The Sun Family's wealth didn't last beyond two generations, but they had accumulated a considerable estate. The Wang Family, however, was a century-old noble family of Gu'an County, with an undoubtedly even greater fortune.
In fact,
The most valuable assets of the Wang Family were their two shops in the Prefecture City, but these had long been privately divided, and what remains are just the leftovers.
"Six shops, priced between forty and seventy taels of silver each."
"The kiln along with the porcelain workers are being transferred for five hundred taels of silver, and the Wang Family's mansion and other estates will also be sold at a later date."
Chief Luo said:
"Young Master Fang is also a porcelain rchant, are you interested in taking over?"
"Well..." Fang Zheng showed hesitation.
He was very interested, but having just spent three hundred taels, making another big expenditure would surely arouse suspicion among the schers.
At this mont, he could only sigh helplessly:
"I am interested, but alas, my ambitions exceed my ans. My appetite isn't big enough to swallow the Wang Family's estate."
"That's truly a pity." Chief Luo remarked casually, not having high hopes to begin with, and he was about to stand up:
"If Young Master Fang becos interested, feel free to co find , but don't wait too long."
"Alright." Fang Zheng replied:
"Chief Luo, please wait a mont, I'll go fetch so silver taels."
After fetching a hundred taels of silver, he casually asked:
"I wonder if the technique for firing the Wang Family's Thunder Walking Red Porcelain is included in the transfer?"
"It is included." Chief Luo said:
"However, it cos with the kiln and workers; transferring it separately would displease those taking over the Wang Family's business."
Transfer?
The Governnt Office obtained the Wang Family's porcelain firing technique?
Fang Zheng's heart stirred, and he hurriedly reached out to stop the other:
"Chief Luo, could we discuss this further?"
"Oh!"
Chief Luo raised an eyebrow:
"Young Master Fang has taken an interest."
"The Thunder Walking Red Porcelain is known as a masterpiece in Zhaonan Prefecture, naturally I'm interested." Fang Zheng smiled slightly, while his mind raced with ideas.
He had money.
Five hundred taels wasn't expensive either.
But wealth should not be flaunted, and the reason he attracted the Wang Family's attention was also because the porcelain firing technique could bring more wealth.
The Wang Family was easy to deal with, but others might not be.
So...
The technique should be acquired without trouble, to achieve the best of both worlds.
"Chief Luo."
Fang Zheng squinted his eyes, instantly making a decision, and then slowly said:
"Have you thought about doing so business?"
"Hmm?"
Chief Luo's eyes twitched slightly.
*
*
*
Jade Cauldron Tower.
Private room.
The Eight Immortals Table was filled with dishes, but few people were picking up their chopsticks.
Besides Fang Zheng and Chief Luo, there were also Mr. Han from the Household Departnt, Officer Zhang from the Ritual Office, and Officer Qi from the Engineering Office present.
A total of five people.
There were six departnts in the County Governnt Office.
They were the Civil Affairs, Household, Ritual, Criminal, Military, and Engineering Departnts.
The six departnts followed the six Ministries of the Imperial Court.
The Civil Affairs Departnt managed official positions; the Household Departnt handled taxes and household registration; the Ritual Office was in charge of education and ceremonies; the Criminal Departnt dealt with criminal cases, and so on.
The people working in the six departnts were mostly 'clerks', often those who had no hope in the imperial examinations and joined the Governnt Office by passing certain tests or buying their way in.
These people might find it hard to advance in their careers, yet they were veterans of the Governnt Office, sotis even more influential than the County Magistrate.
The County Magistrate changed every few years.
However, they had been serving as clerks in Gu'an County for generations, and without them, the sizable County Governnt Office would co to a halt.
"No wonder Young Master Fang was able to amass such wealth at a young age, truly impressive. The proposal you just ntioned is unheard of."
Mr. Han gently stroked his beard, saying:
"Nevertheless, it is indeed a good thod."
Among the group, he had the best relationship with Fang Zheng.
It was he who handled Fang Zheng's registration initially, and since then, during festivals or when Square Porcelain opened, Fang Zheng would always send gifts to maintain the relationship.
