The Lin Family members were suddenly stunned.
What did Chen Fan just say?
Apologize for making them wait so long?
What did he mean?
But Lin Feng wore a look of disdain. “Chen Fan! Are you dreaming? Do you still think you can sell your one million catties of grain to my Lin Family?”
“I told you earlier today—right now, my Lin Family doesn’t even want your one million catties of grain! Just wait for the grain you bought at two hundred wen per catty to rot in your hands!”
But Chen Fan didn’t mind, still appearing calm and indifferent. “I don’t like talking to fools! Patriarch Lin, are you sure you won’t come over to discuss this?”
Hearing this, Lin Feng’s expression turned even uglier, filled with anger. “Who are you calling a fool! If you have the guts, say it again—”
But before Lin Feng could finish, Lin Sanqian directly stopped him.
Lin Sanqian frowned deeply, his face dark as he stared at Chen Fan, as if pondering something. “Chen Fan! What do you mean?”
“What do I mean? Weren’t you the one who invited me personally to Yipinxuan for a detailed discussion? What? Now you’re asking me what I mean?” Chen Fan chuckled lightly.
Hearing this, Lin Sanqian’s expression suddenly changed.
“It’s you!”
“You’re the one who bought up the grain in advance!”
Chen Fan smiled faintly. “Indeed, it is I! Does Patriarch Lin still wish to discuss this?”
Upon hearing this, Lin Sanqian’s face grew even darker and more unpleasant, his eyes fixed on Chen Fan as if he wished he could devour him alive!
So, the person who had bought up the grain ahead of them was Chen Fan!
No wonder he couldn’t find out no matter how hard he investigated who was targeting his Lin Family!
No wonder no matter how high a price he offered, those granaries would rather burn the grain than sell it to him.
So, it was all Chen Fan’s doing!
“It was actually you!”
“It was actually you who wanted to harm my Lin Family!”
“Chen Fan, you! You!”
Lin Sanqian stared at Chen Fan, gnashing his teeth as he spoke.
Lin Feng and the surrounding Lin Family members also wore expressions of anger and dismay. But they truly hadn’t expected it to be Chen Fan, this profligate!
The person they were waiting for tonight was actually Chen Fan!
And Chen Fan had only revealed it now, clearly deliberately mocking and toying with them, making a spectacle of them!
But Chen Fan remained calm and indifferent, appearing completely unconcerned.
“What? Does this surprise Patriarch Lin? It shouldn’t, right!”
“Besides me, who else could it be? Does Patriarch Lin have many enemies?”
Hearing this, Lin Sanqian’s expression turned even uglier. “Enough nonsense! What exactly do you want?”
“So, Patriarch Lin is sure you want to discuss this with me?” Chen Fan said.
“Yes!” Lin Sanqian replied through gritted teeth.
“First, have your obedient son kowtow to me thirty times!” Chen Fan said.
Hearing this, the Lin Family members all changed expressions. Lin Feng’s face suddenly shifted. “Chen Fan, you want me to kowtow to you! You’re dreaming!”
But Chen Fan still appeared indifferent. “I originally intended to discuss this with you inside Yipinxuan, but you wouldn’t let me in, forcing me to talk to you out here in the cold wind!
My mood is truly very poor. So if you don’t kowtow, your Lin Family won’t even have a chance to discuss this!
Of course, you can refuse—I’m not forcing you!”
Hearing this, the Lin Family members looked even more displeased. But Lin Sanqian, his face dark, directly roared angrily, “Kowtow!”
“Father! I—”
Upon hearing this, Lin Feng still wanted to say something, but before he could speak, Lin Sanqian directly shouted angrily, “I told you to kowtow!”
Hearing this, Lin Feng’s face turned ugly, but he dared not disobey his father’s words. He immediately knelt before Chen Fan and kowtowed to him.
However, his eyes were filled with rage and murderous intent, as if he wanted to pounce on Chen Fan and devour him alive the very next second.
Finally, after Lin Feng finished his thirty kowtows, Lin Sanqian spoke up, “Chen Fan, can we talk now? What do you want?”
Chen Fan didn’t mind and said directly, “I have about twenty-five million catties of grain in total, though I’m not sure of the exact amount. Let’s just call it twenty-five million catties—one tael of silver per catty! No retail sales, no credit, and you’ll have to pick it up from the granaries yourselves!”
“What did you say?”
“One tael of silver per catty!”
“Why don’t you just rob us!”
Upon hearing the price, Lin Sanqian’s face darkened, and he snapped angrily.
“Master Lin, you’re absolutely right—I am robbing you!” Chen Fan said coldly.
“You!”
