Traveling through time and space to become a child, supporting the family by catching fish and shrim

For the people of Linshui, they don’t care who gets the title of imperial merchant.

What they wanted to know more was when the city gates would open.

If I continue to be locked up like this, I will either starve to death or go crazy.

Fortunately, as the flood in Hedong Road receded, the victims outside the city began to return home one after another. After evaluation by county officials, on the fourth day after the Imperial Merchant Selection Dinner, the city gates of Linshui County, which had been closed for nearly a month, were reopened.

As soon as the city gates were opened, the trade routes became bustling with almost no obstruction, especially the water routes. All kinds of merchant ships poured in like a swarm of carp crossing the river, blocking the several docks in Linshui County. Shouts and insults filled the air.

Faced with this chaos, the government had to temporarily dispatch additional personnel to the dock to maintain order, but it took three days for order to be restored.

Of course, despite the chaos, the business of each family was not affected too much, but instead became more prosperous.

The most eye-catching among them are the Min family and the Lai family.

After the Min family obtained the royal merchant qualification, they immediately sent letters to purchase raw materials from material suppliers outside the area. The Lai family was not to be outdone, and their purchasing share was even more exaggerated than that of the Min family.

Although the Lai family is not doing well this year, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse. The Lai family still has more connections than the Min family, the "natives" living by the water. They purchased so many materials because they were ready to fight the Min family to the death by reducing prices and increasing sales.

Obtaining the title of imperial merchant does not mean that you can sit back and relax. Only after handing over the share of "annual cloth" to the weaving and dyeing institute can you be considered to have truly become the imperial merchant of the year. Before that, there are actually still variables.

However, in the past, few people would go against the imperial merchants. After all, when doing business, the most important thing is to make money in harmony. If you can't become an imperial merchant this year, there is always next year. If you break the rules, then if you become an imperial merchant next year, you may have to bear the consequences of your actions.

While these two companies were actively "preparing for war", the idle men who were responsible for moving bricks at the dock discovered a detail.

The beautiful young lady from the Xu family hasn't appeared for a long time, and the warehouse of Xu's cloth shop has always been closed.

After some inquiries, they learned that not only did the Xu family fail in their bid for the qualification of imperial merchant, but Xu Mengru herself was also assassinated at one point, so the cloth business naturally could not be maintained.

As for the boasts that Chen Lang had made, they also became a topic of conversation among the idle people at the dock after dinner.

Speaking of Chen Lang, the idlers in Linshui County admire him very much. As a scholar, he not only revitalized Guhong Tower, but also brewed the peerless wine "Hongyanzui".

In the winemaking industry, Chen Lang is definitely the undisputed king.

Unfortunately, scholars are too easily tempted and think that they can do whatever they want in the winemaking industry and other industries as well. As a result, reality gave them a slap in the face.

Fortunately, there was Hongyanzui to support Chen Lang, otherwise he would have become the most ridiculed scholar in Linshui County.

However, the discussion about Chen Lang did not last long. As the Min and Lai families officially went to war, no one mentioned Chen Lang anymore.

More than 70% of the cloth merchants in Linshui County were either actively or passively involved in this "war", while those who were not involved were either on the verge of bankruptcy or had other plans.

Tang Kewei was the cloth merchant who had other plans.

That day, he came to visit Chen's house with a food box and a servant.

Through the information collected by Ning Wenxu, Chen Lang had some understanding of the Tang family. When he learned that Tang Kewei was coming to visit, he immediately asked Xiaoqi to invite him to the study.

As soon as they met, Tang Kewei said cheerfully, "Mr. Chen, please forgive me for not coming in person."

Chen Lang said, "Mr. Tang is so polite. Please take a seat."

Tang Kewei placed the food box on the desk and said, "This is just a small token of my appreciation. I hope Master Chen will accept it."

Chen Lang said, "Mr. Tang is too polite. It's just a visit, why would you bring a gift?"

Tang Kewei smiled and said, "It's not anything valuable, just some food."

Chen Lang asked Xiao Qi to take the lunch box away, and personally poured a cup of tea for Tang Kewei. He said, "I wonder what brought you here, Mr. Tang?"

Tang Kewei said, "Mr. Chen, I don't like beating around the bush. I'll just be frank."

"It's just right. I also like to be straightforward." Chen Lang said.

Tang Kewei said, "I want to cooperate with Mr. Chen."

Chen Lang raised his eyebrows and asked, "That kind of cooperation?"

Tang Kewei said bluntly: "I want the distribution rights of cheongsam."

"We at Tang can provide sales channels, raw materials for fabrics, and even labor. We only take 30% of the distribution turnover."

Chen Lang said with a half-smile: "Why is it only 30%?"

Tang Kewei's expression changed slightly: "If Mr. Chen feels that this share is too much, we can discuss it again."

Chen Lang shook his head: "No, I mean, less."

"My past experience has taught me that when the benefits of something exceed expectations, you need to be vigilant. If something only has benefits and no disadvantages, then it is 100% a trap."

"Mr. Tang, your Tang family provides money, manpower, and channels, but in the end, you only want 30% profit. I don't believe anyone in the world would do business like this."

"Tell me, what do you want?"

Tang Kewei sighed, "Mr. Chen has a keen eye."

"Now that things have come to this, I will no longer hide anything."

"The reason I offer this condition is because I think... the Imperial Merchant may ultimately be yours, Master Chen."

"One day, Master Chen becomes an imperial merchant, and the Tang family hopes to get a piece of the pie."

This time Chen Lang was really surprised.

When the Min family and the Lai family were fighting each other until their brains were about to pop out, the Tang family actually thought that they would be the ones to take advantage of the situation.

This look is really vicious.

"In Mr. Tang's opinion, the Min family will lose?" Chen Lang asked.

Tang Kewei said: "I won't lose, but I can't win either."

"Similarly, the Lai family won't win. Their ultimate outcome is to be driven out of Linshui in disgrace."

Chen Lang said, "Mr. Tang's view on this matter is truly original."

Tang Kewei said, "Business competition has its limits. If the Min family destroys their own limits, then the Lai family will have no scruples when dealing with them. Ultimately, the competition between the two sides will break through the bottom line in various ways, resulting in mutual losses."

Chen Lang said, "Bottom line? Mr. Tang's words are full of hidden meaning."

Tang Kewei said, "Mr. Chen, I heard what you said to the Min family at that banquet."

"The Min family has unique skills in weaving, but they have never had any advantages in the ratio of dyes."

"On the contrary, when Ms. Xu was a cloth merchant in Nanhe County, she was well-known throughout the cloth merchant circle for her dye ratios."

"You said the formula for the color of the Min family's fabrics was stolen. Others don't believe it, but I do."

Chen Lang waved his hand, indicating that Tang Kewei didn't need to continue.

"I agree to cooperate. But let's discuss the specific method with Xu Mengru."

"She is the one who has the final say in Xu's cloth shop."

Tang Kewei stood up and bowed, "Thank you, Master Chen, for your help!"