"Uncle Wei?" Lin Wanrong was startled, his drowsiness dissipated immediately, and he turned to the carriageway: "Miss, I met an acquaintance, and I will be right back." The wine shop ran.
Lin Wanrong entered the restaurant and ran straight upstairs. Above the third floor, the place was very spacious. He found the spot he was aiming at just now, but saw no one, no sign of Uncle Wei.
This is strange, could it be that my eyes are blurred? That blind old man has obviously returned to his hometown, so how could he appear in Hangzhou. He thought to himself and went downstairs resentfully.
In a private room upstairs, there were several pairs of eyes watching him all the time. A middle-aged man with a pale complexion, dressed in a yellow satin robe, with a graceful temperament, looked at Lin Wanrong's figure, and said lightly: "Is this the Lin Wanrong you mentioned?"
"My lord, it is this person." Standing next to him was an old man, his eyes were empty, and he was actually blind. Hearing the middle-aged man's question, the blind old man hastily replied respectfully.
The middle-aged man glanced at Lin Wanrong with great interest, nodded and said, "This kid is also clever. I sat with you for a while, but he ran into him. The recent Xiao family's business is all his idea. Is it?"
"According to the servant's eyeliner, it was indeed Lin Wanrong who did it," said the blind old man.
The middle-aged man smiled and said: "He has a way, he can get some money. Judging by the way he stalks, he doesn't seem to be an easy person to mess with. It's not far from what you described. It's interesting. The one in the carriage, then Is it from the Xiao family?"
"Yes, from the slave's point of view, that should be Miss Xiao's family." The old man said respectfully.
"Miss Xiao?" A look of disappointment flashed across the middle-aged man's face, and he sighed, "Twenty years have passed in a flash. I didn't expect her daughter to grow up so big."
There seemed to be some reminiscence on his face, and he said: "You have been in Xiao's house all these years, how is Miss Guo doing?" The expression of the middle-aged man changed very quickly. Gujing's calm look has been restored.
"Master, from the perspective of a slave, Miss Guo has had a hard time these years. The master and young master of the Xiao family have passed away one after another, and the Xiao family has been relying on her to work hard. It was really not easy. She didn't feel free until the young lady grew up."
The middle-aged man nodded and said, "I don't know if she still remembers me? I was too cautious back then and missed the opportunity."
The blind old man hurriedly said: "Master, it was your forbearance back then that made great things happen. This slave is infinitely admired."
"Forbearance? I have endured too much." A stern look flashed across his face, and he said again: "You have been in the Xiao family these years, does Miss Guo know your identity?"
"She doesn't know. I just said that I was a servant of old Mrs. Xiao's old friend. Miss Guo has always trusted me. When I left the Xiao family, I recommended Lin Wanrong to the Xiao family." The old man said.
The old man's face returned to indifference. Said: "Listen to the things you mentioned, this Lin Wanrong has some tricks, let him protect the Xiao family first, and other things need to be investigated slowly."
It is not easy to get this compliment from the middle-aged man, the blind old man hastily responded, his empty eyes flashing with a deep gloomy light.
Lin Wanrong returned to the Missy's carriage, Xiao Yuruo glanced at him and said, "What are you doing, so reckless?"
Lin Wanrong didn't look for old man Wei, so he was not in a good mood. He nodded and said, "I saw an old friend. Oh, it's Uncle Wei, miss, you should know?"
"Uncle Wei?" The eldest lady frowned and said: "Of course I know him. He was the disciple of my grandfather's best friend in the past. He stayed in our Xiao family for many years and only left a few months ago. Do you know him? "
It turned out to be an old friend of the old man. No wonder this old Wei didn't have to do anything, and he could live in Xiao's house for the elderly. Lin Wanrong recounted her relationship with Old Wei, and the eldest lady nodded and said, "So you were recommended by Uncle Wei, so it's no wonder that Uncle Wei has always had a good eye, and my mother has always respected him."
Lin Wanrong laughed and said, "Missy's vision is not bad either."
"You have a thick skin." The eldest lady said softly.
Xiao's branch in Hangzhou has a very large house, and it is facing the West Lake. It is considered a golden treasure in Hangzhou. The shopkeeper was a capable woman in her forties or fifties.
"Miss, you are here." The shopkeeper took the hand of the eldest lady and said with a smile.
"Nurse Zhang, I haven't seen you for a long time. How are you?" The eldest lady seemed to be very kind to the shopkeeper.
Nanny Zhang smiled and said: "Okay, it's very good, thanks to the blessings of Madam and Miss."
"This is my nanny when I was a child." The eldest lady introduced Lin Wanrong.
