章 21: Kunning Chapter 21: You Fangyin’s boss
A grand qin was priced at three thousand taels, and Yan Lin paid the sum without flinching. It was evident that the Yongyihou Mansion had a strong financial background.
Previously unaware, Yan Lin had treated her kindly, and she had taken his generosity for granted. However, after her rebirth, she realized she couldn't take a young man's genuine affection lightly. She shouldn't assume entitlement to such kindness. Despite considering refusing the qin, when Jiang Xuening was about to decline and suggest Tang'er pay with a bank note, she hesitated once again. Changing her mind, she suppressed her initial thoughts and accepted the qin in silence.
Lu Xian received the money, meticulously nodding at each banknote with a beaming smile. He turned to Yan Lin and remarked, "I know the young master is exceptionally generous. With so many customers in the capital, I, Lu Xian, am the happiest to have you as one. You'll be a frequent visitor in the future. You see, the qin is addictive. If you like one, you'll want two more. If learning to play isn't enough, you'll want to learn how to make them. Come to me whenever you need anything. Don't let the young master make a trip for nothing."
Yan Lin rolled his eyes in response.
Jiang Xuening was left in disbelief, hearing the name Lu Xian, which was familiar from Xie Wei's powerful entourage during the palace coup.
Yan Lin handled the military, while Lu Xian managed the finances. Later, when Yan Lin became the commander of the imperial army and Lu Xian rose from a businessman to an official, becoming the Minister of the Household Department, he played a crucial role.
In her past life, You Fangyin had donated 80% of his wealth to the imperial court, and Lu Xian had managed it diligently. Yan Lin had never disclosed the owner's identity of this secluded pavilion until Lu Xian inadvertently revealed his name. Jiang Xuening, startled, saw something that Yan Lin had missed.
Observing Lu Xian now, her perception of him shifted entirely. Initially considering him bold and presumptuous, with an interesting business, she now sensed a hint of detachment, arrogance, and a unique self-confidence. Lu Xian completed the count of banknotes, expressing satisfaction and casually pocketing them, stating, "The count is accurate."
Yan Lin promptly remarked, "In that case, we'll bid our farewell."
Handling a substantial transaction of three thousand taels required a certain acumen, and Lu Xian, embodying the savvy of a pragmatic businessman, saw them off with a cheerful demeanor, escorting them to the door.
Jiang Xuening, carrying qin in her arms, followed Yan Lin downstairs. Unexpectedly, as they descended, they collided with a person rushing up the stairs, coming face to face.
At first glance, it was Xie Wei's attendant, Jian Shu.
Her eyelids fluttered.
Jian Shu often accompanied Xie Wei and had acquired formidable sword skills. Yan Lin recognized him and quipped upon seeing him, "Is Mr. Xie making you running errands again?"
Jian Shu bowed respectfully, replying, "Indeed."
Turning his gaze, he noticed Jiang Xuening trailing behind Yan Lin. About to continue his ascent, he paused and saluted her, saying, "Greetings, Second Miss Ning."
Jiang Xuening was taken aback momentarily but nodded in acknowledgment.
Yan Lin raised his eyebrows, sensing an oddity. He looked at Jian Shu with a slightly puzzled expression, wondering about the reference to "Second Miss Ning."
However, Jian Shu seemed oblivious to any discrepancy, quickly bidding farewell and hurrying upstairs.
In the Youhuang Pavilion, Lu Xian was about to close the door, pour himself a drink, and celebrate the sale of the expensive qin. Just as he touched the door, he noticed Jian Shu approaching.
His eyes twitched, and he moved swiftly to shut the door.
Unexpectedly, Jian Shu acted faster, inserting his hand into the door crack and smiling at Lu Xian, "The day is still young. Why the rush to close the door?"
Inwardly cursing, Lu Xian thought, "You're really persistent, why haven't I gotten rid of you?" Outwardly, he feigned surprise as if just spotting Jian Shu and greeted him warmly, "Ah, Jian Shu! What brings you here? Did you witness your master breaking a qin? Must be quite upsetting."
Jian Shu's expression darkened, "Mr. Lu, don't concern yourself."
