Ning Yi, Qin Siyuan, and the others had long been aware of the fact that the disaster relief would be met with waves of backlash. This backlash could come from afar, or from near. It could come from friends, or even from relatives. It was all because of the complicated relationships between people in the world. As long as one wanted to do something, it was often unavoidable.
The backlash in the north and south had begun as early as when the grain merchants entered the disaster area. The situation gradually spread after mid-October. Qin Siyuan, Yao Zunian, and the other famous people had to deal with the most trouble. The princess of Cheng State, Zhou Xuan, and the son-in-law, Kang Xian, had to be the same. However, the relatives of the emperor could be less reasonable. Ning Yi's dealings in the Prime Minister's residence were discovered last. When people knew that he was the advisor in charge of this area, there were many people who came to visit.
The aristocrats, officials, and relatives from the north and south all came to introduce their backgrounds and put down implied threats. At the same time, they also tried to leave all kinds of valuable gifts. Some people brought jewelry and jade, and some people brought calligraphy and famous poems. If there was someone with a bad temper, they might be scolded. After a round of scolding, a great scholar from Hebei left his address and asked Ning Yi to come and listen to his teachings. He said that Ning Yi's poems were not bad, and it was as if he was giving alms. Su Tan'er had no choice but to agree.
It was Su Tan'er who dealt with these matters at home.
These days, Ning Yi only came back at night and spent most of his time in the Prime Minister's residence during the day. Although Wen Ding and Wen Fang could receive some people on his behalf, they could not truly take charge. Some people had higher statuses, so it was not good for them to speak casually. Tan'er had never come into contact with this level before, but she had more experience than Wen Ding and Wen Fang. With her status as the mistress of the household, it was enough to receive people. As long as her attitude was good, it was not good for others to be too entangled with a woman.
While dealing with these unwelcome guests, Tan'Er also had to manage the Su Clan Cloth Shop's business. The Su's Cloth Store and the Bamboo Shop were combined to form "Suning". Previously, when they first arrived in Bianliang, because of Zuo Houwen's words, the Su's cheap cloth could not be sold. Later, Ning Yi began to use salesmen to promote the high quality product strategy, making the Su's clothes now an existence similar to luxury goods. However, Tan'Er still had the technological advantage of improving the loom. During the disaster relief period, some grain merchants made a lot of money in the disaster area. Not only did they give back the grain business, but they also specially purchased winter clothes for the disaster area.
As a result, Su Clan obtained a large number of orders. Not only was the price high, but the profits were also abundant. The other party didn't even mention any unrestricted requirements. If you can deliver the goods, I'll give you the money. If you can't, we're all on the same side, so it doesn't matter. Even if there's a shortage of manpower or cotton, everyone will come over to ask about it a few times. As a result, the several cheap cloth workshops that Su Clan had set up were operating at full capacity, and a large number of female workers were recruited. Tan'Er remotely controlled Su Wending to take care of all kinds of trivial matters in the cloth shop, making Su Wending extremely tired and miserable.
However, at this time, the atmosphere of the Ning Mansion and the Su family in Jiangning was different. With Ning Yi's work as an example, several cousins all understood that only by enduring this period of hardship could they have great achievements in the future. Therefore, no one was lazy and complained, they were all trembling with fear and hard work.
When foreign dignitaries came to visit, Ning Yi was not there, and they didn't have much of a way. To say that they extended their tentacles into the Right Minister's residence, that was another matter. Although during this period of time, the pressure around Qin Siyuan's body was inevitably greater, but with his majesty and control, not many people could cross the wall of the Right Minister's residence and directly put pressure inside. Of course, in addition to these people, there was a small number of people who, because of their special relationship, were not so easy to get rid of at the moment.
Among these people, there were some distant relatives, and some business partners. For example, after Tan'Er shifted the Su business to the north, there was an uncle who originally had some relationship with the Su family, called Hu Chengyan, who provided cotton for Tan'Er. Originally, the two sides had been cooperating happily. Even if Tan'Er was blocked by Zuo Houwen, the other party did not give up, and often asked if she needed help. But after the disaster relief, he and his family came over in the form of a visit, and indirectly persuaded: after all, Ning Yi's power was not big. This time, what he did had aroused public anger. The Right Minister was in a high position, naturally he was not afraid of this, but if someone wanted to make a move on your family, you can't stop it.
