si-mexico Chapter 225: Paying a deposit on one's own initiative
Chapter 225: Paying a deposit on one's own initiative
Han Nian'an frowned.
After the previous hot summer and autumn, the price of ice has been rising in the second year. But last year, the price of ice plummeted due to the cool weather. How come it has risen so much at the beginning of this year?
"Madam, I think you are hoarding ice not for use, but to sell it at a high price later. But you are not the only one who has this idea. You should let our Ice Bureau make some money as well." The manager of the Ice Bureau said with understanding.
"You mean to say that there are still many people stockpiling ice this year?"
"Many people have already inquired about it. They said they would come to pay the money later. I guess they will come to sign the contract in a few days when the weather gets warmer. If you come later, there will be no more. After all, we in the Ice Bureau still have to keep the big share."
As soon as the manager said this, Han Nian'an suddenly felt a sense of crisis.
If too many people hoard the goods and try to undercut each other on price, the goods may not be able to be sold at a high price.
"Manager, if I buy all the ice by myself, how much silver will it cost?"
As soon as Han Nian'an said this, the manager of the Ice Bureau hadn't spoken yet, but Butler Zhou behind her couldn't help but speak.
"Aunt Han, Madam didn't let you act on your own." They came here today just to follow Madam's orders to buy a batch of ice. How could Aunt Han just say something as exorbitant as buying all of it?
Han Nian'an glared at Butler Zhou and said, "Don't interrupt me when I'm talking."
Butler Zhou choked and his face turned ugly in an instant.
Although he was just a servant, he was the son of the previous steward of the Zhou family. When the old marquis was still alive, he followed him around and did errands. Later, he even changed his surname to Zhou.
In the Zhou family for decades, all the servants in the mansion were polite to him, and even the lady gave him some face. However, Han Nian'an, a concubine who had just entered the mansion, actually looked down on him like this.
Butler Zhou felt bad, but he thought that since he had come here today, he couldn't let Han Nian'an do whatever he wanted, otherwise he would have a hard time explaining himself when he returned. So he said, "Aunt Han, let me remind you again that Madam didn't give you the power to make your own decisions."
The manager of the Ice Bureau originally thought that Han Nian'an was the wife of some family. After hearing this, he looked at her and said, "Since you can't make the decision, then this lady should go home and ask for instructions. I have other guests to entertain, so I will not accompany you any longer."
"Wait!" Seeing the manager was about to leave, Han Nian'an hurriedly stopped him, "Who said I can't make the decision?"
She glared at Butler Zhou again, "Are you the master or am I the master? Is it your turn to interrupt here? Besides, haven't you heard that you should act according to your own wishes in an emergency? If you miss the opportunity and someone else gets there first, can you, as a servant, bear the responsibility?"
Butler Zhou was once again very angry at Han Nian'an's attitude, and finally stopped talking.
He had reminded her again and again that if Aunt Han insisted on acting on her own, he could not do anything about it. He would go back and report to the Madam anyway, and if the Madam blamed her, it would not be his business.
Seeing that Butler Zhou stopped talking, Han Nian'an snorted softly, turned his head with satisfaction and continued to discuss the matter of buying all the ice with the manager of the Ice Bureau.
In the end, all the money that Han Nian'an and Butler Zhou brought to buy ice today was used as a deposit by Han Nian's Security Department.
When leaving the ice bureau, Han Nian'an was very proud to see Jiang Suining still at the door. "I advise you not to waste your time. The manager of the ice bureau has already agreed to sell most of the ice to me. Even the contract has been signed. Even if you buy the remaining pieces, you won't make much."
"Why are you so sure that we can make money from ice this year?" Jiang Suining looked at Han Nian'an in confusion.
"Stop acting, Jiang Suining. I only believe what I see. I don't believe a word you say."
After saying that, Han Nian'an got on the carriage with great satisfaction and headed for the Marquis' Mansion.
Jiang Suining stayed where he was, watching the carriage depart, chuckling in his heart and shaking his head.
Sometimes what you see may not be true.
Hou House.
After Han Nian'an returned, Qin found out that all the money for buying ice had been used as a deposit, and her face turned pale.
"Han Nian'an, who allowed you to make the decision on your own? And Steward Zhou, why didn't you stop him?"
"Madam, I have tried to stop her and reminded Aunt Han several times to consult you before making a decision, but Aunt Han still didn't listen, saying that I am just a servant and can't control the master's affairs."
Han Nian'an glanced at Butler Zhou, who was still complaining here. However, he was not wrong, he was just a servant.
Without making any excuses, Han Nian'an just gave Butler Zhou a look that showed he didn't bother to pay attention, and then told Qin about how many people wanted to stock up on ice now, saying that if he didn't act first, he might miss this good opportunity to make money.
"Everyone who stockpiled ice suffered losses last year. How come there are still so many people doing this year? Have you been tricked by someone?" Qin guessed doubtfully.
"No, the ice is indeed very popular, and Jiang Suining was there today."
Qin was stunned, "Really?"
"Seriously, if I hadn't acted quickly, Jiang Suining might have gotten there first." Han Nian'an immediately stated his own contribution.
When Qin heard this, she felt less worried.
"How much silver will you need for the ice you ordered?"
"About seventy or eighty thousand taels."
"What?" Qin's face suddenly changed. "Seventy or eighty thousand taels? How much ice did you buy?"
"The more you buy now, the more you'll earn later." Han Nian'an said hurriedly, "If everything goes well this time, maybe I can earn back all the money my husband was cheated of before."
Qin frowned.
This amount is really too large. It is not easy for the current Marquis' Mansion to raise so much cash. But if they give up, the deposit will be wasted. And Qin was indeed somewhat tempted by what Han Nian'an said. If they could earn back all the money they were cheated of in one go, then everything would be back on track.
But it is too difficult to get so much silver in a short period of time, unless... you start from the shop.
Two days later, Jiang family.
Lin Ziqing took the tea brought by Xier and said to Jiang Suining who was sitting opposite him, "You guessed right. The Changning Marquis' Mansion has indeed been raising money these past two days, and is selling some shops as you said."
Jiang Suining handed Lin Ziqing a piece of paper. "Here is a list of two shops. Both belong to the Changning Marquis' Mansion. There is a high probability that these two shops will be among the shops that are sold. You can have someone keep an eye out for them and take them over once they are sold."
Lin Ziqing took a look and asked, "How do you know there are probably two of them?"
Jiang Suining chuckled, "I am a businessman, so I naturally have judgment."
The locations and shop fronts of these two businesses were good, but their business was average, with annual profits of only a few hundred taels. Qin wanted to raise money, so naturally he would choose to sell the unprofitable shop first.
However, although it is not profitable now, in the previous life, I found out the flaws of the shop and after correcting them, it has become one of the most profitable shops under the Changning Marquis Mansion.
Lin Ziqing looked at Jiang Suining curiously, "Could it be that when you knew that Zhou Yihong was deceived, you had already planned this?"
"I'm not that powerful, but..." Jiang Suining raised his eyebrows, "I just said that I'm a businessman."
Since you are a businessman and have spent time and effort, you naturally want to see the benefits.
If it was just to trick Han Nian'an, wouldn't it be too unprofitable!