Chapter 314: 58: Shou Zhe Makes a Plan! Stirring up the Storm_2
“Now they are buying all raw cocoons in the surrounding area at a price 50% higher, forcing us to raise the purchase price of the raw cocoons to meet the production and supply needs of raw silk and silk. As a result, we are not only not making any profit but continuously losing money.”
“If it were normal times, our Changning Xu Family could afford the loss. However, right now, the old ancestor of our Changning Xu Family is raising resources to impact the Heavenly Human Realm, and we still lack at least one hundred thousand Qian Gold. We had hoped to borrow some money based on the income from silk in the next ten years, but we did not expect to be targeted by the former Ma Huangfu’s Family.”
Xu Anbang expressed his concern: “You should also know that our old ancestor is already one hundred and sixty-five years old now. The longer we delay, the lower the chances of successfully impacting the Heavenly Human Realm.”
“Uncle Five, have you ever thought about selling a large part of your assets?” Wang Shouxin suggested lightly.
“Shouxin, you may not be aware,” Wang Liuqin spoke up for the first time, “The family has already mortgaged some assets. If we mortgage more, it would be damaging the family’s vital energy. If the old ancestor fails in his attempt, there is a high chance that the Changning Xu Family will fall from prosperity.”
A declining trend in a family could potentially lead to a vicious cycle and a continuous downturn.
Wang Liuqin’s concern was reasonable.
For a Celestial family, effectuating a change in generations was not an easy task.
A failure could cause a significant loss of vital energy. If it fails twice, it is a question whether the Tianren Family could survive at all.
For a prominent family of eighth grade to challenge the Tianren Family is even more difficult; it would require sheer luck and maybe even a buildup of one to two hundred years.
A hundred and fifty years ago, the Changning Xu Family attempted to impact the Heavenly human realm but unfortunately, the old ancestor failed and died in the Heavenly Tribulation.
The Changning Xu Family has been slightly declining ever since that attempt.
If they sold assets to attempt impacting the Heavenly Human Realm again and failed, it would be a question whether the Changning Xu family could maintain its status as an Eighth Grade Prominent Family in the following decades.
While it is difficult for a prominent family to rise, falling is unsettlingly swift.
“The old ancestor believes he has at most a 50% chance of succeeding in impacting the Heavenly Human Realm this time.” Xu Anbang said somewhat helplessly, “Even the old ancestor himself is reluctant to risk it all. In case of failure, how could he face our ancestors?”
This point was indeed reasonable. With a history of more than three hundred years, where would the entire family be placed if they risk everything blindly?
The attempt to shift to the Heavenly Human Family is undoubtedly important, but it is even more crucial that the family maintains its prosperity and continues to thrive.
Xu Anbang took a deep breath, and with slight embarrassment, he still said: “Shouxin, Uncle Five knows that the Ping’an Wang Family is doing well now, with a lot of cash in the family’s balance. Uncle Five is thick-faced and wants to ask, can the Ping’an Wang Family lend us one hundred thousand Qian Gold to give the old ancestor a chance to impact the Heavenly Human Realm?”
Wang Shouxin frowned, “The biggest problem faced by the Changning Xu Family now is that the pillar industry has been targeted. The ability to repay in the future is in question. If it were not for this, I believe the Changning Xu Family would not have asked us.”
“Yes.” Xu Anbang looked somewhat deflated, “The Huangfu Clan is attacking us at this time, also shaking the old ancestor’s determination to impact the Heavenly Human Realm this time.”
“They even sent a middleman to give us a hint, saying that as long as the old ancestor gives up this opportunity to impact the Heavenly Human Realm, they do not want to break with us and would withdraw from the weaving industry.”
The promotion to the Tianren Family is the common desire of every Eighth Grade Prominent Family.
However, the Changning Xu Family is now facing a difficult situation.
“Uncle Five, forgive me for being blunt.” Wang Shouxin said with a solemn face, “Once you make a concession, it’s hard to take back. Perhaps the Huangfu Clan will fulfill its promise to withdraw from the weaving industry for a short time. But who can guarantee, thirty years later, fifty years later, they won’t attack again? Is the Changning Xu Family resigned to being suppressed like this generation after generation?”
Xu Anbang realized that Master Shouzhe of the Ping’an Wang Family probably had a plan in mind.
He immediately said: “Shouxin, let’s stop beating around the bush. What is Master Shouzhe’s opinion?”
