diymy Chapter 69 Turning the Tables
Chapter 69 Turning the Tables
Three days later, the Hancock mansion was brightly lit, and melodious string music drifted out from the open doors.
This is one of the power centers in Boston. Carriages come and go in a constant stream, and every gentleman who steps down from his carriage represents either a great fortune or considerable power.
When Li Wei's carriage came to a stop, the noise at the gate paused briefly.
He wore a dark blue silk robe, without lace or elaborate embroidery, only with a few auspicious cloud patterns outlined in silver thread on the collar and cuffs.
This Eastern-style simplicity stood out from the guests dressed in gorgeous Western suits, yet it possessed a unique charm.
Fiona followed behind him, her long hair tied in a simple bun, and her plain gray dress made her look like a shadow, but her lowered blue eyes were silently observing the position and expression of everyone.
All eyes turned to them, filled with scrutiny, curiosity, and a touch of hostility.
"Ah! My dear Mr. Li, welcome!"
John Hancock, like a warm host, laughed as he walked through the crowd and gave Levi a polite hug.
"I've long heard that you're a remarkable silk merchant in the Far East, but I never imagined you'd have such an amazing talent for managing such menial tasks as dockworkers!"
His voice was loud and charismatic, but the wit in his words was like a knife hidden in velvet, pointing out Li Wei's status as an "outsider" and attributing the success of the "mutual aid society" to "rough work".
The surrounding merchants let out a chorus of soft chuckles in agreement.
"Mr. Hancock, you flatter me. I'm just applying some basic business experience to management."
"After all, whether it's fine silk or hardworking dockworkers, in my view, they are essentially assets. Assets require meticulous management to maximize their value."
Li Wei skillfully defused the opponent's sharp remarks into a set of business logic that all businessmen could understand.
Hancock remained calm, laughing as he patted Levi on the shoulder, as if he were a close friend, and warmly led him into the heart of the banquet.
In the following period, he continued to introduce Li Wei to other prominent businessmen.
"This is Mr. Peabody, whose fleet controls half of the whale oil trade in New England."
"This is Mr. Fanier, whose family market is the heart of Boston."
Each name carries significant weight.
These people, with attitudes ranging from curiosity and scrutiny to a hint of hostility, posed a series of carefully crafted questions to Li Wei.
"Mr. Li, I've heard that your 'Mutual Aid Association' makes amazing profits every month. I wonder if there's an opportunity for us to invest a little?" A plump businessman who sells rum asked with a smile, holding up his glass.
"I've heard that Mr. Li has a unique cost accounting method. I'd like to ask you for advice sometime," another businessman who runs a milk business asked in the same way.
Li Wei smiled and raised his glass in acknowledgment: "This is a trade secret, so I cannot disclose it. However, if your company's ships need to dock, our office is always ready to assist you."
He was unyielding, always maintaining a gentle yet aloof demeanor, like a smooth piece of jade, leaving no room for any fault.
Halfway through the banquet, Hancock finally gave up on this indirect approach.
He made an inviting gesture.
"Mr. Li, I have some tea from China in my study. I think you are an expert, could you please help me taste it?"
"Extremely happy to."
Once the heavy mahogany door closed, Hancock dropped all pretense.
"Mr. Li, we are both businessmen, so there's no need for formalities." He stated his terms directly.
"I need my ship to receive the 'favors' I deserve at your dock. In return, I'm willing to pay you a 'consultant fee' of five hundred silver pounds per month, and I will use my influence to keep those nasty flies in the governor's mansion from bothering your 'mutual aid society'."
This is an offer you can't refuse.
Money, plus political protection.
Li Wei shook his head.
"Mr. Hancock, the reason why my 'mutual aid society' was able to gain the tacit approval of the Governor's Office, allowing more than a thousand members to abide by the rules and even obtain a legal tax permit, is precisely because it is 'fair' to everyone."
He looked at Hancock's handsome face, which was beginning to look ugly.
"Once this door is opened for someone, it will be no different from those gangs that were thrown into the sea in the past. The order I painstakingly built will lose its value."
"So, you're saying you're rejecting me?" Hancock's voice turned cold.
"No." Li Wei's answer was unexpected. "I'm just declining your offer."
He took a step forward, closing the distance between himself and Hancock.
"While I cannot provide you with 'convenience,' I can offer you a completely new kind of 'service.'"
Hancock was stunned.
He found himself completely unable to keep up with the Easterner's train of thought.
"Mr. Hancock, the reason your goods need to be smuggled is simply because of those damned regulations passed by Congress and the exorbitant tariffs imposed by the Governor General's office." Levy's tone was as if he were discussing business with an old friend.
"What if... there was a way to get your goods into Boston legally and at a lower 'shipping cost'?"
Hancock looked at Levi with surprise in his eyes.
This Easterner not only rejected his threats and inducements, but also steered the conversation in a direction he had never imagined.
In their own home turf, in this study that symbolizes their power, the other party successfully turned the tables, transforming a carefully planned probing into a business negotiation dominated by them.
"What do you mean?" Hancock's voice was a little hoarse.
"It's very simple." Li Wei held up three fingers.
"I have some personal connections with the quartermaster's nephew, Mr. Andrew Gage. And the Governor's tax system is not monolithic. I can use my connections to help your goods clear customs through perfectly legal channels."
He paused for a moment, then said the most crucial part.
"However, you only need to pay 50% of the actual customs duty. As for the remaining 50%, we'll split it 70/30, you get 70% and I get 30%."
Hancock was completely stunned, and he looked at the man in front of him again.
Smuggling is an act of antagonizing the entire empire; it's walking in the shadows, and the risks are enormous.
Li Wei's proposed solution, however, was to dance with the corruption of the empire, to exploit loopholes in the rules, and to shift the risks onto the empire itself.
He, a man who had spent half his life navigating the business world, understood the advantages and disadvantages of these two models almost instantly.
"How...how can you guarantee you can do it?" Hancock found his throat tightening.
Li Wei did not answer directly, but instead asked a question in return.
"Mr. Hancock, why do you think the Governor's Mansion treated your valuable arsenal as only fifty pieces?"
He suddenly looked up at Li Wei's calm and expressionless face, and felt a chill run down his spine.
It turns out that the anonymous whistleblower letter was also written by Li Wei!
He not only accurately predicted the Governor's Office's reaction and his own losses, but he even used all of this as leverage in today's negotiations!
Watching the changing expressions on Hancock's face, Li Wei threw out the last bait.
"Of course, this 'service' is only for you as a client. After all, my channels also need to be carefully maintained."
He stepped back, creating some distance, and gestured for them to proceed.
"Mr. Hancock, you can take your time to consider it. The dinner outside should still be going on."
"I don't want Ofina to deal with all the drinking and socializing alone."