The low-key prince summons trainees from the Imperial Household Department at the start of the game.

The next morning, before the fog on Qipan Street had completely dissipated, Yi Dun was already standing in front of the main gate of Taihe Grain Store.

Taihe Grain Store's storefront is much more impressive than Heshengyuan's.

The storefront has five bays, with a pair of stone lions in front of it each as tall as a person. The black lacquered door is inlaid with copper nails the size of bowls, and an ebony plaque hangs above the door.

The two characters "Taihe" were personally inscribed by the former Minister of Revenue.

Such a storefront and such a plaque are unique among grain stores in Beijing.

Yi Dun stood at the door for a moment, straightened his clothes, and then stepped up the stairs.

He didn't send out invitations, nor did he bring any attendants; he was alone, carrying an inconspicuous coarse cloth bundle.

After the gatekeeper announced his arrival, Zhao Yuankang, the owner of Taihe Grain Store, did not invite him in immediately, but instead made him wait in the flower hall for the time it takes to drink two cups of tea.

This attitude is very clear.

It's true that you, Yidun, are the owner of Shengyuan, but compared to Taihe Grain Store, you are still a rising star.

Yi Dun didn't take it to heart and quietly sat in the flower hall drinking tea. He even praised, "This Biluochun tea must be from before the Qingming Festival. Master Zhao has good taste."

When Zhao Yuankang finally appeared, he was accompanied by two accountants, making quite a grand entrance.

He was in his early fifties, with a round face that smiled like a Maitreya Buddha, but his squinting eyes revealed the shrewdness and prudence unique to businessmen.

After the host and guest were seated and exchanged a few pleasantries about the weather and grain prices, Zhao Yuankang picked up his teacup, stirred the tea leaves floating on the surface with the lid, and said in a polite but clearly distant tone, "What brings you here today, Master Yi?"

Yi Dun didn't beat around the bush. He placed the coarse cloth bundle on the table, untied it, and inside was a stack of account books. "I wouldn't presume to offer advice. I've come today to settle some accounts with Master Zhao."

He opened the top ledger and pushed it in front of Zhao Yuankang. The numbers on the page were clearly displayed: "Taihe Grain Store imported 50,000 shi of rice from Jiangnan after the autumn harvest this year, which is 30% less than in previous years."

"It's not that there's a shortage of rice in Jiangnan, but that your company's several long-term suppliers in Jiangnan have been poached by Wanli Trading Company."

Zhao Yuankang paused slightly in his tea-serving hand, neither speaking nor denying anything.

Yi Dun opened the second ledger, his tone still unhurried: "Wanli Trading Company not only poached your supplier, but also dumped rice in the Beijing retail market at a 30% discount."

"Mr. Zhao, why don't you calculate how much your business has lost in the retail market this year?"

Zhao Yuankang put down his teacup, and the smile on his face faded slightly.

He had certainly calculated that Wanli Trading Company had taken away nearly 20% of the retail market share this year, and profits were 40% less than last year.

But he didn't speak, because he was still unsure of Yi Dun's intentions—whether he was there to kick someone when they were down or had other plans.

Yi Dun, unhurriedly, opened the third ledger and pointed to a few lines of numbers, saying, "These are the purchase prices for Heshengyuan Grain Trading Company."

"If Mr. Zhao is willing, Heshengyuan can transfer this procurement channel to Taihe at the original price. It's not selling to Taihe, it's transferring to Taihe."

"There is only one condition: Taihe and Heshengyuan will hold shares in each other, with your company holding 20% ​​of Heshengyuan's grain business and Heshengyuan holding 20% ​​of your company's grain business."

"From now on, your company's procurement channels will be the same as Heshengyuan's procurement channels, and Heshengyuan's retail network will be your company's retail network."

"If Wanli Trading Company tries to poach suppliers and dump goods at low prices again, it will not only be dealing with Taihe, but with Taihe and Heshengyuan working together."

Zhao Yuankang remained silent for a long time.

The two accountants behind him exchanged a glance, and one of them whispered a few words in his ear. Zhao Yuankang nodded slightly.

Then he looked up at Yi Dun and said, "Master Yi, you've calculated things very clearly."

"But you overlooked one thing: Wanli Trading Company is backed by the Taibao Mansion."

"I don't need to elaborate on the weight of the Taibao Mansion. What makes you think that joining forces with you can withstand them?"

