Chapter 496: Chapter 497: Partnership

Gu Wenheng shook his head. "I’m not kidding. That’s all the silver he has on him right now."

Jin Qianqian was incredulous. "How is that possible? He’s not just a great general; he also holds a title at court."

Gu Wenheng said, "That’s just on the surface.

A few years ago, when Empress Zhou entered the palace, Brother Zhou spent most of the silver in his estate on her dowry.

Over the years, he’s also been paying out of his own pocket to give subsidies to his injured soldiers.

The eight thousand taels of silver he has now is just the income from his few manors in the capital, sent over at the beginning of spring."

Jin Qianqian frowned. "Then what about those gems he sent to our residence before?"

Gu Wenheng said, "It’s said that a large portion of those were left behind by the Old Marquis. He only took them out of the vault to repay us for saving his life."

Jin Qianqian said, "...I thought he was super rich. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have accepted them."

Gu Wenheng replied, "Those are two different things. He doesn’t have much silver on hand in his estate, but he should still have other assets. After all, the things accumulated by several generations of Marquises are no small amount."

Jin Qianqian scratched her head in frustration. "Where are we supposed to get a large sum of cash quickly at a time like this? If I’d known, I wouldn’t have bought so many storefronts back in Shangjing."

Although she complained, she couldn’t bear to sell the shops now.

Gu Wenheng said, "Actually, we could also get people to invest."

Jin Qianqian shot him a glare. "Nobody’s silver grows on trees. Who would trust us so unconditionally?

Besides, how can we drag other people down with us for something we’re not even confident about ourselves?"

Gu Wenheng said, "How will we know if we don’t try?"

Jin Qianqian tilted her head to look at him. "Are you scheming something again?"

Gu Wenheng patted her head. "Looks like your thinking has caught up with the locals. You forgot about financing."

Jin Qianqian’s mouth fell slightly open. She really had forgotten about that. Still, she argued out of habit, "Even if that reduces the risk, it also means more people will have a say.

If it doesn’t work out, we’ll face a lot of criticism."

No matter what, there were risks, and Jin Qianqian really didn’t want to take on such a thankless task.

Gu Wenheng said, "I’ve already discussed it with Brother Zhou. He’ll be the one to step forward. He wants to persuade the one at the very top."

Jin Qianqian said, "In that case, we might as well go to Prince Bai. Don’t forget, he’s the Emperor’s moneybag."

"You and I are really on the same page. I’ve already written a letter and had it sent by express horse.

Coincidentally, the place where he holds office is only about a ten-day journey from here. By the time we start work, he might have already arrived."

Jin Qianqian asked, "You’re that confident?"

Gu Wenheng’s hands started to wander. "It’s not a matter of being confident or not. It’s that he will definitely, absolutely be interested."

Jin Qianqian tried to shake his hand off, but he caught it and pulled it behind her back. "The market for glass and mirrors is becoming increasingly saturated. He’s in urgent need of finding another sales channel right now.

When we were in Shangjing, he hinted about it in a letter to me. With such a great opportunity now, don’t you think he’ll want to take a gamble?"

...

"If you’re going to talk, then talk properly. Keep your hands to yourself." Jin Qianqian’s breathing had also become unsteady.

Gu Wenheng leaned in and blew softly into her ear. "I really miss the time difference in here. We should have a second honeymoon here, too."

Jin Qianqian, "..."

Before she could react, she was carried to the canopied bed...

Zhou Shixiong personally led men to patrol the coastline every day. When he found a spare moment, he also sent Jin Qianqian one hundred thousand taels in silver notes.

Jin Qianqian looked at Gu Wenheng. ’So this is his "eight thousand taels"? It’s clearly so much more!’

Zhou Shixiong saw the silent exchange between the couple at a glance and laughed heartily. "This is from the brothers under my command. Sister-in-law, just use it with peace of mind.

If you make a profit, everyone will get to share in the broth.

If you lose money, it doesn’t matter. It’ll all be on me."

Jin Qianqian didn’t dare agree to such terms. "Business is business. Brother Zhou, please give me a list of the shares. Once I’ve prepared the contracts, I’ll have everyone sign them."

"There’s no need to go to all that trouble, is there?" It was the first time Zhou Shixiong had seen someone be so meticulous. "In any case, they can’t use their silver here in this border city fortress. Sister-in-law, just take it and use it.

Besides, Brother Zhou might be a little tight on cash right now, but I can afford to lose. You can just count it all as my share. You don’t need to worry about the rest."

Gu Wenheng also tried to persuade him, "When it comes to business, we must be professional. Brother Zhou, there’s no need to refuse."

But Zhou Shixiong gave them no chance, standing up and waving his hand dismissively as he left. "Let’s leave it at that. By the way, about those artisans you were asking about—they said they have news. They’re bringing some people this way, so you can start your preparations."

That was truly good news. Jin Qianqian had also hired some skilled carpenters and blacksmiths recently, so with more hands to help, they could build the ships faster.

Lu Shenggen had been restless all day. The moment he saw Mr. Gu leave his seat, he immediately said to He Gaofei, who was beside him, "Mr. He, what do you two think about Mr. Gu’s proposal to buy shares?"

He Gaofei stopped his brush. "It’s not like no one has tried sea routes before. In the end, their ships either capsized or were plundered by pirates. I think Mr. Gu and his wife are just being fanciful. I don’t have that much silver to waste on their shenanigans."

Wu Yichen said, "But the profits are huge. I was thinking of investing just a small amount. No matter what, Mr. Gao is our superior. We can’t just completely disrespect him, can we?"

Lu Shenggen said, "That’s what I’m torn about, too."

After spending more than half a year together, they all had a good sense of each other’s financial situation. None of them had much silver on them and didn’t dare to squander it like that.

He Gaofei said, "I’d advise you two to save your money. We’re not in the same league as Mr. Gu. Don’t forget, his wife is an Imperial Merchant. Her businesses are flourishing, so of course she has the capital to fool around with this.

When I left the capital, you could say my family had already half-given up on me. All I have left now are these few thousand taels of silver. If I really invest it, am I supposed to survive on this tiny salary?"

Lu Shenggen argued, "But even the government officials under us have pooled their money to invest. If we don’t make a move, won’t people talk?"

"The main concern is Mr. Gu. At the end of the year, if he marks us down in our performance review, then this whole year will have been for nothing."

Wu Yichen suggested, "Why don’t the three of us just make a token gesture? If it’s too much, we can pool our money for one share. That’s better than having him settle scores with us later, right?"

He Gaofei was still hesitant, but he knew the other two were wavering. He didn’t want to be the odd one out in the end.

"Alright then, let’s pool for one share. But I’m not putting much faith in this. I don’t have a lot of silver, so I’ll contribute less."

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