northernbook Chapter 39 Raising Money
Chapter 39 Raising Money
After leaving Xingyun Pavilion, Sikong Jin played a few rounds at a small gambling stall on the side of Zhuque Street. When Feng Xinian finished talking with Ziyuan and found her, she was having a great time.
"Is everything settled?"
Sikong Jin stuffed the large pile of silver coins and loose silver she had won into her money bag, zipped it up, and turned to walk into a small alley ahead.
"Yes, sir."
Feng Xinian analyzed the contents of the discussion with Sikong Jin. Sikong Jin also pondered it carefully for a long time. She stuffed the money bag into her sleeve and then said lightly, "Well, it went well. Anyway, we can't suffer losses. We don't need to expand in Luoyang City. Four stores are enough. We can develop them into entertainment clubs in the future. The future is immeasurable."
"Four? I'd like to open a few more. Hilton is riding high right now, we should strike while the iron is hot and continue to expand."
"No need. Hilton focuses on quality, not quantity. Managing and developing these four locations well is enough. I'm very satisfied with Hilton's current performance. You and the staff have worked hard."
Sikong Jin suddenly stopped, narrowed her eyes slightly, glanced at Feng Xinian, and slowly walked through the dim lights. She continued, "If we continue to expand and seize most of the market in Luoyang, we'll become too big to be true. People will say we don't know when to back down. Besides, our goal is not just restaurants and inns, nor is it limited to Luoyang."
Feng Xinian was stunned for a moment, and then suddenly realized what he meant!
No wonder the young master sought out Xingyun Pavilion; he must be worried about Hilton's growing influence and is looking for a backer. After all, Hilton is a rising force in Luoyang City, and if it truly develops into the massive entertainment club the young master described, it will likely attract a lot of trouble. In that case, why not drag Xingyun Pavilion into it and let them get a share? They have Fengyun Tower directly behind them; who would dare to mess with Fengyun Tower?
Knowing when to stop and avoiding any monopoly means that even if others want to cause trouble, they will have no reason to do so. With Xingyun Pavilion around, Hilton's future development will definitely be smooth sailing.
Young master, your considerations are truly thorough and meticulous.
"Young master is brilliant! By the way, young master, the land has been acquired, and construction can begin soon. However, Hilton's profits for the past few months have been invested in the Hilton branch on Qinglong Street, so..."
Sikong Jin, hidden beneath a black veil and bamboo hat, suddenly frowned and couldn't help but sigh softly, "It's the money problem again. We just finished dealing with the food supply issue, and now it's the money problem again."
"Leave the money to me. The work at the racetrack can't be neglected for even a day. It's getting late, Manager Feng should go back and rest first. I'll send the money over in a few days."
Sikong Jin uttered these words leisurely, then turned and left the alley.
On her way back to the inn, Sikong Jin racked her brains trying to figure out how to get some money.
robbery?
No way, what idiot would carry hundreds of thousands of taels of silver notes on them? You'd have to rob countless people to make up that amount!
gamble?
This won't work either. Putting aside the fact that her gambling skills are mediocre, she might be able to fool some country bumpkins and fools, but now she's in Luoyang City, where there are bound to be many experts. If she makes a lot of money, she'll definitely be targeted, and then the experts will come out and expose her true colors.
I really regret not listening to that old man and learning his amazing gambling skills from Qi Ye. Otherwise, I would have had another winning strategy and wouldn't be feeling so frustrated now.
theft?
Whose was it stolen from? We have absolutely no clue! We haven't even found the target.
After much deliberation, Lord Sikong, unable to eat or sleep due to the money issue, finally couldn't resist getting up in the middle of the night to write a letter to Ji Wuge, who was far away in Hangu City, to complain.
Ji Ji, are you well?
I'm furious lately. Jing Su has been searching for you everywhere. She's tormenting me, making me go shopping with her every day. Not only does she make me her free bodyguard, but she also spends my money, squandering the three thousand taels I painstakingly earned from investing in the past month. You have to compensate me for my losses, or our brotherhood will be severed forever. Next time I see Jing Su, I'll call her Sister-in-law Ji!
Five days later, Ji Wuge replied—
Jinjin, are you talking nonsense? That ugly shrew doesn't even dare to lay a finger on your tender brother Ji! What is financial management?
Sikong Jin replied with an explanation—
Jiji, it's like this: I deposited 200,000 taels of silver into a friend's money shop. He gives me 2% interest every month, which is more than 3,000 taels after taxes. He sends me the interest on time every month. I can use this spare money to earn some pocket money. A few thousand taels is enough to go to Wanchunlou many times.
Ten days later, Ji Wuge replied again. Sikong Jin opened the envelope, pulled out the letter, and along with it fell four silver notes worth fifty thousand taels each. Ji Wuge's reply consisted of only one sentence—
Deposit my money with your friend's bank, and the interest will be sent to me on time every month.
Sikong Jin replied: "Your humble servant obeys!"
A month later, Ji Wuge, who had returned to the capital of Dayong, received more than three thousand taels of interest at the end of the month. Because he accidentally let slip while drinking with the heir apparent Tang Jingyao, seven days later, Sikong Jin received an angry letter from Tang Jingyao!
In his letter, Tang Jingyao, the heir apparent, vehemently denounced Sikong Jin for his opportunistic and abusive behavior, his collusion with money lenders to engage in usury, and his heinous crimes. He argued that Sikong Jin should be brought back to the Zhongzhou Judicial Gate for trial and then subjected to military law as a warning to others.
At the end of the letter, the story takes an unexpected turn; the Crown Prince of Tang says—
Brother Jin, my wife has been keeping a close eye on things lately. This 300,000 taels is all the wealth I have left. Please keep it safe for me. You need to send me some pocket money every month. I need to see my 300,000 taels of silver again after a year. I don't care how you handle it. I only know that my monthly pocket money depends on you. Also, you have my 300,000 taels in your hands.
Sikong Jin wrote a letter scolding Ji Wuge, and then replied to Tang Jingyao helplessly—it was all done, and he could wait to receive the money at the end of next month.
The investment of 500,000 taels of silver relieved Hilton Racecourse's urgent needs. Over a month later, the racecourse and boxing ring were operating smoothly, and people from Xingyun Pavilion frequently sent over to oversee the events. All the work was progressing very well.
After arranging the follow-up work, Sikong Jin left Luoyang and returned to Malan City.