At the founding of this dynasty, the four great merchants of Xue, Cheng, Chen, and Zheng in the south of the Yangtze River had invested heavily in supporting Taizu's army to regain China.
Therefore, after Taizu ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, he decreed that four families be granted the title of imperial merchants. Their heads would either serve in front of the imperial court, or they would be given casual official posts in the household department to continue doing business.
For example, the ancestors of the Xue family once held a prestigious imperial position such as Zhongshu Sheren. Xue Pan's father also inherited his father's position and specialized in searching for treasures for the royal family.
By the beginning of Yuanyou, the number of imperial merchants had increased to thirty-six in total from the north to the south. In the past two years, due to the great changes in the court due to the disputes among the kings over the succession, the number of imperial merchants dropped by 50%.
It was almost noon when the scribe Li Huan knocked on the door.
"Uncle, the six royal merchants in Beijing and the stewards of three families have arrived. Do you want to see them now?"
Jia Cong looked at Wei Ruolan and others who were sitting around and calculating the data bitterly. He took out a banknote from his wallet and handed it to Li Huan, and ordered: "Go and book Yanyunlou down and let them go first. I Uncle will be there in a moment."
As soon as the words "Yanyunlou" came out, Wei Ruolan and others, who had been muttering carefully with a grimace, immediately became quiet and looked at Jia Cong with their eyes widened.
This is a great place. His new oiran is extremely talented, but it's a pity that they haven't seen it yet.
It's not that they, the second-generation officials and second-generation officials, can't afford to go. The main reason is that the rules for offering wine are too strict, and they are worried that the slap on the butt will hurt too much.
The uncle actually wants to entertain the group of royal merchants at Yanyun Tower. Doesn't it mean that they can go with him to see what they have to offer?
However, their wishes were soon shattered, because Li Huan reminded him with a wry smile: "Uncle, I'm afraid it's not appropriate to go to Yanyun Tower..."
"Oh? Why?"
Jia Cong asked in confusion: "Did you commit some taboo? Are you worried about being impeached?"
"That's not the reason, uncle. The emperor's businessman, the Xue family, came this time not only to the second son of Xue, Xue Biao, who is in charge of the Xue family's business, but also to General Xue's sister, the eldest daughter of the Xue family."
Li Huan's answer made everyone in the room stunned at the same time. They had long heard that the eldest girl of the Xue family was in charge of the family, and she took care of the Xue family properly without giving in to the men. They didn't expect this to be true.
Jia Cong didn't expect Baochai to come this time, so he really couldn't go to the land of fireworks...
"In that case, let's go and eat first, then hurry up and make arrangements."
Li Huan left the room, and Jia Cong helplessly shook his head. Although the first house of the Xue family has changed its door and Xue Biao has also moved to Beijing, the second house has not taken over the business for a long time, and Xue Biao is still just a half-timer, which is really hard for Sister Bao.
Without Baochai's careful management over the years, the Xue family of the Imperial Shang would have been eaten alive. This is the Xue family's good fortune, but it is also Baochai's misfortune.
Baoyu is fourteen this year, and Baochai is two years older than Baoyu.
As a sixteen-year-old girl who is still unmarried, you can imagine what Baochai brought to Baochai by being in public and taking care of the family business.
If the Xue family could have a man who could support the family, with Baochai's talents and family background, there would be no need to worry about getting married.
Jia Cong stood in front of the window and looked at the light green plum blossoms blooming in the courtyard. He remembered that when Mrs. People regret it.
Mrs. Xue, who comes from a low family background, looks down upon her, while people from a high family background are not willing to marry a woman who often appears in public to manage business.
This is the situation in the world, even if the old lady who is the prince and concubine sacrifices her face, she can't make others change their views on this matter.
"Oh, I have a headache!"
Jia Cong sighed softly and looked back to see Wei Ruolan and others still looking at him eagerly.
"Has the calculation been completed?"
He Chong handed an account book to Jia Cong: "Uncle, according to our calculations and the consumption of grain transportation by the court, it costs ten taels of silver to transport every stone of rice to the Anbei Protectorate. If these imperial merchants can do this, With the winning bid of seven taels and one stone, the court can save nearly six million taels of silver on food alone."
"It seems that this matter is really inevitable. Otherwise, the three million people in the Anbei Protectorate alone would be enough to starve the imperial court."
Jia Cong closed the account book with a snap and said to everyone: "Let's go, you will come with me to meet these imperial merchants for a while. It's up to you whether you can save money for the court."
