Chapter 40: Follow-up Plan

However, that was a matter for later. Right now, there were things to discuss with Ye Yaming. He went out and instructed the maid in the corridor, “Go and invite the Third Miss.”

Before the maid could respond, Li Fu, who had been waiting nearby to report something, hurriedly said, “Old Master, the eldest madam knows that the eldest master has returned and has sent a maid to inquire outside.”

Ye Chongming frowned, “I have matters to discuss with the eldest master. Tell her to wait.”

For the first time, he felt displeased with his eldest daughter-in-law.

When Ye Hongchang returned home, he didn’t go to the main house first but went straight to the outer study, indicating that there were important matters to discuss. Yet, the eldest daughter-in-law sent a maid to follow him here, which was inappropriate.

“Yes,” Li Fu was about to turn around when the gatekeeper came in and reported, “Old Master, the eldest madam’s maid has been called away by the maid from the old madam’s side.”

Ye Chongming’s expression softened, “I understand.” Turning to the maid still standing there, he sternly said, “What are you waiting for? Go quickly!”

“Yes, yes,” the maid hurriedly left for the second branch.

Ye Yaming was busy making tea in the courtyard. Hearing that Ye Hongchang had returned, she changed her clothes and went to the outer study.

Seeing Ye Yaming, Ye Chongming smiled warmly and informed her that the tea silver had been secured. He then asked, “Given this, should we still issue the tea currency?”

Issuing tea currency was a last resort. Now that the Ye family had money, it wouldn’t be right to give the tenants tea currency instead of cash, as it would go against the Ye family’s long-standing principle of honesty in business.

However, if they didn’t issue the tea currency, it would go against the agreement with Mei Zhonglin, who was counting on the Ye family to help him boost the bank’s business.

It was a dilemma.

Ye Yaming said, “We can explain to the tenants. They can choose the tea currency and receive interest next spring, or if they don’t trust it, they can be paid in cash directly. As for exchanging the tea currency at the bank, it’s unnecessary.”

Ye Chongming clapped his hands, “Yes, let’s do that.”

This way, they wouldn’t deceive the tenants or break the agreement with Mei Zhonglin, achieving a win-win situation.

“But we can’t delay this any longer. We need to act quickly,” Ye Yaming said. “Previously, Meng Chengwei was waiting for us to fall into a crisis so he could take advantage. Now that the private tea issue is resolved, and the bandits didn’t seriously injure the eldest master or steal the tea silver, Meng Chengwei might become desperate and cause trouble with the tenants.”

Ye Chongming was taken aback, “Didn’t the Prefect say…” He didn’t finish, but he believed Ye Yaming understood his implication.

Ye Yaming shook her head, “The Prefect has to follow procedures. He needs to interrogate the bandits, send people to investigate, and then summon the suspects. Without evidence, he can’t detain them immediately.”

Moreover, Prefect Qi might need to consult higher authorities to decide how to handle Meng Chengwei. If the higher-ups use this as leverage to negotiate with Consort Min, and they reach an agreement, Meng Chengwei will be safe. If they want to make an example, they will target Meng Chengwei.

In short, this isn’t just a legal matter or business competition; it’s a political game. Prefect Qi’s willingness to accept the complaint and plan to act against Meng Chengwei is driven by interests. The Ye family can’t blame him.

In this era without phones, Prefect Qi would have to send someone to the capital for instructions, which means Meng Chengwei would still be free for a few days.

These days are when the Ye family needs to be most vigilant. No one knows what Meng Chengwei might do next.

Ye Chongming and Ye Hongchang, experienced in business, quickly understood the gravity of the situation.

Their expressions became tense.

Ye Yaming, worried that Ye Chongming didn’t grasp the severity, said, “If he becomes desperate and offers three or four times the usual price to pre-order tea from the tenants, Grandfather, think of the consequences…”

Ye Chongming’s heart skipped a beat, and he stood up abruptly, “I’ll go to the mountain immediately.”

Although the tenants had cooperated with the Ye family for decades, in the face of such a lucrative offer, who could say for sure? If Meng Chengwei offered a large sum to pre-order tea from the tenants, at least half of them would sell to him.

Those who resisted the temptation would face complaints from their families. At that point, the Ye family would have to raise prices to keep them. Once prices go up, they don’t come down. With tea in high demand, prices only rise. If this precedent is set, all the tenants on the mountain might demand higher prices. They had wanted to raise prices for a long time but were restrained by the tea guild in Lin’an. If the Ye family started it, other tenants would follow. The Ye family would become the guild’s enemy, offending all the tea merchants.

Meng Chengwei’s move would not only cost the Ye family a lot of money and long-term tenants but also cost Ye Chongming his position as head of the tea guild.

Thinking of this, Ye Chongming broke into a cold sweat, eager to rush to the mountain, pay the tenants, and sign contracts.

Ye Hongchang was equally frightened. While impressed by his niece’s insight, he was more terrified by the potential consequences of Meng Chengwei’s desperate move.

Meng Chengwei’s cunning and ruthless tactics were chilling. Fortunately, his niece had pointed it out, or they would have lost everything.

“Wait, Grandfather,” Ye Yaming called out to Ye Chongming. “Let me see the contract template with the tenants.”

Ye Chongming was puzzled but didn’t question her. He took out the key, opened the wooden box, and handed her a copy of the pre-written contract.

Since they planned to sign contracts with the tenants, he had the accountant prepare 78 identical copies in advance.

Many tenants were illiterate, so they would read the contract aloud, fill in the tenant’s name and the approximate amount of tea, and have the tenant sign or mark it.