Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 217 The Lin Family's Business

Besides this, Lin Zhiqing has many other things to do now.

We can put things on hold for now regarding Bianliang.

If she acted too hastily, she feared that her true intentions would be discovered.

Ultimately, it was because she was affected by Jiang Liuyun's situation.

However, all the people from the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion are currently outside, and only Lin Zhiqing knows about Jiang Liuyun's affairs.

If the Lin family is careful, they shouldn't encounter too much trouble.

After sorting through her thoughts again, Lin Zhiqing became increasingly calm.

The most urgent task, besides finding evidence that Jiang Liuyun planned to murder his cousin, is to stabilize and develop the Lin family.

Otherwise, even if they find evidence, it will be difficult to contend with the behemoth that is the Marquis of Zhenyuan's mansion.

After thinking things through, Lin Zhiqing immediately began to consider ways to both develop the Lin family and make a trip to Bianliang.

She only owns Jianxintang, but due to the recent uproar surrounding her fourth uncle, she has lost most of her previous clients.

However, if Liu Mang's act of confessing his crimes on the execution ground is used well, it can become an excellent form of propaganda.

Lin Zhiqing had already considered this point. If the news were released, Jianxintang's business would easily generate around two thousand taels of silver per month.

Before his fourth uncle's accident, Lin Zhiqing could earn over a hundred taels of silver just by visiting his home for a medical consultation.

Of course, this is because Jianxintang's business is mostly geared towards high-ranking officials and dignitaries.

If it were any of the Lin family's other businesses, reaching a figure of one thousand taels would be impossible given the current situation.

Before Uncle Si's accident, those businesses were able to maintain the basic operation of the Lin family.

But once the imperial decree was issued, the estate was alright, as the tenant farmers' deeds were all in the Lin family's hands and couldn't be escaped.

However, most of the merchants who originally had dealings with the Lin family have left.

When Lin Zhiqing's father was found guilty of treason, most of the Lin family's assets were seized.

To demonstrate their benevolence, the royal family left some for the Lin family.

But over the years, some businesses have gone bankrupt, others have been sold off, and what remains are mostly shoddy and inferior products.

Furthermore, those shops are still closed. Now that the business partners have left, many problems such as raw materials cannot be solved, and the shops cannot operate.

A single Jianxin Hall could not possibly support so many members of the Lin family.

Lin Zhiqing spent half a day taking stock of all the properties owned by the Lin family, including fields, shops, and farms.

With a proper clan seal this time, Lin Zhiqing had access to more and more complex things than before.

Fortunately, Lin Shi'an was there to help him.

It took the two of them a whole day to sort out all of the Lin family's assets clearly.

The Lin family owns a total of 512 mu of farmland, 18 shops, and 3 farms.

These industries only qualify one for a fifth-rank official, and the Lin family's Changning Marquisate is now just a name.

"The reason why the number is less than the previously verified number is because my uncle sold some of them, intending to give us away," Lin Shi'an explained, fearing that Lin Zhiqing might misunderstand.

Lin Zhiqing nodded.

Even if Lin Shi'an didn't say it, she knew about this. Even if Lin Congli and others hadn't handed over the clan seal to her before, she had still placed quite a few people in the Lin family.

Although Lin Congli's act of selling the shop was irrational, it was also a desperate gamble for the Lin family, and Lin Zhiqing had no right to blame him. "I know Uncle's good intentions," she replied, then looked at Lin Shi'an.
"Cousin, what are your thoughts on the Lin family's business?"

In Lin Zhiqing's mind, Lin Shi'an was a talent that could be cultivated.

Although he wasn't outstanding in any aspect, and was even outshone by Lin Yangyang in his best skill, martial arts, he was extremely serious about his work and had a deep understanding of the Lin family.

Although Lin Zhiqing has become the new head of the family, he cannot figure out some things just by looking at the account books.

Although Aunt Mu knew a lot, she had never been involved in the Lin family's affairs, especially in terms of finances, so the information she could provide to Lin Zhiqing was limited.

Lin Shi'an was undoubtedly the best source of information for Lin Zhiqing.

"Because of Fourth Aunt's connections, most of the Lin family's shops are related to medicinal herbs," Lin Shi'an deliberately mentioned.

Lin Zhiqing nodded slightly.

In the end, the Lin family still benefited from Fourth Aunt's influence, which is why Lin Zhiqing did not pursue the matter of Fourth Aunt and Aunt Chun's affair.

Of all the people Lin Zhiqing understood best about Liu Mang's affair, her fourth uncle was the one she knew best.

The marriage between Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt was not arranged by the old Marquis, but was decided by Lin Qingshou, Lin Congli, and Lin Congyan together.

This is a classic example of "the lovebirds do not enter the homes of kings and nobles," where self-interest far outweighs affection.

In Lin Zhiqing's previous world, this would be called a business marriage.

Fourth Uncle was after Fourth Aunt's wealth, but Lin Zhiqing didn't know whether Fourth Aunt loved Fourth Uncle or was after his official position.

“If we keep relying on my fourth aunt’s family’s assistants, my fourth uncle and aunt will definitely develop a rift. These shops can be opened, but I think we should change direction,” Lin Zhiqing said thoughtfully.

"That's what I meant too." Having gone through so much, Lin Shi'an also understood the importance of developing his own business.

"It's good that you understand. If you fall behind, you will definitely be attacked. Self-sufficiency is the most important thing," Lin Zhiqing replied while looking at the account book.

“That’s right, you and I are both getting on in years.” Lin Shi’an changed the subject.

Lin Zhiqing raised an eyebrow slightly, while Lin Shi'an said, "The Lin family has only been safe for a short time, and my cousin already wants to kick me out?"

"How could I have such thoughts!" Lin Shi'an was anxious, but when he met Lin Zhiqing's smiling eyes, he instantly realized that Lin Zhiqing was joking, and his expression became serious:

"Your engagement with Prince Jiang was already postponed because of your third uncle's matter. I can tell he values ​​you highly, so your wedding day is probably not far off."

“My uncles probably wouldn’t think of these things, so I thought of them for you.”

“You are very capable. I will do my best to help you revitalize the Lin family’s business. In the future, whether it is your marriage or my sister’s marriage, we will be prepared.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhiqing simply smiled and said, "Cousin, these things are secondary. I will not consider marriage unless the Lin family's problems are resolved at their root."

She is unable to speak openly about Jiang Liuyun's affairs for the time being, and what she says now is mostly just an excuse.

Seeing this, Lin Shi'an couldn't help but feel anxious.

Lin Zhiqing glanced at him and knew what he was thinking. It was nothing more than his cousin misunderstanding about what happened that night, thinking that he was wavering between Lu Huai and Jiang Liuyun.

From Lin Shi'an's perspective, Jiang Liuyun is the best choice.

He has a good family background, real power, and is good enough to Lin Zhiqing.

But Jiang Liuyun is like the white rhododendron of Yunnan—beautiful and precious, but also highly poisonous.

"Alright, cousin, I know what I'm doing." Lin Zhiqing didn't want to talk about this anymore; the more he thought about it, the more upset he became.

Seeing this, Lin Shi'an had no choice but to suppress his thoughts and change the subject: "So what industry do you plan to develop?"