Chapter 21: Letting Go

Zhou Shi returned to Dengzhou the next afternoon. When she found Zhang Yao and mentioned Chen Xie's matter, she couldn't help but complain, "Why didn't the master persuade Sihua? Once he joins the military, there will be no turning back."

Zhang Yao didn't get angry; instead, he smiled confidently and said, "Sihua always thinks the Ming army is unreliable and wants to train some troops for his own safety. If that's what he wants, we shouldn't stop him, or he might harbor resentment, which would be counterproductive. Who says joining the military is the only way to train troops?"

Zhou Shi was curious and asked, "Why do you say that, Master?" Zhang Yao, like Zhuge Liang fanning himself, replied calmly, "A few years ago, the Fragrant Sect caused chaos, and the coastal defenses were in disarray. Later, Governor Yuan Yingtai came to Dengzhou and Laizhou, built ships, trained troops, and manufactured weapons, bringing peace to the region for a while. Recently, the seas have become restless again. We can join forces with the wealthy families in Dengzhou to petition the new governor to raise funds and organize local militias to maintain order. This way, we can have our own troops. As for the wealthy families, you'll need to visit them, Madam. The others, like the Zhangs, Lis, Zhaos, and Wangs, all have shops. Sihua has a plan, right? With so many goods, to sell them quickly, we need to give them some incentives. They'll be more enthusiastic about it than we are."

Zhou Shi was a smart woman; otherwise, she wouldn't be in charge of such a large family business. Hearing this, she immediately understood. If the merchant guilds acted alone, the wealthy families in Dengzhou would be envious. In Chen Xie's plan, the goods would be wholesaled to the local wealthy families, who would then do business in Shandong. This way, everyone could make money, and there would be no trouble. Even in the prosperous regions of Jiangnan, to open a market, one needs the help of locals.

"Master, you are brilliant. You see the wisdom in Sihua's plan for an agency system. With this system, everyone's interests are tied together. Even the governor of Dengzhou and Laizhou would think twice before moving against our merchant guild," Zhou Shi flattered, and Zhang Yao, pleased, stroked his beard. He had been thinking about this for a day and a night, and now that the matter was settled, he felt a great weight lifted from his mind. "It's just a matter of following others' ideas. Sihua is the one with real insight. I'm just filling in the gaps."

Chen Xie still had many things to handle, such as categorizing the goods and overseeing transportation. When he returned to Dengzhou, the city gates were already closed, but because of the Zhang family's influence, the gatekeeper delayed closing for half an hour, and it was already dark when Chen Xie hurried into the city.

Returning to the Zhang residence with Liu Zong, Shuigen waited at the door and said, "Young Master Sihua, the master has summoned you. Mr. Liu, the madam has summoned you." Both men smiled wryly; they had been busy all day and hadn't even had a moment to rest.

"Ha, with the merchant guild just starting, Mr. Liu, we'll have to work like beasts for a while," Chen Xie joked, and Liu Zong laughed heartily, feeling very pleased. The merchant guild was structured as a joint-stock company with 100 shares. Chen Xie and the Zhang family would divide the shares, but Liu Zong would have one share. According to Chen Xie, this was called "executive stock ownership," and he couldn't refuse it.

That's what he said, but refuse? Do you think I'm stupid? These unique goods are the only ones of their kind in the Ming Dynasty. You won't find a second place in the world. It's clear that this is a way to secure Liu Zong's loyalty with a steady stream of silver.

Chen Xie hurried to the study, where Zhang Yao was seated. Seeing Chen Xie, he pointed to a contract on the table and said, "Sihua, sign here." His tone was like a kidnapper holding a knife to someone's throat, demanding the bank password.

Chen Xie didn't misinterpret the situation. He picked up the contract, glanced over it, and gently placed it down. He bowed deeply to Zhang Yao and said, trembling, "Uncle Zhang, I cannot agree to this."

Zhang Yao glared at him. "We're family. Why so much nonsense? You will sign this contract, whether you like it or not."

"Uncle Zhang, if I sign this contract, how can I face the world? This is absolutely unacceptable!" Chen Xie's stance was firm, and he remained bowed, refusing to stand. Zhang Yao, unable to sit still, stood up and sighed, trying to help Chen Xie up, but it was like trying to move a mountain. Chen Xie didn't budge, so Zhang Yao gave up.

"Alright, what do you suggest? Don't think I don't know about business. This deal, even if the Zhang family only gets a share according to the contract, will bring in 50,000 taels. This is just the first deal. In the future, the days are long. Tell me, how can I, as your uncle, face the world? The Zhang family has worked hard for three generations to accumulate a fortune of only 300,000 taels, and that's before accounting for the land we've donated. If the merchant guild makes two shipments a year, in three years, it will match the Zhang family's three generations of hard work." Zhang Yao spoke the truth, and the truth can be harsh.

