Prime Minister

Chapter 48 048 [Taking a Different Approach]

Yongye Lane, Shen Family Villa.

After stepping down from the carriage, Xue Huai surveyed the interior of the exquisite mansion, gaining a clear and intuitive understanding of the Shen family's wealth.

The western part of the city is full of wealthy people, and the land price in Yongye Ward is extremely high. This house in front of us costs at least five thousand taels of silver. With the interior furnishings and decorations, the total price is likely to be over ten thousand taels of silver. And this is just Shen Qingluan's temporary residence in the capital. It will probably be left vacant when she returns to Jiangnan.

"Qingluan, you must be tired from your long journey. You'll be busy with the business soon. Take a break and I won't bother you any longer."

Xue Huai smiled and addressed the other person by name naturally.

"Brother Huai, are you going home?"

Shen Qingluan looked reluctant to part, then had a sudden idea and said, "Since you're already here, you should at least have a cup of tea, right? If your aunt finds out you're going back like this, she'll definitely blame Qingluan for not knowing manners."

By this point, how could Xue Huai not know Shen Qingluan's feelings?

Even though he had been guarded and unwilling to trust anyone in both his past lives, he couldn't help but feel a little flutter in his heart at this moment.

The Xue and Shen families have been friends for generations. Xue Mingzhang and Shen Qingluan's father had a bond that transcended life and death. Xue Huai and Shen Qingluan were childhood sweethearts.

Such a beautiful and elegant young woman traveled a long way to come to him, telling him about her worries and longings, and showing him her concern without any reservations. She placed her pure and clear heart before him, which would move even the most hard-hearted person.

Xue Huai is also a human being, not a machine with a pre-programmed schedule.

So he didn't refuse and nodded, saying, "Okay, then let's try some famous teas from Jiangnan."

Shen Qingluan smiled broadly and subconsciously wanted to step forward and take Xue Huai's hand, but she stopped after taking only one step. She couldn't help but sigh with regret, "It's a pity we're not children anymore. If I'm too enthusiastic now, I'll definitely scare Brother Huai."

Although she had been collecting information about Xue Huai over the years, the capital and Yangzhou were thousands of miles apart, and the information transmitted through paper could not fully reflect the truth. Therefore, in her impression, Xue Huai was aloof and self-possessed like a pine tree on a solitary cliff, far superior to those纨绔子弟 (playboys).

The two walked side by side into the flower hall, where maids served them refreshments and fragrant tea before respectfully withdrawing.

"Brother Huai, do you still remember this?"

Shen Qingluan pushed a plate of delicate pastries in front of Xue Huai and said with a sweet smile, "These are double sesame shortbreads from Fuchunju in Yangzhou. I remember you love them the most. It's a good thing the weather is cold right now, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to bring them all the way here."

Xue Huai picked up a small piece and savored it carefully. He found it fragrant, crispy, and moist, melting in his mouth. Some dormant memories deep in his mind gradually awakened.

Shen Qingluan continued, "In the summer when I was eight years old, I was feeling unwell and had no appetite. One day, you came to my house in a mysterious way, saying you would take me to the city to eat something delicious. We walked for a long time that day, and even the old housekeeper was exhausted. It wasn't until you led me to the entrance of Fuchunju that the aroma instantly captivated me."

Xue Huai picked up the conversation: "Then you ate three whole pastries and almost choked."

"I knew Brother Huai wouldn't forget!"

Shen Qingluan smiled and said earnestly, "I still remember the taste back then. It's just that after you left, I went to Fuchunju many times, but I could never feel the same way I did when I was eight years old."

"Because we've all grown up."

Xue Huai's expression was gentle, and he continued, "Actually... the reason you ate so heartily that day was not because the pastries from Fuchunju were better than any other delicacy in the world, but because you had walked a long way and were hungry."

Shen Qingluan was slightly taken aback.

After a moment, she smiled and said, "I see. Brother Huai is so clever. He can come up with such a simple yet useful method at the age of eight or nine."

This time it was Xue Huai's turn to be stunned.

His original intention was to help Shen Qingluan wash away the childhood biases and give the two of them a chance to get to know each other again, so that no matter how their relationship changes in the future, they can be true to themselves. However, he did not expect that the girl's biases were so strong.

That's enough, why force it?
Thinking of this, Xue Huai changed the subject, saying, "Qingluan, I've heard that your family is now considered one of the leading merchants in Jiangnan?"

"Back then, with Uncle Xue's help, the Shen family overcame difficulties and gained a foothold. My father gradually consolidated the family business, mainly focusing on four areas: textile dyeing, money exchange, salt permits, and canal transport. When Uncle Xue left Yangzhou, he introduced my father to several high-ranking officials in Jiangnan, such as the current Jiangsu Provincial Governor, Lord Dou. In recent years, the expansion of the family business has been relatively smooth. Although we dare not claim to be the best, we do have some status in Jiangnan."

Shen Qingluan was extremely frank and said, "This time, my family's Guangtai Company is heading north to the capital. My father has chosen two businesses: a cloth shop and a money shop."

Xue Huai wasn't particularly knowledgeable about business operations, and the trade in this era was quite different from that in his previous life. However, having spent a long time navigating the officialdom, he could still discern some basic issues: "The cloth shop shouldn't encounter too much trouble, but this money shop... I'm afraid it will be difficult for it to establish itself in the capital."

