If grain is used as the benchmark, one tael of silver in the Tang Dynasty is about equivalent to two thousand yuan in later generations. Silver is cheap and copper is expensive, and although copper coins are officially one or two silver, copper coins are actually more valuable than silver.

Xu Qilin's positioning of the mirror is a luxury, not an ordinary luxury, a small mirror the size of a palm is estimated to be sold for 100 guan, and a square one foot is around 10,000 guan.

Converted into the currency of later generations, that is, 200,000 and 20 million, it is not too much to say that it is sky-high, although this comparison is not very appropriate.

If measured according to the Tang Dynasty officials' salaries, Lu rice, manpower, vocational fields, monthly miscellaneous payments, regular in-kind treatment and special in-kind treatment are added together, the annual salary of a first-grade official is about more than 800,000 yuan, and the ninth grade is 780,000 yuan.

Xu Qilin is a fifth-grade official, with an annual salary of about 300,000 yuan. Compared with the price of the mirror, even he felt that it was a bit expensive, and he was a little apprehensive.

Therefore, he felt that it might be more certain to try the water first. The auction was naturally the first thing he thought of, but he was a little unsure whether it would be the case again and again.

If the price is clearly marked and sold as a normal commodity, then it is necessary to get a reference basis.

At the same time, Xu Qilin also has a more ambitious arrangement, that is, to establish a private organization similar to the commodity exchange in later generations.

As for the articles of association of the commodity exchange, Xu Qilin has formulated it, which is a bit sketchy, but the main points are included. For example, exchange membership, delivery and refund of performance deposits, price indication, etc.

Of course, Xu Qilin didn't write futures at all, which was too advanced.

First of all, he hoped to provide an orderly trading venue, provide open trading prices and unified trading rules, and achieve unimpeded information, fair prices, and fair buying and selling through this centralization.

For the imperial court, the establishment of an exchange would speed up the circulation of goods and collect more taxes. And this is a flying ticket for large transactions, first laying a little foundation.

So, Xu Qilin sent an invitation to some big businessmen in Chang'an on the first day of the New Year's holiday for court officials.

Although the word "big" is crowned in front, there are still dozens of businessmen who come to the meeting. I have to say that even if the commerce of the early Tang Dynasty was not really prosperous, there were many wealthy businessmen.

Xu Qilin's name is still relatively loud, the development of two commercial and residential areas outside the city, as well as the issuance of "Minsheng Daily", and then there are five official bodies, or the royal big Ying Ku Kucheng.

Together, these identities have to remind many businessmen of His Majesty Li Er. And Xu Qilin's words and deeds are also very likely to represent His Majesty's will.

Therefore, as soon as Xu Qilin appeared, although his attitude was cordial, he did not put on any official show. But the businessmen are very respectful and courteous.

After Xu Qilin sat down, his eyes swept over the businessmen present, some of whom knew each other, but more of them met for the first time.

Regardless of whether they know each other or not, the profit-seeking nature of businessmen is the same, including Xu Qilin.

There was no much nonsense, Xu Qilin briefly explained his intentions, then distributed the printed charter, sipped the tea himself, and waited for these businessmen to react.

Businessman Zhou Guifu was not the first to see the secret, but he dared to speak first. Because his identity is not simple, he is the white glove of the Lingnan Feng family doing business in Chang'an, and he met Xu Qilin through Feng Zhidai.

With this relationship, Zhou Guifu feels that he can be cheered. Of course, he also admires Xu Qilin's idea.

You must know that for merchants, it is most important to ship the goods to them.

If you can't find a buyer for a while, you have to stay all the time, and you need money for warehousing in the store, and money for eating, drinking, and living, not to mention delaying time.

If you traffic goods to the Chang'an Exchange, you don't have to go through the trouble of asking around, marking the variety and price of your goods, and the buyers will naturally come to discuss in detail.

In time, this commodity exchange will be crowded. I don't know how many people want to sell and buy all kinds of goods.

As long as the goods are delivered here, they can go directly to the exchange and negotiate the deal as soon as possible. Even the goods sometimes don't even have to be put into storage, so they are negotiated in advance and wait directly on the dock.

"Xu Cheng is very wise, and this charter is very good."

Zhou Guifu arched his hand, and when Xu Qilin looked up, he said respectfully: "The villain thinks that it can be improved slightly, for example, by obtaining information from merchants from the south and north, you can know the approximate price of commercial goods in other places. If it is used as a reference marker, it may be convenient for traders and increase the popularity of the exchange. ”

Xu Qilin immediately remembered the kind of signage of the commodity exchanges of later generations, London, New York, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur...... There was a feeling of time being out of order, and I was stunned for a while.

