There is no doubt that the purpose of businessmen from Guangdong coming to visit us is to obtain more business opportunities.
A businessman's sense of smell for money is much more sensitive than that of a big wolfdog!
In short, it is just profit-seeking, where the money will go.
Although the reason was such, Qi Yu still felt a little confused and didn't quite understand.
Why?
Let's put it this way, as far as Qiongzhou is concerned at the moment, although it maintains close ties with Cantonese businessmen, it is only limited to the binding relationship in the spice trade. On weekdays, such transactions are basically completed at the dock of Yangcheng Mansion, so These Cantonese businessmen rarely come to Qiong.
But now, they have come all the way, and I don’t know why.
Could it be that something happened in the spice trade?
Well……
This is a top priority, directly related to the government's tax revenue, and must not be taken lightly.
Well, I have to see it!
Therefore, Qi Yu met the visiting Cantonese businessmen with an uneasy mood.
The result of the matter was far beyond his expectation. Everything in the spice trade was normal, and the cooperation between the two parties was very pleasant, and there was nothing wrong with it. The real purpose of their visit was to purchase glass made in Qiongzhou.
In addition, they also said that if agreed, the goods would be shipped directly from the dock in Qiongzhou, without any turnover during shipping, and directly shipped to various inland provinces for resale.
Currently, Qiongzhou is the only state capital in the country that has relaxed its maritime ban. Cargo ships from here can reach any place at will, but merchant ships from Yangcheng Prefecture do not have this privilege, so they made such a request.
Qi Yu never expected that they would covet the glass made in Qiongzhou.
However, it is not difficult to understand that they want to make huge profits from it.
Huge profits?
Yes!
As far as the current Fengguo is concerned, all glass products must be imported from overseas. Not only are the costs extremely high, but they are also rare. They are truly upper-class luxury goods.
But if such products can be purchased from Qiongzhou, the cost will be much cheaper. Needless to say, the profit can be calculated with your toes. That's why they are so anxious and excited.
So, how did they know that Qiongzhou had glass products?
It happened to be a coincidence that there happened to be an article discussing the quality of glass in the first issue of the "Qiongzhou Xunbao" not long ago, which happened to be browsed by them. After careful analysis, the Cantonese businessmen were able to A unanimous conclusion was drawn: Qiongzhou has a factory for glass products.
Oh, that’s what happened!
Qi Yu did not agree to this request, but instead went to Tan Junyan for private discussion.
"What is Guangling's opinion on this?"
"My lord, I think you can agree! The reason is very simple. The volume of export trade determines the tax revenue of the government. If you allow it, it will be of great benefit to our government's finances."
"Um……"
Qi Yu is naturally aware of the benefits, but he has some complicated worries.
What is that?
To put it bluntly, he is afraid of exposing Qiongzhou’s true strength!
Previously, in the official documents written to the court, I had always presented myself as a hard-working and poor person in a low-key manner. The purpose was to pursue stable development and not become the target of public attention. Just a few days ago, I even wrote a disaster report, requesting the Ministry of Household Affairs of the imperial court to allocate funds for assistance.
Glass products, don’t they reveal their secrets directly?
At that time, the emperor will think: Hey, you kid, aren't you quite capable? You have even invented the glass that foreign countries are good at. So why don't you pay a small tax to my treasury?
Cough, spit!
If this is the case, then you will suffer a big loss!
Qi Yu thought about it for a moment, and then said hesitantly: "There are benefits to selling, and there are benefits to not selling. It's really hard to make a decision!"
Now Tan Junyan has been in officialdom for a long time and knows the secrets well, so he admonished: "Sir, I believe that Qiongzhou's glass products can be concealed for a while, but not forever. I estimate that within a year, the court will We will find out about this through investigation from all parties. In this case, it is better to show it openly and make a little bit."
That's right. Something that is too eye-catching like this cannot be hidden for a long time.
That's all, at worst, if you don't cry about being poor in the future, just say that you can barely make ends meet?
Taking a step back, glass products are also hugely profitable, so let’s just make up for some economic losses!
Are glass products really a huge profit trade?
Yin Tao doesn't think so.
She thinks that if the glass can be slightly processed and then sold, this can be called a real huge profit business.
For example: mirror.
Well, when talking about mirrors, we have to mention its development history.
In ancient times, due to many limitations in materials and processes, people have always been in a vague era where copper was used as a guide. From a technical point of view, bronze mirrors are not only complicated to work with, but also easy to wear, making them quite impractical in reality.
Glass mirrors are very different. Its molding process is relatively simple, mass production can be achieved, and the cost is basically controllable. If coupled with its clear and cleaner image, it should be easy to popularize it. As for profits, there is only one word: high!
