Xu Shaojin's breeding farm is north of the bridge, requiring a drive across the bridge. The road was crowded and congested, with vehicles everywhere, forming an impenetrable blockade.
Jiang Rong looked out the window at the surging Yangtze River and said with a smile, "Jinling's layout is quite similar to Jiangcheng. Both are divided into north and south sections, built alongside the water."
Jiang Lan retorted, "It's only superficially similar. Jinling emphasizes the south and neglects the north, while Jiangcheng has dual central areas in the north and south. Although the city layouts are alike, their development directions are vastly different."
Jiang Rong suddenly changed the subject and asked, "Then, Xiao Lan, do you prefer Jinling or Jiangcheng?"
What kind of question is this?
It was like asking a child, "Do you prefer Daddy or Mommy?" Utterly childish.
Jiang Lan rolled her eyes and said, "Every city has its own characteristics. I was born and raised in Jinling, and my love for this city might surpass my love for myself. Jiangcheng has its good points, but I am from Jinling, do you understand?"
Jiang Rong nodded, "I understand. Everyone's feelings are deeper for their hometown. But if... one day you were to live in Jiangcheng, would you be willing?"
Huh?
Jiang Lan was even more bewildered.
These questions seemed disconnected. What was all this nonsensical questioning about?
Jiang Lan said, "Why would I abandon Jinling to live in Jiangcheng? If it were for work, I could tolerate it for a few years, but I would never forget my roots."
At this moment.
Jiang Rong said something that shocked everyone in the car.
He said, "But what if your roots are in Jiangcheng?"
Hmm?
Jiang Lan looked at him with a face full of question marks, "Cousin, what do you mean by that?"
Jiang Rong smiled, "It doesn't mean anything, just asking randomly, just a hypothetical. If you don't like this hypothetical, I can use another one. Let's assume you were to marry into Jiangcheng, would that be acceptable?"
Jiang Lan was on the verge of getting angry.
She said impatiently, "Stop with these pointless hypotheticals and just drive properly!"
Jiang Rong smiled and said no more.
However, his series of remarks caught the attention of Lu Ming in the back seat. Jiang Rong's words were definitely not aimless; they must have had a specific meaning.
Jiang Rong's visit this time was strange, and Xu Qin's attitude was also peculiar. It seemed they had reached some kind of agreement.
Coupled with Jiang Rong's recent speculative remarks.
Suddenly, a bold idea flashed through Lu Ming's mind, but it was something he couldn't tell Jiang Lan!
He would take it one step at a time.
If it was truly what Lu Ming suspected, then even if he said it, it would be useless.
Finally, after a long wait, they drove to Xu Shaojin's company. Under the guidance of the receptionist, they met the nationally renowned silkworm farmer.
They sat down in the conference room, and the receptionist poured each of them a glass of water.
Xu Shaojin was a middle-aged man of short stature but considerable girth. The fleshy folds on his face quivered with each breath, making Jiang Lan feel a bit disgusted.
It wasn't a prejudice against Xu Shaojin himself, but purely the feeling that he was greasy and unreliable.
If it were up to Jiang Lan, she would have thoroughly investigated Xu Shaojin first. Without confirmed investigation results, she would never do business with someone like him.
But she couldn't persuade Jiang Rong, so she had to brace herself and sit there.
Jiang Rong smiled and said, "Boss Xu, hello. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Jiang Rong from the Jiang family in Jiangcheng. It's our first meeting, please guide me."
In one sentence, three 'Jiang's. Jiang Rong from the Jiang family in Jiangcheng. If one's tongue had any issues, they wouldn't be able to say that sentence smoothly.
Xu Shaojin said with a hearty laugh, "Mr. Jiang, you are too polite. Who in Jiangcheng doesn't know the Jiang family? In Jiangcheng's apparel industry, your family is the undisputed leader! In fact, a lot of the silk I produce is bought up in bulk by others, then resold to your Jiang family. Our businesses have actually been connected for a long time."
"Oh, really?" Jiang Rong smiled. "Then I'm here today to bypass those blood-sucking middlemen! Let's join forces. I'll spend less money, and you'll earn more, completely eliminating the middlemen's cut!"
This was a win-win for everyone.
Xu Shaojin nodded and said, "Mm, I have that idea too, to get rid of the middlemen. But my idea is a little different from yours."
"Oh? How is it different? Please enlighten me, Boss Xu."
"It's simple. The middlemen need to be eliminated, but I want to absorb all the price difference. What was your Jiang family's previous procurement price? It should remain the same now, understand?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Jiang Rong and Jiang Lan's faces turned grim.
Wasn't this bullying?
If the procurement price remained the same, what was the point of eliminating the middlemen? Was it just to benefit Xu Shaojin and let him earn more?
"Boss Xu, this doesn't seem appropriate," Jiang Rong's tone became serious, clearly displeased.
Xu Shaojin didn't care. He said directly, "If you're not willing, you don't have to do business with me. I don't mind. My goods are excellent, and everyone in the country is vying for them. If your Jiang family doesn't buy, there are plenty of others who will. Moreover, I'll tell you, if you don't buy from me, and I sell to the middlemen, who then resell to you, you'll end up spending even more money unnecessarily!"
This had a provocative tone.
Jiang Lan said with a cold expression, "Boss Xu, that's no way to do business! There are so many silkworm farmers nationwide. Take Jinling alone, there are many high-quality silk producers. We don't have to buy your silk."
At this point, there was almost no room for negotiation.
Xu Shaojin snorted, "Fine, then go and buy from others, and don't bother me! Xiao Liu, show them out!"
Seeing the situation about to escalate.
At this moment, Lu Ming, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, "Boss Xu, you must be in dire need of money, really needing a buyer, right? To just drive us away like this, won't you feel even a little bit of pain?"
Hmm?
That remark was quite interesting.
Jiang Lan and Jiang Rong both looked at Lu Ming, not quite understanding why he would say that.
Xu Shaojin sneered, "What are you, anyway? Do you have the right to speak here?"
Lu Ming chuckled.
He leaned back in his chair, gently tapping his fingers on the table, and said calmly, "As far as I know, Boss Xu joined the White Lotus Society half a year ago, didn't you?"
Hearing the words 'White Lotus Society,' Xu Shaojin's face turned a little awkward.
"Yes, so what? So many people in Jinling have joined the White Lotus Society."
"I don't care if others join," Lu Ming said with a sly smile, looking at Xu Shaojin. "But your joining the White Lotus Society is problematic. If my information is correct, you've been bled dry by the White Lotus Society for the past six months, haven't you? And yet, you dare to refuse us?"