Chapter 613: Sharing the Profits

Gu Jin’an saw through the housekeeper’s intentions at a glance.

As Xiao Yu said, nobles like Zheng Ying and Shangguan Zhuo might forgo some small profits, but it’s the servants of the rich families who are the most troublesome. If they’re short-sighted, they want to take advantage of everything.

His smile appeared warm and elegant, but the words that came out of his mouth slapped the housekeeper’s face like slaps.

He said, "Housekeeper Shangguan, are you hinting that you want the soy sauce recipe? To be honest, I don’t mind giving away the recipe. But now that the workshop is a joint venture of three families and will be built on the Shangguan family’s manor, the Shangguan family must know the soy sauce recipe, then what about the Zheng Family? Shouldn’t they also know the recipe to be fair?"

"But then, what was originally known only to one family will be known to three, and in the future, it could be thirty families. It would become widespread. How would we still make money?"

"The fairest solution is for my family to keep the soy sauce recipe, while the Zheng Family and Shangguan family simply take their dividends."

The housekeeper Shangguan’s face sank. How dare this country bumpkin expose his thoughts in public? Was he not afraid of angering the Shangguan family?

Shangguan Ping laughed. "May I ask, Young Master Gu, what if one day your family leaks the soy sauce recipe? Everyone in our Shangguan family is a legitimate heir, well-versed in the rules, and fiercely loyal to our masters. If the soy sauce is produced on our manor using servants like us, the recipe will definitely not leak. On the other hand, Young Master Gu, what skills does your family have to ensure the recipe won’t be leaked?"

Heh, a mere country bumpkin dares to show his colors to him, trying to level with the noble families just because he created a good product? He is just not worthy!

Upon hearing this, Gu Jin’an maintained his smile and looked at Shangguan Zhuo, asking, "Brother Shangguan, is this your family’s loyal and rule-abiding servant? Indeed, very respectful of the rules."

After hearing this, Shangguan Zhuo felt a burning shame on his face, and quickly scolded Shangguan Ping: "You disrespectful thing, when is it your place to speak here? Get out at once."

Then, he turned to a nearby servant.

The servant was skilled in martial arts, and immediately stepped forward, twisted Shangguan Ping’s arm, and escorted him out.

Gu Dashan was shocked by the sight, thinking, how did this business discussion almost result in a fight?

Gu Jin’an stood up and bowed to Shangguan Zhuo, saying, "Brother Shangguan, please forgive me. I had no intention of slapping the Shangguan family in the face, I just didn’t want our business partnership to be ruined by a servant."

Shangguan Zhuo had known Gu Jin’an for some time, considered himself familiar with his character, and respected his abilities. Rising to return the gesture, he said, "It was my servant who was disrespectful first, I should be the one apologizing. Please don’t be offended, Brother Gu."

Gu Jin’an smiled and said, "You’re too kind, Brother Shangguan. We are not only friends but also brothers. We country folks always speak plainly to our brothers and trust each other as we do our own lives. I’m glad you’re not offended."

Trust each other with our lives?

Shangguan Zhuo felt moved and returned Gu Jin’an another bow: "I am enlightened."

Zheng Ying, seeing this, laughed, "You both should sit down, or I’ll start asking you for a wedding drink if you keep bowing like this."

The atmosphere lightened with the playful remark.

Zheng Ying straightened his face and said seriously, "Brother Shangguan, I think what Brother Gu says makes sense. It is safest for his family to keep the soy sauce recipe... and to speak frankly, our two families have had disputes in the past, so putting the workshop on either family’s manor is not suitable. My grandfather wrote to me saying he only wishes to use this business to improve the relations between our families, without causing any discord."

Shangguan Zhuo nodded, "My grandfather mentioned the same in his letters."

But a servant dared to overstep the master, just like Shangguan Ping did earlier.

And Shangguan Ping dared to do so because he relied on his grandmother’s clout.

Shangguan Ping’s mother was his grandmother’s dowry maid and was the most trusted person by her.

However, the soy sauce business is not only related to the family’s income, but also to the relationship between the Shangguan family and the Zheng family, so it is impossible for him to let the servants ruin it, and his grandfather would not allow his grandmother to mess up important matters.

Shangguan Zhuo nodded and said, "Brother Gu, let’s do as your family suggests."

Zheng Ying also nodded: "I, too, agree."

Gu Jin’an, seeing that they had agreed, laughed and said: "Brother Zheng and Brother Shangguan are so understanding and reasonable, it’s not good for my family to take too much of the profit share."

He pretended to think for a while and said, "How about this, my family will also take just thirty percent of the soy sauce profit, leaving out ten percent for the two of you. Whether you use it for networking or for aiding the poor and needy, my family has no objections."

After hearing this, Shangguan Zhuo and Zheng Ying were taken aback and expressed their admiration: "Brother Gu truly possesses a noble and principled heart, we admire it."

Noble and rich families often donate some money to relieve the poor to gain a good reputation, but they did not expect that the Gu Family would also have such a magnanimous heart, which was truly a pleasant surprise.

Gu Jin’an laughed and said, "It’s just a minor matter; my family has also experienced hardships, so we know the difficult lives of the poor."

He also reminded Zheng Ying and Shangguan Zhuo, "However, if the Zheng and Shangguan families think to give their ten percent profit to the national treasury, it would be wise to be cautious."

Gu Jin’an hinted and did not say anything that would invite trouble.

Zheng Ying and Shangguan Zhuo understood and gratefully said, "We will keep in mind what Brother Gu has said."

The current court is extremely poor, with not a dime left in the national treasury. The Emperor is looking for ways to raise funds, hence a strict order has been given to the Da Li Temple to resolve the Water Bandit Case before the end of the year, with the aim to confiscate the property of Marquis Ru Yang’s Mansion to fill the treasury and have a good New Year.

And for the sake of money, the Emperor of Great Chu has been strictly handling the Water Bandit Case, confiscating and exiling the property of any nobles involved, however slightly.

In any case, it is money that is wanted.

If at this time, the two families foolishly donate their ten percent profit to the national treasury, the Emperor would be like a tiger smelling blood, ready to bite off half of their flesh.

Gu Jin’an said, "I will write up the contract now, so we can enjoy a good meal after signing."

He took out paper and ink and wrote three contracts in front of them, handing them to Shangguan Zhuo and Zheng Ying.

After they reviewed them, they said, "No problem, let’s sign the contract."

They also praised, "Brother Gu’s calligraphy is full of character and has greatly improved recently. Will you be taking the exam next year?"

Gu Jin’an shook his head, "I never attended a private school before and though I seem to be doing well in my studies now, it isn’t solid enough. I want to study hard for a few more years before attempting the exams."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Ying said, "Brother Gu is thorough, and it’s good to study hard for a few more years first."

It wasn’t long before Zheng Ying and Shangguan Zhuo had signed their names and stamped their family’s private seals.

Gu Jin’an put away the contracts, saying, "I will have my younger sister sign and affix her seal."

Although he was negotiating the business deal, the soy sauce was made by Xiao Yu, so it still had to be registered in her name.

After hearing this, Zheng Ying and Shangguan Zhuo nodded, saying, "Please proceed, Brother Gu."

Neither found it surprising that Gu Jin’an’s sister was in the next room because Gu Jin’an had told them that the soy sauce was learned from an old lady who had fled the famine with his sister, and they did not have any intentions of demanding to see the mastermind behind it. Such behavior was too disrespectful; no son from a noble family could do such a thing. Those who demanded to meet someone else’s sister were nothing but vulgar ruffians!