The next day.
The newspaper matter is settled.
The next step is to discuss the New Year's Eve banquet.
"Do you know why we were summoned here this time?"
"I don't know. In the past, the Ministry of Commerce's decrees were conveyed in paper form. It seems that there is a lot of movement this time."
"I heard it was an order from the imperial court."
"Don't mention this. Look at who made this pastry. It tastes good."
"Yes, and this way of dining is quite novel."
A square in Hu County.
The merchants gathered together in a huddle.
Every few steps there is a table with pastries on it.
Open-air square, buffet food.
It's a bit crude. There are too many people and there's nothing we can do.
"Mr. Wei is here!"
As a merchant's voice sounded, everyone's eyes turned to the high platform.
I saw Wei Shuyu, wearing a crimson official robe, slowly stepping onto the high platform.
Behind him, Cui Shenji and Fang Yiai, wearing blue official uniforms, followed closely.
There is also an army of Imperial Academy officers.
That's right, the Imperial Academy army is playing hooky again!
"Thank you for coming to this meeting."
Wei Shuyu cupped his hands.
The merchants responded enthusiastically.
Under the leadership of the Ministry of Commerce, life for merchants has indeed become better.
After talking about some scenes, Wei Shuyu went directly to the topic...
"The reason why we have called everyone here this time is to announce two main things."
"The first thing... pay tribute!"
"This time the court will not ask for all the tribute."
"Instead, a part of it will be taken out and handed over to the Ministry of Commerce for sale."
What?
The eyes of the merchants all burst out with light.
Leave it to the Ministry of Commerce to sell, and to whom?
Naturally, they are businessmen...
In ancient times, honesty was the basis and it also had a brand effect.
But there is a saying...
The biggest brand is tribute!
As long as it has anything to do with tribute, the price will rise sharply.
Pure huge profits.
"Don't worry, everyone."
"Wei Shuyu said with a smile: "The Ministry of Commerce will notify you separately about the tribute. "
"Actually, the purpose of this meeting is for another matter..."
"Do you know..."
"This time the imperial court's rewards to various countries will no longer be materials, but a large amount of copper coins!"
"Do you know what this means?"
The merchants erupted again.
If you can't even figure this out, you're not worthy of being a businessman.
"What Mr. Wei means is..."
A merchant asked tentatively: "Let us keep these copper coins in the Tang Dynasty!"
"That's right!"
Wei Shuyu smiled and nodded: "This is a big business!"
"without any exaggeration……"
"As long as you talk sharply, it's not impossible to get rich overnight!"
All the merchants breathed heavily.
What makes you rich overnight?
To put it bluntly, you just kill them!
Merchants make money, and the court collects market taxes.
Foreign countries want to bring supplies back to their own country...
Why? You still have to pay customs duties!
Don’t want to buy supplies?
Then take the copper coins back...
Except in the Tang Dynasty, this thing is of no use if you take it back.
"Um...Mr. Wei, I have a backlog of defective porcelain in my warehouse."
"Not sure if this is possible……"
A merchant asked a little embarrassedly.
The Ministry of Commerce has expressly stipulated that substandard products must not be passed off as good products.
Once discovered, a fine will be imposed.
And it’s a heavy penalty!
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
Wei Shuyu scolded with a straight face: "We are guests from a foreign country, how can we do anything that damages the image of the Tang Dynasty!"
"Even if you want to sell it, you have to tell them about the defects!"
At first the merchant was quite disappointed.
But after hearing the follow-up words, his eyes suddenly lit up again.
It can be sold, right?
It's a good thing I didn't lose that crap.
A group of profiteers thought in their hearts that we are good at this job!
"okay."
Wei Shuyu pressed his hands down: "Let's talk about this first thing first. In short, there is only one request..."
"When foreigners come to the Tang Dynasty, they are your food, clothing, parents, Bodhisattvas, and Buddhas. You must support them and make them feel at home. You must not let them feel that the Tang Dynasty has neglected them!"
Understand, understand, understand...
We are the best at this.
The merchants showed knowing smiles.
"Let's talk about the second thing."
The merchants once again pricked up their ears and listened.
"New Year's Eve is approaching, and the imperial court wants to hold a New Year's Eve dinner. Your Majesty has handed over this matter to our Ministry of Commerce."
The merchants didn't know why.
They are businessmen, what does this matter have to do with them?
Even if there are merchants opening restaurants and inns.
But the chef of Guanglu Temple is not something they can compare with.
"Are you curious?"
"Why did the imperial court hand over this matter to the Ministry of Commerce?"
The merchants were very cooperative.
Start asking immediately.
Wei Shuyu nodded.
Businessmen are absolutely speechless when it comes to how they treat people.
"Because this time, the imperial court wants all people to celebrate together!"
"The whole Chang'an was brightly lit for three days and three nights!"
Wow.
The merchants burst into exclamations of surprise.
All people celebrate together?
There are more than ten thousand people in Chang'an.
If you count this in detail, it is an astronomical figure.
"Mr. Wei, you won't ask us to pay for this money, right?"
All of a sudden.
