"Young Master Fourteenth, I will get straight to the point. In recent years, the expenses of the Marquis Mansion have been increasing, and my wife's funeral affairs have to be managed decently. When I am in charge of the Wu Mansion's property, I have to make do with the east wall to make up for the west wall.
Seeing that the Marquis is always anxious, I really feel ashamed of my trust in the Marquis!" Manager Hong said in a very subtle way.
However, Wu Shigong understood what Manager Hong meant as soon as he heard it. Although he felt that Manager Hong's appearance was too ugly, Wu Shigong had already prepared it: "Today is too busy. Tomorrow, when the young lady comes to pay her respects,
, I will bring two thousand pieces of silver and some sacrifices. There are also some gifts that I give to the marquis and to my brothers and sisters."
Wu Shigong's move was already very generous, but he knew that since Manager Hong couldn't wait to find him, his appetite would definitely be huge, so after finishing speaking, Wu Shigong quietly waited for Manager Hong's next words.
As expected, Manager Hong struggled hesitantly for a while and repeated his words again: "Young Master Fourteenth, the expenses in this mansion are huge!"
"Then how much do you want?" Wu Shigong said straightforwardly. He knew that it was actually his father Wu Weizhong who wanted the money, but in his words, it seemed that the person who wanted the money was Manager Hong. However, Wu Shigong and Manager Hong were in agreement about this.
Not announced.
Wu Shigong's psychological price was five thousand taels, and now he was waiting for Manager Hong's offer. Unexpectedly, Manager Hong did not accept the question at all. He suddenly said: "I heard that the Fourteenth Young Master opened two salt farms in Yangzhou and Dengzhou.
ah!"
Wu Shigong's eyes suddenly narrowed. Although he knew that sooner or later, the news of opening a salt farm would reach the capital. But Wu Shigong didn't expect that the news would spread so quickly, and that his father Wu Weizhong would actually take a fancy to these two salt farms.
Now for Wu Shigong, every tael of silver is precious, so Wu Shigong immediately became angry. Thinking back to the beginning, Wu Shigong dared to fight with his allies for the silver. For the silver, he dared to fight with the coach Zhu Dadian and Gao Qiqiandengniu. Now this
Who is Manager Hong?
However, Wu Shigong still wanted to understand something: "Did the Marquis want it?"
"The younger one was just arranged by Mr. Marquis." Although his words were vague, Manager Hong was sure that this was Wu Weizhong's idea.
After saying that, Manager Hong glanced at Wu Shigong with a guilty look. In fact, Wu Weizhong learned from various sources that Wu Shigong had two salt farms. After making another huge fortune in suppressing the rebellion in Denglai, this time he just wanted to
Wu Shigong shed a little more blood. After all, Wu Shigong was the one who entered Xue's house, and Wu Weizhong also claimed to be from a scholarly family, so he couldn't lose face and blackmailed too much.
However, Steward Hong took the initiative to persuade Wu Weizhong and personally asked him to come in, hoping that the Wu Mansion would take possession of these two salt fields. Steward Hong really felt Wu Weizhong's pulse, so Wu Weizhong asked Steward Hong to talk to him.
Of course, Wu Weizhong asked Manager Hong to try to talk about it. If Wu Shigong really didn't agree, it would be okay. But Manager Hong said to Wu Shigong so definitely, that was Manager Hong's own little idea.
Manager Hong was sure that Wu Weizhong and Wu Shigong would not confront each other face to face, and Wu Shigong did not dare to go against him, because even beating a dog depends on the owner!
If this matter is settled, Steward Hong's status in the Wu family will be greatly improved. After all, there will always be a day when Aunt Hong falls out of favor. Besides, after managing the salt field smoothly, Steward Hong will not benefit from so little.
Woolen cloth?
Manager Hong had indeed grasped Wu Shigong's psychological weakness. But for Wu Shigong, it was impossible to refuse his father Wu Weizhong's request.
Wu Shigong quickly calculated the pros and cons in his mind. Wu Shigong's shares in the two salt farms can bring Wu Shigong an income of five or six thousand taels of silver every year. Although this is a lot of money, compared to all the income from salt products
, still occupies a small head. Wu Shigong’s biggest income from salt products is the protection fees collected from salt products.
The main reason why Wu Shigong wanted to own these two salt farms was to prevent Yangzhou salt merchants from controlling the supply of salt. You must know that salt, like grain, is also a very important strategic material.
The key to Wu Shigong's visit to the capital this time is to show his filial piety. But what if Wu Shigong doesn't agree to his father Wu Weizhong's request? The Wu family will definitely spread the word about this in the future.
Moreover, it is impossible for Wu Shigong to live in the capital. The Wu family will tell the news, and it is impossible for Wu Shigong to defend himself. Besides, what else can he defend? I asked my son for some money to spend, but his son refused to give it.
Then it must be unfilial! No excuses will work.
Then it would be a bit disadvantageous for Wu Shigong. Ding You escaped and did not want to resign his official position, and he was unfilial to his father. Doesn't this confirm Wu Shigong's accusation of unfilial piety? If so, it would be better not to come to the capital for the funeral.
