"Your Highness, what do you mean?" The threatened widow seemed like a vigilant and sensitive female cat.
"I want to make a deal with Mrs. Cao."
Chen Xu's eyes contained infinite anger, but he did not show it: "Your Highness, I'm afraid it won't sound good if word spreads that you bullied an orphan and widowed mother like me."
Xiaosheng, who was standing behind Zhu Zhanzhen, was furious and shouted: "Bold civilian woman."
Zhu Zhanzhen stretched out his hand to signal Xiaosheng to stop, and then said: "Mrs. Cao can understand that I want to do business with you."
"Although a peasant woman is a small villager, she will never use her daughter to do business."
"Mrs. Cao misunderstood, I want to do serious business with you."
"I?"
Now it was Chen Xu's turn to be surprised. She originally thought that Zhu Zhanzhen wanted to take advantage of Cao Xinyue or had a crush on Cao Xinyue, but the reason he wanted Cao Xinyue not to go to the capital was to keep her outside.
Now Zhu Zhanzhen's words have made a U-turn.
After thinking for a moment, he asked, "How does Your Highness want to do business?"
"I want to be a supply and marketing cooperative. In the name of the Cao family, I will open a collective market that integrates supply and sales capabilities. The surrounding villagers will voluntarily buy shares and centrally purchase tea, raw silk, grain and other items produced by the villagers, and centralize sales and accounts.
Open to the public and profits equally shared.”
"Your Highness, if we are discussing business, can a civilian girl speak frankly?"
"You can speak out."
Chen Xu sorted out her mentality. A capable strong woman changed her appearance when discussing business.
"Your Highness's supply and marketing cooperative is of no benefit to our Cao family. It takes advantage of our Cao family's sales channels, transports ships, and helps small merchants or farmers do business, but it does not increase the Cao family's income. I'm afraid the family can't talk about it.
Come down."
"It depends on whether Madam cares more about immediate benefits or future benefits."
Chen Xu said unhurriedly: "Your Highness, Minnu is just a country woman with short-sightedness. She only sees the immediate benefits and does not realize the future benefits. I hope Your Highness will make it clear."
"Has Madam seen the steamship I ordered to arrive two days ago?"
"I have never seen it with my own eyes, but the shopkeeper of the weaving shop has described it for a long time, so I have a rough idea."
"Have you ever thought about how much such a steamship will cost in the future?"
"A boat that can travel without an oar is naturally very precious."
Zhu Zhanzhen shook his head: "I estimate that it might be two or three levels more expensive than ordinary merchant ships today."
Chen Xu was surprised. If it was just a little more expensive, it would mean that all trading houses would be able to afford that magical steamship in the future, and the canals in the future would be filled with steamships.
The transportation speed will undergo earth-shaking changes. When some villages and towns can afford steamships themselves, they will be able to travel further waterways to sell goods because of the increase in transportation speed.
When this speed is opened, everyone is profit-seeking. Many people will not be satisfied with handing over their goods to other firms when they have the ability to transport goods quickly over long distances.
Large commercial banks will still occupy a large position, but new forces will emerge to share their share, and those with poor management may also be replaced. Times are developing, and this is a selection process.
"But, Your Highness, I still haven't heard of the future benefits of the supply and marketing cooperative."
"For supply and marketing cooperatives, sales is one aspect, and supply is also another aspect. The sales aspect may only be able to stabilize the current profits, but if the supply aspect is done well, it will be hugely profitable."
Chen Xu didn't say anything, and Zhu Zhanzhen continued: "Everything as small as grain seeds, paper and pens, tables, chairs and benches, or as large as a ship of goods can be traded here. Mrs. Cao, this is a business done by both parties."
Zhu Zhanzhen has thought a lot about the supply and marketing cooperative in the past two days. Either the imperial court forces it to do it, which will inevitably affect the interests of major commercial banks. After all, the accounts of the supply and marketing cooperative he requires are public, there is no tax evasion, and because it is a collective
Assets and profits are certainly not high.
Either we have to let these big trading houses do it, but if the big trading houses don't have enough profits, they will have to do it in secret. I have been thinking about it for a long time, but now I am afraid that the current situation will change too much, and my fat father will probably not approve it.
If you want commercial firms to do it, their interests must be guaranteed.
"His Highness said that this is a two-party business, but the people in the villages and towns will all share in it, and the accounts must be made public. The profits will become very small, and over time, it will be unsustainable." A smart and capable strong woman will not be fooled so easily.
But if she is a dim-witted businessman, Zhu Zhanzhen will not look down on her.
Yes, Zhu Zhanzhen was not interested in Cao Xinyue, but her mother.
We haven't had much contact in the past two days, but when we occasionally see each other, all the grown men of the Cao family have suffered under the hands of this woman. This woman is very powerful.
It's time to show your sincerity.
"Mrs. Cao, you must be aware of the previously improved loom."
"Yes." Chen Xu nodded.
"I also asked them to take the loom back and continue to improve it. I believe there will be results soon. The improved loom and steamship will also be sold in a limited edition."
"Restricted sale?"
The emperor, princes, and ministers will definitely agree to Zhu Zhanzhen's compromise. The advanced equipment will first satisfy the nobles of the big business houses.
"With the state capital as a unit, in addition to the royal tribute ships, steamships are purchased according to the state government tax. Those who pay more tax can buy more, and those who pay less tax can only buy less. The same is true for major commercial banks. Of course, if you are a supply and marketing cooperative, implement
If it benefits the people, I can sell you more."
"Is His Highness serious about what he said? Your Highness may have the final say on the steamship?" The trading family that first owned the steamship and advanced production equipment must have taken a big step forward. Chen Xu could sense this.
Chen Xu finally relaxed. Compared with unrealistic things, shrewd businessmen believe in things that can be seen now. Steamships have already appeared and are not fictions.
"I can make the decision regarding the steamship."
First, the early production capacity of steamships is definitely insufficient, and secondly, the emperor certainly does not want everyone to be able to buy such ships. The latest technology is hidden, and only when the next generation of steamships with better technology appears,
Only then will the merchant ships of the previous generation be sold in large quantities.
Steamships are mainly supplied to the court and the military, but in order to stimulate trade, a small part must flow out, and the price will not be low.
The trading company that gets the steamship first will inevitably develop first, which is something Chen Xu will not miss no matter what.
After thinking briefly, Chen Xu said: "Your Highness, I can build that supply and marketing cooperative for you, but the steamship must be sure to operate as you said."
"I will discuss this matter with His Majesty when I get back. I will reply to you as soon as possible after confirming the news."
"Waiting for the good news from His Highness."
With today's news, Chen Xu was even more anxious to separate his property from his uncles before he showed his pregnancy, otherwise he would not be able to use his fists by then.
Zhu Zhanzhen continued: "Also, Cao Xinyue must stay in Cao Mansion by then, and I will contact Cao Xinyue for everything."
"No, what Your Highness is doing is unacceptable." Chen Xu immediately refused.
Cao Xinyue looked curiously at her mother who refused so decisively: "Mom, I want to help you, and I am willing to do it."