Chapter 1258: Chapter 1258: She Was Too Suspicious
Song Ci was truly shocked. She had lived through two lifetimes, yet this was the first time she had seen a business partnership with a Monk.
"So, is Buhui planning to renounce his vows? Monks are supposed to be detached from worldly desires, but I see him drinking and eating meat, treating the commandments as if they were nothing. And now he’s going into business? Is this even allowed?"
Song Zhiyuan smiled faintly: "Firstly, Monks are also humans, and they need to eat and drink. The monastery they reside in needs to have a thriving support to ensure its continued existence. Buhui’s collaboration is not merely for himself but for the monastery’s survival, to accumulate capital to benefit the world."
Song Ci understood then; if money were handy, the temple could freely aid the poor in the future.
Alright, she was being petty. Amitabha, she was guilty!
Buhui sneered: Superficial.
"There’s also one more point. He’s not just doing it for the monastery. Have you forgotten where he’s from?"
Song Ci: "The Lu Family?"
Song Zhiyuan nodded: "This business was probably proposed by the Lu Family first, and naturally, their goal is not just for money."
"Does the Lu Family want to rely on the Song Family?" Song Ci exclaimed: "That can’t be. The Lu Family themselves come from an aristocratic background; surely they have connections and don’t need to do this?"
Song Zhiyuan chuckled: "Though the Lu Family originates from aristocracy, they’ve been on the decline these years. If not for Buhui, their reputation would have fallen even faster."
Song Ci suddenly remembered Lin Qing’s affair. The Lu Family didn’t even think of protecting Lin Qing, which shows the mindset of the current family leader.
She voiced her concern: "Small things reveal big truths. If they can push Lin Qing to cozy up to the powerful, might they push more? With such character lost, their work might also be..."
"It doesn’t matter; Buhui will keep watch. The current family head isn’t in good health, and Buhui will personally select the next family leader. Furthermore, the Lu Family’s collaboration only holds a ten percent nominal share, and they help introduce small herbal traders to us and aid with distribution."
Song Zhiyuan said: "I think, with Prince Dingbei over in the Northeast, there’s sufficient access to precious medicinal herbs. It’s his territory, so we offer him a thirty percent nominal share and let him handle some connections there. This way, this business can get started. Once the foundation is laid, the future success depends on the next generations. If it’s prosperous, this venture could become the Song Family’s most significant source of income, enough for future generations to use."
Herbs are daily necessities, whether for nobles or common folk; no one can do without them. Nobles seek the precious herbs, while for the common folk, general ailments also are a substantial profit.
The most crucial part is that it doesn’t invite the Emperor’s resentment like tea, salt, and iron might.
"As the saying goes, officials shouldn’t compete with the people for profit. Is it really feasible for our family to undertake this business? Will the Emperor allow it?" Song Ci’s first thought was about the Emperor.
Don’t let the Song Family end up wealthy, powerful, and with strong marital ties only to provoke the Emperor’s jealousy.
Song Zhiyuan said: "Mother, the Emperor and the ministers have their mutual constraints. You see those noble families; none truly rely solely on their salaries to get by. Without fundamental business, no matter how prestigious, they would decline. We’re not involved in tea, salt, and iron, just herbal trade; the Emperor can’t say much. Even century-old families need development, right?"
Song Ci saw him so composed and said: "I don’t understand these things as an old woman. You decide, and discuss among you brothers, especially the second one. He’s in charge of household affairs; this matter can’t leave him aside."
Song Zhiyuan naturally knew that not only could he not be excluded, but he also needed to rely on him.