The exclamations suddenly stopped.
Everyone looked at Wei Shuyu in horror.
What merchants fear most is to be fattened and then be slaughtered!
"That's right!"
Wei Shuyu readily admitted.
As soon as these words came out, the expressions of the merchants changed suddenly.
The consumption in Chang'an as a whole...
Who can afford this?
"What's your expression?"
Wei Shuyu joked: "This is a great opportunity to make money!"
"Mr. Wei, I believe you won't cheat our businessmen like this, right?"
At this moment, a respected old businessman stood up.
"What's the trap?"
Wei Shuyu's eyes widened: "This is a job I finally snatched from the Ministry of Rites!"
All the merchants felt a chill in their hearts.
A thought suddenly occurred to them.
Wei Shuyu asked them to pay for his official career.
"Mr. Wei, just tell me..."
The old businessman said proudly: "How much money you need, we can give it within our ability!"
Everyone looked at Wei Shuyu blankly, fearing that he would make an offer that they could not refuse.
However, Wei Shuyu took a different approach...
"Old man, what you said is so stupid!"
"Tell me, do you usually do bribery a lot?"
The old merchant was frightened.
But he still replied stubbornly: "The old man has never done anything like this. It's just because what Dr. Wei has done before is admirable, so the old man is willing to provide part of the funds."
"Yeah?"
Wei Shuyu showed a smile and said: "Little Jiji, bring him a stool and investigate him strictly!"
"oh oh……"
Cui Shenji: "Remains, move the stool!"
Fang Yiai: "Xiao Shandao, move the stool!
Qin Shan said: "Brother Xiu Xiu, move the stool!"
Wang Xiu tilted his head, "We are bringing our little brother here today!"
"Xiao Weiwei, move the stool!"
Chai Zhewei: "..."
I have made meritorious deeds, is it appropriate to ask a meritorious official to move a stool?
Uh-huh...
Several people looked at him.
Chai Zhewei was so excited that he went to move the stool.
When I take the position of the boss of the Imperial College, the first thing I will do is to ask you to move stools for one month, no, three months!
"Thank you...Thank you, Dr. Wei."
The old merchant was completely confused.
"Everyone!"
Wei Shuyu's expression became solemn: "I must reiterate here..."
"Excluding taxes, fines and other things that are within the Tang Law."
"The Ministry of Commerce will not ask for money from everyone in any form!"
"If you find officials asking for money in name, you can complain to me!"
"Once discovered, severe punishment will be given!"
The eyes of the merchants changed again and again.
This is why they trust Wei Shuyu.
"alright…"
Wei Shuyu waved his hand: "Let's continue talking about the New Year's Eve banquet."
"Aren't you very curious, how do we make money?"
Wei Shuyu looked at the old businessman...
"This old man, I wonder if you have a shop in Chang'an."
The old merchant was frightened and quickly got up.
Then he carefully replied: "The old man's family is quite rich, and he has touched all walks of life."
Damn it.
Seeing how sloppily you are dressed, I didn’t expect you to be an old rich man.
All walks of life are touched, and they will all belong to the group in future generations!
"good……"
Wei Shuyu thought for a while: "I wonder if I can run a restaurant?"
"have!"
The old merchant nodded.
"If people are allowed to eat freely on New Year's Eve, can you bear it?"
"Can!"
The old businessman gritted his teeth and responded.
Although it hurts a bit.
The seat given by Wei Shuyu alone was worth his investment.
"Don't be so forced."
Wei Shuyu said with a smile: "In business, everything is about doing your best."
"And you can't handle so many people."
The old businessman was embarrassed.
This is a fact.
"What if you only have a limited supply?"
Um?
The old businessman was stunned. If it was limited, he could save a lot of money.
Just when he was calculating the appropriate limit, Wei Shuyu spoke again...
"What if I ask you to supply it for a limited time?"
Damn it.
It’s even more economical for a limited time.
As soon as the thought came to an end, Wei Shuyu spoke again...
"What if you are only allowed to taste one or two dishes for free?"
Damn it.
The loss is almost painless.
"Have you ever thought that the passenger flow at that time will be terrifyingly large!"
"You only offer one or two dishes for free, and the others are charged as usual."
"Even some exquisite dishes can be increased in price..."
Shit, shit, shit.
After doing this calculation, not only did he not lose anything, he also made a lot of money!
"Think again, once the free supply comes up."
"Do the people think of you well?"
"Next time you have money, will you come to your store again?"
Shit, shit, shit.
In ancient times, the most important thing was word of mouth, which spread instantly.
"the most important is……"
"If you do this, if you all do this, will the image of merchants in the hearts of the people improve?"
Fuck, Fuck, Fuck, Fuck, Fuck!
The old man was shocked and speechless.
After a while, the old merchant saluted Wei Shuyu...
"Listening to Dr. Wei's words is better than doing business for half a lifetime!"
"Mr. Wei's talent in business is something that the old man is ashamed of!"
Turning around, the old merchant looked at all the merchants...
"Everyone.
"We, Wanbao Trading Company, fully support this New Year's Eve dinner!"
