ushernet Chapter 23, 1 Calling Him Brother-in-Law
Chapter 23, 1 Calling Him Brother-in-Law
"Manager Luo, what exactly happened? Tell me in detail."
Lin Zhengdao.
"Reporting to the General, Madam, and Miss, the clothes designed by the young master have become a sensation throughout the city after being promoted at Zuiyue Tower last night. This morning, all the brothels came to our fabric shop to place orders, and all the workers are now working day and night to finish them!"
Luo Hai was extremely excited: "It's not just brothels, many wealthy families are also coming to us privately to buy our goods... General, this is the first time I've seen such a scene in all my years of doing business!"
"Moreover, the son-in-law also requires all buyers who want to purchase to prepay the full amount in advance. We now have a full 30,000 taels in our account!"
Thirty thousand taels!
Upon hearing this number, even Lin Zheng and Xu Yanrong were slightly moved.
The cloth business only makes a few thousand taels a year!
"Are these things really that popular...?"
Lin Ruobing was shocked.
"Miss, you don't know, last night, Zuiyue Tower held something called a 'Stage-Kicking Show.' The girls wore clothes produced by our Lin's Cloth Shop and stole all the business on Taiping Street. Other brothels saw this and got anxious, and the wealthy people on Taiping Street saw how beautiful the clothes were and all wanted to buy them for their concubines..."
"By the way, even Hanlin Academician Gu Qinghong has ordered dozens of sets! Unlike others who sneak around asking, this old gentleman came openly and honestly. He said that these clothes perfectly capture the delicate beauty of women, are exquisitely crafted, and are extremely rare. He wants to buy them to give to his old friends in the court, hoping to change the minds of those old fogies!"
Luo Hai said with great interest, "We don't have enough people right now, we still need to recruit!"
For a moment, the Lin family members all had somewhat complicated expressions.
No sales channels? The whole city is going crazy for them!
Immoral and scandalous? A Hanlin Academy scholar personally endorses it!
"How is this possible..."
Xu Youshan was completely shocked at this moment.
He had originally thought that although he had embezzled money, he was still Xu Yanrong's older brother, and the Lin family wouldn't kill him outright.
Most importantly, he has many years of experience in running and managing the cloth shop; it wouldn't be possible without him.
Li Lan has absolutely no business acumen.
But Li Lan's current record... is too amazing.
In that instant, he was utterly despondent!
"I'm relieved to have Li Lan in charge of the cloth shop."
Finally, Lin Zheng smiled slightly, stroked his beard, and said, "Money from brothels is still money. It's better than other officials using all sorts of methods to plunder the people's wealth."
He knew that the entire court had been driven mad during this period.
In order to meet the requirements of the Emperor's grand celebration, they were frantically plundering.
Not only elsewhere, but even in the capital city, complaints were boiling over.
Merchants were forced to pay commercial taxes, which had increased by 70-80%. Those who couldn't pay had all their properties confiscated. Scholars had to pay book taxes, and those traveling to the capital for the imperial examinations had to pay "exam fees." Ordinary families had to pay "door and window taxes" and "wedding taxes." And that wasn't enough; it was rumored that the court was also researching and preparing to introduce a "feces tax," meaning everyone would have to pay for defecating! ...
It's fair to say they've gone almost insane.
Lin Zheng has a good reputation and naturally doesn't want to get involved in these things. It would be perfect if Li Lan could resolve this matter through the cloth shop!
"It may not look good, but at least it's useful."
Xu Yanrong also spoke up.
"Alright, that's settled then. Ruoxue, you and Li Lan, quickly get the gifts for the Qingtian Ceremony done."
Lin Zhengdao.
Lin Ruobing nodded and left.
Before Lin Zheng could speak, Xu Youshan was already distraught. He left the Lin family alone and walked down the street. It was as if something had been taken away from him, and he suddenly burst into tears.
"Madam, my uncle is weeping bitterly in the street..."
Yingqiu said.
Xu Yanrong's face showed a look of pity, and she said:
"Go and see him. He's suffered such a blow; don't let him do anything foolish."
Yingqiu nodded and left.
