Lin Gao Qiming

Chapter 609
The three shops in Guangzhou Station have all absorbed large sums of deposits.These deposits are actually stored in Delong Bank. If Guangdong wants to attack Lingao, the fate of several companies closely related to Lingao is self-evident.A run on depositors was to be expected.

Meng Xian shook his head again and again: "Where is there so much cash now?"

Most of the collected deposits have been invested in the operation of the Guangzhou station——according to the instructions of the Finance Director's Department, the deposits collected in Guangzhou are not used as payment for the purchase of raw materials required by Lingao.They are used in a variety of businesses and investments in Guangzhou Station: opening up new industries; purchasing foreign goods——Lingao’s Southeast Asian company’s foreign-selling ships supply all kinds of goods except for sugar and wine in Leizhou, and supply some goods in Lingao The rest are undertaken by the Guangzhou station; operating the lending industry: including dismantling between merchants, lending, and small-amount lending to individuals.

"How much cash do you have now?" Guo Yi asked.

"The amount that can be used immediately is less than 12.5. I keep it as a [-]% ​​reserve..."

In Delong, there are a total of 40 taels of deposits absorbed by various shops and the deposits absorbed by itself.This is not a small number in this time and space.

"Don't talk about reserves, you have to take stock as soon as possible. Each family should still have a part of the working capital of the silver. Go back and collect the silver and count it clearly. How much cash can be used should be reported daily. If you can recover the account, hurry up Chase. We can deal with it—" Guo Yi just wanted to say "delay if you can".

"In my opinion, we should pay what we have to pay, and there must be no delay. Otherwise, rumors of a delay in payment will spread and there will be a squeeze immediately." Meng Xian said.

"That's right. Now this matter is just a rumor, and we will suffer if we make a fuss first." Guo Yi has been in Guangzhou for a long time, and he knows that the business of this time and space depends on credit.Once there is news of instability, no matter how big your country is, it will collapse like an iceberg in an instant.

After further discussion, it was decided that Guo Yi and the others would go back to their original places for the time being to handle business and socialize.Do some other corresponding preparations in secret.

"Yan Maoda, you manage Wei, pay more attention to the Escort system, Sun Kecheng must firmly grasp it. If necessary, you can retreat through their network"

"There is no problem with this. Old shopkeeper Sun is very reliable." Yan Maoda said, "However, Qiwei has frequent contacts with us, and I am afraid that this relationship cannot be hidden from others."

"It doesn't matter if you can't hide it. Qiwei also has business contacts with many big households. Self-protection should not be a problem."

Before the meeting ended, Guo Yi informed Zhang Yuchen: "You take the radio station and codebook and retreat to Qiwei's backup contact point first. There are also all kinds of modern equipment in the safe room, all of which must be packed and taken away—you should handle it yourself. This issue."

"I'll do it when I get back." Zhang Yuchen agreed.

The Guangzhou station has set up multiple backup contact points in the city, as a place of refuge when necessary.Special personnel are in charge of guarding and can receive evacuated personnel at any time.

Early the next morning, Guo Yi got up early, and the caretaker called Sun Chang over.

After Sun Chang came back from Lingao inspection, Guo Yi officially released him.He is now the chief steward next to Dongzhu Guo, and his status is quite different from before.According to the standard of this time and space, it is a "Hao Slave".

"You sit in my sedan chair, bring the Fujian spring tea that arrived a few days ago and my post, and send them off one by one." He took care of Sun Chang, "If the other party sees you, you can go and sit in one, be polite. Sentence, if you don't see it, it doesn't matter. Remember, remember the attitude of each family clearly!"

"Yes." Sun Chang nodded, "Send it according to the gift book?"

"That's right. You can go to Zichengji to get the tea, two catties each."

"Yes. Let's go, little one."

Human affection is as thin as paper.This is the same regardless of time and space.If the news is true, this group of people will definitely avoid Sun Chang and his gift like a god of plague.

The situation here in Ziming Building was unclear for a while.Although the appointments of important customers have decreased a lot, the business situation is still as good as ever.

"The situation doesn't seem to be good." Zheng Shangjie came to tell her, "Last night, no one came to three of the six VIP room reservations! Let the pigeons go!"

