The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

Upon hearing the word "silver," Liu Zhan immediately sat bolt upright in shock. Silver? Could it be those people who came to collect debts from the Liu family? In the past, these matters were always settled at the shop; why had they come to the house this time?

Could it be...? Thinking of something, Liu Zhan immediately broke out in a cold sweat and, without daring to delay, quickly got out of bed.

Outside the Liu residence, a crowd waited for the gates to open, their menacing demeanor quite intimidating.

"Liu Zhan, open the door quickly, or we'll break it down."

"Yes, smash it!"

As soon as Liu Zhan reached the door, he heard this menacing threat. His face immediately paled, and he ordered the servant beside him, "Open the door!"

This is the Liu family's ancestral home; how can we allow them to smash it?

The servants rushed forward and opened the door. As soon as it opened, the people outside rushed in. Even Liu Zhan was so frightened that he took several steps back. Looking at the people who came, Liu Zhan felt a little uneasy, but he still said seriously, "Gentlemen, is there something you need to see Liu Zhan so early in the morning?"

"Hmph, of course there is something to discuss. Liu Zhan, settle the debt your Liu family owes me for the jade you purchased last time," one of them said.

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhan paused slightly, then tugged at the corner of his mouth and said with a smile, "Master Yun, didn't my steward say that in a few days, he will definitely present all the silver?"

"Hmph, isn't settling in a few days the same as settling today? Could it be that the Liu family can't come up with the money today?" Master Yun sneered, and the others immediately joined in the commotion, "That's right, has the Liu family fallen so low that they can't afford to pay?"

Liu Zhan's expression changed drastically. "How could this be? How could our Liu family not be able to produce the money?"

“Alright, since you can produce it, then produce it today!” Master Yun refused to back down.

Liu Zhan's expression stiffened. "Master Yun, you still need to give me some time to prepare, don't you?"

"Fine, I'll give you one day to prepare. I need to see the money first thing tomorrow morning, or else... I'll have your Liu family's ancestral home smashed up!"

"Yes, we need to see the money by tomorrow, or else we'll smash it!"

Liu Zhan's face immediately turned ashen. What was he to do now? If he couldn't come up with the money tomorrow, these people might really smash up the Liu residence. But where was he going to get so much money to fill this hole?

Liu Zhan was even more overwhelmed. He had finally managed to get rid of these people, but he felt utterly powerless. What should he do? Who could he turn to for help now?

Many names flashed through Liu Zhan's mind. Thinking of the humiliation he might face, Liu Zhan had no choice but to brace himself. Tomorrow morning was the deadline, and today he had to find someone willing to lend him money to tide him over.

Liu Zhan took a deep breath and strode out of the Liu residence...

In a private room of a restaurant in Rong Jincheng, Liu Zhan's face was full of smiles, and his expression was extremely obsequious. "Uncle Lu, it's enough for me to borrow some money for a short period of time. Next month, the money from the Yao family's tea garden will arrive in my account. At that time, I will definitely repay you in full. Uncle Lu, as you know, I have no choice but to ask you for money because of all the big and small things that have happened to the Liu family recently."

The middle-aged man, whom Liu Zhan called Uncle Lu, glanced at Liu Zhan indifferently while smoking a cigarette, but did not say anything. Liu Zhan felt uneasy. He had just visited several places, but none of them would lend him money. Some even refused to see him and turned him away.

The Liu family is now in trouble, and everyone is watching the show. Liu Zhan is filled with anger. If his Liu family can overcome this difficulty and rise again, he will make those people regret their decision today!

But now… he had to deal with the immediate problem. Liu Zhan carefully observed Uncle Lu's expression, “Uncle Lu, what do you think…”

"Liu Zhan, you call me Uncle Lu. I've watched you grow up. The Liu family needs money now, so naturally I can't stand idly by, can I?" Old Master Lu flicked the ash off his cigarette and spoke softly.

Liu Zhan's face lit up with joy, finally seeing hope. "Yes, Uncle Lu, you are so kind and righteous. If you help the Liu family this time, and the Liu family prospers in the future, we will always remember your great kindness. In the future, if you ask me to go through fire and water, I will do it without hesitation."

"Hehe... Nephew, you're exaggerating. How could I ask you to go through fire and water? This is just a favor I'm doing, and it's within my power. Of course, I won't turn a blind eye. Don't you think so?"

"Yes, yes, yes, Uncle Lu is right!" Liu Zhan immediately echoed excitedly, a huge weight finally lifted from his heart.

"However... on the other hand..." Master Lu frowned as he said this.

Liu Zhan was startled and quickly said, "Uncle Lu, please speak freely."

Mr. Lu frowned slightly. "I didn't want to say this, but even brothers need to keep clear accounts, right? Besides, I'm a businessman too."

"Uncle Lu, rest assured, when Liu Zhan repays you the money, he will definitely include interest and return the principal with interest. I will not let Uncle Lu suffer any loss." Liu Zhan immediately said. So what if interest is included? The key is to get through the current difficulties of the Liu family. He had been mentally prepared for the interest issue from the beginning.

Master Lu shook his head and chuckled, "Nephew, talking to me about interest is too formal. How could I possibly charge your Liu family interest? If word got out, people who didn't know better might say I was taking advantage of their misfortune."

Liu Zhan was slightly taken aback, but his brows furrowed as he tentatively asked, "Then what does Uncle Lu mean..."

"It's like this, according to the rules! You're borrowing money from me, and it's not a small amount. Even if I feel at ease, my wife at home will probably nag me. So, I was thinking, shouldn't there be some kind of collateral... Hehe, this is just to put your aunt at ease. You don't know how much she nags every day... You also know that your Uncle Lu has no other flaws, except for his wife at home..." A hint of embarrassment appeared on Master Lu's face.

Liu Zhan frowned. Everyone in Rongjin City knew that Master Lu was afraid of his wife. Madam Lu was gentle and polite to everyone outside, but it was said that she was not a minor figure in the mansion. If it were someone else, they would probably have divorced such a wife long ago. But Master Lu just liked her and doted on her. This matter had become a joke in Rongjin City's high society.

“To put Aunt Lu’s mind at ease, we should offer something as collateral, but…” Liu Zhan began, but was interrupted by Master Lu.

"It's good that my nephew agreed to use the Liu family's ancestral home, fertile fields, and shops as collateral. Now my wife will have nothing to say. My nephew is so sensible and polite." Master Lu laughed heartily, got up, walked to Liu Zhan, and patted him on the shoulder with satisfaction.