In the Hong family living room, Hong Ping led the way for Liu Mingzhi and the others.
Hong Ping said politely: "Young Master Liu has come all the way to be a distinguished guest. I, the Hong family, will not be indifferent. Mr. Liu, please take a seat."
Liu Mingzhi naturally sat on one of the two main seats beside him without any embarrassment: "It seems that this junior has misunderstood before. Since the Hong family can become one of the most famous gentry in Yangzhou, their hospitality is indeed thoughtful. If the master of the house invites you, I will not refuse."
Hong Feng frowned. Even if Liu Mingzhi was the eldest son of the richest man in Jiangnan, in theory, even if he was a guest, he should not take his place. Strong dragons cannot overwhelm local snakes. What kind of confidence did Liu Mingzhi rely on to dare to ignore the rules?
Hong Ping's face also twitched, thinking that Liu Mingzhi really didn't treat him as an outsider.
"Serve tea."
The servants served tea to everyone present in turn.
"Try the best Yuqian Longjing, Young Master Liu. This is the tea that I have treasured for a long time."
Liu Mingzhi picked up the tea and took a sip. It was indeed a good tea. It was clear and sweet, with a lingering fragrance on the lips and teeth. It was a rare tea that could be regarded as a treasure.
After chewing the tea leaves in his mouth twice, Liu Mingzhi put down the tea cup.
Hong Ping looked at Liu Mingzhi and said, "How about it? Is Mr. Liu's tea delicious?"
Liu Mingzhi smiled and shook his head: "After all, we are a small family, and we always seem to be petty. This tea is just enough to make ends meet. It is not even close to the Jinshan Yunwu that my servants drink, but with the Hong family's family fortune It would be nice to drink this Yuqian Longjing."
Hong Ping looked stunned, with a somewhat unhappy expression. This boy from the Liu family really showed off the status of the Liu family all the time, but it was too exaggerated.
Even though Jiangnan Liu and Xibei Yun are the two major families of the Great Dragon Dynasty, Jinshan Yunwu is the tribute tea in the palace, and its annual output is only more than ninety taels. Liu Zhian can get four or five taels, which is a big deal. A good deed, given to the servants to drink? Feng Da is not afraid of flashing his tongue.
Ma Biao also twitched the corner of his mouth, thinking that this young master really dared to brag. Ma Biao had only drank tea like Jinshan Yunwu a few times in his life, and servants of the Liu family did not have such a blessing.
Qi Yun also looked around, not looking at Liu Mingzhi, who looked confident. Of course she had heard of Jinshan Yunwu tea. Even her father, the governor of Jinling, had only been lucky enough to drink a cup of it at Huainan Wang Li Yugang. This is unprecedented. Even the Liu family, the richest man in Jiangnan, cannot be this rich.
It's not that Liu Zhi'an can't afford this kind of tea, it's just that he has money but nowhere to buy it, and it's pricey but not marketable.
But this time they really wronged Liu Mingzhi. Liu Mingzhi said that the servants drank, but not all the servants drank Jinshan Yunwu. He was talking about Ying'er. There were still three taels of Jinshan Yunwu in Liu Mingzhi's study. Ying'er always drank a few cups every time she made tea for Liu Mingzhi.
"Let's not talk about tea. The head of the Hong family must know the reason for this junior's visit. I don't want to hide it, so I will speak frankly."
Hong Ping frowned: "How does Young Master Liu want to solve this matter? I'm all ears to listen to Young Master Liu's opinions?"
"The Liu family recognizes the loss this year and is willing to give back tens of thousands of taels of silver. I hope the head of the Hong family can be accommodating and not interfere with the affairs of the Liu family horse farm. How about that?"
Hong Feng smiled disdainfully: "Ten thousand taels of silver? Mr. Liu, as the eldest son of the richest man in Jiangnan, is really a big deal. I really don't think the Hong family has ever seen this little silver."
