On August 13th, apart from the fact that the Ministry of Rites, Guanglu Temple and Taichang Temple were still busy, the officials from various ministries and yamen had basically gone home to prepare for the festival.
Jia Cong begged a lot of money from his father-in-law, Mr. Lin, and started working as a money-distributor. He visited the Rites and Works yamen twice, throwing coins everywhere, and finally received no resentful looks from his colleagues.
Yingchun temporarily returned to her parents' home to live, and the Rongguo Mansion kept her small courtyard, just like it was when she was not married, peaceful and without any hustle and bustle.
Coupled with the careful care of the old lady and Mrs. Xing, Liu Xianglian had enough energy and time to handle the affairs of the Duke's Mansion with peace of mind.
However, the old lady and Mrs. Xing are not only worried about a pregnant woman in Yingchun. Sister Feng has a baby again, and the time is not much different from Yingchun.
This strong woman, if the old lady hadn't asked the imperial doctor to check Yingchun's pulse, she would not have known that she was almost three months pregnant.
Second Master Lian was overjoyed. The colleague and friend who had recently invited him to have a drink were now unable to drag him away, and he was focused on staying at home and becoming one of the top ten good men.
Pregnant women hold it in their mouths.
Although Sister Feng was not unhappy, her appetite was not very good.
Second Master Lian searched almost the entire capital, but couldn't find anything that his wife liked to eat.
In the end, he decided to go to the imperial kitchen and sold his younger brother to His Highness the Crown Prince. In exchange for two highly skilled imperial chefs from the palace, all the eldest daughter and family members in the palace were blessed.
As for poor Brother Cong, seeing that everyone in the city was enjoying the rare holiday leisure, he could only stay in the East Palace, sharing a table with the equally miserable and depressed Crown Prince, dealing with the overwhelming workload on his desk. Memorial document.
"Alas~"
"Alas~"
"well!"
One after another, the overtime duo looked up at each other with sympathy, then reluctantly picked up their pens and continued to review official documents.
Daxia can really be said to have a vast territory now, with thousands of countries coming to visit.
Even if the official documents sent from various places every day have been screened and sorted by the six cabinets, it is enough to keep the emperor awake for several hours.
Those who could be sent to the East Palace were military and political matters that were not considered serious and urgent and were specially selected by the emperor, saying that the prince would come and practice his skills.
But whether the emperor wanted to let his son practice, or simply cheated his son because he was too tired, he knew it himself.
This made the two of them busy in the East Palace for a whole morning before they were able to deal with everything.
Gong'e brought a simple lunch, and the two of them gathered around the table and chatted about the official business they had just dealt with while putting food into their mouths.
"Hmm~ The news of the World Expo has reached Guangzhou. Many foreign merchants complained to the Guangzhou Shipping Department that the court did not notify them in advance, causing them to miss this good opportunity... This roast duck is good, brother Cong. You taste it.”
Jia Cong also saw the memorial, which was jointly sent to the capital by the Guangzhou Shipping Department and the Guangzhou Fuyamen.
The main thing is that foreign merchants from various countries in Guangzhou requested the Municipal Shipping Department and the government to come forward, and wanted to report to the court, hoping to extend the duration of the World Expo. They were rushing to the capital in a hurry.
The huge Celestial Market was no different from paradise to these barbarian merchants from a small country with few people.
Back then, a man named Ma returned to the West from China and wrote a travel diary. The book recorded the prosperity of China.
The Celestial Dynasty had developed industry and commerce, bustling markets, gorgeous and cheap silk brocades, a magnificent capital city, perfect and convenient post road transportation, widely circulated banknotes, etc.
When they arrive in Middle-earth, what they want to do most is to kick Marco Polo's ass...
"How could there be such a civilized country in the world? Marco Polo's dry words did not describe the eventualities of the Celestial Empire at all!"
In the cities of China, they don’t have to wear ridiculous high heels because there will be no human and animal excrement on the ground.
They don't have to worry about the terrible Black Death, because there is the most advanced medical technology here, and they don't need to cut themselves and bleed...
The nobles of Daxia like the novelties brought by the barbarians. Even the ordinary people of Daxia have good financial strength to buy goods they think are useful.
This is the richest country and the most civilized paradise in the world...
Along with the official documents, tributes from the barbarian merchants and exaggerated letters were sent to the capital.
The prince may not quite understand why these barbarians attach so much importance to this world expo.
But Jia Cong knew their thoughts very well. As long as they could get a small booth in this event, they would have the opportunity to display their products to the entire Eastern world.
