Chapter 38 Don't Underestimate Women Collect Them
New book uploaded, seeking collection and recommendation
Zhu did not speak. In fact, he did not want to get married in Europe because he... was opposed to the bourgeois marriage system! On this point, he and Engels were completely consistent.
Isabelle smiled faintly and said seriously, "Now there are also some people who oppose the marriage system. They think that those rituals approved by the state and held in church are redundant and unnecessary. For example, your good friend Engels is one of them. Jason, you won't be like him, will you?"
Zhū Jì Shì slightly stunned, said in a low voice: "Isabelle, we Easterners have our own set of rules when it comes to marriage, which is different from the West."
"Really? I somehow feel that you've been plotting against me, wanting to marry me and Roman together?" Countess Isabelle's smile became even more charming as she said in a soft voice: "I heard that in the East, wealthy and influential men often have many wives. Marrying a pair of sisters at the same time is nothing unusual, and some people even marry a mother-daughter pair simultaneously! Jason, does such a thing exist?"
Zhu Jishi smiled and said, "Maybe there is, but I've never heard of anyone marrying a mother and daughter at the same time."
He paused for a moment and then said: "However, you Westerners, although you practice monogamy, can have many lovers at the same time, right?"
Isabelle turned around, looking at Zhū Jìshì with a melancholic gaze, saying: "Jason, are you saying that I and Roman have had too many romantic relationships, which doesn't conform to your Eastern moral values? You... wouldn't think of making us sisters be your exclusive lovers, would you?"
Zhu Jishi seems to have some thoughts, but it's just casual thinking. He came from the 21st century, not from the Qing Dynasty, so he wouldn't pursue a life with many wives and concubines - this sounds... somewhat fake.
"Isabelle," Zhu Ze said calmly, "perhaps some Eastern men might have such thoughts, wanting to possess all the beauty in the world for themselves. But I and they..."
"You're just like them, thinking the same way!" Isabelle interrupted with a sly smile, "Your thoughts aren't hidden from me, because I saw the lust in your eyes, for me, for Roman. Isn't that right?"
Zhu Jishi was speechless, this female count is a woman of great insight, grasping men's thoughts with clarity, and he, a big boy from the 21st century, is truly no match for her. Forget it, having eaten the sister, don't think about the younger sister, that older sister is also **infinite, and her thoughts are simpler too.
As he thought of this, he withdrew his hand from the countess's thigh, and the lust in his eyes also dissipated by more than half.
The countess saw through it, nodded slightly, seeming to praise Zhu Jishi, saying: "You know that this rose of mine has thorns, and on this point, you are stronger than Robert and Will. However, the rose has thorns, and when it's time to pick it, it still needs to be picked!"
Zhu Jishi looked at the countess in dismay. The countess's eyes shone brighter as she explained, "Don't underestimate women! Don't forget that it's a queen who rules the British Empire now! Female dukes, female marquises, and female countesses are not uncommon in Europe. Moreover, social connections are extremely important in Europe. A member of the Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society is naturally a member of high society, but what kind of status you can have in high society depends on the thoughts of us 'ladies' from the Omar Club."
"What does it mean to have a high social status? What's the point of having one?" Zhu Jishi didn't have a wide social circle, just some college classmates and teachers. Of course, he didn't know that relationships, connections, and backgrounds could be obtained through socializing... otherwise, even with money, there would be no way to bribe your way in! In 19th century Europe, the upper-class social circle in Britain was a hub of fame and fortune, where transactions involving money, power, and sex were not uncommon. The complex relationships and unwritten rules within this circle were far beyond Zhu Jishi's understanding as an outsider.
Isabelle didn't have the heart to explain things one by one, and changed the subject: "I heard from Roman that you're planning to merge your pharmaceutical factory and rubber products company into a holding company?"
Zhu Jisheng nodded, "I plan to let Kosper take over as the general manager of the holding company and give him 10% of the shares."
Isabelle smiled slightly and said, "You're doing the right thing. Kosper has a large family behind him, they have great influence in the New Continent and many friends and relatives on the European continent. Through their connections, your medicine can quickly open up the market in Europe and the New Continent." She paused for a moment, looking at Zhu Jishi, "Also give Roman some shares, let her be your woman, being a mistress is fine, take good care of her for me."
Zhu Jishi nodded slightly, "I was thinking of doing so, and I also plan to give her a 10% stake."
Isabelle hesitated for a moment before speaking slowly: "If you want me to be your mistress, and if I also want 5%, shouldn't that be reasonable?"
Zhu Jisheng nodded, this request was indeed not excessive. If it weren't for Isabel's help, it would be hard to say whether Zhu Jisheng could even stand firm in England, let alone achieve what he had today.
"Isabelle, I can give you shares."
"Want me to go to bed with you?" The countess winked at Joo-ji-se. Joo-ji-se was taken aback, shaking his head and saying: "Isabel, what do you take me for?"
"Don't you want me?" Isabelle blinked at him, suddenly smiled wryly and said: "Jason, I'm different from Roman. I'm one of the 'mistresses' of Omar's club, actually a high-end social flower. But I won't give up this career."
Sounds like a self-abandoned prostitute, thought Zhu Jishi.
"It's my way of life to swindle the wealth from men in high society in Britain," Isabelle asked with a smile, looking at Zhū Jì Shì, "Isn't it somewhat disappointing?"
"Are those 'ladies' of Omar Khayyam Club like you?" asked Zhu Ziyu, changing the subject.
"Absolutely not," Isabelle shook her head, laughing. "The Omar Khayyam Club is not a brothel! In fact, most of the 'hostesses' are extremely wealthy and don't rely on men to live; they come to the Omar Khayyam Club for fun... seducing European celebrities is just a hobby for them. And there are quite a few young masters from high society who, despite not having much wealth, get lucrative and respectable jobs through their connections."
Is what this woman said true? Zhu Jishi was somewhat skeptical. However, Isabel did not deceive Zhu Jishi. The upper class of England and Europe were indeed a place where extravagance and debauchery were prevalent. Of course, it's not to say that all men and women in European high society were adulterers... but there were more people like that. For example, Lord Palmerston, the British Foreign Secretary who advocated for war with China during the Opium Wars, was a British politician who rose to prominence at the Reform Club due to his handsome appearance. When he was young, he was just a poor nobleman who inherited a large debt from his father, but he "conquered" three of the seven most noble "hostesses" in the Reform Club, including Queen Victoria's "governess", the sister of Prime Minister Melbourne (Melbourne's mother had also been a "hostess" at the Reform Club with countless lovers), and became a rising star in British politics through their wealth and connections. He even became Prime Minister later on! However, he was disliked by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert for having an affair with one of the queen's maids at Buckingham Palace.
"It seems you don't quite like the Omar Khayyam Club?" Isabelle looked at Juzi's expression, "But that's how high society in Europe is. If you want to make a name for yourself in Europe, you have to learn to adapt. Otherwise, what can you do?"
