The reason why Li Yan wanted to marry Shangguan Mingyue was not only because he coveted her beauty, but more importantly, he was attracted by the terrifying financial resources of Shengyu Trading Company.
After the demise of the Yinhuan Chamber of Commerce, the vacated market share was quickly divided up by the other major chambers of commerce. As the most familiar old rival, Shengyu Commercial Bank captured nearly 60% of Yinhuan's business in a very short period of time, becoming the largest of beneficiaries.
Coupled with the hot sales of "Sai Shen Xian" and the rise of the elixir business, although Shengyu Trading Company was nominally ranked second in Daqian at this time, it had actually surpassed Jingdong Chamber of Commerce and ranked first in the empire in terms of scale.
Even though merchants have a low status in this world where practitioners are rampant, it cannot stop people from loving wealth.
Especially for Li Yan, whose position as crown prince is threatened, it would be of extraordinary significance if he could get the support of Shengyu Trading Company.
Therefore, winning Shangguan Tong to his side was a key step for him to consolidate his position in the East Palace.
In his opinion, although Shangguan Mingyue is a good woman, she is only the daughter of a merchant after all. He, the dignified prince, has given enough face by condescending to propose marriage, and Shangguan Tong has no reason to refuse.
However, what is unexpected is that Shangguan Tong did not take the ordinary path and actually consulted his daughter's opinion. Shangguan Mingyue's seemingly unintentional words revealed a key issue.
"This... Miss Mingyue." Li Yan had a slightly unnatural expression on his face, "Gu is the crown prince of Daqian and the heir apparent of the empire. Naturally, it is impossible for him to marry only one concubine."
He got married early, and his relationship with the Crown Princess was considered stable, and he had no intention of replacing Shangguan Mingyue.
However, this was the time to ask for help from Shengyu Trading Company. If he bluntly stated that he wanted to take the eldest daughter of the Shangguan family as his concubine, it would be difficult to save his face, and Li Yan suddenly fell into a dilemma.
"Your Highness is right." Shangguan Mingyue chuckled, but did not dwell on the question. Instead, he asked, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has a distinguished status. Mingyue was born in a merchant family, how can he reach such a high level?"
"Miss Mingyue is joking." Li Yan quickly expressed his position, "The Shangguan family is loyal to the emperor and patriotic. They stepped forward when the empire was in crisis and made outstanding contributions. How can they be compared to ordinary merchants?"
He thought he had elevated the status of the Shangguan family, but unexpectedly his words revealed his contempt for the businessman.
Shangguan Mingyue frowned slightly, then relaxed quickly: "Your Highness, Mingyue has been managing the business of the commercial bank with her father since she was a child. She loves business. If I marry you, I wonder if I can continue to work in the commercial bank?"
"This..." Li Yan said vaguely, "After a woman gets married, she naturally doesn't have to work outside. I think Miss Mingyue is not short of this salary. Wouldn't it be good to stay comfortably in the East Palace to support her husband and raise her children?"
He is a man of great dignity, and he has made great determination to marry a businesswoman. How can he tolerate his concubine appearing in public and doing business abroad?
"I see. It's a pity that business has become an inseparable part of Mingyue's life." Shangguan Mingyue said with a smile, "It seems that I am not suitable for the life in the East Palace. His Highness's kindness, Mingyue can only accept it heartily."
Li Yan never expected that he would be rejected by Shangguan Mingyue. In an instant, his face turned livid and he was so angry that he could not even speak.
"Yue'er, have you thought clearly?" Shangguan Tong didn't seem surprised, and just asked in a pleasant manner, "This is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the future leader of Daqian, not just any girl has this honor? "
"Dad, my daughter has thought very clearly." Shangguan Mingyue replied categorically, "Even if you get married in the future, you will continue to take care of the affairs of the business. Even if you marry a commoner, it is better than staying at home all day doing nothing and being a caged man. Que, I hope dad will make it happen."
When she mentioned the words "common people", a smiling face suddenly appeared in front of her eyes. She couldn't help but blush slightly, and she quickly shook her head, trying to expel this shadow from her head.