Yi Dun smiled.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then put it down, his tone as calm as if he were saying that the price of rice had increased by two coins today: "The Grand Protector's Mansion is indeed powerful. In terms of power, the Grand Protector's Mansion is even higher than the Marquis of Anxi's Mansion. Few officials in the entire court dare to offend Grand Protector Yuwen directly."

"As for methods, Wanli Trading Company has been wielding considerable influence in the capital's business circles for years under the banner of the Taibao Mansion. I'm sure Master Zhao knows this better than I do."

"But the Grand Protector's Mansion has a weakness: Grand Protector Yuwen Lie himself never engages in business, nor does he bother to personally concern himself with the affairs of merchants."

"The connection between Wanli Trading Company and Taibao Mansion is entirely due to the fact that the owner's wife is a distant cousin of Yuwen Taibao."

"Think about it, Mr. Zhao, if something happens to Wanli Trading Company, would Yuwen Taibao personally intervene for the sake of a distant cousin's husband's family?"

Zhao Yuankang's brow twitched slightly.

Yi Dun's words touched on a problem that he had never been able to figure out.

Just how close was the relationship between Wanli Trading Company and Taibao Mansion?

Yuwen Lie was the Grand Protector of the court, one of the Three Dukes, a highly respected figure who placed great importance on his reputation.

He was neither like Marquis Cao Jun of Anxi, who was willing to openly invest silver in his business, nor like Marquis Han Chong of Dingyuan, who casually sent his steward to the shop to reconcile accounts.

The fact that Wanli Trading Company could operate under the banner of the Taibao Mansion was more of a case of borrowing power from a powerful figure.

Tai Bao himself may not have known, and even if he did, he may not have cared.

"Even if the Taibao Mansion really intervenes, we are not without countermeasures."

"Who is the Grand Protector's biggest political enemy in the court? It is Marquis Dingyuan, Han Chong."

"Master Zhao knows better than I how much military rations Lord Han's Tiger Guards need each year."

"If Taihe and Heshengyuan join forces to secure the military food supply contract for the Tiger Guard, the Taibao Mansion's actions against us in the grain industry will be tantamount to hindering Lord Han's military food supply."

"Does Master Zhao think Lord Han will stand idly by?"

Zhao Yuankang finally picked up his teacup and took a proper sip.

The tea had gone cold, but he was completely unaware.

He had already mentally considered Yi Dun's suggestion over and over again.

Heshengyuan's supply channels, Heshengyuan's retail network, the 20% share swap, the military food contract with Hubenwei...

Each and every one of them represents a real benefit.

More importantly, Yitton never uttered a single threatening word, "You can only survive by cooperating with me."

But every number tells him the same thing: without cooperation, Taihe Grain Store will not survive until next year under the siege of Wanli Trading Company.

He put down his teacup, raised his eyes to look directly at Yidun: "Are you confident about the Tiger Guard's food supply contract?"

"Yes," Yi Dun answered crisply and decisively, his tone firm but without a trace of bluff.

He did not explain why he was so confident, and Zhao Yuankang did not press him for an answer.

Between two seasoned businessmen, a single word of promise is enough.

"Alright." Zhao Yuankang stood up and extended a hand. "I will send someone to reconcile the accounts with Shengyuan. As long as the accounts are correct, the shareholding arrangement is settled."

Yi Dun also stood up and took his hand.

The moment their hands clasped, they both felt the calluses on each other's palms.

Those are the marks honed from decades of hard work and struggle in the business world.

Meanwhile, at the main branch of Fengheng Cloth Shop on the other side of the capital, Lei Lutai was sitting in the flower hall, facing the smiling but treacherous face of Meng Qinian, the head manager of Fengheng Cloth Shop.

Meng Qinian was in his early fifties, with a thin, long face, a goatee, and a pair of triangular eyes that darted around behind his glasses, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.

He was extremely enthusiastic about Lei Lutai's visit, personally brewing a pot of top-quality Lu'an melon seed tea and having four plates of snacks brought over.

He kept saying "I've heard so much about you," but his triangular eyes were constantly scrutinizing Lei Lutai's clothes, expression, and the sandalwood abacus he carried with him.

Lei Lutai sipped his tea with a smile, praising the pastries, the elegant aroma of the tea, and how well Manager Meng looked and maintained her health, but he didn't mention anything important.

Meng Qinian wasn't in a hurry, chatting with him about this and that, but he was actually making plans in his mind.

