Wanjin Lady

Chapter 139 Dinner
Accountant Zhou said vaguely, "There's always a way out! Sixth Master has been in Ping County for some time and has made many friends. Why don't we borrow some money from them to take over the winery first and then work on other things!"

"Friend?" Yuan Jing thought about it and then began to calculate. "Zhu Wang is not an option. That bastard is just like me. He suffered a lot of losses during his trip to Bingzhou and can't afford to pay so much money."

"Youngest? Cheng Laoyao can't do that. He's just a scholar and doesn't have any money!"

"Boss Liu?" He was his soulmate, his brother, a straightforward and outspoken person, and his family must be quite wealthy. "No, that won't work. We've only met once. Even if I bring up the Cheng family's name, he might not buy it. I'd rather not ruin the brotherhood between us."

After thinking about it, it turns out to be a dead end!

Yuan Jing's face was full of despair!
Accountant Zhou offered an olive branch at the right moment. "Don't you have a good relationship with Manager Ding of Xinlong Bank? Last time, he even helped us collect debts from the Wen family... Besides, he's always been interested in making friends with our Yuan family. Lending is his bank's business, so if our Yuan family comes to him to borrow money, he's probably more than happy to help!"

Yuan Jing's eyes lit up, but he still hesitated, "The money borrowed from the bank... also needs to be repaid..."

Accountant Zhou smiled and said, "Let's take over the winery first. Once Sixth Master has this achievement, the debt owed to Xinlong Bank won't just be yours or the Third House's. Master doesn't have money, but Old Madam does! She won't let you pay money to work for the winery, will she?"

Yuan Jing thought about it and realized that this was the truth!

"Then what are you waiting for? Let's go find Manager Ding and discuss this before it gets dark!"

I also have an appointment with Boss Liu for dinner tonight!
However, when the two men arrived at the bank full of hope, Manager Ding was only willing to lend them one thousand taels of silver. "Sixth Master, I know you're in urgent need of money, but our bank has a rule that the maximum loan amount in Ping County is no more than five hundred taels of silver. I'm only granting you this one thousand taels out of consideration for your Bozhou Cheng family, despite the great risk!"

Yuan Jing was displeased and asked, "Manager Ding, don't fool me! As far as I know, you previously lent the Wen family one thousand taels of silver!"

Shopkeeper Ding retorted with a smile, "The Wen family has the title deed to the house that Shi Jinquan handed over as collateral. Do you have that?"

Yuan Jing's face turned pale.

"You have nothing to pledge with me. The only thing you pledge is the reputation of the Cheng Family Winery. We're all businessmen, so why not ask around? Which bank would dare to lend you a thousand taels without collateral?"

Accountant Zhou quickly and secretly pulled Yuan Jing aside, then smiled and returned the favor to Shopkeeper Ding, "Shopkeeper Ding, we'll remember your kindness. We understand the rules of the underworld, and we won't make things difficult for you."

Who is Shopkeeper Ding?
It was immediately apparent that Yuan Jing was unhappy, as if he was complaining that the amount of money he borrowed was too little.

Shopkeeper Ding was naturally no pushover, so he asked Yuan Jing to sign and seal his name, and then took Yuan Jing's personal jade pendant as proof before sending the two out indifferently.

Watching the two men walk away, Shopkeeper Ding sneered, "What kind of person is that? I lent him money, and he's acting like a nobody? Yuan Liulang...will never amount to anything great!"

Yuan Jing felt his steps were unsteady as he carried the 1,000 taels of silver note borrowed from Xinlong Bank.

It has been two or three months since I came to Ping County. I thought I had a sure win, but I just fell short every time.

He reviewed the situation over and over again. Liu Hui was his confidant, so he would naturally not collude with Wen Wan to deceive him.

Xingyi Winery is far away from Ping County, and there is no news of any contact between Zhao Gaolou and the Wen family. Although the sudden appearance of Cheng Yaojin is somewhat suspicious, the reason is also tenable.

Moreover, if Xingyi Winery had not been experiencing financial difficulties, Wen Wan would not have wanted to sell it to him.

Wen Wan's expression as she pinched her nose while signing the contract... didn't seem fake.

Yes. This time, the grain purchase in Heping County is different.

It’s impossible for Wen Wan to use the same trick twice, right?
Yuan Jing comforted himself that there was nothing wrong in spending 3,500 taels of silver to buy the Wen family winery.

Yuan Jing walked silently down the street when Accountant Zhou reminded him, "Boss Liu is hosting a banquet at Yuxian Tower tonight for Sixth Master... Is Sixth Master going?"

"Of course I have to go! I can't refuse a brother's invitation."

"But... the Wen family will also go..."

Yuan Jing sneered, "Now that the winery has fallen into my hands, I have won this round. The Wen family can't even hide from me, so what should I be afraid of?"

When I arrived at the private room on the second floor of Yuxian Tower, I only saw Liu Hui, but not the father and daughter from the Wen family.

Liu Hui smiled and invited Yuan Jing to take a seat. "Brother Wen said that now that he's sold the winery, he wants to leave Ping County as soon as possible. He's busy with family matters and won't be coming. It's just you and me at the table today."

Yuan Jing couldn't help feeling proud.

Now, when the Wen family sees him, it's probably like a mouse seeing a cat.

Yuan Jing instantly got rid of the worry of raising money and started chatting with Liu Hui.

"Congratulations, Liu Lang, for taking over the Wen Family Winery. I'm sure he'll be back in Bozhou soon. He'll at least be able to take the position of head, right?"

The way Boss Liu spoke was different. Just a few words made Yuan Jing feel relieved.

Yuan Jing said modestly, "There are many capable people in my family, and I have a capable brother. If I want to make a name for myself... I have to endure it slowly."

"Oh. It might be difficult for others, but for you, Genrokuro, it's absolutely a piece of cake."

"Thank you, Boss Liu, for your good wishes."

As they drank and chatted, Liu Hui tried to tell Yuan Jing what he wanted to hear. Yuan Jing was not on guard at first, but later he gradually became distracted. He thought that he and Liu Hui had a close relationship, so if he could borrow a few hundred taels to deal with the emergency, it would be better than nothing.

In a few words, Yuan Jing changed the subject to the loan. "Brother, you've been so kind to me. I know everything, and I won't hide anything from you. Although I've taken over the Wen family winery today, I suffered heavy losses on my previous trip to Bingzhou. Now I'm embarrassed to worry father. I'm really... alas... I'm so broke... I have no where to raise the money... If I can't pay in ten days... I'll be humiliated."

I don't know if Gang Leader Liu understood, but he still had a smile on his face. "Oh, given our friendship, I could have lent you a few hundred taels of silver in the past. Unfortunately, there's a famine in Bingzhou this year, and most of my ships have been rented out by the imperial court at extremely low prices. They still owe me a lot of money."

As he spoke, a look of worry appeared on Boss Liu's face. "Alas, this year has been tough for everyone. I was originally planning to buy out the Wen family winery at a low price and have my wife and father-in-law help out to see if we could make some money to supplement the family income. I never thought you'd get there first, little brother."

Boss Liu consoled Yuan Jing again, "Brother, you won't be at a disadvantage this time. The well in the backyard of the Wen family winery is fed by mountain spring water. The water is clear and sweet. The wine made from it will have a rich, mellow and sweet taste. It will definitely take your Changchun wine to the next level!"

This is true.

Yuan Jing's expression lightened slightly.

(End of this chapter)