…
Shiweixian has Jiangnan characteristics, with carved beams and painted buildings inside and outside, as if telling the story of the Qinhuai River.
The private room on the second floor is spacious and bright, with several mahogany tables and exquisite wine sets and snacks placed on the tables. Some literati calligraphy, paintings and scrolls are hung on the four walls, making the whole space more elegant.
In the corner of the private room, a violinist was playing melodious music. Her music is as melodious as flowing water and intoxicating.
Amidst the wonderful music, guests chatted in low voices, sipped wine and recited poems, or leaned against the window sill to enjoy the bustling street market.
The food sent to the Anbei Protectorate was crucial, so the nine royal merchants invited by Jia Cong were all carefully selected by him. Their loyalty to the court was one of the main factors in Jia Cong's choice.
Political review will never go out of style.
Baochai was wearing a simple and elegant light blue coat and a red cloak today. She was sitting by the window with Xue Biao.
Because they were wearing veils, although the heads and stewards of the other imperial merchants were wondering why the Xue family was still headed by a woman, they did not disturb a woman who had not left the cabinet at this time.
The Xue family is different now than before. The head of the Xue family, Xue Pan, is now an official of the third rank, and is the prince's confidant.
Even though they talked about the Xue family girl's public appearance in private, who would go crazy and talk about it in front of others.
Xue Biao has brought his sister to Beijing for half a year, and has been following Baochai to get familiar with the family business. The forces in the capital were complicated, and even a talented person like Xue Biao would not be able to take over all the power at once.
This time the Ministry of Household Affairs was invited, and it involved a million-dollar business, so Baochai had to bring Xue Biao over in person.
Xue Biao looked at the family heads and stewards who looked at him curiously from time to time. He knew why this was happening, and said to Baochai guiltily: "It's all my fault, causing my sister to suffer this embarrassment."
"What does it have to do with my second brother? I've long been used to it."
Baochai smiled nonchalantly and introduced the people in the elegant room to Xue Biao in a low voice: "The person who appreciates the paintings is from the Li family in Liaodong. He is backed by the Tu family, the prince-in-law, and his family accounts for 30% of the entire business in Liaodong. He The person next to me, the Shanxi Zhang family, is the younger brother of Zhang Siwei, the Right Chief Minister of Sichuan. After the eight major Shanxi merchants, the Zhang family became the number one. The person sitting there, sipping tea and listening to music, is named Cao, the Queen Mother's Cao..."
Xue Biao carefully remembered the introduction given to him by Baochai and roughly estimated the wealth of these families. I have to say that compared to Xue Pan, a rough guy, Xue Pan is more like Baochai's brother.
Handsome in appearance, outstanding in talent and learning, good in character, and well-educated...
Baochai personally took Xue Biao to the meeting, not just for this business. What she planned more was to take advantage of this rare opportunity to introduce various royal merchants in the capital to her cousin.
There will always be people to deal with in the future, and if you don’t know their background, your cousin will suffer a lot.
"Uncle Yongfeng has arrived!"
Crunch~
The door of the private room was pushed open, and Jia Cong walked in surrounded by Wei Ruolan and others.
"I'll meet my uncle later..."
"Hello everyone, take a seat."
Jia Cong sat down with everyone, and the piano player quietly retreated. Wei Ruolan, He Chong and others were arranged on the left side of Jia Cong. They sat down along several tables and laid out account books and pens, waiting for Jia Cong's words. command.
This was the first time for Xue Biao to meet Jia Cong. Sure enough, he was from the Jia family of Ning Rong. This face alone was enough to drive the Qinhuai River crazy.
"Uncle Ben invites you here today. He has a big business to discuss with you..."
Before Jia Cong finished speaking, there was a burst of discussion in the private room.
Among them, the head of the Cao family, Cao Desheng, as the president of the Beijing Chamber of Commerce, took the lead to speak: "Uncle, I dare to ask, but what about sending food to the grassland?".
Baochai and Xue Pan frowned almost at the same time, because when Cao Desheng asked this, the other seven families didn't seem surprised.
It seems that the Xue family has been excluded from the Beijing Chamber of Commerce.
Jia Cong was not surprised. Cao Desheng was the Empress Dowager's nephew. It would be strange if he could not find out about the Ministry of Household's intention to tender.
He smiled: "Master Cao is really well-informed about this matter."
Wow~
After receiving confirmation from Jia Cong, the discussion in Yajian became even louder. This is a business worth a total of 20 million taels, and it is also a great opportunity to open up the Mobei trade route. Who is not greedy?
Jia Cong did not stop the discussion of several people, but watched them calculating and discussing with great interest.
