Chapter 260 Reward and Punishment

Kong Yan was stunned. Of course, he understood why the Chen family had sent those loyal fellows to establish various industries back then. The main reason was to raise funds for that seemingly distant dream of restoring the kingdom. Now, the Chen family said that the only remaining one before him had sided with Dongping and Yunzhou, and had become one of Xiling's biggest thorns in its side. And now, such a person was right in front of him. Kong Yan knew that if he revealed Chen Kai's current identity afterward, even through some reliable channels, it would definitely cause a huge reaction. Especially the chain reaction on the various industries belonging to the Chen family, which would be difficult to estimate. It might drag in all the large and small merchants who had come to persuade him or wanted to influence him. But what if he let him out of here? Would Chen Kai give him a chance to consider, a chance to choose? The reason he had sent away all his family members earlier was because he considered that in the face of those super powerhouses, even having more people would be useless. And now, if he dared to say half a "no" to Chen Kai, would he be immediately beheaded?

A layer of fine sweat broke out on Kong Yan's forehead. He didn't say anything, quietly waiting for Chen Kai's next words.

It was Tan Weixin who continued to speak, her voice soft. She said slowly, "Old Master Kong, because you remained unmoved when others came to persuade you. Regardless of why you didn't make a choice, at least... this is an attitude, right? And since this is what we want to see, we will naturally reward you. Since Xingsi Workshop has been brought to its glory in the hands of the Kong family, then let it continue to be in the hands of your Kong family. I know that Xingsi Workshop has a good relationship with the government and is well-informed, and it can be considered to have great utilization value, but we won't force anyone. In the future, Chen family will only take 10% of the annual operating profit of Xingsi Workshop and will no longer interfere with any of the Kong family's management decisions for Xingsi Workshop. Naturally, we won't actively provide assistance or guidance. I believe that with the current identity and status of the Kong family, you don't really need the Chen family's guidance."

Faced with Tan Weixin's conditions, Kong Yan felt even more uneasy. He hadn't expected the Chen family to offer such generous terms in their contact with him. Ten percent of the profit... for an organization like Xingsi Workshop, whose profit margin wasn't high, but whose relationship with the government was important, this was equivalent to completely letting Xingsi Workshop be independent.

"The original contracts of Xingsi Workshop, which are the only documents that can prove the relationship between Xingsi Workshop and the Chen family, are now by my side. If you agree to these conditions, as long as you tell all those who come to persuade you to actively disassociate yourselves that you will not abandon the Chen family, then I can destroy these contracts in front of you. The rewards you get are what you deserve, and should be what you want, right: independence?" Tan Weixin asked with a smile.

"You are?" Kong Yan asked.

"My surname is Dai," Tan Weixin smiled and replied. This was also a pre-arranged line.

What did this surname mean for a woman from Yunzhou? A woman from the Dai family, appearing before everyone as Chen Kai's wife, made Kong Yan overestimate Chen Kai's identity even more.

"But... those documents..." Kong Yan had learned earlier that the Chen family had placed all the important documents in a very safe place, stored away, so that no one else could touch them, not even those colleagues who shared the dream of restoring the kingdom, whether they were descendants of the former dynasty or religious organizations. And Kong Yan also knew that the Chen family had been attacked and hunted by the Daoming Sect and suffered a lot, and it was impossible to carry a large number of things with them. It was said that Chen Kai alone had escaped from the Daoming Sect's grasp. So, now that these documents had returned to the Chen family's hands, didn't it mean that the Chen family could actually use these documents and the long-term tracking data of merchants from all over to directly or indirectly control these merchants? The reason why those merchants dared to have the heart to break away from the Chen family's control was partly because no one from the Chen family had come to exercise this control, and partly because everyone thought that the Chen family actually had no way to control them anymore.

In that instant, there was some fear in Kong Yan's eyes. He could naturally predict that the Chen family had regained some power in Xiling through Yunzhou and Dongping, and was able to regain those important documents and put them in a safe place again. And this kind of imagination was very terrifying. This was probably the first time that Kong Yan, as a secret force, felt the threat of a secret force operating around him. Then, Kong Yan naturally understood why Chen Kai was able to have such well-informed news, knowing that he had never expressed his position.