Pei Lixiu didn't need to look at the list to know who the six people who booked the VIP room last night were going to have fun, and she could roughly guess which ones didn't come.It seems that things are likely to happen!

"Prepare the sedan chair!" Pei Lixiu suddenly called out.

"Where are you going?" Zheng Shangjie was worried when she saw her complexion turning pale and pale.

"I'm going to Gaofu!"

Gao Shunqin's concubine, Su Ai, was her handkerchief. Gao Shunqin was also an inspector in Guangdong, and had a respected status among officials in the province. He would definitely not be ignorant of the military action against Lingao.

The news from Su Ai is more accurate than the news from the masters and second masters in various government offices.

Pei Lixiu's sedan chair is famous in Guangzhou.In order to prevent Su Ai from being too ostentatious, she only asked someone to carry the small sedan chair for two people in the building specially prepared for guests, and went to Gao's house.

Because of her status, she can be seen as a concubine or something, so naturally she can't post at the door like the wives of ordinary rich families, and can only quietly go to the corner door to ask the servants to post.

The servant at the door saw that the visitor was only a small sedan chair for two people, and he was posting a post at the corner door, so he knew that he was not a big person, let alone someone who was visiting a lord or wife.He didn't ask who he was looking for, and just replied coldly: "I'm not at home." Then he wanted to close the door.

Chunliu was used to seeing the world, and immediately stuffed a bunch of money over: "Please tell Aunt Su that the sisters from the Zi family are here."

Hearing that it was Aunt Su who was going to see him, and he got another string of money, the servant's expression immediately changed, and he regained his respectful expression: "Please wait for a moment!"

After a cup of tea, Su Ai sent someone to pick her up.

The sedan chair landed on the middle door, and the woman leading the way brought her and Chunliu to the backyard.

Su Ai is here, she has been here several times, and knows that this concubine of the Gaofu who was born as a famous prostitute in the south of the Yangtze River lives in the garden.

A group of people walked along a path shaded by flowers and trees.After walking through the winding corridors and stone paths, you come to a small courtyard with a single door.Pei Lixiu has always been blind to the road, she didn't know the way after coming here several times, she only followed the mother-in-law in a daze, but she recognized this place - this is Su Ai's residence.
The flowers, trees, pools and stones in the yard are arranged in a well-proportioned manner.A small building with three bays is hidden in the dense shadow of trees.

A maid took it from the door, and she yelled as she helped her move forward:
"Miss Pei is here!"

Then came the sound of fine footsteps.The curtain was lifted, and a maid came out first.She bowed to her visitor, turned away, and raised the curtain with both hands.After a while, a slender beauty with beautiful makeup came out slowly.

This is Su Ai. Regardless of the standards of time and space, Su Ai can be called beautiful.However, the body looks thinner.She is from Yangzhou. After arriving in Guangdong, she felt that she could not speak the vernacular of Guangdong. The maids and women around her were all brought from Jiangnan.Even the layout of the yard, the furnishing of the house and even the food are the most fashionable "southern style".Every time Pei Lixiu comes here, she enjoys the Jiangnan style of the Ming Dynasty, which is a different feeling from the luxury of Ziminglou.

Originally, when the handkerchief sisters met, they would have something to say, but now Pei Lixiu has no intention of being polite.Su Ai also seemed to know the purpose of this sister's visit, and directly welcomed her into the inner room to serve tea.

The maid brought refreshments.Su Ai told the maid to temporarily close the gate of the courtyard and not let idlers in.The two just started talking.

What Pei Lixiu inquired about was of course the recent movements of the Guangdong government.

"There is one thing, I wanted to come to Ziming Building to tell my sister in person today, since my sister is here, it's fine." She whispered

Su Ai told her: Recently, Gao Shunqin has been drafting drafts in the study every day, it seems that he is writing a memorial, and he often talks with his staff in the study, and specially asks people to go outside to find books.

"What book are you looking for?"

"It seems to be a book about Japanese imperialism." Su Ai said in a low voice in her room, "From his appearance, the government may be unfavorable to you recently."

"What's going on? Sister Su Wanwang let me know." Pei Lixiu was already begging.