This is much more convenient and more cost-effective than their step-by-step hawking, and this opportunity is too rare. Not to mention sending tributes worth five or six hundred thousand to the palace, half of the money is used to clear it. As long as this road can be opened, They all think it's worth it.
Jia Cong gave Liu Hong a detailed analysis of the influence of the World Exposition and the thoughts of the Yi merchants.
His Royal Highness, who has never been very sensitive to business and economics, also saw the mystery and finished the food in the bowl with a huff.
"Brother Cong, let's go to Nancheng to take a look at the preparations for the World Expo!"
…
The Ministry of Household Affairs allocated a million taels of silver and recruited a large number of manpower and craftsmen. With the cooperation of the Ministry of Works, it took just over half a month to build a brand new market covering almost one square meter outside Yongding Gate.
In the eyes of Liu Hong, who left the palace incognito, the World Expo Convention and Exhibition Center was in its final stages. There were not only black-haired and dark-eyed commoners from the imperial dynasties, but also a large number of foreign merchants.
They have received their vouchers from the Ministry of Household Affairs, and despite the hot weather, they have set up their own shops, booths and even small stalls with their own hands.
Mr. Lin was quite restrained and never thought of fishing all the water.
Although this group of Yi merchants spent a lot of money, they felt a little hurt.
But when they think of the World Expo that will be held the day after tomorrow, they all get so excited that they order their subordinates to place their treasures in the most conspicuous places.
Jia Cong led Liu Hong slowly around the chaotic market that smelled of wealth everywhere, and explained in a low voice all kinds of hairy barbarians.
"According to statistics from the Ministry of Household Affairs, the total expenditure of the national treasury is less than 1.1 million taels of silver. The income from these shops, booths and stalls alone has so far exceeded 1.5 million taels of silver. This does not include the sales starting from this month. In terms of commercial tax income, my father-in-law is really making a fortune this time!"
A small shop dares to sell ten thousand taels of silver. My father-in-law is really ruthless!
This group of barbarian merchants also dared to buy. They were sure that the cost was definitely worth it. They believed that Daxia's huge market would bring them huge wealth.
The three generations of monarchs of the old Liu family all had the problem of "greed for money". After hearing Jia Cong's introduction, Liu Hong felt that the sound of coins colliding was always in his ears. It was so sweet~
The red-haired, blue-haired, and yellow-haired people who originally thought they were weird and weird all felt a lot more friendly. They even asked Jia Cong for a few words in Malay, French, and some other languages, and went to the shop that was not prepared yet to inquire about the products. price.
It took the two of them, who were proficient in foreign languages, more than half an hour to browse half of the shops on the street. They roughly understood the economic strength of these shops and began to calculate how much tax revenue could be generated here.
It didn't matter, both of them were shocked.
"I'm afraid Mr. Lin is planning to raise a chicken that can lay golden eggs in the capital..."
"Fourth brother, let's not talk about chicken..."
Jia Cong complained for a while, raised his forehead and said: "I didn't expect that it was just a temporary international expo that would attract so many foreign merchants! No wonder my uncle built the market outside the city. When there are more people, It’s easy to cause trouble, let alone a foreigner.”
Those who are not from my race must have different thoughts. This group of Mao merchants are not just merchants. Those who can take the fleet to sea to "dig for gold" are almost all nobles or representatives of nobles from Western countries.
When ashore, they are harmless to humans and animals. When they go out to sea, they wrap one eye with a piece of cloth, and they are murderous and plundering pirates.
Lin Ruhai had been in office in Jiangnan for a full ten years and was very aware of the virtues of Chinese and foreign maritime merchants. He didn't want the barbarians to cause trouble in the capital, so he would just leave it outside the city.
Anyway, the land outside the city is cheaper. A piece of land worth ten taels was sold to him for ten thousand. Can I, Lin Ruhai, set the beads in my abacus loud enough?
Liu Hong was already considering whether to buy a shop in the market and let his servants run it so that he could earn a few taels of silver to supplement his "household income". However, he saw an official in a green robe running out of breath. in front of.
"Russell, a member of the household department, pays homage to Mrs...."
Jia Cong quickly grabbed Russell who was about to bow to him and said in a low voice: "Your Highness is visiting privately incognito, so don't make it known to everyone. Let's go and talk in a secluded place."
In just a short moment, Russell, the biggest official in the city, had the whole street focus on a few people.
If he was allowed to shout out, how could the two brothers pretend to be pigs and eat tigers in the city from now on?
Russell also came to his senses, and in panic, he invited the two of them to the temporary Fangshi Management Office set up by the Ministry of Household Affairs.