Liu Mingzhi chuckled and said: "Master Hong, please don't be too full of words. I have already calculated it on the way. Although your Hong family claimed that the profit from selling Hu Ma at a low price was not much, but there was no loss, but I did not If you don’t believe me, I guarantee with the ownership of the Liu Family Racecourse that the Hong family’s loss this time will never be less than five thousand taels of silver.”
Ma Biao was anxious: "Master, you can't..."
"Uncle Ma, there's no need to worry."
Hong Ping and his son looked at each other. The Hong Mansion's bill had just been calculated. How dare Liu Mingzhi say these words with such certainty?
Hong Pingping calmed down: "Young Master Liu must have heard some rumors. Although Hu Ma's business did not make much money this time, it definitely did not lose money. Young Master Liu would be better not to believe those rumors."
Liu Mingzhi raised his eyebrows: "Oh? Really? I'm willing to bet on the Liu family's racecourse, just how much the Hong family will lose this time. If it's less than 5,000 taels, I'm willing to hand over the title deed of the racecourse with both hands. Is the head of the Hong family willing to confront the account book? Ichiban?"
"The racecourse business is the top priority of the Liu family. Let's forget this bet. Otherwise, I will inevitably get a reputation as a bully to the younger generation. I'm sure Mr. Liu will not agree with you doing such nonsense, Mr. Liu."
"Hey... Mr. Hong, you guessed wrong. My father has given full authority to this junior to handle matters regarding the racecourse. I can make the decision, as long as Mr. Hong agrees."
Hong Feng suddenly said: "Brother Liu is probably going to be disappointed. The account book has been taken by my brother to settle the accounts. I'm afraid he won't be able to see it for a while."
"Tsk, that's such a shame."
"makes sense."
"My Liu family has suffered a thousand injuries and the Hong family has suffered a loss of eight hundred. I think neither my father nor the Hong family wants to see this situation. Doesn't the Hong family have any other solution?"
"Master Liu is joking. Our Hong family has never thought of being enemies with the Liu family. I still know the reputation of Jiangnan Liu. But if your Liu family wants to eat meat, you should let us, a small family, drink some soup." Dominating the horse business in Yangzhou, I am worried that Liu Yuanwai will have a bad stomach."
"So what do the Hong family think?"
"My Hong family is willing to invest 200,000 taels of silver and share 10% of the profits from the Liu family horse farm every year. What do you think, Mr. Liu?"
"Two hundred thousand taels? 10% profit? The profit of the Liu family horse farm in a year is more than one hundred thousand taels. If you pay two hundred thousand taels of silver, the Liu family will earn it back in one or two years. Why should my Liu family give up one hundred thousand taels in vain? Where is the profit?"
"Young Master Liu, this is not how the accounts are settled. With my Hong family connections and friends, I can help the Liu family racecourse double in size. At that time, more BMWs will be sold in a year, and more money will be earned. , What do you think Mr. Liu thinks?"
"Haha... Mr. Hong said that the connections of my Liu family are not as good as those of the Hong family in Yangzhou? Mr. Hong, believe it or not, as long as Jiangnan Liu Fang says something about cooperation, many juniors will not dare to say so. , there are still dozens of wealthy gentry like your Hong family, but your bargaining chip is not big enough."
"Five hundred thousand taels of silver, 10% of the profit of the Liu family horse farm, this is my best effort."
"For five hundred thousand taels, I can go home and discuss it with the old man."
"Old Master? Let me say something disrespectful. Mr. Liu, isn't Mr. Liu dead? How can Mr. Liu discuss this with the old man?"
"Oh? It turns out that the old lady has passed away. You see, I am confused. Since the old lady has passed away, there is no need to discuss it."
Not negotiable?
Hong Ping's face turned red, it turned out that Liu Mingzhi was really playing tricks on him.
"Master Liu, please think clearly. Our Hong family can get two thousand horses this year, and we can get two thousand horses next year, or even more. It won't look good if both sides suffer."
