Chapter 100: Rake

Chapter 100: Rake

As night fell, the manager of Wang Silk Shop went to Wang Manor to report the situation to Mr. Wang.

"Are they... cough... genuinely here to purchase goods?" Mr. Wang asked, reclining on the bed, coughing as he spoke.

The manager nodded and presented the order list. "I sent someone to follow them. They’ve been visiting silk shops all day, indicating they urgently need a large amount of goods."

Pale and emaciated, Mr. Wang nodded, but frowned upon seeing the price.

"This price is too low. Cough..."

The Wang family had never sold at such a low price.

"However, there’s too much silk in the warehouse. If we don’t sell it soon, the weaving and dyeing workshop will have to shut down."

The manager paused before adding, "More importantly, given the young master’s reputation and actions, few are willing to cooperate with the Wang family now."

Without cooperation, the Wang family’s silk would continue to accumulate. The workshop would remain idle. If that happened, whether they made a profit or a loss wouldn’t matter. The workers would certainly cause trouble.

If the workers caused trouble, the Wang family would soon decline.

"Sigh..." Mr. Wang sighed deeply, truly worried about his unruly son, unable to rest even in death.

"Earning less is better than not selling at all," Mr. Wang said painfully after some thought.

Even if the Wang family didn’t mind, the workers couldn’t afford to wait.

"Yes, tomorrow I’ll take the young master to negotiate with them," the manager agreed, advising Mr. Wang to relax and take care of his health.

"I wonder how much longer I’ll live," Mr. Wang sighed, truly worried about his unruly son, unable to find peace even in death.

The next evening, the manager took Young Master Wang to the inn to meet Jiang Shu and Manager Liu.

During the day, the manager had sent someone to the inn twice, but Jiang Shu and Manager Liu were not there, presumably out looking for silk shops, so they came in the evening instead.

Upon arriving at the inn, Jiang Shu and Manager Liu hadn’t returned yet, so the manager booked a private room and they waited with wine and dishes.

After about half an hour, with the wine and dishes served, Jiang Shu and Manager Liu still hadn’t returned, and Young Master Wang grew restless.

"Who’s putting on such airs? Are they being sincere? Waiting this long without showing up, I bet they’re just messing with us."

"Young Master, please wait a bit longer. It’s almost dark; they should be back soon," the manager patiently comforted.

Young Master Wang put his leg on the nearby stool, his face filled with disdain and arrogance, giving orders imperiously.

"Let me tell you, we’re only waiting for another quarter of an hour. If they’re not back by then, I’m leaving. I have a meeting at Zuihong Lou to discuss business."

Hearing this, the manager’s face darkened, his eyes filled with resentment and contempt. What serious business could be discussed at Zuihong Lou? A good-for-nothing playboy.

Outside, Jiang Shu and Manager Liu heard the conversation inside and shook their heads lightly before knocking on the door.

"Please come in quickly," the manager opened the door promptly, his excitement evident as if seeing old friends upon spotting Jiang Shu and Manager Liu.

Young Master Wang looked up indifferently, but was startled when he saw Jiang Shu.

Such a young and handsome owner, likely even less reliable than him.

Truly, birds of a feather flock together.

"Please sit," the steward led them to a table where they sat down to eat and talk.

"May I ask which business in Shangjing you represent?"

"Jiangji."

"Jiangji, one of the five major firms in Shangjing?" The steward was astonished.

"Yes." Jiang Shu remained calm and composed, her voice tinged with pride.

She was not proud of being the owner of Jiangji, but rather, she was proud of her father’s achievements with Jiangji, renowned throughout Dazhao.

"My apologies, my apologies." The steward hurriedly raised his cup to apologize.

Young Master Wang had also heard of Jiangji’s reputation, and his gaze towards Jiang Shu changed slightly.

Noticing his gaze, Jiang Shu looked back, sizing up the rumored playboy.

Young Master Wang was handsome and dressed extravagantly, but his eyes were dull and his figure lean, exuding a sickly aura of excessive indulgence.

