Chapter 149: Valuing Worthy Scholars (Part 2)

Xu Jie was a renowned financial wizard in Chang'an, having started from scratch and single-handedly built the massive business empire known as the Xu Firm. Yet, at the very peak of its glory, this commercial empire had collapsed overnight.

Having endured such turbulent trials, Xu Jie could not help but feel a momentary daze as he looked at the confident young man before him!

"I'm afraid I must disappoint the young master! I am a defeated general and hardly capable of taking on the heavy burdens of Mojiacun!" Modun, the son of Mo, and his Mojiacun had risen like a comet in Chang'an, creating miracle after miracle. To say he felt no temptation would be dishonest, but remembering the behemoth that had destroyed him, Xu Jie hardened his heart and shook his head.

"I have heard that the collapse of the Xu Firm had hidden circumstances and was not the fault of the sir!" Modun said.

The reason Modun sought out Xu Jie was twofold: first, Xu Jie's legendary former business empire, and second, his impeccable reputation. Even when facing ultimate bankruptcy, he had managed to repay every single debt; otherwise, he would not have been reduced to such a destitute state today.

Upon hearing this, Xu Jie offered a bitter, wretched smile.

"I was not defeated by any mortal man, but by the hands of power." A trace of fierce resentment surfaced on Xu Jie's face.

Under Xu Jie's meticulous strategizing, the Xu Firm had thrived vigorously. Within a decade, it accumulated vast wealth, soaring to become a rising star in Chang'an's business community. However, great riches stir human desires; the Xu Firm caught the eye of powerful aristocrats who intended to swallow it whole. The proud and haughty Xu Jie, naturally, refused.

"Overnight, all partner merchants withdrew, suppliers cut off goods, and massive orders were breached. Years of my labor were destroyed in a single day." Recalling this scene still twisted Xu Jie's heart with pain. The opponents had been fully prepared and possessed overwhelming influence, pushing him straight into a dead end. Even high-ranking officials and nobles he had once patronized not only refused to help but instead advised Xu Jie to yield and admit defeat.

"They wanted to devour the fruits of my years of hard work, but I refused to let them have their way. I closed the shops and dismissed all the employees, leaving them with nothing for their trouble."

Xu Jie spoke with unyielding defiance, a trace of steadfastness emerging on his face.

A shadow of melancholy swept through Modun's heart. This was the tragedy of this era, where the influence of merchants was utterly insignificant before the powerful aristocracy.

"Hah!"

Modun let out a long breath. He could well imagine the predicament Xu Jie had faced back then. Had he bowed his head, he certainly would not be in his current plight and could at least have lived in comfort. Instead, he chose a drastic path, rather shattering as jade than remaining intact as tile.

"Since Mister Xu has already closed down the Xu Firm, why are these ruffians still coming to cause trouble?" Modun asked in bewilderment. He had also overheard the ruffians mentioning some young lord attempting to forcefully recruit Xu Jie.

Xu Jie's expression darkened. "I never imagined that even after exhausting my family fortune, they still would not let me go, casting their eyes upon this broken body of mine."

Modun instantly understood. The fact that Xu Jie could build the Xu Firm to such a grand scale clearly demonstrated extraordinary business acumen. With Xu Jie around, it was safe to say that within a decade, a brand-new Xu Firm would rise again.

"Does the young master know what terms they initially offered?" Without waiting for Modun's reply, Xu Jie smiled bitterly. "To enter their household as a slave!"

"Enter their household as a slave?" Modun exclaimed in shock! He had not expected the other party to be so ruthless. Once reduced to household slavery, one would be bound to serve them for a lifetime, effectively keeping the financial wizard locked firmly in their palm.

Expressions of indignation also appeared on the faces of Mo Er and Tie An. It was simply too outrageous. Not only had they used underhanded tricks to ruin the Xu Firm, but they also expected a man of his stature to become a slave. Although Mo Er and Tie An followed Modun, they were free commoners registered in Mojiacun and even owned their own plots of land.