A cup of tea was served, along with various fruits that were obviously tributes from barbarian merchants from various countries.
To have such a leisurely place in this noisy city, Russell was really lucky!
But neither Liu Hong nor Jia Cong cared much about this minor problem.
Russell's abilities were truly outstanding. Jia Cong looked through the account books and records that Russell had given him. This fifth-grade foreigner, who had just been promoted from the Quanzhou Shipping Department, was not only good at managing finances, he was also good at handling complicated and complicated matters. There are many brushes for market transactions and taxes.
This guy actually knows how to charge a small amount of health management fees and recruit people to form a health team to maintain the cleanliness of the city.
In this regard, it is much more difficult than those stubborn people in the government who follow the old ways.
Liu Hong was also full of praise for this. Russell, who had been worried and uneasy just now, finally felt relieved and began to introduce the situation of the market to the two big bosses in an orderly manner, as well as his views on the future operation of the market.
"This group of Yi people not only intend to bring their country's goods to our Daxia to sell, they may make some money, but definitely not much. Their main purpose is to purchase exquisite silk, porcelain, and tea from our Daxia Waiting for things unique to the Celestial Empire to be brought back to the West in exchange for gold and silver. The Yi people have already made countless wealth from the sea..."
Russell had been dealing with the Yi people for several years in the Quanzhou Shipping Department, and he knew very well how the Yi people made money.
Rough, yet extremely effective.
He cupped his hands towards the north and admonished Liu Hong: "God bless the Great Xia, the Holy King is at the court. Your Majesty has decreed to open the sea, and this time it is our turn. Your Highness, I intend to set up a commodity trading center in the market." This place is specifically responsible for concentrating the various goods of our dynasty, making it easier for the Yi people to trade with the merchants of the celestial dynasty..."
Um?
Liu Hong was a little confused, what's the use?
Jia Cong has roughly understood Russell's thoughts, good guy, isn't this a trade intermediary~
"With the endorsement of the imperial court, this Commodity Trading Office can ensure the safety of business and can also supervise the trade flow of bulk commodities. The most important thing is that the Commodity Trading Office cannot work in vain. Both parties to the trade need to pay a certain amount of money. .”
Liu Hong frowned: "No, isn't this competing with the people for profit? The princes of the court will not agree. Moreover, if you collect too much, those merchants will not be happy. If you collect too little, what will happen?" How much money do you want to earn? It’s not worth it to make yourself stinky just for that little money!”
ah? How much money? Your Highness, are you thinking too simply?
Russell wanted to speak out, but he was worried about losing face to the prince and making him unhappy, so he had no choice but to turn his eyes for help to Uncle Cong who was standing aside!
Uncle, you know technology, please help~
Liu Hong was not very proficient in the mysteries of business, but Jia Cong understood.
After receiving Russell's look for help, he whispered in Liu Hong's ear: "Fourth brother, those Ya people in the capital are doing similar work, and they are all extremely rich. Commodity Trading Office With the endorsement of the imperial court, it is much better than those Ya people. I believe that not only Western businessmen, but also established businessmen will flock here to trade."
Liu Hong understood instantly and his eyes lit up.
"In this case, what...the Commodity Exchange Office earns no less than the taxes it receives?"
Russell knew there was something going on as soon as he heard it, but he was still not stupid enough to trick the prince.
He quickly bowed and said: "That's not true. Commercial tax will be the largest source of income from the market here, followed by the income from the commodity trading office. I am still thinking about adding a few more projects, such as what this group of barbarians will do to us I am more interested in the life of the Celestial Court and the nobles, and especially like to imitate the lifestyle of the Celestial nobles. I plan to set up an exhibition of Chinese clothing, food, housing and transportation to display and sell the most popular exquisite Chinese clothes, cars, utensils..."
Before Liu Hong could react, Jia Cong stood up and slapped Russell hard on the shoulder, who was bowing to perform.
"You're a fucking business genius!"
This group of barbarians probably would never have imagined that a toothy glutton was lying next to them, intending to try its best to devour them all.
Liu Honggang finally understood the business model of the commodity trading office and heard a new word.
He looked at the excited Jia Cong with confusion and asked, "Is there any profit?"
Jia Cong nodded heavily: "You can definitely make money!"
The prince grinned when he heard that there was money to be made.
He also followed Jia Cong's example and patted Russell twice on the other shoulder: "Then do it. I'll support you and do it boldly!"
Monthly ticket recommendation ticket
Thanks for the extraordinary reward!
I’ll stop here tonight and continue tomorrow. Good night!
(End of chapter)
