Chapter 338: Why Not Do It?

Stone hurriedly took the letter into the study and handed it to Xiao Yu. “Young Master Heir, this must be from Miss Gu.”

Xiao Yu quickly opened it. There was another layer inside, on which “Xiao Yu” was written.

Xiao Yu stared at the two words, stunned for a moment. At the thought of her writing his name with her own hand, his heart suddenly burned.

His movements suddenly became gentle as he picked up the letter opener on his desk and unsealed the letter.

The letter wasn’t long, just a single page. After reading it, Xiao Yu folded it back up, placed it in the envelope, and tapped his fingers on the desk. He chuckled softly. “This girl… so young, yet so bold. To think she wants to buy ships and go to sea, and even invited me to join.”

Stone’s eyebrow twitched. “So, will you do it, Young Master Heir?”

A roguish smile played on Xiao Yu’s lips. “It’s a chance to make money. Why wouldn’t I?”

Stone shot him a cautious glance. “But the Eldest Young Master is in charge of the estate’s fleet. If you do this, Young Master Heir, won’t he—”

Xiao Yu sneered. “I’ll run my own venture, and he can run his. I’m not interfering with the estate’s fleet, so what does it have to do with him?”

“For the past few years, Father has let him manage the fleet. Who knows how much silver he’s secretly pocketed.”

“Why can he do it and I can’t?”

Stone was silent for a moment. “In that case, should we mention this to the Prince?”

Xiao Yu waved a dismissive hand. “There’s no need. I’m using my own private silver to buy a few ships. No one can stop me.”

“If Father asks, I have a ready answer.”

He mused for a moment. “Tomorrow, you don’t need to come to the military camp with me. Go find Miss Gu and help her get this sorted out. As for purchasing the goods and everything else, have Steward Chen handle it. Take my token to my private treasury and withdraw as much silver as you need.”

Stone gave a sound of assent and withdrew.

The next morning, Gu Fei had just opened her door when she heard the clatter of hooves from the street.

She looked up and out, just in time to see Xiao Yu on his horse. He paused briefly at her doorway, gave her a long, meaningful look, then spurred his horse onward.

Stone, however, dismounted and walked in with another servant, a smile on his face.

Gu Fei hurried out to greet him. “Brother Stone, did the Young Master Heir receive the letter from yesterday?”

Stone smiled. “That’s exactly why I’ve come.”

“The Young Master Heir sent me to help you get this sorted out.”

Gu Fei was overjoyed. She sent Xiao Lu to the neighboring building to fetch Young Master Zhou, and then had Young Master Zhou send someone to summon Young Master Zhu.

Before long, Young Master Zhou arrived. After a cup of tea’s time, Young Master Zhu came over, bringing an old man with him.

Young Master Zhu first introduced the old man to Gu Fei. “This is Master Yu. He’s been a sailor his entire life. He used to be a fleet leader for another company, and I’ve specially invited him to join us.”

Master Yu quickly cupped his hands in a salute to Gu Fei. “A pleasure to meet you, Manager Gu. I’ve heard a great deal about you.”

‘On the way here, Young Master Zhu had spoken at length about Miss Gu’s importance. Whether this voyage would be profitable or not depended largely on her ability to secure the Young Master Heir’s backing.’

Gu Fei smiled. “A pleasure, Master Yu. Please, take a seat.”

The others then greeted Stone. Though he was a servant, he represented the Young Master Heir, so no one dared to slight him.

Young Master Zhu took a sip of tea before saying, “Since the Young Master Heir is willing to join the partnership, I propose we register all the ships we buy under his name. When the cargo reaches port, we give him a five percent cut of the goods. What do you think, Brother Stone?”

Normally, when cargo arrives in port, the government takes a ten percent cut of the goods, and the officials privately take another ten percent. On top of that, there’s a tax of one-thirtieth.

With a ship under the Young Master Heir’s name, officials wouldn’t dare take their private cut. In fact, the partners would actually make an extra five percent.