"Mister Xu, rest assured! The Mo school advocates universal love, non-aggression, and the elevation of the worthy. With your exceptional talent, Modun will naturally treat you with utmost courtesy," Modun said.

"Young Master Modun's generous affection shames me. However, the one I offended is the Taiyuan Wang clan. A young master of the Wang clan has already declared in Chang'an that anyone daring to cooperate with me makes an enemy of the Wang clan," Xu Jie said with a pale, ashen face.

"The Taiyuan Wang clan?" Modun was stunned, involuntarily thinking of the Wang Family Fish Shop and Scholar Wang Ling, who were also rumored to belong to the Taiyuan Wang clan.

"I am aware that Mojiacun once had a feud with the Wang Family Fish Shop, but they were merely a collateral branch of the Wang clan. The ones eyeing the Xu Firm, however, are the true core Wang clan!" Xu Jie clearly possessed a thorough understanding of Mojiacun's affairs.

"Kings yet no kings, no kings yet kings! The Taiyuan Wang clan!" Modun's expression turned solemn.

Dynasties flow like water, but aristocratic clans endure like iron. Among the numerous great clans, one was exceptionally unique: the Taiyuan Wang clan.

The surname Wang evolved from the royal title of supreme rulers in ancient China, marking its greatest distinction from other surnames. Throughout history, very few individuals surnamed Wang ever ascended the throne, and those who did met with tragic ends—the most typical example being Wang Mang usurping the Han Dynasty.

Consequently, the members of the Wang clan changed their strategy, choosing instead to assist monarchs and inaugurating a pattern of ruling without occupying the throne.

Among them, the clan whose power reached the absolute peak was the Langya Wang clan of the Southern Dynasties. They actually possessed the conditions to seize the imperial throne, yet they never did so. The pinnacle reached by the Langya Wang clan was unprecedented and perhaps unmatched by any other clan thereafter.

Later, the Taiyuan Wang clan went on to establish a dominance that lasted two hundred years among the five great noble families, even assisting the father-and-son duo of the Li family in founding the Tang Dynasty.

Modun suddenly understood. Facing such an overwhelmingly powerful aristocratic clan, it was no wonder the Xu Firm collapsed without a chance to resist.

"Young Master Modun, I shall forever cherish the grace of today's rescue in my heart, and await a day to repay it in the future!" Xu Jie cupped his fists and said. He held no high hopes for Modun's recruitment; after all, the reputation of the Taiyuan Wang clan loomed large, and no one would willingly offend such powerful aristocrats for the sake of a mere merchant.

"Mister Xu, hold on a moment!" Just as Xu Jie was gripped by dejection and disappointment, Modun's voice sounded once more.

Xu Jie paused in his steps, turning back to see Modun's radiant, confident smile.

"Does Mister truly have no financial disputes remaining?" Modun asked again.

"Truly none," Xu Jie replied, a stir in his heart as he spoke clearly.

"Truly no lawsuits pending against you?"

"Of course none!" A trace of a smile appeared on Xu Jie's face.

"Then what reason would I, Modun, have to cast aside a talent as brilliant as yours!" Modun said solemnly.

"Even if it means offending the Taiyuan Wang clan!" Xu Jie asked again.

"This is Chang'an, not Taiyuan!" Modun declared. While the Taiyuan Wang clan was undeniably powerful, they could not blot out the sky with one hand in Chang'an. They might manage to bully an ordinary merchant, but meeting the rising, unstoppable Mojiacun was an entirely different matter.

"And Mojiacun is certainly not the Xu Firm!" Xu Jie silently added in his heart.

As a prominent merchant of Chang'an, how could he not know of Mojiacun and the son of Mo, who held the emperor's favor? Compared to becoming a slave in the Wang household, joining the flourishing Mojiacun was a thousand times better.

"Xu Jie pays respects to the master!" Without grand fanfare or inspiring speeches, right in front of the dilapidated thatched hut, the helm of the Tang Dynasty's future greatest business empire quietly came to be.