Film and Television World Life Record

As for high-proof liquor, not many people enjoy drinking it. However, due to its limited production, this kind of spirit is unique in the market, and many people who want to find something unusual will try it. It's quite good if you can buy it.

Given a few years, Zhuji can become a large trading company with influence throughout the entire Wu Kingdom and even the Liao Kingdom.

……

On the other side, at the Wu family mansion, as the lanterns were lit, important figures of the Wu family gathered one after another. These people included Wu Chenghou's brothers of the same generation who jointly managed the family business; cousins ​​who participated in the family business; young people who were highly valued by the family; and old seniors who had been influential in the business world and were now enjoying their retirement.

These people, who hadn't even gathered a quarter of the crowd during the battle for the imperial merchant status two months ago, are all here today.

After Wu Qilong and the others finished recounting their meeting with Li Mu at the teahouse that day, everyone fell silent, a mix of emotions spreading through them: anger, astonishment, fear, absurdity…

Wu Chengyuan's face turned ashen as he said, "The Su family's appetite is too big. They want a third of our Wu family in one go. No matter what, I will not agree. It's too absurd."

“My Wu family has built its current scale over a hundred years. If we give one-third to the Su family, we will still have to bribe officials and even pay tribute to the palace. That will require a huge sum of money. In the end, my Wu family will not even have half left. Perhaps only one-third will remain. How can we face our ancestors and squander the family business they built?”

He softened his tone, saying, "Actually, it's just that the cloth is fading. I don't believe it will escalate to the point of confiscating property and exterminating the family. As long as we spend more money to bribe officials, we might be able to get through this."

"When a wall falls, everyone pushes it down!" Wu Chengke sighed. "We've been too ruthless these past few years, offending so many people. The Su family isn't the only enemy. The Su family is only after money, but some of our enemies are watching us closely, wanting our lives!"

"If the Su family releases the news, these people will pounce on it like cats smelling fish."

Wu Chengluo looked at Wu Chengke: "According to you, the Su family is still good; they only want money and don't want our lives."

Wu Chengke: "At least they didn't kill us right away, they gave us a way out. We still have a lot of assets, and we have a chance to make a comeback."

Wu Chenglu snorted and said, "In my opinion, you've just been fooled and intimidated by his reputation as a talented man. Things aren't that serious."

"Shut up, all of you!" Uncle Wuzhen, who was sitting at the top, tapped his cane and finally lost his temper, standing up shakily.

"Stop spouting nonsense. What we're discussing now isn't how much money we need to spend or what price we need to pay; it's about confiscation of property and extermination of the entire clan. 'Confiscation of property and extermination of the entire clan,' everyone understand?"

"When things really come to that, what good is all that money? Everyone here, whether they're here or outside, your wives and children at home will either be dead or exiled. There will be no more chances to regret it."

"At this time, let's not talk about money anymore. Let's talk about something useful: how should our Wu family get through this crisis?"

Wu Chengyuan said, "How about we go to Tokyo first and try to get in touch with the officials there? Once we've established connections, things will be much easier."

Wu Qilong shook his head: "There's not enough time. The Su family didn't give us much time to consider. Before our people even arrived in Tokyo, they've probably already caused trouble."

"Furthermore, I've learned something else these past few days. Despite Ning Yi's usual low-key demeanor, the people he associates with are extraordinary. I specifically inquired about it, and he often plays chess with two elderly men by the Qinhuai River. Do you know who these two men are?"

Wu Chengluo said, "What kind of status does he have? He's just a son-in-law. Even if he has some fame, what important figures could he possibly associate with!"

Wu Qilong smiled and shook his head: "Seventh Uncle, you underestimate him. One of the old men is the former Minister of Personnel, an important official of the court, Qin Siyuan, the old prime minister. I heard that the court has summoned him many times but he has not gone. Maybe he will be reinstated one day."

Everyone gasped in shock; they could never even get close to someone of this caliber on a normal day.

Wu Qilong continued, "Guess who the other one is! It's Kang Xian, the husband of the current Grand Princess, and the Emperor's uncle—a top-tier nobleman. If Ning Yi tries to get in through these two, does our Wu family still have any hope?"

Everyone's hearts sank. If the Su family had truly gotten through to these two, the Wu family really wouldn't have any chance of turning the tables.

Wu Qilong continued, "Even if the Su family fails to get through to those two, the Emperor might still be lenient and let them off lightly. But if war really breaks out, uncles and elders, what do you think? Should we dare to take the risk?"

