Marco Polo was a little confused, "Are you serious?"
Lu Fang shrugged and said, "Of course. Marco Polo, the business I want to do is definitely beyond your imagination."
"All right."
Marco Polo said: "Then I think I should seriously consider this matter. This may be the biggest business I will do in my life."
"I wish us a happy cooperation."
Lu Fang smiled and patted Marco Polo on the shoulder.
Later, he followed Marco Polo back to the inn room.
Marco Polo showed Lu Fang a list of his goods, and told Lu Fang honestly that if he sold these goods to the merchants in Tanzhou City, his base price would be twelve thousand taels, but for Lu Fang, he would be willing to pay ten thousand taels.
The whole package is priced at one thousand taels.
This is the converted price. It is considered the basic skill of overseas businessmen like them.
They often have quite in-depth research on prices in Dayu.
Because they will not bring Dayu's banknotes back to Makasi, that would be meaningless. What they are essentially doing is a barter-for-barter transaction.
The money earned from selling Makasi goods was used as capital to buy local goods in Dayu and brought them back to Makasi to sell.
This is two waves of profits.
If it weren't for making money like this, people like Marco Polo would not take the risk to travel between Makasi and Dayu.
What he didn't know was that Lu Fang didn't care about the thousand taels at all.
He wanted to make long-term transactions with Marco Polo, but he was not willing to take advantage of Marco Polo.
After reading the list, Lu Fang smiled and said to Marco Polo: "Marco Polo, I think we can settle the deal at a price of twelve thousand taels! Friendship is friendship, and we should be long-term partners. If this continues, it will be too much for you.
It’s so unfair.”
"It's okay."
Marco Polo said: "As long as I put more effort into bargaining with you merchants from Dayu when I go to buy goods, I can earn back these one thousand taels. You are my benefactor, how can I ruthlessly earn your money?"
"One code equals one code."
Lu Fangdao: "Since we are doing business, we will not talk about friendship."
Then he added: "Speaking of which, maybe I can introduce you to a friend. As long as you have his help, it should be much easier for you to purchase goods in Dayu."
Marco Polo's eyes shone slightly when he heard this.
Selling and buying goods are quite complicated things, especially for overseas businessmen like them who have no roots in Dayu.
It's even possible to get scammed.
He experienced a painful lesson the last time he came to Tanzhou.
Lu Fang's words made him realize that his benefactor was probably very powerful in Tanzhou.
If this is the case, it will be much easier for him to conduct trade in Tanzhou in the future.
"Thank you so much."
Marco Polo said.
Lu Fang smiled and said, "It's just a small matter. I will take you to see him in the next two days."
Then he said: "As for these goods of yours, I will ask someone to come and transport them away in the next two days!"
As he spoke, he took out twelve thousand-tael banknotes from his wallet and handed them to Marco Polo.
Marco Polo smiled and declined: "Mr. Lu, what you just said is that we are doing business. In that case, we should wait until you come to pick up the goods before paying us!"
Lu Fang raised his eyebrows but did not insist.
I feel a little troubled.
Now I am very short of people.
Jiang Zimo was originally a good match, but that guy was obviously more interested in being an official. Lu Fang never mentioned doing business with him.
We need to recruit a few talents.
Only a mediocre boss will do everything personally.
Letting Marco Polo wait for news about him in the inn these two days, Lu Fang took Zhu'er and left.
It was still early now, so I went to the "Talent Market" in Tanzhou City.
In fact, it was the place where people in Tanzhou City used to gather to sell long-term workers and servants. Over time, it has now become a place for talent trading in Tanzhou City.
Lu Fang learned about this place by asking the boy at the inn when he left the inn where Marco Polo lived.
It's in Nancheng District of Tanzhou City.
After asking several passers-by on the road, I finally found the job market.
Seeing the lively scene in front of him, Lu Fang couldn't help but feel a little confused.
I saw that the corner of the street in front was chaotic and crowded with people. Some were walking, some had desks, and some were kneeling on the ground with straw signs on their heads.
There are also people selling food.
This is a place where you can find long-term workers, part-time workers, and lifelong indentured slaves.
Their origins are naturally diverse.
As soon as Lu Fang, who was wearing brocade robes, appeared with Zhu'er, several people hurriedly gathered around him.
"You are very lucky, sir. Is there any way I can help you?"
"May I ask if the young master is planning to hire permanent workers or servants? Little Li Siniu, I am willing to serve you."
"..."
All of them were enthusiastic and clearly regarded Lu Fang as a fat sheep.
Lu Fang thought for a while and said: "I want to buy slaves."
Slaves are all deeds of sale. Before redemption, even the freedom of life belongs to the buyer.
The teeth of several people were shining in their eyes.
The profit from selling slaves is higher than introducing long-term and short-term workers.
"Then, sir, what kind of slave do you need?"
"Male slave or female slave?"
Slaves in the Dayu Dynasty were roughly divided into two types: official slaves and private slaves.
Official slaves were owned by the Chongqing court. Most of them were prisoners of war, deserters, and family members of those guilty who were implicated and adopted as slaves.
When Chen Youxi and her mother were placed in the Jiaofangsi, they were actually official slaves.
Private slaves, on the other hand, were people from poor families who sold themselves into slavery, or were deceived and abducted by these people.
"Male slaves must be able to read and write. They must not be older than forty."
Lu Fangdao.
In fact, he originally planned to recruit some scholars to work for him, but after thinking about it on the way here, he still felt that it was not that convenient.
After all, what he needs is not a shopkeeper, but someone who can run errands for him or even act alone. He must be very reliable.
Although slaves may also escape, Lu Fang is still confident that they will do things for him willingly.
Several people couldn't help but frown.
Slaves who could write were rare.
There are quite a few official slaves, but they are not something they can get. The official slaves of the imperial court are all managed by the Ministry of Rites.
"Sir, if you can read and write... the price is not low."
A slightly younger man said, Yazi.
Lu Fang glanced at him lightly, "As long as I am satisfied, do you think I am someone who is reluctant to spend money?"
The Renyazi people were not unhappy at all because of his words. On the contrary, their eyes shone brightly and they said repeatedly: "Then let's go and find him for you, Master."
They are naturally the most familiar with this place.
At that moment, they all got into the crowd.
Although they did not have any ready-made slaves who could write, as long as they could choose the right one for Lu Fang, they could still get an "agency fee".
Lu Fang had some free time, and he and Zhu'er were standing on the street.
Not long after, a man came running over with his teeth in full swing, "Sir, I found someone who can write. Can you go over and have a look?"
Lu Fangfang nodded and followed the man Yazi into the crowd.