As the one who had extended the invitation, Hua Zhi arrived early. Seeing that she had some time to spare, she wandered over to take a look at the new shop. In terms of small details, the maids had indeed made a few more adjustments, which did make things look more comfortable.
She was never one to pick faults where none existed. She simply asked them to look over the place themselves and make whatever further changes were needed, then took it upon herself to decide on the shop’s name: Hai Wei — Flavors of the Sea.
For a place that sold food, there was no need for an overly cryptic name. Plain and easy to understand was perfectly fine.
After returning to the Food Hall, she didn’t have long to wait before Jiang Xin’de arrived. Judging by the time, he too had come early.
They exchanged greetings and took their seats, host and guest in their respective places. Hua Zhi skipped past a few pleasantries and got straight to the matter at hand, sliding a prepared contract across to Master Jiang. “Please look this over first.”
Jiang Xin’de raised an eyebrow. He looked at her once, then truly did pick it up and read through it. He considered himself a fair judge of character, and the eldest young mistress of the Hua Family was, at first glance, clearly the sort who operated through open strategy and proper means — none of those shadowy schemes and underhanded tricks. No wonder that young son of his had made such a scene. If it were truly for this young lady’s sake, it was genuinely worth it.
When he had finished reading the contract, he mentally elevated Hua Zhi by two full levels. A person who can bring themselves to give generously usually has the confidence that comes with being able to gain generously.
“Thirty percent of the profits — this is a deal that amounts to handing over money. I’d like to know, Eldest Miss, why you chose the Jiang Family.”
“Doing business in the capital is not something one can manage alone — a share will always have to be given to someone. Since a share must go out regardless, giving it to the Jiang Family sits far more comfortably with me, and it can also be considered repayment for the assistance Young Master Jiang rendered.”
Jiang Xin’de waved a hand. “Eldest Miss need not put it that way. I know what my son is capable of — he can frighten people and little else. A gesture of that sort is hardly worth Eldest Miss parting with so much.”
“Then allow me to put it differently.” Hua Zhi’s expression remained unchanged, the faint smile ever present on her face. “A family that can raise a son who, in that kind of situation, did not simply take flight on his own — a son who even declared that if he ran, his father would break his legs upon hearing of it — such a family is, in my estimation, more worthy of trust than most. Not that I would entrust them with my back entirely, but I would not need to constantly worry about a knife coming from behind. For the two families to earn a comfortable living together — would that not be ideal for both?”
This compliment sat very pleasantly on Jiang Xin’de. Yet they were both old foxes, and he was not one to be so easily charmed. “What I’d like to know is what my Jiang Family would need to do to earn this thirty percent.”
“The Jiang Family would need to contribute thirty percent of the shopfront’s operating costs — Master Jiang, do you have any objection to that?”
“That goes without saying.”
“In this partnership, you contribute thirty percent of the costs, the Cai Family contributes twenty percent, and I put in fifty percent myself. The accounts will be clear and transparent — no one can claim either side is taking advantage of the other. As for anything beyond that — it’s simply that if the shop runs into some trouble now and then, I may need to borrow the shelter of your authority.”
Jiang Xin’de pointed at her with his index finger, wearing a half-smile. “My authority isn’t particularly imposing — ordinary riff-raff are one thing, but there are some people it may not be enough to keep at bay.”
“It’s only a small-scale trade. With you here, and with the Cai Family — I don’t imagine anyone would be willing to offend two families at once over a bit of petty profit.”
A small-scale trade? Even Lvtai Lane was small-scale? Yet with a quick rough estimate, the profits there were enough to make even him envious. If it hadn’t been for the Zhu Family going about telling people that their family had a share in that business — and for Zhu Bowen’s currently considerable imperial favor — there would probably have been people making a move long ago.
Thirty percent. Jiang Xin’de looked down at the contract, his heart very much moved. Although the Jiang Family had deep roots, for two generations in a row the family had produced no one with a head for business, and they had barely managed to maintain a balance of income and expenditure. In the long run, that was undeniably disadvantageous. If this business venture were in hand, the situation might well improve. The rumor that the eldest young mistress of the Hua Family had the Midas touch was not something that had circulated for only a day or two — he did not dare to look lightly on this thirty percent.
