I changed the world.

Page 471

Some noble families even resorted to borrowing money to maintain their social standing, and bankruptcies due to this were frequently heard of each year. It must be said that this was a form of corruption, but given the long-standing social norms and mutual influence among nations, this became the norm in social settings, and it was difficult to change.

Of course, not everyone is like that. For example, the current Grand Secretary Guan Renyue is known as a "moral gentleman." It is said that he never attends social banquets. Occasionally, when he attends a banquet hosted by the royal family, he wears only plain clothes and is accompanied by only an old servant. Those around him would praise him for being "unconventional" and having "the demeanor of a renowned scholar."

However, he is the Grand Secretary of the current dynasty, and not everyone has that kind of confidence.

"Wow, what a huge suite..." Following the hotel waiter to a suite on the 18th floor, the couple were stunned by the enormous suite, and Wei Chengguang's mother, Wei Zhangli, couldn't help but blurt out.

She couldn't help but be surprised; the suite before her was indeed quite luxurious, furnished with traditional mahogany furniture, simple yet elegant, clearly meticulously crafted. The suite was a two-unit combination, each with its own bedroom, walk-in closet, study, and bathroom, sharing a living room and a dining room with a kitchen. In other words, if Wei Chengguang's family brought their own chef, he could have them cook right there.

In particular, the waiter had already explained that all expenses here were free, and the Wei family would not need to pay a single penny.

Even though Wei Hanwen and his wife are successful in their careers and earn around ten million yuan a year, it must be said that since they started from scratch, they are quite frugal with their daily expenses. They had never lived in such a luxurious suite before, and just looking at it, they knew it was very expensive.

The words had barely left her mouth when she realized her mistake and quickly pursed her lips. Fortunately, the waiter beside her didn't show any disrespect, but instead respectfully said, "Honorable guest, if you need anything else, please let me know, or call the front desk to have it delivered. If the furnishings are not to your liking, we can also arrange for a replacement immediately..."

The check-in process went very smoothly. After the waiter finished explaining everything, he respectfully withdrew, and a short while later someone brought the room key.

..........................................

........................

"Son, who exactly is that classmate of yours?" Even Wei Hanwen sensed something was wrong and couldn't help but frown and ask. Previously, Wei Chengguang had only said that his classmate's family was noble and that he had gotten an extra invitation for his family.

Wei Hanwen simply interpreted it as his son's friend wanting to "help out" his son. Such things are not uncommon in Eastern culture, as classmates and friends have always been so. So he just thought his son had good luck and didn't think too much about it.

However, it now seems that this invitation was not so simple after all...

The saying goes, "When you give a gift, you must have something in return." Wei Hanwen is now a little worried that his son might have agreed to something extraordinary.

Wei Chengguang was also somewhat perplexed; he hadn't expected the Yunxiao Temple to be so considerate. Perhaps even overly so…

Volume Two: The Truth Hidden Behind the History Books: Chapter 1004 Exchanging Testimonies

This left Wei Chengguang with no choice but to continue making up excuses: "I heard... these rooms were booked by Yunxiao Temple, and it shouldn't have been paid for by my classmate's family. I heard that Yunxiao Temple is very wealthy, so... uh... maybe these guest rooms are nothing to them. After all, it's an abdication ceremony, and they have to be polite enough that no one can say anything..."

Clearly, their son's words did not completely convince Wei Hanwen and his wife. After repeated questioning, their son stammered and could not give a coherent explanation, so the couple had no choice but to give up. However, Wei Chengguang still forced his son to visit his "classmate" later, since Wei Chengguang had previously said that his classmate would also be coming this time.

In Wei Hanwen's view, since they had given him such a great deal of face, he should thank them in person, both out of courtesy and reason.

As for Wei Chengguang's explanation, Wei Hanwen was still skeptical. After all, he had been in the business world for many years, and he couldn't possibly think that a suite of this caliber was standard. Even if Yunxiao Temple was incredibly wealthy, the entire hotel probably wouldn't have many rooms of this caliber, so how could it possibly provide them to all its guests...?

..........................................

........................

"Hey, Hongzi..." Wei Chengguang pretended to use the toilet in the bathroom, and was squatting on the toilet, nervously calling Zhu Yingwei.

"Yes...I've arrived..."

"The eighteenth floor, yes... they've already moved in... have you arrived yet?"

"Did you come alone, or..."

"Oh... thank goodness... I was just telling you, this was an emergency!!!"

"No...no...it's my parents who have become suspicious...I told them it was an invitation from a classmate at school, but the arrangements here are so thorough that my parents have become suspicious..."

........................

…………

"Yes...yes...there's no other way now, my parents need to thank you in person..."

"...Yes, it's only you...I can only say that you gave it to me...You help me cover this up..."

"It's okay... just say you met him in an elective course at our school..."

"Please...please..."

"That's great... It's settled then. I'll bring them over to pay you a visit later. Just be careful not to give anything away..."

"Oh, right, I should tell you... about that stock market crash before, I also used your name..."

....................................

........................

