Volume 2: Eagle vs. Dragon Chapter 38 The Third General Merchant
This was the first time Hutabu had monitored the meeting to protect merchants after regaining power. He was inevitably full of pride. He cleared his throat and said, "Well, today I am following Master Jishan's instructions to hold this meeting to protect merchants. Let's not waste time and get straight to the point. Some time ago, Xiguan was in turmoil, and Guangzhou was also unstable. Master Jishan heard that there were many rumors in the Thirteen Hongs, and it seemed that some people thought that the position of the general merchant should be changed. So Master Jishan asked me to gather everyone together and ask everyone's opinions."
Although he said, "Master Jishan asked me to ask what everyone thinks," everyone knew in their hearts that this was just a cover-up. Who would think that he really just came to ask what everyone thinks? If he didn't have the intention to replace people, he wouldn't have said this at all.
When it comes to officialdom, you have to listen to what is said and heard. Sometimes, there is no need to explain clearly, just look at the direction of the wind and you will know what is going on.
Pan Yiliang and Ma's hearts skipped a beat, thinking that the recent rumors were indeed not groundless, and that the higher-ups really wanted to replace Cai Shiwen.
Wu Chengjian and Ye Dalin looked at each other, and Ye Dalin gave him a look that probably meant that you should speak first.
Wu Chengjian was about to speak when Pan, the merchant owner of Zhongtonghang, suddenly jumped out and said loudly, "Master Jishan is right. In the past period of time, our Thirteen Hongs have been in chaos. Someone has seized power, deceived his superiors and subordinates, and did not take the emperor's affairs seriously. He ignored the instructions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and betrayed Master Jishan's trust. This is why the resentment on Xiguan Street is boiling."
"Not bad, not bad!" The owner of Kangtaihang Yishang stood up and spoke passionately: "It's not just that the resentment is boiling, it's simply that the merchants are struggling to survive! It's also because Master Jishan saw it clearly that he was not deceived by the villains after all. Now it's time to clean up."
Wu Chengjian was a little stunned and couldn't help but look at Ye Dalin . Ye Dalin raised his chin slightly and looked towards the front right. Wu Chengjian looked in the direction he was looking and saw Pan Youjie sitting there with a smile on his face, as if he had heard and seen nothing.
Lu Guanhuan also raised his eyelids, glanced to his left, and then half closed his eyelids again.
"Qi Guan's move is really far-reaching." Wu Chengjian thought, "It turns out that the Pan and Yi families have already been taken over by him."
Pan and Yi, one after another, criticized Cai Shiwen without mentioning his name, and Cai Shiwen's face was already dark, and now it was even darker than if it was covered with ink.
After listening to them for a long time, Hutab smiled and said, "So many things have happened. What a mess it was during the time I was away."
When Pan and Yi heard this, they understood what was said and changed their tone slightly, throwing a small amount of dirty water towards Galau. After all, it was a dead dog, so it would be a waste not to step on it.
Hutabu and Galyu had the deepest hatred and enjoyed the listening very much. When he was satisfied, he asked Wu Chengjian and Ye Dalin, "Haoguan, Daguan, what do you think?"
Wu Chengjian and Ye Dalin looked at each other. This time Ye Dalin gave him an obvious look. Wu Chengjian then said, "The official and I both think that Master Jishan's concerns are justified. The current head merchant has been in office for a long time. Maybe it's time for other business owners to give their opinions. If everyone really thinks it's necessary, we might as well elect again."
Pan and Yi said in unison: "Yes, it's time to choose again."
The merchants of Sanjiang Xingliang and Shunda Xingma all looked at Lu Guanhuan together. As long as Lu Guanhuan gave a hint, they would join the ranks of "overthrowing Cai".
Unexpectedly, at this moment, Lu Guanhuan spoke up: "What you said is not without reason. But I don't think the Thirteen Hongs are as chaotic as you say. The chaos two or three months ago was special, and it's hard to say who to blame. The ancients said it well, it's better to be still than to move. I think, if the current general merchant has no conclusive serious crimes, it's better to have less trouble than more."
These words were beyond everyone's expectations. Lu Guanhuan had always been against Cai Shiwen. Everyone thought that once Pan Youjie made a move, he would most likely add insult to injury. But no one expected that he would go against the tide and support Cai Shiwen!
Hutabu's face darkened immediately, and Pan Youjie also tilted his head slightly. Although he didn't show displeasure, he was still slightly surprised. Even Cai Shiwen was very surprised.
The two business owners Liang and Ma looked at each other and finally decided to follow suit, and said together: "What Business Owner Lu said also makes sense."
As a result, four companies agreed to change the general merchant, while three thought it would be better to keep it as it was. The two sides were evenly matched but not one-sided.
Hutabu had been in charge of the Thirteen Hongs for some years and was much more capable than Galiu. Although he was angry, he did not show it on his face. He just asked calmly, "I wonder what Mr. Pan and Mr. Cai mean?"
Although Pan Youjie was not the chief merchant, he had the hat bestowed by the emperor, so he was still superior to Cai Shiwen. Let's not talk about it at this time.
Cai Shiwen said in a deep voice: "Since the matter involves me, I should not speak. But I still want to say one thing: I have a clear conscience for everything I have done to the Thirteen Hongs, the Guangdong Customs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and His Majesty over the years!"
