dognovel Chapter 53 I am Sun Wukong who has read Journey to the West
Chapter 53 I am Sun Wukong who has read Journey to the West
That's why they say money is hard to earn and shit is hard to swallow. No matter how much he cursed Kangxi in his heart, he still had to ask for his help at this moment. What could Yinzhuo do but coax him? He walked to the table, picked up a cup, poured some tea, and handed it to Kangxi in a flattering manner. Only after seeing that Kangxi had taken it did he continue speaking.
“Father, this is not right. Which of these civil and military officials doesn’t have their own businesses? Do you really think they live off the meager salaries from the court? That little bit of money isn’t enough to support a large family, let alone cover daily social obligations. The gifts they gave you on your birthday far exceeded your salary. And don’t think I don’t know. All my brothers have their own businesses, and even you had them years ago. So why are you using the excuse of competing with the people for profit to restrict me now?”
When Kangxi saw this, he thought, "Wow, it turns out they really didn't try to get something for nothing this time. They came prepared after doing their homework." He immediately felt bored and gave up on teasing him.
"Since you already have a plan in mind, then tell me, what is the purpose of your visit to me this time? Are you really here to give me money?"
Kangxi would never believe that his son was so kind. His son was like a greedy creature, always taking in but never giving out. He didn't really think that his 30% profit was so easy to take.
"Father, you're judging me by my own petty standards. People should look at each other with new eyes after three days. Of course, I'm here to bring you money, but I also have a little bit of trouble that I need your help with. Just consider it as you investing in my business."
Regardless of who was being petty, Kangxi was certain that the "small difficulty" Yinzhuo mentioned was not as simple as he made it out to be. However, Kangxi had learned his lesson after being tricked by Yinzhuo so many times, and even though Yinzhuo offered him a carrot as bait, Kangxi did not agree to it outright.
"Then tell me what your little difficulty is, and I need to see if the 30% bonus you're offering is worth the huge investment I'm making."
Upon hearing Kangxi's words, Yinzhuo was immediately delighted. "Wow," he thought, "it seems the old man has learned his lesson. But as the saying goes, every day you're tricked, and each trick is different. Even though you are the Buddha who can subdue Sun Wukong, I've also read Journey to the West and know Sun Wukong! Now that my plan has come this far, I absolutely cannot let you, my angel investor, get away."
"Father, my difficulties are nothing to you. You know I'm just a bald man now, without a single capable servant. The money to open a shop is secondary, but I can't possibly run it all myself. So I'm here today to ask you for help. If you think 30% is too much of a loss, how about this: I'll give you my business plan. You just need to give me 30% of the profits each year, and the rest, no matter how much we make, is yours. That way, you're guaranteed to make a profit."
That's right, the last sentence was actually the real reason why Yinzhu came to see Kangxi today. He really didn't come to ask his father for anything. He did want to do business and make some money, but this business was not something Yinzhu would do himself. The 30% profit was not a bargaining chip for him to negotiate with Kangxi, but something he kept for himself.
"You scoundrel, you've practically thrown the abacus beads right in my face! You still say you're not here to get something for nothing? You come up with some kind of plan and expect to take 30% of the profits? I've put in manpower and capital, and you think it's fair that I only get 70%?"
Haha, you really are my dad. So all that fussing and yelling wasn't because you disagreed with me, but because you think I'm not getting paid enough? Fine, if that's your attitude, then don't blame me for not being as good as you, the best in the world.
"Father, if you say that, I won't cooperate with you anymore. I'll go find my eldest brother, second brother, and third brother. They'll definitely give me more than 30% of the profits. Alright, you can rest now, I'm leaving..."
Seeing Yinzhuo turn and leave without a word, Kangxi was dumbfounded. What kind of temper was this? Why did he get so agitated while they were talking? It's business, business, the point is to talk, I make an offer, you counter-offer, isn't that the necessary process of business negotiations? How did it turn into me making an offer and you changing buyers?
"Come back here! Look how spoiled you are! How come you have such a bad temper? You even went to see your elder brother and second brother. I've told you before, you can only do this business with me. See who else dares to agree to it."
Alas, a higher official can crush a lower one; when you're under someone's roof, you have no choice but to bow your head. The more arrogant Yinzhuo was when he left, the more pathetic he became upon his return. But as the saying goes, they all bowed down for money, and that's not shameful at all…
After much haggling between father and son, the deal finally ended with Kangxi giving in due to Yinzhi's insistence. Yinzhi quickly seized the opportunity to go to the study to get pen, ink, paper and inkstone. He watched as Kangxi drafted the contract and affixed his personal seal before smilingly taking his own copy. He carefully blew on the ink to dry it and called Dexi, who was waiting outside, to come in.
"Dexi, you must keep this piece of paper safe. Whether we can live a good life and achieve financial freedom in the future depends on it. Father, I have taken up so much of your time today, so I will not disturb you any longer. I will take my leave now."
Watching his troublesome son run off as soon as he achieved his goal, Kangxi shook his head helplessly, but when his gaze fell on the business plan that Yinzhuo hadn't taken from the table in front of him, he couldn't help but smile.
“He has a good brain, but he doesn’t want to use it in the right way. Liang Jiugong, go and send this plan to the Minister of Revenue and let them study the table on it. If they don’t understand something, they can ask the Sixth Prince. From now on, the Ministry of Revenue will use this table for accounting. It’s very clear at a glance.”
At this moment, Yinzhuo had no idea that he had unwittingly tricked the people in the Ministry of Revenue again. They had gotten a 30% profit for free today and were feeling great right now. When he returned to Shufeng Pavilion and saw the Fourteenth Prince sweeping the courtyard with a broom, his mood improved even more.
Ever since he was tricked and crippled by Yinzhuo last time, Xiao Shisi now regards his sixth brother as a god. When he saw Yinzhuo return, he quickly dropped the broom in his hand and came over to greet him.
"Sixth Brother, although I've been kept away from you by Mother lately, I haven't stopped sweeping. I practice every day whenever I have a spare moment. Don't you see how much better I am now than before?"
Watching his fourteenth brother being tricked and still counting money for the other party, Yinzhen was speechless with frustration. He really wanted to shout to the heavens, "If I am wrong, please punish me with the law, instead of tormenting me with my two conspicuous younger brothers..."
But his two conspicuous younger brothers, one big and one small, didn't care how speechless their fourth brother was; the two of them were busy praising each other.
"Fourteenth Brother is indeed intelligent and diligent. His sweeping skills have improved by leaps and bounds compared to before. Given time, he will surely become a great man. When he becomes a great general, he will be invincible when cleaning up the battlefield..."
"Sixth Brother, you flatter me. I am where I am today entirely because of your excellent guidance..."
"He'll surely become a great man? What great man? A broom?" "He's been taught well, Yinzhuo. Do you dare let the Fourteenth Prince repeat these words to Father? Cleaning up the battlefield, invincible in battle, huh? Fourteenth Prince, you're so smug now. One day you'll realize that every word you say now will make you unable to hold your head up in front of your Sixth Brother."