Chapter 166: Without a backer, it

The Jiang family had many shops, and Jiang Rong's work was normal: checking accounts, taking inventory, and pre-ordering some seasonal items.

And then naturally participating in various banquets, which were exchanges of commercial noble families, to discuss cooperation and discover business opportunities.

Every city had a Chamber of Commerce, and the Chamber of Commerce existed to maintain the interests of local merchants and avoid the impact of foreign merchants.

To put it bluntly, it was local merchants huddling together for warmth; foreign ones also had Chambers of Commerce, and everyone competed with each other.

The Jiang family was a noble family born and bred in Shanghe City, so they were naturally in the Chamber of Commerce.

In the past, the Jiang family was powerful and occupied a core position in the Chamber of Commerce; Jiang Rong's father had once served as the president of the Chamber of Commerce.

Ever since Jiang Rong's father died in an accident, the Jiang family's status in the Chamber of Commerce has been steadily declining.

They had already fallen to a marginal position.

Actually, the Jiang family's decline was also because many people in the Chamber of Commerce began to suppress them.

In the past, everyone looked at the prestige of Jiang Rong's father, and coupled with the fact that the Jiang family was powerful and had people in the Imperial Palace and sects, cooperation was guaranteed, so they were naturally willing to do business with the Jiang family.

And it had always been smooth sailing.

They were also constantly expanding their industries.

But now, the Jiang family had no backers at all; why should these commercial noble families cooperate with the Jiang family?

Many people were even jealous that the Jiang family occupied such large industries.

That naturally meant creating all kinds of trouble in secret, beginning to gradually swallow the Jiang family.

Because only by stepping on the Jiang family could other families gain benefits.

This was the thinking style of business people; the meat was only this much, everyone wanted to eat it, and if the Jiang family was driven away, other families could eat.

The so-called Chamber of Commerce was nothing but a collection of interests.

The bloody reality was placed before Jiang Rong, and Jiang Rong had no way, even showing an unprecedented powerlessness.

If it weren't for her younger sister having a bit of face in the Jade Yu Xu Xian Fu, the Jiang family would have suffered even more serious blows.

But her younger sister was also just an ordinary disciple of the Jade Yu Xu Xian Fu, not a core disciple.

Everyone could give a little face, but not much.

After all, there were many ordinary disciples in the Jade Yu Xu Xian Fu, and many noble families in Shanghe City had people in it.

Today, Jiang Rong finished checking accounts and came to participate in the Chamber of Commerce's activities as usual, which was to discuss the supply problems for the next quarter in Shanghe City.

The Shanghe City Chamber of Commerce naturally had a magnificent building.

Jiang Rong came here familiarly; in front of the Chamber of Commerce, representatives of commercial noble families were all greeting each other, and it seemed no one paid attention to Jiang Rong.

Still remembering the past, when her father brought her here, these people were all enthusiastically coming to curry favor with her father, and also expressing kind greetings to her, occasionally saying some words of praise.

But now, one by one, they acted as if they couldn't see Jiang Rong; no one cared whether she arrived or not.

Even when facing Jiang Rong's active greeting, these people were indifferent.

Jiang Rong also knew that without her father, without a backer, it was hard for her to mix here; this was reality.

Entering the location of the Chamber of Commerce's activities, Jiang Rong sat in a relatively back position.

There was no help for it; she was no longer qualified to sit in the front row.

Those who could sit in the front row now were all commercial noble families that were relatively prosperous in Shanghe City.

After a while, the president of the Shanghe City Chamber of Commerce, Zhang Wanshan, appeared; he sat in the chief seat and began to talk about some problems that had appeared recently.

Jiang Rong was relatively familiar with this Zhang Wanshan; he was a person who put profit first.

In the past, when Jiang Rong's father was there, he and Jiang Rong's father called each other brothers.

After Jiang Rong's father died, he was the first to begin suppressing the Jiang family and seizing part of the Jiang family's industries.

Every time she saw him, Jiang Rong was very angry, but she wasn't a child either; she knew this was business, and this anger could only be buried in her heart to preserve the other industries.

If she directly offended Zhang Wanshan, then he could legitimately begin to swallow the Jiang family's industries.

The reason Zhang Wanshan's power was so great was that the Shanghe City Prefect was Zhang Wanshan's clan brother.

With such a relationship, in this one-third of an acre of Shanghe City, who dared to offend Zhang Wanshan?

In the past, the Jiang family had people in the palace and in the sects, so Zhang Wanshan called Jiang Rong's father brother.

Now, he didn't look down on the Jiang family at all.