It turned out to be a nanny, no wonder she was so kind, Lin Wanrong saluted Zhang Nanny and said: "Zhang Nanny, hello, you can tell that you are a kind-hearted person by looking at your kind eyebrows and kind eyes. My name is Lin San. Nanny will take better care of me in the future."
Nanny Zhang smiled and said: "You are Lin San. I heard many people in the house mentioned it. Yes, you really look good. Since you are in Hangzhou, you and the eldest lady can rest assured here. I will take care of everything. .”
"Nurse—" the eldest lady blushed and called out anxiously, probably because she heard some ambiguity in the words.
The eldest lady is too sensitive, I haven't even thought of that. Lin Wanrong smiled, and the eldest lady's face turned red again, and she glared at him.
The Xiao family's time-honored brand really lived up to its reputation. Not only is this Hangzhou branch located in an excellent location, right next to the West Lake, but it also occupies a large area with several large and small courtyards.
The eldest lady seemed to see through Lin Wanrong's thoughts, and said proudly: "This house is also the ancestral property of my Xiao family."
This Xiao family is really a big landowner, not to mention owning a few mansions in Jinling, but also owning a mansion in this prime location of Hangzhou city, which is really admirable.
Nanny Zhang led a group of people into the house, the eldest lady arranged rooms for everyone, and then asked Nanny Zhang: "Mommy, when is the invitation from the Hangzhou Chamber of Commerce written?"
Nanny Zhang said: "It's arranged in the Qingyu Building on the Su Causeway in the day after tomorrow. President Yu of the Hangzhou Chamber of Commerce has already sent the invitation."
That means there are at least two more days before that happens. Xiao Yuruo nodded and said, "Since that's the case, let's stay here in Hangzhou for two days. It's just a good time to promote the soap and perfume first."
Nanny Zhang said pleasantly: "Miss, is the perfume available now? Many officials and ladies have come to inquire. I have pushed it again and again."
The eldest lady smiled and said: "Since you have been waiting for such a long time, you might as well wait. There is only a limit of 100 bottles in Hangzhou. You let these ladies and wives register first, and then notify them when they arrive. Late."
Nanny Zhang said yes. The eldest lady was very happy to see that the perfume was so popular, she glanced at Lin Wanrong, and then said to Nanny Zhang: "How effective is the soap I sent you a few days ago?" It turned out that the second day after Lin Wanrong finished the experiment, The eldest lady hurried off quickly and took the soap to Hangzhou to test the reactions of all parties.
Nanny Zhang said: "The things sent by the eldest lady are not bad, apart from the perfume, the soap is the most popular, but unfortunately the quantity is too small, and only a few acquainted ladies tried it out. The response is good. The price is also very moderate.”
The eldest lady smiled slightly and said, "This soap will be available within half a month, you don't have to worry, Mammy."
After talking a few words with Nanny Zhang, the eldest lady was very excited, and she even lost a lot of fatigue. Seeing that everyone looked sleepy, she said: "Everyone must be tired after driving for a day today. Take a day off tomorrow, the ten scenic spots of the West Lake are famous all over the world. Let's go to the West Lake for a stroll."
When she said this, she glanced at Lin Wanrong intentionally or unintentionally.
In his previous life, this Hangzhou Lin Wanrong also came several times, and although he was not very familiar with the West Lake, he was not unfamiliar either, he laughed and said: "In that case, then I will follow the eldest lady if there is no tomorrow, so as not to miss something. "
This perfume and soap is very popular in Hangzhou, and the eldest lady was in a good mood, so she also smiled and said: "That's good, you all follow me tomorrow. I have come to Hangzhou several times, but I don't have time to go to the West Lake. It happens to be free tomorrow."
The eldest lady is so interested, and it's a public trip, so a fool wouldn't go. Lin Wanrong returned to her room, just yawned, and was about to go to sleep, when she heard a knock on the door outside, and the voice of the servant girl Xiaocui said: "Third brother, miss, please go over and talk."
What are you doing, it's so late and you don't let people take a break, this girl is really working hard.
The eldest lady's room was across the yard from Lin Wanrong's room, and when she entered her room, she had just washed up, smiling sweetly, with bright eyes, looking at him with a smile.
Smelling the faint fragrance from the eldest lady, Lin Wanrong felt a little itchy in her heart. This chick has become gentle, and she really has a special charm.
Xiao Yuruo glanced at him and said, "Lin San, sit down and talk."
Maybe it was because of the night, the eldest lady spoke in a soft voice, and she became very gentle: "You must be tired after a long day of driving today. After we finish talking, you should go back and rest early."
Lin Wanrong smiled and said, "Miss, you can survive as a woman, so why should I be tired?"