Lin Sanqian was momentarily speechless, but considering the Lin Family’s current predicament, he suppressed his anger.
One tael of silver per catty, twenty-five million catties—that amounted to twenty-five million taels!
Although the Lin Family was said to be the wealthiest in Jinling, they couldn’t come up with that much money even if they bankrupted themselves!
Chen Fan was clearly trying to drive the Lin Family to ruin!
“Chen Fan, business isn’t done this way!” Lin Sanqian said.
“Business? Who said I’m here to do business? Didn’t I just say it? I’m here to rob you!” Chen Fan replied.
Hearing this, Lin Sanqian’s face grew even uglier, but he still forced himself to suppress his anger.
“Chen Fan! So much grain in your hands is useless. You should know very well that besides my Lin Family, no one can take on this much grain!”
“Who says it’s useless?”
Chen Fan spoke with an indifferent expression and continued, “As far as I know, the Qincha investigating the official grain reserves is about to arrive, right? If the Lin Family doesn’t survive this, gets their property confiscated, and their nine clans executed—and I have so much grain in my hands—who do you think will control Jinling’s grain trade in the future?”
Hearing this, Lin Sanqian was stunned.
Chen Fan actually knew about the Qincha!
He knew about their embezzlement of official grain!
No wonder he was so confident!
So this was his plan all along!
But before Lin Sanqian could speak, Chen Fan continued, “Master Lin, is twenty-five million taels really more important than the lives of your nine clans?
If you buy my grain now, you might go bankrupt, but at least you’ll still be alive. If you don’t buy it now, not only will you lose your lives, but your property will also be confiscated, leaving you with nothing either way.
So, is this really a difficult choice?”
“You!”
Lin Sanqian was once again speechless, his face truly ashen with fury.
Chen Fan’s attitude was clear—he wanted the Lin Family bankrupted and utterly ruined!
And there was nothing Lin Sanqian could do about it!
But Lin Sanqian didn’t speak. Instead, he waved his hand to the Lin Family members. Now, he could only hope that Chen Guogong would still be of some use!
Seeing this, Chen Fan looked puzzled. What else did the Lin Family plan to do?
Soon, however, Chen Guogong emerged from Yipinxuan. Seeing Chen Fan negotiating with Lin Sanqian, Chen Guogong’s face suddenly turned extremely grim.
The person who had gone inside earlier told him that today’s grain merchant was Chen Fan, but he hadn’t believed it.
Yet, it really was Chen Fan.
“This humble commoner pays his respects to the Guogong!”
Chen Fan, seeing this, was somewhat surprised but did not hesitate in the slightest. He immediately led Xiao Ke, Xiao Ai, and the others in bowing respectfully.
He would never give Chen Guogong any grounds to target him.
However, Lin Sanqian actually thought of inviting Chen Guogong to make him back down? What a ridiculous notion!
“Chen Fan! Hand over the grain to the Lin Family and return home with me. I will make you the Shizi of the Guogong Mansion!”
Chen Guogong looked at Chen Fan and, without any preamble, spoke directly.
Yet, upon hearing this, Chen Fan felt an urge to laugh.
At this point, Chen Guogong still dared to speak to him in such a condescending tone.
He even thought Chen Fan would want to return!
Did he truly believe Chen Fan couldn’t bear to part with the Chen Guogong Mansion?
And to expect him to simply hand over the grain to the Lin Family!
What was he thinking?
Nevertheless, Chen Fan maintained a respectful expression and said, “I beg Your Lordship’s forgiveness! This humble commoner dares not!”
“Dare not? Dare not what?” Chen Guogong questioned, his face filled with confusion.
“This humble commoner was born of a lowly servant and is not Your Lordship’s descendant. I have no connection whatsoever to the Guogong Mansion. How could I dare to become its Shizi?
Moreover, I remember clearly that Your Lordship once declared that I must never set foot in the Guogong Mansion again! How could I dare to overstep such a decree?” Chen Fan replied.
“You!”
Upon hearing this, Chen Guogong’s face instantly turned ashen with fury, yet for a moment, he found himself at a loss for words.
He could only suppress his rage and ask, “Then what will it take for you to hand over the grain to the Lin Family?”
“This humble commoner has already stated: twenty-five million taels, not a single coin less!” Chen Fan declared.
“Not a single coin less! What if I add my own prestige to the bargain?” Chen Guogong said, his expression cold and menacing.
“Your Lordship’s status is beyond measure, and this humble commoner dare not haggle over it.
But since Your Lordship has spoken in this manner, then let it be twenty-five million taels and one copper coin!
Not a single coin less! To reduce even one coin would be to disrespect Your Lordship’s face!”