Although he tried his best and asked his wife to help persuade Tan'Er, in fact, his background was a rich family that was quite influential in the capital and Huainan. When Tan'Er always responded with Tai Chi Kung Fu, he vaguely revealed: you have recently bought a lot of cotton, but there is not much stock at home. If this goes on, it may be out of stock …
In addition to Hu Chengyan, there were also some suppliers and distributors who came to visit. Among them, there were Su Shi's, Takeshi's, and even people who rented the land here came to visit, saying that they wanted to take back the land: "There is no need to be afraid of breach of contract, we will lose money." Most of these people were related to the local rich families. After the other party found out about Ning Yi's relationship network, they let them come to pressure. Some of them also communicated with each other. Many people, with Hu Chengyan as the core, took turns to come to persuade.
The little bit of pressure around the body, persuasion with good words or bad words, for anyone, it was impossible to not have a burden. On the surface, Tan'Er dealt with all this calmly. Because the matter also involved Takeshi, she waited for Ning Yi's final decision. Ning Yi asked her to delay for a few days. Until today, Tan'Er called everyone to visit together. When Ning Yi came back from the Prime Minister's Mansion, Tan'Er was talking to her uncle and aunt in the backyard, while Su Wending and the others were in the front hall, which was already quite lively.
"… Tan'Er, it's not that aunt wants to scold you, but aunt is short-sighted, and some words are not pleasant to hear. It's fine if you just listen to it. People in the countryside all know that the arrow shoots the bird that takes the lead. Some things, if you are proud at the time, what will you do in the future … Your husband, ah, from the beginning, he married into your family. You are the master of the family, so you have to know your limits. You can't let him do everything. Since he did such a thing, you should persuade him more, right … "
In the room in the backyard, Mrs. Hu nagged to persuade Tan'Er, but Tan'Er maintained a smile on her face and responded politely.
"Aunt, I am also a woman. He is my Husband, and I respect and love him … I was competitive at the beginning, but that was because I was young and immature, and there was no one in the family who could support me, so I was forced. As a woman, who doesn't want to stay at home to support her husband and teach her children? Aunt, those things are men's business, so let them worry about it. "
"Ah, how can you say that? Tan'Er, you are not inferior to men. There are some things that you still have to persuade. You have to listen to aunt …"
"Tan'Er knows."
Tan'Er's Tai Chi was very smooth. Hu Chengyan just listened outside the door and did not participate. He knew that this niece of his was very powerful, and she was very determined. But so what if she was determined? This was something that could only be done with time. She might be able to stand one person's words, or perhaps ten or even a hundred of them, but she would definitely feel annoyed. As long as she was annoyed, it would be easy for there to be friction, quarrels, and anger at home. At that time, she would know that there was pressure everywhere. After all, it was not only his family who took action this time. There were already many people who had joined forces.
His Hu Family's upper echelon was the Liu Family in the capital. The Liu Family had been a wealthy family for generations. This time, they asked him to do something, and they even promised to betroth a daughter of the main family to his son. He wanted to marry this in-law. In fact, he did not want to force Tan'Er and her husband to be too ruthless. He mainly wanted them to raise their hands in a few small places in Huainan. The Liu Family was a kind person, and they did not want people to starve to death. They just wanted to make it convenient for them to harvest the land. In this process, the Liu Family also had some shares. In fact, it was the same during the famine that year. Now that they wanted to harvest some land, they could not block their way, right? They were all on the same side, and if they wanted to do disaster relief, they wouldn't stop them. They were not bad people, and they knew their limits …
Ning Yi entered from the back door and saw Ning Xi and Xiaochan playing. Xiaochan hugged the kid and waved towards Ning Xi, "Father." Ning Xi pointed over, "Little Mom, Father."