Schadenfreude gleamed in Lu Xian's eyes as he teased, "What are you looking to buy?"
Jian Shu replied, "No purchase today; I have some matters to attend to."
Lu Xian's expression shifted upon hearing this, and he attempted to retract his hand holding the door. Nonchalantly, he asserted, "I'm out of funds; you should leave promptly."
Unmoved, Jian Shu remarked, "Didn't Lord Yan Linhou just depart?"
Lu Xian, without hesitation, lied, "That qin is of little value."
Jian Shu sneered, withdrew his hand, and signaled his intention to leave, saying, "Then I'll inform my master that there was a 5,000-tael discrepancy in your accounts three months ago."
Lu Xian hastily grabbed him without a word and pulled him into the room, exclaiming, "Rich, rich! You're so young, yet you're learning to be as shrewd as Xie Ju'an. Threatening with money isn't a commendable habit, even if it's as subtle as Dao Qin. Tell me, what's the matter?"
Jian Shu, accustomed to Lu Xian's ways, wasted no time and concisely stated, "The boat capsized on the Cao River."
Lu Xian was suddenly taken aback, inquiring, "Which ship?"
Jian Shu replied, "The silk boat."
Lu Xian's eyes gleamed, asking, "When did this happen?"
Jian Shu revealed, "Three days ago. The news is urgent, and not many in Beijing are aware of it."
Lu Xian applauded and chuckled, saying, "Excellent!"
Jian Shu explained, "Sir, the silk merchants in Beijing and across China collectively reduced the price of silk not long ago. With the recent silk shipwreck on the Cao River bound for Beijing, the price of raw silk in the capital is expected to rise. If you act swiftly and discreetly capitalize on this information, buying raw silk at a lower cost and selling it when prices soar, you stand to make a substantial profit. However, given the recent reduction in prices, many merchants couldn't withstand the pressure and have already sold off their existing raw silk stocks. It's likely there isn't much left in the market."
After contemplating for a moment, Lu Xian mentally went through the list of merchants in Beijing, both big and small. His eyes gleamed brightly as he smiled, remarking, "Indeed, there's another one!"
Upon seeing You Fangyin enter, Xu Wenyi was taken aback by her fatigued appearance. Concerned, he exclaimed, "You haven't had proper rest in days, have you? Hurry, bring Miss You a cup of hot tea."
You Fangyin rubbed her eyes and took a seat.
A waiter promptly brought the tea, casting a worried gaze her way.
This setting was a guest room in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang Guild Hall, arranged by the merchants of the Jiangsu-Zhejiang Merchant Gang to accommodate businessmen arriving in Beijing from Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. It served as a place for overnight stays and business discussions.
Xu Wenyi, a silk merchant from Nanxun, Suzhou, had traveled to Beijing two months ago. The prominent silk merchants in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces had collectively reduced the purchase price of raw silk, dissatisfying the silkworm farmers. As a result, small and medium-sized merchants, reliant on silk sales, were compelled to venture north. Unexpectedly, the collusion extended to the big merchants in Beijing and across China. Due to the abundance of small and medium-sized merchants in the capital, the price of silk plummeted, reaching only half of the previous year's market value!
Not only was profit elusive, but even the cost of purchasing from silkworm farmers was insufficient.
At thirty-six years old, Xu Wenyi bore the marks of life on his face, with fine wrinkles around his eyes. The stagnant market, combined with his stranded state in the capital, left him in a state of uncertainty. His livelihood and well-being were intrinsically tied to this singular trade.
Having suffered substantial losses in the previous year by dealing in salt, he couldn't afford to purchase silk from silkworm farmers this year. Fortunately, being a local businessman in Nanxun with several years of interactions with local silkworm farmers, he had established trust. Despite the unfavorable market conditions, he had taken a 10% deposit and secured all the raw silk produced that year. Now, he found himself in Beijing, aiming to secure a favorable price before returning to settle the remaining balance.
In the realm of business, it's common for transactions to involve simultaneous payment and delivery. However, the silkworm farmers in my hometown prefer a unique approach—providing goods first and collecting payment afterward.
