Volume 2: Eagle vs. Dragon Chapter 39 Red Goods
The situation before them made Liang and Ma, the two business owners, even more confused. They thought that Pan Youjie and Lu Guanhuan didn't look like they had teeth marks. Why did Lu Guanhuan just go against the trend and confront them? And how could Pan Youjie just let it go so ? But they really didn't want to offend Pan Youjie, so they quickly followed Lu Guanhuan's steps and bowed to congratulate him.
Pan Youjie smiled and said, "If the imperial court really issues an imperial decree, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs really favors us, then we will invite Lord Liang and Lord Ma to come to Panjiayuan for a gathering."
Liang Ma heard that he actually invited guests in public. Does that mean he was not offended by what happened just now? Is this official really so open-minded?
They were both surprised and happy. Lu Guanhuan had already said goodbye to everyone with a slight smile and was the first to leave the conference room.
Wu Chengjian glanced at Lu Guanhuan's tall back and thought to himself, "Lu Guanhuan is trying to tell Qi Guan that he has no intention of going against Tonghehang, nor does he really support Cai Shiwen."
He immediately thought of the backer behind Lu Guanhuan - Cai Qinghua, the advisor representing Governor Zhu.
Lu Guanhuan did not need to have any conflicts with Pan Youjie, nor did he need to have any friendship with Cai Shiwen, but Hutab represented Jishan, and Heshen was behind Jishan. So what Hutab wanted to support, Lu Guanhuan had to oppose, and what Hutab wanted to oppose, Lu Guanhuan had to support. This was a statement of position.
Pan Youjie had obviously thought of this point. Since the result would be the same anyway, he did not intend to have a feud with Lu Guanhuan over this matter. As for Liang Ma's following, it was nothing to worry about for a dignified official like Qi.
Wu Chengjian figured it all out after a slight change of mind. Ye Dalin also figured it out. The father-in-law and son-in-law looked at each other and understood each other tacitly.
Cai Shiwen's face suddenly turned ugly, he snorted, shook his sleeves and walked away.
Wu Chengjian and Ye Dalin then stepped forward and said "Congratulations" together. Pan Youjie took two steps forward, holding one person in each hand, and said with a smile: "Today is my small wedding, and next it will be your two families' big wedding. I heard that the wedding will be held in Henan? If you don't mind, I will come and have a drink at the wedding. I wonder if the witness has been decided?"
Ye Dalin's eyes lit up and he smiled, "Not yet, not yet. If Qi Guan can be the witness for the wedding of the two newlyweds, it will be a blessing for the two children."
Although Wu Chengjian didn't want to make things so complicated, since Pan Youjie had already spoken, it was difficult for him to refute.
The result of this meeting to protect merchants soon spread throughout Xiguan, like a cannonball exploding in a pile of gunpowder, which immediately triggered heated discussions on the streets. Everyone had guessed that Pan Youjie would replace Cai Shiwen, but no one talked about it. Instead, it was Lu Guanhuan's tough confrontation on the spot that was beyond the expectations of the merchants.
However, there is no stupid businessman who can gain a foothold in Xiguan, and gradually everyone figured out what Lu Guanhuan meant.
Today's voting almost made it clear in public that the power of the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi has entered the Thirteen Hongs. If Pan and Cai are not counted, the remaining three chips against four chips are basically the division of power between the two factions of the court in the Thirteen Hongs.
The gossipers were talking a lot, but the more prudent ones could not help but shake their heads secretly, thinking: "The barriers within the Thirteen Hongs are so clear, there will be more trouble in Xiguan in the future."
Wu Chengjian came out of the business protection meeting place. Before his sedan chair had taken a few steps, someone suddenly caught up with him and said that Manager Hutabu wanted him to go back.
Wu Chengjian was a little surprised, but he could only go back to the Baoshang Conference Office. After entering, Hutabu led him to the back garden. Wu Chengjian had been to the Baoshang Conference Office countless times, but this was his first time to enter the back garden.
Jishan was sitting cross-legged in the pavilion, still teasing a bird with his hand. He put down the bird-teasing stick only when he saw Wu Chengjian, without saying a word.
Although Wu Chengjian was not afraid to look at Jishan's eighth button or above like he did before the reversal, he could not be arrogant in front of Jishan like he was when the reversal just happened. He performed the etiquette honestly. Jishan thought that this boy was quite sensible, so he went down the stairs and said, "You don't have to be so polite when Haoguan comes to see me in the future. Hutabu, show Haoguan a seat."
Hutabu moved a stool for Wu Chengjian to sit on, and then stood aside.
There was no third person in the back garden.
Jishan then said, "Mr. Liu sent a letter saying that you did a good job, and Zhongtang also praised you a lot."
Wu Chengjian looked flattered, saying, "Who am I to be able to receive such an honor from the Lord?"
Ji Shan didn't care whether he was really surprised or just pretending. He sneered and said, "Mr. Liu also told me something else in his letter. It's a batch of goods shipped from Beijing that needs to be placed in your bank. Originally, Xie Yuanli was in charge of this matter, but now that this has happened, I can only hand it over to you."