After a quick glance, Jiang Shu shifted her gaze away. She only cared about business and had no interest in Young Master Wang as a person.

Both sides were sincere and didn’t make things difficult for each other, so the discussion went smoothly.

However, when the steward proposed a long-term cooperation, Jiang Shu and Manager Liu fell silent.

Seeing this, the steward felt uneasy. Thinking he was clever, Young Master Wang interjected, "A big business firm like Jiangji wouldn’t only stock up once a year, right?"

"If there’s a long-term need for goods, why can’t we establish a long-term cooperation?"

Hearing this, the three of them looked at Young Master Wang simultaneously.

Why not? Don’t you have any clue?

The steward’s expression turned awkward, his smile stiffening. "The Wang Family sincerely wishes to cooperate with Jiangji, guaranteeing the best quality and lowest prices for your goods."

The temptation was significant.

Jiang Shu pondered for a moment, then said somewhat reluctantly, "If we are to have a long-term cooperation, it’s not out of the question, but I have one condition."

"Please go ahead, Mr. Jiang."

"It must be stipulated in the contract that if the Wang Family fails to supply properly, the cooperation will immediately terminate, and the Wang Family must compensate Jiangji double for any losses." Jiang Shu truly didn’t trust Young Master Wang.

But after a day of searching, they hadn’t found better or cheaper silk goods than the Wang Family’s.

So Jiang Shu was willing to take a risk and try cooperating with the Wang Family.

Of course, as a precaution, she wouldn’t put all her eggs in one basket with the Wang Family.

In the past, the steward would have immediately agreed and confidently vouched for it with his life that the Wang Family wouldn’t have any issues.

But now that the old owner had fallen ill and the young master was in charge, the steward felt uncertain and didn’t dare to make rash promises.

He was just a salaried employee; he couldn’t bear such responsibility.

"It's just double compensation, I agree, I'll sign the contract with you." Young Master Wang, feeling self-satisfied, pulled out the Wang family seal to show his sincerity.

These past two months, he had ruined several deals and been mocked for being brainless and talentless, just a wastrel. This time, he was determined to secure a major deal to prove to everyone that he could accomplish significant things.

"Young Master Wang, you’re straightforward. Let me offer you a toast." Jiang Shu gently smiled and raised her cup.

By shifting the pressure and risk to the Wang family, even if something went wrong, Jiangji wouldn’t suffer significant losses.

This partnership was worthwhile.

"Here’s to it. Cheers." Young Master Wang excitedly clinked cups with Jiang Shu and finished his drink in one go.

The innkeeper beside him gently shook his head.

Well, closing a deal was better than ruining one. At least a successful deal was a positive outcome.

After the contract was signed, Young Master Wang draped his arm around Jiang Shu’s shoulder and said enthusiastically, "You’re straightforward, I like that. Come, I’ll treat you to the Drunken Red Pavilion, and we can keep drinking there."

Jiang Shu’s face darkened at his words, and she subtly pushed his hand away, declining politely.

"I’ve been traveling for over ten days and am quite exhausted, so I won’t dampen your spirits, Young Master Wang."

Young Master Wang, seemingly unaware, thought he was being thoughtful and said, "Then you should rest for a couple of days, and I’ll invite you again in two days."

Jiang Shu could only respond vaguely, saying they would see about it in a few days’ time.

After finally seeing Young Master Wang off, Jiang Shu breathed a sigh of relief, rubbed her temples, and returned to her room to bathe and rest.

After being tense and on the road for over ten days, her body and mind were exhausted. Now that she had relaxed, Jiang Shu slept soundly and even had a sweet, dreamy dream.

When she woke up in the morning, she felt refreshed, and a smile still lingered on her lips.

Seeing this, Tanyu couldn’t help but ask curiously, "Miss Jiang, what did you dream about to be so happy?"

"Ahem, it’s… nothing." Jiang Shu cleared her throat, composed herself, and put on a look as if nothing had happened.

Tanyu pouted, not believing her at all.