Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 411 The big fish takes the bait
"Let me tell you, there are always people in this world who are willing to do business with us." Before arriving at the Zhengyangmen base, Dinesh Joao couldn't wait to abandon his poor Chinese and started speaking his native Portuguese.

"Hmph." Ryan Hobbs snorted and shrugged, "What are you so proud of? It's because there is only this 'bank' willing to do 'your' business, and it's a government-owned shop." Ryan Hobbs even used an emphasis to emphasize "you".

"It would be great if it were a government-owned shop!" Dinesh Joao said, "The eunuchs in the 'Grand Palace' are willing to sell their houses to us, which means we are completely fine. As long as we spread the news widely, we don't have to worry about others not doing business with us." Dinesh Joao held his head high and chest out, as if he was walking with the wind.

"Believe it or not, if we go to Huang Hua Fang again today with this news, those madams and pimps who gave us a hard time and chased us away yesterday will immediately kneel down and call us 'Grandpa'!"

"You're still not considering the money. I'll kick you out even if you don't bring any money." Ryan Hobbs still had that sarcastic tone.

"It's been proven countless times," Dinesh Joao said, holding up two fingers and shaking them. "In China, even in business, money comes second."

"Yes, yes, yes. Money comes second." Ryan Hobbs said sarcastically, "Who dares to spend money better than you?"

"Eh? You," Dinesh Joao said in feigned anger, "if you have something to say, just say it."

"Five thousand three hundred and sixty-four taels of silver is about seven thousand seven hundred Spanish dollars. If you include the fire consumption, it will be eight thousand five hundred Spanish dollars. Don't forget that you have to pay the deed tax to the government when the property is sold. I heard it is thirty percent. So the total selling price will be around eight thousand eight hundred Spanish dollars." Ryan Hobbs has a strong mental arithmetic ability and completed the conversion and calculation in one go.

Ryan Hobbs' heart was bleeding. "Eight thousand eight hundred silver dollars, just for a three-story courtyard house. You're really willing to spend that. I wonder how you'll explain it to everyone when you get back. Of course, if you're willing to pay out of your own pocket, then there's no need to explain."

Dinesh Joao wasn't at all offended by this accusation. Instead, he said leisurely, "Let me correct you. The price of that property is five thousand taels of silver, not five thousand three hundred and sixty-four taels."

"You're correcting me?" Ryan Hobbs sneered, "How can you be so sure his application will be approved?"

"Oh. Eunuch Gao didn't even need to apply. He's just trying to bluff us." Dinesh Joao said with absolute certainty, "This property isn't worth five thousand taels, let alone five thousand three hundred and sixty-four taels. Eunuch Gao has raised the price by at least thirty percent."

Ryan Hobbs asked in confusion, "How do you know?"

"Aren't you usually very smart? How come you have become so forgetful now?" Dinesh Joao smiled and said, "When we rented a house last year, we asked about the rent of Nanxunfang. The broker said that the rent of Nanxunfang is about three hundred to three hundred and fifty taels of silver a year. The rent of a house is often linked to the price of the house. Think about it, isn't the offer made by Eunuch Gao 30% to 50% higher?" Although there were no ready-made vacant properties for rent or sale in Nanxunfang at that time, the broker also said that if necessary, they could help them keep an eye out.

"Then why did you buy it at a high price?" Ryan Hobbs asked.

"As the Chinese say," Dinesh Joao paused to think before saying, "you're short-sighted."

"What are you talking about?" Ryan Hobbs said dissatisfiedly, "Don't talk to me about those Chinese words that make people feel dizzy just by listening to them!"

"Hmph, I'm happy to. This is what I call a long-term investment," Dinesh Joao said proudly. "If I had bought the property from another brokerage, I would have spent so much money on it. If you think about it, you'll understand. Eunuch Gao sold the property to us at a high price, so he can look good on it. This way, we're implicitly doing him a favor. This will lay the foundation for building relationships, which will make it easier to build relationships later."

"In the future, we'll inevitably come to him for business and information. If we can establish a connection, everything will be much easier. A few thousand Spanish silver dollars would buy such a connection, which is a great deal. And if he gains the Emperor's favor and gets promoted because of our supplies, perhaps we can even build connections within the Forbidden City."

