Chapter 10: Getting Rich!

The Jinxiu Pavilion sold silk and fabrics, and was in the same line of business as the Xu family, into which Shen Lang had previously married. However, its scale was slightly smaller than the Xu family's.

Although the Lin family, its owners, were not as wealthy as the Xu family, they were still a well-known rich family in Xuanwu City, with branches in over a dozen surrounding cities.

Most importantly, the Lin family was a competitor of the Xu family.

As soon as Shen Lang and Tian Shisan entered, a shop assistant immediately came forward to greet them.

"Welcome, sir. Are you here to look at fabrics? Our newly launched cotton fabric is very fine and soft, feel it for yourself." The shop assistant's eyes were sharp; he could tell at a glance that Shen Lang had no money, so he promoted cotton fabric instead of silk.

Shen Lang said straightforwardly, "Tell your master that I want to do a big business deal with the Lin family, one that will make him at least 5,000 gold coins more per year."

Upon hearing this, the shop assistant was taken aback. Although he still had a smile on his face, he inwardly despised Shen Lang. With your poor appearance, if you could earn 5,000 gold coins a year, would you still be so destitute?

"Sir, don't joke with me," the shop assistant said with a smile.

Tian Shisan said from the side, "I am Tian Shisan of the Black Robe Gang, and I want to discuss a business deal with the Lin family."

Upon hearing this, the shop assistant did not dare to take it lightly.

The Black Robe Gang, led by Tian Heng, was well-known throughout Xuanwu City for its gambling dens, brothels, and loan business. Although it usually did not interfere with the Lin family, it was best to avoid offending such a powerful force if possible.

The shop assistant thought Tian Shisan was there to extort them.

"Thirteenth Master, it's an honor to have you here," a plump shopkeeper quickly came out and said loudly, "Please have some tea, the best tea."

The shop assistant hurriedly brewed a pot of fragrant tea and poured a cup for Tian Shisan and Shen Lang each.

The shopkeeper said, "Thirteenth Master, you can tell me what you need. Our master has long wanted to establish a relationship with Master Tian Heng. This is a small token of our respect."

Then he pushed a box over, which contained 20 gold coins, a considerable amount.

Tian Shisan smiled, "Do you really think I'm here to extort you? I have a genuine business deal to discuss with your master, not to blackmail."

The shopkeeper was taken aback, "A genuine business deal?"

Tian Shisan said, "A genuine business deal."

The shopkeeper said, "I can't make the decision?"

Tian Shisan said, "You can't make the decision."

The shopkeeper said, "Please wait a moment, I'll go get the master. Shop assistant, bring some snacks for the gentlemen."

...

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

About half an hour later, a middle-aged man in fine clothes walked in. He was Lin Mo, the wealthy owner of the Jinxiu Pavilion in Xuanwu City.

"Do you have a big business deal to discuss with me?" Lin Mo asked.

He was not afraid of Tian Shisan. At his level of business, he had his own backing. Moreover, his son had entered the Tian Nan Martial Academy and was doing well, and would become a military official after the martial examination. Therefore, he was not afraid of Tian Heng either, as long as they did not interfere with each other.

Shen Lang said, "Yes, a big business deal! One that can make the Lin family at least 5,000 gold coins more per year."

Lin Mo frowned. He disliked such boastful young men, especially those who looked unreliable.

"Speak," Lin Mo said.

Shen Lang said, "I have a formula to sell to you, for 2,000 gold coins."

Upon hearing this, Lin Mo's face changed, and he said coldly, "My time is precious, I don't have time to waste with you. Out!"

He immediately picked up his teacup to shoo them away.

Even Tian Shisan was stunned. A thousand gold coins was already absurd, but Shen Lang had directly asked for 2,000 gold coins, which was completely insane. He regretted bringing Shen Lang to the Jinxiu Pavilion.

Lin Mo got up and left without giving Shen Lang any chance.

Tian Shisan glared at Shen Lang coldly and said, "You're asking for death..."

Seeing the potential benefactor about to leave, Shen Lang took out a piece of silk from his pocket and placed it in front of Lin Mo, saying, "Mr. Lin, look at the color of this silk. Is it worth 2,000 gold coins?"

Lin Mo turned around, his eyes falling on the piece of silk in Shen Lang's hand, which was only the size of a handkerchief.

