Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 181 Eat inside and outside
In the center of Yanzhisi, a screen enclosed an area where food tables were neatly arranged, and guests chatted and laughed. Sitting at the head of the table was Tan Li.

Because of the screen separating them, Tan Li didn't see Tan Huaike immediately, and continued speaking eloquently: "I invited you all here today for no other reason than to show you the strength and credibility of the Tan family. Although the Tan family's business is not as prosperous as it was in my ancestors' time, it still has a solid foundation and great prospects. Even if a very small number of businesses are experiencing cash flow problems, it is only temporary. Please believe in the capabilities of the Tan family."

"Look at this bustling Yanzhi Market, and the Zhiyun Cloth Shop, which is most favored by the young ladies of wealthy families these days, and the Baicao Herbal Shop, which has Dr. Qiu and the Divine Physician of the Western Region in charge... Given time, are you afraid that our Tan family's business cannot make a comeback? What we will give back to you then will be far more than just those scattered accounts."

Leaning against the screen and listening, Tan Huaike almost burst out laughing—

All this fuss was just a pretext to delay paying off debts?
This shows that the Tan family has been having a really tough time lately. One can only imagine the state of their business, ruined by Tan Li's series of disastrous decisions and Tan Anfeng's mounting debts. If they hadn't been driven to the brink, the proud Tan Li probably wouldn't have stooped to using her assets to maintain appearances.

Sure enough, some of the guests questioned, "Boss Tan, how can you be sure that this shop isn't Madam Shentu's property? How can it be considered part of the Tan family's property? Even if Madam Shentu is your daughter, the ownership of the shop is still up to the real owner, right? Don't blame me for being nosy, but in business, even fathers and daughters need to keep clear accounts, let alone a married daughter."

Tan Li stroked his beard and smiled, "What you all don't know is that this Yanzhisi shop was originally part of Huai Ke's dowry. It was the old site of the Zhiyun Cloth Workshop. However, the workshop was not doing well at the time, so at my suggestion, Huai Ke found another shop for the workshop and renamed it Yanzhisi. Since it comes from the Tan family, it is naturally part of the Tan family's business."

"Besides, the second young master of the Shentu family has now entered officialdom. According to the laws of Da Xuan, officials cannot establish businesses under their names. Since the two families are already related by marriage, isn't it only natural to return the property managed by my daughter to the Tan family?"

"What a logical conclusion!" Tan Huai Ke couldn't stand his nonsense any longer and appeared from behind the screen. "As the owner of Yan Zhi Si, I had no idea that my shop was going to be transferred to the Tan family business. Where did you hear this news, Grandpa?"

"Huai Ke, you've come at the right time." Tan Li greeted her seemingly affectionately, but in reality, he gave her a warning look when no one else could see, and gripped her arm tightly, clearly telling her to be careful with her words and to give her loving father a sincere invitation in public.

However, Tan Huaike paid no attention to his threats.

She went to the table at the head of the table, completely disregarding the tender scene of father and daughter holding hands, forcefully brushed Tan Li's hand away from her, and took the wine cup handed to her by Pei'er. She said to the guests, "Thank you all for gracing Yanzhisi with your presence today. I offer this cup of wine on behalf of Guangli Chamber of Commerce."

"Guangli Chamber of Commerce?" A murmur rippled through the room. "Isn't that the largest chamber of commerce in Andu?"

"Madam Shentu went to Andu and became a member of the Guangli Chamber of Commerce?"

"What kind of business is this? I couldn't even get in a few years ago."

In just a few words, Tan Huaike had drawn everyone's attention to herself. Ignoring Tan Li's embarrassed and ashen face, she explained, "I started out selling flatbreads in Andu..."

Someone scoffed, "Selling flatbread? Madam Shentu must be joking, right?"

Tan Huaike continued with a smile, "I started by selling sesame cakes to support my uncle's examinations. Later, I opened a branch of Yanzhisi and a shop called Wangchenxiang. Business was booming, so Yu Sufeng invited me to join the Chamber of Commerce."

"Yu Sufeng personally invited you to join the Chamber of Commerce?"

“Wangchen Incense Shop? Ah, I remember now. My aunt brought back two boxes of incense pills from Andu a while ago. They were from this shop. They said they were incredibly hard to get, and even the nobles in the capital were scrambling to buy them. They wouldn't let us buy more than we wanted. So it's the shop owned by Madam Shentu? Shouldn't we open one in Hexi too, so that our nobles and the nobles in Andu can use the same incense?” “Of course we should open one,” Tan Huai Ke replied. “Besides, my business is registered in Hexi, so our Wangchen Incense Shop in Zhangye County is the main store. The suppliers from Andu will have to come later.”

"That's great! We get to use the new products before the VIPs do! How prestigious is that!"

"The incense shop is already in preparation and will open soon. I have also filled in the registration for the imperial merchant election truthfully." Tan Huai Ke said casually, "Come, let me toast everyone again. Now I am in charge of the Guangli Chamber of Commerce in Hexi. I will need everyone's help in the future."

"Manager Tan?" Someone reacted quickly and immediately changed their words, "Please take good care of me, Manager Tan."

Everyone was in high spirits, except for Tan Li, who was furious. He said with a stern face, "How dare you register to run for election without consulting your family! Quickly withdraw that registration, and let's discuss it carefully before deciding how to fill out the form!"

She reported it herself; how could the Tan family get a share of the profits then?

Tan Huai Ke smiled at the guests, but threatened Tan Li sharply: "Mr. Tan, did you host this banquet today to embarrass me and force me to run for office in conjunction with the Tan family? Then let me tell you the truth: the Tan family can forget about getting a single penny of my assets!"

"You!" Tan Li roared, "You traitorous bastard!"

"I advise you to think this through. We can talk about this privately. If we keep making a scene, it won't look good for anyone."

Seeing that the banquet had nothing to do with him anymore, Tan Li gritted his teeth and could only swallow his anger.
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After the banquet, Tan Huaike and Tan Li locked themselves in a room and confronted each other.

Tan Li sneered, "You owe your current success to who gave you the opportunity!"

Tan Huai Ke retorted sarcastically, "Oh? Did you create this opportunity by forcing me into a marriage in my place? Did you create this opportunity by giving me a shop riddled with debts and on the verge of closing down?"

"No matter what, this shop in Yanzhisi is my dowry to you, and it should be considered part of the Tan family's property! If you insist on not withdrawing your candidacy registration, don't blame me for taking you to court!"

"Then go ahead and sue. Start suing from the moment I was bought by you and married off to the eldest son of the Shentu family in place of Tan Anfu." Tan Huai Ke reminded him that this matter was both her weakness and the Tan family's weakness. If they really went to court and fought for a clear answer, no one would benefit.

"I'm not going to argue with you about anything else, just this one thing: the two shops that were part of your dowry must be returned to the Tan family!" Tan Li began to reason with them. "You still have five shops on Huaqi Street. That place was used to hide the black market and shady businesses. Once you get involved, you're doomed. Even if you report it now, it will definitely be rejected. Don't waste these perfectly good shops. Why not hand them over to me? If the Tan family's business prospers, won't you benefit from it too?"

"Heh, what's the difference between this and robbery? Do you think I can benefit from the Tan family's business in the slightest? You don't need to worry about my shop on Huaqi Street. I've already registered it, so even if it gets disqualified, I'll accept it." Tan Huai Ke said casually. "Tsk tsk, I didn't expect the Tan family to have fallen so low that they even want to steal back their daughter's dowry?"

Tan Li sighed heavily: "Huai Ke, Grandpa really has no other choice..."
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Next chapter: Don't push me too far...