Ning Yi came over and hugged Xiao Chan and the child. He asked about the situation ahead before entering. Then, he saw Hu Chengyan waiting there. The other party began to laugh. "Haha, Liheng."
"Uncle Hu." Ning Yi cupped his fists and smiled. He walked to the door and greeted, "Auntie is here … Tan'Er, I am back."
Tan'Er stood up and nodded. The couple exchanged glances. Madam Hu was about to say something to Ning Yi when Ning Yi smiled, "Auntie, sorry for the delay. I have something to talk to Uncle Hu about. Let Tan'Er accompany you, let Tan'Er accompany you … Uncle Hu, let's talk somewhere else."
Ning Yi stretched out his hand and walked along the corridor with Hu Chengyan. Hu Chengyan said, "Liheng …" Ning Yi looked back with a smile on his face, but he spoke quickly, "Uncle Hu, I've been wanting to talk to you about something recently. Unfortunately, I've been too busy with work and couldn't find the time. Since you're here today, I can discuss it with you. Oh, this way … "
"Uh …"
Hu Chengyan wanted to speak, but Ning Yi didn't wait for her to speak. He spoke quickly, "It's like this. Recently, the demand of the cloth company is very high. The cotton in Uncle Hu's hands can't keep up. Presumably, Uncle Hu also knows that Su Enterprise has opened up the market, and so has Takeshi. Recently, a lot of people have contacted me and said that they want to cooperate … Oh, the list is here. Uncle Hu, you can take a look. "
He took out a piece of paper from his sleeve. It was a list of supplies and sales of various materials. The names of the companies were written on it. When he swept the list of cotton materials, there were two names, "Haicheng Zhang Pei" and "Lucheng Tang Sihan".
"Look, these, these … Oh, cotton materials, Uncle Hu, don't misunderstand. We have always wanted your goods, but the last time you came, you said that the supply of cotton materials could not meet the demand. He was very regretful and anxious. Tan'Er told me that we shouldn't trouble Uncle anymore, so we took some of the missing cloth from the Zhang Family. But after this time, we still want as much as we have in your hands. " Ning Yi said, smiled for a moment, and then restrained his expression, "But, next, it's time to develop."
The two moved forward together.
"Uncle Hu may not know, but this time, our Takeshi also participated in the disaster relief of the Prime Minister's residence and made a little effort. There wasn't much merit, but we still got to know some people. In the vicinity of Bianliang, there are 87 big landlords and big businessmen who have contact with us. There are also some other small businesses. You know, some people are generous. As long as it's a friend, they are willing to help. For example, the raw silk of the Cheng Family. He is willing to give us 70% of the wholesale price in the market, and … the best quality, without saying a word. "
"Because of the disaster relief, the development of Suning has slowed down a little." Ning Yi said, "But in the next two years, we have a new plan, and the general outline has come out. Uncle, how much do you think we can develop with the help and support of these people, plus the power of the Prime Minister's residence? "
Hu Chengyan frowned, "This …"
"In the next two years, Takeshi wants to open stores all over the country. I want to expand more than 50 stores in all the big cities. Su Clan's cloth. But next year, Tan 'er and I will expand five times. That is, five times the supply of goods. "
"A new plan needs a new system. I have discussed with Wen Ding for a long time and decided that at the beginning of the year, we will invite all our friends to gather together. How much goods do we want, we will first have a plan, and everyone will compete to bid. How much can each other take out, and what price can there be. Since it's a big business, it will always be like this. Uncle also understands. "
Gathering, bidding for goods, this is the atmosphere of a business that has a big business. But since it is a bidding, the price will definitely be lowered to the lowest. Hu Chengyan understood what Ning Yi was talking about, and Ning Yi laughed.
