Chapter 510: Outsmarting Oneself
What can I do for you?
Prince Yu was taken aback by the question.
’The partnership with Nanyuan is such a huge deal. Has he not given it any thought?’
Gu Shuo sat down and poured Prince Yu a cup of tea. "Prince Yu, when do you plan to leave the Capital City?"
Prince Yu was baffled again, not understanding the meaning behind his words. He picked up his teacup. "It should... It should be within the next day or two."
"Then you should be leaving around the same time as the delegation from Xi Yan. I believe their Crown Prince is also leaving the city in the next few days."
"Indeed." Prince Yu took a sip of tea, secretly observing Gu Shuo’s expression. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, he grew anxious and asked tentatively, "Boss Gu, how are the deliberations regarding the contract with Nanyuan coming along?"
"Deliberations? Hasn’t Your Highness received the news?" Gu Shuo asked.
"What news?"
"After receiving the message you relayed, Your Highness, I immediately sent someone to the post station with a reply. The partnership with Nanyuan is canceled."
Prince Yu was stunned. "I haven’t received any message! Canceled? Boss Gu, if you’re dissatisfied with the price His Majesty the Emperor proposed, we can discuss it further."
"There’s nothing to discuss. Here in Beili, we can purchase seafood in bulk for six copper coins a pound. It’s not like it’s unavailable. I offered twenty copper coins for Nanyuan’s seafood, and you still wanted to raise the price. I really... heh." He chuckled. "Let’s drop it. If your country believes Nanyuan’s seafood is worth more, feel free to find another partner." Gu Shuo’s smile was mocking and dismissive.
Prince Yu grew completely frantic. "Boss Gu, if there’s no other way, we can just sign the contract at the original price."
"No, thank you. The only reason I offered such a high price was, first, because Ye Qianning was born in Nanyuan, and her mother once saved my life. Second, because Ye Qianning said Nanyuan’s seafood was delicious. I’ve never tried it myself, but I trusted the young lady and was willing to help Nanyuan open up sales channels. It’s just... it seems Nanyuan has misunderstood my intentions." Gu Shuo couldn’t help but let out a derisive chuckle as he finished.
Prince Yu’s expression turned grim. He, too, had been curious why Boss Gu would offer such a high price for Nanyuan’s seafood and why he was so exceedingly good to Miss Xiang.
’So that’s the connection. Miss Xiang’s mother was a true native of Nanyuan. A life debt is immense, so he was willing to lend Nanyuan a helping hand.’
’His Majesty the Emperor truly misjudged the situation and made a terrible mistake this time.’
"Ye Qianning’s mother didn’t just save my life. She also saved the young master of the Zhan family and Minister Qian. The young lady misses her homeland, and that’s the only reason this deal ever came to be."
’Now Prince Yu understood completely. No wonder Minister Qian had promised to sell coal to Nanyuan at a low price for the winter. Ye Qianning’s mother must have been quite a remarkable person...’
’No wonder they dote on Miss Xiang so much!’
"Boss Gu, this deal is crucial for us in Nanyuan. Please, is there any way to salvage it?"
"Let me be frank with you, Your Highness. When I, Gu Shuo, do business, I despise people who try to jack up the price on something that isn’t worth it. I’m well aware of why Nanyuan’s Emperor wanted a higher price. He simply thought that since my offer was so high, Nanyuan’s seafood must have some hidden value. Otherwise, who would pay twenty copper coins a pound for it? Am I wrong?"
Prince Yu opened his mouth, but no words came out. Boss Gu was exactly right. The Emperor’s letter had said as much—no one willingly makes a losing deal.
’Perhaps they had seen some other potential profit in Nanyuan, so he decided to raise the price just to test their reaction.’