“We can lend the one hundred thousand Qian Gold.” Wang Shouxin said, “But in the future, the Ping’an Wang Family will permanently hold forty percent shares in the weaving industry of Changning Xu Family.”
Xu Anbang’s face drastically changed: “Shouxin, aren’t you being too much? For a mere one hundred thousand Qian Gold, you want to take forty percent of the Xu’s shares, doesn’t this smell of taking advantage of our hardship?”
Seeing the atmosphere was not right, Wang Liuqin quickly stood up to mediate, “Family Head, please calm down. I believe that Shouzhe and Shouxin are not opportunists, there must be hidden reasons.”
Only then did Xu Anbang’s face soften a bit, although he still looked a little unhappy.
He stared coldly at Wang Shouxin, waiting to hear what this young man had to say.
“”Actually, Uncle, there’s something you don’t know,” Wang Shouxin leered slightly at the tea residue, casually dropping a bombshell, “Over the years, our Ping’an Wang family has also been researching silk spinning technology and weaving technology. If it weren’t for our respect for the ancestral tie with Changning’s Xu family, I’m afraid their weaving industry would have been out of the race without any intervention from the Huangfu clan.”
What?!
A shock forced Xu Anbang’s teacup to nearly fall from his hands.
Wang Liuqin and her husband were also startled.
However hard they racked their brains, they couldn’t anticipate this situation. But verifying such a claim was effortless. Wang Shouxin had no reason to deceive them.
Yet, Wang Shouxin appeared to have anticpated their reaction and remained calm and composed.
Being in charge of the affairs of Silkworm Manor, he developed new technologies under guidance from his younger brother. Alongside the managers of Silkworm Manor, they explored and contemplated little by little, thus, no one had more right to speak than him in this case.
He elaborated on some of the human or water-powered spinning devices and weaving efficiency equipment developed by the Ping’an Wang family, saying afterward: “Uncle, once our two families cooperate, our advanced technology could draw in Huangfu clan and render them intractable.”
Xu Anbang’s expression grew increasingly intriguing.
As a qualified patriarch, he was well aware of the pillar of their family’s enterprise; the textile industry.
If what Wang Shouxin said was true, wouldn’t it be more than merely restraining Huangfu Clan?
In the future, they could expand production capacity on a large scale and continuously merge and develop. With that, even if they surrendered forty percent of the shares, or even fifty or sixty percent, it would be a great deal for Changning Xu family.
However, after the excitement, he grew silent again: “Master Shouzhe is truly capable of revitalizing the Wang family. But this move probably requires us to confront the Huangfu clan head on, or at least tie up a portion of their energy and financial resources, doesn’t it?”
“Naturally. Otherwise, why would our Ping’an Wang family lend out a hundred thousand Qian Gold and only occupy forty percent?” Wang Shouxin calmly stated, “Moreover, Uncle, there’s no need to fear Huangfu Clan. My younger brother Shouzhe has a plan that can trap Huangfu Clan into an untenable situation.”
Xu Anbang’s eyes lit up, almost ready to agree on the spot.
Nevertheless, he eventually said: “This matter is of great importance, I must discuss with the Old Ancestor. Anfeng, Liuqin, see Shouxin off for some rest.”
“Yes, patriarch”
Wang Liuqin and Xu Anfeng responded in unison.
Subsequently, Wang Shouxin also stood up to bid farewell.
He had achieved his goal for today. Given such a tempting proposition, and the hidden resentment towards the Huangfu Clan, the Changning Xu family would surely opt for cooperation.
Afterwards, Wang Shouxin exchanged pleasantries with his Fifth Aunt and Fifth Uncle before retreating to his chamber in the Lixiang Garden as the night grew quiet.
This was specially arranged for his temporary stay with Xu Chunyun.
But as soon as he stepped through the door, his legs went weak and he almost fled.
Xu Chunyun had had a few drinks and her rosy cheeks further accentuated her allure under the red candlelight.
She beckoned him with her bewitching eyes. “Husband, come here.”
I’m not going over. Are you trying to eat me alive?
Wang Shouxin swung his head back and forth.
“Wang Shouxin, you dog! Come to me!”
“Chunyun, don’t be impulsive. Let’s talk this over.”
“No, I’m happy today. I’ve never felt so proud in my life. It’s great! I did say that as long as you make me proud, you can do whatever you want.”
“You…don’t mess around, help…”
…