Chapter Fourteen: Looking Around at the Thatched Cottage

  Li Xie nodded ambiguously: "Yes, although we now cover multiple fields, the profit of fabric is the largest. If Wei Hong cooperates with others and fully develops the sewing machine, relying solely on high efficiency, high quality, and low labor costs, he can squeeze our ancestors in the fabric industry to death! This person must not fall into anyone's hands except mine, Hongyuan Business!"

  Li Yan slightly bowed his head and asked in a weak voice: "Master Dong, what do you mean?"

  "Isn't Wei Hong looking for sincerity? I'll give him sincerity! Sir, you go back and prepare, take out 1,000 taels of silver from the cabinet, and tomorrow I will personally go to meet this Wei Hong! By the way, there's another thing, you go to Mingjing Pavilion to select a few high-quality accessories. I heard that Wei Hong originally made sewing machines because he helped his wife, so his wife must have a high position in his heart. Since we want to show sincerity, of course, we should give gifts that cater to her tastes!" Li Xie stroked the small beard on his chin and said slowly.

  Li Yan has been the accountant at Hongyuan Commercial Firm for most of his life, and he is extremely sensitive to financial expenditures: "Boss, sewing machines do have their inherent value, but isn't 1,000 yuan a bit too much?"

  Li Xiehe smiled mysteriously: "Old buddy, it's no wonder Wu Dajiang was blinded, but how did you also get dizzy?"

  Li Yan scratched his head with a bewildered expression: "What does Dong's family mean?"

  "Haha... old buddy. The first time I sent Da Jiang to deliver, if Wei Hong had come directly, his sewing machine would have been worth no more than a hundred or so taels of silver. The second time Wu Da Jiang went again, I had already made it clear that I was hosting a banquet to entertain him, and in terms of formality, I had given Wei Hong face. If he came this time, the value of the sewing machine would not have exceeded a thousand. This time, old buddy, you personally went to invite him, but Wei Hong still didn't come. The focus is no longer on the sewing machine, but on Wei Hong himself." Li Xiehe had never seen Wei Hong before, and hadn't even heard of his name until recently. But now, he was most interested in knowing what kind of person Wei Hong was. A poor rural scholar who could create a sewing machine, not only outsmarting the arrogant young master Sun, but also having insight into business, Li Xiehe really wanted to know what this Wei Hong was like.

  After listening to Li Xiehe's words, Li Yan suddenly realized: "Yan was too careless, only noticing the value of the sewing machine, but neglecting a business genius who is so proficient in doing business!"

  Li Xie nodded in agreement with Li Yan's point: "Not bad, the way of business, no matter what industry or profession, will always involve cooperation, and Wei Hong is a trustworthy partner!"

  Li Yan wiped the cold sweat from his forehead: "This Wei Gongzi, what a brilliant move!"

  Li Xiehe gently shook his head and smiled: "This is still a concession given to us by others. He repeatedly mentioned that if the development of sewing machines were to be cooperated with others, I do not deny that sewing machines have such value. It depends on whether his partner has such human resources, financial resources, and most importantly, business vision. And the premise is that we go ask him. This move seems to have no distinction between host and guest, but in fact, Wei Hong has handed over the initiative to us. Otherwise, we might not even know how to lose!"

  Upon hearing this, Li Yan suddenly thought: "If Wei Hong really finds other people to cooperate with, such as the Sun family, then the future of Hongyuan Commercial House will be uncertain. And Wei Hong is still keeping a clear head in such a complex economic chain, and judging from this, Wei Hong has actually shown a cooperative attitude from the beginning. It seems that it's indeed what Wei Hong said, Hongyuan Commercial House was not sincere enough."

  "Do you still think one thousand two is too much?"

  Li Yan looked at Li Xiehe with a smile all over his face: "It turns out that the master had planned to test Wei Hong from the very beginning, but he also deceived me!"

  Li Xiehe shook his head: "Not so, at first I only wanted to buy the sewing machine manufacturing method with money. It was Wei Hong's refusal that made me have a probing plan!"

  Li Yan nodded thoughtfully: "Fortunately, the master is wise, otherwise..."

  "Haha... Let's go, old buddy. We'll meet this Wei Gongzi!" Li Xie and stood up, patted Li Ye's shoulder.

  At this time, Yuanniang and Weihong were discussing their future life in the house. Suddenly, a knock on the door sounded, and Yuanniang was about to open it when she was stopped by Weihong. With an air of mystery, Weihong said to Yuanniang: "This time, the real person has arrived."

  As soon as the gate was opened, a fifty-year-old man with a ruddy complexion and bright eyes bowed outside the courtyard.

