In this way, Fang Yingwu accepted Yao Qian's invitation to eat and left his house to go to a restaurant on Qipan Street. It was relatively close to Yao Qian's shop and it was convenient to go there after eating.
During the dinner, Fang Yingwu asked about the situation carefully, and Yao Qian said: "The two eunuchs came last time to inform them of the purchase news, and they will come back to inspect the goods this afternoon. I'm afraid I can't handle it, so I can only ask my dear brother to come.
Help with boxing."
Fang Yingwu ordered: "If they come, you go and deal with them first. If it's not necessary, I won't show up for now and will just listen. If it comes to the point where I have to come forward, I will help you."
After that, the two of them left the restaurant and walked a few steps. They saw a large shop with five bays on the cross street in front of them. There was a plaque on the door with the four characters "Liaodong Miscellaneous Shop" written on it. It turned out that this shop sold Liaodong specialties.
place.
Fang Yingwu cheered softly and smiled at Yao Qian: "It can be seen from this that Brother Yao's business is really prosperous, otherwise he would not be able to have such a big reputation."
But after entering, I saw that the inside was not like other stores selling goods. I saw neither a tall counter nor a dazzling array of goods.
Fang Yingwu looked around and was slightly surprised, and found that there were several clear windows, a few calligraphy and paintings hanging, and a few antiques on display. It was more like a living room than a shop. But under the walls on both sides, there were
On a row of cases, there were neatly placed ginseng furs and the like, more like decorative samples than goods.
After Fang Yingwu was surprised, he suddenly realized that although this was still called a shop, it was obviously not a place for small business. Those who wanted to buy loose goods didn't even have to go in. He smiled at Yao Qian again.
Said: "Brother Yao's business is bigger than I thought."
How could Yao Qian dare to entrust him? He quickly said humbly: "I have to thank my dear brother for introducing me, so I can be successful in the past few years. Otherwise, I would not have this ability."
Fang Yingwu commanded: "Bring the screen over and place it behind the chair above. When the purchasing eunuch comes, I will sit behind the screen and listen."
Yao Qian followed Fang Yingwu's request. He didn't know how long he waited, but the waiter outside came in and shouted: "The two father-in-laws from the previous episode are here."
Yao Qian went out to greet him, and Fang Yingwu hid behind the screen. Not long after, Fang Yingwu heard footsteps outside and the sound of people sitting down, and then the sound of tea being served. After a few pleasantries, they started talking.
A slightly sharp voice said: "Exceptor Yao! The day before yesterday, we made a list for you and asked you to prepare various items such as ginseng, medicinal materials, furs, etc. according to the list. This is also a favor given to you by the royal family. We are here again today just to check it out.
I wonder if it’s all ready?”
Then I heard Yao Qian reply: "Right now, all kinds of goods are ready. You can have whatever you need. But we have to agree on the price first before we can check it out."
Another voice sounded: "I said the day before yesterday that the quota was 5,000 taels. Do you think it's too little, Mr. Yao?"
Yao Qian replied in a neither humble nor overbearing tone: "If it's still at this price, our store really can't accept it. I hope you two father-in-law can understand."
The sharp voice from before scolded: "You businessman is so clueless! Ginseng and fur are all high-priced and profitable things. How much money did you actually collect outside the customs? Is five thousand taels enough to pay you back?"
Capital? If you want to make huge profits, don’t hit the royal family!”
Yao Qian still refused: "According to the previous order, if the two father-in-laws can come up with 20,000 taels of silver, our shop will accept the small deficit as a way of filial piety to the royal family. But 5,000 taels is too little. Our shop
We cannot afford this shortfall."
Suddenly the two eunuchs began to curse and threaten each other, but Yao Qian gritted his teeth and refused to agree, so the two sides reached a stalemate.
But the two eunuchs refused to let it go and left. They still sat in the shop and argued with each other, and their tone became more and more severe. Their threats became more and more bold, and Yao Qian could no longer stand it.
But Fang Yingwu, the assistant he invited, remained motionless behind the screen. This made Yao Yuanwai have a feeling of being out of control every day, and he almost wondered if Fang Yingwu had fallen asleep behind the screen.
Just when Yao Qian was like an ant on a hot pot, the two eunuchs suddenly stood up and said, "You are really stubborn! We are leaving today and let you, Mr. Yao, think carefully for two more days. We will discuss this matter the day after tomorrow."
Buy and sell!”
Yao Qian breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this. We will talk about the future matters later. Let's get over the situation in front of him first, so he sent away the two eunuchs like a plague god.
When Mr. Yao finished seeing off the guests and turned around, he suddenly saw Fang Yingwu standing behind him, and at some point he quietly came out from behind the screen.
"Could it be that you... fell asleep in there?" Yao Qian asked, doubting Fang Yingwu's professionalism for the first time in seven or eight years.
Fang Yingwu looked thoughtfully at the intersection where the two eunuchs disappeared, and after a while he said: "I think there is something strange about these two father-in-laws."
Yao Qian nodded in agreement, "It's weird."
Fang Yingwu frowned and said, "What's so weird about it?"
Yao Qian nodded in agreement: "Where is the weirdness?"
Fang Yingwu suddenly realized something, raised his hand to his forehead and said, "That's it! But what can this weird thing mean?"
Yao Qian nodded in agreement, "What does this weirdness mean?"
Fang Yingwu withdrew his gaze, glanced at Yao Qian and said, "I want to ask you!"
Yao Qian chuckled and said, "Brother Fang Xian, if you have anything to say, please tell me. I'm all ears."
Fang Yingwu then asked back: "Do you think these two father-in-laws are greedy for money?" Yao Qian replied confidently: "They must be!"
Fang Yingwu said casually: "Don't you think it's weird that two greedy people who came here for money came to your place, threatened and shouted at you all afternoon, and then left without taking any money?
Even if the deal can't be negotiated, they can easily extort a few taels of money from you for running errands, otherwise their trip to the palace would be in vain? But why don't they do it? "
Yao Qian guessed: "Maybe they don't like these few taels."
Fang Yingwu sneered and said: "The important matters of purchasing are controlled by the big shots in the palace, and the money and money belong to the big shots. The two of them are just errand boys, how far can they fall behind? How can they look down on the money of errands?"
"
In the end, Fang Yingwu concluded: "So, they must have other intentions, other than money! My guess is that 80% of them have something to do with Wang Zhi."
Yao Qian was shocked and said: "No? I'm just a businessman doing business."
Fang Yingwu explained: "You are traveling inside and outside the customs under the banner of Wang Zhi. Now your business is so prosperous that interested people can easily notice you. And the people coming from the palace are so weird. In addition to being interested in Wang Zhi, they are also interested in you."
What reason can there be?"
Yao Qian murmured to himself: "I am just a businessman doing business. How can I want to participate in the wrestling inside and outside the palace?"
Fang Yingwu said rudely: "Realize as soon as possible, there is no such simple business in the world! From the day you borrowed Wang Zhi's banner, you should have been mentally prepared for this!" (To be continued...)
ps: I’m annoyed! I’m annoyed when I go out, and I’m annoyed by things at home! I really don’t have the mood to write. I’ll get up in the morning and continue.