"Don't tell me, this is an opportunity. I even think God is blessing me! At other times, in other occasions, people wouldn't accept your money. Isn't it the same during the New Year holidays? That idiot Brent eagerly dragged a box of silver dollars to Eunuch Wang An. Who would pay any attention to him? They wouldn't even open the door for him."

Ryan Hobbs thought about it and felt that it was indeed reasonable, but then he asked, "Then why are you still bargaining? Just agree to it directly. You've already spent 5,000 taels, so you don't mind spending a little more. You almost cut it in half to 3,500 taels."

"Didn't I just say it? It's an implicit flattery. Agreeing to it all at once doesn't fit the image of a businessman who pursues profits and reduces costs. It has too much of a flattering connotation," said Dinesh Joao.

"Then how does he know we're trying to please him? What if he simply thinks we're stupid?" Ryan Hobbs said. "We can't just tell him straight out."

"You've got it," Dinesh Joao nodded. "First, lower the price to a level he can't accept, then, based on the reasons he gives, accept his second offer. After a while, after paying, find an opportunity to subtly explain that you've learned the market price through subsequent research. Don't complain at this time, just blame yourself for not considering it enough and praise his business acumen. It's true that he has good performance, and if we show weakness, he'll be proud and maybe even feel a little guilty. The foundation of the relationship will be laid. The Chinese like this; it's an art form. Think carefully and learn it well." Dinesh Joao's head was almost in the air. "And it can also test Eunuch Gao's character."

"What do you mean?" asked Ryan Hobbs.

"Just like when we authorize people to do business, we always give them a reserve price. I believe Eunuch Gao is facing a similar situation. Anything below the reserve price is above it, and anything above it is either his performance or simply his extra income. When he made his second offer, I clearly and urgently expressed my need for this property. In other words, I would still sell it even if 'the application is not approved.' If Eunuch Gao truly didn't 'apply' and sold it to us at 5,364 taels, it would mean that this person is either ambitious or extremely greedy."

Dinesh Joao's thoughts welled up, and he even snapped his fingers. "It doesn't matter which one it is. If it's the former, we'll use silver to pave his way, and if it's the latter, we'll use silver to feed him."

"I see." Ryan Hobbs finally understood why Dinesh Joao became the largest ship owner in the South China Sea and was willing to spend a huge amount of money to become the head of this delegation.

"But my intuition tells me that Eunuch Gao isn't that kind of person," Dinesh Joao said, changing the subject. "It's very likely he'll quit while he's ahead."

"Why is that?" asked Ryan Hobbs.

Dinesh Joao said, "Throughout the entire negotiation, the only time he displayed obvious anxiety was when I mentioned the transportation of grain and iron to the north. Those grain and iron shipped north would not pass through his hands; they would be transferred directly in Tianjin. This was a purely state matter, likely related to the Liaodong War. Just now, he was so anxious to issue the expulsion order, perhaps to get the news to his superiors as quickly as possible. I think he is a gentleman worthy of respect, even if he is only half a man."

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In the evening in Zhongwei, Tianjin, the afterglow of the setting sun casts a shimmering light on the Haihe River, illuminating the most tranquil moment of the day.

On the riverbank, next to the Dongjishichang station in Zhongwei, disguised as a small farmhouse, Fan Wanfu sat leisurely on a wooden fishing pier, renovated at a cost of two taels of silver, quietly waiting for a bite. Next to Fan Wanfu, a small sailboat with its sails down was docked. This was one of their essential means of communication with the Beitang station. Suddenly, the float moved. The violent vibration was transmitted through the fishing line to the rod. The experienced Fan Wanfu was absolutely certain that a large fish had taken the bait. He quickly gripped the rod and stood up to fight the fish.

At this moment, a burst of rapid horse hoofbeats sounded. Fan Wanfu noticed this, but because the farmyard was adjacent to the river and close to the official road, there was a constant flow of people and horses, so he did not pay too much attention to it, and did not even look back.

After struggling with the fish for a while, Fan Wanfu finally caught a big fish that he had almost exhausted.

