Xu Shaojin was startled by Lu Ming's words, as his soft spot had been hit!
In fact, Xu Shaojin did not join the White Lotus Cult willingly. He was targeted by them and coerced into joining through a combination of threats and temptations.
After joining, Xu Shaojin became like a lamb to the slaughter, constantly bullied.
He was a major silkworm farmer, and his silk was highly sought after. The White Lotus Cult demanded that Xu Shaojin sell them his silk at extremely low prices, only for them to resell it at exorbitant rates.
In this exchange, the White Lotus Cult profited handsomely, earning far more than Xu Shaojin could have on his own.
Xu Shaojin, on the other hand, received nothing more than some banners gifted by the cult. All the profits were plundered by them, leaving him in a truly miserable state!
Therefore, Xu Shaojin desperately needed someone to save him.
The appearance of Jiang Rong and Jiang Lan actually gave Xu Shaojin hope. If he could sell his goods to the Jiang family, Xu Shaojin would be able to recoup a significant portion of his losses.
The problem was, Xu Shaojin wanted to sell but did not want others to see through his vulnerability!
If the Jiang family discovered he was desperately short of money, they would likely force the price down, leaving him even worse off. This was why Xu Shaojin was putting on a facade of toughness; these were merely tactics to inflate the price, not his true feelings.
Of course, his desire to pocket all the profits from the middleman was purely selfish.
If he could capture the entire price difference from the middlemen, Xu Shaojin would be able to recover a substantial amount. While it wouldn't fully compensate for the White Lotus Cult's exploitation, it would at least allow him to survive.
However, such a sweet deal was too good to be true.
At this moment, Lu Ming had exposed Xu Shaojin's weakness, leaving him somewhat embarrassed and at a loss for words, standing frozen on the spot.
At this time.
Jiang Rong laughed heartily and said, "We are all businessmen; it all comes down to profit. Since Boss Xu is short of money and needs our help, how can we take advantage of his situation? Boss Xu, rest assured, the price I offer will be fair. However, giving you all the middleman's profit is something I cannot do."
Finally, Xu Shaojin said awkwardly, "Then give me your price."
Jiang Rong held up three fingers.
Xu Shaojin nodded, "Mm, that should be acceptable. I can accept this price."
As the deal seemed on the verge of completion, Lu Ming suddenly intervened, advising, "Jiang Rong, I don't think you need to be so hasty. We don't necessarily have to buy Boss Xu's goods."
What did he mean?
The price had been agreed upon, why the sudden refusal to proceed?
Jiang Rong glared at Lu Ming and sneered, "Since when is it your place to make decisions here? We are the ones seeking to purchase silk, and the price has been settled. To back out now would be a breach of trust! Lu Ming, don't think you can act high and mighty and dictate terms just because you have some connection with the Jiang family. Let me tell you, if it weren't for Xiao Lan, I wouldn't have brought you here! You're just a bodyguard, so shut your mouth."
This was going too far. Lu Ming had just helped him negotiate a lower price, and now he was turning his back on him?
Jiang Lan was displeased and said, "Jiang Rong, the way you speak is too harsh."
She didn't even address him as 'cousin,' indicating her genuine anger.
Jiang Rong, however, was doting on Jiang Lan and smiled, "What I said is the truth. The truth can sometimes be blunt, but that's how it is."
Jiang Lan ignored him and turned to Lu Ming, asking, "Why didn't you want us to complete the purchase?"
Lu Ming explained, "If my information is correct, Boss Xu recently supplied a large batch of high-quality goods to the White Lotus Cult. All the best silk has already gone to them. What he has left are some inferior products that the White Lotus Cult wouldn't bother with. Are we expected to buy these substandard goods at a premium price?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Shaojin, surprisingly, did not get angry. Instead, his expression flickered, showing a guilty conscience.
Anyone with eyes could see that Lu Ming had hit the nail on the head again!
If Lu Ming had been wrong, Xu Shaojin would have certainly erupted in anger. An innocent person would defend themselves, but Xu Shaojin's lack of protest indicated the truth in Lu Ming's words.
Xu Shaojin had a story he couldn't tell.
His premium silk had indeed been seized by the White Lotus Cult, leaving him with only substandard products. His plan was to pass them off as good quality, to deceive the Jiang family and make a quick profit.
Even if the Jiang family discovered the truth later, he would deny everything. At worst, the deal would be a one-off.
He just wanted to make some money.
A guilty conscience was evident.
Xu Shaojin's scheme having been exposed, his face flushed with shame.
Seeing this, Jiang Lan became upset. She pointed at Xu Shaojin and said, "Boss Xu, this is wrong of you. We came with sincerity to do business and offered a reasonable price. How could you treat us like this? I sympathize with you being bullied by the White Lotus Cult, but you can't treat us like fools and use our money to cover your shortfall! Boss Xu, you have truly disappointed me."
With that, Jiang Lan stood up, intending to leave.
Jiang Rong coughed and said, "Xiao Lan, why the rush? Are you leaving before the business is even concluded?"
Conclude?
What was there left to conclude?
Jiang Lan was confused.
Jiang Rong, however, insisted, "You actually believe what someone like Lu Ming says, Xiao Lan? I am extremely disappointed in you. What is Boss Xu's standing? How could he possibly try to pass off inferior goods and deceive us? I am more inclined to believe in Boss Xu's character!"
What?
His words left everyone in the room stunned.
Not only Lu Ming and Jiang Lan felt something was amiss, but even Xu Shaojin was bewildered. Was there truly such a foolish person in the world? And from the Jiang family of Jiangcheng, no less.
It felt like someone who had been scammed online was being advised by the police, yet refused to believe the police and instead trusted the scammer, even proceeding to transfer money to the scammer in front of the officers.
Truly hopeless in their stupidity.
This was exactly how Jiang Rong appeared at the moment.
Xu Shaojin was delighted. He felt he had encountered a great fool today. Perhaps the Jiang family wasn't as formidable as he imagined, and there were indeed fools like Jiang Rong who were overly self-assured.
He immediately said, "Mr. Jiang is right. Who am I, Xu Shaojin? Inquire in the martial world, and you'll know I would never engage in passing off inferior goods! Mr. Jiang, rest assured, I will provide you with the highest quality goods!"
"Mm, I believe you, Boss Xu."
For some reason, Jiang Rong gave off the impression of someone "gallantly marching to their doom." Everyone could see the trap ahead, yet he refused to heed advice and blindly jumped into it.
Was he truly foolish, or…
Lu Ming narrowed his eyes, his gaze towards Jiang Rong becoming sharper as he pondered.
This Jiang Rong was very strange!