Chapter 64: Vast Wealth

The merchant stepped down from the carriage and immediately bowed to Fang Jifan, speaking modestly, “Are you Young Lord Fang from the Nanhe Bo Mansion?”

The Zhang Brothers, Zhang Heling and Zhang Yanling, were very interested in Fang Jifan. Of course, their main interest was in the money in Fang Jifan’s house. They were puzzled, having recently heard that this young man was giving away money again, but they did not know where his silver came from. Perhaps they could… trick this big fool once more.

So the two brothers shamelessly refused to leave.

Fang Jifan sized up the newcomer. At that time, snowflakes were still falling from the sky, and dark clouds rolled above. As soon as the man stepped down, a thin layer of snow covered his head. After bowing to Fang Jifan, he said, “I am Deng Tong from the Sihai Trading Company. I wish to discuss business with Young Lord Fang.”

Sihai Trading Company.

Fang Jifan probably still looked indifferent.

But when the Zhang Brothers exchanged glances, their interest grew even more. Everyone knew that the Sihai Trading Company was the best in the Capital. They dealt in furs and silk, not only in the Capital but also in Nanjing, Suzhou, Hangzhou, and all other well-known places, where they had branches. They even operated banks. As for this man named Deng Tong, while he was the nominal operator of the company, everyone understood that for a business to grow so large, the people behind it were not just ordinary merchants. There had long been rumors that the Sihai Trading Company might be connected to the Duke of Wei, the Nanjing Garrison Commander, and the Residence of the Duke of Dingguo in the Capital.

The Duke of Wei and the Duke of Ding were two branches descended from the Zhongshan Prince, Xu Da. Their families had received imperial favor for generations, and with two dukes in one family, they could be called the most powerful families in the world.

Even Fang Jifan’s unreliable Uncle, Duke of Ying, Zhang Mao, was several streets behind the deeply rooted Xu Family.

There were even rumors that the Sihai Trading Company might be backed by an Imperial Prince. In short, everyone knew that the Sihai Trading Company had immense wealth and far-reaching influence. The Zhang Brothers did not dare to provoke them easily.

But… the Sihai Trading Company wanted to do business with Fang Jifan?

Deng Tong said with a smile, “Young Lord Fang, the wind and snow are heavy here. Why not find a quiet place where we can talk properly?”

Fang Jifan shook his head, “I don’t have time. Let’s talk here.”

Actually, even without talking, Fang Jifan knew what the other wanted to discuss.

The Zhang Brothers feared that their cooked duck might fly away and were unwilling to let them talk in private. They both chimed in, “Yes, speak here. We can’t let Jifan be tricked by you. Jifan calls Your Highness ‘aunt,’ and we are brothers of Your Highness. That makes Jifan our nephew. Our Zhang Family will never allow anyone to treat our nephew like a fool.” Zhang Heling spoke fiercely, seeming to feel that the threat was not enough, then added with emphasis, “We absolutely will not allow it!”

The implication was that Fang Jifan was the Zhang Family’s to deal with—only the Zhang Brothers were allowed to fool him. Anyone who tried to take advantage of him would face the Zhang Family’s wrath.

They completely acted as if they were family.

Deng Tong frowned slightly, glanced at Fang Jifan, and said, “The Sihai Trading Company wishes to purchase the land you own in the Western Hills.”

At these words, the Zhang Brothers were stunned.

Their eyes widened. Were these people crazy? What was there to buy in that wasteland?

Deng Tong watched Fang Jifan’s expression closely and saw that this spendthrift remained unmoved. “We’ve inquired and learned that Young Lord Fang only holds half the shares of the Western Hills. But that’s all right. The Sihai Trading Company wants just that half and is willing to offer one million taels of Sycee Silver. Are you interested, Young Lord Fang?”

One million taels…

The expressions of the Zhang Brothers froze, especially Zhang Heling, who felt his head spinning.

What was happening? What was going on? Had he misheard, or had everyone in the world gone mad?

Zhang Heling suddenly felt as if a heavy hammer had struck his chest.

It didn’t hurt yet… but he was suffocating badly.

That land was sold to Fang Jifan for eighty thousand taels of silver!

Zhang Yanling looked left and right, a smile still on his face, but it was more of an expression of disbelief, as if he thought they were joking with him.

But Fang Jifan was straightforward. Were they joking? Such a huge Gold Mountain, and they wanted to buy it for just one million taels?