"However, after this set of plans was formulated, I and Tan'Er said that it's fine if it's others, but Uncle Hu has always taken care of our family, how can we treat him like this? Therefore, we have always wanted to talk to Uncle. Uncle's goods, we will always buy them at the current price. If there is not enough, we will ask Zhang Family and Tang Family to help. At the beginning of next year, Uncle can just put on an act. " Ning Yi smiled, and then waved his hand seriously, "Hey, Uncle, don't say it like an outsider. I know Uncle's temperament. You never take advantage of others, and we are not looking down on you. For a long time, Tan'Er has been doing business under your care. You are an elder, and we are really on the same side. This small amount of money, we are on the same side, so there is no need to be too polite. In addition, there is one more thing, forgive this nephew for being presumptuous … "
Ning Yi looked around and lowered his voice, "Recently, I heard that Elder Brother is preparing to marry the daughter of the Liu Family. This nephew has some convenience in the Prime Minister's residence. After a bit of investigation, this Liu Family girl is the daughter of a concubine, and she has some dealings with a few men. I am afraid she is not a good match … I should not have said this, but this concerns Elder Brother's marriage, so I can only be a bad person who gossips. Of course, Uncle still needs to personally verify it. This is a copy of the Office of Secret Investigations' investigation. It is a trivial matter, but it is fine. Uncle will put it away first, and confirm the investigation in the future. The friends in front have been waiting for so long, and I still need Uncle to accompany me to deal with them. With Uncle around, it will be easier to control the situation. "
He stuffed another envelope containing the information into the other person's sleeve, and then patted the back of the other person's hand. Then, he held his hand with both hands and walked forward.
In the front hall of the Ning Residence, more than ten people had been waiting for a long time, and they had long been impatient with each other. Then, they saw Ning Yi and Hu Chengyan walk out hand in hand. Seeing that it was Ning Yi who had appeared today, the hall fell silent, and everyone stood up. Although they had come to "force the Prime Minister to abdicate," Ning Yi was currently working at the Prime Minister's residence, and his status was not low, so they did not dare to treat him lightly. Everyone was thinking about what to say, and Ning Yi smiled and asked Hu Chengyan to sit down.
"Everyone, please sit. We are all old friends, so there is no need to be so polite. Wen Ding, is the tea ready? Go inside and get my best pot of Ming Qian. How old are you? You don't know anything … Everyone, please sit, uh … "Ning Yi was about to sit down, but his expression froze." Oh, there are two people who are not good friends. I will deal with them first. "
He walked in front of the two people in the room. "Boss Chen, Mr. Hu. The land and houses in the south of the city and the west gate are yours respectively. When we rented them, we signed the contract, and there was a guarantor as witness. Now that you want to take them back in advance, has my family ever neglected you? "
One of them cupped his hands and said, "Not at all. It's just … "
"Have we ever offended you?"
"No, it's just that we have something to take back now, and we are willing …"
"Okay, then let's go to court."
"Huh?"
"Kaifeng government office, let's go to court. No matter how long it takes, I will accompany you. Now, please leave. "He gestured to the housekeeper next to him." Send the guests out. "
After saying this, the housekeeper immediately came over, and one of them became angry. "Surnamed Ning, we signed an agreement. Now that I have something to do, I am willing to compensate, how can you humiliate me like this! Today, we must make things clear … "
As he said this, someone immediately came over and said, "Liheng, don't be like this …" Ning Yi looked at him with a smile. Outside the hall, there was already a tall guard coming over to ask the two to leave.
"If they don't leave, throw them out."
This sentence was cold, and the two could not afford to lose face, so they could only curse and walk out. In fact, when Ning Yi and the others first came to Bianliang, some things were handled by others, and the contract they signed was not as strict as in the future. Ning Yi did not care much about this bit of money, but since the other party wanted to disgust him and make him feel uncomfortable, he also did not care to fight back. In his previous life, he was not a good person in the business world. If he went to the government, the power of the Right Minister's Residence would at least not be bullied. Even if he was sentenced to return the house and land, the other party would still pay the same amount of money, or even a little less, it would make the other party feel uncomfortable for a while, and he could have more buffer time.
After driving the two out, Ning Yi smiled and sat down, "I do not welcome people who take advantage of the situation and add insult to injury. You are all old friends, I always take care of my friends when I do things. Come, come, I have something here. Wending, distribute it. "
He took out a stack of papers, and each one was the same as what Hu Chengyan saw. Su Wending distributed them one by one.