Lin Zheng, however, held the clothes designed by Li Lan and looked at them for a long time before suddenly turning to his wife and asking, "Madam, do you really think these things are not good-looking?"
His eyes were smiling.
"Get lost, these clothes are indecent..."
Speaking of which, her face was slightly flushed; she still possessed a captivating charm and was incredibly beautiful.
"Who would wear this if they were with their wife? Who would pretend to be respectable when they're bored?"
Lin Zheng put it away, and Xu Yanrong, seeing this, retorted, "I won't wear it!"
……
"Thirty thousand taels, that's a lot of money!"
Looking at the pile of silver notes, Lin Ruobing's eyes crinkled with joy, as if she had become a little miser: "Mine, all mine..."
"Have you found a buyer for the Qingyun fruit?"
Li Lan asked.
"It's settled, eight thousand taels per catty."
Li Lan nodded. In the current environment, the price wasn't too outrageous, so he handed Lin Ruobing a silver note containing 16,000 taels of silver.
Lin Ruobing took the silver note, but hesitated for a moment before saying, "Li Lan, could you give me some more money?"
"what happened?"
"I want to buy more, I need them for my cultivation..."
I also need to send some to my sister!
Li Lan smiled leisurely, held up her finger and said, "Buy one more jin. I want nine liang, but I'll give you one liang!"
What is Li Lan working so hard for? Isn't it all for the Qingyun Fruit!
However, since he was not a martial artist and not in that circle, he really couldn't find a seller and could only buy from Lin Ruobing.
Therefore, she should receive a share of the profits.
"Nine-one? You're too greedy!"
Lin Ruobing said, "No! It should be at least 64 points!"
Li Lan said leisurely, "Then I won't buy it. Anyway, the general told me to buy two catties."
"Oh no, no!"
She immediately became anxious and asked, "Is Sanqi alright now?"
Li Lan ignored her while drinking, saying, "My back and waist have been aching lately, ugh, I'm so tired..."
Lin Ruobing gritted her teeth, but had no choice. She stood up, grinding her little tiger teeth, and said, "You must be tired. You've worked hard..."
As she spoke, she stretched out her slender fingers and began to massage Li Lan's shoulders. The fragrance emanating from her body made Li Lan feel quite comfortable.
But the comfort lasted only three seconds before she suddenly pressed on Li Lan's Jianjing acupoint, causing Li Lan to feel an intense pain. He asked, "What are you doing?"
"Hmph! You, surnamed Li, dare to bargain with me? Hmph, I'll show you what's what. Tell me, how do you want to split it?"
Li Lan instinctively wanted to use his inner energy to push her hand away, but he held back and instead laughed, saying, "Comfortable, really comfortable! Keep going, keep going! You're so weak, didn't you eat?"
Lin Ruobing was furious. She had originally wanted to use "violent threats," but Li Lan was not afraid at all.
She didn't dare to really do anything to Li Lan. If she pushed him too far, he would tell Lin Zheng, and that would be the end of it.
What exactly do you want?
She gritted her teeth.
"How about this, you call me brother-in-law, and I'll split it with you 30/70, how about that?"
Li Lan smiled leisurely.
Lin Ruobing was furious: "You don't deserve it!"
Li Lan: "Sixty-four points."
Lin Ruobing replied decisively, "Brother-in-law."
Li Lan: "..."
Is this the legendary saying that money can make the devil turn the millstone?
He smiled, then counted out another eight thousand taels and gave them to Lin Ruobing, saying, "Buy three catties, and leave the remaining six thousand taels in the cloth shop's account for future business operations."
After thinking for a moment, he gave Lin Ruobing an extra thousand taels, saying, "Give it to her too. It's always good to have some money on you."
Upon hearing this, Lin Ruobing was stunned and exclaimed, "You... how did you know?!"
Li Lan smiled and said, "You have everything you need in the Lin family, so why are you in such a hurry to buy these things? If not for your sister, then for someone else?"
"Let her focus on her cultivation. If she needs money in the future, just let me know."
Li Lan picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip.
He had his own reasons for helping Lin Ruoxue.
These past few days, he's been running around outside, and what he's seen... has indeed worried him.