"If we win, we can preserve more of our family fortune; if we lose, we will die and our clan will be wiped out. Who can take this risk?"

After an awkward silence, Fifth Uncle tapped his cane: "What else is there to discuss... It's better to lose money than suffer a greater disaster. Our Wu family still has its foundation. If we manage it well in the future, stop using underhanded tactics, and be honest and upright, we will eventually surpass the Su family."

Wu Chenghou scanned the expressions of everyone and made a decision: "Then let's talk. After all, Qilong and Ning Yi's meeting is not a formal one. Let's invite the Su family out and see what they want from the Wu family. Let's have a proper talk."

"If things are impossible, we'll just give him whatever he wants."

“Father, elder brother…” Some people wanted to persuade him further, but Wu Chenghou waved his hand: “Alright, that’s enough. Everyone go back and make preparations. The sooner things are resolved, the sooner we can put our minds at ease.”

Chapter 614 Harvest Season

As evening fell, Li Mu and Su Tan'er were gazing at the full moon in the sky, eating, enjoying the breeze, and talking in the corridor on the second floor of the Su family's courtyard.

"Husband, have we confronted the Wu family?"

Li Mu said, "I'm laying my cards on the table!"

Su Tan'er asked curiously, "What was the result?"

Li Mu smiled and said, "With my husband taking the lead, the outcome is naturally good. The tone has been set. You can talk to the Wu family again tomorrow. Don't hesitate to tell them what you want."

Su Tan'er said, "The Wu family gave in so easily."

Li Mu said, "Of course it's not that easy, but they have no choice. On one hand, they face confiscation of their property and extermination of their clan; on the other hand, they suffer financial losses. It's easy for them to choose."

Su Tan'er said, "Then I'll do as my husband says and talk to them tomorrow."

Li Mu said, "When you talk to the Wu family, speak more assertively and don't let them think you're easy to talk to."

Su Tan'er asked in confusion, "How can I make it more domineering?"

Li Mu said, "For example, you could say, do you want money or people? Or you could say, don't worry about the money... after all, people can live."

Su Tan'er laughed and said, "Husband, isn't saying this just rubbing salt into the wound?"

Li Mu smiled and said, "How could that be! They're all seasoned veterans in the business world, they can handle this. This is also to show our attitude and not give them any chance to take advantage or try to bargain."

……

The next day, Su Tan'er, accompanied by seven or eight trusted managers and stewards, and several maids, went to the teahouse where she had arranged to meet the Wu family.

The tense atmosphere in Jiangning's textile industry did not reach the common people. Pedestrians bustled through the streets and alleys, and music drifted through restaurants and teahouses. Occasionally, people would chat about interesting things happening in Jiangning, and the Su family and the Wu family would inevitably be mentioned.

Today, the once fierce and aggressive textile industry in Jiangning has become quiet.

It is strange to many people that the Su family has suffered a series of assassination attempts; failed in the competition to become a royal merchant; and had the second and third branches of the family split up, with both sides eyeing the position of family head.

Under such circumstances, the Su family, which should have been even more chaotic, surprisingly calmed down and each person performed their duties, which was quite remarkable.

Another remarkable thing is the Wu family. They can turn the world upside down and quietly obtain the Su family's secret recipe, snatching the imperial merchant status from the jaws of death. Such ruthless methods, while making people wary, also make people admire their methods.

After acquiring the Imperial Merchant, the Wu family, who had been very high-profile, has recently become much more low-key. Whenever merchants in Jiangning City talk about it, they praise the Wu family for their composure and magnanimity. It is rare for them to achieve such success and still remain so low-key.

The carriage traveled all the way to the agreed-upon teahouse, where they met several managers and stewards from the Wu family, led by Wu Chenghou.

After exchanging pleasantries, Wu Chenghou looked around and asked, "Where is Nephew Ning? Why didn't he come?"

Su Tan'er smiled faintly and said calmly, "My husband has never liked to meddle in these kinds of things or worry about them. There are still lectures at the academy today, so I didn't want to disturb him."

Wu Chenghou said self-deprecatingly, "So, it seems our Wu family isn't even in Ning Xian's eyes. I'm the one making a fuss over nothing."

Su Tan'er smiled and said, "Uncle, please forgive me. My husband stays at home most of the time and doesn't concern himself with these mundane matters. I'm the one who manages the business. If the Su family hadn't encountered some difficulties recently and I hadn't been able to do anything about it, my husband wouldn't have gotten involved."