Hutabu chuckled twice and said, "What a clear conscience." He then asked Pan Youjie, "What do you think, Mr. Pan?"
Pan Youjie smiled and said, "Since everyone has different opinions, there is no point in talking any more. As usual, let's just vote and decide."
Hutabu smiled and said, "Well said, that's the truth! Let's decide by voting!" He secretly counted the number of people. Even if Lu Guanhuan was playing tricks again, according to the current situation, Cai Shiwen would still lose if he voted.
The secretary in the corner took out nine bamboo chips and said, "Write the merchant's name directly on the chips. If Mr. Cai can get five more chips, you can continue to sit on this chair." When he said the last sentence, there was a sneer in his words. At the same time, he looked around. He could not threaten Lu Guanhuan, who was protected by the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, but he could give Liang and Ma a fierce look.
The two merchants Liang and Ma were also secretly groaning. If possible, they really didn't want to offend the manager of the Customs Supervisory Office, and even more so, they didn't want to offend Pan Youjie. However, since Lu Guanhuan confronted them face to face, even if they didn't understand what Merchant Lu meant, they had to follow him anyway.
After everyone got their bamboo chips, Wu Chengjian was the first to say, "Pen and ink."
Although Pan Yi wanted to flatter Pan Youjie, he did not dare to steal the limelight from Wu Chengjian.
Wu Chengjian took out a pen and ink, and wrote the word "Qi" on a bamboo chip in public, and threw it into the chip tube. He made such a powerful move, which was not only a public statement to Pan Youjie, but also an invisible pressure on the four families below.
As expected, Pan Youjie looked over at him with a smile on his face.
Wu Chengjian handed the pen to Ye Dalin again. Ye Dalin took the pen and wrote the word "Qi" and submitted it.
The two business owners Pan Yi also grabbed it and wrote the investment chips, both of which had the word "Qi" in them.
The secretary brought the pen and ink to Liang Ma. Liang Ma looked at each other, then at Pan Youjie and then at Wu Chengjian, not knowing how to start.
Lu Guanhuan said: "Bring it here!"
The secretary had no choice but to take it to him first. Lu Guanhuan picked up the pen and wrote the word "Bao" in public. This was Cai Shiwen's business name.
Both Pan and Yi thought to themselves that this was a great move, thinking that this was not only to make things difficult for Hutabu, but also to confront Pan Youjie head-on? Even at the cost of offending Wu Chengjian, who was in the limelight recently?
However, since Lu Guanhuan had already expressed his opinion, they had no choice but to follow suit. They gritted their teeth and wrote the word "treasure".
The secretary brought the pen and ink to Cai Shiwen again. Cai Shiwen snorted and actually wrote the word "treasure" on the bamboo chip.
When the pen and ink were in front of Pan Youjie, he hesitated. His original plan was to turn Cai Shiwen against everyone, and the nine guarantors could easily get six or seven votes, and he would simply abstain to maintain his composure. He didn't expect that Lu Guanhuan had taken some medicine wrong and was willing to offend others in order to protect Cai Shiwen. Cai Shiwen also had no humbleness at all and actually wrote about himself in public.
If Pan Youjie gave up again at this time, this round of voting would be a tie, and all the money he had given before would be wasted. He had no choice but to pick up the pen and write the word "Qi" to vote for himself.
Although this was an expected outcome, Hutabu was relieved . He smiled and said, "Coordination, coordination."
The secretary followed the procedure and sang the chips again in public, and finally came to the result of five chips for Qiguan and four chips for Baoguan.
Hutabu came to Pan Youjie with a smile and said, "Qi Guan, congratulations, from today on you will be the third general merchant of our Thirteen Hongs."
Pan Youjie bowed slightly and said, "This is a favor from everyone . Of course, it also depends on the arrangements of Master Jishan and the decision of the Ministry of Internal Affairs."
Hutabu smiled and said, "People's hearts are like this, how can my master not follow their will? The Ministry of Internal Affairs will surely not have any objections."
Wu Chengjian watched him monitor this round of business protection meetings. Although he didn't say anything shocking, his level was still much better than that of Galau.
This round of the meeting was over. Wu Chengjian and Ye Dalin were about to come over to congratulate Pan Youjie, but the two business owners Pan and Yi had already slipped over and bowed and nodded to congratulate Pan Youjie.
Cai Shiwen walked towards Lu Guanhuan, and his face was not so dark anymore - after all, he only got four votes out of nine, and only lost by a slight disadvantage, so he managed to save face, and all this was thanks to Lu Guanhuan, so he came to thank him.
Unexpectedly, Lu Guanhuan seemed not to notice that he was walking towards him. He turned to Pan Youjie beside him and congratulated him, "Congratulations on your appointment. Your father presided over the Thirteen Hongs for many years without any mistakes, and his legacy is still there. I believe that you will be able to bring benefits to the merchants in Xiguan. When the Ministry of Internal Affairs issues the official appointment, I will come to congratulate you again."
Cai Shiwen stood there awkwardly, unable to move forward or backward.
Pan Youjie seemed to have figured something out, and bowed to Lu Guanhuan and said, "You are too polite, Mr. Mao. We will need your support for the affairs of Xiguan Street in the future."
The two men shook hands immediately, as if all their past grudges had been put aside.
