Life in the world of film and television

Li Mu left the teahouse and continued strolling on the street, feeling the hustle and bustle of the city. Whenever he saw Zhuji's food cart, he would go up and ask.

Although the dining car business is already insignificant in the entire Zhuji, the best-selling item of Zhuji now is the glass mirror. Small mirrors are 300 wen each, medium ones are 500 wen each, and large ones are 800 wen each. There are also larger half-length mirrors, which cost two, five, and ten strings of coins. They are cheaper, more refined, and clearer than bronze mirrors.

As soon as it was launched some time ago, it became a hit and thousands of mirrors were quickly sold out.

According to Li Mu's estimation, as long as the production capacity can keep up, it would be easy to sell mirrors for hundreds of thousands of taels of silver a year.

Another popular product is soap, which was also extremely popular when it was launched and sold out quickly. Due to limitations in raw materials and production capacity, it has been in short supply.

Li Muding's price for soap was relatively high, three strings of coins for a piece. After all, ordinary people today could not afford or use this thing. It was only used by the rich and powerful. Three strings of coins was not expensive at all. They felt that this price for such a rare thing was very reasonable and even sold it at a low price.

If it's really sold for thirty cents a piece, these people would feel embarrassed to use it!

As for strong liquor, not many people like to drink it, but due to its rare production, this kind of liquor is unique in the market. Many people who are looking for something new will try it, and it is not bad to be able to buy it.

As long as Zhuji is given a few years, it can become a large trading company with tentacles throughout the Wu Kingdom and even the Liao Kingdom.

……

On the other side, in the Wu family mansion, at light time, important figures of the Wu family gathered one after another. These people included brothers of the same generation as Wu Chenghou, who managed the family together; there were also cousins ​​who participated in the family business, young people who were highly valued in the family, or old seniors who had retired and once called the shots in the business world.

Even during the battle for the Imperial Merchant two months ago, not even a quarter of these people had gathered, but today they all came.

After listening to Wu Qilong and others' story about their meeting with Li Mu in the teahouse today, everyone fell silent. Various emotions spread, including anger, astonishment, fear, absurdity...

Wu Chengyuan's face turned pale as he said, "The Su family's appetite is too big. They want one-third of our Wu family in one go. No matter what, I will not agree. It's too ridiculous."

"It took my Wu family hundreds of years to reach our current size. If we give one-third to the Su family, we will need to bribe officials and even pay tribute to the palace. How much money will it cost? By then, my Wu family will not even have half left, maybe only one-third. How can we be worthy of our ancestors by ruining the family business they built?"

He said this in a somewhat softened tone: "In fact, it's just the fading of the cloth. I don't believe it will lead to the confiscation of property and extermination of the clan. As long as we spend more money to manage it, we may not be unable to get through this.

"When the wall falls, everyone pushes it down!" Wu Chengke sighed, "We have been too ruthless in these years and have offended many people. The Su family is not the only enemy. The Su family is only after money, but some enemies are eyeing us and want our lives!"

"If the Su family releases the news, these people will definitely pounce on us like a cat smelling blood."

Wu Chengluo looked at Wu Chengke and said, "According to what you said, the Su family is still a good family. They only want money, not our lives."

Wu Chengke: "At least they didn't come up to kill us. They gave us a chance to survive. We still have a lot of assets and a chance to make a comeback."

Wu Chengluo snorted and said, "In my opinion, you are just fooled by his reputation as a talented scholar and you are frightened by him. The situation is not that serious." "Shut up!" The fifth uncle Wuzhen, who was sitting upstairs, knocked on his crutches and finally lost his temper, and stood up trembling.

"Stop saying those weird things. What we are discussing now is not how much money we have to pay or how much we have to pay. It is about expropriating the property and exterminating the clan. 'Expropriating the property and exterminating the clan', did you hear that clearly?"

"If it really comes to that, no matter how much money you have, it will be useless. Everyone here, whether here or outside, including your wife and children at home, will be killed or exiled. You will not have the chance to regret it."

"At this time, don't talk about money anymore. Let's talk about something useful. How can our Wu family get through this difficult time?"

Wu Chengyuan said: "How about we go to Tokyo and try to get in touch with the masters first, it will be easier if we can get through."

Wu Qilong shook his head: "There is not enough time. The Su family did not give us much time to think about it. Before our people arrived in Tokyo, they probably already started the business."

"Also, I have learned another piece of information these two days. Although Ning Yi has been low-key in the past, the people he has made friends with are extraordinary. I specifically asked around and found out that he often plays chess with two old men by the Qinhuai River. Do you know the identities of these two people?"

Wu Chengluo said: "What status? He is just a son-in-law. Even if he has some fame, how can he make friends with any big shots?"

Wu Qilong smiled and shook his head: "Seventh Uncle, you underestimate him too much. One of the old men is the former Minister of Personnel, an important official of the court, Qin Siyuan, the old minister. I heard that the court summoned him many times but refused to go. Maybe he will be reinstated one day."

Everyone gasped. Normally, they wouldn't even be able to get close to people of this level.

Wu Qilong continued, "Guess who the other one is! Kang Xian, the consort of the current Grand Princess, the uncle of the current emperor, a first-class dignitary. If Ning Yi follows the paths of these two people, is there still hope for our Wu family?"

Everyone's heart suddenly sank. If the Su family really got through to these two people, the Wu family would really have no chance of turning the tables.

Wu Qilong continued, "Even if the Su family is not able to get through to those two people, the emperor may be lenient and let them go. But if a war really comes, uncles and aunts, what do you think? Should we take the risk?"

"If you win, you can save more of your property; if you lose, you will die and your family will be destroyed. Who can take this risk?"

After a long silence, the fifth uncle tapped his cane and said, "What else is there to discuss... Losing money can avoid disaster. Our Wu family still has a solid foundation. We need to run the business well in the future and stop playing tricks. We will always be able to surpass the Su family if we are honest and upright."

Wu Chenghou scanned everyone's expressions and decided, "Let's talk. After all, this isn't a formal meeting between Qilong and Ning Yi. Let's invite the Su family out and see what they want from our Wu family. Let's have a good talk."

"If it's impossible, we'll just give him what he wants."

"Dad, big brother..." Some people wanted to persuade him again, but Wu Chenghou waved his hand and said, "Okay, that's it. Everyone go back and make preparations. The sooner the problem is resolved, the sooner we can rest assured."

(End of this chapter)