“However, my husband truly foresaw what happened today, and he has already arranged everything clearly, one thing at a time, as it will unfold from here. My husband has his own matters to attend to, so I will leave this to my niece. Uncle, there is no need for you to be angry about this…”

Wu Chenghou snorted and had no choice but to sit down and begin negotiations.

Actually, there wasn't much to discuss. Following the principles Li Mu had instructed her to follow, Su Tan'er spoke gently but domineeringly, showing no intention of compromise whatsoever.

The Wu family had already accepted the offer, but seeing Su Tan'er's firm words, they sighed and had no choice but to agree.

Once the general framework was established, Wu Chenghou got up and left. He had never experienced such a frustrating negotiation before. He then left the specific details to his eldest son, Wu Qilong.

The wind blew through the alleyway near the teahouse. After the negotiations ended, Su Tan'er and her party took a carriage home. In the carriage behind them were seven or eight trusted managers and stewards, who were looking through thick ledgers and information on the Wu family's various properties.

Su Tan'er pulled back the curtain and looked at the bustling crowd outside the window, then said with a grin, "Chan'er, do you think I sounded domineering today?"

Xiao Chan was stunned for a moment, not expecting her young lady to ask such a question: "Domineering... of course it is domineering. The head of the Wu family was so angry that he was about to blow his beard and glare at her."

Su Tan'er thought for a moment and nodded, "I also think it's pretty impressive." She then laughed.

Xiao Chan laughed and said, "Not only the Wu family, but also Manager Cao and the others who came today were terrified when they found out why they were sent here."

"Even after the Wu family handed over the business registers and account books from various places, they still couldn't believe that these high-quality industries located in different places could be directly selected."

The shopkeeper and manager who came with Su Tan'er this time were truly shocked. The Wu family is becoming more and more powerful and has even won the title of Imperial Merchant; while the Su family is becoming less and less influential. Under these circumstances, the two families originally had no interaction and were even hostile to each other.

Now, the Wu family is offering all their assets to the Su family to choose whatever they want.

The seven or eight shopkeepers and managers looked at the thick stack of industry data from various places piled up in the carriage, still feeling that it was not real, as if they were in a dream.

The situation has taken such a dramatic turn. I heard that the son-in-law of the family was even involved in the planning and execution. The secrecy was so tight that I wonder what the couple from the family had done in secret. Even the Wu family has admitted defeat, and it seems they have suffered a heavy loss.

According to Su Tan'er, as long as you can control your digestion, you can eat as much as you want.

With the capabilities of the Su family's eldest branch, they can only absorb one-third of the Wu family. Even so, by swallowing the most valuable part of the Wu family's assets, the strength of the Su family's eldest branch will increase dramatically.

As for the Wu family, after losing so many high-quality industries, they will probably never recover.

Unfortunately, such exciting news needs to be kept secret. Only a very small number of their managers and supervisors know about it. If it gets out in the future, who knows how many waves of shock and admiration it will cause.

As for the second and third branches of the family, who thought they had a sure thing about becoming the head of the family, they are probably going to be disappointed. They will never be able to take charge of the Su family.

In fact, if the Wu family didn't have so many businesses, making the selection process too complicated, and if Su Tan'er and a few maids weren't so busy, the secrecy would have continued until the overall situation was settled.

Over the next few days, in the same teahouse, Su Tan'er, along with several maids, the manager, and the steward, met with Wu Qilong and his men to discuss business and industry deals in various locations.

Su Tan'er sat quietly drinking tea to one side, then suddenly spoke up: "Who is the mole in our Su family? Shouldn't you tell us?"

Wu Qilong opened his mouth, then hesitated for a moment.

Su Tan'er said, "I remember, this was one of the conditions I agreed on with your father a few days ago. If we break our promise, the consequences will be severe."

Wu Qilong sighed and said several names in a row. When he got to the last one, he looked at Su Tan'er's calm expression and asked in surprise, "Don't you believe me?"

Su Tan'er said, "I believe you!"

Wu Qilong asked curiously, "Manager Xi is one of your most capable assistants. You don't seem surprised to know that he is the mole?"

Su Tan'er smiled and said, "We already knew. What's so surprising? He was even involved in my father's assassination. You think you're colluding with him? We didn't know. We just didn't expose you so as not to alert him."

"Otherwise, don't you think about it? Manager Xi is one of my most trusted managers. Why shouldn't I let him participate in such a big matter as taking over the Wu family's business?"