"This matter concerns the new development of the Su Cloth Shop and Takeshi, there will be some changes, but I guarantee that the opportunity to make a lot of money has come. We do business, we want money, we want a win-win situation. I guarantee that everyone will be the first to see this, so that everyone can be prepared … Everyone take a look, I will tell you in detail … "
Ning Yi's words echoed in the hall, although his tone was gentle, the atmosphere was cold. Not long after, everyone saw his attitude: If you want to make trouble, I will replace all of you!
No one expected that he would directly sit to this extent. In all fairness, if he wanted to replace all of them, Ning Yi's side would also suffer losses. If everyone wanted to cause trouble for Ning Yi, of course, they could directly shed all pretenses of cordiality. But not long after, they also vaguely saw the future of Takeshi. If the disaster relief really let the other party make so many connections, then with the power of the Right Minister's residence, Su Ning would also become a powerful group that was not inferior to any noble family — — because it originally used the name of the Right Minister's residence.
Everyone originally relied on a noble family to survive, so this time they came to the door, but to say that they were valued by those noble families, in fact, it was not necessarily so. In fact, Ning Yi's description was already hinting: Rather than follow them, it is better to follow me. You and I already have a cooperative relationship, and in the future, if you want to expand and develop, it will be easier. This cake, as long as you are willing, everyone can completely divide it among themselves.
Not long after, two people shed all pretenses of cordiality and left, while the others were still watching. Hu Chengyan almost did not speak throughout. After Ning Yi left and returned to the Minister's residence, it was Su Tan'er who came out to receive them. After a while, these people finally left one after another. Near dusk, night fell, stars rose in the sky and the night wind was cold. In the huge Bianliang city, who knew how many people were still doing their own things.
Late at night, Ning Yi rode the carriage home from the Minister's residence. The warm yellow light and laughter enveloped the Ning Residence in such a season. Some people were talking and laughing, some people were playing, some people were carrying Ning Xi and running around the courtyard, children's giggles could occasionally be heard. Ning Yi greeted one person after another. When he returned to his room, there was a warm yellow light in the bedroom. Tan'er sat on a stool, wearing a graceful dress, washing her feet in a wooden basin filled with hot water, her hands on her knees. Seeing Ning Yi come in, she smiled at him.
Ning Yi walked over, squatting down and reaching his hand into the hot water. Tan'er's body shrank slightly and she reached out to press down, "Don't." She felt that this wasn't something a man could do but Ning Yi didn't mind, helping her wash for a while to reduce her fatigue. In fact, when dealing with all kinds of trivial matters every day, even if one's attitude could be tough, one would still feel annoyed and tired physically and mentally. Powerful people would only be excited in spirit and would never compromise, but they would still feel tired. Even if Ning Yi was familiar with business matters, he was no exception.
At this moment, the husband and wife could actually understand each other, and as time passed, they became more and more tacit with each other. There was no sound in the room, only the sound of water occasionally. The sounds of the warm family outside came from afar. Tan'er placed her hands on her knees and looked up. After a while, she hummed softly, "Stars in the sky … Twinkling …"
It was a ballad in Ning Yi's memory, which he later sang to Tan'er. Tan'er had always remembered it and liked it very much. Listening to her singing softly, Ning Yi smiled and hummed softly, "Those are pairs, pairs of eyes …"
"Blink, blink … Look, look …"
"Those are childhood friends …"
"Hehe …"
The man squatted in front of the woman, and the light in the room reflected the scene in the song. The simple and quiet sound seemed to be able to evoke memories. Their childhood friends were long gone, and they were no longer simple people. In this huge whirlpool, it was even more complicated and dangerous than ordinary people. Not long after, Tan'er also served Ning Yi by the bed to wash his feet. After a while, the lights in the room dimmed, and the lights in the whole mansion also dimmed, making everything fall into a warm sleep.
The day had passed, and the complicated enemies had been defeated and pushed away, but more people didn't stop their desire. On the new day, more enemies would surround them, using different means to interfere, pull, hinder, or attack them.
But there would always be some means to make people feel warm. As long as they could lean on someone, everything would always become distant at some point …
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
