Chapter 670: I get happy just by seeing you upset
"Young Master Ye, it’s been a long time." Mu Hanyan said indifferently.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce to you, this is Young Master Mu Nan of the Nanyan Commerce, the president," Ye Fengyun introduced to the crowd, "and this is his cousin, Mu Hanyan, whom I believe you may have already heard of, hahaha." When he mentioned Mu Hanyan, there was an obvious sneer in his voice.
Although Mu Nan’s identity within Nanyan Commerce has not been fully exposed, the Chamber of Commerce has been growing, and he can’t always hide in the background. Thus, for the presidents of these time-honored Chambers of Commerce, it’s not much of a secret.
However, Mu Hanyan seldom made public appearances, and aside from a few close associates, no one knew that he also had a share in Nanyan Commerce. Ye Fengyun might have guessed but could not speak recklessly. More importantly, his disdain for Mu Hanyan was too deep to give him credit.
Upon hearing Ye Fengyun’s clearly sarcastic remarks, the crowd was slightly taken aback.
Since they knew that Mu Nan was the president of Nanyan Commerce, a little inquiry would naturally reveal his relationship with the Mu Family and Mu Hanyan.
What was Mu Hanyan doing here at this time?
Compared to Mu Nan, Mu Hanyan’s reputation was much louder. Not only had they heard of the playboy of Heishi City, but they even often talked about him.
"If you don’t behave properly and dare to be ignorant like that Mu Hanyan of Heishi City, I’ll break your legs."
"At such a young age, you’re addicted to female charms. Do you think you are Mu Hanyan of Heishi City? If you continue to neglect your proper business, I will strip you of your position as Young Master and expel you from the family!"
"Actually, a lack of talent is not a problem; after all, our Zheng Family has been in commerce for generations and doesn’t require high cultivation. As long as you don’t idle about like that Mu Hanyan, the position of Family Head will eventually be yours."
...
Indeed, in their words, Big Playboy Mu had already become a negative example they used to warn or encourage the younger generation.
With a quick thought, they "guessed" the purpose behind Mu Nan inviting Mu Hanyan over. For a privileged playboy like Mu Hanyan, accustomed to spending lavishly, finding lucrative opportunities was common, and collusion between officials and businessmen was very common.
Nanyan Commerce, Nanyan Commerce... It was very likely that in order to win over this notorious playboy, Mu Nan even let him hold a stake in the Chamber of Commerce. Bringing him here today was naturally to have him hold the fort.
However, this Mu Nan had ultimately not seen the greater world, and Mu Hanyan was even more presumptuous. Others might fear him as the son of Heishi City’s City Lord, but they were not afraid.
"President Mu, it’s our pleasure to meet you. So this is Young Master Mu Hanyan, Old Tributor Sheng Qiu Wanhe of Si Hai Commerce at your service. I’ve long admired your great name."
"I’m President Bai Qianwan of the Si Tong Chamber of Commerce from Jiangdan City. I’ve heard of Young Master Mu Hanyan’s great reputation for a long time, and seeing you today, truly, you are a dragon among men, a rare talent indeed, hahaha."
"I’m President Hu Zhigao of the Eight-direction Chamber of Commerce from Jixing City. Eldest Young Master Mu’s fame precedes him, and meeting you today is truly a fortune of three lifetimes, hahaha."
The crowd, while introducing themselves, directed cold sneers and hot sarcasm at Mu Hanyan.
Although they did not like Mu Nan, they still recognized his abilities and maintained the due respect for him as an opponent. However, when facing Mu Hanyan, a playboy thriving on his ancestors’ glory to do evil, they felt no need to give any face.
"Such high praise, thank you very much." Mu Hanyan did not get angry, and as if unable to understand their mockery, replied politely. This effect, wasn’t it exactly what his father wanted? It had to be said, his role as a playboy was quite successfully played.
Ye Fengyun had thought that Mu Hanyan, upon hearing the crowd’s ridicule, would lose his temper right there, which would be a perfect chance to show everyone his true arrogant and despotic nature. Then, if his Master were to inquire, he could have several witnesses on his side, proving it wasn’t him deliberately making things difficult for Nanyan Commerce, but rather Mu Hanyan, who was outwardly decent but unreasonably unruly.
Yet, not only did Mu Hanyan not get angry, but he even seemed quite pleased with himself.
Does this guy have no self-awareness at all, not even realizing when he is being mocked? Ye Fengyun felt like he had mustered all his strength to throw a punch, only for it to hit nothing, leaving him with a hollow feeling of discomfort.
Mu Hanyan looked at Ye Fengyun’s disgruntled expression and laughed inwardly. Kid, you’re still too green to compete with me. But, seeing him so unhappy was incredibly satisfying.
"President Mu, Young Master Mu, I am here today because I have a favor to ask of you," Ye Fengyun said, becoming increasingly disgusted with Mu Hanyan’s smiling face and not wanting to waste any more time, he spoke straight to the point.
"Please speak, Young Master Ye." Although he despised Ye Fengyun in his heart, Mu Nan was outwardly polite, since amiability was good for business.
"This time, in addition to the order I’ve placed with your Nanyan Commerce, my Master has specifically tasked me to procure a few Medicinal Herbs. However, these herbs are exceedingly rare, with few people ever having seen them, and many have not even heard of them. Most importantly, these herbs are easily confused with others. Although I went through a lot of trouble to find them, I can’t tell which are genuine and which are fake, so I had to buy them all to bring back.
I came to Nanyan Commerce to ask for your help in identification, to avoid embarrassing myself in front of my Master.
With the trust that my Master places in Nanyan Commerce, identifying a few Medicinal Herbs should be no difficult task for you. I assume you’ll be willing to help with this favor." Ye Fengyun’s face wore a smile, but his eyes were full of irony.
Nanyan Commerce had only been established for a short time, and although they enlisted the help of Qu Shanling, their depth of experience was still incomparable to that of the well-established Chambers of Commerce with thousands of years of history. Even the Presidents of those veteran Chambers had difficulty identifying these herbs and ultimately had to call upon retired Old Tributors from various families, who debated together for half a month before finally identifying each one.
It would indeed be a wonder if Nanyan Commerce, with its limited experience, could manage to identify them.
Qu Shanling, it’s said, has some accomplishments in the Star Divination Technique, but appraising treasures is only a side job for him; how could he compare to those Old Tributors who have spent a lifetime struggling through the ranks of a Chamber of Commerce?
"This..." Mu Nan hesitated.
Even thinking with his toes, he knew that Ye Fengyun had come today to create trouble. Those herbs were certainly not easy to identify.
Mu Nan wanted to refuse, but doing so would surely spread the message through the mouths of these Chamber Presidents that Nanyan Commerce lacked the strength and couldn’t even identify a few herbs—after that, who would trust the strength of Nanyan Commerce, who would do business with them? They would certainly prefer Nanyan Commerce to close down rather than show them any mercy.
Moreover, it was clear that Ye Fengyun was deliberately making things difficult for Nanyan Commerce, so how could he pass up such an opportunity? If Mu Nan were to refuse, who knew what sort of issues Ye Fengyun would stir up in front of Wenren Qingqiu.
"So it’s just a trivial matter like this, I thought so many people came to cause a commotion." Mu Hanyan curled his lips, dismissing the matter nonchalantly.