Even now, it is already dark. At the end of the day, the four people, including the prince, still have not understood this so-called membership card system. All they saw was the limited sales of iodized salt and the process of applying for a membership card. It's just an eye-watering amount of money.
They couldn't even figure out why there were so many people applying for membership cards. Is this iodized salt really that good? Do these people just have too much money and no place to put it?
As for Su Xun getting 10 million taels of silver for a painting and a poem, it is even more unbelievable. Especially for the prince, it is no longer envy, but drooling. "You guys Say, there are so many talented people around this prince, but there are no people who are excellent at painting and can write good poems?"
The prince was coveting the ten million taels of silver, so he asked this question. Zeng Tong and the others still stood silent. They knew very well that things would not be that simple. Even if Shen Ao was talented, his Paintings and poems couldn't be so valuable, and Su Xun couldn't be that stupid. There must be a reason why they couldn't figure it out.
He talked for a long time, but no one answered his question, and his face became even more ugly. "Check, let me continue to check, I don't believe that this Shen Ao can be Su Xun's illegitimate son? You must know this Is there something else in it that we can’t see?”
"No." Facing the furious prince, Zeng Tong and others agreed repeatedly.
Compared to the prince's ignorance, Emperor Qianwen knew more in the Yangxin Palace. At least Guo Changlong's income today was in front of him. If he could get 50% of the income, it would be a full 750 Ten thousand taels of silver were deposited into the account.
In other words, today, Guochanglong's gross income has reached as much as 20 million taels. The largest contributor is Su Xun's 10 million taels, followed by about 150 members. Among them, most people have junior memberships, there are also some intermediate and senior members, and there are even silver and gold card members. They have collected nearly 10 million taels. Excluding some left for purchasing goods, the emperor owns 50% The income was recorded at 7.5 million taels.
Although it was said that the money would take a long time to be spent, and it was meant as an advance payment, after all, it was real money sent over. Emperor Qianwen asked Yan Fu to take 2.5 million taels of it as internal funds, and the rest The five million taels were put into the national treasury, which only made the officials from the Ministry of Household Affairs laugh happily.
Emperor Qianwen was also in a good mood. Although iodized salt was good, he never thought it would have such an effect. At this time, he was sitting on the dragon chair and looked at the membership card system in his hand. He was also very curious about what it was. This kind of method can attract so many people to join in with money.
"Yan Fu, come and have a look." After looking at it for a long time, he still couldn't understand the mystery, and he didn't understand the reason why Shen Ao did this. Now that iodized salt can be mass-produced, although it cannot satisfy the entire dynasty, It is used by the people, but it is also enough for the rich. Why not sell it openly, but limit it?
Emperor Qianwen couldn't figure it out and rubbed his sore brain, then handed the report of the membership card system to Yan Fu beside him.
Fearing like a snake or a scorpion, Yan Fu dodged to the side with a very fast pace. This action was not like a eunuch who only knew how to lower his eyebrows, but rather like a young man with an unusually flexible body. Yan Fu dodged to the side.
He said in a submissive manner, "I am just a eunuch. I don't know a few Chinese characters. How can I understand such a thing? I can't understand, I can't understand."
Whether Yan Fu can't understand, or simply doesn't want to get involved in such things, or is hiding his clumsiness, I'm afraid only he knows. If he can really understand, wouldn't it mean that Emperor Qianwen is too incompetent? Such a performance Aren't you saying goodbye to others and should you be on guard against him?
Although Emperor Qianwen trusted Yan Fu very much and did not guard against many secrets, a slave must have the consciousness of being a slave. One must know clearly when to be a smart person and when to be a dumb person.
Yan Fu got out of the way and asked Emperor Qianwen to hand him a blank, but he was not angry. Maybe he had long been accustomed to Yan Fu's "stupidity". "Hey, I can't understand a little bit, so be it, Princess Zhao. Enter the palace to discuss matters."
...
The emperor couldn't see clearly, let alone ordinary civilians. But everyone knew one thing, that is, Duke Zhongguo was very capable.
Yanchun Tower.
Night is the busiest time of the day here. dignitaries, businessmen, talented scholars, and dandy young men all gather here as if they have made an appointment, listening to music, talking about romance, and enjoying life to the fullest.
In a women's boudoir on the second floor that occupies a large area, the maid Yunzhi is dressing up the young lady Bai Qiutong. From time to time, she talks about what she experienced when she went to the Guochanglong General Store today. Speaking of those businessmen spending huge sums of money, Boxes of gold and silver were brought into Guochanglong just to get a membership card, which was a look of envy.
