The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

“Since both officials hold this matter in high regard, we must give it serious consideration.”

“Manager Zhuang, you’re young, and I’d like to offer you some advice. In business, it’s always best to be flexible and keep a long-term perspective. The wider your connections are, the easier it becomes to do business in the future, don’t you agree?”

“Sure, you have to invest some silver in this workshop at the initial stage, but regardless of where this workshop is built, you’ll be making money. Why not make a profit and gain some reputation? Manager Zhuang, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Also, in return, our villagers will be buying into this silver stock little by little with their wages, so you, Manager Zhuang, won’t face any loss. Moreover, this will leave everyone in Feng Village beholden to you.”

“Ah, our Feng Village is indeed too impoverished, there’s nothing we can do about it. If we had some money, we wouldn’t have to give you, Manager Zhuang, such a hard time. Since you mean well, why not go all the way and just do a good deed…”

After Feng Yongfu finished speaking, he squinted at Zhuang Qingning.

Previously, when Ding Gaochang told him that Manager Zhuang was very capable, he had imagined her to be an old, cunning fox. Instead, he finds a young girl.

However, since she seems to be young, this matter should not be too difficult. With some persistent persuasion, she should surely see reason.

Merchants typically only get up early if there are profits to be made, their hearts as slick as black oil. Whenever they acquire some game from the mountains, they sell a whole large rabbit for around ten coins, but once they skin that rabbit, the fur sells for a healthy sum, and the meat is sold to a restaurant or a tavern, yet again making them money. A nice profitable turnaround for a rabbit’s worth.

Why let others profit off the hard-earned items they retrieved from the mountains? If this isn’t avarice, what is? If this isn’t exploitation, what else could it be?

Feng Yongfu has always believed that all merchants are deceitful. Hence, when he heard that Ding Gaochang mentioned setting up a workshop in Feng Village, he didn’t believe that the so-called Manager Zhuang would have such good intentions.

Opening a workshop in this remote village — what else could it be about, if not taking advantage of these poverty-stricken people, making them work for whatever wages they were given, which are sure to be much less than those offered elsewhere? Isn’t the person opening the workshop clearly taking advantage of them?

To add, isn’t the reason Manager Zhuang wants to open a workshop here just to curry favor with Master Ding and Xu Zhengping to pave her path for the future?

Since your plans are so ruthless, there’s no need to be polite with you. Just play the same game, leaving your plans in shambles, and in the end, you’ll be left only with bitter disappointment.

With his eyes lowered, a glint of shrewdness crossed Feng Yongfu’s gaze.

After seemingly contemplating for a long time, Zhuang Qingning finally nodded, “Chief Feng is correct, this workshop could indeed be set up anywhere….”

See, see.

He wasn’t wrong in his assessment was he? Just a young, naive girl, under the misguided notion that throwing some money around would curry favor with the County Government Office. He was sure that with a bit of persuasion, she would understand.

Feng Yongfu almost imperceptibly straightened his back.

“After some careful consideration, our Feng Village is indeed quite remote, making it difficult for people to commute. So, let’s drop the idea of this workshop.”

Zhuang Qingning’s voice was as soft as before, but now, there was an unmistakable chill to it, stabbing like a cold knife, making one’s heartache.

Feng Yongfu paused, seeing Zhuang Qingning stand up and walk out. He quickly reacted and tried to stop her, “Manager Zhuang, do you mean to say you’re not opening the workshop?”

“I’m not.” Zhuang Qingning’s answer was definitive.

From all this probing, it was almost certain that Village Chief Feng wasn’t only short-sighted but also selfish with twisted morals.

When the last bit of patience had been worn thin, Zhuang Qingning felt she could completely abandon this matter, without harboring any unrealistic hopes.

She was maintaining her last bit of dignity by not losing her temper purely because this matter was initiated by Ding Gaochang, out of respect for his reputation.

At Zhuang Qingning’s words, there was a stunned silence in the room. Feng Yongfu found himself somewhat flustered, involuntarily repeating in disbelief, “Not opening?”

“Why would you suddenly decide to not open this seemingly promising workshop, Manager Zhuang? How can you go back on your word like this? Just yesterday, I informed everyone about your plan to set up a workshop. Now, everyone is eagerly waiting, but you suddenly say you won’t set it up. Isn’t that unreasonable?”

“And, this workshop wasn’t only your idea, it was also confirmed by Master Ding. If you just leave like this, how would you explain it to Master Ding?”

“You don’t need to worry about how I would explain it to Master Ding!”

Shen Quan interjected, “When we get back, we’ll tell Master Ding everything truthfully.”

It seemed almost as he had suspected, Master Ding didn’t accompany them today perhaps because he thought it would give Manager Zhuang too much prestige. Yet, fearing she might be uncooperative, he had sent them, two low-ranking officials, as eyes and ears to support Feng Yongfu’s side.

“Indeed, we thank the two officers. When you return, please explain to Master Ding that Manager Zhuang has been rather unreasonable, abruptly deciding not to proceed with the workshop without much discussion.”

Feng Yongfu said, “Even if I inadvertently offended Manager Zhuang, she should at least give me a reason for it so I can correct my mistakes. She can’t just walk away without a word…”

“With your attitude, not just Manager Zhuang, but even I don’t want to talk to you,” Shi Bao snorted from the side.

They heard very clearly the conversation between Feng Yongfu and Zhuang Qingning. Feng Yongfu was not only keen on exploiting others but also reluctant to grant Manager Zhuang any benefit. He kept using Master Ding’s status to manipulate the situation to make Manager Zhuang comply with his demands.

Who would accept such a deal in this world?

It’s already remarkable that Zhuang Qingning has managed to keep her cool this far without losing her temper completely.

As for Feng Yongfu, it was pitiable that he was completely oblivious to the fact that Manager Zhuang was invited over by Master Ding after much persuasion, whilst he remained quite hubristic.

“Exactly! Manager Zhuang’s patience is the only reason she hasn’t lashed out at you already. If I were in her place, I would have taught you a proper lesson by now.”