The arrival of the second manager of Heshengyuan must have been for a specific purpose.

But what's their motive? Are they here to demand an explanation, or to seek peace?

After three rounds of tea and half of the snacks, Lei Lutai finally pulled a thin piece of paper from his sleeve, placed it on the table, and gently pushed it towards Meng Qinian with his fingertips.

Meng Qinian looked down and saw that it was not a challenge or a protest, but a cooperation proposal.

A cooperation plan involving cross-shareholding between Heshengyuan Cloth Shop and Fengheng Cloth Shop.

Meng Qinian held the piece of paper in his hand and remained silent for a long time.

He wasn't hesitating about whether to accept it or not.

He knows Fengheng Cloth Shop's problems best. If Heshengyuan is willing to share some of its banking channels with him, it would be a godsend.

He was waiting for Lei Lutai to offer his terms.

Lei Lutai's conditions were simple: cross-shareholding, with Heshengyuan holding 20% ​​of Fengheng Cloth Shop's shares, and Fengheng Cloth Shop holding 20% ​​of Heshengyuan Cloth Shop's business.

Both parties mutually opened up their procurement channels and sales networks, with the ticket office channel being fully opened to Fengheng Cloth Shop.

There was only one condition: Fengheng Cloth Shop had to sever all business ties with Longsheng Bank.

Meng Qinian remained silent for a long time.

Longsheng Bank was a long-time partner of Fengheng Cloth Shop, and the owners of the two businesses were even related by marriage. Cutting off ties would not only be a major blow, but also damage their relationship.

But he also knew that Longsheng Bank had been taking an increasingly larger cut of his profits over the years, and last year they even delayed the remittance of a payment for a shipment, almost causing him to lose credibility with suppliers in Jiangnan.

Instead of answering directly, he asked in return, "What terms can Heshengyuan Bank offer me?"

Lei Lutai held up one finger, his voice not loud, but crisp and clear like an abacus bead falling to the ground: "The exchange rate difference is half that of Longsheng Bank. Just from this alone, your bank earns at least this much more every year."

He gave a figure, not an exaggeration, but enough to make Meng Qinian's Adam's apple bob. "In addition, if your downstream garment workshops and dyeing workshops need working capital, Shengyuan Bank will give priority to lending, with an annual interest rate two percent lower than the market rate."

Meng Qinian picked up his teacup and took a sip.

The tea had gone cold, but his throat still felt dry.

The two accountants behind him couldn't contain themselves any longer and crowded around to look at the plan from both sides.

The more I looked at it, the more alarmed I became. This wasn't a cooperation plan; it was clearly a tailor-made business diagnosis.

All of Fengheng Cloth Shop's weaknesses—narrow distribution channels, slow payment collection, poached suppliers, and restricted profit margins—were addressed in this solution.

He put down his teacup, stood up, straightened his clothes, and then solemnly bowed to Lei Lutai.

Lei Lutai stood up to return the greeting, knowing in his heart that the second nail had also been driven in.

However, the time when Mao Honghui's true skills were demonstrated was during his trip to the Marquis of Anxi's residence.

Marquis Cao Jun of Anxi was the most low-key of the four marquises. He was known for his steady military leadership, rarely made public statements in the court, and rarely made personal appearances in the business world.

But the business tycoons in Beijing all know that Longsheng Bank's ability to dominate the banking industry is not solely due to the abilities of its head manager, Sun Bainian.

It also supports the hundreds of thousands of taels of silver deposited annually for military pay of the Marquis of Anxi's mansion, making it the most prized possession of Longsheng Bank.

To deal with Longsheng Bank, we must first deal with the Marquis of Pingxi's mansion.

Money alone is not enough to appease the Marquis of Pingxi.

Cao Jun was not short of money. The military pay deposits of the Marquis of Anxi were known for their stability among the banks in the capital. The interest alone brought Longsheng tens of thousands of taels of silver a year.

He was not lacking in prestige either. He was a marquis, a veteran general in the army, and had students and former officials all over the northwestern border army. His position was more secure than that of most ministers.

Trying to bribe someone like that is like throwing a meat bun at a dog.

Even after the dog finished eating, it still complained that your steamed bun was too small.

However, the Marquis of Anxi's mansion has a weakness, which is hidden deep within the mansion and is unknown to ordinary merchants, let alone used to their advantage.

The reason Mao Honghui is who he is is because he exploited this weakness.