When the family was falling, Jiang Rong did ask Zhang Wanshan for help, but Zhang Wanshan coldly refused.

That heartless appearance didn't give Jiang Rong any room for negotiation.

In order to retain the family's industries, Jiang Rong could only continue to endure.

After Zhang Wanshan finished speaking, it was the turn of the big shots in the front row to speak.

The one who spoke was the head of the Sun family; his industries included sericulture and hemp cultivation.

That was the supplier of textile raw materials; many families at the scene relied on his family to eat; whoever he gave food to, that person had food to eat.

The head of the Sun family opened his mouth and said: "Everyone, recently the weather has been dry, and my family's industries haven't been going smoothly, so I have decided to reduce the supply to the west of the city."

As soon as he said this, the whole hall was in an uproar.

Because the west of the city was mainly the responsibility of the Jiang family.

The Sun family was the supply of textile materials, and the Jiang family was responsible for raw material processing, textile production, and selling in their own shops after post-processing.

If the Sun family didn't provide raw materials, the Jiang family simply couldn't produce and make money, completely cutting off the Jiang family's textile industries in the west of the city.

Jiang Rong was also anxious; the Jiang family had many cloth shops in the west of the city; wasn't this targeting the Jiang family?

The people around seemed very tacit, all silent, because they all knew that today's main purpose was still to suppress the Jiang family and take the cloth shops in the west of the city out of the Jiang family's hands.

Jiang Rong stood up unhurriedly and spoke: "Head of the Sun family, the supply cooperation between my family and yours still has two years left; how can you cut off the supply at this time?"

The so-called cooperation agreement was protected by the Chamber of Commerce.

It was also something everyone acknowledged.

Jiang Rong's father and the Sun family signed a ten-year cooperation, and now there were two years left.

Jiang Rong felt that the head of the Sun family shouldn't be like this.

I have yielded everything to you; in recent years, I have given you all kinds of shops, and you still aren't satisfied; this is forcing me to a dead end!

The shops in the west of the city were one of the Jiang family's cores; the sale of cloth and clothes was very profitable.

With less of this source of income, the Jiang family might change from the bottom of a first-class noble family to a second-class noble family.

The head of the Sun family didn't care about Jiang Rong's protest at all, saying lightly: "There is a problem with the harvest, and I have no way either; at worst, I will compensate you with money according to the cooperation agreement."

Raw materials weren't worth much money; even if compensated double according to the agreement, it couldn't offset the Jiang family's losses.

Moreover, compensation was just getting a sum of money, while the industry was a source of constant value.

The commercial noble families around also looked at Jiang Rong with a mentality of watching a good show.

They were all like tigers and wolves, wanting to swallow the Jiang family's meat pie.

Some heads of families even said things like, looking at the old relationship with Jiang Rong's father, they were prepared to acquire these shops of the Jiang family at a high price, letting Jiang Rong suffer less loss; they were all out of good intentions.

Before Jiang Rong could answer, they were all talking about how if these shops had no supply, the Jiang family would not only not make money every day but would also have to pay out of their own pockets; the storefront rent, the workers' wages, that was not a small expenditure, wanting Jiang Rong to think about it carefully.

With things developing to this point, Jiang Rong also understood that this group of guys was colluding, and coming today was to swallow the Jiang family's industries in the west of the city.

Facing various pressures, Jiang Rong stood before the president of the Shanghe City Chamber of Commerce, Zhang Wanshan, and said with a serious face: "President Zhang, according to the rules of the Chamber of Commerce, if the Sun family has stock and deliberately doesn't provide raw materials, how should it be handled?"

The Chamber of Commerce was specifically set up to prevent such suppression, and all noble families who joined the Chamber of Commerce needed to comply.

If the Sun family's supply was indeed as the head of the Sun family said, suffering some losses, they could indeed not provide it to the Jiang family, only needing to compensate double.

But if the Sun family was intentional, then they must be heavily punished, and compensate the Jiang family ten times.

Double, the Sun family and those colluding families could accept, but ten times, that was not a small amount.

What Jiang Rong wanted was just fairness and justice!

But the president of the Shanghe City Chamber of Commerce, Zhang Wanshan, turned a deaf ear and spoke: "Jiang Rong, the head of the Sun family has already explained the reason and promised to compensate you; why are you so aggressive?"

This sentence made Jiang Rong unable to understand; I was clearly being targeted, how did it become me being aggressive?

Even though she had long known that these people had colluded, Jiang Rong's heart was still incomparably angry.

I just want fairness and you won't give it? Isn't this the rule written by our Chamber of Commerce!

