In the afternoon of the same day, Gusu City.

In the name of Simin's Mansion, Gong Wanran summoned the wealthy merchants of the whole city, and everyone gathered in the Zuiliu Building on the side of Mingxin Lake. Zuiliulou is the largest and most luxurious restaurant in Gusu City, which is a place where dignitaries like to come on weekdays, and today it is full of friends and VIPs.

There are three floors in the drunken willow building, there is a wing room on the top floor, called Lanshui Pavilion, outside the window of Lanshui Pavilion is Mingxin Lake, the lake is rippling, the willow garden flowers, the breeze blows into the Lanshui Pavilion through the carved window, with warm water vapor, it makes people feel refreshed and happy.

The wealthy businessmen didn't care about the beautiful scenery outside the window, and the three of them gathered together and talked about business in a low voice. At this time, an old man dressed in splendid clothes led Gong Hui Ran into Lanshui Pavilion. This person's name is Yu Xianyao, the richest merchant in Gusu City, and the owner of this drunken willow building.

When the merchants saw the public, they immediately quieted down, and each of them saluted, showing great respect. After some etiquette, everyone sat down.

The public was in the main position, sitting opposite the rich merchants. Afterwards, Gong Hui stood up and toasted the wealthy businessmen: "I invite you to come here today, not only to discuss this year's business plan, but also to thank the businessmen represented by you for their great contributions to the prosperity of the country. Come, please drink this cup together. ”

"Lord Xie Gonghui!" The wealthy businessmen spoke in unison.

Gong Wan raised his glass, exchanged respects with the wealthy businessmen, and drank it all.

Yu Xianyao saluted to Gong Hui Ran and said, "Lord Gong Hui, the old man thanked the Lord on behalf of all the merchants. ”

As soon as the words fell, the wealthy businessmen also began to comment.

"Yes, yes, thank you, Lord Gonghui."

"Lord Gonghui is a rare good official."

"Thanks to the fact that Lord Gonghui lowered his taxes, I can only make money!"

Yu Xianyao waved his hand, and the wealthy businessmen behind him immediately quieted down, and Yu Xianyao continued: "Lord Gonghui, you can summon us here for a small gathering, it really makes this old and decayed small building shine!" ”

"It is also a blessing to be able to gather with you through Yu Lao's treasure land."

"My lord, that's a bad word. Although we have a few stinky money, we have always had a low status and are despised by others. There are also people who say that we are national thieves, who have enriched ourselves but have made the people poor. Only you, my lord, only you know our heart for the country! Before the adults took office, the Simin Mansion, the Sikou Mansion and even the army often set up a name to collect all kinds of taxes and fees from the merchants, and it was not easy for us to do some business! ”

"It's not easy to be a businessman, I know that very well. And I have never doubted your devotion to the country. ”

"After the Lord Gonghui took office, he encouraged the merchants, abolished the miscellaneous taxes, and the commercial market prospered, and the meritorious deeds of the adults are really praised by all the people! The old decay led all the businessmen to respect the princess! Yu Xianyao said, holding the wine glass in both hands, and the reverence was in words. Behind him, all the businessmen also raised their glasses, and everyone toasted to the public together.

"Thank you, please!" After the public returned the salute, everyone drank it all.

"Thank you, the prosperity of the country is inseparable from everyone's support, without the dedicated management of the businessmen, there will be no prosperous market, and the country will not have enough financial resources to maintain a strong national strength. Come, ladies and gentlemen, please drink this cup again. ”

Everyone drank again, and after three rounds of wine, Yu Xianyao asked: "Lord Gonghui, I heard that the lord has opened an incense factory?" Summoned me and others here today, but for this reason? ”

"It is precisely this matter, but it is not the official who opened the incense factory, but the Simin Mansion who opened the incense factory."

"Yes, yes, old and confused, the princess has always had a clear distinction between public and private."

Gong Wanran waved his hand and didn't take it to heart, "This year, the state has used troops against Chen Guo, raising 20,000 soldiers, the cost is huge, and the country's financial resources are difficult to maintain. As a citizen of Gusu, I should share the worries of the country, so I reported to Dazai-sama, hoping to increase financial revenue by carrying out foreign trade, and this incense factory is my plan. ”

Hearing this, Yu Xianyao said with a sad face: "My lord, I'm afraid there will be difficulties in this, and I don't know if I should say some things?" ”

"Elder Yu, please speak."