This business is too big for one or two companies to support, so the only way is to work together.
But Cao Desheng and others seemed to have forgotten that there was only so much food in the North. They wanted to take advantage of this business and left the Xue family. Where would they get food from?
You must know that the Xue family has been running Jiangnan for nearly a hundred years, and 30% of the grain ships on the canal are flying the flag of the Xue family.
When the discussion in the private room subsided a little, Jia Cong said leisurely: "Two million dan of grain, one hundred thousand jin of salt, and tea... will be sent to the Anbei Protector's Mansion within two months. Are you sure?"
"What? Two million stones? Two months? And salt and tea?"
Even Cao Desheng was a little hesitant now. The amount was too large and too urgent, completely beyond his imagination.
After the shock, the rest of the royal business owners and stewards huddled together again and started whispering. Too much, really too much. Not to mention salt and tea, the two million stones of food alone were not something they could gather in a short time.
If their information is correct, the amount of grain stored in the Hubu granary is less than 10 million dan now. It is necessary to focus on Jiubian first. It is impossible to consume the grain in the warehouse just for Anbei. This is what the Hubu granary needs this time. Why would you want to let them, the imperial merchants, take care of this matter?
Silver is a good thing, but if it delays the important affairs of the court, even the people behind them will be unable to save their lives.
Several people calculated for a while, and finally found that with their abilities, they could not complete it in two months.
Just when they were about to retreat, Jia Cong said quietly: "If this is done, I can promise you the wool business, and you can become a shareholder in the textile factory of the Ministry of Industry."
With one sentence, the words of these people to withdraw were stuffed back into their throats, and Baochai, who had been watching the show for a long time, couldn't help laughing.
In the quiet environment, Baochai's laughter, although small, was still very clear, and everyone's eyes turned to the window seat.
Jia Cong waved to Baochai and said with a smile: "Sister Bao remembers coming home to sit in her spare time. Grandma said she hasn't seen you for several days and misses you."
Baochai had already regained her dignity when everyone looked at her, and nodded to everyone to apologize.
After hearing what Jia Cong said to her, her heart warmed.
Why?
Because she just went to Rongguo Mansion to play a few days ago, it was impossible for the old lady to say this. Jia Cong's sister Shengbao was supporting him, and at the same time she was also telling these imperial merchants from the Capital Chamber of Commerce...
The Xue family must have a share in this big business of the Ministry of Household Affairs.
Baochai could think of it, how could Cao Desheng, the president of the Capital Chamber of Commerce, not think of it.
He quietly communicated with several people with their eyes. The head of the Zhang family, Zhang Sijiu, took the lead in nodding, and the others quickly nodded in acquiescence.
The Xue family has established a firm foothold in the capital, and the head of the Xue family is the prince's confidant. Even if the Beijing Chamber of Commerce does not want to be shared in the profits, it has to admit that this matter is inevitable.
At least with the Xue family, they can have someone to take care of them when they go to the south of the Yangtze River for business.
Cao Desheng raised his hands to Baochai and Xue Biao: "Second Master Xue, can you please step aside and recalculate the two million stones of grain and salt tea with us?"
Xue Biao did not agree directly, but looked at Baochai.
Baochai said directly: "Nowadays, the price of rice in the south of the Yangtze River is five qian per shi, and in the capital it is 7 qian. The Anbei Protectorate is thousands of miles away from the capital. If you want to send food there, it will cost nine out of ten. One stone of grain will cost at least five taels." Silver. Two million stones of grain, that’s ten million taels of silver.”
Cao Desheng and others admired the Xue family daughter's intelligence, and at the same time were a little annoyed that Baochai had put these data in the open.
If the bottom line is revealed, how can they make money?
But Baochai didn't care about this, because she was sure that the court knew all about this. Don't forget the two gods of wealth in Daxia, and now add Jia Cong, a great talent with natural wisdom.
Playing tricks in front of them is seeking death.
Baochai stood up and gave a blessing gift to Jia Cong: "When we are discussing business, I dare to say a number. If my uncle is willing, the Xue family can deliver these two million stones of food to the capital within twenty days."
He is bold and decisive, worthy of being at the helm of the Xue family!
Even if Cao Desheng and others were angry at Baochai's words, they had to admit that this woman was truly extraordinary.
Jia Cong was also interested in Baochai's behavior, raised his hand and said: "Sister Baochai, please speak."
Just listen to Baochai say: "The Anbei Protectorate is a long way away, and it is a newly attached place, so it is full of dangers. At eight taels per stone, two million stones of food can be delivered safely within two months."