Zhou Guifu saw that Xu Qilin didn't say a word, thinking that his suggestion was not to his liking, so he hurriedly distinguished: "The villain is rude, please don't take it seriously." ”

The ancients were smart, at least in this business wisdom, not worse than themselves, but only the limitations of vision and thinking. And once there is a breakthrough under his own prompting, he has the ability to draw inferences.

Xu Qilin showed an appreciative smile on his face, stretched out his thumb at Zhou Guifu, and praised: "Pick up the missing and fill in the gaps, draw inferences from one another, Boss Zhou is really amazing." ”

"Xu Cheng has won the award." Zhou Guifu hurriedly bowed down and gave up his hand, not wanting Xu Qilin to be so respectful.

Xu Qilin bowed his head appreciatively, and said with a smile to the other businessmen: "You don't have to be restrained, just speak freely." Those who have knowledge and ability may join the management committee of this exchange, so don't miss the opportunity. ”

As soon as he said this, the eyes of the merchants lit up and they became enthusiastic. Although this management committee is not an official title, from the point of view of the constitution, the power is not small. For example, mediating commercial disputes, judging the quality of goods, commercial fraud, etc.

Xu Qilin listened to all kinds of suggestions, expressed his appreciation for good and bad, and asked the clerk to take notes carefully.

Obviously, most people don't want to pass up this opportunity to perform. is not only showing a small face in front of everyone, but it is more likely to attract Xu Qilin's attention.

Xu Qilin also secretly remembered the names of several businessmen, and felt that they were clear-headed and insightful. After all, it is not certain whether he will directly manage the exchange, and it is always good to find some smart people.

Moreover, the commodity exchange will be an institution of self-governance by businessmen, and the government will only supervise and adjudicate, and will not be prepared to get involved too deeply. He has an official body, which is really not very suitable.

After the affairs of the commodity exchange were discussed for the time being, Xu Qilin took out a mirror and placed it on the table in the hall for all the businessmen to evaluate.

At first glance, the merchants were amazed at this novel plaything. Watching and admiring around the table, looking at the clear reflection in the mirror, their eyes widened, and some people involuntarily changed their expressions comically.

A Hu businessman's eyes widened with excitement, and he kept pulling his beard, obviously seeing the opportunity to make a fortune, he arched his hand to Xu Qilin, and said, "Xu Cheng, I don't know how much this thing is worth?" ”

Xu Qilin pretended to be profound, smiling but not speaking.

"Even if this item is sold in Chang'an, it will definitely be worth a fortune." Zhou Guifu deliberately made it bad, and also pointed out the most important trick.

You can sell it for a good price here, and if you want to sell it outside the country, won't you make more money? So, if you want to get it, don't think about it when the price is low.

In fact, Xu Qilin also knows that selling mirrors overseas is a huge profit. Whether it is the Maritime Silk Road or the Land Silk Road, there are many extremely wealthy people in the countries they go to, not to mention the royal family.

Of course, the current Maritime Silk Road is not prosperous, and it is mainly overland through the Western Regions, going to Central Asia, East Asia, and even European countries.

"Is Yangzhou worse than Chang'an?" Not to be outdone, another merchant said, "If you talk about the degree of wealth, you should not let it go." ”

Yangzhou in the Tang Dynasty was, of course, a place worthy of "wandering". "The lights of the city bridge are even in the sky, and the water Guo Fan is nearly half a cow", "The night market is full of thousands of lights, and the high-rise buildings are full of red-sleeved customers"; The people of the time called it "between the Jianghuai River, the big town of Guangling, and the rich world".

Or it can be sold in Hangzhou, Fuzhou, and Guangzhou. This treasure was transported overseas by the Fanren, in order to be presented to the foreign court, as a step to the promotion, what is the yellow and white thing? Another businessman came to show that he was clever in thinking, and after speaking, he showed a flattering look to Xu Qilin.

No matter where it is sold, the future is bright! Xu Qilin smiled and said, "After the New Year, a public auction should be held." In the future, it may be sold at a normal price. Of course, in the exchange, you are all your own people, and there must be discounts. ”

After a pause, Xu Qilin stretched out his finger and pointed to the mirror on the table, and continued: "This side is exhibited here as a sample. Here, a certain set it up as a treasure exhibition hall, and any rare treasures in your hands can also be exhibited together. ”

Zhou Guifu rolled his eyes, and wanted to take over this deal on behalf of the Feng family, even if it was just a few more sides, and it would be very profitable to sell it to maritime merchants in Guangzhou.

