“The risks of commerce are unpredictable. To ensure the safety and stability of our business, the ‘firewall’ company acts like armor, a solid fortress that keeps enemies at bay.”
In the small courtyard of the Shen family, a simple wooden table held two bowls of coarse tea and a plate of fried soybeans.
In her haste, Shen Miao hadn’t had time to prepare anything more elaborate and could only apologize for the meager hospitality offered to Lady Xie.
But Lady Xi waved it off, sitting unceremoniously on a small stool and even taking a sip of the tea.
She glanced at the yellow dog squeezed into the chicken coop in the corner and stifled a laugh.
“I didn’t come here for the food or drink. Besides, I’ve already had some excellent soup noodles earlier.”
Both women were practical, so Shen Miao skipped the pleasantries and got straight to discussing the details of setting up an instant noodle workshop with Lady Xie.
Shen Miao proposed taking a 30% share of the profits, and Lady Xie didn’t haggle.
Instead, she curiously asked what a “firewall” was.
Without the unreliable middleman to muddle the explanation, Shen Miao quickly clarified the concept for Lady Xie.
In essence, during the Song Dynasty, when capitalism was still in its infancy, the Xie family and other large clans typically managed their assets through a simple two-tier structure: the parent company (the family itself) and subsidiaries (family-owned businesses like shops, estates, and workshops).
When those in power wanted to target you, it was as easy as following a vine to pluck the fruit-they could wipe you out in one fell swoop.
However, later generations of family businesses, to avoid such situations and effectively protect their assets, would create highly complex equity structures.
In the turbulent world of commerce, sometimes it wasn’t a mistake that led to bankruptcy but rather growing too big, too successful, and too conspicuous.
The era couldn’t tolerate a single dominant force, which is why the saying “when one whale falls, a thousand creatures thrive” often held true.
In her previous life, as the number of shops under her name grew and she gradually ventured into industries like meat processing, cold chain logistics, and live-streaming to aid farmers, Shen Miao also began learning how to protect herself.
She built a multi-layered corporate structure: Company A held equity in Company B, which in turn held equity in Company C.
When Company C faced disputes or risks, the isolation of equity and legal entities ensured that the risk wouldn’t directly spread to Company A.
Additionally, through legally compliant equity holdings, platform companies as hubs, independent financial accounting, contractual asset boundaries, and avoiding related-party transactions, Company A could weather the storm.
Why did she want to set up the noodle workshop this way?
First, she distrusted the commercial system under the feudal dynasty.
Although the Song Dynasty’s commercial laws were the most comprehensive and lenient of all dynasties, she still couldn’t trust the fairness of the law under a single- ruler system.
Second, the Xie family wanted to set up the workshop near the border, targeting the sensitive market of soldiers and military supplies.
Shen Miao, with her commoner mindset, was accustomed to avoiding risks first.
While she wanted to make money, she also valued her life.
This didn’t mean she was too timid to participate.
Her grandfather had once said, “Doing business is like crossing a river with a cane-you must dare to venture but also be cautious.”
Instant noodles were indeed best suited for border areas, as they wouldn’t sell well in the prosperous capital of Bianjing.
Third, the Song Dynasty had the best commercial environment, with comprehensive laws and relatively fair taxes.
In other dynasties, this method wouldn’t have worked.
Fourth, when Ninth Brother had visited earlier, he had inadvertently let slip that the Xie family planned to set up the workshop in Youzhou.
Why Youzhou?
Shen Miao realized almost immediately: given the habits of such large families, they must have a clan member serving as a high-ranking official in Youzhou-someone who could make decisions!
With such a “protector,” this business venture was worth pursuing.
Shen Miao even drew a diagram of the structure on the table with tea and explained with a smile,
“Lady Xie, as you know, I’ve been married in Jinling for three years. Jinling and Mingzhou are bustling with maritime trade, with merchants not only from the Song Dynasty but also from foreign lands.”
“The risks in maritime trade are far more complex and unpredictable than in regular commerce, so we must be extra cautious. I heard this method from an old lawyer neighbor and other big merchants during their discussions.”
“I found it both novel and logical, so I kept it in mind. Now, I’m borrowing their wisdom to share with you. I hope you don’t find me presumptuous.”
Lady Xi and Mama Xi fell into deep thought.
They exchanged a glance, silent but inwardly shaken by Shen Miao’s words.
What was the Xie family’s current situation?
They were distrusted by the imperial court yet held immense wealth!
