Chapter 10: Striking it Rich

Hello, esteemed guest. You have come to look at the fabrics. We have just launched our new cotton fabric. Please feel it; it is both fine and soft. The shop assistant had sharp eyes and immediately noticed that Shen Lang was short on money, which is why he was promoting cotton fabric instead of silk.

The dragon robes of the emperors of the Qing Dynasty were dyed with this type of dye, and these dragon robes can still be seen in the Palace Museum. How noble and magnificent they are

It is easy to imagine that the royal weaving house would immediately abandon the silk of the Xu family in favor of that of the Lin family

Having said that, he directly picked up the tea and intended to drive the person away

Immediately afterwards, Lin Mo swiftly took out another piece of yellow silk, which was dyed with gardenia from his home

Lin Mo turned around, her gaze falling on the silk in Shen Lang's hand, which was only the size of a handkerchief

Upon hearing these words, Lin Mo's expression changed dramatically, and with a cold face, he said: "My time is precious, and I do not have the leisure to waste it with esteemed guests. Please leave!"

Shen Lang said: "Yes, a big business! It can allow Manager Lin to earn at least 5,000 gold coins more each year"

The shopkeeper hurriedly brewed a pot of fragrant tea and poured a cup for both Tian Shisan and Shen Lang

In ancient China, the color yellow was exclusive to the royal family, and only the emperor, empress, and imperial concubines were permitted to wear garments of this color

The shopkeeper said: "Thirteenth Master, if you have something to discuss with me, it is the same. My master has long wished to befriend the leader of Tianheng. This small token of goodwill is merely a gesture of respect"

What a tremendous loss it would be for the Xu family if they were to lose the business of supplying silk exclusively to the sovereign It is entirely conceivable

Shen Lang said: "I have a formula to sell to Boss Lin for 2,000 gold coins"

Shen Lang said: "Then, I will sell you this golden dye formula for 2,000 gold coins. Is that expensive?"

The amount of money earned from this business is a minor issue; the key factors are reputation and political resources

Tian Shisan was taken aback, and only then did he notice that the piece of silk given by Shen Lang was a bright golden yellow

Indeed, Shen Lang is exactly this vengeful; merely making money is not enough, he also aims to inflict serious harm on the Xu family.

Lin Mo said: "Not expensive, not expensive at all"

Then he pushed a box over, inside of which were twenty gold coins, which is actually quite a generous sum

Lin Mo said: "Absolutely no bargaining"

Upon seeing Shen Lang and Tian Shisan enter, a servant immediately stepped forward to greet them

Yesterday, while he was simmering traditional Chinese medicine, he also prepared half a bowl of this golden-yellow fuel, and then tore off a piece of his colorless silk underwear to put in for dyeing

Lin Mo said: "Alright, I will allocate the entire backyard to you. Feel free to request anything you need. As long as you can produce this golden dye on-site, it will prove that this formula indeed belongs to you, and this deal will be finalized."

Shen Lang said: "Indeed."

Shen Lang stated directly: "Tell your master that I intend to conduct a significant business deal with the Lin family, which will allow him to earn at least an additional 5,000 gold coins each year"

Shen Lang said: "This piece of silk was dyed by me overnight yesterday, and I am actually not satisfied with the result. If there were enough time and materials, I could have produced a much brighter golden yellow. Moreover, if the silk threads were dyed first and then woven into silk, the effect would be even better"

As the financier was about to leave, Shen Lang directly took out a piece of silk from his bosom and placed it in front of Lin Mo, saying: "Boss Lin, do you think the color of this silk is worth two thousand gold coins?"

... ...

Even Tian Shisan was astonished; one thousand gold coins was already outrageous, yet Shen Lang directly offered two thousand gold coins. This was utterly insane, and he truly regretted bringing Shen Lang to the Jinxiu Pavilion

Shen Lang said: "What has allowed the Xu family to prosper? It is precisely because their silk is exclusively supplied to the sovereign, and it is because their silk is exceptionally bright and pure.

Shen Lang said: "I have brought all the materials. Give me one hour, and I will prepare this golden dye for you, ensuring it is better than last night."

As soon as these words were spoken, the fellow was taken aback. Although he wore a smile on his face, he felt an immense disdain within. With your impoverished appearance, if you could earn five thousand gold coins each year, would you still be in such a wretched state?

He has no fear of Tian Shisan, as he has reached a level in business where he has backing. Moreover, his son has entered the Tian Nan Martial Arts Academy and is performing excellently. After the martial arts examination, he will become a military official, so he does not fear even Tian Heng. As long as everyone keeps to their own business, there will be no conflict.

Tian Shisan smiled and said: "Manager Lin really thinks of me as someone who comes to take advantage of others; I genuinely have business to discuss with your master, not to extort him."