Jia Cong shook his head, stretched out his hand and made a sign of six: "Six taels."
"Uncle Yongfeng, if you wait for six taels, we won't make any profit, and we might even have to lose money."
In Shangyanshang, no one among this group of royal merchants is willing to engage in loss-making business. They are indeed loyal enough to the court, but their loyalty cannot be eaten.
Sending one stone of grain to the grassland will cost five taels of silver, which is the lowest estimate. If something goes wrong along the way, according to Jia Cong's six taels of silver, he might even have to pay for it.
"Seven taels, this is the court's bottom line."
Jia Cong didn't bother to talk to this group of people. Behind each of these people was a big shot. It was not difficult to get the data calculated by the Ministry of Revenue earlier.
He directly revealed his bottom line. Cao Desheng's first reaction was not to discuss with several household owners and managers in the capital, but instead looked at the window.
Baochai nodded: "Seven taels is fine. Don't forget that we brought rice, grain and salt with us when we went there. We can't leave the carriage empty when we come back."
Snapped!
Cao Desheng slapped his forehead directly: "I'm all confused. We are not making money from these grains on this trip. Those cattle and sheep are the real profit."
Two million stones of grain, calculated as seven taels of silver, is equivalent to 14 million taels of silver.
As for the salt and tea leaves, they were just a supplement. Cao Desheng directly told Jia Cong that the Ministry of Revenue did not need to worry about it. They, the royal merchants, were loyal to His Majesty and sent it to the grassland at a reasonable price.
But they also have a request, that is, they want to take a stake in the textile business of the Ministry of Industry. Moreover, they wanted to start a wool business in the Anbei Protectorate and hoped to get support from the court.
Jia Cong naturally agreed, because his original idea was to bring in this group of imperial merchants and rely on their funds and trade routes to open up the wool textile market as quickly as possible and make the economy of the Anbei Protectorate run rapidly.
Otherwise, more than 10 million taels of silver are spent on blood transfusions in the grasslands every year, and no matter how rich you are, you won’t be able to afford it.
…
After the business was settled, the atmosphere in the private room became harmonious.
Baochai left a deep impression on these business leaders. She was decisive, intelligent, and generous. If such a woman were a man, even the president of the Beijing Chamber of Commerce might not be worthy of her.
Pity……
These three words appeared in the hearts of these family heads and stewards almost at the same time. Baochai behind the curtain just ate his rice silently, while Xue Biao dealt with these old foxes on behalf of the Xue family.
The two goals of coming here today have been achieved, and the next thing is what Xue Biao should do.
They were outside at this time, and it was hard for Jia Cong to squeeze behind the curtain to talk to Baochai. After drinking a glass of wine with these old foxes, he returned to the main seat and whispered to Wei Ruolan and others about what to do next.
As usual, the imperial court needed to pay an advance payment totaling seven million taels of silver, and the imperial merchants would pay the balance when they returned to the capital after the grain was safely delivered to the Anbei Protectorate on schedule.
This is a large project totaling 14 million taels of silver. It is related to the stomachs of the three million people of the Anbei Protectorate. There cannot be any mistakes.
The Ministry of Household Affairs not only has to conduct transactions, but also has to send people to check the quality of the grain and supervise the food delivery. It's troublesome...
Mu Congying's brows almost knitted together because Jia Cong, the hands-off shopkeeper, left the matter of paying the advance payment to him. The idea of signing a contract with each of the nine royal merchants and paying money according to their share is a headache.
He couldn't even eat. That was tens of millions of taels of silver. Even if he was the direct grandson of the Duke's mansion, his hand that could hold a pen was trembling.
Compared with Mu Congying, He Chong is much more interesting.
Ever since Baochai started negotiating with Jia Cong, he had been looking at the window. Jia Cong coughed and reminded him several times, but the guy didn't understand the meaning of the reminder.
When the curtains were hung in front of the window, He Chong's eyes still secretly looked at the figure behind the curtains.
The number of peeks increased. Not only did Jia Cong notice, but Wei Ruolan and others on the side also noticed something strange about He Chong.
Jia Cong held his forehead and coughed again to remind him, and even whispered: "Master He, be careful. If you lose etiquette, be careful when you go back. He Shangshu will hang you in front of your house and whip you."
Monthly ticket recommendation ticket
On the last day of August, I will update a 5,000-word chapter and ask for monthly votes.
It's the last day. Readers, please give me your votes if you have any. Although it's slower, I still insist on updating even though I stay up late. It’s not easy being a child~
(End of chapter)