Xiao Yuruo smiled bitterly: "I'm used to this way of walking. I came to you today to tell you about the annual meeting of the Hangzhou Chamber of Commerce. In two days, I will take you to attend the annual meeting. This is a rare opportunity. You have to observe and study hard.”
Lin Wanrong asked strangely: "Miss, what does the Hangzhou Chamber of Commerce do?"
The eldest lady nodded and said: "Hangzhou Chamber of Commerce, to put it simply, is an alliance of large merchants in Hangzhou. They are leaders in various industries and control the business affairs of Zhejiang Province. They are very powerful."
As soon as the eldest lady said, Lin Wanrong understood, and asked, "Is there a chamber of commerce in Jinling?"
"Of course." The eldest lady nodded and said: "The strength of the Jinling Chamber of Commerce is not inferior to that of the Hangzhou Chamber of Commerce. A few years ago, our Xiao family was the leader of the Jinling Chamber of Commerce. Later, our family fell into decline, and the chairman was also handed over to others. Jiangnan It is rich, the world is abundant, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces control the lifeline of the world economy, Jinling Chamber of Commerce is the most powerful chamber of commerce in the country, and the exchanges between the two are very close, and they invite each other to the annual meeting every year. Last year's annual meeting was It was held in Jinling, and this year it is the turn of Hangzhou."
This kind of mutual communication between business organizations is very normal, and Lin Wanrong can understand it, and said: "Then what will be done at this year's meeting?"
The eldest lady said: "It's nothing more than discussing the business situation of Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces over the past year, as well as the emerging industries and businesses. The chambers of commerce in both places have great strength, so merchants in Jiangsu and Zhejiang must participate in the annual meeting. Proud."
Lin Wanrong thought for a while and said: "Miss, you came to me late at night, is there any embarrassment this year?"
The eldest lady glanced at him appreciatively and said: "Lin San, if I had attended this annual meeting in previous years, I wouldn't worry about it. But this year is different, our business direction has changed a lot recently, and these must have fallen into the hands of caring people. In my eyes, the profits from the perfume and soap are huge, and I'm afraid there will be some disturbances at the annual meeting."
Lin Wanrong understood what the eldest lady meant. People are afraid of being famous and pigs are afraid of being strong. Although the Xiao family has been in the cloth business for the past few years, it has gone from bad to worse. Suddenly, they have found two businesses with huge profits. of jealousy. This year's meeting is a top-level event for wealthy businessmen in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. If you don't come, you can't do it. If you come, you will be questioned. This is a trouble.
Lin Wanrong thought for a while and said, "Miss, since our Xiao family belongs to the Jinling Guild, the president of the Jinling Chamber of Commerce should also protect you."
The eldest lady smiled wryly: "In previous years, it would have been possible, but this year it might not be possible."
Lin Wanrong wondered, "Why?"
Xiao Yuruo glanced at him and said, "You've offended everyone. How can others protect me?"
Lin Wanrong asked in surprise, "Then the president of the Jinling Chamber of Commerce is Tao Dongcheng?"
The eldest lady gave him a blank look: "At least you are not stupid enough. After our Xiao family fell, Tao Dongcheng took its place and became the leader of the Jinling Chamber of Commerce."
Lin Wanrong suddenly remembered something, and said, "That Tao Wanying is Tao Dongcheng's younger sister, right?"
The eldest lady nodded, and Lin Wanrong smiled, as expected, looking at the wildness of that chick, she knew that she was not an honest master. Lin Wanrong continued: "Miss, I have one more question to ask. The Suzhou-Hangzhou Chamber of Commerce has such an important position in the whole country. Will there be anyone in the capital who will attend this annual meeting?"
The eldest lady gave him a surprised look, and said: "You really have some discernment. The Suzhou-Hangzhou Chamber of Commerce has a special status. Every year at the annual meeting, the emperor will send a representative to come, but this year I don't know who to send."
As expected, the emperor would never sit idly by in this Jiangnan granary, and the annual meeting of the Suzhou-Hangzhou Chamber of Commerce must be attended by important figures.
Lin Wanrong was thinking hard, and the eldest lady sighed softly: "I tell you this, and I hope you will prepare early, so that you won't be at a loss when the time comes."
Seeing Missy's frowning expression, Lin Wanrong smiled and said: "Missy, there is a solution to everything, don't think too much now. Have you forgotten what I said to you today? Learn to relax, Learn to vent."
The eldest lady smiled slightly and said: "I only went back to swim in the West Lake after listening to your words. If I followed my usual temperament, I would not find time."
Lin Wanrong smiled, but did not speak. He was still thinking about the chamber of commerce. People's appetite is endless, if it is true what the eldest lady said, everyone is staring at the Xiao family now, then the situation will be a bit bad for the Xiao family.