Chapter 51 The situation in Huai'an changed because of me
Zhuang Ming's arrival made the atmosphere of the merchant alliance stagnant for a moment.
In addition to the plans of the Song family in Xuancheng and the recent actions of King Chen, Zhuang Ming himself is also a very talkative person.
Among the Sixteenth Mansion in Huai'an, if Zhuang Ming is mentioned, he is also a legendary figure.
Six years ago, I had nothing and started from scratch.
Within six years, his business spread all over Huai'an, and he became a powerful man. He was recognized as the richest man in Huai'an.
In the Sixteenth Mansion of Huai'an, Zhuang Ming, who was rejected by countless entrenched merchant families, broke out of this world and created this family business, was only in his twenties.
Moreover, his disabled legs have made his reputation in the past six years even more legendary and made him more interesting to talk about.
Among the powerful people present, almost all had dealt with Zhuang Ming.
In order to develop Zhuang's business and expand its business, Zhuang Ming entered various prefectures and cities, touching the interests of various companies and inevitably causing the rejection of local business houses or aristocratic families.
But in the end, most of them became partners of Zhuang's Trading Company.
Because of interests, we were once enemies, but later became friends.
But now, they are still strangers.
Just because of Zhuang's trading company, he offended the most powerful person in the Sixteenth House of Huai'an, King Chen.
In the Chamber of Commerce, there are many eyes on Zhuang Ming, and it is quite complicated.
Some people gloated over the misfortune and felt extremely happy. Thinking of the losses they suffered at the hands of Zhuang Ming, they felt even more relieved.
Some people feel a little pity, recalling that they have cooperated with Zhuang's Trading Company in recent years, and the mutual benefits have been mutually beneficial. In terms of benefits, they are better than what they gained in the past. Then they think of Zhuang's Trading Company's current situation, and they can't help but feel a little regretful.
Some are curious, others are in awe.
There are also people who are as calm as a mountain and completely calm.
There are also people who, when thinking about their past grudges and the benefits they have gained now, feel resentment, regret, and sighs of regret, which is complicated.
"Zhuang Ming, long time no see."
An old man slowly came down from upstairs and looked at Zhuang Ming with eyes that were also full of complexity, mostly pity and pity.
Zhuang Ming seemed unable to see the look in the other person's eyes, and said with a smile: "Mr. Li, I haven't seen you for a year, how are you doing?"
Mr. Li has a very high status in the business alliance of the Sixteenth Prefecture of Huai'an, a very senior qualification, a very wide network of contacts, and the weight of his words is also very heavy, so he can convince everyone.
In previous years, he would prepare most of the business alliance meetings and call on everyone.
"It's not bad. I'm an old man. I only saw the doctor three times a year. I'm pretty strong. I can live a stable life for a few years."
Mr. Li responded like this, but couldn't help but sigh and said, "How could this be so?"
Zhuang Ming knew what he was referring to, but he just smiled and said: "Mr. Li, what do you mean? I am also fine. Except for the fact that my legs were broken a long time ago, my body is still strong now. Why do you always do this?"
The white-haired man is sending the black-haired man away, as if I, Zhuang Ming, are going to be buried and will die before you?"
When Mr. Li heard this, he laughed dumbly and shook his head.
He didn't know the specific situation, he only knew that the Song family in Xuancheng caused a stir and was suppressed by Zhuang's Trading Company and those officials. But not long after, King Chen came to Huai'an.
King Chen, who had just taken over the Sixteenth House of Huai'an, suddenly ordered the closure of Zhuang's Trading Company.
Although the lockdown was later lifted, people felt that the matter had come to an end.
But the next day, King Chen embarrassed Zhuang Ming in public again and demanded 200,000 taels from him.
This move alone is enough to show that there are still unresolved grievances between King Chen and Zhuang's Trading Company.
Being resented by King Chen who is in charge of Huai'an, how long can Zhuang's Trading Company survive?
As for Zhuang Ming, he is actually very optimistic about him.
Six years ago, Zhuang Ming had just made his fortune and started his business. In the first year he participated in the business alliance meeting, he was only a marginal figure.
Later, year after year, it continued to grow, and its seat in the business alliance continued to move forward.
Until two years ago, he was already a core figure in the Merchant Alliance, sitting in the top seat.
Zhuang Ming's Zhuang's Trading Company is spread throughout the Sixteenth Prefecture of Huai'an and has transactions with merchant families from all over the country. It can be said that it is related to the business lifeline of the entire Sixteenth Prefecture of Huai'an.
It is precisely because of this that Zhuang's Trading Company has suffered a setback recently, and the business of the entire Sixteen Prefectures of Huai'an has also been affected. It can be said that the general situation is sluggish, far worse than at the beginning of the year.
"You..."
Mr. Li sighed and shook his head, saying: "I originally thought that after a hundred years, it would be most appropriate for you to preside over the business alliance, but now..."