"Dad once promised you that he would never interfere with your choice of your partner." Shangguan Tong nodded and said, "Now that you have made up your mind, although it is a pity, this is what you have to do."
"I'm afraid I won't be able to bear your highness's kindness. Please take back these betrothal gifts." He pointed to the gifts on the floor and said to Li Yan apologetically, "To express my apology, please give me a moment." Hou Tong will prepare a small gift and send it to the East Palace."
"I am not so lucky." Li Yan forced out a smile that was uglier than crying, "Since Miss Mingyue doesn't want to, I won't stay any longer. You two, take your leave!"
After that, he waved his sleeves, turned around and rushed out of the door, no longer caring about his grace.
The attendants around him did not receive instructions and did not know whether to carry the gift back. They hesitated and felt embarrassed for a while.
"You guys, please go back first." Shangguan Tong said thoughtfully, "I will send someone to send these gifts back to the East Palace."
"Thank you so much, Master Shangguan." The leading attendant breathed a sigh of relief, with gratitude in his eyes. He clasped his fists and turned around to chase Li Yan.
Li Yan was angry and took bigger and bigger steps, and soon he arrived at the main entrance of the trading house.
Just as he was about to cross the threshold, a young woman suddenly walked in, instantly attracting his attention.
The woman is about the age of sixty, with eyebrows, a beautiful nose and a cherry mouth, and her black hair is tied up high. She is dressed in a crimson sleeveless outfit that perfectly accentuates her hot figure, revealing her snow-white shoulders and slender legs. , with a long sword hanging on her back, adding a touch of sophistication to her originally feminine temperament, she turned out to be a rare and stunning beauty.
The appearance of this well-dressed woman may be slightly inferior to that of Shangguan Mingyue, but she has a more mature and charming charm, as well as a worldly atmosphere that is extremely rare in women in the imperial capital.
The moment he saw the well-dressed woman, Li Yan's heart beat violently.
As a prince, there will naturally be no shortage of beauties around him. However, no one, including Shangguan Mingyue, can have such a strong attraction to him as the woman in front of him.
When the woman saw Li Yan approaching, she smiled tenderly, turned aside very politely, and let him go first.
Li Yan was stunned for a moment, then showed a look of satisfaction, straightened his chest, and walked out of the door with his head held high. The gloomy mood caused by Shangguan Mingyue's rejection of the marriage just now was actually dissipated a lot.
"Inquire about this girl." Just as he was about to get on the carriage, he suddenly turned to the attendant and said, "The more detailed the name, age, origin, and family background, the better. Come back and report as soon as possible."
"Yes." The attendant took the order and left.
"Shengyu Trading Company is very good." The moment he sat in the carriage, a cold look flashed in Li Yan's eyes, "One day, you will come to ask for help."
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"Sister Zhu, why are you free to come here today?"
Seeing Thirteenth Niang, Shangguan Mingyue hurried forward to greet her, took her arm and greeted her affectionately.
"The goods requested by Sister Shangguan have been delivered." Thirteenth Niang said with a smile, "I stopped by to see you."
"Now is the expansion period of the business, and there is a serious shortage of manpower." Shangguan Mingyue looked happy, "Brothers from Liangshan are willing to help transport goods. It really solves an urgent need. I am very grateful."
"What did my sister say? We don't work in vain." Thirteenth Niang shook her head and said, "There are so many brothers and we are already struggling to make a living. My sister is willing to ask me to transport goods for a fee, which temporarily solves the problem for the brothers.
It's my turn to thank you for your meal problem."
"In an ordinary delivery team, Earth Wheel masters are already a great presence. My sister's group of brothers has more than a hundred Earth Wheel practitioners alone. There is also a Heavenly Wheel master, and the asking price is so low." Shangguan Mingyue smiled.
He said, “Where can I find such a high-quality freight team?”
"I was chatting with Zhong Wen earlier about how we, my brothers, should be settled if we can be forgiven by the emperor." Thirteenth Niang said thoughtfully, "He also suggested that the brothers in Liangshan are good at cultivation and can endure hardships.