That Emperor Xianxian was practically insane in his pursuit of immortality, and the court officials were like wild beasts, indulging in extravagance and exploiting the people...
War is about to break out across the land, dynasties are about to collapse, and countless soldiers will fight and kill each other.
He is now bound to the Lin family, sharing weal and woe.
If Lin Ruobing could truly become a so-called martial arts master, it would certainly be a good thing in a chaotic world.
Moreover, Li Lan had another thought: although General Lin Zheng had a lot of martial arts materials, it was far from enough compared to major sects like Zixia Academy.
Even at the top-tier or grandmaster level, Li Lan still needs other higher-grade martial arts techniques as support.
Lin Ruoxue definitely possesses these closely guarded secrets.
Giving her these resources is an investment.
"Hmph, don't think that giving my sister money will make her fall for you! You're such a loser in martial arts, there's no way my sister would ever be interested in you..."
As Lin Ruobing spoke, she suddenly realized that she might have said something hurtful, so she stopped and said, "But don't be too sad. You are quite talented and smart. Even if my sister divorces you in the future, she will make sure you live a life of wealth and honor, and find you a beautiful wife to live with you."
Li Lan smiled and said, "Okay, thank you."
Lin Ruobing left.
Li Lan closed his eyes, and the panel appeared before him:
Name: Li Lan
Realm: First-class Inner Breath Level 1 (First-rate)
Cultivation Techniques: Xuan Yang Gong (not yet learned), Huan Yun Needle Technique (minor success), Nine Turns Cotton Palm (perfect), True Dragon Technique (3/1000)
Spirituality: 521
521!
This is the spiritual wealth he gained from drinking a pound of Dragon Tiger Wine last night—an unprecedented richness!
He looked at the True Dragon Manual, then shook his head. He had poured his spiritual energy into this technique, but he couldn't see any benefits for the time being!
With a thought, he channeled his energy into the Xuan Yang Gong!
The internal energy circulated throughout the body, undergoing countless cycles. In an instant, it was as if countless years of hard work had passed, through the changing seasons, breaking through one barrier after another. Finally, the wisp of internal energy became powerful, settling into the dantian like a cloud...
Name: Li Lan
Realm: Fourth level of Inner Breath (First-class)
Cultivation Techniques: Xuan Yang Gong (Fourth Level), Huan Yun Needle Technique (Minor Success), Nine Turns Cotton Palm (Perfect), True Dragon Technique (3/1000)
Spirituality: 21
Fourth level of internal energy!
The higher the realm, the more spiritual energy is consumed.
"Lin Ruobing's cultivation level should be at the peak of the first-class level, just one step away from entering the super first-class level? She is indeed very strong."
A thought silently arose in Li Lan's mind.
Once my cultivation level is higher, I will definitely take my revenge and give her a good beating!
……
At this time.
Jinyang Palace.
A man with a somewhat effeminate face lay on a snow-white fox fur rug, his chest and breasts exposed, with four beautiful women serving him, while Mr. Zhu stood respectfully to one side.
Do you know who designed these clothes?
The man pointed to the clothes worn by the four beauties.
Mr. Zhu said, "Li Lan is produced by the Lin family's cloth shop."
"Yes, he became a sensation in the capital overnight. Hehe, this son-in-law of the Lin family has been quite the star these past few days."
The man's face showed disgust: "This family is becoming more and more annoying."
Mr. Zhu said respectfully, "Young master, rest assured, I have already devised two plans that will surely bring the Lin family and Li Lan to their knees!"
The man said, "Oh? What do you mean?"
Mr. Zhu smiled and said, "Nowadays, Li Lan and the Lin family are very vigilant, so it will be difficult to lure them out. However, there are some things that they cannot avoid, such as the Qingtian Grand Ceremony and the Literary Examination."
He explained it in detail, and a look of satisfaction appeared in the man's eyes: "That's good."
Mr. Zhu continued, "However, if we want to ruin Li Lan's reputation and even make him die without a burial place, we still need Your Highness's help. This boy has already earned the title of 'Poet Immortal,' which is actually his way of courting death. We should push him to the brink and make him the target of everyone's ire..."
"Okay, I understand. What about the prison?"
"Everything is in order."
……