Right after Wei Chengguang and Zhu Yingwei went to the 13th floor to check on the check-in of his driver and entourage, and also to see their living conditions. He then saw the two double rooms provided by the hotel, which were quite luxurious. Although they could not compare with their deluxe suite, they were still fully equipped with a bathroom, sofa, refrigerator, and other facilities. They were not the kind of simple double rooms provided for ordinary servants or entourages.

"Are you all set? If you need anything added, just let the front desk know." Wei Hanwen looked around the room and said to his driver, Lao Fang, who had been with him for many years and drove for his company. The other driver in the room was a company employee who had been brought in temporarily.

"Sir, no need, no need, it's very good, very good..." The driver, Lao Fang, was a taciturn middle-aged man. Standing in the luxuriously furnished room, he said somewhat reservedly.

"That's good..." Wei Hanwen nodded, looked around the room again, and walked out thoughtfully.

He didn't show anything on the surface, just reassured them to stay, but in his heart, he became even more curious about his son's "classmate".

This was no ordinary gesture from a noble family. Even though it was nominally provided by Yunxiao Temple, for these Taoist temples, the money ultimately came from the temple itself. It's conceivable that his classmate's family must be a major financial backer of Yunxiao Temple; otherwise, these monks would never have made such a meticulous arrangement.

Given Wei Hanwen's position, he was unaware of the "rumors" about Yunxiao Temple that circulated only among certain high-ranking officials, let alone be able to correctly understand the true status of Yunxiao Temple and the Xuanmen (Taoist sect) behind it in this country today.

Therefore, at this time, when he looked at the Xuanmen (Taoist sect), he still viewed the issue from a traditional perspective. In the traditional view, the relationship between those temples and monasteries and many nobles and even powerful figures was indeed one of patronage, and even formed a bond of interest centered on faith.

Under normal circumstances, Wei Hanwen would not easily interfere with his son's social circle. After all, for him, sending his son to university was not only about getting a diploma and learning some knowledge, but more importantly, he hoped that his son could make some good friends at university.

This is a point that Wei Hanwen has always emphasized to his son: the friends you make in school are completely different from the so-called friends you meet in society later. The former are classmates, which are purer and based more on shared interests and even friendship than on mutual benefit. After leaving school and entering society, these classmates will be a great help.

As a successful businessman, Wei Hanwen values ​​connections highly. This is why he specifically increased his son's allowance after learning that his son had made good friends at school. As children grow older, their daily expenses cannot be skimped on, lest they be looked down upon.

However, even though he usually doesn't interfere with Wei Chengguang's social circle, he had to step in this time, mainly because he felt that Chengguang's favor was too great...

He waved to the two drivers who had respectfully escorted him out, indicating that they didn't need to follow, and then went to look at another double room next door. The furnishings were exactly the same, and in his opinion, both double rooms were quite luxurious.

"Old Zhou, come with me for a moment." Wei Hanwen waved to a middle-aged man who had already settled in the room. This was an employee of his company, who had been temporarily brought in to make up the numbers.

In addition to his family, Wei Hanwen brought four other people with him: two drivers and two attendants. They were mainly there to make a show of things. Business families like Wei Hanwen's usually only have two housekeepers doing odd jobs. Unlike wealthy merchants or noble families who keep many servants, they would naturally bring people directly from the company when they need to make a show of things.

Accompanied by an attendant, Wei Hanwen pondered what kind of gift he should bring when visiting his son's classmate. It shouldn't be too expensive, lest it seem too formal, nor too insignificant, lest others think he was stingy...

Volume Two: The Truth Hidden Behind the History Books: Chapter 1005 Chairman Yu

While thinking about the group, I walked along the corridor for a long time. A person came out of the room and greeted me with a polite nod.

Wei Hanwen naturally smiled and nodded politely in return. In addition, he noticed that the other party was dressed in extraordinary clothes and looked dignified, clearly not an ordinary person.

The two passed each other. Wei Hanwen arrived at the elevator lobby and was about to get on the elevator when two well-dressed men walked over from the side, whispering to each other as they approached Wei Hanwen. They were also waiting for the elevator.

Wei Hanwen subconsciously turned his head to look at him, then paused, took a deep breath, and tentatively asked with his hands clasped, "I wonder... is it Chairman Yu in person?"

At this moment, the two men who were talking stopped upon hearing this. One of them, a portly man with a large face and big ears, looked Wei Hanwen up and down while bowing and saying, "It is indeed I, Yu… I wonder…"

"My name is Wei Hanwen, courtesy name Boxian. I am also a member of the association. I met Chairman Yu at the association's annual meeting before," Wei Hanwen said with a smile.

The man before me, Chairman Yu Zhiyuan, is one of the vice presidents of the Jiangling Import and Export Trade Association. The Jiangling Import and Export Trade Association is a guild-like organization. Although it is a non-governmental organization, it has considerable influence over import and export traders in Jiangling and even in the southern part of the empire.

In today's world, whether domestically or internationally, any business activity inevitably involves various trade associations. These organizations often operate under the guise of industry associations or regional associations. They have numerous internal regulations to constrain their members and offer them a range of benefits, including internal guarantees, policy coordination incentives, access to low-interest bank loans, and political protection. In reality, they are organizations with elements of local or industry protectionism.