Bai Qiutong listened with great interest. She was not feeling well today, and Yanchun Tower was far away from Taihe Street, so she did not go to see the excitement. Now after hearing Yunzhi's words, she already regretted it. If she had known this, she would have endured it. Even if she felt uncomfortable, she had to go take a look. Especially when Yunzhi said that the portraits of both the eldest princess and Mr. Su were lifelike and like real people, she was even more eager to see them.
And the poem "About Drinking" is so heroic. I really don't know how the young father-in-law who was only fifteen years old could write such a wonderful poem. What kind of experience did he have?
Bai Qiutong became confused as she thought about it. It wasn't until the maid Yunzhi kept nudging her that she finally realized what she was doing. She opened her mouth and said, "Damn it, girl, what are you going to do?"
"Hehe, miss, the way I looked at you just now was like the way many guests looked at the miss. You are not thinking about spring, right?"
Yunzhi seemed to have caught his attention all of a sudden. Bai Qiutong had a look of embarrassment on his face. Without caring about anything else, he got up and chased after Yunzhi. Soon, the sound of laughing bells could be heard in the boudoir. The two of them seemed to have forgotten about the guests waiting outside for a moment.
In the entire Daliang City, they are not the only ones thinking about the Guochanglong membership card, there are also many rich and poor people who have heard about it.
The poor people just listen to the excitement. In their eyes, the Duke of Guo is a great being. It is not surprising that such a person can do such a thing, it seems to be normal.
After hearing this, the rich man asked an acquaintance to find out more about the situation. He had secretly made up his mind to go to Guochanglong's main store tomorrow. No matter what, he had to apply for a membership card and bring back some iodized salt. At least there were guests from the mansion. , you need to use dishes made of iodized salt to greet you. Otherwise, wouldn’t you lose your status? Is it equivalent to being kicked out of the circle of rich people?
It is conceivable that tomorrow the number of members of Guochanglong will continue to grow to an enviable and amazing number.
The Hall of Nourishing Heart.
After receiving the summons, the eldest princess entered the palace and paid homage to His Majesty the Emperor.
"Qinglan, get up quickly. Come, come to the emperor and tell me about this membership card system and your views." Emperor Qianwen greeted enthusiastically.
The phrase "green orchid" made the eldest princess very excited. This title appeared frequently these days, and she seemed to have returned to the time when she grew up with the emperor's brother and was a childhood sweetheart.
The eldest princess came to sit in front of Emperor Qianwen and explained in detail the membership card system and what she really saw and heard today.
After hearing that Shen Ao had just observed Su Xun for a stick of incense, he completed a painting, and then wrote the eternal poem "Journey into Wine" in one stroke, Emperor Qianwen's eyes also shone. He didn't expect that Shen Ao He was so talented and learned that he now wanted to go to Guochanglong to see the two portraits in person, which were likened to the arrival of real people.
After all, the emperor is an emperor and has excellent self-control. In his eyes, the so-called paintings and poems are just minor things. What he wants to pay attention to is the development of the country. So he is only interested in these, and there is nothing to talk about. Very excited.
"Well, I know these things. Tell me what you think about this membership card system. I don't quite understand. You can choose other sales methods for iodized salt. With its quality and effect, even if it is 100 grams and 20 It's not difficult to sell two taels of silver, right? Why choose such a troublesome method? You even have to agree to other people to join Guochanglong and have investment and profit sharing rights. What's going on?" Emperor Qianwen frowned a little. asked.
"Here we come." The eldest princess's expression did not change. She had long thought that the emperor would ask this question. Shen Ao also came to her and explained this question. So she only had to do as he was told.
"Brother, this is what Duke Zhongguo means. Duke Zhongguo said that Guochanglong's money can be put into the national treasury and internal funds. It is the foundation of the country and cannot be lightly touched. And in the future, if Guochanglong wants to develop, It is necessary to create more new gadgets, and this process of creation is very expensive. He doesn't want to take it from the treasury, so he wants to borrow the power of others. When the time comes, he can continue to put in money after making money. To the national treasury and internal funds. As for sharing some benefits to others, it will also be more conducive to the development of the country and prevent it from being isolated."
"Isolated?" Emperor Qianwen was so smart that he quickly thought of the last time Daliang merchants united to not supply goods to Guochanglong.
"Yes, that's what Duke Zhongguo said. He believes that the more money Guo Changlong makes, the more he will attract the jealousy of other businessmen. In order to prevent them from stumbling in the dark, he needs to win over some businessmen, especially those with status and influence. Strong businessmen, so that if there is such a thing in the future, they can be responsible for solving it, and we can focus on development." According to what Shen Ao said, the eldest princess narrated it exactly.
Emperor Qianwen did not make a judgment immediately, but thought for a while before nodding, "This statement makes some sense. But is it just that?"