"Don't worry!" Su Ai got along very well with Pei Lixiu on weekdays, and got a lot of benefits from her. Seeing that the owner of the handkerchief sisters was in trouble, naturally she couldn't do anything.

"This incident started with the painting of the Governor's Mansion, called Lu or something."

"Lu Yizhong."

"Yes, that's him." Su Ai said, "This man has some kind of plan, and he gave Wang Zhitai such an idea. Wang Zhitai obeyed him in a moment of confusion, alas, what a lot of trouble!"

"Lü Zan's painting?!" Pei Lixiu felt like a thunderbolt.Because this Lu Yizhong is the governor's praise painting, he flatters him all the time, not only is he respectful and respectful, but he often comes to Ziminglou to entertain guests and friends for free on weekdays.And this Lu Yizhong was also very polite to Guo Yi and her on weekdays. If there was any tricky matter, Guo Yi even sent a note of his own to deal with it immediately.It should be said that the two sides can be regarded as ancient and modern models in fulfilling the traditional Chinese-style collusion between officials and businessmen.

Unexpectedly, this old man who usually looks upright and kind would be so vicious!Thinking of Guo Yi and his team's hard work in starting a business, the huge country will be wiped out, Pei Li's delicate shoulders trembled.

"In my opinion, is there any way to undo this matter?" Pei Lixiu asked nervously.

"It depends on Wang Zhitai." Su Ai said, "However, Lu Yizhong is very useful in front of Wang Zhitai. If you can't make this person change his mind, I'm afraid it won't be possible."

"I don't know if my sister can invite Master Gao—"

Su Ai shook her head again and again: "Don't even think about it." She probably felt that she had rejected too much, and said with a sigh of relief, "My elder sister knows best about my adult's temper, and he hates people who know the world the most. He said that they would cut off the water supply to the Franji people and force them to evacuate Haojing. You Australians have been staying in Lingao, and he also heard about it. If the Portuguese can’t tolerate it, how can you tolerate the Australians!”

Su Ai continued: "I advise my younger sister to go back and talk to Dongzhu Guo, let all the Australians in Lingao change their hair, and then invite people to go to Guangzhou for activities and get registered, so as to save them from suffering in that plagued place. With you Are you afraid that you won’t be able to get a foothold here?”

"Thank you sister for planning."

Pei Lixiu thanked her, and then asked if she could speak up to protect the three Zizi enterprises.

"My sister probably knows that once the news of the conquest of Lingao outside comes out, there are already many people peeping at Dongzhu Guo's several properties. With the rumors and gossip, I am afraid there will be a lot of right and wrong! I also hope that my sister can invite someone from Mr. Gao. Make a post, maintain it—" She was on the verge of tears as she spoke.

It wasn't that she was trying to be hypocritical, but it was because she was hit too hard.Especially Ziminglou, she poured a lot of effort into it, if it was ruined like this, how could she be reconciled.

"Sister, don't worry." Su Ai comforted, "The official is very smart, and he will definitely not attack Ziminglou for a while. It's just that since the rumors have arose, there must be a wicked person who will take the opportunity to find trouble Blackmailing, maybe forcing you to donate is unknown."

"Contribute?" Of course Pei Lixiu knew what it meant.It is not easy to run a business in Daming. Businessmen without background are often blackmailed and made things difficult by various local officials and evil forces. Some businesses even ruined their families because of this.Some people put their property in the name of a certain gentry in exchange for protection.Of course, a large sum of money will be offered.In the future, there must be a certain amount of "filial piety" every year.This is nothing more than a commercial version of small landowners and self-cultivators in the countryside contributing land.

"This is not acceptable." Pei Lixiu said in a daze.

"When things are in danger, it can be regarded as a way!" Su Ai comforted, "Don't you have a very good relationship with the Gao family? The Gao family is the way of Eunuch Yang. If it is dedicated to the name of Eunuch Yang, it will hinder the eunuch. Prestige, no one in Guangdong dares to use your brains."

Su Ai finally gave her a small prayer box.Pei Lixiu opened it, and inside was a bright red greeting card, which belonged to Gao Shunqin.

