Chapter 368 Borrowing Money
Ye Shiqi was not afraid that the other party would take the Jade Token; she handed the Jade Token to all the shopkeepers.
The shopkeeper, holding the Jade Token, looked it over and realized that this was not a common master's Jade Token; it was a Jade Token that only the heir of the Tang Family could possess.
It could summon the resources of all properties nationwide, and banks; seeing the Jade Token was equivalent to seeing the master himself.
Therefore, the person holding this Jade Token was either part of the Tang Family or a friend of the Tang Family Master.
If not of significant status, the Tang Family would not entrust such an important Jade Token to an outsider.
He then saw an engraving on the Jade Token, a character associated with the identity and name of its owner: "Shunyan." Was this not the Jade Token of the Eldest Young Master's son, Tang Shunyan?
So, what was the identity of this little girl standing before him?
Could she be the future little young madam?
The shopkeeper stared at Ye Shiqi, noting the young girl's exceptional demeanor, which truly surpassed that of ordinary wealthy girls.
Thinking an outrageous thought, even a princess might not possess the demeanor of this young lady.
"Lady, may I ask who you are?"
Ye Shiqi had recognized the Jade Token and she could not tell a lie, she had to speak the truth:
"Shopkeeper, you must have realized who the owner of the Jade Token is. Our family came to the Capital City yesterday for some business.
Yesterday, when we were setting out, your organization, being friends of mine, gave me this Jade Token, saying that should I encounter any difficulties, I should not come looking for you!"
The shopkeeper, knowing that the Tang Family Master resided in a remote county, wondered how this little girl spoke with such a Capital City accent?
He was more curious about which family this girl belonged to, facing him without any fear, though she was just an eight or nine-year-old girl.
Speaking and handling matters so smoothly, he always felt as though he was talking to an adult.
"Miss, how may I assist you?"
Ye Shiqi knew the Jade Token was effective, so she would not hold back, and she would not borrow just several thousand taels.
"Our group has come out to handle some matters, and we didn't bring enough money. Could we possibly borrow ten thousand taels, with a repayment term of three months?"
The shopkeeper thought for a moment, then asked Ye Shiqi for her family name, learning that she was a Ye.
As part of the Tang Family's administration, and being involved with other industries of the Tang Family, such as shops selling goods or certain factories producing items, or their collaborators, he had heard a little about every aspect.
Especially a factory cooperating with a Mr. Ye producing toys, bicycles, and jewelry, which had been collaborating for over seven years, he had always been curious about the Ye family.
He had also heard about that Young Master, having such close interactions with the Ye family, one reason being that the Young Master's wet nurse was involved, so this young lady in front of him might be the Young Master's milk sister.
No wonder they gave the Jade Token to this Miss, probably afraid that she could face urgent issues upon her arrival in the Capital City, subtly and overtly offering help.
Could she possibly be a future little master? He certainly could not neglect her!
"Alright, I will go draft the contract immediately! Miss, is ten thousand taels sufficient?"
Zhong Xingwang was amazed—was a Jade Token really this effective?
Li Zhihao wondered, am I dreaming?
Ye Shiqi thought of only one phrase to describe it: flush with cash. Could she possibly borrow more?
Could she be unreserved and borrow a bit more?
"Shopkeeper, if possible, could we borrow another ten thousand taels?"
Li Zhihao joked, "Niece, aren't you being a bit too unreserved?"
Zhong Xingwang was stunned—was this even an option?
The shopkeeper nodded; with the master's Jade Token, of course he could mobilize more funds. Let alone borrowing twenty thousand taels, he could even mobilize several million taels.
This was limited to the fact that the Young Master was still young; if he had grown up a bit more, he would have even more authority.
It was said that the Young Master would travel to the Capital City in a month, and he must not lag behind in this matter, as he would still rely on the Young Master to advance his career in the future.
"All right, I will go and write the contract now. Lady, is it a loan for three months?"
Ye Shiqi nodded, "Mm."
The shopkeeper went out to write the contract and also took the opportunity to write two letters while he was at it, one for the Young Master and another for the Eldest Young Master of the family.
He handed these two letters to a subordinate, instructing him to make sure they were delivered to the new county today and handed directly to both masters.
The subordinate, having received the letters, hurriedly went out to find his horse to run the errands.
Holding the completed contract, made out in duplicate, the shopkeeper re-entered the room.
"Lady, please sign here."
Ye Shiqi took the contract to review it for a moment—a simple few words, with no loopholes. Lending her twenty thousand taels without any interest did not seem like a business transaction; it seemed like free money.
So, she wrote her name and pressed her fingerprint on it.
It was a personal loan, and of course, she could not let her Young Uncle sign. She couldn't burden her Young Uncle with the responsibility, confident that she could earn the money back within three months.
The shopkeeper collected his copy of the contract, then pulled several silver notes out of his pocket, including one for ten thousand taels and the rest for one thousand taels each.
Ye Shiqi did not immediately take the silver notes but let Li Zhihao verify their authenticity.
Li Zhihao had never handled such large denominations of silver notes before; his hands trembled slightly.
Zhong Xingwang... the allure of money was so great, he should also start making money!
Li Zhihao carefully inspected the silver notes, nodded to Ye Shiqi, and then handed the notes to her.
The shopkeeper... was he too trusting as an adult?
The young girl before him was impressive. No wonder she was the future Madam of the Tang Family.
"Lady, oh my, they really don't know how to do business, inviting the Lady to lunch at the restaurant at noon?"
Zhong Xingwang... Shopkeeper, what are you doing? Are you helping your young master take my client?
Ye Shiqi... a shopkeeper inviting her to lunch? Could it be misuse of public funds, using state money for a lavish meal?
She shook her head and said, "Thank you for the kind offer, Mr. Shopkeeper. We really have urgent matters to attend to, perhaps another time?"
"Certainly, Lady. If there's anything else you require, feel free to come by, or you may seek help at any of the Tang Family's shops in the Capital City," the shopkeeper responded.
The shopkeeper did not insist further, knowing they had taken so much money that they really had matters to attend to.
Such a large sum likely meant they were transacting real estate?
"Lady, are you buying a house or a shop or something?"
Ye Shiqi nodded, "Exactly."
"If the Lady needs anything at all, please feel free to find me. I am at your service," the shopkeeper said with a respectful and courteous smile, as if he were talking to a master.
"All right, I'll come to you if there's something!" Ye Shiqi did not decline, knowing that in the Capital City, she might really need this person's assistance with financial matters. Holding the Jade Token, she was not about to be shy.
Ye Shiqi and the shopkeeper said their farewells, with her walking ahead and leading the way down the stairs.
Li Zhihao... my feet feel like they are flying, my niece is taking me soaring.
Zhong Xingwang... from now on, it's definitely right to turn to my little niece-in-law for help!