From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 593: Chapter 595: Can Understand

Ming Nian knew that for people like them, to be noticed by their master, raised since childhood, and even taught skills to make a living, was already a stroke of immense luck.

And those orphans who had to struggle and claw their way up on their own in the outside world suffered far more hardships than they did.

He could very well understand why Wang Li would make such a choice. A smart person should find someone to rely on, rather than fighting alone. Going it alone would get you nowhere, and you might even end up as meat on someone else’s chopping block.

Having previously served under Mrs. Gu, he was naturally familiar with the way Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu handled things.

Rashly switching to a new master whose background was unknown was worse than staying with the original one.

Jin Qianqian asked, "Is he the only one in his family? No clan relatives?"

Ming Nian replied, "I heard his family has only had a single heir for many generations. A shipwreck left him as the last of his line.

As for his maternal relatives, I don’t know. I suppose they can’t be relied upon either, or he would have mentioned them over the years."

Jin Qianqian smiled at Ming Nian. "You’re rather talkative today. It seems you get along well with him?"

Ming Nian didn’t deny it. "Actually, our fates were quite similar when we were young. I was just luckier than him and met you, Master, which saved me from some struggles.

I’ve been watching him over the years. Although he can be a bit calculating, he’s a man of his word and isn’t devious.

If you feel he’s suitable, Master, you could keep him on. He’d be much more useful than those hired from the outside."

Jin Qianqian said, "...Go and tell him that I cannot agree to his request right now.

If he is still interested, he can come back in five years."

She didn’t think Bai Jinglie would just give her such a favor for free. He understood the sanctity of a contract. "It’s all signed in black and white. I can’t change it."

Ming Nian knew there was no room for negotiation. He felt it was a pity, but still agreed.

Though he sympathized with Wang Li, he hadn’t forgotten who his master was. He knew how to weigh his priorities.

＆

Bai Jinglie hadn’t expected to take over at such a perfect time. The ships were actually returning to port right at this moment.

These ships were now under his management. Even though he didn’t own any shares, the profits from their operations would be substantial.

Another letter had arrived from the Capital. Ever since Bai Yugang caught a cold in the autumn, all sorts of minor and major ailments had flared up. Now, he was even bedridden and couldn’t get up.

The incessant letters urged him, the Heir of Marquis Wu’an, to return and take charge of the situation.

’Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but sneer. ’After years of neglect, suddenly there’s a flood of urgent letters. Who knows what schemes are hidden within.’

’I’d love to go back and settle things once and for all, but according to the information from the Holy Emperor, that old man isn’t going to die so quickly. So I’ll just keep dragging it out. After all, I’m not the one who’s anxious right now.’

Standing on the deck and looking at the large ships beside him, Bai Jinglie felt even more admiration for Jin Qianqian’s ability to make such a quick decision and let go.

’If it were me,’ he thought, ’I definitely wouldn’t have handled it this way.’

By giving up such immense profits, the Holy Emperor, as the beneficiary, would certainly look after the couple even more in the future.

He thought about how he had toiled and schemed for years, only to have a father who dragged him down. The credit he had earned with the Holy Emperor was nearly all used up.

If he weren’t still of some use, the entire Marquis Wu’an Mansion would probably have crumbled with the passing of the Old Marquis Wu’an.

’And that woman in the Capital is still just staring at her own little patch of land, scheming away.’

"Mr. Bai, the stewards from the ships have all arrived." Ming Tian had received new orders. He couldn’t leave just yet; he had to help Prince Bai familiarize himself with the various shipping affairs.

The timeframe could be a month, or it could be several months. The exact duration would only be determined after the handover was complete.

Bai Jinglie was also eager to get a grasp on the situation. The next voyage was not far off, and he didn’t have much time.

Looking at the dense crowd of sailors standing on the deck, Bai Jinglie gained a more visceral understanding of that thick stack of contracts.

The men below were also looking at him, whispering amongst themselves.

Having a new master so suddenly, everyone felt uneasy.

Their previous master had treated all the workers equally and provided excellent benefits and wages.

Now, their new master was supposedly a young Marquis. They didn’t know if he was reliable, or if he would disrupt their work.

After his opening speech, through all the words, everyone managed to grasp the key phrase: everything would follow the old rules.

This was good news to them. If things were to follow the old rules, then it really didn’t matter who their master was.

Bai Jinglie was naturally not foolish enough to employ the "three fires of a new official" approach.

With these hardworking men, playing too many mind games could easily backfire. It was better to be direct and straightforward, which was far more convincing.

＆

Jin Qianqian naturally heard the news from that side of things. She just smiled and made no comment.

"From now on, there’s no need to pass on any more news from over there," Jin Qianqian instructed Lichun and the others, effectively making a clean break with the sea trade.

Lichun said, "But for the next few years, aren’t we still supposed to receive goods and profits? Is it really okay to just wash our hands of it?"

Jin Qianqian replied, "That is precisely why we must avoid any appearance of impropriety.

We’re already preparing to let go, so let’s be decisive. Tell our people not to inquire about it anymore.

Prince Bai may be a bit of a schemer, but he is a man of integrity when it comes to his dealings."

On this point, Jin Qianqian was quite certain.

For all these years, he had never shorted Ancient Wenheng on the dividends from the glass workshop, always sending the allotted silver and account books on time each year.

Besides, the sea trade didn’t belong to him either. As the one managing it, there was no need for him to make an enemy over such petty profits.

"What about Ming Tian and the others?"

"Don’t worry. Once Prince Bai has control of the ships, Ming Tian and the others will naturally be able to leave."

Jin Qianqian gave Lidong a pointed look. "Why are you so concerned about Ming Tian and his group?"

Lidong answered with a frank expression, "You saw right through me, Madam. I just feel that the people we’ve trained shouldn’t be given away to others for free."

Jin Qianqian said, "Li Xia has written again, hasn’t she? Tell me, is she short on people again?"

Speaking of Li Xia in Le City, Jin Qianqian’s face was filled with exasperated helplessness.

She had been such a fine young woman, but after just a few years away, she had transformed herself into a powerhouse.

She had opened shops all around Le City. Besides the original soap shop, general store, pastry shop, and restaurant, she had even ventured into new industries. She didn’t even pass up on imported goods, having just launched the Treasure Pavilion.

With such a rapid series of expansions, it was no wonder her staff was stretched thin.

Jin Qianqian couldn’t even remember how many times the girl had written to press her for more people. Every time she sent someone over, a new shortage would appear before long.