Chapter 445 (1/2)

Among the four families near the port, the Li family started with port trade and then gradually expanded to a series of industries such as catering, real estate, textile and so on. Needless to say, the Chen family was an out and out gangster in their early years. Relying on the reputation of fighting and killing, they basically did what they did when they came to money quickly and harmed nature and justice. With these disgraceful activities, they became one of the four families. Even today, these black industries are still the main economic source of the Chen family.

The Qi family is also special. It is a family that gradually expands by political means. Most of the family are military and political dignitaries. Although they are not as rich as the other three families, they can bear the four words of power in Lingang. After all, some things can't be bought by money alone.

As for the development of the Xie family, it is even more interesting. It should be regarded as the oldest of all the families near Hong Kong.

The Xie family was originally a large family in the south of the Yangtze River. It was a Confucian family hundreds of years ago. As far as the gate is concerned, it can be said that the root is positive and the seedling is red. Mu Jia, who has always boasted of his scholarly family, is at best a typesetting and printing calligrapher.

But as an official in the dynasty, accompanying the king is like accompanying the tiger. Later, the Xie family fell out of favor at the foot of the emperor and worried about being persecuted, so they simply moved to Lingang, which was still a wild place at that time.

At that time, Lingang was also called ”Tonggang”, which means extending in all directions. The Xie family originally disdained to do business for Confucian scholars, but at that time, Lingang was too poor. There was a famine from time to time, and thousands of people were often starved to death. It was terrible to see starving people on the road. Bachelor Xie, who was far away from the temple, had to suffer from hunger for a few days from time to time. He had to run his business.

Therefore, the prosperity of the Xie family began with food. A hundred years ago, it still enjoyed the reputation of ”port connected granary”.

Later, when Lingang became more and more prosperous, the Xie family, with their strong financial strength, tossed precious metals such as gold and silver in addition to daily necessities such as firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar and tea.

There is a saying that more than 150 years ago, when the emperor in power wanted to fight, he invited ministers to discuss and found that the military pay was not enough. Finally, he had to send Imperial Envoys all the way from Yanjing to Lingang to find Xie's family to raise military pay. Naturally, the emperor dares not to borrow money. After borrowing it, he can't expect to return it. Otherwise, he thinks he has lived for a long time.

It is said that the original debit note is still in the Xie family and has been preserved for more than 150 years. This matter has never been publicly confirmed by the Xie family. Although it is not known whether it is true or false, it is enough to show that the Xie family was rich and almost reached the national treasury.

Up to now, although the Xie family has encountered no small competition and is far from the dominant family in those years, the precious metal and grain trade still occupies a quite amazing position in the port. Even more than 19% of the agricultural products exported overseas from Lingang have to go through Xie Jiazhi's hands.

Li Qing stood in front of the antique gate of the Xie family and took a breath. It seemed that he could still feel the vicissitudes of the glorious family for thousands of years.

”Please inform me. I want to see Miss Yuyan.”

”Our master was taking a nap and said he couldn't see anyone.”

Xie Yuyan, a 28-year-old woman, has faded her old gentleness and become the owner of the Xie family.