Chapter 244: Guidance
Linhai Town, Maritime Tax Bureau.
The half-floor previously used by Vice Minister Du had long been vacated. Gu Yan stood by the window, gazing at the massive sea ships.
Masts like a forest of fir trees stretched from the wharf into the depths of the sea and sky, thinning out from dense to sparse.
The dense sound of abacuses ceased, and Gu Yan turned around.
Niu Cheqian, sweat beading on his temples, finished tallying the last few figures. He picked up a long sheet of paper and handed it to Gu Yan, “The overall figures are out. Please take a look.”
Gu Yan took it and read through it line by line with great care.
Niu Cheqian held his breath slightly as he watched Gu Yan. Zhou Shennian walked to the doorway and spoke a few words to Shi Gun in a low voice. Huang Xianzhou leaned in to He Chengzhe, whispering.
After Gu Yan finished reading, he raised an eyebrow and smiled, “Is the profit better than before?”
“Of the silver retained from the two trips to the wharf being reduced to one, nearly seventy percent went to the Jiangnan Silk General Store. After deducting the silver submitted by the various silk guilds and the levies from the prefectures and counties, the profit is indeed better than before. However, Mr. Zhou said their actual costs are higher than this,” Niu Cheqian quickly explained with a smile.
Zhou Shennian quickly chimed in, “In the past, the Jiangnan Silk General Store was powerful. For any matters in the prefectures and counties, the Jiangnan Silk General Store would handle them, and the officials at the various checkpoints dared not overstep. Now, without the Silk General Store, these matters will fall directly upon the silk guilds in each county, or even each weaving workshop. In the future,”
Zhou Shennian paused, then tactfully said, “it will likely be more difficult than before. We’ll have to see to know.”
Gu Yan grunted in understanding.
The small silk guilds, stripped of the Jiangnan Silk General Store’s protection, were like pieces of fat meat. Even a minor yamen runner or tax collector dared to bully them and take a bite.
Gu Yan’s brow furrowed.
“Let’s observe first and then think of a solution. There’s no foolproof plan,” Huang Xianzhou sighed.
For the past half-year, he had been diligently working at the Maritime Tax Bureau, unraveling complexities. He increasingly felt the intricate and troublesome nature of governance, where one move affected a hundred others. Managing a small county in the past had been too simple, too straightforward.
“When the Jiangnan Silk General Store existed, it was first to unite and negotiate prices with overseas merchants, preventing infighting among the weaving workshops. Second, it was to deal with the excessive demands from the prefectures and counties,” He Chengzhe said slowly.
“We’ll discuss that later. Have all the silk guilds arrived?” Gu Yan asked Zhou Shennian.
“They have all arrived.”
“Good, let’s go and meet them,” Gu Yan gestured to everyone.
In Zhaoyue Tower, the first floor was almost entirely cleared. More than one representative from each of the small silk guilds under the Jiangnan Silk General Store had come. The entire first floor was packed shoulder to shoulder, a low hum filling the air like a dark cloud, casting a shadow of unease over Zhaoyue Tower.
“The Young Lord has arrived.”
A servant at the entrance shouted loudly, and the Zhaoyue Tower fell silent.
Gu Yan wore a golden crown and a cloak of plain silver brocade lined with white fox fur. The cloak was draped casually, revealing a black brocade long gown with a python pattern, exuding an aura of pressure.
Gu Yan walked through the crowd and sat in the single, large armchair at the head of the table. He smiled and gestured to those kneeling before him, “Everyone, please rise. We are meeting you in advance for an important matter in a few days.”
“Mr. Huang is concerned that this is your first time doing business face-to-face with those overseas, and you might lose your composure.”
Gu Yan pointed to Huang Xianzhou, who quickly cupped his hands and bowed to everyone, circling around.
Gu Yan paused, then pointed to Zhou Shennian and continued with a smile, “Mr. Zhou is worried that your businesses may not fare well and you won’t be able to earn silver, as things are very different now compared to the past.”
Zhou Shennian also cupped his hands and bowed to everyone.
“Have you all written down which types of silk fabrics you are most skilled at weaving, what your unique techniques are, and your capital?” Gu Yan then asked.
The crowd looked at each other cautiously, answering “yes” in a scattered manner.
