Shizhou ahead of time, even selling off their properties there. After Anda's attack, many merchants suffered heavy losses, and the properties the Qin family had sold to others were burned to ashes by Anda's forces.
The merchants of Shizhou were no fools. Upon reflection, they quickly grasped the underlying truth and naturally grew resentful toward the Qin family. Although the Qin family still held the military saber trade for the Datong border garrison, they now found it nearly impossible to operate in Shizhou. In contrast, Luo Wenqian, hailed as a righteous merchant of Shizhou and having shared hardships with its merchants, enjoyed exceptional rapport with them. Thus, even though the Qin family nominally controlled the trade, the Shizhou merchants' refusal to cooperate left them struggling to secure goods, rendering their position precarious. This was the basis of Luo Wenqian's argument.
Listening to Luo Wenqian's words, Zhen Niang felt an indescribable sensation. Hearing an ancient person say "even a mosquito's leg is still meat" struck her as particularly amusing.
Meanwhile, Qin Si Shao, cornered by Luo Wenqian's remarks, wore an ugly expression. What Luo Jiu said was the truth.
Nowadays, their Qin family truly had no foothold in Shizhou. At the beginning of the year, they had barely managed to scrape together a batch of sabers for a military order. Luo Jiu's insight was sharp—he had clearly observed the Qin family's predicament. Now, Qin Si Shao had no choice but to decide between the military saber trade and the Two Oceans trade.
Abandoning the military saber trade in exchange for a share in the Two Oceans business would not be a loss. With this thought, Qin Si Shao nodded. "Very well, since it was our Qin family who proposed this cooperation, we must demonstrate our sincerity. We can yield the military saber trade to you, but in the Two Oceans trade, our Qin family must retain at least three-tenths of the share.""Thirty percent is impossible, at most twenty percent. Additionally, which border market areas does your Qin family intend to concede?" Luo Wenqian continued leisurely.
Upon hearing Luo Jiu's words, Qin Si Shao was nearly speechless with anger. He had practically given up the entire Military Saber Market—a highly profitable business—yet Luo Jiu was only offering him twenty percent of the Two Oceans market, while also demanding a share of the border city markets. Luo Jiu’s demands were truly ruthless.
Of course, Qin Si Shao would never admit that even if they didn’t hand over the Military Saber Market to Luo Wenqian, their Qin family could no longer hold it firmly.
Now, circumstances were stronger than people. After the incident Anda stirred up last year, coupled with the court currently pursuing Zhao Quan, the Qin family truly dared not touch the border trade. Without opening up the Two Oceans trade route, the Qin family might not survive. Thinking this, Qin Si Shao gritted his teeth and accepted—first entering the Two Oceans market, then finding ways to expand their share later.
Afterward, Luo Wenqian discussed the division of border city markets with Qin Si Shao.
"How about giving us Deshengkou and Piantouguan?" At this point, Zhen Niang chimed in with a smile from the side. She had held back for a long time and finally spoke up.
Zhen Niang had her reasons for wanting Deshengkou and Piantouguan. In two years, the court would negotiate peace with Anda, establishing tribute and mutual trade. Among the mutual trade markets were Deshengkou and Piantouguan. Securing these two places meant gaining access to the mutual trade market two years later.
That would undoubtedly be an immensely profitable venture.
Luo Wenqian watched Li Zhenniang’s smiling face from the side—the girl grinned like a little fox. What scheme was she plotting? However, his own interest in the border city markets was, as he had previously stated, merely about seizing even the smallest opportunities. As for which specific cities, he didn’t particularly care.
Thus, when Zhen Niang made her suggestion, Luo Wenqian naturally agreed.
As for Qin Si Shao, he lacked Zhen Niang’s foresight. For the Qin family now, the border city businesses were like chicken ribs—tasteless to abandon yet unprofitable to keep—so giving up any of them made little difference. Therefore, Qin Si Shao nodded in agreement.
Zhen Niang wasn’t truly trying to exploit the Qin family; mainly, she knew this history and couldn’t resist using it. Additionally, although the Qin family had saved her father’s life, given the current circumstances, there were too many suspicious points, and some precautions were necessary.
Thus, the collaboration was settled.
Afterward, the group bowed and offered incense to Old Shopkeeper Li before taking their leave. Qin Si Shao and the others were seen out by Old Shopkeeper Li’s family, but Zhen Niang, still harboring some doubts, quietly asked Luo Wenqian why he had suddenly agreed to cooperate with the Qin family."The current situation actually makes cooperation with the Qin family a mutually beneficial arrangement. Of course, that's not the key reason I'm working with them. To be honest, the court is currently hunting for Zhao Quan, and various signs suggest that the Qin family's contact person in their dealings with the Tatars is likely connected to Zhao Quan. This is somewhat proven by the fact that the Qin family received advance notice before Anda invaded our borders. Additionally, regarding what happened to your father back then—after so many years, evidence is hard to come by. Even your Uncle-in-law Jin Hua only found out that the Qin family indeed had conflicts with your father's trading house back then, but that doesn't prove they were behind the incident. Still, not getting to the bottom of this is unsettling. As the old saying goes, 'Nothing ventured, nothing gained.'" Luo Wenqian spoke with his usual calm and composed demeanor.
So that was Wenqian's plan. Zhen Niang nodded, but couldn't help adding a reminder, "Be careful."
"Understood. Actually, the Qin family is just trying to lure me with small benefits, using me as a stepping stone to enter the Two Oceans market," Luo Wenqian said with a knowing look.
Zhen Niang grinned mischievously. Small benefits? Once the tribute and mutual trade agreements are in place, the profits will be enormous.
"By the way, don't mention these matters to your father explicitly. Since the investigation isn't complete yet, and the Qin family is, after all, his lifesaver, it would only put him in a difficult position," Luo Wenqian added another reminder.
"I understand," Zhen Niang nodded.
With that, Luo Wenqian waved his hand and headed back to the Yi Hou Sheng Bank.
Zhen Niang stood at the doorway, watching his figure disappear into the distance.
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