However, for most business people, when entering an industry, it is unavoidable to deal with such industry organizations, otherwise they are easily ostracized by their peers.

Wei Hanwen was not an exception. His company had long been a member of the Jiangling Import and Export Trade Association. However, due to its limited size, he had not even become a director of the association, and his company was only a second-level member.

Jiangling, as the secondary capital of the empire, was a hub for wealthy merchants. In the entire south, it was the largest city after Songjiang, and its political status was even greater. In such a city, goods from both the north and south naturally converged and traded. Compared to those bigwigs whose trade volume reached billions or even tens of billions, Wei Hanwen's trading company could only be described as a small fry, making a living by picking up scraps left over from others' fingers.

The Chairman Yu in front of us is from a large trading group with an annual trade volume of over 40 billion yuan. In addition, he is also involved in other industries such as real estate. It is said that his trading group has shares held by several local noble families in Jiangling.

Wei Hanwen had also heard some private discussions, saying that this Chairman Yu was actually a front man for some nobles, just a figure put in the spotlight, and that his own share in the group was limited... However, discussions are just discussions. The interests behind such figures are often extremely complex, and not something a businessman of Wei Hanwen's caliber could understand. In Wei Hanwen's view, even if such a big shot leaked some business between his fingers, it would be enough for him to make a living.

"Oh...oh! It's Brother Baekhyun, a pleasure to meet you..." Although Yu Zhiyuan still couldn't recall who the person in front of him was, he was a businessman after all, and he still had to put on a show. He immediately smiled and cupped his hands, while patting his head, pretending to have a bad memory: "Look at me...I've been working non-stop these past few days, my head is a bit foggy...please don't blame me, brother..."

The two exchanged a few polite words, and Yu Zhiyuan, while sizing up Wei Hanwen, asked with a smile, "Brother Boxian, are you also here to attend Master Li's abdication ceremony?"

Although he still couldn't recall who the other person was, since the other person claimed to be a member of the association, his business must be inferior to his own. Therefore, Yu Zhiyuan presumptuously addressed Wei Hanwen as "brother." After all, he knew all the directors and vice presidents of the association, and even most of the first-level members, but he didn't recall this person.

"Yes, I just arrived today." Wei Hanwen naturally wouldn't admit that he got here because of his son, so he explained with a smile, and then asked, "Does Chairman Yu also live here?"

"Yes, he's staying in room 1313. Oh, and this is my company's vice president, Mr. Wang," Yu Zhiyuan introduced the person next to him.

"So it's President Wang, nice to meet you..." Wei Hanwen exchanged pleasantries with him again.

"I heard the association is about to hold elections?" Wei Hanwen casually mentioned a piece of news he had heard not long ago.

“Yes, the main thing is to add two more member units, hahaha, what’s up? Do you have any ideas, little brother?” Yu Zhiyuan asked with a smile.

"Oh, not at all... I know my own limitations..." Wei Hanwen waved his hands repeatedly. He naturally knew about those council member units. The Chairman Yu in front of him was just joking with him. These quotas had been arranged behind the scenes long ago. His small company wasn't even qualified to be a first-level member, let alone a council member.

"Brother, you're too modest. I see you're so young and promising; you're sure to have a bright future..." Although Yu Zhiyuan's words carried a faint hint of superiority, he stopped there and remained very polite. After all, he was a mature businessman and wouldn't do something like the kind of humiliating reversal that happens in online novels.

The two changed the subject and chatted for a while while waiting for the elevator, discussing their current economic situation and the accommodations.

After all, it was like meeting an old friend in a foreign land. In addition, Yu Zhiyuan knew that most of those who were able to get invitations this time had considerable backgrounds. Through his channels, he had even heard that several top nobles and members of the royal family had sent people to attend. So, when he couldn't figure out the other party's background, he acted quite talkative. The two sides chatted and laughed, and after a few words, the atmosphere was already quite harmonious.

"Brother Baekhyun, are you going upstairs?" Yu Zhiyuan asked curiously when he saw Wei Hanwen press the elevator button. As far as he knew, the upper floors were guest rooms for very important VIPs.

“Yes, I live on the 18th floor, room 1801. Chairman Yu, you can come over for a visit when you have time…” Wei Hanwen said with a smile.

The elevator arrived at that moment. After saying goodbye to the two men, Wei Hanwen entered the elevator with his entourage. Inside the elevator was a waiter. After Wei Hanwen presented his room card, the waiter respectfully took the card, swiped it on the elevator door, and the elevator began to ascend.

Volume Two: The Truth Hidden Behind the History Books: Chapter 1006 The Strange Level Two Member

Outside the elevator, another elevator arrived and opened its doors. Yu Zhiyuan didn't rush in; instead, he waved to the waiter inside, letting the doors close again. He continued to stare at the elevator Wei Hanwen had entered, watching the floor display until it stopped on the 18th floor. He then took a deep breath and murmured, "So he really does live on the 18th floor..."

"The 18th floor, is it all luxury suites?" He turned his head and looked at President Wang beside him, asking somewhat uncertainly.