“Bring them here for me to see. Start from this side,” Gu Yan pointed to the left.
The two or three people Gu Yan pointed to stepped forward together, presenting their respective lists.
Gu Yan gestured to Niu Cheqian.
Niu Cheqian stepped forward to receive them, immediately opening them. He skipped the fabric names at the beginning and looked directly at the cost details.
After reviewing three of them, Niu Cheqian looked at Gu Yan, “There are slight discrepancies, but within reason.”
Gu Yan nodded and gestured to the three people standing nervously with their hands at their sides, “Please go and sit over there, have some tea, and wait a moment.”
The three felt as if they had received a great pardon. They repeatedly agreed, then, somewhat dazed, stepped back a few paces. A servant nudged them, and they went to sit on a bench along the wall.
Another two people stepped forward, presenting their lists.
Niu Cheqian quickly reviewed seven or eight more, then paused and looked at Gu Yan, “This one has a rather large discrepancy.”
Among the three people standing in front of Gu Yan, the one in the middle turned pale.
Gu Yan looked at the middle person’s pale face and narrowed his eyes, smiling, “You know it’s yours?”
“No…” Cold sweat broke out on the middle person’s forehead.
Gu Yan raised his hand, and Niu Cheqian quickly handed the list to Gu Yan. Gu Yan took it, shook it, and glanced at it. “Hongsheng Weaving Workshop?”
“Yes.” The owner of Hongsheng Weaving Workshop, in the middle, immediately knelt down with a thud.
“Get up. This discrepancy might be due to your own miscalculation, or perhaps you genuinely have expenses that others don’t. These are all understandable. You can stand over there for now. After we’ve finished reviewing them all, Mr. Zhou can take the time to reconcile them with each of you,” Gu Yan’s expression and words were very calm and approachable.
The owner of Hongsheng Weaving Workshop repeatedly agreed, his legs trembling as he stood up and followed the servant’s direction to stand aside.
Most of the remaining people stood with their hands down and eyes lowered, showing no unusual reaction, though some became flustered, their heads not daring to turn too much, their eyeballs darting around.
Many also cautiously shifted, standing closer together, pulling at each other.
Yu Chengfu, the newly appointed President of the Pingjiang Silk Trade Association, stood in the crowd, at ease and confident.
His list had already been shown to Mr. Zhou. As for the others…
Yu Chengfu glanced at the Senior Guild Members standing in front of him.
He had told the truth to the weaving workshops of the Pingjiang Silk Trade Association, explaining everything clearly. Whether they listened or not was beyond his control.
Niu Cheqian reviewed them very quickly, but it still took over an hour to finish all the lists from each guild.
Gu Yan looked at the two rows of over thirty people standing next to the owner of Hongsheng Weaving Workshop. He chuckled, stood up, hands behind his back, and walked past each of the thirty-odd people, stopping before them. He smiled and said, “Birds die for food, but humans shouldn’t lose their lives for wealth. Without life, how can one possess wealth? Isn’t that right?”
Several of the thirty-odd people swayed precariously.
“Alas, greed without courage. Don’t worry, I won’t punish you without instruction. This is the first time; let Mr. Zhou guide you this time.”
Gu Yan turned to Zhou Shennian, “You and Old Niu will go through them one by one and calculate carefully.”
Zhou Shennian bowed in agreement.
Gu Yan turned to those sitting in two or three rows against the wall and said with a smile, “Everyone, please go back and rest.”
Those seated quickly stood up and took their leave.
Shi Da Shaoye, the eldest son of Shi Wanquan, the former President of the Pingjiang Silk Trade Association, stared intently at Yu Chengfu. As they exited Zhaoyue Tower, he hurried to catch up with Yu Chengfu and called out, “Uncle Yu!”
Yu Chengfu stopped and smiled at Shi Da Shaoye.
“Fortunately, I listened to Uncle Yu’s advice,” Shi Da Shaoye said with a smile.
“A few of us from the Pingjiang Weaving Workshop will be discussing things shortly. This is just the beginning; there are many battles ahead,” Yu Chengfu patted Shi Da Shaoye and said with a smile.
“Okay, I’ll listen to everything Uncle Yu says,” Shi Da Shaoye quickly replied with a smile.
