Volume 3: The Richest Man in the World Chapter 8: New Cai Family
When Wu Chengjian heard Wu Qi say that the mother-in-law from Daxing Street came to talk to his eldest sister-in-law again, he knew why she came. He said to Wu Qi, "Go and ask Mr. Cai from Daxing Street to come over. We have something to say."
Wu Qi agreed, and Wu Chengjian went back to the left courtyard to accompany Ye Youyu for a while. Ye Youyu was in good spirits.
After the fire that day, she put aside her external affairs and focused on her pregnancy. After Wu Chengjian was released from prison, no matter how busy he was, he would always take time out every day to accompany her. However, the two of them didn't talk much when they were facing each other, and occasionally talked about flowers, plants and weather.
Not long after, Cai Shiqun arrived. Considering the time, he arrived really quickly.
The two met in the study. Cai Shiqun's smile was not obviously flattering. Wu Chengjian said, "Uncle Cai, you don't have to be so polite. Sit down."
After Xia Qing brought up the tea, they drank a round and chatted for a while. Wu Chengjian casually mentioned that the Guangdong Customs might issue three more licenses and reorganize Wanbao Bank. This made Cai Shiqun itchy - he had heard of the news a long time ago, and he had some ideas about the new license and the reorganization of Wanbao Bank, but after Wu Chengjian mentioned it, he changed the subject and made him very uncomfortable.
Wu Chengjian suddenly asked casually, "Does Uncle Cai have any relatives who are related to Qi Guan?"
Cai Shiqun thought for a moment and said, "There is a distant relative."
"That's no wonder." Wu Chengjian said, "After the proposal to reorganize Wanbao Bank came out, I tried to mention Uncle Cai's name. I just wanted to test it out, but unexpectedly, Qi Guan agreed."
Cai Shiqun was not expecting him to do this, and was overjoyed when he heard this: "This, this... Mr. Hao, thank you very much, thank you very much!"
"This matter has not yet been completed." Wu Chengjian said: "In the end, it depends on the opinion of the Guangdong Customs."
"Well, both Hao Guan and Qi Guan have agreed, so why are you afraid that it won't work out? Ah, what I mean is that no matter whether it works out or not, our Cai family is grateful to Hao Guan."
Wu Chengjian said with a smile: "We are all relatives, so don't say such strange things between the two families."
Wu Chengjian didn't keep Cai Shiqun for long and sent him away.
Cai Shiqun happened to meet his wife when he came out, and the couple returned to Daxing Street, and they were very happy to talk to each other. Cai Shiqun also had some ability and connections, so he was ready to get things done immediately, so as not to be unable to catch the good things that really fell.
Cai's mother suddenly said, "From what Hao Guan said, Qi Guan also helped with this matter? Should we go and thank Qi Guan?"
Cai Shiqun thought for a while and said, "Of course we need to, but the way to get an official position is not easy. First of all, he is a general merchant, what doesn't he have at home? We don't know how to express our gratitude. Secondly, it's not easy to see him."
After Pan Youjie returned to work, he no longer refused guests like before, but not everyone could see him. Cai Shiqun was able to see Wu Chengjian occasionally, thanks to the fact that the two families were relatives. If it was something else, he could ask Wu Chengjian to send gifts to the Pan family, but he was embarrassed about this matter.
Thinking of this, Cai Shiqun couldn't help but sigh that his foundation was still shallow after all.
Cai's mother suddenly said, "Hey, isn't Wei Laoshi, the third uncle of our eldest son's wife , the cousin of Jin'ao's seventh concubine? He has been in touch with us for the past two years, and we have heard a lot of news about the Pan family from him. Why don't we ask him?"
Cai Shiqun nodded: "That makes sense!"
They made arrangements and invited Wei Laoshi to have tea. In the past two years, Wei Laoshi had often drunk and listened to music with Cai Shiqun. Although they were distant relatives, they knew each other well and often exchanged some news and secrets when they were drunk. This time, after two glasses of wine, Cai Shiqun took advantage of the alcohol and said that he might be able to attend a meeting at the Business Protection Conference next year.
They were all people who made a living from the Thirteenth Lines, so how could Wei Laoshi not understand what was meant? He immediately said, "Congratulations, congratulations!"
Cai Shiqun mentioned that the Pan family might have played a role in this matter, and he wanted to thank them, but he didn't know how to start, so he asked Wei Laoshi if he had any ideas. Wei Laoshi replied that he had to go back and think about it, and then they finished their drinks and left.
That evening, Pan Haigen came to inform Pan Youjie of the incident. Pan Youjie was not surprised at all and said, "I see."
After seeing Cai Shiqun off, Wu Chengjian took a boat to Henan Island and went straight to Manqian Penglai.
Recently, not only has Wu Chengjian's power in the Guangdong Bay become stronger day by day, but Zhou Yijin's reputation among the wealthy families in Guangzhou has also been rising. Many people know that the Wu family has such a powerful advisor who can be the Lord Hao, so some people find ways to curry favor with him.
Zhou Yijin was very sensible. He did not refuse all the benefits that came to his door, but of course he did not accept every one of them. If there were any that suited his taste and did not harm his bank's interests, he would accept them.
At this time, he saw Wu Chengjian, took a few scrolls of manuscripts, and said to Wu Chengjian: "I just got a few scrolls of good stuff."