But what kind of conditions do you have to come up with to make Xu Qilin tempted? Well, now in front of everyone, don't talk about it yet, it's not too late to talk after meeting in private.

Seeing that the businessmen were thoughtful, they were obviously estimating the value and profit, and some of them were puzzled and wanted to ask for details.

Xu Qilin smiled bitterly and said: "The output of this treasure mirror is very small, and it is the limit to be able to produce twenty pieces of such quality a year." ”

Oh, apparently a few businessmen breathed a sigh of relief, and now they had a bottom in their hearts.

Twenty yuan a year, even if it's Datang, such a big place, so many rich people, still worried about not being able to sell it? At least, the value of this treasure mirror will not drop much in five or six years.

…………

The treasure exhibition hall is very popular, in addition to the one-foot-square mirror, Xu Qilin also brought some of his own commercial goods.

Although the optical glass has not been made in half of the time, it does not prevent Xu Qilin from replacing it with natural crystal. Telescopes are definitely military supplies and cannot be manufactured and sold. However, monocle myopia glasses and reading glasses were put on the market a year ago.

Other businessmen are not far behind, and this is a great way to advertise for free and increase visibility. Regardless of whether it is a treasure or not, at least one booth will be reserved anyway, so you don't have to use it in vain.

Of course, the news spread far and wide, and most of the people who came came to see the treasure mirror. It is said that some Hu businessmen have prepared funds to bid at the auction after the year.

And on the booth where the mirror is placed, of course, the price is not indicated, showing the value of a strange commodity.

"If you can get the treasure mirror for 6,000 guan and sell it overseas, you should be able to make a profit of thousands of kan, right?" A merchant reckoned that this made the eyes of several of his companions red.

"There are only twenty treasure mirrors produced in a year, even in Datang, and it will not be less than eight thousand." A short and fat merchant whispered: "If you win it for 8,000 guan and sell it for 10,000 guan, it's not very difficult, right?" ”

"There are royal relatives, powerful and high-ranking officials who have come to see the treasure mirror, if they join the bidding, I don't know how far this price will go?" Some people grinned, thinking that the auction must be fiercely competitive and difficult to win.

"I'm afraid that overseas merchants will also come to grab the goods." The companion touched his beard under his chin and said without worry: "If they sell these precious mirrors overseas, how can they make a profit of thousands of dollars?" ”

"yes!" The short and fat merchant scratched his face and thought deeply, "Those Fan Merchants, who come and go to the sea with good deeds, sell spices and produce huge profits, and their financial resources are invincible. ”

"Before they know the news, they have to buy one or two sides this time." The companion gritted his teeth and said, "Even if it's small, if you sell it out, you should make a sure profit." ”

"Exactly, exactly." Humpty Dumpty nodded repeatedly.

The so-called big treasure mirror is one foot square. The small ones are the size of a palm and can be carried around. Xu Qilin only said that the big one was twenty times a year, but the small one did not disclose the specific number.

Even if it is big, Xu Qilin does not plan to build only twenty faces a year. Like the Feng family, the partner can secretly put a few or a dozen sides out and ship overseas through the port of Guangzhou.

Like Zhou Guifu, he has already given a generous gift, but he did not explain at what price to buy a few mirrors. His identity is not enough, he just lays down the front station, and Feng Zhidai comes to contact him in the back.

And Xu Qilin can't determine the price, and there will be no basis until the auction is over. Or reduce the high price of the auction by 10%, or 20%, so as to clearly mark the price and bring the mirror to the market.

At this time, Xu Qilin had already entered the palace, and asked Xiao Zhao to go to Bingxia Palace with a mirror, and he took one to the Qianqiu Palace.

His Royal Highness did not wait, and almost after the palace people reported, His Majesty Li Er asked the palace people to lead Xu Qilin in.

Xu Qilin entered the hall, saw that the ceremony was over, directly presented the mirror, and waited for His Majesty Li Er to speak.

"This is the priceless mirror?"

His Majesty Li Er had obviously heard of it, but when the mirror was placed in front of him, looking at the clear reflection inside, it was so delicate that even the pores could be seen clearly, and he couldn't help but widen his eyes and show a look of shock.

Xu Qilin watched His Majesty Li Er turn his neck and stare at the portrait in the mirror, his face was full of incredulity and shock, he couldn't help but purse the corners of his mouth, and said in his heart: I haven't seen it, I've never seen myself so clearly, I have a stubble beard, and I think I'm very handsome!