Day after day passed, and in the blink of an eye, seven days had gone by.
The number of people coming to the city to sell grain had begun to thin out. After all, every household still wanted to keep some surplus grain, and since it was surplus to begin with, the quantities weren’t large.
Because the Lin Family had been too domineering in the past, some people were unwilling to sell their grain to them. They would rather sell it to Chen Fan at a slightly lower price.
Thus, over these seven days, the Lin Family had only managed to purchase around two million catties of grain, while Chen Fan had also acquired about one million catties.
Moreover, the shadow guards Chen Fan had sent to the capital had returned, and news that the Female Emperor was furious over the misappropriation of official grain and had dispatched an imperial censor to investigate had spread throughout Jinling City.
This left the Lin Family like ants on a hot pan, frantically hoarding grain. They didn’t even spare the grain stored in the households of Jinling City, continuously buying it up at high prices.
Chen Fan felt the timing was about right and directly sent someone to the Lin Family to inform them that the merchant who had been aggressively purchasing grain earlier was willing to sell it to them. If the Lin Family was interested, they could discuss the matter.
Of course, Chen Fan made sure the Lin Family didn’t know that the one who had been aggressively buying grain was him.
Upon hearing this news, everyone in the Lin Family was thrilled.
Although they knew they would be fleeced, as long as it helped the Lin Family survive this crisis, they were willing to lose any amount of money.
The Lin Family immediately instructed the messenger to tell Chen Fan that they would meet him tonight at Yipinxuan to discuss the collaboration.
However, Xiao Ke and Xiao Ai were utterly confused, completely unable to understand what Chen Fan was planning.
Hadn’t they gone to great lengths to buy grain, even competing with the Lin Family at all costs, precisely to drive the Lin Family to ruin?
Why was Chen Fan now planning to sell grain to the Lin Family?
Wasn’t this helping the Lin Family out of their predicament?
“Young Master! Don’t we have a grudge against the Lin Family? Just when they’re about to be cornered, why are we selling grain to them?”
Xiao Ke couldn’t hold back her confusion any longer.
“You’ll find out soon enough!”
Chen Fan smiled faintly. “It’s getting late. Let’s go take a look on the streets and pack up the stall first.”
With that, Chen Fan led the two young girls toward the city gate.
When they arrived at the city gate, there were indeed very few people selling grain left. Chen Fan had no intention of continuing to buy, so he prepared to pack up the grain-purchasing stall.
Interestingly, the Lin Family nearby was also packing up their stall, clearly no longer planning to buy grain either.
Lin Feng, seeing Chen Fan arrive, walked over with a look of disdain.
“Hah!”
“Chen Fan, you bought so much grain at two hundred wen per catty. Can you even finish eating it all?”
Chen Fan remained calm. “Whether I can finish it or not isn’t important. What matters is that it annoys your Lin Family.”
Hearing this, Lin Feng’s expression darkened considerably, but he still sneered arrogantly.
“One million catties of grain is only two hundred thousand taels. Even if my Lin Family bought two million catties, it’s only four hundred thousand taels. Do you think my Lin Family cares about such a small amount?
As for you, you don’t have much money to begin with. Spending two hundred thousand taels all at once on so much grain must be making your heart bleed!”
“Bleeding? Not really. It’s just two hundred thousand taels.”
Chen Fan replied nonchalantly, then added, “After all, my one hundred and ten thousand taels all came from your Lin Family! I don’t feel the pinch.”
At these words, Lin Feng’s face turned even darker and uglier.
Chen Fan might as well have not mentioned it, but he actually dared to claim that the 1.1 million taels belonged to his Lin Family!
And on top of that, he said he didn’t feel the slightest bit of heartache!
It was simply adding insult to injury!
“Hmph!”
“Chen Fan! Let me tell you, my Lin Family won’t be buying any more grain. Since you’re so eager to buy it, go ahead and keep buying! Let’s see how much more you can take!” Lin Feng sneered.
Yet Chen Fan remained completely unfazed. “So, it seems your Lin Family has found a source for grain?”