Not wanting to take advantage of Chen Xie, Zhang Yao tried to compensate in other ways. For example, according to the contract, the Zhang family's estate and over a thousand acres of land, along with the tenant farmers, would all belong to Chen Xie. Additionally, Chen Xie would own 70% of the merchant guild, the Zhang family 25%, and the remaining 5% would be reserved for rewarding good managers.

On the surface, it seemed the Zhang family was taking a big loss. But anyone not too greedy could see that the Zhang family was getting a great deal. Without Chen Xie's goods, the Zhang family was not outstanding in the business world of Dengzhou. With Chen Xie's goods, not only in Dengzhou but in the entire Ming Dynasty, no one could challenge the Zhang family's position. The Zhang family needed Chen Xie's goods, but Chen Xie could work with others. The visible profits were just the tip of the iceberg. Through this deal, the Zhang family could form a network of business partners across the country. This influence was not something that could be measured in silver.

"Uncle Zhang, you can't say that. Without your reputation in Dengzhou, what am I, a man who has returned from overseas? I haven't forgotten that when I first landed, everyone avoided me. Only Uncle Zhang didn't shun me, but instead, reached out and offered help. When I returned from afar to the Ming Dynasty, I felt like a dead man. If not for Uncle Zhang's help, I might have turned back or found an island to do some low-cost business. Your great kindness and virtue, if I don't repay you, what's the point of living?" Chen Xie's words were a mix of truth and fiction, but he spoke with such emotion that it seemed real. This was partly due to his background, growing up as an orphan and finding a family in the Ming Dynasty, which he cherished deeply. Money was not a big deal to him; with the shuttle, he could earn as much silver as he wanted.

Thinking of the discrimination and bullying he faced in school, and the pain of hiding and crying, all because he had no family, Chen Xie was moved to tears. Thinking of the Zhang family's kindness, which gave him a sense of belonging, he sobbed uncontrollably, lying on the ground.

Meanwhile, Liu Zong went to Zhou Shi. When they met, Zhou Shi said, "Madam, Young Master Sihua has already prepared the plan for attracting investors. Here is the plan. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

Zhou Shi replied, "Thank you for your hard work!" Liu Zong left, and Zhou Shi carefully read the plan. Although it was not long, it was well-organized and full of innovative ideas, and the scale was impressive. If this plan was successfully implemented, the merchant guild would become the top merchant house in Dengzhou and even Shandong. In time, its potential was limitless.

As a shareholder of the merchant guild, Zhou Shi was deeply moved after reading the plan. She got up and headed to the study. She arrived just as Chen Xie and Zhang Yao were arguing over the share distribution, with Chen Xie refusing to accept Zhang Yao's proposal.

Seeing Chen Xie sobbing on the ground, Zhou Shi also began to cry. How many ships sank at sea each year? In Dengzhou, every family involved in maritime trade had lost dozens of people. Some even lost their entire ships. Chen Xie's journey from the distant "America" was fraught with unimaginable hardships. Without a strong resolve to return to his roots, he could never have made it back to the Ming Dynasty.

The suffering and pain he endured were immeasurable. Zhou Shi, who was not a woman confined to the inner chambers, understood the risks of the sea. She naturally imagined the dangers Chen Xie faced and, moved by his words, began to cry uncontrollably.

Unable to control her emotions, Zhou Shi pushed the door open and saw Chen Xie lying on the ground. Her maternal instincts kicked in, and she saw Zhang Yao, who was silent and clearly struggling to remain calm. Zhang Yao, with years of practice in self-control, found it difficult to suppress his emotions. Zhou Shi, with tears in her eyes, reached out to help Chen Xie up.

"Sihua, get up. At worst, we'll do it your way. Your Uncle Zhang is stubborn, but we're family, so let's not be formal." Zhang Yao couldn't help Chen Xie up, but Zhou Shi's request was one Chen Xie couldn't refuse. He slowly stood up, wiped his face, and after a moment, turned to say, "Uncle Zhang, Auntie, I can't accept the Zhang family estate. It's the Zhang family's ancestral property. The merchant guild should be split 45% each, with the remaining 10% reserved for future use."

Zhang Yao immediately waved his hand. "No, that's too much. You must take the Zhang family estate. There's no room for negotiation. If you keep refusing, we won't continue this discussion." Zhang Yao was firm, and Chen Xie indeed needed a base. He had planned to buy land and build an estate after earning money.

Chen Xie looked at Zhou Shi, who was clearly conflicted. Zhou Shi smiled and said, "Child, what's the difference whether the Zhang family estate is in your hands or the Zhang family's? Are you going to make the old master move out?"

"In that case, I'll accept it. But the shares must be divided as I said, or I won't sign the contract." Chen Xie was firm, pouting like a spoiled child. Zhang Yao, amused, scolded, "Brat, you've learned to be stubborn. You've lost all the dignity of a great doctor. If you act like this outside, I'll break your legs."

Chen Xie laughed, and Zhou Shi joined in, covering her mouth. Everyone was happy!