"Brother Huai is indeed insightful." Shen Qingluan praised, then briefly explained, "I had done my research beforehand. The money shops and banks in the capital have always been controlled by Shanxi merchants. They have very close relationships with the tax supervisors and officials of the Ministry of Revenue, making it difficult for outsiders to get involved. My family had already smoothed things over with the inner court and was about to obtain the money shop license, but at this crucial moment, the Ministry of Revenue suddenly stopped us, which means that all the money we invested in the early stages may have gone down the drain."

“Every place has its local bullies. For example, the Shanxi merchants monopolized the money shops and banks in the capital, and the Yangzhou merchants controlled the canal transport. This is not surprising. I believe Uncle Shen must have expected this.”

Xue Huai spoke calmly, recalling that Shen Wang and Xue Minglun had both mentioned that the current Minister of Revenue was one of the most troublesome old foxes in the court, and that Minister Wang happened to be from Shanxi.

Shen Qingluan said somewhat embarrassedly, "Actually, my father initially disagreed with Guangtai going north. He felt that the business in Jiangnan alone was enough to make the Shen family rich. He was not against helping you, Brother Huai, but said that money could pave the way and help you expand your connections in officialdom, without having to involve the family business."

Xue Huai felt no displeasure. On the contrary, he thought that Shen's father's thinking was that of a wise businessman, so he nodded and said, "Uncle Shen is right, and of course Qingluan, you are right too."

If it weren't for the second half of her sentence, Shen Qingluan would definitely be a little unhappy. So she just smiled and said, "I told my father that the focus of the Shen family's business should still be on Jiangnan. Wouldn't it be better to open up another path in the capital? Building connections can't rely on occasional formalities. We have to let others see the existence of the Shen family. It would be best to cooperate with the Shen family's businesses. That way, our relationship will become closer."

To Xue Huai, this was a clash of ideas between two generations.

As Shen's father reached middle age, he naturally sought stability in everything, while Shen Qingluan, like the rising sun, was full of youthful vigor.

Shen Qingluan was a bit frivolous in front of him, but when it came to serious matters, she gradually revealed her vision and knowledge. No wonder she was able to help manage the family business and do it so well.

Xue Huai asked with great interest, "So what are your plans next?"

"There's not much of a problem with the inner court. The chief eunuchs are only interested in making money, and because my family has some influence in the canal transport, we've had a lot of dealings with the tax supervisors in the inner court before, so they won't deliberately make things difficult for Guangtai Company."

Shen Qingluan, confident and unhurried, said, "It's just that dealing with the Ministry of Revenue is very difficult. The Shanxi merchants and their interests are too deeply intertwined, making it virtually impossible for outsiders to get involved. I've thought about this carefully. Rather than continuing to waste energy in the Ministry of Revenue, it's better to seek cooperation with others. There are countless powerful and influential people in the capital, and the Ministry of Revenue is not without its flaws. As long as we can find the right people to put pressure on the Ministry of Revenue, Guangtai Bank's money exchange will be able to open smoothly."

"clever."

Xue Huai gave her a thumbs up.

Shen Qingluan asked, "Brother Huai, do you also think this method is feasible?"

"Of course it's possible."

Xue Huai nodded and said, "Actually, this matter is not that complicated. For you, it is difficult to forcefully intervene between the Shanxi merchants and the Ministry of Revenue, but it is much simpler to just get the Ministry of Revenue to open a door. However, this matter cannot be rushed. You must know that people's hearts are unpredictable. You must not easily choose a target, otherwise you may lose both your wife and your army. At that time, not only will the money shop fail to open, but someone will also swallow up the Shen family's money."

Shen Qingluan was overjoyed. Xue Huai's analysis was entirely for her benefit, and he didn't hide anything from her. It was worth all the effort she had put into persuading her father.

"Brother Huai, don't worry, I won't make a hasty decision. I've already arranged for people to investigate first, focusing on those powerful and influential families."

Shen Qingluan did not speak recklessly in front of Cui Shi. This time, she came to the capital to resolve the obstacles encountered by the Guangtai ship on its northward journey, and naturally, she had already made plans on the way here.

Xue Huai nodded and said, "I will keep an eye on things for you. In short, there's no need to rush. Let's take it one step at a time."

Shen Qingluan replied, "Okay, I'll do whatever you say."

Xue Huai glanced at the sky outside, picked up his teacup, drank half a cup of tea, and smiled, "Qingluan, I have to go back now. I'll come see you another day."

"Well……"

Shen Qingluan did not insist on keeping him, and stood up, saying, "Alright then, I'll see you off."

It was nearing noon, and the chill in the air was dispelled by the sunlight, giving people a rare feeling of warmth.

Shen Qingluan watched Xue Huai and his attendant ride away until their figures disappeared from sight before turning back.

Once inside the warm room, she could no longer hide the joy on her face.

With no one else around, Yun'er, Shen Qingluan's personal maid who had served her for many years, couldn't help but chime in, "Xue Shidu is indeed a handsome man, and he and Miss are a match made in heaven."

"Don't talk nonsense..."

Shen Qingluan gave her a harmless glare, but then lay on the couch, chuckling softly to herself.

(End of this chapter)