Since the generation of Xie’s father, no matter how talented or diligent their clan members were in their official duties, none had risen above the sixth rank.
What did this mean?
It meant they were guarding a mountain of gold but no longer had the sword to protect it.
But Shen Miao’s method had opened a door of light for Lady Xi.
Earlier, when Ninth Brother had vaguely mentioned a “firewall,” she hadn’t understood its significance.
Now, she realized how apt the term was.
Mama Xi also spoke up seriously, “I understand now. Company A provides the funds but remains behind the scenes. The company managing the workshop is just a shell, with no actual business operations.”
“Therefore, we must choose capable and loyal individuals to oversee it. Through this shell, we connect Company A to Company C. But for the shell to function properly, its regulations must be extremely detailed, with profit distribution, decision-making processes, and authority clearly documented. Otherwise, if the shell collapses, everything will be exposed.”
“Lady Xie, even your attendants are so impressive,” Shen Miao exclaimed in surprise.
The short woman who always stood by Lady Xie’s side, though she hadn’t introduced herself, Shen Miao had guessed she was Lady Xie’s maid.
Yet, she was so knowledgeable!
Lady Xi seemed to read Shen Miao’s thoughts and glanced at Mama Xi, smiling.
“Ah Xi was selected from hundreds of Xie family servants. She grew up studying and learning household management alongside several Xie family ladies, originally intended to accompany Ninth Brother’s aunt as part of her dowry. But…”
But Xie Jieyu later entered the palace and took her own life there…
She stopped, not continuing, and instead smiled as she spoke of her own past.
“Later, when I married into the Xie family from Youzhou, I was completely lost in the intricate web of kinship and social connections in Bianjing. The matriarch gave Ah Xi to me to guide and assist me in managing household affairs.”
“So, don’t underestimate Ah Xi. Though she calls herself a maid in my presence, she’s well-read, skilled in accounting, and someone I deeply respect.”
Mama Xi immediately curtsied. “Lady Xie, please don’t say such things. You humble me.”
“So that’s how it is,” Shen Miao said with a smile, also rising to apologize.
But through Mama Xi, she gained even more confidence in the Xie family.
If they could cultivate such an outstanding servant over a decade, then there must be many others like Mama Xi-loyal and capable individuals who could manage the company and workshop.
Moreover… she keenly sensed that Lady Xie had deliberately revealed she had married into the Xie family from Youzhou.
Thus, she read between the lines and understood why the Xie family had chosen Youzhou-it was their closest maternal family.
Between smart people, there was no need to spell things out.
A shared glance, and both sides’ intentions were clear.
But Lady Xie’s attitude toward Shen Miao was now completely different from when they had first met.
She truly admired this beautiful yet shrewd and cautious young woman.
At her age and with her background, it was rare to have such insight.
Before visiting Shen’s place, Lady Xi had already thoroughly investigated Shen Miao’s background, including her ex-husband’s family.
After finalizing the profit-sharing and other details with Shen Miao, Lady Xi patted her hand affectionately before leaving.
After boarding the carriage, Lady Xi sighed to Mama Xi,
“Shen Miao is so intelligent. I can’t understand why she married into such a worthless family. Was she truly blinded by beauty?”
“Shen Miao was young when she married, and she had been pampered and sheltered by her parents. It’s possible she was naive and easily swayed,” Mama Xi empathized, sighing softly.
“Looking at the sages of old, they all endured hardships. King Wen of Zhou was imprisoned and wrote the ‘Book of Changes, and Confucius faced adversity and composed the ‘Spring and Autumn Annals. In times of hardship, people must adapt. Shen Miao’s wisdom likely stems from her struggles.”
Lady Xi, who had practiced martial arts since childhood and had only a rudimentary understanding of literature, found Mama Xi’s scholarly talk a bit overwhelming.
But remembering that she would soon visit the Feng family-a household even more inclined to such erudition-she quickly said,
“Ah Xi, remember to prepare two congratulatory poems for the Feng matriarch’s birthday, along with a few sentimental verses about flowers and water. The Feng family associates with the wives of civil officials, and every banquet involves poetry games.”
“Every time I dine with them, I barely eat but end up with a stomach full of sour poetry. It’s truly exhausting.”
Mama Xi chuckled. “Yes, yes.”
***
Shen Miao stood at the door with a professional smile, enthusiastically waving goodbye until Lady Xie’s carriage was out of sight.
Then, she skipped back into the shop.
Ji Ge and Youyu had gone out with Leitang to buy meat and hadn’t returned yet.