Xu Wenyi, being an ethical businessman, is determined not to betray the trust placed in him by the locals. Yet, when he arrived in the capital and inquired about the market price of raw silk, desperation became his constant companion. Stranded in the capital for eleven days, he could barely afford the accommodation fees at the guild hall. Faced with seemingly insurmountable circumstances, he contemplated selling half of the raw silk he possessed at whatever price, just to bring some funds back to his hometown. The remainder, albeit insufficient, would be left as a debt, to be settled gradually.
However, in this dire situation, You Fangyin emerged as a beacon of hope. When she arrived, dressed in mourning attire with red eyes, Xu Wenyi initially thought she sought assistance due to some misfortune. To his surprise, she pulled out four hundred taels from her purse, expressing her intent to purchase silk.
Having experienced much of life, Xu Wenyi was taken aback, unable to comprehend such an unexpected customer. The girl didn't seem wealthy or belong to a merchant's family. Desperate to sell his raw silk, he decided to sell her some without further inquiry, aligning with the prevailing market price.
However, the sum of four hundred taels You Fangyin possessed was merely a fraction of the boatload of raw silk Xu Wenyi had in stock. After completing the transaction, curiosity overwhelmed him, and he questioned her, "Given the current low market price of raw silk, and the likelihood of further decline, with your limited understanding of accounting, how do you plan to manage four hundred taels' worth of raw silk? What's your strategy?"
Surprisingly, You Fangyin responded, "I'll wait for the price to rise in half a month before selling."
This revelation shook Xu Wenyi to his core, as if a thousand thunderclaps resounded in his head. As she prepared to leave after providing her answer, Xu Wenyi, unusually flustered, chased after her, his voice trembling, "How can you assert such a thing?"
The You family's girl looked bewildered, seemingly alarmed by his intense expression. After a brief moment, she straightforwardly replied, "The person who gave me the money said so."
Even more stunned, Xu Wenyi pressed, "You have an employer, Miss?"
You Fangyin gazed at him, pondered for a moment, and found the term suitable. She nodded, "Yes. She instructed me to use the money to buy raw silk today and sell it at three times the price half a month later."
Xu Wenyi let out a sigh of relief.
Wouldn't that be twice the market price from last year and four times the current market rate?
Who in You Fangyin's employer would dare make such a bold claim?
With years of business experience, Xu Wenyi realized that he might stumble upon a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by chance—
In the business world, the mantra is to buy low and sell high, profiting from the price difference.
Prices in the market fluctuate, making well-informed information crucial. Those who can seize information unknown to others often navigate smoothly, capitalizing on opportunities that those with outdated news can never grasp.
You Fangyin, or the "employer" behind her, seemed to be the one holding such valuable information!
While uncertain why they only offered four hundred taels of silver to make a move after gaining such insight, Xu Wenyi found himself unable to let go of this opportunity.
He decided to take the risk.
If silk prices indeed surged after half a month, it would be a remarkable situation for him; how bad could it possibly be?
So, he chose to take a gamble.
Using the four hundred taels paid by You Fangyin, Xu Wenyi managed to maintain the boats at the ferry and extend the guild hall rent for another half month. He abandoned the notion of selling raw silk at a low price, instead purchasing a high-quality set of study supplies—four treasures of the study, an abacus, and some account books that his family used before. He presented them to You Fangyin and patiently waited for the day when raw silk prices were expected to rise.
During this period, Xu Wenyi subtly probed, attempting to unearth the identity of the person behind You Fangyin.
However, You Fangyin remained tight-lipped, never revealing anything about her mysterious benefactor.
When asked why the price would increase, You Fangyin simply replied, "I don't know; the owner never mentioned it."
Sitting across from her at this moment, Xu Wenyi, with a hint of concern, gazed at her weary eyes, counted the days on his fingers, and eventually sighed, "Only four days left."
Contrary to expectations, silk prices did not rise; instead, they fell.
You Fangyin had just left the firm after checking the prices, aware of the situation. However, being socially awkward, she struggled to respond to Xu Wenyi's statement.
This situation was undeniably worrisome.
Xu Wenyi smiled wryly, "Miss You mentioned earlier that the four hundred taels of silver were your entire savings. Now that the silk prices haven't increased, aren't you afraid of losing that money? Will your benefactor be upset?"