Although the fish is still struggling with its last bit of strength after being out of the water, without the support of water, it can only sway helplessly in the air, doing useless work.

Fan Wanfu was very cautious. In order to prevent the slippery fish from slipping out of his hands, he waited until the fish was on the edge of the basket before removing the hook and throwing the big fish, which was enough to give the three stationed people a good meal, into the basket.

The sound of horse hooves grew closer, causing Fan Wanfu to turn his head involuntarily. At this moment, the three riders had already stopped their mounts at the entrance to the plank road.

"Are you Fan Wanfu, the owner of this house?" The leading rider turned around and pointed at the farmyard.

"Yes, I'm Fan Wanfu." Fan Wanfu looked the three riders up and down warily. "Excuse me, sir, what can I do for you?"

"We are from the factory." The leading rider stepped on the stirrup and dismounted, and the other two riders followed suit.

"Factory, which factory?" Fan Wanfu asked cautiously.

The leading rider looked around, making sure no one else was around before unbuttoning his waist badge, which was tightly covered by his clothes, and showing it to Fan Wanfu. "Of course it's the factory in the east."

Fan Wanfu saw the words on the sign clearly from a distance, and his whole body trembled as if in response. He clasped his fists and saluted, "Greetings to Headmaster Sun!"

"So leisurely?" Sun Yuerong handed the reins to the accompanying Dongchang guard, then put away his badge and hung it back around his waist. "You've even caught some fish."

Fan Wanfu walked over to Sun Yuerong and explained hurriedly with his head down, "The job I was given is to look after this house and live like a normal farmer."

"I'm just asking, why are you so nervous?" Sun Yuerong asked with a smile, "How many fish did you catch?"

"Just two," Fan Wanfu flattered him, "but thanks to you, the second one is particularly large, it looks like it weighs four or five pounds."

"Big fish is good." Sun Yuerong's face showed a little more joy. "Can you cook it?"

"It's just a light steamed dish." Fan Wanfu said.

"You're in for a treat! I used to work in the Imperial Kitchen, and I've been working with fish for years. I'm especially good at cooking them." Sun Yuerong patted Fan Wanfu's shoulder and pointed at the fish basket. "Go carry it. I'll teach you a few tricks."

"Then I'll trouble you, old man." Fan Wanfu breathed a sigh of relief and hurried back to the ferry, picked up a stool and basket, and put the fishing rod on his shoulder. If he had put on a bamboo hat, he would really look like a typical fisherman.

Sun Yuerong came to the gate of the courtyard, looked down at the iron lock on the door, and asked Fan Wanfu, "Is everyone else here?"

As Fan Wanfu took out his key and opened the door, he replied, "Chen Weiye is working at the docks. After work, he goes to the tavern where the workers gather to inquire about news. Lü Youzhang runs a stall in the Acropolis. He usually comes home earlier, but not before the city gates close. Judging from the weather, he should be back for a while."

The door opened, and Fan Wanfu continued, "If you want to summon them for questioning, I'll go find them right away."

"That's not necessary. I'm just asking a few questions." Sun Yuerong nodded and was the first to step over the threshold and enter the house.

Fan Wanfu waved his hand and pointed to the largest main room. "The three of you, please rest in the main room first. I'll prepare the tea."

"Where is your diary?" Sun Yuerong asked.

"It's in the main room." Fan Wanfu replied.

"Okay." Sun Yuerong nodded and walked towards the main house. The two accompanying servants also led the horses towards the stables.

By the time Chen Weiye returned to the base, night had already fallen. Only a wisp of sunset glow remained in the sky, like the last gentle touch of sunset. He walked to the door, but before he even entered, he heard an unusual commotion. Normally, Fan Wanfu and Lü Youzhang should have been the only two people in the yard, but there were at least four voices, and the tones sounded unfamiliar.

Chen Weiye immediately became suspicious and reached out to push the door gently, only to find that it was locked from the inside.

Chen Weiye didn't knock on the door. Instead, he pulled out a dagger he had been hiding behind his back. He quickly drew the knife, then took two steps back before shouting, "Fan Wanfu!"

(End of this chapter)