“Hmph!”
“What’s the harm in telling you? My Lin Family has indeed found a grain supplier! Now, we don’t even care about the little grain you have!
Once this matter blows over, let’s see what you’ll do with your over a million catties of grain! Then, let’s see how you’ll compete with me! By then, I’ll be able to crush you with silver notes alone!”
Lin Feng declared arrogantly.
“So you’ve found a way out, no wonder you’re so smug. But isn’t it a bit too early to start gloating now?” Chen Fan remarked.
“Just wait and see! We’ll find out who will rule Jinling City in the future!”
With an impatient expression, Lin Feng flicked his sleeve and stormed off.
Seeing this, Chen Fan curled his lips into a smile. He suddenly felt eager to see the look on Lin Feng’s face when he realized that the grain supplier he spoke of was none other than Chen Fan himself.
But since Lin Feng was acting so arrogantly now, he might as well let him enjoy it a little longer.
Chen Fan then led Xiao Ke and Xiao Ai into the city, with Leng Hanshuang following closely behind, her expression as cool and detached as ever.
As night fell, Jinling City lit up with lanterns.
Inside Yipinxuan, Lin Sanqian, Lin Feng, and other members of the Lin Family had cleared out all unrelated individuals, solely to receive the grain supplier scheduled for that evening. They had even gone so far as to thoroughly clean Yipinxuan inside and out, with everyone stationed at the entrance, awaiting Chen Fan’s arrival.
To secure the deal, the Lin Family had even invited Chen Guogong, though he did not wait outside with them.
Yet Chen Fan was in no hurry. He leisurely strolled around with the two little girls, buying them clothes one moment and taking them to pick out jewelry the next, as if he had completely forgotten about the business meeting with the Lin Family that night.
Finally, an hour after dark, Chen Fan arrived at the entrance of Yipinxuan with Xiao Ke and the others.
But as soon as Chen Fan reached Yipinxuan, before he could even step inside, the Lin Family members glared at him with dark, unpleasant expressions, as if fearing he would ruin the night’s negotiations.
Lin Feng immediately stepped forward. “Chen Fan! What are you doing here?”
“What? Am I not allowed in?” Chen Fan replied nonchalantly.
“Chen Fan! Let me tell you, Yipinxuan has been reserved by my Lin Family tonight! Get lost now!” Lin Feng snapped.
“I know, your Lin Family is here to discuss business tonight! But are you sure you want me to leave?” Chen Fan asked.
“What does it matter if you know? Don’t even think about ruining my Lin Family’s plans. You’re not welcome here today, so get lost now, or I won’t hesitate to have you thrown out of the city!” Lin Feng scolded, his face twisted in anger.
“Oh!”
Chen Fan responded impatiently. “If I’m not allowed in, then forget it.”
With that, he took the two little girls by the hand and pointed to a small stall diagonally across from Yipinxuan. “Xiao Ke, Xiao Ai, how about we have tofu pudding from that stall tonight? Sound good?”
“Okay!” the two little girls cheered happily, pulling Chen Fan toward the snack stall.
Seeing this, the Lin Family members all wore unpleasant expressions, but since Chen Fan wasn’t forcing his way in, they couldn’t say or do anything more.
They could only continue waiting for the grain merchant who was supposed to collaborate with their Lin Family.
But as time passed, Chen Fan and his group were enjoying their meal, with various snacks being served continuously. Meanwhile, the Lin Family members grew increasingly puzzled—why hadn’t the grain merchant arrived yet, even at this late hour?
Could it be that he wasn’t coming at all? Everyone began to feel anxious.
Just then, Chen Fan suddenly spoke up, “Xiao Ke, Xiao Ai, are you full?”
“Young master, we’re stuffed! It’s been a long time since we’ve eaten this much!” they replied.
“Then let’s get down to business!”
As he spoke, Chen Fan turned to the Lin Family members nearby. “Head of the Lin Family! My apologies for keeping you waiting! Aren’t you here to buy grain? Come, let’s discuss it!”