Therefore, the salt farm had to be handed over to the Wu Mansion. However, Wu Shigong could hand over the profits of the salt farm, but he certainly could not hand over the management rights of the salt farm. This was Wu Shigong's bottom line.
But even if he gave it, Wu Shigong had to bargain: "Since the Hou Mansion is in trouble, I, as a son, can't just sit by and watch. But Manager Hong also wants to let Mr. Hou know that these two salt farms are jointly owned by multiple people. I just
I own one share in it. Other people's shares cannot be moved, so I will divide my share into three. Give one share to the Wu family, one share to the Xue family, and I will keep one share for myself."
Seeing that things were going smoothly, Manager Hong immediately began to despise Wu Shigong. He regarded Wu Shigong as the cowardly person before, so he immediately pressed forward and said: "Xue Hou's share is easy to say. But the fourteenth
The young master has not separated his family in the Wu Mansion, so your property should all belong to the Wu Mansion."
"Grandma!" Wu Shigong cursed in his heart, "I am already a member of the Xue Mansion. It is difficult to say that this property is the public property of the Xue Mansion. How can it be said that it is the public property of the Wu Mansion?
"
But now Wu Shigong has no interest in getting entangled with Manager Hong. Compared with his father-in-law Xue Lian, who has devoted a lot to him, his father makes Wu Shigong speechless.
So Wu Shigong quickly cut through the trouble and agreed: "Okay! It will be half for the two houses and one family. But I have one more thing that I need help from the Wu house."
"Master Fourteen, please tell me!" Manager Hong immediately beamed.
"I brought a batch of goods worth fifty thousand taels of silver to the capital this time. Please ask Manager Hong to sell them all. I don't want any cash, so I'll buy horses. Twenty-five thousand taels a piece, and I don't want any horses.
At least 30% must be war horses. Can Manager Hong do it?"
Wu Shigong also left a troublesome matter to the Wu Mansion. But for the Wu Mansion, dealing with calligraphy, painting and antiques was nothing at all. Which noble family didn't open several pawn shops? And with Wu Weizhong's status in the Beijing camp
The relationship with the eldest brother Wu Shixun in Taipu Temple was decided by the Wu family.
Manager Hong made a rough calculation and felt that Wu Shigong's condition was nothing, so he immediately said: "It should be no problem. I'll report it to the Marquis later."
Wu Shigong nodded and continued: "In the future, I will send people to send the money to the Wu Mansion every year. The Wu Mansion should not bother taking care of these two salt fields. At most, I will send someone to check the accounts every year."
"How can this work?" Manager Hong blurted out. Of course it won't work! If we don't send people, where will Manager Hong get extra money?
"Hmph!" Wu Shigong said to Manager Hong unceremoniously, "Especially you. Mr. Hou must be very happy to get these two salt fields, but I am definitely not happy. If you insist on going, the salt fields are also close to the sea anyway.
, you can try what is called sinking into the sea." After saying that, Wu Shigong turned around and left.
Wu Shigong felt quite annoyed. He was working hard for the safety of the entire family, while his father was poaching him. This was really frustrating!
Seeing Wu Shigong return to the mourning hall with a sullen face, Wu Yunqing did not dare to talk to Wu Shigong anymore. After a while, Wu Yunqing seemed to have guessed what happened to Manager Hong just now, and said to Wu Shigong: "Brother Fourteen, when you entered Xue's house,
I always feel that there is something...something... about our Wu family!"
Wu Shigong forced a smile on his face and interrupted Wu Yunqing: "It's nothing! Your sister-in-law is quite nice to me. Besides, I also have an official status, so it's not a disadvantage."
"But... but why did my brother want to be a military attache at that time? Both the Marquis and the eldest brother said that civil servants are much better than military attachés!" Wu Yunqing asked.
Wu Shigong smiled again, thinking: In these troubled times, the nobles and the military are about to be turned upside down! But he couldn't say this to Wu Yunqing, so Wu Shigong said: "Civilians are as good as civil servants, and military attaches are as good as military attaches.
I can't say who is good or bad. Besides, I didn't study as hard as my elder brother at that time, so I couldn't even pass the exam, let alone become a Jinshi."
"That's really a pity." Wu Yunqing really felt sorry for Wu Shigong. In the little girl's heart, she naively thought that Wu Shigong's father-in-law Xue Lian was from Wei Zhongxian at that time, so it would not be too difficult to arrange a civil servant. But
She had no idea that without the title of Jinshi or Juren, she would not be able to get a good civil service position, and even Wei Zhongxian's help was of no use.
"It's not a pity. Being a military attache rides a big horse and leads thousands of troops. It's very majestic." Wu Shigong coaxed Wu Yunqing.
At this time, the maid behind Wu Yunqing interrupted again: "But what do the Marquis and the Crown Prince say? No matter how senior a military attache is, he will kneel down when he sees a civilian official? What prestige does a military attache have?"
Wu Shigong hated this maid telling the truth. So he immediately replied: "The dignity of a military attache is: spend money like water and kill people like water!" (To be continued. Please search Piao Tian Literature, the novel is better and updated faster! ·
