Chapter 114 Don't earn money from children and grandchildren
"Okay, we've finally finished talking about the muskets and ammunition."
Xiao Pingsi looked at Yan Lanfeng: "Let's talk elsewhere."
"It's been half a month since the Fireworks Bureau started selling fireworks. How has the effect been?"
Yan Lanfeng smiled and said: "Your Majesty, the Fireworks Bureau is really profitable. The Ministry of Household Affairs has only relied on it for half a month and has already earned more than 10,000 taels."
Ten thousand taels?
The emperor frowned, feeling that it was still a little lacking.
Fang Jue said: "Your Majesty, this is just a project around the capital. If it is spread across the country..."
"But fireworks are so hugely profitable. If they were decentralized to all parties, how many people would be greedy?"
Xiao Pingsi was a little worried. He felt that officials could not be trusted, especially those outside Beijing.
So he asked: "Is it possible to make fireworks in Beijing and transport them to various places for sale?"
Fang Jue shook his head.
Yan Lanfeng also objected: "Your Majesty, no, fireworks should not be stored for too long, let alone transported over long distances, they are easy to explode..."
There is nothing that Fang Jue can do about this problem.
Although there is waterproof oil paper in this era, and even some of the black technology of the era, it is still unable to achieve a high technical level.
Fireworks are inherently unstable. If the temperature is too high or the friction is excessive, they may explode.
Therefore, it is best to establish fireworks factories in various places and produce and sell them locally.
"If it is decentralized, I am afraid that the huge profits from fireworks will not be concealed." Xiao Pingsi worried.
"Your Majesty, are you afraid that someone will take the risk and imitate it to compete with the Fireworks Bureau?"
Yan Lanfeng said: "Your Majesty, you don't have to worry so much. Nowadays, fireworks are state-owned. Anyone who dares to sell them privately is equivalent to selling private salt. They will be executed at the highest level."
For such a serious crime, if there are still people who take the risk, then they will be killed.
"Your Majesty, the emergence of fireworks will definitely change some festivals or traditional ceremonies... and the people's use of fireworks will gradually become more frequent."
Fang Jue said: "If the imperial court provides a little guidance, the fireworks market will be better."
Yan Lanfeng became interested when he mentioned this.
"Young Master, how should I guide you?"
Fang Jue said calmly: "For example, during sacrificial ceremonies or during festivals, the imperial court would hold fireworks ceremonies, and all the prefectures and capitals would take the lead... and the people below would naturally follow suit."
What the people above like will inevitably lead to trends.
"Wonderful?"
Yan Lanfeng laughed in surprise: "Listening to the young master's words is truly enlightening. If fireworks are used in imperial ceremonies, then people will surely use fireworks in the future to worship their ancestors or celebrate weddings and weddings!"
"It is for this reason... that only by opening up the civilian market can fireworks become as necessary as salt and iron."
As Fang Jue talked, he gradually felt a little wilted.
Whether fireworks on earth also have such a history of development... is unknown.
"Ahem... you can just discuss these matters. You don't have to report everything to me." Xiao Pingsi said with a blushing face.
He felt that this seemed wrong. Wasn't it guiding people to consume and competing for profits?
As an emperor, he naturally can't show his face when he plots against his own people.
Fang Jue handed over his hand: "Your Majesty, opening the market is only one of them. There is another thing I want to say."
"Although fireworks are good, I think Yan Shangshu should be aware that they pollute the air environment and may cause fires."
Xiao Pingsi looked at Yan Lanfeng.
He knew how to cause fire, but the word pollution was somewhat out of reach for the emperor.
When Yan Lanfeng saw this, he had no choice but to say: "Your Majesty, what the young master said is true. Fireworks are set off in a big way, which has a great impact on the surrounding area."
"The best thing is to legislate for this." Fang Jue said bluntly.
legislation?
Both of them were a little confused.
Xiao Pingsi didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "To legislate for a toy, is Young Master too prepared for a rainy day? I'm afraid the Tingwei Mansion won't agree."
Within the imperial court, there were only two persons with legislative power.
One is the emperor and the other is the Tingwei Mansion.
