Chapter 12: The Richest Man in Hangzhou (2)

  Wei Hong shrugged, with a look of indifference: "Your family's master is the richest man in Hangzhou and also a merchant. What merchants seek is naturally for their business to flourish and their wealth to abound. The name your master gave you is Da Jiang, which should be derived from 'wealth abounds to the three rivers'. And the previous sentence was 'business flourishes through the four seas', Wei guessed it based on this."

  After listening to this explanation, Lü Da Jiang gave a thumbs up: "Wei Gongzi, you are really amazing! Before I came, my master said that Wei Gongzi was one of the few geniuses in Hangzhou City. At first, I had some doubts, but now I see that it's true!"

  Lü Da Jiang's words were still flattering, and Wei Hong could tell, but his face didn't show any expression, still smiling: "If I'm not mistaken, your master invited me over to discuss a business deal?"

  "Again!" Lü Dajiang's eyes lit up, and he looked at Wei Hong with a completely new attitude. In his impression, Wei Hong was just a rural examinee who had failed the college entrance exam and was untalented and unvirtuous. But now, looking at the young man in front of him, he was utterly different from the stereotype in Lü Dajiang's mind, leaving Lü Dajiang utterly surprised!

  Wan Niang, who was standing beside him, saw Wei Hong's two sentences and immediately stunned the servant of Hangzhou's richest family. Suddenly, her face was full of smiles, and she became complacent, thinking that her husband had skills, and she also gained some prestige.

  Lü Da Jiang's face lit up with excitement: "Since you, Master Wei, have already guessed it, I won't say more. When are you free to go and meet my master?"

  "Whatever the time, I'm always busy. You go back and tell your master that I appreciate his kind intentions."

  "What!" Lü Dajiang thought he had misheard, others would rack their brains to think of ways to get close to the master of the house, but this Wei Hong actually opened his mouth to refuse, what was he trying to do? Was he trying to be mysterious or was his brain missing a circuit?

  Lü Da Jiang's face changed from cloudy to sunny, Wei Hong withdrew the smile on his face, and his attitude became slightly serious: "Wanting to cooperate in business, what is most needed is sincerity. However, I don't see any sincerity from your family's master. Since there's no sincerity, then there's no need to make any appointments."

  "Is that sincerity?" Lü Da Jiang sneered, thinking to himself: "What kind of thing are you? My master is the richest man in Hangzhou and has a reputation throughout the Tang Dynasty. Now, inviting you to meet is already 120% sincerity, what more do you want? You really think you're someone important? You should take a good look at your own moral character!"

  Lü Da Jiang's unspoken words didn't escape Wei Hong's notice. Wei Hong chuckled and said, "Alright, go back and tell your master that if he wants to discuss business with me, it's not impossible, but he must show his sincerity! Right now, he needs me more than I need him! And don't forget to tell him this: although Hangzhou is a small city, there are many fabric merchants. If I collaborate with the other merchants, his position as the number one in Hangzhou will be at risk."

  Lü Da Jiang thought Wei Hong was being alarmist, if he could overturn Hangzhou's business landscape with just a snap of his fingers, why would he still be living in such a dilapidated house that leaked wind and rain? However, since Wei Hong had said so, Lü Da Jiang had no choice but to return and report back. As he left, Lü Da Jiang thought to himself: "Hmph, you're the one who's pushing the God of Wealth out the door yourself, don't regret it later!"

  After closing the gate, Wan Niang took a small stool and sat beside Wei Hong, with a smile on her face: "Husband, is Li Laoban the one you said was sent to our doorstep?"

  Wei Hong reached out and gently tapped on Wan Niang's delicate nose tip: "Brilliant!"

  "Why did Mr. Nà refuse to meet with Old Master Lǐ?" asked Wǎn Niáng, who was gently rubbing the tip of her nose against Weihóng's fingers.

  Wei Hong withdrew his hand, found a comfortable posture, and let out a breath: "In any business, there must be a distinction between high and low, light and heavy. If I didn't put on some airs and went to the appointment, Li would think that I'm like others, all trying to curry favor with him. In that case, the profits from the business would definitely go mostly to him, and only a little to me. But if I put on some airs and let him know that he needs to rely on me, not the other way around, then in the future, the profits won't necessarily all go to me, but at least we'll be evenly matched."

  Wan Niang gently patted Wei Hong's leg: "What if Old Man Li is also a person who doesn't admit defeat? Wouldn't the God of Wealth that just came in be pushed out again?"

  Wei Hong's chest had a ready-made bamboo, and when he spoke, his words were sonorous and powerful: "The fact that Boss Li can become the richest man in Hangzhou shows that he is a sensible person. I believe he won't harm his own interests for the sake of face!"

  Wan Niang was almost completely in the dark about business matters, knowing very little. She couldn't understand Wei Hong's profound business philosophy, so she simply stopped asking questions. What she cared about now was what dish to cook for Wei Hong's lunch and how to entertain him in the afternoon.

  An hour later, the gate was knocked again. When the door opened, it was still Lü Dajiang who came. Wei Hong had expected him to return, so he showed no surprise and remained calm: "Brother Dajiang has come alone again to my humble abode. Could it be that your master is not yet prepared to show his sincerity?"

  Looking at Wei Hong's confident appearance, Lü Dajiang was so angry that his teeth itched, but since his master had given him instructions, he absolutely could not offend Wei Hong. He could only hold back his temper and accompany him with a fake smile: "Hehe, Master Wei, my master has already set up a wine feast at Deju Lou, please be sure to come and have a few drinks with my master at noon."

  Mr. Li has already made a big concession, but Wei Hong still doesn't have much joy. In the past, Liu Bei invited Zhuge Liang to come out of the mountain and had to visit his thatched cottage three times. Although Wei Hong didn't dare to compare himself with Zhuge Liang, he wasn't someone who could be invited by just a few words. At this time, Lü Da Jiang waved his hand: "I don't know Mr. Li, since Mr. Li has the heart to make friends with me, I must show 120% sincerity, but now I still haven't seen the expected sincerity, so you can go back where you came from."

  Lü Dajiang glared with anger, his face twisted in rage, but he dared not erupt. He could only storm off, flinging his sleeve behind him. Half a time later, Lü Dajiang returned once more, accompanied by a middle-aged man dressed in silk robes, sporting a wispy goatee that made him appear clever and astute. Upon seeing Wei Hong, he bowed deeply: "Young Master Wei, I have long admired your great name. My name is Li Yan, accountant of the Hongyuan Merchant House. I have been entrusted by my master to invite you to Deju Lou for a gathering. Please do us the honor of accepting our invitation."