At night, Song Che came to Bazhen Tower as promised.
As soon as he entered the building, a waiter ushered him directly into the box.
There were three people in the box, one was Chu Shike, and the other two were middle-aged. One was slightly fat and the other was thin. They were all wearing mink and gold, and they were extremely wealthy.
Huang Wei and Feng Xu were both big local businessmen in Chuzhou. One was in the porcelain business and the other was in the charcoal business. It was very doubtful that they were engaged in salt business in a business that was beyond their reach.
"I've kept you guys waiting for a long time."
Song Che came in and apologized with a smile.
Chu Shike is a love rival.
Huang Wei makes porcelain. He didn't get the meat to eat about the old coins, so it's inevitable that he won't like it.
Feng Xu and Huang Wei wear the same pair of pants.
None of the three people appreciated it very much.
"Use your chopsticks, everyone. It's rare to have a feast at the same table. Let's enjoy it while it's hot." As soon as Song Che sat down and before he picked up the chopsticks, Huang Wei spoke:
"Mr. Chu, aren't you hosting a banquet for our two families tonight? Why is there an extra table?"
Feng Xu also made a strange remark: "Yes, I am the new president of the Yangzhou Chamber of Commerce. Sitting at the same table as small traders like us, isn't it understating your status?"
Chu Shike said nothing, only squinting at Song Che from the corner of his eye, as if watching a show.
"The two owners are current members of the Yangzhou Chamber of Commerce——"
"Hey, it was true before, but not now," Huang Wei interrupted Song Che and said, "President Song is here tonight. Our two families want to make a statement to you that we will withdraw from the Yangzhou Chamber of Commerce with immediate effect. From now on, everyone will work independently." Don’t come to us again to do your business, make donations and dues, etc.”
After that, the two of them planned to get up and leave.
Song Che lowered his voice, "The Yangzhou Chamber of Commerce allows you to come and leave whenever you want. How can this door allow you to come and leave whenever you want?"
"What do you mean?" Huang Wei said coldly.
Song Che poured himself a glass of wine, sipped it slowly, and said calmly: "Since I have a way to become the president, I have a way to prevent you from having a foothold in Chuzhou, Huainan, Jiangnan, and even Daliang."
He glanced at the two of them coldly: "What do you think?"
The two of them were obviously wary, and Huang Wei glared at Chu Shike: "Mr. Chu, I asked you why our families never negotiate, but tonight you suddenly hosted a banquet. It turns out you have another purpose."
Chu Shike still said nothing.
"Okay, we are all businessmen," Song Che pointed to the chairs behind the two of them: "Sit down and let's talk about a deal."
Huang Wei and Feng Xu looked at each other, hummed and sat down.
"The business we want to discuss tonight is the lives of one hundred and twenty-seven members of the Huang family and one hundred and seventy-six members of the Feng family, three generations of our ancestors and grandchildren."
As soon as these words came out, Huang Wei and Feng Xu instantly became furious, and their faces became uglier than the other.
I understand, of course I understand, they know better than anyone else what they have done that deserves to be executed.
"You are threatening us-"
"Okay, how did the Yang family fall? You should know better than anyone else. Collaborating with Japanese pirates is treason, and selling private salt is also a serious crime. It is not an exaggeration to destroy all nine of your clans."
"Snapped!"
Song Che slammed the table hard, causing the things on the table and chairs to tremble. He yelled:
"After all, there is only one word - greed!"
Huang Wei and Feng Xu were sweating profusely.
Song Che's serious expression suddenly relaxed, he laughed again, and comforted the two of them:
"Two bosses, don't worry. I'm not an official. I'm your president. You are my members. Of course I have to take more care of you... This business is about supply and demand. You give me What I want, I give you what you want,"
He held the wine flask, took two wine glasses, filled them in front of the two of them, and asked, "What do you want?"
Faced with this man who was alternately hot and cold, angry and laughing, Huang Wei and Feng Xu finally understood why he could become the new president.
Huang Wei's voice trembled: "President Song, you...what do you want?"
"As expected of a businessman!"
Song Che patted Huang Wei and Feng Xu on the shoulders and asked, "Tell me from beginning to end how you sold salt together with the Yang family."
Huang Wei sighed and said softly:
"Three months ago, Yang Song found me. He said that he had opened a road in Chuzhou. The risk was a bit high, but the profit was high. He asked me if I had the courage to do it;
In fact, I know very well that the Yang family has a salt business. Nowadays, the Japanese invasion is serious and the supply exceeds the demand throughout Jiangnan. Many people want to eat this piece of fat but cannot eat it;
Sure enough, within a few days, Huainan launched a 'salt introduction' policy to encourage everyone to go to the salt farm to purchase salt;
Although the transshipment can be done openly, Japanese pirates are rampant along the coast. The loss of goods is a small thing, but the loss of life is a big thing. I am still afraid of losing it;
Yang Song told me not to worry, saying that every time I transported goods, if I tied a yellow scarf to the pole, the Japanese pirates would not come to rob me;
I didn't dare to refuse the business assigned by the Yang family, so I tried it tentatively. As expected, everything went smoothly, but then it got out of hand. "
"The Yang family wouldn't be so generous in sharing meat for you, right?" Song Che asked.
"It's impossible for the dogs raised by the Yang family to get free food." Huang Wei said bitterly: "At first he said he would take 50% of the profit, but later I talked about 30%."
Feng Xu's expression became even more bitter: "Boss Huang's family is still very confident and I am only qualified to talk to him about 40%."
"Then I'm afraid you haven't followed the salt introduction process, right?" Song Che asked again.
Huang Wei did not shy away and said frankly: "Although the government's price is lower than that of the Yang family's private sale, a large amount of tax must be deducted. If you purchase directly from the Yang family's salt farm and sell it secretly, there is no commercial tax."
Hearing this, Chu Shike, who had never spoken a word, couldn't help but cursed: "Unscrupulous profiteer!"
The goods are shipped from the salt farm at a high price, and then sold to the people at an inflated price. They also extract high profits from it without having to pay taxes. They make four money from one business... Song Che sighed secretly, putting aside the ugliness and unscrupulousness, Yang Songzhen Very good at making money.
Huang Wei and Feng Xu both lowered their heads in shame:
"In fact, we knew that this matter was closely related to the Japanese pirates from the time Yang Song asked him to tie the yellow scarf. How could we not know that after doing these things, the whole family would lose their heads? But in some businesses, once you get into it, it is difficult to get out again. ”
Feng Xu held Song Che's arm tightly and confessed with tears in his eyes: "President Song, it's all because of my greed that I boarded the pirate ship. I know that my sins are too serious and I will die, but my wife, children, and children at home are not guilty. Leave them alive."
Huang Wei slid off the chair and knelt in front of Song Che: "President Song, I am willing to donate the profits from selling salt and all my family property to fight against the Japanese. Please let go of my wife, children, and children at home. I beg you."
Feng Xu was about to kneel down when he saw the situation. Song Che quickly helped the two of them up and sighed:
"Two bosses, I have told you that I am not an official, and I can't bear your kneeling... But you are so irrational! Every time the Japanese pirates get one tael of silver, they can get one more piece of steel. The blades of the knives are all meant to cut down on our compatriots in Daliang, so what qualifications do I have to forgive you on behalf of those displaced people?"