"What is it?"
"They are some hand-copied books for children. I want them to practice."
"Disciple book? What is that?"
Zhou Yijin said: "It is a storytelling book created by the children of the Eight Banners. It uses popular folk songs as the tunes, mixed with some Manchu shamanic tunes, and is usually accompanied by octagonal drums. It has a certain flavor."
Wu Chengjian sneered and said, "You know I never like anything from the Bannermen. Besides, I remember you hated it, too."
"I just hate literary inquisition." Zhou Yijin said, "But good writing is good writing, no matter which ethnic group it comes from. Moreover, this is a work created after the Manchus entered the Han Dynasty. Although it has some shamanistic tones, it is basically Chinese, just like Nalan Xingde."
Wu Chengjian waved his hand: "Not interested, do it yourself."
Zhou Yijin did not force it and put the hand-copied books aside.
Manqian Penglai is a small island surrounded by water. Wu Chengjian took a look. At this time, the north wind had just come, the water surface was bleak, and the sunset was like blood, which was very beautiful when dragged on the water. The wind was not so cold that it was bone-chilling. It was a very good scene. There were many mosquitoes in Guangdong. If there was water in the summer, it would be very scary when mosquitoes gathered at sunset. Therefore, such water scenery was not available every day.
"Let's go, get off the boat and look at the water."
Manqian Penglai had a small boat for river cruising, so Wu Chengjian dragged Zhou Yijin on board. Only Tietou Junba steered the boat at the stern, while Wu Xiaojiu made tea on the deck.
Wu Chengjian and Zhou Yijin sat together, watching the sunset through the boat window.
After watching for a while, Wu Chengjian suddenly said, "Hutab came to me for help." Then he told him the story of Hutab.
Zhou Yijin pondered for a moment and said, "I'll take care of this matter. I can only do my best."
After he took over, Wu Chengjian let it go and said, "Cai Shiqun probably didn't do it on purpose."
"Um?"
Wu Chengjian then told him about Cai Shiqun's visit today, especially Cai Shiqun's reaction when he heard him talk about Pan Youjie.
Zhou Yijin said: "From what you said, he probably has nothing to do with this matter. He must have fallen into Pan Youjie's trap without knowing it. If he had something to hide, he would have been a little flustered when you mentioned Pan Youjie. Unless he is so cunning that even you can't see any clues, but if he is really that powerful, he would have had a seat in the Eight Great Merchants long ago."
"So it should be." Wu Chengjian said.
"This matter has come to an end," Zhou Yijin said, "but after the New Year, you have to be careful."
Wu Chengjian asked, "Should we be careful of Heshen or Pan Youjie?"
"Be careful," Zhou Yijin said, "You turned the tables again this time and dared to burn down the Thirteen Hongs. That's courage. You were able to rebuild after burning it. That's ability. With this ability, you are no longer a small figure. Heshen is a man with a broad mind. Seeing that you are indeed a big shot, when he wants to touch you, he will weigh the pros and cons, not just his own pros and cons."
Wu Chengjian nodded.
The skills he has demonstrated now are no longer just conspiracies and tricks - China has never lacked such people - but the real ability to get practical and big things done. People with such abilities are not easy to find.
Cai Shiwen's death had little impact on Guangzhou Port and Guangdong Bay. For Heshen, the death of Hutabu was like crushing an ant. However, Wu Chengjian's positive influence on the region is difficult to estimate. Although Heshen was corrupt, he was also a capable minister in governing the country. Some things need to be considered comprehensively.
"But you have to be careful when he wants to touch you. It doesn't mean he won't touch you." Zhou Yijin said, "It's just that he will be better prepared before touching you."
Wu Chengjian asked, "Then why do you think he will take action after the New Year?"
"It was just a casual remark," Zhou Yijin said, "but he won't touch you until the payment from the barbarians is settled. No matter what, many people need you to do this. In this world, whether in Beijing or Guangzhou, in the court or among the people, those who can make money are the breadwinners! Even Heshen can't do something that cuts off people's financial resources."
Wu Chengjian chuckled, picked up a melon seed and dropped it into the river.
"As for Qi Guan," Zhou Yijin said, "whether he really wants to make peace with you or just paralyze you, we still have to listen to his words and observe his actions. But since he has openly shown goodwill to you, whether he is sincerely seeking peace or intending to paralyze you, he will not take any action in the short term."
Wu Chengjian's face darkened. "We are certain that Cai Shiwen must have had something to do with the beasts' food-sharing incident last year. As for Qi Guan, I am not sure how deeply he was involved. If it is really as we predicted, then my eldest brother's life..."
"Let's not escalate the hatred." Zhou Yijin said, "Although I said those words to Qi Guan on the eve of the fire, I am not sure how much of it is true. Things in the world are very complicated. Many things are caused by fate and karma. Even emperors and generals like Qianlong and Heshen could only do many things according to the circumstances. Qi Guan may not be without responsibility, but it is not necessarily true that he planned everything."
Wu Chengjian sneered: "You don't want me to make more enemies!"
"I know Brother Chengjun has been in poor health recently, and you are in a bad mood." Zhou Yijin said, "But the more times like this, the more you need to calm down. Don't make a decision when you are sad and angry."