After contemplating for a while, You Fangyin replied, "If I lose money, I'll repay her once I've saved enough."
Out of the four hundred taels of silver, three hundred and fifty taels were provided by the second girl.
Even though she didn't understand why the second girl wanted to help her or why she gave her money, You Fangyin felt compelled to repay the kindness. For eighteen years, she had never encountered such generosity or met such a good-hearted person, and she couldn't fathom why someone would look at her with eyes almost on the verge of tears.
After much contemplation, You Fangyin found herself unsure of how to repay her.
However, the second girl did teach me the ropes of doing business.
Perhaps, if I manage to succeed in business, earn a substantial amount of money, and present it before her, the second girl would be pleased, wouldn't she?
Upon hearing this, Xu Wenyi was left perplexed, unable to fathom her thoughts.
After a while, he shook his head in helplessness. This girl is truly devoted to her boss. The money was originally given by the boss, and the job was also assigned by the boss. Would she even consider returning it?
Summoning someone to bring the prepared account book, Xu Wenyi explained, "This is a new account book for you. I've had my accountant make it more user-friendly for you to understand. However, it's still better not to stay up late to read it; after all, it's not good for your health."
Today, You Fangyin learned to use the account book. When she received it with both hands, she quickly expressed her gratitude and then whispered, "The mansion has been very strict lately. I may not be able to come out for a few days. If you don't see me in four days, Boss Xu, please go ahead and sell the raw silk for me."
Xu Wenyi questioned, "So soon or later? In four days? What if the prices rise again?"
You Fangyin shook her head, "My boss said it's time to sell."
Feeling choked up, Xu Wenyi reluctantly agreed.
After seeing You Fangyin off, he sat back down and sighed once more.
The person beside him frowned, harboring doubts about the situation. "Boss, I can't help but think the girl seems a bit single-minded. No matter how you look at it, she seems a bit foolish. If this opportunity is so lucrative, why doesn't her boss handle it directly? Why let us take the turn?"
Gritting his teeth, Xu Wenyi, with eyes filled with desperate determination, replied, "The bet has been made, so let's not dwell on it further. I believe the 'employer' she mentioned is likely not a fabrication. If it were a lie, she would at least make it sound convincing, without deep-seated restrictions."
Closing his eyes and reopening them, Xu Wenyi's gaze was now filled with restrained anger and sorrow. "Moreover, if I return with the meager proceeds from selling at a low price, how can I face the trust and reliance of the silkworm farmers in the village? Come autumn and winter, when they need funds to prepare silkworms for the next year, how can I force them to endure hardships?"
The companion hesitated to utter another word.
After Xu Wenyi delivered those statements, he composed himself. Planning to instruct his companion to check the situation once more, a knock interrupted his thoughts. A scribe stood outside the partially open door, bowing and addressing him, "Are you Xu Wenyi from Nanxun in Suzhou?"
Perplexed, Xu Wenyi responded, "Come in, who are you?"
The scribe was none other than Lu Xian. Entering and noticing the untouched tea on the table, he deduced a recent visitor but refrained from inquiring. Cutting straight to the point, he said, "I'm Lu, known as 'a sign.' I heard that Boss Xu has a shipment of raw silk, yet it remains unsold. Today, I've come to negotiate and purchase this batch of silk."
Xu Wenyi's heart skipped a beat, though he maintained a composed exterior. "What price are you offering?"
Lu Xian replied, "The market price."
Baffled, Xu Wenyi questioned his motives, stating, "It's not for sale at the market price."
Raising an eyebrow, Lu Xian sensed a shift in the situation. "Isn't Boss Xu's silk difficult to sell?"
"It's not sellable at the moment, but there are individuals like you willing to buy it with ample funds. How can you be certain it won't rise in a few days?" Xu Wenyi countered.
Lu Xian's eyes contracted slightly, realizing the complexity of the situation. Nonetheless, he smiled and said, "You seem to be well-informed."
By now, Xu Wenyi was convinced that You Fangyin's employer spoke the truth!