"This old man dares not have such extravagant hopes," Kong Yan said resolutely, "Our Kong family has been able to grow Xingsi Workshop from generation to generation. Although we are a merchant family, we have the air of a scholarly family and are not discriminated against by those customers, thanks to having such a foundation in the beginning. For generations, batches of craftsmen have been constantly sent by the clan leader to support us. Without the Chen family, there would be no Kong family today. Since the young master is now the sole representative of the Chen family, my Kong family will naturally follow the young master's lead. My Kong family will definitely be able to develop better with the young master."

Kong Yan's words made Ye Tao smile slightly. He said, "Very well then. In that case, I'll take 20% of the annual profit. The profits from those days when no one contacted you will be given to your Kong family. As for your dealings with the government, just continue as you were. Don't take our side of things too seriously. When there is a need, I will naturally send someone to find you."

Kong Yan was stunned again. The conditions had hardly changed at all. One or two percent of the profit really didn't mean anything to Kong Yan. Although Xingsi Workshop didn't make much profit now, its expenses weren't large either. More importantly, the business categories of Xingsi Workshop determined that it was difficult for them to have any opportunities or needs to blindly expand their shops or production scale. It was difficult for the Kong family and Xingsi Workshop to earn more money, but it also took some skill to spend all the money. In the past, the Chen family took away about 40% of the annual profit. Even so, it could be said that it had no impact on the Kong family and Xingsi Workshop, which marketed themselves on reputation rather than output and price, and had extremely low requirements for cash flow.

"Young master, you are truly generous," Kong Yan quickly cupped his hands in thanks.

"The troublesome things are still to come. I still hope that you can keep your mouth shut about my affairs in Xiling. Otherwise..." Ye Tao smiled and looked at Tan Weixin. Tan Weixin shrugged indifferently. Ye Tao continued, "Since there is a reward, there must naturally be a punishment. It won't be fun if people become alert."

Several of the most troublesome people immediately appeared in Kong Yan's mind. He secretly rejoiced that he had seen the opportunity quickly. He had dealt with government officials a lot and knew that following a strong person was much better than doing business independently. But now, he couldn't help but sympathize with those who had the same firm stance. There were still some people among them who had a decent relationship with him. However, this wasn't a time to discuss friendship. He was still afraid that if he said anything to plead for mercy, or if he revealed anything afterward, he would also suffer.

"That's their... just desserts..." Kong Yan said with gritted teeth.

"Not exactly," Tan Weixin patiently explained, accurately capturing the hesitation in Kong Yan's tone, "After all, the Chen family hasn't been able to help everyone for two years. It's really normal to have some such thoughts. However, they shouldn't be contacting outsiders to deal with their own people, right? There are some things that are not convenient for Old Master Kong to know, but Old Master, we have no choice but to take action."

Tan Weixin's politeness made Kong Yan a little uneasy. He carefully said, "I wouldn't dare, master and madam can just call me Lao Kong. Who are you going to deal with?"

"It's Nanshan Trading Company," Ye Tao said frankly, "They... have gone too far in some things."

"This old man understands," Kong Yan said seriously, "This child will not leak any information."

Nanshan Trading Company had indeed gone a little too far. After the Chen family was defeated, they directly sided with the Daoming Sect and became an important source of wealth for the Daoming Sect in the south. This was no longer a question of whether their position was firm or not. Of course, Nanshan Trading Company's business scope ranged from southern goods to military equipment, and it had long been exposed to the Daoming Sect for providing various weapons to the Eagle Hall and other secret organizations. It was also valued because of its wide business scope and extensive connections. However, their unhesitatingly siding with the Daoming Sect still made the owners of the Chen family's industries very angry, even if they themselves had also considered it. And it was indeed Nanshan Trading Company that revealed many of the industries belonging to the Chen family. In particular, those merchants who had business dealings with Nanshan Trading Company had almost all been under great pressure. Some were unable to continue operating and could only side with the Daoming Sect in their attitude. Those merchants were indeed excusable.

"It's nothing, it's best if you don't leak it. Lao Kong, just wait and see," Ye Tao said lightly. He suddenly said, "You still have to frame that painting for me, okay."

Kong Yan's nerves were strained by Ye Tao and Tan Weixin's alternating relaxed and tense words. Now that the matter of the painting was mentioned again, Kong Yan glanced at the box that Guan Huan had placed aside and nodded repeatedly, "I will naturally do my best. After it's done, I'll find someone to send it to the master."

Ye Tao smiled and said, "Keep it as a souvenir. This is one of the gifts that Ye Jinglue gave me. It's just a pity that I can't hang it out in the open yet."