, we can form a team that specializes in delivering goods for people, first make a name for ourselves in the imperial capital, and later establish stations in Yunjin Province and even other provinces, extending the business scope to the entire Daqian."
"Oh?" Shangguan Mingyue heard this, and her brain started to work rapidly, as if she had caught some business opportunity, "What else did he say?"
"He said that the delivery industry must be linked to several of your major chambers of commerce. Only when the chamber of commerce's business grows bigger can we follow suit." Thirteen Niang recalled, "But listening to what he meant, it seemed that he was right.
The prospects of several chambers of commerce such as Shengyu, Jingdong and Tianmao are quite promising, and they also suggested that I get in touch with you as soon as possible. It is best to buy a piece of land in the imperial capital and build the headquarters first."
"He has a good eye." Upon hearing this, Shangguan Mingyue faintly smiled in her beautiful eyes, "Nowadays, several major commercial banks are seizing the opportunity to expand aggressively. If my sister really builds such a transportation team, there will indeed be great potential.
If there are any difficulties in capital turnover, my little sister would be willing to buy a share or two."
"If you want to engage in this business, the foot strength that the brothers have developed in the mountains is really an advantage." Thirteenth Niang seemed to be quite moved, but showed a hint of worry, "It's just that the emperor's attitude is not clear yet. I
I don’t dare to carry out these actions in a big way.”
"Sister, don't worry. In this border battle, Brother Liangshan made great achievements." Shangguan Mingyue comforted him, "Your Majesty is a benevolent king now, and he will definitely not hold on to Song Hai's matter."
"I hope so." Although Thirteenth Niang is extremely intelligent, she was born in the mountains and does not know much about the affairs of the imperial capital, so it is always difficult to let go of her worries.
"Instead of worrying about these uncontrollable things." Shangguan Mingyue changed the topic, "Sister, it is better to think of a name for this transportation team first. If it still uses the banner of 'Liangshan Heroes', many guests may not dare to
Come to your door.”
"This is reasonable." Thirteenth Niang agreed, "Speaking of this matter, Zhong Wen actually thought of a name for me, called 'Shunfeng Express'. I wonder what my sister thinks?"
Jian Qing raised his eyebrows and looked at Liu Qiqi, a girl in red with bright eyes, white teeth, and picturesque features. He felt a bit of love and affection in his heart, and couldn't help but praise her.
"Who are you?"
As soon as Jian Yicheng, Jian Qingmei and Jian Jue entered the room, Liu Qiqi's pretty face instantly showed a look of alert, and her right hand subconsciously grasped the hilt of the sword at her waist.
"Senior brother, is this what you call 'voluntary apprenticeship'?" Seeing the hostility that could not be concealed in Liu Qiqi's eyes, Jian Qingmei gave Jian Yicheng a fierce look.
Old Jian Yicheng's face turned red and he just smiled awkwardly, not daring to look into Jian Qingmei's eyes at all.
"Miss Liu, what happened this time is all our fault at Tianjian Villa." Jian Qingmei looked at the haggard-looking Liu Qiqi and said distressedly, "I have wronged you."
Although Jian Qingmei and Jian Yicheng are brothers and sisters, they are quite different in age. Both of them have advanced cultivation. From the appearance, they are only in their forties.
Coupled with her beautiful appearance and gentle temper, the hostility in Liu Qiqi's eyes gradually faded away with her soft words of comfort.
"Senior brother, are you speaking for me or me?" Jian Qingmei turned to look at Jian Yichengdao.
"Do you really want to tell her?" Jian Yicheng hesitated and hesitated.
"Are you still planning to hide it for the rest of your life?" Jian Qingmei said angrily.
"Hey." Jian Yicheng felt a headache when he thought about what he had done. He wanted to speak but didn't know how to speak.
While he was struggling, a loud voice suddenly came from outside the door: "Old ghost, I heard that you snatched a female apprentice from outside and killed her master? Shameless, you are really shameless!"
After saying that, the man laughed heartily and seemed very proud of having ridiculed Jian Yicheng.
Hearing this sentence, Liu Qiqi's face turned pale.