Jiang Rong continued to speak: "I just want to do things according to the rules of the Chamber of Commerce; please President, answer my question directly: if the Sun family has stock and deliberately doesn't provide raw materials, how should it be handled?"

Zhang Wanshan felt his majesty had been provoked, his face sank, and he slapped the table and scolded: "Presumptuous, you are simply making unreasonable trouble! Does your Jiang family want to be removed from the Chamber of Commerce!"

The vigorous voice filled the entire area, making every family's representative feel shocked; it seemed the president was truly angry.

But in Jiang Rong's view, this was clearly a threat!

If the Jiang family was removed from the Chamber of Commerce, they would not be protected by the Chamber of Commerce's rules, and the consequences would be very serious.

Seeing Zhang Wanshan angry, the people around advised Jiang Rong to apologize to Zhang Wanshan quickly, and some began to blame Jiang Rong for being wrong. In the final analysis, everyone felt that Jiang Rong was making trouble.

With this trend, Jiang Rong was very surprised; how was it still my fault?

Did I do anything wrong today?

You guys are bullying people too much!

Seeing these ugly faces, Jiang Rong was angry enough.

She was considering whether to explode directly and fight these guys to the death, or continue to swallow her anger and find other ways.

But the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Zhang Wanshan, seemed to be deliberately targeting her, angry: "Still don't know you're wrong, right? Come, throw Jiang Rong out!"

Zhang Wanshan's attitude was saying to Jiang Rong: I'm just bullying you, so what?

I have a backer, my power is great, you can't afford to offend me?

You want to explode? Don't forget, the Prefect is my clan brother.

Zhang Wanshan knew Jiang Rong would consider these, so he had always been bullying Jiang Rong.

Moreover, it was the result of everyone discussing it together, and doing so could even sell a big favor.

!

Looking at the subordinates of the Chamber of Commerce coming over, Jiang Rong's maid also stood out, with a trend of fighting if they didn't agree.

Jiang Rong was really held by Zhang Wanshan; she exploded just for a moment of pleasure, but people had the Prefect as a backer.

That Prefect was high and powerful; how could she, a person from a fallen commercial noble family, afford to offend him?

If she was really expelled from the Chamber of Commerce, then these big noble families would directly take action, and without hesitation, suppress the Jiang family, and the Jiang family would also be on a dead end.

But continuing to stay in the Chamber of Commerce, they would slowly eat away at the Jiang family, which was also a dead end.

Jiang Rong began to despair, not knowing what to do.

That proud commercial genius girl of the past now couldn't think of any way.

Just at this time, someone walked in from the door, and the noisy scene inside became much quieter in an instant.

The person looked mighty and majestic, with a powerful aura that could make the people here respectful.

He was the City Lord of Shanghe City, the head of the cultivation clan Ding family, Ding Tianming.

Ding Tianming's appearance made the representatives of the commercial noble families nearby bow one by one.

"Greetings, City Lord!"

"Greetings, City Lord!"

"Greetings, City Lord!"

Ding Tianming looked to be in his forties or fifties, and his prestige in this city was extremely high, and his status was even more needless to say.

Most importantly, Ding Tianming's terrifying strength, coupled with the Ding family's powerful foundation, allowed him to sit firmly in the position of City Lord of this place.

The Ding family was not only powerful in strength, but the family also had people serving in important positions in the surrounding sects; they were a behemoth in Shanghe City in name and reality.

Even if Zhang Shanhe saw him, he had to give a few points of face, let alone Jiang Rong, who also lowered her head to greet Ding Tianming.

"What happened here, why is it so noisy?"

Ding's voice was very vigorous, full of energy.

As the City Lord of Shanghe City, he indeed had the qualification to manage nosy matters; this was his authority.

His status was certainly above Zhang Wanshan's.

If it weren't for the Prefect supporting Zhang Wanshan from behind, he would probably have to lower his head in front of Ding Tianming.

Seeing Ding Tianming, Jiang Rong felt as if she had seen a life-saving straw.

To prevent others from talking nonsense, Jiang Rong told the story once.

While speaking, she kept looking at Ding Tianming's face.

She prayed in her heart, hoping Ding Tianming and this group of people were not in the same gang, otherwise the Jiang family would be dead.

Even though Ding Tianming used to have a good relationship with Jiang Rong's father and often came to the Jiang estate as a guest.

But that was only in the past; Jiang Rong knew this very well.

Now it was a mentality of trying it out.

After listening, Ding Tianming nodded and asked others: "Is what Jiang Rong said true?"