"This invitation is for you. However, if there are some big bosses who want to take over your property, I'm afraid it won't be of much use." Su Ai reminded her.

"Thank you, sister. I will give you the money some other day!" Pei Lixiu knew that it would cost at least 400 taels of silver to get this greeting card—not counting the cost of getting through the joints in the Gao Mansion.Su Ai gave it to herself like this, which can be called sisterly love.

"What kind of money are we talking about between sisters!" Su Ai shook her head, "You don't come here recently. Money, it won't be too late to give you money after you can get through this disaster safely." She hesitated, "I still exist The silver on your chest..."

Su Ai has 2000 taels of silver in Ziminglou, which is her savings over the years.Now Zi's brand name is in jeopardy, no matter how loyal you are, you can't stand under the dangerous wall.

Pei Lixiu hurriedly said: "Please give me the notebook, and I will send someone to bring it to my sister later."

"Silver can't be delivered." Su Ai hurriedly said, "There are too many people here..."

"Yes, my sister is confused." This is Su Ai's private house money, how could it be sent to the Gao Mansion in an open manner, "Then where does my sister wish to save it? My sister will send the booklet after everything is done."

"I think it's better to deposit it in Delong. My master now uses this name more often for money transfers to the capital."

Pei Lixiu was so preoccupied at first, but now she almost laughed - the money was originally in Delong Bank.Originally, she was worried that it would affect Delong's cash reserves, but now it's just a change.

"Okay! My sister will do it when I get back." She answered very simply.

Pei Lixiu came back from Gao's house.First, Xia He was sent to Delong, and a sum of money was transferred on the account, and then the book was opened in Delong's name and sent to Su Ai.He himself sat down and wrote a secret letter to Guo Yi——the letter was written with secret writing potion, and it contained the contents of the conversation he had with Su Ai before and after he met Su Ai.

Don't think that Guo Yi can't agree to contribute to this kind of thing, and it's not within his scope of authority.

Just finished writing the letter and sent the traffic officer to send it, Pei Lixiu just wanted to talk to Zheng Shangjie about the current situation.Someone at the door came to report:
"Master Jiang arrived before the governor's case."

Mr. Jiang?Pei Lixiu thought for a long time before she remembered that this person was a master in Guangdong Governor Li Fengjie's curtain.The status is not prominent, and he specializes in doing trivial things for the Li family.

People like this used to be a lot of stuff in Ziming Building.But there must be a reason for suddenly coming to worship at this time.Pei Lixiu pondered for a moment, then ordered: "Please meet him in the flower hall."

Pei Lixiu dressed up a little before getting up and going to the flower hall.This Mr. Jiang has been "waiting" inside for a long time.

This person is about fifty years old, and he should be a scholar by looking at his clothes.The description of appearance is also dignified.

It's just that when this person saw Pei Lixiu, he fixed his eyes on her. He probably felt that this was too rude, so he immediately turned his gaze to Chunliu.

After the two parties met, Chunliu served tea.Pei Lixiu asked him why he came

This Mr. Jiang coughed, put on a look of "official affairs", and said majestically:

"Come to pay a visit today, the so-called official status is involuntary."

Pei Lixiu has been hanging out in Guangzhou for a long time, and knows that this is an "official language", which almost means "I am here to do business, and business must be done in business".She was secretly startled. Could it be that the Guangdong government is ready to do something?
She thought of Su Ai's reminder and Guo Yi's instruction to "keep calm" during the meeting, so she nodded slightly and asked:
"What advice does Master Futai have to teach you? I will ask Mr. Jiang to let me know so that I can follow it."

Master Jiang pondered for a moment and said:
"One is that there have been some rumors in the city recently..."

As he spoke, he looked at her, hoping that she would speak out by herself, but Pei Lixiu had already made up her mind at this time, it would be better not to speak out.

Seeing that the other party didn't express anything, Master Jiang cursed secretly, so he had no choice but to speak clearly.
"There are rumors that Guidong is a fake native of Guangzhou, but he is actually an Australian from overseas."

"Although we are not natives of Guangzhou, we are also Ming people." Pei Lixiu said slowly, "I don't know where to start with the so-called Australians from overseas?"

(End of this chapter)