C63 (1/2)
Chapter 63 - Businesses Fighting for Wealth
It had only been four years since the Second Opium War, and most of the new businesses and ports were monopolized by the English and French. Although the United States could also join in, due to the war in the country, they had not been able to interfere too deeply.
Under these circumstances, the merchants of the English and French naturally grouped together and formed a price alliance. For example, the Pig Mane Trade this time might seem like a rather high price for one kilogram of silver. However, as long as they were shipped back to Europe, they would earn at least four times the profit or even more.
This was the typical beauty of distance. The distant sea not only caused the inconvenience of transportation, but also the extremely high profits of the goods. To merchants, this was a painful but happy occasion.
It was not like the merchants of Great Qing could not see through this point. No one could underestimate the cleverness of the Chinese. However, due to various reasons, the merchants of the Qing Dynasty could only be sitting merchants. They did not have their own Ocean trade, so they were naturally controlled by others everywhere.
Now, Xiao Letian actually said that he wanted to break the English and French's price alliance, and introduce a new face into the business world, this was definitely beneficial for the business people of Tanggu Hong Kong. Furthermore, with Xiao Letian's reputation as the Second Demon Lord, he might actually succeed.
Xiao Letian was too familiar with this kind of expression, he knew what these merchants truly wanted, as long as he treated them correctly, it would not be a big deal.
The weird atmosphere made the High Scholar Huang and the Xiao Pi Sun extremely uneasy. The dog-like smell made them smell a smell of betrayal, and they knew that these merchants must have been moved by Xiao Letian's words. The greed and hesitation in their eyes couldn't be deceived.
Xiao Pi Sun held his hand on the steel dart with the braid on his head and looked at his allies with a cold and sinister gaze.
”Hahaha, what you say sounds better than singing. Don't forget that this Tanggu is the territory of the Great Qing, even if the foreigners come, they have to follow the rules of the treaty. You think a new foreign businessman can come? Where did you put the court and the emperor? Where did you put Lord Pingzhi and Lord Pingdeng? ”You sure are arrogant …” High Scholar Huang had no choice but to speak, he emphasized the words' Acknowledge and Alliances'.
On the surface, they were questioning Xiao Letian, but in reality, they were threatening those merchants. The subtext was that no one was to be a traitor, and they had to be careful or else they wouldn't be able to take the consequences.
How could Xiao Letian care about such a despicable threat? He didn't even bother to reply and just turned to ask Fan Lian, ”Is the auspicious time coming soon?” Fan Lian took out his pocket watch and looked at it, ”In another fifteen minutes, it will be the auspicious hour …”
Just then, an embarrassed voice sounded out from behind Xiao Letian. ”Mr. Xiao, Manager Fan's, your honorary name is open for business, us colleagues do not have much expression, according to old logic, all of us must take care of your business, opening for business today is a must.”
”I have some pig's hair. I know that you have discussed it with the French, so I won't trouble you. I'll pass it to you today.” Not much. According to the foreigners' algorithm, it was more than seven tons, more than seven thousand kilograms … ”Thanks for your help. If you don't count, let's settle the accounts at the price of seven thousand …”
The one who opened his mouth was a merchant surnamed Wang, but in Tanggu, he was only a third-rate boss. He opened a small trading station and took over a few pieces of business from the various Big Merchant s.
Xiao Letian and Fan Lian knew that there would be merchants discussing the pig mane business today, because this was something that they had decided on with a lot of merchants before the competition started. It was a good fortune for them, but aside from being happy, why did they realise that Boss Wang had such an awkward expression?
”Boss Wang is a noble person. This humble one owes you a debt of gratitude. In a while, I will definitely toast to you in three great cups …” Before Fan Lian could even finish being courteous, Boss Wang's face suddenly turned red, and said softly: I dare not … However, my business is not that big, and I still have to eat a lot today. I hope that Manager Fan can first reward me with some goods … ”
At that time, Fan Lian's face suddenly froze, and thought to himself, what kind of rule was that, no one does business like that? But then, Xiao Letian suddenly laughed, and said: ”Does Boss Wang want silver or silver?”
”A silver coin is a silver coin. I only recognize silver coins as a silver coin. I am truly ashamed. I am truly ashamed …” This time, Boss Wang's face was completely red. He knew that she was the smallest merchant, and Yellow Lord was not someone they could offend, while Xiao Letian and the rest were not able to offend him. However, the High Scholar Huang had the advantage of numbers, and was even forcing him to take the lead.
”Someone come!” Send seven thousand great ocean to Boss Wang … ” With a roar, two burly men walked out from the accounting room. They were holding a large lacquer plate that was filled with red foreign currency scrolls, and a hundred of them were rolled up into a ball with red paper.
Xiao Letian grabbed a condor Yang, gently pulled it apart, and the bright silver elemental energy fell onto the lacquer plate. The double-headed eagle's symbol was distinct, and this was one of the most famous currencies that had an impact on the financial markets of Qing Province, the Mexican eagle s.
”Boss Wang, look carefully. Do you need to go through each of the seven thousand Mexican eagle s one by one to count them?” At this time, how could Boss Wang still have the face to open them one by one?
Boss Wang wiped the sweat off his forehead, bowed and said, ”I am truly sorry, for this small business of mine, you, Sir, should not blame me for this …” Xiao Letian saw through the problem long ago, he patted Boss Wang's shoulders and said honestly, ”It's fine, you have your own difficulties too. We will work together for a long time in the future, you should know about it by now, right?”
Just at this time, another head storekeeper stood up and bowed towards Xiao Letian, ”Mr. Xiao is indeed magnanimous, it is impossible not to buy and sell you today. This humble one also has 8000 kilograms of pig's hair and wants to transfer it to Mr. Xiao … ”However, you still need to make some money. I'm really sorry about the fact that we need to make some money, I'm sorry about that. I've let you down …”