"How about the matter of hiring people?" Song Yiqing's heart skipped a beat.
Then he saw Bai Zheng resting her chin on one hand and pondering before saying, "The matter of hiring people is not urgent. We still have time to recruit on our own. Moreover, the Marquis of Dingyuan promised before that he was willing to lend me some hands."
As Bai Zheng said this, she glanced at Song Yiqing and smiled sheepishly.
"Mr. Song, you know that the marquis will be my husband in the future. I should show him some respect..."
Song Yiqing got anxious. "I'm also your close friend, Miss Bai, and your earliest business partner. My friendship with you is no less than yours with Lin Yuan!
Moreover, don't be fooled by Lin Yuan's gentle and easy - going appearance. He's actually extremely shrewd. If you do business with him, you might be completely taken advantage of, leaving not even a bone behind.
Miss Bai, as the saying goes, familiarity breeds trust. We're old business partners. You'd better choose me rather than Lin Yuan."
At the end, Song Yiqing didn't forget to bat his eyes flatteringly.
Bai Zheng was already used to Song Yiqing's behavior of selling out his teammate at a critical moment. But hearing this, she still couldn't help bursting into laughter.
"Mr. Song makes a lot of sense. The marquis is indeed too shrewd, not like Mr. Song, who is so simple and easy to deceive..."
Song Yiqing was nodding continuously when he suddenly heard this and stared at her in shock. "Huh?"
Bai Zheng quickly corrected herself seriously. "Simple, honest and upright. Our cooperation on the papermaking technique with the Song family last time was quite pleasant. The porcelain from the Song Kiln provided by the Song family was also perfect. To be honest, I feel more confident doing business with Mr. Song."
Song Yiqing tapped the handle of his fan proudly. "The Song family always pursues mutual benefits in business. As long as Miss Bai needs people, I'll never say no. However..."
"However what?" Bai Zheng looked at Song Yiqing with innocent, black - and - white eyes.
Song Yiqing gracefully opened his silk fan. "The people I send are all servants born into the Song family. Lending them to Miss Bai now is a significant investment in Miss Bai's business. After all, the monthly salary for this group of people adds up to a considerable amount. So..."
At this point, Song Yiqing frowned and waved his fan awkwardly.
Bai Zheng naturally knew that Song Yiqing was deliberately acting coy. She smiled slightly and didn't intend to give him a chance to bargain. Instead, she continued directly.
"Mr. Song, you're being too polite. It's already a great kindness for you to allocate the most capable servants of the Song family to me. How can I let the Song family pay their monthly salaries?
It should naturally be paid by me.
I was also thinking of giving the Song family an additional 10% referral fee as my gratitude for the Song family's timely help."
Song Yiqing didn't expect Bai Zheng to be so polite right from the start. Her words blocked what he was about to say.
He looked up and saw Bai Zheng smiling with curved eyes. He immediately realized that his little tricks had long been seen through.
Song Yiqing sighed inwardly.
This young girl in front of him was just as cunning as Feng Linyuan!
He wouldn't gain any advantage by bargaining with her. It was better to state his purpose directly.
"Miss Bai is a straightforward person. Since that's the case, I'll just speak my mind."
"Please go ahead, Mr. Song." Bai Zheng looked as if she was all ears.
"I'm willing to lend people to Miss Bai not only because of our friendship but also because I'm very optimistic about Miss Bai's shops.
However, I'm worried that once Miss Bai's business grows big, there will be more jealous people, and troubles will surely follow.
Although Miss Bai's father is a third - rank imperial court official, in this Yongding City full of powerful people, he can't protect Miss Bai much.
Although Miss Bai has now been betrothed to Linyuan and will have the title of the Marquis of Dingyuan's wife.
But during these days, Miss Bai should also be very clear that the so - called Marquis of Dingyuan, Linyuan, has lost his former glory. Now he can hardly even take care of himself.
If Miss Bai really gets into trouble, he won't be able to help much.
Moreover, from what I know about Miss Bai, Miss Bai is not the kind of person who would bring trouble to those around her, right?"
Bai Zheng listened attentively and nodded from time to time to show her agreement.
"What Mr. Song said is very enlightening. In the end, it's my inexperience. I expanded the business too quickly. I'm afraid I'll be the first to be attacked, and it will also bring a lot of trouble to the Bai Mansion and the Marquis of Dingyuan's Mansion."
"I'm really not mistaken about you, Miss Bai. You're indeed insightful." Song Yiqing looked like a teacher who was very satisfied with his student.
Biting back a laugh, Bai Zheng asked obediently, "Then according to Mr. Song, what should I do?"
Song Yiqing waved his fan and said earnestly, "If Miss Bai gets into trouble in the future, how can Linyuan sit back and do nothing?
As Linyuan's best friend, it's my duty to relieve his worries.
How about this? Miss Bai, you can give some of your business to the Song family. Let the Song family be your shield.
After all, as the saying goes, you can't achieve success overnight. Making money also requires patience."
After talking in circles for so long, Song Yiqing finally stated his purpose today.
Bai Zheng lowered her head. Her long hair covered her delicate side face, making it hard to see her expression.
Although Song Yiqing sounded very justifiable, looking at the silent Bai Zheng, he still felt a bit guilty.
After all, the Song family hadn't contributed anything to Bai Zheng's shops that were about to open.
Now, they came here under the pretext of lending people and openly asked for a share of Bai Zheng's business. In other words, they wanted a cut of the future profits from Bai Zheng's shops.
Who would agree to this?
Who would be willing to let others take a big bite out of the cake they were about to finish?
This was also the reason why Song Yiqing, after learning that Bai Zheng was in trouble this morning, specifically gathered a large group of people to help Bai Zheng get revenge and let Lianyi be bullied on the streets of Yicui Pavilion and the red - light district.
Wasn't it because he wanted more from Bai Zheng?
To cover up his guilt, Song Yiqing closed his fan and picked up the cup in front of him to take a sip of tea.
As a result, he missed the hint of cunning that flashed across Bai Zheng's eyes.
Yes, what Song Yiqing didn't know was that what Bai Zheng was pondering while lowering her head was not whether to agree to the Song family's request.
It was -
If she didn't play the game to the end, she would lose the upper hand in the negotiation.
You know, from the very beginning when Song Yiqing got the news that Bai Zheng needed people to today when he came to offer help voluntarily, all of this was within Bai Zheng's plan.