185: Chapter 185 Head of the Qian Family

"Sili, I still have some urgent matters, so let's forget about today. We can go together next time when there's an opportunity." Xu Xuanan gave a hollow laugh, his legs seeming to be equipped with a pair of pulleys.

In the blink of an eye, he vanished before Pei Sili.

Watching Xu Xuanan's retreating figure, Pei Sili wanted to cry but had no tears.

They had agreed to stab their brother twice.

Who would have thought, he actually did it!

It was also at this moment that Qi Yanran's ghostly voice sounded in his ear, "Husband, it is getting late, we should rest."

...

Under the vigorous promotion of over a dozen Great Families, many commoners and merchants throughout Jinhuai Prefecture City began discussing the Yuanhang Trade Caravan.

Of course, there were also some who had long heard of the Yuanhang Trade Caravan's reputation.

After all, the Yuanhang Trade Caravan was spread across six counties. These people in the prefecture city more or less had relatives outside the city.

"Have you heard? The Yuanhang Trade Caravan is holding its opening ceremony tomorrow. It is said that people from over a dozen Great Families will be in attendance."

"No way. What is the background of this Yuanhang Trade Caravan to have such a big setup? Why have I never heard of it before? Could it have been initiated by the Qian Clan? But recently, I haven't seen the Qian Clan make any big moves." A passerby asked, puzzled.

"You've misunderstood then. The initiator of this Yuanhang Trade Caravan is not the Qian Clan. It is said to be a Great Family in Wuyang County, and that Great Family seems to be surnamed Pei."

"Wuyang Pei Clan, I seem to have some impression of them. Let me think... Oh, I remember now. My uncle is illiterate, yet he wrote a letter to me. He mentioned it in the letter, mentioning the Wuyang Pei Clan several times. It seems that this Yuanhang Trade Caravan, which is in the hands of the Wuyang Pei Clan, helped him write it, and it cost a total of about fifty wen."

"This Wuyang Pei Clan is truly remarkable. A county-level Great Family, yet they can actually get the Chen Clan, the He Clan, and over a dozen other Great Families to show their support. I must see who this Wuyang Pei Clan is to have such capability."

"Come to think of it, what you said has piqued my interest. Tomorrow, I will also find time to take a look. A county-level Great Family, to be this impressive..."

...

Besides the commoners and merchants in Jinhuai Prefecture, the Great Families that did not invest in the Yuanhang Trade Caravan also heard similar rumors.

In their view, wasn't it just establishing a branch of a trade caravan in the prefecture city? Was it necessary to make such a big fuss?

It was just grandstanding.

Jinhuai Prefecture City, Qian Clan main residence.

As one of the four Great Families of Jinhuai Prefecture, the overall strength of the Qian Clan was the strongest in Jinhuai Prefecture, with industries spread across all major districts of Jinhuai Prefecture City.

The Qian Clan alone occupied ten percent of the prefecture city's industries.

This ten percent might seem small, but in reality, it was a huge figure. One must know that the prefecture city had a population of nearly two million. Even if each person spent an average of twenty taels a year, that would be forty million taels annually.

However, the profit margin of the Qian Clan's industries was only fifty percent. Calculating this, the Qian Clan had an annual income of two million taels.

In fact, the total consumption of Jinhuai Prefecture City was even higher than this. In addition, Jinhuai Prefecture City also had business dealings with other prefectures.

Besides, how could the expenditures of the Great Families and merchants be the same as those of ordinary people?

The Qian Clan's annual income was only more, not less, than two million taels.

Ninghe Cottage was the place where the head of the Qian Clan, Qian Ninghe, resided.

As the current helmsman of the Qian Clan, Qian Ninghe was also a Grandmaster at the Middle Stage of the Six Bowels Realm. Although he was not the strongest in the Qian Clan, his cultivation at the Middle Stage of the Six Bowels Realm was ranked quite high.

In the Qian Clan, his cultivation was second only to the two Old Ancestors of the Qian Clan.

"Head of the Family, the Yuanhang Trade Caravan founded by the Wuyang Pei Clan has recently been causing quite a stir in the city. It is said that Chen Yuanba of the Chen Clan's direct line, as well as He Yucheng of the He Clan's direct line, also seem to be supporting this so-called Yuanhang Trade Caravan. Your subordinate is worried that this Yuanhang Trade Caravan might be a conspiracy of the Chen and He families." The Qian Clan's butler said.

"I have already sent people to investigate this matter. It is nothing more than a few small families playing around. The Chen Clan and the He Clan are not involved. Chen Yuanba has been a director in Wuyang County for so many years and has some personal friendship with Pei Qingyun of the Wuyang Pei Clan. As for He Yucheng, he was also invited by Chen Yuanba." Qian Ninghe said nonchalantly.

"In that case, will it affect the Qian Clan's business? I am worried that this Yuanhang Trade Caravan has come with ill intentions." The Qian Clan's butler frowned.

"Uncle Po, you do not need to worry unnecessarily. My Qian Clan has stood in Jinhuai Prefecture City for so many years; how could a small trade caravan formed by a few small families affect us? Moreover, I have also investigated the Yuanhang Trade Caravan's business; it is mostly transportation business for ordinary commoners and merchants, which cannot affect the Qian Clan. However, the business model of this Yuanhang Trade Caravan is quite refreshing." Qian Ninghe explained.

Hearing this, the Qian Clan's butler finally felt at ease. As the Qian Clan's butler, he had watched Qian Ninghe grow up.

In his heart, he had long regarded himself as a member of the Qian Clan.

He was also very familiar with Qian Ninghe's temperament.

Qian Ninghe never boasted; whatever he said, he usually did.

"How about I send someone to keep an eye on this Yuanhang Trade Caravan? If there is any situation, I will report it to you." The Qian Clan's butler said.

"Not for the time being. Wait for a while, and we will know the outcome. If this business model is viable, the Qian Clan can naturally replace them." Qian Ninghe said indifferently.

"The Master is still the most thoughtful." The Qian Clan's butler flattered.

"If there is nothing else, you may withdraw first. A distinguished guest will come later, and I still have important matters to discuss." Qian Ninghe said.

"Yes, Master."

...

The next day. Xu Xuanan hurriedly sought out Pei Sili.

Seeing that Qi Yanran was not there, Xu Xuanan felt relieved and began to communicate with Pei Sili.

After the turmoil of last night, Pei Sili was still sporting a pair of dark circles under his eyes.

"Sili, has something big happened?" Xu Xuanan said with a hurried look.

Pei Sili rubbed his tired eyes and asked, puzzled, "It's early in the morning, why are you so jumpy? What happened?"

"My father went crazy last night and beat me up. Look at my left cheek, there's still a slap mark. The old man in my Family was really ruthless this time. If I had known, I wouldn't have gone home last night." Xu Xuanan complained indignantly.

"What does your father beating you have to do with me? Did you steal your mother's dowry again to buy Medicinal Pills for Yun Ying?" Pei Sili asked helplessly.

"How can you call it stealing? It will all be mine in the future. Last time, my mother found out I took her dowry, so she locked the cabinet. Now I don't even know where my mother hid the dowry." Xu Xuanan said resentfully.

"Since you didn't steal the dowry, why did your father beat you? Could it really be related to me?" Pei Sili was even more confused.

"Sili, this matter really has to do with you. Yesterday, if you hadn't said you were going to my house, I wouldn't have gone home for no reason, and I wouldn't have received this beating." Xu Xuanan said with a serious face.