Chapter 345
Chapter 345: The Money House And The Brothel
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
That afternoon, Fan Xian received the officials related to the palace treasury transport at his temporary residence . The other Jiangnan officials had been scared off by him, but these palace treasury officials were his direct subordinates and unable to hide; they could only tough it out . Fortunately, Fan Xian had long shed the dark and cold facade he wore beside the lake and was able to laugh with them a little as they talked . He also set their departure date and saw them out of the manor in an amiable manner, which momentarily confused the officials .
The welcoming banquet that night was prepared by Jiangnan Inn . For similar reasons, the officials of the counties and provinces along the river all just sat for a little while before leaving . They had met the requirements dedicated by etiquette and, furthermore, court regulations did not allow them to stay in Suzhou for long . It was easy to find reasons to be as far away as possible from Commissioner Fan .
Only the officials of the Suzhou government could not leave . They sat trembling with fear at the head table alongside Fan Xian, Jiangnan Governor Xue Qing and inspector general Dai Sicheng, who were drinking and talking merrily . The atmosphere was very harmonious .
The seated Suzhou Zhizhou had a bitter face and gave forced laughs . The Hangzhou Zhizhou knew that the imperial envoy was staying for the long-term in Hangzhou . He had toughened his skin and forced himself to stay . However, from the perspective of the Suzhou officials' murderous gaze, he was constantly fawning on Fan Xian and the governor . This Hangzhou Zhizhou was truly a man with extensive experience, and he wasn't too afraid of Fan Xian's method of falling out and becoming hostile . He was set on the fact that currying favor with his superior, regardless of time and place, was never the wrong thing to do .
After the banquet, Fan Xian first saw the governor into his official carriage . The two of them determined that Fan Xian would come visit the Xue Manor the next day . Only after this did Fan Xian raise his hands toward the officials in the restaurant in farewell and boarded his own carriage .
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…
He was still the same as ever, he liked to ride carriages not sedan chairs .
The curtain at the front of the carriage had not been drawn, so the night air of Suzhou City blew in . Light and clear music also drifted into his ears . Jiangnan was wealthy and populous . Wealthy merchants owned many talented performers, and the brothels in Suzhou and Hangzhou were famously good .
Fan Xian gently slapped his own cheeks and allowed the night air to blow away the light flush . Although a lot of the zhenqi in his body had recovered, his alcohol tolerance had not yet returned . Under the pressure of the officials, he was actually feeling a little dizzy .
"The Hangzhou address is set . What about Suzhou City?" He asked lightly as he half closed his eyes to rest .
Shi Chanli sat beside him and he thought for a while before replying . "Sang Wen won't arrive until the middle of the month…I…I…"
Fan Xian smiled, he opened his eyes and sighed . "I know it's not fair to have you do these things, just bear it for another year or two . You know that there are not that many people I trust beside me . "
He and Shi Chanli discussed the plan to start a Baoyue Brothel down south . The brothel business was not only the quickest to see profits, but also often had unexpected uses such as intelligence reports . When Fan Xian was in Jingdou, he had decided to move his brothel to Jiangnan . Although there would be much opposition, given his identity and power, it wouldn't be a problem to have a little success within a year .
Shi Chanli asked, "Sir, can this matter be postponed? After all, you are leaving for the palace treasury the day after tomorrow . Without a pillar in Suzhou, when it comes to choosing a location, buying a building, and buying girls, I'm afraid I won't be imposing enough . "
"I'm not here, but there is the Third Prince…" A dark smile flashed through Fan Xian's eyes . "I'm going to pick out a few teachers for the Third Prince tomorrow . Although he will go with me to Hangzhou in the future, this time he will stay in Suzhou…don't forget what business this prince runs in Jingdou . He might be young, but he is knowledgeable of how things are done . With the prince making an appearance, the governor will not be able to say much . You can buy whichever building you want . As for those popular girls…spend more money . What cannot be solved? With the prince supporting you, you won't have to worry about the Jiangnan brothel owners playing dirty with you . Since it's all above board, it's just a matter of throwing money at their games . Are you worried that you won't have enough silver?"
Shi Chanli stared dumbfoundedly and thought: The Emperor wants you to educate the Third Prince, are you…did you think from the beginning to use the Third Prince to open a brothel? That is too disgraceful!
He also thought of another matter . Why did he have so much money on hand? The 138,880 liang of snowy white ingots could certainly not be touched . Considering what he said earlier, he must be carrying a lot of banknotes . Thinking of this worried Shi Chanli . "If we are buying openly, then the Jiangnan brothel business will certain take the opportunity to raise prices…money will flow like water . I don't know how many days we can keep it up . "
At this moment, the carriage rolled across the clean stone paths of Suzhou . They passed through a gate and arrived at a place commercial district bustling during the day .
Even at night, the signs of the stores on the street remained brilliantly lit . Suzhou was the biggest port from where the palace treasury productions were sent out . Thus, just speaking of the degree of wealth and business development, other than Dongyi City, there was not another city in the world that could compare to it . The glass sold here was four-fifths cheaper than in Northern Qi . However, Fan Xian understood clearly the production costs of things like glass and knew that the merchants had made bank over the last decades .
