194: Chapter 194 Qian's Scheme

Qian Ninghe spoke first, "Handong, how did the matter go?"

"Father, I have already delivered the message as you instructed. Although Pei Tianquan did not directly refuse, his meaning was self-evident; it is unlikely that our Qian Clan will be able to invest in the Yuanhang Trade Caravan." Qian Handong pondered for a moment before speaking.

His words were tactful, but how could Qian Ninghe not understand their meaning?

Qian Ninghe seemed to see through Qian Handong's thoughts and said calmly, "It is fine. Long before you went, I had already guessed the result. Behind this Yuanhang Trade Caravan is the Wuyang Pei Clan, as well as Chen Yuanba and He Yucheng. Given the relationship between our Qian Clan and those two families, if Pei Tianquan had agreed to our request to invest, I would have instead suspected his motives."

Qian Handong asked in confusion, "Then, did you send me there this time to sow discord between the Wuyang Pei Clan and Chen Yuanba?"

"If it were possible to create a rift between them, that would naturally be a good thing. But based on my understanding of their relationship, as long as the Wuyang Pei Clan does not agree to our Qian Clan's investment, it is unlikely to affect their relationship. This time, I had you go personally to contact the Yuanhang Trade Caravan to plan for our next steps."

Qian Handong did not say more, only a look of contemplation appearing in his eyes, "I see."

Seeing this, Qian Ninghe said slowly from the side, "Handong, if you have any thoughts, feel free to speak them."

Qian Handong paused for a few seconds before expressing his thoughts, "During this trip to the Yuanhang Trade Caravan, I observed along the way that the atmosphere of Mingshui Street is no longer what it used to be. Traveling merchants from all over are flocking here, presenting a scene of prosperity. And the cause of all this is the Yuanhang Trade Caravan."

A trace of a gratified smile appeared on Qian Ninghe's face, "Handong, it seems you have gained much from this trip. It was the right decision for me to arrange for you to go."

Qian Handong sighed, "I wouldn't call it a gain, but my horizons have certainly broadened. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it. In just over half a year, Mingshui Street has completely changed. I remember two years ago, business on Mingshui Street was very depressed. Judging by this development trend, I dare say that within five years, Mingshui Street will be able to rank among the top districts in the prefecture city."

Upon hearing this, Qian Ninghe's expression also became serious. It was true that he had sent people to gather intelligence on the Yuanhang Trade Caravan, but that was, after all, only the personal judgment of the intelligence gatherers.

Now, hearing these words from Qian Handong, one of the direct descendants he trusted most, the feeling was completely different.

Qian Ninghe said solemnly, "Handong, you hold the Yuanhang Trade Caravan in high regard."

Qian Handong spoke eloquently, "I am merely stating the facts and have by no means exaggerated. Within the entire prefecture city, if you were to pull anyone off the street and ask them, they would know of the Yuanhang Trade Caravan's existence, and some even have business dealings with it. Its reputation is by no means lower than that of our Qian Clan."

At this point, Qian Handong did not forget to glance at Qian Ninghe, who was in the main seat.

He saw that Qian Ninghe's face was grave, and a dark, murky look flashed across his eyes, "It seems that I underestimated this Yuanhang Trade Caravan. In less than a year, it has actually developed to this extent."

For any Great Family, reputation is very important. It is not as if one can hide in the deep mountains and forests and expect resources to flow in endlessly.

A Great Family needs strength to protect the resources it possesses, but it also needs reputation to maintain the industries it operates.

In a sense, reputation is a type of resource itself.

Although the current Yuanhang Trade Caravan does not yet have a significant impact on the Qian Clan's industries, as long as there is any possibility of it threatening them, Qian Ninghe will not allow even a sliver of it.

As the number one Great Family in Jinhuai Prefecture, the Qian Clan would never allow such a powerful commercial firm that is outside the Qian Clan's control to emerge in Jinhuai Prefecture City.

Furthermore, the existence of the four Great Families in Jinhuai Prefecture City is already quite crowded.

Thinking of this, Qian Ninghe said in a cold voice, "Since the Yuanhang Trade Caravan cannot be used by our Qian Clan, we must find a way to curb it."

Qian Handong said in a low voice, "Father, do you think this is feasible? Our Qian Clan could completely learn from the Yuanhang Trade Caravan's business model and build another trade caravan. By then, with our Qian Clan's reputation and foundation, other Great Families will inevitably flock to us. The Wuyang Pei Clan is merely water without roots; even with Chen Yuanba's help, how can they compare to our Qian Clan?"

Qian Ninghe did not answer immediately, and after a brief silence, he said in a deep voice, "Handong, your idea is very good, but it is not yet time to do so. With the Qian Clan's reputation, we can certainly easily form such a trade caravan. But to say that we could outperform the Yuanhang Trade Caravan in market competition is not necessarily true."

"A step ahead is a step ahead. We do not need to defeat it in the same way. Since it is a trade caravan, it naturally has weaknesses. But before that, I need to clearly understand all the intelligence on the Wuyang Pei Clan and the Yuanhang Trade Caravan."

Qian Handong looked solemn and bowed, saying, "Yes, I will go handle it immediately."

...

The next day.

The news of Qian Handong coming to the Jinhuai Branch reached the ears of the various Great Families that had invested.

When he came to the Jinhuai Branch, Qian Handong did not deliberately conceal his identity. As one of the direct descendants of the Qian Clan, many in the Jinhuai Branch recognized Qian Handong's identity.

Among these investing Great Families, except for a very small number of two families, the others were at least neutral, or had some relationship with the Chen Clan or the He Clan.

Under these circumstances, everyone was somewhat sensitive to Qian Handong's arrival.

The entire Jinhuai Prefecture City was divided into three forces. The first was the Alliance of allied Great Families led by the Qian and Lü clans; the second was the Alliance of Great Families led by the Chen Clan and the He Clan; the others were some neutral Great Families.

Although there were many neutral Great Families, their power was scattered. In terms of top-tier Martial Artists, there was a significant gap compared to the former, and they could only barely be considered a third force.

In essence, it was still a struggle between the four Great Families.

This was also the consensus of all the Great Families in Jinhuai Prefecture City.

The visit of Qian Handong, a direct descendant of the Qian Clan, represented in a sense the attitude of the Qian Clan.

This was also the deterrent power coming from Jinhuai's number one Great Family.

However, these Great Families did not ask Pei Tianquan directly; instead, they tried to find out Qian Handong's intentions through indirect questioning.

"I didn't expect the news to spread in just one day. Since they want to know, we might as well tell them," Pei Tianquan said in a deep voice.

"But if we do that, will they withdraw their investment?" asked a person in charge from the Pei Clan.

"I have already communicated this matter with the Old Ancestor. The Qian Clan is merely sending a signal and has not yet taken any substantive action. If anyone cannot even hold on to this point and leaves the Yuanhang Trade Caravan early, it might not be a bad thing," Pei Tianquan explained.