Ming East India Company

Upon leaving the Chamber of Commerce and returning to his residence, Chen Jingshan immediately instructed his page to prepare a visiting card, along with twenty South Sea pearls, two bolts of silk, and several valuable calligraphy and paintings as gifts, before heading to visit Bai Wenzheng.

In the early winter wind, Chen Jingshan shivered outside the door. Half an hour had passed since the invitation card was handed in, but there was still no reply.

Years of experience in the business world made Chen Jingshan realize that tonight's meeting would likely be fraught with difficulties.

Finally, the doors of the Bai family mansion opened, and servants ushered Chen Jingshan into the main hall, where Bai Wencheng, the second son of the Bai family, sat upright.

"It's Chairman Chen! Long time no see. What brings you here?"

Chen Jingshan had a bad feeling. When you visit someone's home, the level of the person who receives you determines how they treat you.

The person in charge of the Bai family business is Bai Wenzheng, followed by the eldest daughter, Bai Ling. The fact that they have sent someone who doesn't usually take charge clearly shows that the other party doesn't value them.

Chen Jingshan had no choice but to bite the bullet and state his purpose:

"Now that Yuegang Port is closed and all industries are in ruins, dozens of maritime merchants in our Tonghai Chamber of Commerce are facing a life-or-death situation."

At the beginning of this year, Hong Kong banned the import of raw silk into Japan. Merchants who traded raw silk in Japan either went bankrupt or switched to other businesses. Only the Bai family's business was unaffected.

Therefore, Chen brought members of the Tonghai Chamber of Commerce down to seek advice from the Bai family on how to turn the crisis into an opportunity.

After saying this, Chen Jingshan stood up and bowed.

Bai Wencheng leaned back in the armchair, appearing relaxed.

"Oh! So the members of the Tonghai Chamber of Commerce are finally getting anxious. Where were you all when my Bai family was in trouble at the beginning of this year?"

Chen Jingshan immediately looked ashamed. Back then, the Bai family was greatly affected by the imperial court's ban on the East Sea. In order to raise enough military funds to go to Ryukyu, Bai Ling borrowed money from all over the place, and naturally, the "colleagues" of the Tonghai Chamber of Commerce were also knocking on the door.

As a result, everyone worried that the Bai family would be unable to repay the money, and no one was willing to lend them any.

Now that he sees the bunch of good-for-nothings in the Tonghai Chamber of Commerce in the same predicament as the Bai family, Bai Wencheng naturally feels a sense of revenge.

Chen Jingshan could only politely apologize.

"Brother Bai, what happened back then was due to our shortsightedness. We were like frogs in a well, unaware of the vastness of the ocean. We have come here specifically to apologize. We hope that, in consideration of our long-standing friendship with everyone in the Tonghai Chamber of Commerce, you will point us in the right direction."

Then Chen Jingshan again

Seeing that Bai Wencheng didn't respond, he looked around and said:

"I wonder how Third Master Bai is doing now? Are the Third Young Master and Miss alright?"

Bai Wencheng laughed:

"Don't bother looking anymore, the third brother's whole family went to sea for Okinawa."

"Go to Ryukyu?" Chen Jingshan's face showed surprise.

"That's right. The third brother's family went to Ryukyu, won the favor of the Ryukyu king, and obtained a special decree from Ryukyu that allowed them to trade freely through the Ryukyu government."

Now, my Bai family is an honored guest of the King of Ryukyu. Ryukyu has the right to conduct trade with our Great Ming Dynasty, so our Bai family can naturally make money smoothly.

"It was thanks to this move at the beginning of the year that my Bai family was able to turn the tide and continue our raw silk business."

Bai Wencheng's calm words betrayed an undisguised schadenfreude.

Chen Jingshan seemed to have suddenly remembered something:

"Ryukyu, you mean you've opened up a route to Ryukyu?"

"Exactly."

Chen Jingshan suddenly remembered the news he had recently heard from the government: after Yuegang was closed, only Ryukyuans were allowed to operate Yuegang exclusively.

He hadn't paid much attention to Ryukyu before because he didn't know much about it, but now that Bai Wencheng had said this, he realized the enormous power that the Bai family possessed.

By having the fleets sailing at sea adopt the flags of the Ryukyu people, they could achieve a "backdoor listing," evade the imperial court's inspections, and turn the tide for the entire Yuegang maritime merchants.

Chen Jingshan's emotions began to surge with excitement. He quickly straightened his clothes and stammered, "..."

"Then I wonder if the Bai family is interested in cooperating with the various merchants of the Tonghai Merchant Guild, so that from now on, all merchant ships under the Tonghai Merchant Guild will be transferred to the jurisdiction of Ryukyu. In this way, we can both comply with the laws of the imperial court and allow the Yuegang maritime merchants to continue to prosper."

Then, as if realizing something, Chen Jingshan quickly stated his position:

"Don't worry, Brother Bai, our Tonghai Chamber of Commerce will definitely offer a commission that will satisfy the Bai family."

Tonight, Bai Wencheng finally turned his head and looked directly at Chen Jingshan for the first time:

"How much is Chairman Chen planning to contribute?"

Chen Jingshan was taken aback, and hesitated before saying:

"I need to go back and discuss this with everyone in the Chamber of Commerce before I can make a final decision, but don't worry, Brother Bai, I guarantee it won't be less than 30% of the total value of the goods."

Chen Jingshan knew the difficulties the Tonghai Chamber of Commerce was facing, so he could still offer this guarantee.

Bai Wencheng laughed:

"President Chen, are you joking? Your maritime merchants usually pay more than this in taxes and bribes to the government. Do you think you can buy a living with 30% and appease beggars?"

Chen Jingshan gestured with his finger:

"Sixty percent. If it's even a fraction less, my Bai family will not allow the relevant merchants' goods to be loaded onto the ship."

"How much?" Chen Jingshan was startled. The Bai family was truly ruthless and heartless!

"Could you lower the limit? We're all from the same village, could you please be a little more lenient?" Chen Jingshan pleaded.

"The price is what it is, there is no room for negotiation. You only have the option to accept or not accept, you have no right to choose how much you want."

Chen Jingshan wanted to dawdle a little longer, but Bai Wencheng was already getting impatient:

"Chairman Chen, have you thought this through? Right now, the only family in Yuegang that can protect your Tonghai Chamber of Commerce is the Bai family. If you all go bankrupt, then the Bai family can rightfully take over the assets you vacate. The fact that we are helping you out now is already out of consideration for our hometown."

Seeing Bai Wencheng's resolute attitude, Chen Jingshan knew he had no room for negotiation and could only say:

"Could you grant us some time to return and discuss this for a few days?"

"Then you'd better come up with a plan as soon as possible, or you'll miss this opportunity."

Bai Wencheng spoke slowly and deliberately.

Chen Jingshan reluctantly got up to leave, but before leaving, he still asked with concern:

"May I ask, what are Master Bai's connections in Ryukyu? How much cargo can he transport? If there is too much cargo, will the Ryukyuans allow us to do so?"

"Don't worry, whatever goods you want to ship, no matter how large the quantity, my Bai family can handle it. There's no need to worry about the King of Ryukyu."

Bai Wencheng warned Chen Jingshan in an unquestionable tone.

Chen Jingshan sighed, left the gift, and went out.

Bai Ling had already informed Bai Wencheng of the relevant situation before the delegation returned to Fuzhou.

A few days ago, Bai Ye sent Cheng Keqin to travel by sea for days to bring him the bottom line for negotiations, demanding that he not waver.

This led to the "high price" that Bai Wencheng offered to Chen Jingshan today.