Tian Shisan glanced at it and thought Shen Lang had lost his mind. How could such a small piece of silk be worth 2,000 gold coins?

However, the owner of the Jinxiu Pavilion's eyes widened in disbelief as he quickly walked over, picked up the piece of silk, and held it in front of his eyes, saying in a trembling voice, "How is this possible? It's actually golden yellow! How is this possible?!"

Tian Shisan was taken aback, only then noticing that the piece of silk Shen Lang had given was a bright golden yellow.

Shen Lang said, "What made the Xu family prosperous? It was because their silk was exclusively supplied to the emperor, and it was thoroughly yellow."

In ancient China, yellow was exclusive to the imperial family, and only the emperor, empress, and imperial concubines wore yellow clothing.

In this world, it was similar. Only the imperial family in the entire Yue Kingdom could use yellow silk.

However, the yellow color of silk in this world was dyed with gardenia, which was yellow enough but lacked brightness and depth.

The piece of silk Shen Lang had brought was dyed with a new formula, a mixture of Sophora flower juice and alum, which produced a very bright golden yellow, giving it a golden appearance.

In the Qing Dynasty, the emperor's dragon robe was dyed with this dye, and these dragon robes can still be seen in the Palace Museum, how noble and magnificent they are!

Yesterday, when Shen Lang went to gather herbs, he also picked many Sophora flowers. As for alum, it was a traditional Chinese medicine, and he still had some left at home.

While boiling the medicine yesterday, he also made a bowl of this golden yellow dye, and then tore off a piece of his colorless silk underwear and dyed it.

After dyeing, he let it dry overnight and slightly roasted it with fire, and the golden yellow silk was almost complete.

Next, Lin Mo quickly took out another piece of yellow silk, which his family had dyed with gardenia.

Without comparison, there was no harm. The silk on the left was too vulgar and straightforward. The silk on the right, Shen Lang's, was strikingly golden, and the difference was clear.

Shen Lang said, "This piece of silk was dyed overnight yesterday, and the effect is not satisfactory. If I had enough time and materials, I could make it even brighter and more golden. Moreover, if the silk threads were dyed first and then woven into silk, the effect would be even better."

Lin Mo was taken aback, "Just one night, and it has such an effect?"

Shen Lang said, "Yes, so if you get the formula, the silk you dye will be even more golden and luxurious. If you present this golden yellow silk to the imperial weaving bureau, what will happen?"

It was obvious that the imperial weaving bureau would immediately abandon the Xu family's silk and adopt the Lin family's.

At that time, the exclusive silk business for the emperor would fall into the hands of the Lin family.

The amount of money this business would earn was a minor issue; the key was the reputation and political resources.

Shen Lang said, "Mr. Lin, can this business deal make your family earn 5,000 gold coins more per year?"

Lin Mo shook his head, "More than that."

Shen Lang said, "Then, is it expensive for me to sell you this golden yellow dye formula for 2,000 gold coins?"

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

Tian Shisan looked at Shen Lang in shock.

Clearly, when Shen Lang promised to give Tian Heng 1,000 gold coins to buy his life the night before, he had already thought of a way to make money, and he was completely confident.

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

What he did not expect even more was that the way he made money would also take revenge on the Xu family.

Yes, Shen Lang was that vengeful. Making money was not enough; he also wanted to cripple the Xu family.

Once the Xu family lost the exclusive silk business for the emperor, the loss would be unimaginable!

Why did the Xu family's silk business dominate several provinces without interference? Was it not because their silk was exclusively supplied to the imperial weaving bureau?

Lin Mo looked at the golden yellow silk in the sunlight, seemingly unable to get enough of it. After a long while, he said, "How can I be sure that you made this dye? It's entirely possible that you just found this piece of silk."

Shen Lang said, "I have brought the materials. Give me an hour, and I will make this golden yellow dye for you, guaranteed to be better than last night."

Lin Mo said, "Really?"

Shen Lang said, "Really."

Lin Mo said, "Alright, I will give you the entire back yard. Just tell me what you need. As long as you make this golden yellow dye on the spot, it will prove that the formula is yours, and the deal is done."

Shen Lang said, "2,000 gold coins."

Lin Mo said, "No haggling."

...

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