Chapter 517 - 519: Having Second Thoughts

Chapter 517: Chapter 519: Having Second Thoughts

’Even if I rack my brain, I can only recall a few specific items.’

They say if you know your enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. The same principle applied to commerce.

Jin Qianqian and Ancient Wen Heng had a long discussion about which goods to take on their first voyage.

Glassware had originally been introduced from overseas, so they didn’t plan on including it this time.

However, items like ceramics, spices, and brocades were indispensable. Naturally, Jin Qianqian’s various handmade soaps were also included.

But the selection still felt too limited. After discussing it with Ancient Wen Heng, they made several adjustments, adding many more types of goods.

The only problem was, she still hadn’t decided on who would lead the expedition.

Aside from a few experienced old fishermen, they still needed someone with leadership skills.

This time, they had sent Housekeeper Fu and Jiang Shiniu to Sea City. In addition to scouting the goods brought by foreign merchant ships, they had another important mission: to see if they could hire some experienced sailors.

"So, you two are hiding out here taking it easy," Zhou Shixiong said as he walked over.

Seeing that he was alone, Ancient Wen Heng asked, "Why are you out so soon?"

"I’m just a simple soldier. A quick look is enough to satisfy my curiosity. If you expect me to understand it, I’d be completely lost.

Besides, my presence made them uncomfortable. They would just hem and haw when trying to ask a question."

Zhou Shixiong had long since grown accustomed to the fearful looks he received from strangers. He figured it was better to come chat with Brother Gu and his wife than to just stand there making everyone nervous.

"Mrs. Gu, I reckon some people are about to have second thoughts. It probably won’t be long before they come knocking on your door again."

Jin Qianqian replied, "Unfortunately, I’m not looking for any more investors right now. If they come to you, Brother Zhou, I’ll have to trouble you to turn them away on our behalf."

Zhou Shixiong nodded. "As you should. When the opportunity was right in front of them, they all acted as if we were trying to swindle them.

Now that they see there’s a profit to be made, they’ve completely changed their tune. We can’t let them get away with it."

Jin Qianqian couldn’t agree more. Besides, their income from various ventures in the first half of the year had refilled their once-empty coffers. With such a solid financial footing, she naturally had no desire to get entangled with these people any further.

"But if this sea trade venture is successful, I expect you’ll have a lot more trouble to deal with in the future," Zhou Shixiong cautioned.

Of course, Ancient Wen Heng and his wife knew they couldn’t possibly keep such a large prize for themselves forever.

It was one thing when there were no visible profits, but if this ship came back from a successful voyage, the great aristocratic families would surely make their move.

Ancient Wen Heng was candid. "Brother Zhou, I submitted a memorial a while ago. We’ve offered thirty percent of the shipping venture’s shares to the powers that be."

Zhou Shixiong gave them a thumbs-up. "An excellent move. Our current Holy Emperor is very different from the late Emperor."

...

Sure enough, they hadn’t been chatting for long when He Gaofei and his entourage came bustling over, having finished their inspection of the compass car.

He Gaofei began, "Mr. Gu, you’ve truly opened our eyes today! I never imagined someone could actually recreate something described in the ancient texts. We are thoroughly impressed."

Li Ji chimed in, "Mr. Gu, could you tell us how you figured this out?

As I recall, the ancient texts only offer mere fragments of information.

Mr. Gu, your talent is immense! You are truly a role model for our generation to learn from."

Ancient Wen Heng glanced at Li Ji. "Assistant General Li, you must have only skimmed the surface. I happen to enjoy reading all sorts of miscellaneous books and unusual tales. It was only by synthesizing the various clues within them that I was slowly able to figure it out.

If Assistant General Li were to apply himself in the same way, I’m sure he could succeed as well.

I am merely building upon the wisdom of the ancients; I dare not claim the credit for myself."

"Regardless, this is a great deed that will benefit the world. After this accomplishment, Mr. Gu, your promotion is surely just around the corner."

"Yes, yes! When you’re promoted, Mr. Gu, don’t forget to help us out!"

’It was all just speculation, yet these people spoke with such conviction, as if it were a done deal.’

Ancient Wen Heng simply stood there, listening quietly. Only when everyone had finished did he say, "Thank you all for your kind words. Unfortunately, this is all still in the experimental stage. Whether it can truly succeed will have to wait until this ship completes a full voyage on the open sea before any conclusions can be drawn.

Now that the tour of the ship is complete, I won’t delay your day off any longer. Gentlemen, this way, please!"

He Gaofei and the others were surprised that after all their flattery, Ancient Wen Heng hadn’t taken the bait.

Just as he was racking his brains for a way to steer the conversation, the ever-blunt Li Ji couldn’t hold back any longer.

"Mr. Gu, a while back, your wife was raising capital for shares. I happened to be busy at the time and couldn’t make it. I was wondering if it’s still possible to participate."

’Zhou Shixiong wanted nothing more than to clamp a hand over the man’s mouth and have him dragged away. This fellow was getting more shameless by the day,’ he thought.

’I made sure every last one of them was notified about the investment opportunity. What’s the meaning of this nonsense now?’

Vice General Wang, who never indulged Li Ji, cut in, "Assistant General Li, you don’t look that old, but your memory seems to be a bit faulty. I remember asking you about it specifically that day. What was it you said then?..."

Li Ji quickly cut him off. "I wasn’t feeling well that day. I vaguely heard you mention it, but it didn’t really register.

By the time I remembered, I hadn’t heard anything more, so I assumed the matter had passed.

It wasn’t until I came aboard today that I suddenly recalled the whole affair.

This is a venture that benefits the nation and its people! As an Assistant General, how could I not participate?"

’His every word was designed to put himself on a pedestal.’

"Assistant General Li has certainly learned a thing or two from his time with the scholars—he can say whatever he wants and make it sound reasonable," Vice General Wang said, his eyes widening. His impression of the man’s utter shamelessness deepened.

Li Ji had already adopted a ’might as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb’ attitude. It seemed like everyone under General Zhou was already vaguely hostile toward him, so why not be even more brazen?

’In any case, these people can’t do anything to me,’ he thought. ’As long as I stick close to Minister Chen in the capital, why should I worry about my future?’

"Mrs. Gu, what do you say? I’m willing to stake my entire family fortune," Li Ji said, playing his trump card. He assumed that Jin Qianqian, who had been trying to attract investors before, wouldn’t refuse.

Jin Qianqian replied, "That is far too risky. I couldn’t possibly bear such a heavy responsibility.

Besides, we have already found all the partners we need."

"What’s so difficult about that? Just add another one."

Jin Qianqian said, "General Li, you misunderstand. I dare not be too ambitious with the first voyage. The risks are simply too great.

I have already staked my entire fortune on it; I cannot in good conscience drag anyone else into this.

The number of shares issued is fixed, both now and for the future. If General Li is still interested, you are welcome to try purchasing a share from one of the other partners."

’In any case, she’d given him an option. Now the ones who should be agonizing over it were those who were still wavering,’ she thought.

Hearing this, Li Ji knew it was just a polite refusal.

However, the people standing before him were all people he couldn’t afford to provoke, so he could only turn his gaze toward the other guests.