  When he saw the old man, regardless of his identity, performing such a big courtesy to himself, Wei Hong was taken aback, and with one hand grasping the other's hand, he helped him up. Then, with a fist and a bow, he said: "Junior Wei Hong has met Master Li!"

  As for Wei Hong knowing the etiquette of seniority and hierarchy, Li Xie was very satisfied. Suddenly, he showed a surprised expression: "Does the young master know me?"

  Wei Hong chuckled and said, "Even the account room of the prestigious Hongyuan Business Firm is following closely behind. Who else could it be but Boss Li? Moreover, with four moves made on the chessboard, if Boss Li doesn't show up, then there's no need to continue this game!"

  Hearing this, Li Xiehe was taken aback at first, then burst out laughing: "Haha... good, good, good!"

  Three consecutive "goods", even Li Yan, who had followed Li Xie for many years, was shocked. He had never seen the master so excited before. But what shocked Li Yan was Wei Hong's subtlety and meticulousness. To play chess as if he were outside the game, what kind of clarity of mind was this? What kind of state was this?

  Before Wei Hong could speak, Li Xiehe spoke again: "Young Master Wei has such attainments at a young age. Given time, he will surely be a leader among our peers!"

  "Haha... Mr. Li is being too kind!" The real master had arrived, and it was unavoidable to exchange pleasantries, although Wei Hong disliked insincere small talk, he still listened politely and responded with a perfunctory bow of thanks.

  Li Xiehe, regardless of their differing social status, warmly patted Wei Hong's shoulder: "Young Master Wei needn't be so modest!"

  The polite words were over, and Wei Hong hurriedly led Li Xie into the courtyard: "My humble abode is simple, so I won't invite Mr. Li to sit in the house." He turned around and looked at Yuanniang: "Yuanniang, bring out the small stool from inside the house for Mr. Li to sit on!"

  Although Wan Niang didn't understand why her husband didn't invite Old Master Li into the house to sit down, she herself took a small stool and sat in the courtyard, with mixed thoughts in her mind. However, she obediently didn't say anything and instead followed Wei Hong's words, bringing out the small stool from the house.

  After Li Xiehe sat down, Wei Hong ordered Wenna to bring tea from the house.

  Li Xiehe took a sip of tea, then stretched out his right hand and made a gesture to Li Yan behind him. Li Yan then laid out the thousand taels of silver he had brought on the stone table.

  Yuanniang's astonished gaze was filled with complexity, although her husband had long said that someone would send money to the door, but she never thought it would be a thousand taels! Yuanniang yearned for all the good things this thousand taels could bring...

  Wei Hong sat steadily on his horse but did not speak.

  After a moment of silence, Wei Hong said lightly: "Boss Li has a good temper!"

  Li Xiehe can become a rich merchant in Hangzhou, how could his ability to recognize people be weaker? Seeing Wei Hong not being interested, he was secretly overjoyed: "Haha...where, the mere thousand taels, is just a gift for meeting."

  Gift money? One thousand two hundred? Zone zone? Wanniang felt like she had entered a completely strange place, everything in front of her was so illusory.

  Wei Hong glanced at the silver on the table and said: "Boss Li has already made his point, if Wei doesn't make a statement now, it would be Wei's fault!"

  Li Xiehe put down his teacup and made a 'please' gesture to Wei Hong: "Please, young master Wei, speak!"

  Wei Hong didn't say a word, but instead directly stretched out his hand and made a "seven" shape with his fingers!

  Li Xie's eyes narrowed slightly: "Seven thousand taels?"

  Wei Hong still didn't speak, continuing to sip his tea.

  Li Yan spoke up beside him, his tone somewhat sharp: "Is Lord Wei saying 70,000 taels!?"

  Wan Niang was already shocked and couldn't find her way, 70,000 taels? What concept is this? Wan Niang, who had been poor since childhood, didn't even know how much 70,000 taels were worth...

  "Wei Hong shook his head: "No, Wei made the sewing machine manufacturing technology, and Hongyuan Commercial Firm is responsible for production and sales. The profit will be divided seven to three!"

  Li Yan was shocked in his heart, Wei Hong was indeed not simple, very clear about his position and capital, fully utilizing his negotiating capital. However, Li Yan was also an old fox who had been through many ups and downs in the business world, having lost a move earlier, he wanted to turn the situation around: "Has Young Master Wei's appetite grown bigger?"

  Wei Hong chuckled: "Is that a big deal? The sewing machine has only been around for three to five days, and Wei believes that in another half month, it will be famous throughout Jiangnan, or even the entire Tang Dynasty!"