Chapter 2261: Chapter 2258: Stealing Business

The rest is in my hands, while the other branches are the Emperor’s.

In the end, it’s still a matter of too little capital. Whatever is attempted is constrained, and even if there’s a business venture, she lacks the capital and can only continue to accumulate original funds.

The Chu family is different. As a noble family with a century of history, how could the Qi family’s accumulation compare with the silver Ye Muyu earned in two or three years?

If we speak in terms of wealth, the Chu family is merely a small fry, while the Qi family is a great shark.

Were it not for Chu Heng’s favor, with the Emperor backing them, despite the Qi family being a noble family and having substantial silver, it is ultimately dispersed, with numerous clan members needing to support the Qi family in rallying the ministers, leading to high expenses.

Precisely because of the Emperor’s backing, the Qi family is unable to deal with the Chu family as they would with ordinary officials and merchants, suppressing them directly.

In the end, in this feudal era, power is what’s crucial, while wealth is secondary. Without a firm standing, a century’s worth of family estate can become someone else’s nourishment, leaving nothing behind.

The Qi family aims high, and even though they have numerous business dealings with local merchants, they lack funds.

In contrast, the Chu family, not taking sides politically, spends less and thus has fewer financial constraints.

It’s easier to maneuver too.

“So I plan to have someone buy him a house, but we will preemptively develop the garden. I’ve also looked into some matters recently. The Chu family’s Jingyuan seems intended as a place for those ladies to gather and play mahjong. Surprisingly, Chu Heng used it in a bathhouse, and even presented it to the palace.”

“Although there was some gain, this way of playing can’t remain concealed. Since we are not short of money, we don’t need to do it slowly. We can completely finish the garden first and attract guests.”

“You want to snatch their business?” Minister Qi raised an eyebrow. “Third Brother, there’s nothing wrong with your idea, but if you’ve thought of this, don’t you think the Chu family would have thought of it too? Chu Heng isn’t a simple person. He must have considered it already and has a reason for leisurely developing Jingyuan.”

“Brother, you’ve misunderstood. I’ve inquired about the Chu family’s situation. They’re not considered wealthy. Their assets are at most no more than one hundred thousand taels, and most have been spent on buying shops and lands outside the area.”

“The slow progress in Jingyuan’s development is due to a lack of funds for rotation. Chu Heng deliberately avoiding having others touch chess games, fearing to anger the Emperor, is why he made those seemingly factual remarks. He marked the chessboards he sent to each residence with ‘Yonghe,’ thinking that these noble families wouldn’t lower themselves to snatch and use them. After all, they are mere amusements rather than the right path.”

“In fact, after the chessboards came out, the clever merchants in the capital had ideas but only gave up after he sent the chessboards.”

“He’s merely bluffing. Such tactics aren’t unheard of in business. It’s simply that they’re afraid of offending the palace’s nobility for a small profit, hence the inaction.”

“Had Consort Jie not been reprimanded some time ago, and Grand Tutor Deng had not been confined at home, the Deng Family would have taken this business by now.”

Minister Qi contemplated deeply, agreeing that what Elder Qi San said made sense.

“It’s a pity for our sister. Even though we have a girl in the palace from the Qi family, there’s still no news, and we can’t even glean a bit of the Emperor’s intentions.” Mentioning Imperial Concubine Qi Zhao Yi, Minister Qi felt bitter. If it weren’t for the need to tolerate small grievances for the greater scheme, he would have already acted against the Deng Family.

“Brother, when did you become so timid?”

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