And yet: “Eldest Miss truly needs nothing more from me?”
Hua Zhi smiled. “What is Master Jiang worried about? Can I use this to compel you into helping the Hua Family? This small sum, written out plainly in black and white — how foolish would I have to be to try something like that?”
“Please don’t take offense, Eldest Miss. Only — when a pie falls from the sky, no matter how hungry I am, I still need to check whether it’s safe to eat.”
“Since you mention it — there is, in truth, one thing.”
Jiang Xin’de thought to himself: as expected. But that very thought settled his mind, and he waited quietly for what came next.
“I venture to ask, Master Jiang — in ordinary times, has there ever been any bad blood between the Jiang Family and the Hua Family?”
“Of course not. I have the utmost admiration for the Elder Master.”
“If there were one day to come an opportunity that favored the Hua Family, and Master Jiang happened to have the occasion to speak — would Master Jiang be willing to say one good word on behalf of my Hua Family?”
Jiang Xin’de looked at this young woman holding forth with such composure and ease, and suddenly understood. Hua Zhi was not doing all of this truly for the sake of earning silver. Bringing him into the venture was not truly for the sake of borrowing his authority as a shield. She was paying out a substantial sum of silver to purchase a single promise from him — she was accumulating capital for whatever turning point the Hua Family’s future might hold.
That the Hua Family had a daughter like this — how fortunate.
If his eldest son were not already married, he would swallow his pride and personally arrange this match himself. What a pity. As for Huanran…
Thinking of his younger son, who had grown noticeably more listless of late, Jiang Xin’de stifled a quiet sigh. None of the reasons he had given were offered merely to put Huanran off — every word was the truth. A young woman like Hua Zhi — if she had not previously kept her sharp edges hidden, that would have been one thing. But as matters stood now, how could he expect his eldest daughter-in-law to quietly accept a sister-in-law who surpassed her in every way? In time, even if it stopped short of brothers falling out, the affection between them would take a great blow, and the hidden trouble of domestic strife was something he could not tolerate under any circumstances.
Yet he still felt it was a pity. Jiang Xin’de’s feelings surged inwardly, and he nodded toward Hua Zhi. “I agree.”
Hua Zhi rose and offered a formal bow. “I thank you in advance, Master Jiang.”
Jiang Xin’de made a gesture as though to help her up. “With you here, the Hua Family’s future is bright.”
“Master Jiang flatters me. I am only doing my best with what I have.”
Hua Zhi glanced at Yingchun. Yingchun understood, and lifted the curtain to signal that the dishes could be served.
“The food here is truly excellent. I had someone come here to put my name in and queue for a spot — by my calculation, I won’t be able to get in for another half month.” Jiang Xin’de smiled. “I wonder how the seafood venture will compare?”
Taking an interest already? Hua Zhi lowered her head and took a sip of tea, and was not stingy about letting a business partner in on a thing or two. “Seafood depends above all on freshness. To keep them alive as long as possible, I’ve had the boats carry less cargo and stock up on plenty of seawater. The costs are a bit higher that way, but seafood is only truly good when it’s alive — Master Jiang can rest assured. After all the care I’ve put into this, if it doesn’t make money, then the few cuts I took were for nothing.”
“I have every confidence in Eldest Miss. Only, Eldest Miss should also know — people tend to feel a little wary of unfamiliar things. I’m afraid there may be far more who come to look than who dare to actually eat.”
“We’ll need to ask Young Master Jiang to bring along some friends when the time comes. I’ll also make some arrangements on my end.”
Jiang Xin’de thought about it for a moment and burst out laughing. That’s right — bring in that pack of young men who prize their face above all else, and even if they don’t dare to eat, they’ll have to put on a show of bold gusto. As long as the food is as good as Hua Zhi says, would there be any worry about future business?
Thinking it over, Jiang Xin’de found it all rather amusing. He still didn’t know whether the goods were good or not, yet the contract had been settled just like that. Eldest Miss — quite the ability.