Xiangjie was taking her afternoon nap, and only Gale was in the yard, chasing a leaf blown about by the wind.
Ninth Brother had aptly named him; he was indeed a dog as elusive as the wind.
With no one to share her joy, she rushed over and hugged Gale, planting two kisses on his head and gleefully rubbing his face.
“Gale, Gale, we’re going to make gold! And once the workshop is up and running, we’ll be earning money even while lying down! Then, I’ll buy you two big bones every day-one to chew and one to throw away. That’s how lavish we’ll be!”
Gale barked in protest.
Fortunately, Ji Ge and Youyu soon returned, carrying large and small packages.
Leitang even had two oil-paper-wrapped pig trotters strapped to his back, which he had carried steadily all the way home, despite the tempting smell of raw meat.
If it had been Gale, the trotters would have been gnawed to the bone halfway.
Shen Miao took the meat and, seeing Ji Ge drenched in sweat, urged him and Youyu to wash their faces.
When they returned, still dripping, she couldn’t contain her excitement.
“I’ll go braise this meat first. Later, we’ll close the shop and go to Manager Zhou’s bookstore to buy the stationery you’ll need for school. Yesterday, Dr. Yao mentioned that those who passed the children’s exam will start school next month.”
“While we have some free time, let’s get your bedding and the ‘Four Treasures of the Study’ ready.”
Ji Ge asked curiously, “Sister, why are you so happy?”
Shen Miao raised an eyebrow smugly.
“I just landed a big deal. In a few days, I’ll be catering a banquet at Dr. Feng’s house in the Imperial Academy. I’ll earn this much.”
She held up both hands, waving them in front of Ji Ge.
Ji Ge exclaimed, “Ten strings of cash?”
“Think bigger,” Shen Miao said gleefully.
“Twenty strings?” Ji Ge hesitated to guess higher.
“Ten taels,” Shen Miao whispered in his ear, “of gold.”
Ji Ge’s eyes widened, and he couldn’t even utter the word.
His lips moved, but only a breath came out. “Gold?”
“Gold,” Shen Miao said, even more intoxicated.
She had never seen gold in this life!
In her previous life, she had loved gold too, but she didn’t buy jewelry.
Instead, she bought gold bars from the bank every year, filling her safe to the brim.
Just sitting there counting them made her feel immensely happy.
Ji Ge was so shocked he swayed on his feet.
“Alright, let’s keep this to ourselves. Don’t tell anyone,” Shen Miao said, pinching her lips shut.
“Go wake Xiangjie, wash her face, and change her clothes. I’ll make another pot of braised meat, and then we’ll head out.”
The braising broth was ready, so all she had to do was chop the meat, wash it, blanch it, and add it to the pot.
Just as she was about to close the shop, a familiar young soldier rushed in, urgently calling, “Madam Shen, are you closing already? Good thing I made it in time. Quick, pack me twenty servings of instant soup noodles.”
Shen Miao recognized him.
He was the one who had first brought the drill instructor and a group of soldiers to her shop to eat instant noodles, startling her.
Since then, he had often come for noodles, usually ordering lamb noodles when he had time to sit and eat, and only taking instant noodles when he was in a hurry.
“Coming right up. Why so many today?” Shen Miao asked casually as she quickly packed the noodles, tied them with hemp string, and handed them over.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen the soldiers here. Are you all busy with something big?”
“Don’t even mention it. Qinzhou is dealing with the Western Qiang rebellion, and some refugees have even made it to the outskirts of Caizhou. The drill instructor is being cautious, worried that troublemakers might sneak into the city and cause chaos. So, we’ve been patrolling day and night, not even allowed to go home, just in case.”
The young soldier yawned, clearly sleep-deprived, then blinked and smiled.
“When we’re on night duty and get hungry, we don’t want to eat dry rations. Your soup noodles are the best-hot and filling, they keep us going.”
Shen Miao asked worriedly, “Is the situation in Qinzhou that bad?”
“I heard General Xi has already recaptured two counties taken by the rebels. It should be resolved soon,” the soldier said, waving his hand.
“No need to panic. Refugees won’t make it into Bianjing. After a few days of patrolling, we’ve only caught a few petty thieves trying to take advantage.”
Shen Miao kept her expression neutral, but after seeing the soldier off, she decided to take her cart out later and stock up on non-perishable food.
She didn’t want her noodle shop to suffer if grain prices skyrocketed.
As she pondered, Xiangjie walked into the kitchen, yawning and rubbing her eyes and said,
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