Other than the shop signs of the various merchants, something that stood out was that every little while there was a hanging green cloth . What was noticeable was not the glow-in-the-dark material that were dyed into the cloth, but the fact that these green cloths were not fluttering in front of restaurants . Drawn on these green cloths was an image similar to that of the Fan clan crest .
On this street alone, there were eight to nine money houses .
Fan Xian sat in the carriage as they slowly drove in silence on the street . When they passed a somewhat new green cloth, he pointed at the door of this money house and lowered his voice, saying, "Even if you are completely broke, do not come to this money house . "
Hearing these words, Shi Chanli had a look but didn't see clearly . He thought for a while then asked, "Zhaoshang? Never heard of them . It's not like it's the Taiping money house . Who will dare do business with them?"
Fan Xian smiled and didn't say anything .
As businesses gradually expanded, it became a difficult matter to complete big deals with cash . Banknotes had gradually become something merchants liked, thus organizations such as money houses and money exchanges began to show their importance . the existence of organizations like money houses were most valued based on their creditability and confidence . Thus, in this part of jianghu, there does not exist the situation of the big fish eating the small . After decades, the only big fish remained the same ones .
The three big fish were South Kingdom, Northern Qi, and Dongyi City .
The banknotes that South Kingdom and Northern Qi distributed were also known as official notes, and, of course, they had the best creditworthiness . However, the officials in court were simply not aware of their importance . It was troublesome to exchange official notes . Their lack of flexibility made one's hair stand on end in frustration . So other than saving for a coffin, normal merchants would choose the money lending operation opened by Dongyi City, Taiping .
Although Taiping was built on capital from Dongyi City, rumors said that some of the royalty and nobility from South Kingdom and Northern Qi had also bought shares . Thus, no matter how the three countries fought and killed each other, the money house itself was, miraculously, not impacted much . After 20 or 30 years, the reputation of the Taiping was first rate, with deep funds and considerate service . With the secret protection of the upper echelons of each country, it naturally became the world's biggest money house .
Just on this street, the Taiping money house had three branches . Fan Xian look coldly at the green cloth fluttering outside and said, "If you need to withdraw money, do it from Taiping . "
Shi Chanli made a sound of agreement .
"Take out as much as you want," Fan Xian said calmly . "Before I leave, I will give you the stamp and numbers . Don't be petty and afraid to spend money . "
Take out as much as you want? How could there be such a good thing in the world? Shi Chanli paused and said, "Is this Taiping money house owned by you, Sir?"
Fan Xian smiled and scolded, "If I had that much money, everything would be easily solved . Why would I bother with those people?"
Shi Chanli was his confidante and knew that he was talking about Northern Qi . Feeling slightly nervous, he didn't comment . As he thought of Northern Qi he considered the palace treasury and matter of it opening in a few days . If Fan Xian wanted to fund Xia Qifei to compete against the Ming family for the bets, then he would need a terrifyingly large amount of capital . He furrowed his brows . "Sir, the palace treasury desperately needs money . If it isn't a good time, I think we should postpone opening shop . "
Fan Xian shook his head . "The money you need and the money the palace treasury needs to bid with are at two completely different levels, so you don't need to worry . As for opening shop, it should be done quickly . First, we have to act while the prince is still in Suzhou . He is probably interested, and it would be easier . Second…"
He thought of the father he left in Jingdou and couldn't help laughing . "Second, these Jiangnan girls are waiting for the Fan family to rescue them . One day earlier is still one day earlier . "
These words were not false . Ever since Jingdou set rules for Baoyue Brothel and was supplemented by that Shi Qing'er girl—although the girls of Baoyue Brothel were still in the flesh business—their days were much better than before . Less was taken from their share . There were regularly scheduled doctor visits, and they signed a novel labor contract . The Baoyue Brothel girls were deeply grateful to Fan Xian . The momentum and influence spread, and now all of the brothels in Jingdou demonstrated a sense of healthy advancement and being in the sun .
If Baoyue Brothel could really open a branch in Jiangnan, the Liu Rushi's of Jiangnan would probably be very happy about the arrival of the imperial envoy Fan .
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After they returned to the manor the salt merchant had happily offered up, Fan Xian accepted the bowl of hot soup Sisi handed over . Besides sobering him up, it also warmed his body . He leaned on the table to read a few reports from the Council . Seeing that the world was peaceful, he relaxed . He had Sisi go to the inner chambers and sleep while he went out . Wearing a thick coat, he rubbed his hands and knocked on the door to another room .
The Tiger Guards and Sixth Bureau swordsman behind him quickly hid in the darkness .
The room door opened with a squeak and revealed Haitang's sleepy face .
Without waiting for Haitang to speak, Fan Xian uttered in surprise, "It's so early, are you already sleeping?"
Haitang smiled slightly and let him into the room . She turned up the brightness slightly of the smokeless oil lamp and said quietly, "This merchant's house is incredibly extravagant, and this bed is very comfortable . I figured you might be drunk after tonight's welcoming banquet, so I washed and slept . "
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