Yuan Chuan, the owner of Changsheng Commercial Firm, finally made it here with great difficulty, only to find that Zhang Fang had already signed cooperation agreements with a large group of merchants!
Manager Wei was scolded by Yuan Chuan and felt immense pressure and helplessness. Before bringing Yuan Chuan to meet Zhang Fang, he needed to clarify Zhang Fang’s personality and operational style.
After hearing about Zhang Fang, Yuan Chuan had a preliminary understanding of this talented person and greatly admired him. Zhang Fang had a remarkable business mind! Before meeting him, Yuan Chuan had an idea: if Zhang Fang was willing to join Changsheng Commercial Firm, the firm would surely soar to new heights!
Zhang Fang had anticipated that Yuan Chuan must be an acquaintance from his previous life. Upon seeing each other, he suddenly smiled.
Although he had already learned from Manager Wei that Zhang Fang was very handsome, Yuan Chuan was still stunned by Zhang Fang’s appearance upon seeing him in person.
“Even Pan An wouldn’t compare to the looks of Master Zhang!” Yuan Chuan greeted Zhang Fang with a smile.
Zhang Fang invited him to sit down and inquired warmly, “Young Master Yuan has traveled a long way and must be tired. Why not take some time to rest?”
Yuan Chuan shook his head, feeling anxious. Zhang Fang was a god of wealth; he needed to find a way to catch the attention of this god of wealth!
Taking out several contracts, Yuan Chuan got straight to the point: “I have heard about Master Zhang’s talents from Manager Wei. I greatly admire your abilities. If Master Zhang would be willing to join Changsheng Commercial Firm, I would be very grateful!”
Zhang Fang glanced at the papers and smiled faintly, “I understand your intentions, Young Master Yuan. However, I am merely a scholar and have never learned the business. I fear I may not be good at it.”
“You are too modest, Master Zhang. Everyone knows that you have revitalized various trades in the state government. Such talent is unparalleled!” Yuan Chuan praised Zhang Fang.
Zhang Fang slowly shook his head and put the papers down. To be honest, what they offered was more than enough. This also meant that Zhang Fang had to put in equal effort and yield sufficient returns to maintain the partnership. It wasn’t that he lacked confidence; he simply did not know Yuan Chuan well enough. What he was about to undertake was risky. Merchants are driven by profit; they come and go based on interests, and naturally, would abandon someone if it became disadvantageous.
If one day he disturbed the dark side of the official world and became enemies with a group of officials, Changsheng Commercial Firm might take the opportunity to kick him out or even backstab him alongside those officials. Zhang Fang couldn’t bear that kind of result. Thus, his allies had to be dependable. Compared to Yuan Chuan, he trusted Manager Wang more. Although Manager Wang treated Zhang Fang well because of mutual benefit, he acted with integrity and protected Zhang Fang.
“I’m sorry, but I need to study for the imperial examination and must focus on my academics,” Zhang Fang said calmly, refusing the offer.
Yuan Chuan’s smile faltered slightly, but he understood. After all, for scholars, passing the examination is one of the most important matters in life. If a scholar were to engage in business and was discovered, it could jeopardize their chances at gaining a title. Zhang Fang was collaborating with these merchants but not participating in the actual management, and all profits were used to give back to society. This was noble, and anyone who knew of it would praise him. However, if Zhang Fang invested in Changsheng Commercial Firm—even if he donated his earnings—he would still be considered involved in actual operations, which could surely impact his future if discovered.
With a helpless sigh, Yuan Chuan could only change his approach and say, “In that case, I will not put you in a difficult position. I wonder if Changsheng Commercial Firm can collaborate with Master Zhang in other ways?”
Zhang Fang nodded and directly informed him, “I have only signed a cooperative agreement with those merchants for the Jiangzhou area. The market outside Jiangzhou can be handed over to Changsheng Commercial Firm.”
Upon hearing this, Yuan Chuan’s smile returned. He personally poured tea for Zhang Fang and joyfully thanked him, “Thank you, Master Zhang! I offer you a toast with tea first! This evening, at the inn, I will set up a feast and hope you will honor me with your presence for a drink!”
“I am afraid I won’t have the time to drink with you, Young Master Yuan. I need to leave for my hometown this afternoon. I have been away for some time, and my family is worried about me. I must return to assure them,” Zhang Fang stated. He needed to go back and check on things; during this time, he had been gaining prominence, and some people would surely come to Duxian to inquire about him.
Yuan Chuan looked disappointed and had to prepare a generous gift for Zhang Fang.
Zhang Fang rejected it earnestly: “I appreciate Young Master Yuan’s sentiments. However, I am currently concerned about the welfare of the people and only wish to donate money to contribute more to the country and help those in need!”
Yuan Chuan, being a businessman, instantly understood Zhang Fang’s intentions from his words and replied, “In that case, I will convert this into cash or grain and cloth for your charity at a later date!”
“On behalf of those impoverished individuals who have received assistance, I thank you, Young Master Yuan!” Zhang Fang raised his teacup in a toast to Yuan Chuan.
Yuan Chuan pondered, no wonder Zhang Fang had such influence. He understood how to create momentum and appealed to the people’s hearts. If Zhang Fang came from a noble background, such actions might attract suspicion from the court! Fortunately, Zhang Fang was merely a farmer’s son without any background.
That afternoon, Zhang Fang quietly departed from the state capital. Manager Wang took him twenty miles outside the city before reluctantly saying goodbye.
Ultimately, it was Zhang Fang who directly communicated with Manager Wang that they would keep in touch through letters, and once he achieved success, he would take Manager Wang to the capital. Manager Wang was overjoyed, not expecting to truly have the god of wealth as his benefactor! If he had not understood Zhang Fang’s reluctance to accept money or gifts, Manager Wang would have gladly given him the deeds to his house and land.
He returned to Duxian, accompanied by Mu Qing and others, and the boat docked at the crossing. As soon as Zhang Fang stepped off the boat, someone approached him immediately.
“Master Zhang, the county magistrate requests your presence!”
Seeing this, Mu Qing and the others discreetly bid farewell to Zhang Fang.
Zhang Fang got into the Lin family’s carriage, and upon receiving the news, Lin Yue Rong hurried to groom herself. Lin Zheng, too, dropped his pretenses. After all, Zhang Fang had made a name for himself in the state capital, and it was rumored that a book of his had sold for five hundred taels of silver! He had even caught the attention of Xu Chang, who personally inquired about Zhang Fang’s credentials. Zhang Fang’s trip to the state capital for the provincial examination was truly a soaring success! Lin Zheng could no longer hold back and had to curry favor with Zhang Fang.
Suspecting that Lin Yue Rong might not capture Zhang Fang’s interest, Lin Zheng even had the legitimate daughter, Lin Qiao Qiao, dressed up to meet him. With two daughters, surely one would attract Zhang Fang’s attention!
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