Under his deterrence, the representatives of the commercial noble families nearby also nodded one after another, indicating that what Jiang Rong said was indeed true.

Jiang Rong also looked at Ding Tianming with expectant eyes.

Ding Tianming pondered for a moment and spoke: "No rules, no square; since the Chamber of Commerce has such rules, then this City Lord feels it should be handled according to the rules; if the Sun family is indeed damaged by disaster, then they need to compensate double; if they are deliberately targeting, then they not only need to face ten times the compensation but also need to accept this City Lord's investigation!"

Ding Tianming's words gave Jiang Rong hope; she never dreamed that City Lord Ding would still say a fair word.

It seemed he still remembered the old relationship with Jiang Rong's father; Jiang Rong felt guilty for doubting Ding Tianming's character just now.

Ding Tianming was the City Lord, and his words were the rules.

The head of the Sun family nodded: "Everything follows the City Lord's arrangement."

Jiang Rong said excitedly: "Thank you, City Lord, for presiding over justice!"

This sudden justice made Jiang Rong incomparably grateful; it seemed there were still good people in Shanghe City, and Jiang Rong's favorability toward Ding Tianming greatly increased.

The Chamber of Commerce's daily activities also ended; originally, they just wanted to divide the Jiang family, but since the City Lord came, they could only disperse the meeting.

Leaving the Chamber of Commerce, Jiang Rong kept following Ding Tianming, chatting about some past events.

Ding Tianming also teased that Jiang Rong had truly grown up.

While chatting, Ding Tianming changed the topic and said: "Is your mother at home these few days?"

Jiang Rong didn't know why City Lord Ding mentioned her mother, but began to answer honestly: "Mother left home yesterday and hasn't returned yet."

Hearing this, Ding Tianming sighed and said: "Your mother might have gotten into big trouble."

This sentence gave Jiang Rong a huge fright; after her father passed away, her family had already fallen into such a state, and many things relied on her mother; if her mother also had an accident, what could she do?

Hearing that her mother had gotten into big trouble, Jiang Rong eagerly asked what had happened.

Ding Tianming indicated that this wasn't the place to talk and invited Jiang Rong to the Ding estate.

Jiang Rong trusted Ding Tianming's character now, so she followed him over.

The Ding estate was in the center of Shanghe City, enough to see how high the Ding family's status in Shanghe City was.

This was a cultivation noble family, a real powerful clan.

Entering the Ding family, Jiang Rong followed Ding Tianming to the main hall.

After the servants served tea, Ding Tianming let them retreat, seeming to have some secrets to tell.

Jiang Rong's maid looked at Jiang Rong, and with Jiang Rong's nod, she also left the main hall.

After all, this was the Ding family, and the City Lord was powerful; the maid had no way either.

Besides, City Lord Ding and Jiang Rong's father were old friends; presumably, he wouldn't do anything to Jiang Rong.

Seeing the servants all leave, Ding Tianming said in all seriousness: "In recent years, your mother has been running around to avenge your father, and I can understand that."

Jiang Rong knew these things; her mother's background was very mysterious, but her cultivation was very strong; how strong exactly, Jiang Rong didn't know, and her mother hadn't said.

Ever since her father died, her mother loved her father very deeply and vowed to avenge her father, and had always been looking for clues about the enemy.

Jiang Rong's mother did ask Ding Tianming for help, and Ding Tianming also sent some manpower to assist in the investigation.

But the problem was, that was sect fighting, and Ding Tianming couldn't easily interfere.

The enemy was hidden extremely deep, and all these years Ding Tianming had been powerless.

Jiang Rong expressed gratitude, and Ding Tianming waved his hand, telling her not to take this matter to heart.

Then he continued: "But your mother recently seems to have secretly contacted the demon race, which has been discovered, and there is evidence, and the matter was reported to me a few days ago; I thought about the relationship with old Jiang for so many years, so I suppressed it, but that person reported it to the new Lin Chengjian, and communicating with demons is a big crime, and the Lin Chengjian attaches great importance to this matter, and you know, she is the Emperor's confidante, so I have no way either."

As soon as this was said, Jiang Rong was shocked on the spot!

"City Lord Ding, please don't listen to rumors; how could my mother communicate with demons!"

Even though Jiang Rong denied it extremely, she felt that this might be possible.

Her mother was originally very mysterious and had a set of skills, but never taught them to the family.

Her mother loved her father very deeply; if she couldn't eliminate the enemy through normal channels, perhaps her mother would really go find those powerful demon races for help.

Moreover, the new Lin Chengjian named Lin Yue'e who came yesterday had indeed come to investigate!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 167 =====