"That'...... Let's talk about it. My lord, I heard that you have accepted the task of increasing the income of 4,000 taels of gold, and we all know that you are for the people, and you can't bear the people to bear the harsh taxes and miscellaneous taxes, so you have put the burden on your shoulders. But how can this task be accomplished? Four thousand taels is too much. ”

"I can't do it alone, so I'm just calling you over today, hoping you can help me."

"Your Excellency, would you like us to help sell spices?"

"Exactly."

"Hey, after all, Wu is a small country, and it is located in a remote area, and we can't compare with the giant merchants of the Central Plains, four thousand taels of gold, we can't even think of this number!"

"What does Yu Lao mean that you can't make so much money selling incense?"

"It's hard, it's hard, we've never done such a big deal. Seriously, I don't think adults should take on this task, but now it's okay. ”

The other businessmen also whispered and shook their heads.

Gong Wanran waved his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, and then got up and said, "Thank you for your concern, it is precisely because of the huge amount of money that I have invited you here to discuss this matter together." Without your help, I am really sad to get through this. But as long as everyone works together, the four thousand taels of gold will not be a difficult thing. ”

"We will do our best to help!" Yu Xianyao got up and promised, and although the others echoed it, it was obviously perfunctory.

"Okay, with your help, I have confidence."

"Please let me know what to do."

Gong Wan paused for a moment and said slowly: "Ladies and gentlemen, although the people of the world are disgusted with the merchants, saying that the merchants only resell goods and do not produce food, which is not beneficial to the people and even harmful to the country. But I don't think so, in my opinion, peasants grow grain, literati become officials, merchants buy and sell, these are all the same, they are all beneficial to the people and the country. Although businessmen love money, what is the difference between this and farmers love the fields and officials love power? As long as it is beneficial to the people and the country, it is the right path. ”

The merchants nodded one after another.

"Since it is the right way, it should be popularized. This time, I hope to do something really profitable with you. When the task of 4,000 taels of gold is completed, I am sure that all of you here will have a very good harvest. ”

"Oh? What do you mean? ”

"The incense factory in Simin's Mansion has now started production, and the spice produced is called snake thorn incense, I don't know if you have heard of it?"

"I have heard that this kind of incense is soothing and fragrant, and it is a rare famous product. It is said that snake thorn incense is very popular among the princes and nobles of the Central Plains, but the price is also very expensive. ”

"Yes, in the Central Plains, the price of a pound of snake thorn incense is almost half a tael of gold, that is, five thousand copper coins, if I give you forty percent, that is, two thousand copper coins a pound, after the freight, taxes, etc., I wonder if you still have to earn?"

Yu Xianyao was taken aback, "Two thousand copper coins a catty?" Lady Gong Hui is not joking? ”

"No kidding, it's two thousand copper coins a catty."

"There's something to earn, there's something to earn, there's so much to earn!" Yu Xianyao was very excited, and the other businessmen also blew up, their eyes lit up, and everyone talked about it, obviously finding a rare good deal.

Yu Xianyao thought about it, and suddenly found that something was wrong, so he motioned for everyone to be quiet and asked, "My lord, this transaction is profitable, but in this case, does Simin Mansion still have profits?"

"The margins are thin, but there are still some of them."

"How could such a meager profit be enough for four thousand taels of gold? Four hundred taels is difficult! The adults have given us all the profits, what do the adults take? No, sir, that's not going to work. ”

"It doesn't matter, you can make money so that this incense can be sold."

"My lord, if you don't ship it for two thousand and a half, we will also make money." Although Yu Xianyao said it very sincerely, other businessmen obviously did not agree with this stupid idea of having money but not making money.

Gong Wanran waved his hand and said firmly: "Two thousand, how much you say is how much, and it will never be changed." You just have to make money, but there is one thing that everyone must abide by. No merchant in this business is allowed to lower the final selling price below four thousand five thousand, and if I find anyone selling for less than four thousand five, then he will never think of meddling in this business again. ”

"Whoa!" Everyone responded in unison.

"Then, if you are interested, you can pay half of the deposit first, and the Simin Mansion will definitely ship the goods within five days, and then pay the other half after getting the goods. The first batch of incense is 600 catties, and those who pay the deposit first will get the goods first. ”

Yu Xianyao took the lead and said: "Okay! Then I'll set a hundred pounds first! ”

"I'm fifty pounds!"

"I'm thirty pounds!"

The other businessmen shouted.