He was very optimistic about Zhuang Ming, who had established such a huge business in just six years.
In his eyes, Zhuang Ming was extremely outstanding in business and strategy.
The most important thing is that Zhuang's Trading Company now has business operations all over the sixteen prefectures of Huai'an, and has transactions with each family. It has a very broad network of contacts. Zhuang Ming himself is tough enough, but he can also be strong and soft at the same time.
Although in the early years, in order to expand business, he resorted to violent tactics and took root in each family's territory, resulting in many grievances. However, later on, he adopted gentle strategies and achieved mutual benefits, and his relationship with each family was considered harmonious.
This is the best candidate to succeed him.
Unfortunately, he offended the powerful King Chen who was in charge of Huai'an.
"Mr. Li, what do you mean?"
Zhuang Ming didn't seem to hear anything, and just smiled and said: "You are still tough. Besides, I am still young, so I may not be able to take over your position in the future. Why, in your eyes, Zhuang looks like
I am suffering from an incurable disease and am about to die young and be buried in peace?"
Mr. Li felt helpless and said: "Do you think you can last long? How long do you think Zhuang's Trading Company can hold on in this situation? Moreover, since that prince has the audacity to trick you in public.
Pen, he may not necessarily treat you as nothing, he may even attack you, how can you support him then?"
After finishing speaking, Mr. Li said again: "Listen to my advice, slow down the business matters for now. Think about why you offended King Chen, and how to ask for forgiveness from King Chen, and resolve the grudges with King Chen.
"
Zhuang Ming spread his hands and chuckled: "It's a pity that he doesn't want to explain."
At this moment, a cold look flashed through his eyes, but he silently muttered in his heart: "At this point, the hatred is so deep that I don't want to resolve it."
Mr. Li hesitated for a moment, and finally said: "Well, I don't ask what the grudge is about. However, since the grudge is hard to resolve, I would like to advise you to clean it up as soon as possible and leave yourself a way out, even if there is no more Zhuang.
As a merchant, at least you can keep some money so that you can live safely and not be impoverished."
Zhuang Ming laughed dumbly and said: "Okay, I will prepare a sum of money to keep for old age. If something happens in the future, I can still live on."
Mr. Li's expression was complicated, and he hesitated to speak. He still had some words in his heart, but he thought they might hurt others, so he suppressed them in his heart.
In his heart, if Zhuang's business was destroyed, his money was gone, his staff was scattered, and he was targeted by King Chen, it would be difficult to make a comeback. Not to mention that the young man's many years of hard work were wasted, and he would be mentally broken after being hit by this blow.
And madness... just talking about future livelihood has become a big problem.
After all, Zhuang Ming has both legs disabled and has always been pampered, so he might starve to death on the streets.
"It's noon."
Mr. Li looked at the time and said: "It's time to start. The business of your Zhuang's Trading Company has spread all over the Dongsheng Dynasty, especially the Sixteenth House of Huai'an. It has become the backbone of business. Now that something has happened here, many people are not satisfied with it."
I have suffered a lot of losses even if I dare to trade with you. Looking at the overall situation, the whole of Huai'an can be considered very bleak."
Zhuang Ming smiled and said: "Isn't this what they chose? If they trade with me, Zhuang's Trading Company, they will still be harmonious and make money. I am here this time to clarify my interests and let the Sixteenth House of Huai'an redefine the prosperous world.
."
Mr. Li sighed: "How can it be so simple? How can people listen to you?"
Zhuang Ming said: "The current business situation in Huai'an is bleak, and it has nothing to do with the situation of my Zhuang firm. It can even be said that it is all because of me. I also have some countermeasures for this."
Mr. Li shook his head and said, "They won't listen to you."
Zhuang Ming just smiled and said: "After all, it is a matter of interests, so there is no harm in discussing it with everyone."
Mr. Li frowned and said: "Compared with the interests you mentioned, they are more afraid of the most powerful King Chen."
After a pause, the old man seemed to have remembered something. Zhuang Ming had always been cautious and extremely safe in his actions. As for his strategy, he was unparalleled among the profiteers in the Sixteenth Prefecture of Huai'an.
"That's all. I'll give you a chance later to go up and speak. Whether you can achieve what you want depends on your own confidence and eloquence."
"Thank you, Mr. Li."
Zhuang Ming slightly arched his hands, bowed his head slightly, and saluted sincerely.
In this situation, everyone regards him as a disaster star and a god of plague. Even if it involves business, they would still rather lose money than avoid it.
Now in public, it is extremely rare for Mr. Li to give him a chance to calmly go up and persuade everyone.
"It doesn't matter, I..."
As soon as Mr. Li finished speaking, there was sudden noise coming from outside.
Zhuang Ming suddenly frowned.
I could only hear the sound of horse hooves rolling in, and there were so many of them.