However, Fang Jifan admired the influence of the Sihai Trading Company. No sooner had Fang Jifan revealed the smokeless coal in Chongwen Hall than the Sihai Trading Company came looking. This showed that the Sihai Trading Company had astonishing reach. They must have informants in the Imperial Palace, and clearly… they had already taken note of the situation in the Western Hills. After cross-referencing with the news from the palace, they quickly judged the value of the Western Hills.

Fang Jifan gave Deng Tong a dismissive look, “Not selling!”

It was straightforward. If there was money to be made, he could make it himself. Why sell to them? Who did they think they were? So what if they were top-tier powerful families?

Deng Tong, however, still wore a smile, showing no disappointment. Without batting an eye, he decisively said, “Then, three million taels. Three million taels to buy that wasteland in the Western Hills. Of course, the Sihai Trading Company can’t come up with that much cash. You understand that, Young Lord Fang. But the Sihai Trading Company has plenty of land and fertile fields, as well as shops in Beijing City, Nanjing, and even Suzhou and Hangzhou. If you agree, we can convert them immediately!”

Three… three million…

Three million… for that land in the Western Hills?

Zhang Heling’s legs went weak with a thud, and he knelt straight down in the snow. His lips moved, but he found his throat blocked and couldn’t make a sound, so his face turned red with strain.

Zhang Yanling blinked, as if saying, “This is an illusion. It must be an illusion.”

Fang Jifan shook his head, “What’s all this nonsense? Not selling means not selling!”

Not selling!

Zhang Heling felt like he was about to wet himself. He suddenly remembered that this land seemed to belong to his family. The Western Hills… that wasteland… wasn’t that the Zhang Family’s land?

Deng Tong only frowned slightly. Instead of getting angry, he looked regretful, “Then what about four million? Four million taels is the highest offer I can make. Any higher, and it’s beyond my authority.”

This was a huge business opportunity. The Sihai Trading Company understood that well. As the top commercial organization of the era, their sharpness was absolutely unmatched. So, they had to spare no expense.

Fang Jifan had no intention of selling at all, “Not selling means not selling. Not even for five million taels. I’m done talking. I’m leaving.”

Deng Tong smiled wryly and shook his head. He clearly saw that Fang Jifan had made up his mind. As for forcing Fang Jifan to sell the land, that was clearly unrealistic. After all, Fang Jifan was partnered with the Imperial Palace. If he refused to sell, the Sihai Trading Company had no way to change that. Even setting aside the palace’s influence, the Nanhe Bo Mansion was not an ordinary household. Though not as powerful as the figures behind the Sihai Trading Company, it was still not a target for coercion.

He could only bow regretfully to Fang Jifan, “Actually, even five million taels is not off the table. But such a huge sum is very difficult to raise. However, the Sihai Trading Company is not completely unable to gather it. After all, we have land, fields, shops in various places, and goods in our warehouses that can be converted. By scraping together everything, we might manage it. But since you’ve made up your mind, I won’t force the issue. If you ever change your mind, you can come find me. I will surely offer you a more reasonable price. Well then, farewell.”

He did not drag it out. He bowed, hurriedly got into his carriage, and left with a look of regret on his face.

Five million taels of silver is not off the table…

Zhang Heling knelt dumbly in the snow, his eyes vacant. This land… belonged to the Zhang Family. The Zhang Family had originally sold it to Fang Jifan, that big spender, for eighty thousand taels of silver. In the blink of an eye, its value had increased sixtyfold. He suddenly felt as if someone was cutting out his heart. It hurt. It hurt badly.

Zhang Yanling stared wide-eyed. He was more direct, feeling as if someone had stolen his money.

Fang Jifan grinned and glanced at the two petrified snowmen, “Dear uncles…”

How thick-skinned did one have to be to call them uncles?

Fang Jifan continued smiling, “I… am leaving now…”

Scalding hot tears rolled down Zhang Heling’s cheeks at that moment, melting the stiffness the wind and snow had left on his face. The tears were unstoppable, falling like broken beads.

Zhang Yanling opened his mouth, wanting to say something but not knowing what. He could only watch helplessly as Fang Jifan strode away with a confident swagger, almost as if announcing that Young Lord Fang walked sideways. Then, Fang Jifan’s figure gradually disappeared into the swirling snow.

Snowflakes danced wildly, mist rose, and the cold, quiet street felt dreamlike. Between heaven and earth, it seemed only the Zhang Brothers remained. They stood like statues—one kneeling, the other bent over—for a long time. Finally, Zhang Yanling’s lips trembled, and he shakily reached out to put a hand on his elder brother’s shoulder, “Brother, have we been tricked?”