In fact, the manufacturing process of glass mirrors is not complicated and only requires metal tin and mercury. Although the current mercury is expensive, it can be easily obtained through the reaction of cinnabar and caustic soda. For Qi Dalang, a science student, this chemical reaction is simply a matter of sprinkling water.
As soon as this theory came out, it caused a huge response among the academic circles of the Polytechnic Institute and attracted a lot of attention.
Who cares most?
Ahem, then it depends on who likes to look in the mirror and admire themselves?
There is no other answer, naturally it is beauty.
Therefore, after Qi Yu proposed the idea of the Pegasus Starry Sky, Yin Tao devoted herself most actively to the experiment. As a result, within three days, she successfully completed the actual object.
Yes, the glass mirror was born, or it was invented.
Since you have invented such a rare treasure, why not sell it to make money?
Well, that makes sense!
Qi Yu thought for a moment and expressed his approval.
However, he divided the promotion of mirrors into three stages. They were used by the rich first, followed by the middle class, and then by ordinary people, using this to create a market. Of course, the price will also follow this sequence from high to low, and eventually move towards a popular price.
"Xiao Nizi, what do you think is the appropriate price for a round mirror?"
"It cannot be less than one hundred taels! Otherwise, you will lose the opportunity!"
Ahem~~
Isn't this too dark?
"What are you afraid of? Let's put it this way, as long as the first people who can afford to buy glass mirrors are either princes or nobles, they are local gentry. With the black hearts in their hands,
Money is nothing if you don't make it. "The beauty raised the corner of her mouth and said with a smile.
This seems to make sense, there are rare things to live in.
slaughter!
So Qi Yu accepted the proposal obediently.
Then, he ordered: "Oh, by the way, remember to ask the glass factory to help me make a special giant mirror. I have other uses."
"Giant mirror? How big is it?" Yin Tao asked curiously, her eyes flashing.
"Uh... about one foot high, half a foot wide, just over a finger thick." Qi Yu said while gesturing.
Really huge!
Yin Tao was slightly startled and asked, "What is the use of making such a big mirror?"
"Alas, this is the gift of the Holy Face..."
After saying that, Qi Yu sighed, and his face became worried about gain and loss.
Face to face?
oh, I get it!
Yin Tao is so smart, she just thought about it briefly and understood the meaning of her words.
What does it mean? Let’s listen to the explanation:
Next year will be the third year since Qi Yu took office as the prefect of Qiongzhou. According to the imperial official system, he will go to the Ministry of Personnel to report on his work. By then, even if he is not summoned by the Holy Emperor, tribute gifts are indispensable, and this huge mirror is the generous gift he prepared.
Reporting work in front of a saint is a normal thing in the officialdom, and it is somewhat similar to the work report in the previous life. However, Qi Yu doesn't think so.
So why?
Because at this point in time, it is still crucial for the imperial court to adjust its personnel.
For example, if the officials of the imperial court or even the emperor all think that a certain local official's political performance is relatively outstanding, they can take this opportunity to appoint another person, either for promotion or relegation, which is always the case. There is something about it. Of course, there are also some who were relegated because of being involved, such as our City God Su Shi.
However, either of these requires local officials to leave their original place of governance and go to other places to continue their official duties.
But the problem is, Qi Dalang doesn't want to leave the friendly Qiongzhou at all!
Niang Xipi's, the revolutionary base area that was conquered with great difficulty, how can we just let it go?
However, you can’t help yourself with this matter!
What if, I mean what if, the Emperor's head heats up, his thighs are slapped, and he is put to another use, what should he do?
You see, this is indeed a troublesome and worrying matter.
Regarding this matter, Yin Tao also said that there was no good countermeasure except shaking his head.
Is there no solution to this section?
Absolutely not!
My destiny is up to me and I cannot help it. I must firmly grasp the initiative and nip it in the bud.
The sage said that if a person has no long-term worries, he must have immediate worries. It is always good to make more plans.
Seeing that Yin Tao couldn't resist him, she didn't try to persuade him any more, so she could only hold Rourou in her mouth and let him leave with a sad look on her face.
She knew that he was a donkey now and could not be pulled back.
The only thing he could do was to make more connections to pave the way for his future.
Thinking of this, she hurriedly took out a pen and paper and wrote a letter of help to the nobleman far away in the capital.
Let's talk about Qi Yu, he was walking in a melancholy mood, seemingly without any purpose. However, his subconscious brought him to his mentor Meng Lanshan.
Uh, why are you here?
Forget it, then go visit your husband and see if he can give you some advice.