Wu Chengjian said, "Master Supervisor, rest assured. Since it is something that Lord Liu has entrusted me with, I will definitely do it properly. I just don't know what this batch of goods is, who the buyer is, and how much we should sell it for."
Anyway, no matter what business Heshen assigned to him, even if it was a loss-making business, Wu Chengjian would subsidize it to make it profitable.
"You don't have to worry about these." Ji Shan said, "The buyer was contacted last year. The shipment was supposed to be delivered this autumn, but it was delayed due to an accident. So it can only be postponed for a year. You just need to put the goods in your warehouse. When the time comes next year, Mr. Liu will naturally tell you what to do."
Wu Chengjian said nothing more and agreed.
Jishan added: "Just one thing, after these goods are sealed, you are not allowed to open them privately, otherwise it will be a serious crime."
Wu Chengjian felt nervous, but still nodded and agreed.
Jishan said: "Okay, the goods will be delivered tonight, you go to the warehouse and wait for it tonight."
Wu Chengjian's heart was covered with an ominous fog. He thought, with Heshen's power, what kind of goods would need to be transported at night? Moreover, receiving goods is usually done by the shopkeeper, and the head shopkeeper may not be present. The business owner needs to supervise in person. This matter is naturally very serious.
He then returned to Yihe and sent someone to Henan to bring back Zhou Yijin.
Zhou Yijin rushed to Yihe Bank, and the two discussed for a few words. Zhou Yijin said: "I think this may be a 'common practice'. Now that the Xie family has arrived, the Cai family may also be alienated. Liu Quan cannot trust Cai Shiwen, so this 'common practice' has been changed to you."
Wu Chengjian said: "I thought so too. But ..."
"What are you worried about?" Zhou Yijin saw him hesitate and said, "Even if there is something fishy about this guy, since it is Heshen's business, he will definitely take care of it. There will be no danger."
"I know that, too." Wu Chengjian sighed, "But if this happens, the word 'harmony' hanging over our heads will become even more difficult."
"Isn't this something that was destined long ago?" Zhou Yijin said, "It was destined from the moment we discovered the situation of 'a hungry dragon emerging from its lair and a group of beasts sharing the food' and decided on a response strategy."
"Yeah, that's right." Wu Chengjian said, "It's useless to think too much. What else do you want to do?"
At night, Hutabu supervised a ship to the dock, and Wu Chengjian asked Tietou Junba to lead the team to unload the cargo. There was not much cargo, just a few large boxes, but the boxes were sealed - Wu Chengjian was not even allowed to see what was inside.
Wu Chengjian specially set aside a small room in the warehouse for this batch of goods - the warehouses of the insurance merchants were originally warehouses within warehouses, which not only had places for storing bulk goods, but also had various small rooms that were fireproof and anti-theft for storing all kinds of rare and precious goods.
After the goods were moved in, Wu Chengjian locked the inner door and the outer door, kept one of the two keys for himself, and gave the other key to Hutabu, who then put a seal on the outside of the door.
Seeing Wu Chengjian's solemn expression, Hutab waved his hand, and Zhou Yijin led everyone out. Hutab then said, "Hao Guan, are you worried?"
Wu Chengjian pulled him aside and said, "Brother Hu, can you tell me something? What are these?"
"I don't know either." Hutabu whispered, "But don't worry, this is not a trap, it's really just a batch of red goods. How long has Galu been in office? I was originally in charge of this matter, so I know it very well. This kind of thing has happened in previous years, either the Xie family or the Cai family will be sealed, and you will have nothing to do with it after the goods are delivered. There has never been any trouble. Anyway, you listen to me, manage the people below, and as long as you don't make any trouble, I will ensure that you are safe."
After Hutab left, Zhou Yijin walked in. The two looked at the sealed double doors. Wu Chengjian asked, "What do you think it is?"
Zhou Yijin said: "I don't know, but it shouldn't be a good thing."
Wu Chengjian asked, "Do you want to take it out and have a look?"
Although the house was sealed and the double doors were locked, if they really wanted to take a look, there were many strange people in Guangzhou, so there might be a way out.
Zhou Yijin said: "I don't want to watch it...you'd better not watch it either."
Wu Chengjian said: "We replaced Cai Xie, and it turns out that it's not just a good thing that's coming."
"There are always gains and losses." Zhou Yijin said: "Although you made the choice of 'the hungry dragon comes out of the cave and the beasts share the food', there is actually no better choice. However, judging from the reactions of all parties, this should really be a common occurrence. We just need to be careful not to let Cai Shiwen make any mistakes."
Wu Chengjian asked, "Cai Shiwen?"
Zhou Yijin said, "How long has Cai Shiwen been under Jishan? He probably knows the inside story. Now that he has been kicked out, if he wants to take revenge on you, he might use this thing to make a fuss. But now that he has lost power, as long as you are well prepared, you don't have to worry too much."
"That's the only way." Wu Chengjian shook off his heavy face and said with a smile, "I can use the sky as a blanket. I've been through such a bad situation before, so what's there to be afraid of?"