"By signing a contract, we can jointly divide the Wang Family's porcelain business, gaining the trade without spending too much money." Chief Luo nodded:
"I think it would work."
"Hmm." Officer Zhang squinted as he looked over:
"Young Master Fang's proposal is good, but if you manage the business, how can you ensure we receive our...dividend?"
"This is simple." Fang Zheng sat up straight, saying:
"The four of you can buy shares in Square Porcelain using the Wang Family kiln and porcelain firing technique. I will offer you a thirty percent stake in Square Porcelain, guaranteeing a dividend of no less than one hundred taels of silver in the first year."
"In the second year, no less than two hundred taels, and thereafter, a minimum of two hundred taels each year."
"No upper limit!"
The group exchanged glances, each noticing the other's interest.
Receiving a guaranteed two hundred taels of silver every year, even if divided among them, would an fifty taels each, not a small amount.
The key is...
It's every year!
And they wouldn't even need to do anything.
"It's indeed good." Officer Qi squinted:
"It's not that I don't trust Young Master Fang, but what if...hypothetically, if Square Porcelain fails and there's no more profit?"
"That's also simple." Fang Zheng said:
"I can write a promissory note here. If Square Porcelain becos unsustainable, I will first refund the five hundred taels of silver to you, how about that?"
"As for absolute guarantees..."
He chuckled and shook his head:
"Is there anything absolutely certain in this world?"
"True enough." Mr. Han spoke up:
"I think this plan is feasible."
They were governnt officials. Although the Wang Family's kiln was priced at five hundred taels, a bit of maneuvering could acquire it for two to three hundred taels.
They might even start by putting off the paynt.
This ant they could break even in at most one or two years.
After that, the profits would flow continuously, and even if they left the Governnt Office in the future, there would still be earnings, making this a very lucrative deal.
For Fang Zheng, it was equally beneficial.
He could acquire the Thunder Walking Red Porcelain firing technique without having to expose himself, avoiding trouble while gaining benefits.
Maintaining good relations with these clerks, he could navigate Gu'an County effortlessly. Even if problems arose, these individuals would do their utmost to protect him for the sake of future profits.
It could be described as the best of both worlds!
As for giving up a portion of Square Porcelain's shares, it was no big deal for soone with a whole world as his background. He could redeem them later.
After so deliberation, the group reached a decision.
"Agreed!"
Officer Zhang, being the oldest and the highest ranked, nodded his agreent:
"Prepare the contract!"
"There's another matter." Chief Luo suddenly spoke:
"Young Master Fang, I heard about the incident at the Sun Family's Buddha Hall last night. If that Sun Die truly becos a Fierce Ghost, you might face so trouble."
"Ah!" Fang Zheng was startled:
"What kind of trouble?"
"A Fierce Ghost seeks revenge, often targeting those it holds a grudge against, and then the last person it saw while alive, in that order." Chief Luo said:
"At that ti, Young Master Fang, you were present."
?
Fang Zheng's face twitched.
Is there really such a thing?
"I was doing a good deed."
"Fierce Ghosts don't care about that." Chief Luo shook his head:
"As far as I know, in the records of the Celestial Master Temple, many instances concerning Fierce Ghosts often involved them slaughtering their own family first, simply because they were more familiar."
"Perhaps..."
"You should go to the Three Purities Temple to lay low, and wait for this to blow over before doing anything else."
Although he wasn't obliged to offer this advice, if they were to beco business partners, Fang Zheng dying would affect the profits.
It was natural to give a little warning.
"Chief Luo is right." Fang Zheng quickly nodded:
"Does Master Du know about this? The Young Martial Arts Hall Master was also present at the ti."
"He knows."
"Then I should first head to the Three Purities Temple to inquire about the situation."
He felt sowhat restless.
......
Upon arriving at the Three Purities Temple, Zhang Mingrui was packing his things.
"A Fierce Ghost..."
In response to Fang Zheng's inquiry, he pondered for a mont:
"If Young Master Fang is concerned, why not accompany on a trip?"
"To where?"
"Cien Temple."
The abbot of Cien Temple, Master Wuyuan, is a mage with mana capable of subduing Fierce Ghosts. The key is that Sun Die is currently at Cien Temple.
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