His face flushed with excitement, yet his voice remained composed and uncluttered. Tears welled up in his eyes momentarily, and he couldn't discern whether he was addressing Lu Xian or himself. "A few days ago, someone came to purchase a batch of raw silk from me, and her boss informed her that the price would rise. Seeing Boss Lu here today, I knew I was right…"
"Boom!"
Lu Xian kicked open the door to the Qinqin Hall.
Jian Shu, standing beside him, nearly drew his sword in astonishment. However, when he recognized Lu Xian, his widened eyes displayed surprise.
Without a word, Lu Xian entered with a pallid complexion, seized the cold tea from the table, and downed it in one gulp. The tea cup, when placed back on the table, made a resounding impact.
Inside the qin hall, more than a dozen pieces of wood for crafting qins were neatly arranged on the ground next to the east wall. Xie Wei, adorned in a simple sky blue suit, stood there with an ink fountain in his hand. He did not wear a wide crane cloak with sleeves, instead rolling up his sleeves to reveal well-defined wrists.
Upon hearing the disturbance, he turned to look.
Observing Lu Xian, his cold long eyebrows furrowed unconsciously, and he inquired, "Did it not go as planned?"
Lu Xian spoke, "It's halfway done, but today I encountered something peculiar. Xie Ju'an, tell me straight, when did news of the silk boat capsizing on the Cao River break out, and how swiftly did it reach the capital? Be honest, do you know?"
Xie Wei shifted his gaze to the wood.
Flipping the paulownia wood piece in the center, he responded, "Didn't Jian Shu inform you? It happened three days ago, and news arrived in the capital just two hours ago. The only ones aware were me, Jian Shu, and you."
Lu Xian asserted, "Impossible! Eleven days ago, someone approached Xu Wenyi to buy raw silk, predicting a surge in silk prices. I dropped a few hints, but Xu Wenyi didn't reveal much. However, after my inquiry, it seems a girl has been frequenting the guild hall, engaging in business discussions with him. Any idea who she might be? There's an unheard-of concubine's daughter in Qingyuan Bofu named You Fangyin. It appears there's a boss behind her, though I haven't identified them. The boat incident occurred on the river three days ago, so how did this person know about it eight days in advance?"
Rubbing his fingers on the soon-to-be-selected paulownia board for the qin's surface, Xie Wei, upon hearing Lu Xian's words, sensed an anomaly. Instead of questioning it outright, he asked, "What did you mean by 'it's halfway done' earlier?"
Lu Xian was momentarily taken aback by the question, held his breath, and responded, "Xu Wenyi is a shrewd man, seemingly aware that I have influential connections. Given that those with first-hand news in the capital are usually antagonistic figures, he sought to establish a good relationship. Fearful that the silk prices wouldn't rise in the following days, leaving him without funds to return, he eventually sold me half of his silk shipment at last year's market price."
Xie Wei commented, "That's acceptable. This year, the silkworm farmers in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces are in dire straits, and we can't solely depend on making profits."
However, Lu Xian had an insatiable desire for wealth!
Unable to contain himself, he tapped his fingers on the table. "Xie Ju'an! You must understand, this matter is extremely serious! Predicting an incident on the silk boat in the Cao River in advance—how can You Fangyin's employer manage that? It's possible that the small You Fangyin, posing as a silk buyer, might have secretly acquired more raw silk at a lower price. There's a considerable likelihood that this person is linked to the mishap on the Cao River. I don't believe in prophetic abilities. It's either a mistake or a conspiracy! Regardless of whether this person is within the court or opposition, I suspect they are not ordinary. I cannot let this matter slide. I must know—who is You Fangyin's boss?"
Xie Wei wasn't ready to concede.
His primary concern was ensuring tasks were accomplished.
His expression remained indifferent at this moment, displaying neither joy nor anger. Lowering his eyes, he calmly stated, "The threat is not to be underestimated. Since you're unaware of this person's identity, have someone investigate the concubine's daughter at Bofu Mansion. This person likely has ties with her. If they dare not act overtly, they may be a low-ranking official. The scope is limited, making it easier to uncover."
Lu Xian shared the same perspective.
However, they soon discovered that things were not as straightforward as anticipated.
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