Tian Shisan shot a cold glare at Shen Lang and said in a chilling voice: "You are seeking death..."

But what he did not expect was that he actually wanted to earn 2,000 gold coins

Lin Mo shook his head and said, "Not just that."

Lin Mo stood up and left directly, giving Shen Lang not the slightest opportunity

The nearby Tian Shisan looked at Shen Lang in astonishment

Shen Lang said: "Two thousand gold coins"

"Say it," Lin Mo said

Why has the Xu family's silk business flourished across several provinces without anyone sabotaging or obstructing it? Is it not because their silk is exclusively tailored for the royal weaving house?

Lin Mo was taken aback and said, "It was only hastily produced in one night, and yet it has such an effect?"

Lin Mo gazed obsessively at the golden silk under the sunlight, as if he could never get enough of it. After a considerable amount of time, he spoke: "How can I believe that this dye was made by you? It is entirely possible that you simply found this piece of silk."

Shen Lang said: "Yes, so if you obtain the formula, the dyed silk will only become more golden and luxurious. What do you think will happen if you present this golden silk to the royal weaving house?"

The Brocade Pavilion sells silk fabrics and is in the same industry as the Xu family, with whom Shen Lang had previously married into, although it is somewhat smaller in scale than the Xu family

However, the yellow color of silk in this world is dyed with gardenia. The yellow is sufficiently vibrant, yet the color is thin and lacks brightness

The shopkeeper said: "Please wait a moment, I will go and invite the master over. Waiter, serve some refreshments to the two gentlemen."

Lin Mo said: "Really?"

Its owner, the Lin family, although not as wealthy as the Xu family, is also a well-known affluent household in Xuanwu City, with branches in more than a dozen surrounding cities

What is even more unexpected is that the means by which he makes money also seeks to take revenge on the Xu family

You cannot make the decision

Lin Mo frowned; he disliked such ostentatious youths the most, and with a face that looked so effeminate, he appeared utterly untrustworthy

This fellow still thinks that Tian Shisan is representing the Black Cloak Gang to extort money

... ...

About half an hour later, a middle-aged man dressed in brocade entered. He was Lin Mo, the wealthy owner of the Jinxiugge in Xuanwu City

Most importantly, the Lin family is a competitor of the Xu family

"Are the two individuals discussing significant business with me?" Lin Mo inquired

Tian Shisan from the Black Clothes Gang said, "I am Tian Shisan from the Black Clothes Gang, and I request the head of the Lin family to discuss a business deal."

Shen Lang and Tian Shisan were enjoying snacks and drinking tea, waiting for the owner of the Jinxiu Pavilion, Lin Mo, to arrive

Tian Shisan glanced at it and thought that Shen Lang had lost his mind, wanting to sell such a small piece of silk for 2,000 gold coins

Once these words were spoken, the fellow dared not take them lightly

"Esteemed guest, please do not jest with a humble person like me," the shop assistant said with a smile

Yesterday, Shen Lang went to collect medicinal herbs and also picked a lot of locust beans. As for alum, it is a type of traditional Chinese medicine, and there are still some left at home

By that time, the silk business exclusively for the monarch had fallen into the hands of the Lin family

Tian Heng's Black Clothing Gang is well-known throughout Xuanwu City, engaging in gambling houses, brothels, and loan sharking. Although they usually do not interfere with the Lin family, it is advisable to avoid offending such a powerful gang whenever possible

Shen Lang said: "Master Lin, will this business of mine allow your Lin family to earn an additional 5,000 gold coins each year?"

In this world, it is similar; only the royal family of the entire Yue Kingdom is permitted to use yellow silk

"Master Thirteen, your esteemed presence is a great honor for us, though we have not welcomed you properly." A plump shopkeeper hurriedly stepped out and exclaimed, "Bring the tea, bring the finest tea."

It is evident that when Shen Lang agreed to pay Tian Heng one thousand gold coins for his life the night before last, he had already devised a way to make money, fully confident in his plan

Without comparison, there is no harm; the silk on the left is too gaudy and too straightforward. The piece on the right, by Shen Lang, is strikingly golden, making the difference immediately apparent

The shopkeeper was taken aback and said, "Is there really business?"

Tian Shisan said: "There is indeed business."

The shopkeeper said: "I cannot make the decision"

However, the owner of the Jinxiuge suddenly widened his eyes, revealing an expression of disbelief. He quickly walked over, picked up the piece of silk and held it in front of his eyes, trembling as he said: "This, how is this possible? It is actually golden yellow, how can this be possible?"

The piece of silk that Shen Lang presented was dyed using a completely new formula, with the juice of the locust tree combined with alum resulting in a very bright yellow, giving a golden impression

After dyeing, it was left to air dry overnight, and with a slight toasting over the fire, this piece of golden silk was nearly completed