Zhu Mo, accompanied by Xiao Xiaosheng and Zhu Qi, arrived at a mansion in the western part of the city.
As dusk settled, two large red lanterns illuminated a dark blue plaque – the Jiangnan Weaving Bureau, exuding an aura of mystery and authority that discouraged a closer look.
The gatekeeper, having heard of Young Master Zhu's reputation, immediately went to announce his arrival. Moments later, Chief Eunuch Yang Jin rushed out. Zhu Mo noted that Yang Jin bore a striking resemblance to depictions in films.
Beside Yang Jin stood a man dressed in plain blue cloth, with a refined and gentle appearance. He cupped his hands and said, "I am Shen Yishi. Greetings, Young Master Zhu..."
Zhu Mo knew that Yang Jin was a high-ranking official under Lu Fang, a former Directorate of Ceremonial attendant, and the eldest of Lu Fang's four adopted sons. Yang Jin currently served as the supervisor of both the Jiangnan Weaving Bureau and the Jiangnan Maritime Affairs Bureau, effectively holding the reins of the Great Ming's finances.
Shen Yishi, on the other hand, was no ordinary individual; he was the foremost merchant in the Great Ming, his wealth rivaling that of the nation. For twenty years, he had been the agent for the Weaving Bureau's silk trade.
Yang Jin had also received a secret letter from Lu Fang earlier: "Young Master Zhu's affairs in Jiangnan are of utmost importance. Provide all possible assistance."
Whenever Lu Fang spoke with grave seriousness and brevity, it signified a matter of immense consequence. Yang Jin understood this perfectly, though he remained perplexed as to how this individual commanded such power. He dared not send anyone to investigate.
Learning that Zhu Mo had killed the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner He Maocai that morning had truly shocked him!
It had been decades since anything like this had happened. A Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, gone just like that, and the killer was a commoner! While it was true that an imperial envoy for disaster relief could exercise discretionary powers, killing a second-rank official so readily was unheard of.
Yang Jin considered himself a formidable character, but in comparison, he realized he was merely an amateur...
At this moment, he clearly saw the Myriad Longevity Emperor's iron token on Zhu Mo's waist, which explained everything – the Old Ancestor's regard for this man surpassed even that for his own adopted son...
Having served in Jiangnan for over a decade, he had seen governors and governors-general fear him. Now, he could only humble himself. Moreover, that iron token represented Lu Fang himself, as if the Old Ancestor had personally arrived. He immediately knelt –
"Young Master Zhu, ah... We did not anticipate your visit. Forgive our lack of proper welcome. May I ask, Young Master, what brings you here? Do you have any... any instructions?"
"Eunuch Yang, please rise. We are short on time, so let us dispense with formalities... Ah, I have only two matters to discuss with you. Ah, firstly, I intend to issue anti-Japanese bonds, and I require a substantial sum as a guarantee. I was thinking, could the Jiangnan Weaving Bureau act as a guarantor for a public issuance... And also—"
Yang Jin had anticipated this and immediately replied before Zhu Mo could finish:
"Young Master Zhu, you are acting on the orders of the Grand Secretariat, and I will naturally offer my full support. However, the issue is, I... I can only act within my capabilities. Young Master Zhu, you are one of our own, so I shall not conceal this from you... This Jiangnan Weaving Bureau, though it appears grand, is actually quite empty... Alas, in this position, I cannot sleep soundly at night. Consider this: we must remit three million taels to the imperial court annually..."
He glanced at Zhu Mo, who still appeared indifferent, and continued, "At most, I can provide five hundred thousand taels... Ah, no, at most six hundred thousand taels... That is the entire reserves of the Weaving Bureau."
He furtively checked Zhu Mo's expression again. Why was there still a hint of disappointment?
Zhu Mo was indeed quite disappointed with this foremost commercial magnate of the Great Ming...
This man had completely misunderstood! Issuing public bonds was itself a means of fundraising; why would he need him to provide the money? He was talking about issuing bonds for capital raising, not asking for money!
A flicker of displeasure crossed Zhu Mo's face, and he let out a scoff, smiling, "Eunuch Yang, you misunderstand. I am not here to ask you for money, and besides, your meager sum would not be enough. A mere few hundred thousand, or even a few million taels, what use is that..."
Yang Jin's jaw dropped at hearing this –
He considered millions of taels to be "a mere"?
And "what use is that"?
This,
This was utterly astounding!
He then looked at Shen Yishi beside him, who was still composed, a smile on his face, head bowed, and body bent in utmost respect.
Seeing Yang Jin's exasperated expression, Zhu Mo chuckled, "You misunderstand. I require all your assets here! I estimate that all the looms, inventory, raw materials, and shops across Jiangnan would amount to at least thirty million taels, wouldn't you say? That would be enough, more or less..."
What?
All of it?!
Tens of millions of taels, what was that? The entire annual revenue of the Great Ming was only a little over ten million! And he said it was "enough, more or less"? What exactly was he planning to do?
Yang Jin was completely overwhelmed.
And at this moment,
Shen Yishi, who had been smiling with his head bowed, was also utterly astonished by this statement. He couldn't help but look up at Zhu Mo –
Was this person insane?
I've been doing business with the Weaving Bureau for twenty years, and the total amount of money I've handled is only about this much! And this young man is talking about such amounts off the cuff? What in the world is going on? This isn't asking for money; it's plain robbery...
Zhu Mo had initially thought that Shen Yishi would surely understand. Hadn't he been smiling just now? Yet, his current astonished expression revealed his true nature to Zhu Mo – they said Shen Yishi was the number one merchant in the Great Ming, but it seemed his reputation was undeserved. The real Great Ming, though supposedly commercially developed, was somewhat disappointing. According to the system's assessment, it was "on the eve of prosperity," the eve, not prosperity itself...
Alas,
Was I truly asking for money? If I really obtained so much money, why would I still issue public bonds?
Zhu Mo sighed and said,
"Gentlemen, my method is called 'guaranteed issuance,' do you understand? Guaranteed? That means you don't have to directly provide capital. You only need the Weaving Bureau to act as a guarantor for me! If I cannot repay, the Weaving Bureau will be responsible for repayment..."
Oh~~
Shen Yishi suddenly understood and couldn't help but ask, "Young Master Zhu, how much do you intend to is-issue?"
"Let's start with a modest target for the first installment, ten million taels. Anything less is useless, and anything more, the wealthy families will become fearful..."
What?
Ten million taels?
"Modest target"?!
Yang Jin and Shen Yishi exchanged stunned glances.
Shen Yishi, who had been in business his entire life, had suddenly thought he understood, but now he was confused again – ten million taels, could this truly be raised? If this succeeded, then I, Shen Yishi, would truly be a ghost! Where in the world does such a business exist?
Yang Jin pondered for a long time, feeling his head was about to split open, still not truly understanding what this young man was trying to achieve. But the Myriad Longevity Emperor's iron token was still hanging from his waist; even if he had to tear a hole in the sky, he could only let him proceed...
With their own thoughts, both men nodded in unison.
Zhu Mo found their conversation unproductive and, too lazy to say more, took his leave hastily.