Of course, everything must be approved by the emperor.
As for the legislation for fireworks, the emperor would naturally not do it personally, and it was not an urgent matter.
The Tingwei Mansion has not seen the harm caused by the fireworks bureau, so naturally it will not be a serious problem.
Legislation is no child's play.
Fang Jue said: "Fireworks are made by Chen, so naturally they are most aware of their harmful effects. Whether it is the dust from the explosion or the waste from production, they are enough to pollute the water and soil."
"The management of fireworks must be very standardized for the sake of future generations."
After hearing that sentence, for the sake of future generations, both the emperor and Yan Lanfeng became serious.
People in this era care most about inheritance.
"I have informed the Jingzhao Yin Mansion earlier that fireworks in the capital are not allowed to be set off at will. They are all made of earth and wood. Once the fire breaks out, it will cover several streets." Yan Lanfeng said.
"All fireworks factories must also be set up in the suburbs and not in densely populated areas."
Fang Jue nodded: "There will be more new factories in the future, and this kind of management should start immediately, so as to avoid subsequent industry questions in the future as to why the former is ignored and lead to some disputes."
As times develop and civilization evolves, Fang Jue will come up with many things.
Pollution will become more and more serious. Once industrialization begins, pollution will basically occur.
Waste materials, waste water, waste gas...
It is best to set a good example for the court from now on, before it is too late in the future.
Xiao Pingsi agreed: "I somewhat understand Young Master's concerns. If fireworks are really so harmful, they should be controlled."
Yan Lanfeng said bitterly: "But if this happens, the sales of fireworks will inevitably be affected...the income of the Ministry of Household Affairs will be much less..."
Xiao Pingsi was also in a bit of trouble.
Fang Jue smiled: "Master Yan, don't worry. Even so, it's still a huge income. We can't earn enough money to rob our descendants."
"Young Master's words really touched my heart!" Xiao Pingsi was overjoyed and his heartstrings were stirred by these words.
You can't earn money that will cost you your descendants.
When Yan Lanfeng heard this, he immediately stood in awe: "Young master is so righteous, I am not as good as him."
"Master Yan, why should you blame yourself? You are the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, and people all over the country look at you for food, so you are naturally under a lot of pressure."
After hearing Fang Jue's words, several people present immediately felt that he was extremely magnanimous.
"But life will get better and better in the future. Not to mention new grains, I will also bring out some good things here to add wealth to the Ministry of Household Affairs."
Xiao Pingsi's eyes lit up: "What treasure does Young Master have?"
"Huh?" Yan Lanfeng also looked like he was blinded by money.
Fang Jue smiled and calmly put his hand into his arms.
When Wang Feng saw this, he subconsciously took a step forward, ready to stand in front of the emperor at any time.
Xiao Pingsi waved his hand to signal Wang Feng to feel relieved, but Wang Feng still did not retreat.
I was afraid that Fang Jue was going to pull out some hidden weapon.
Fang Jue chuckled, his movements gentle and not hasty.
"This is it." Fang Jue took out a mirror, which was as big as a palm.
Pass it to Yan Lanfeng.
It was not given directly to the emperor.
Yan Lanfeng: "Isn't this just my daughter's house? The mirror in the dowry box..."
"Ouch!" Yan Lanfeng was suddenly shocked and almost dropped the mirror in his hand, so he quickly hugged it.
Wang Feng stepped forward curiously.
Xiao Pingsi was also surprised: "Why is Yan Qing so surprised?"
"Your Majesty, what is this... Young Master?"
Fang Jue said calmly: "Didn't Master Yan recognize it? It's the mirror."
"Why is it so crystal clear? It shows my face, much brighter than a bronze mirror!"
Xiao Pingsi took a look at the mirror and was shocked, then looked at Fang Jue.
"Is this the good thing the young master said?"
Wang Feng also took a look and couldn't help but praise: "Such a treasure is unlike any other material. It is truly a work of art."
Fang Jue looked at everyone with a smile, and then his eyes fell on Yan Lanfeng.
"Master Yan has seen the world, can you give me an estimate?"
"Estimate?" Yan Lanfeng licked the corner of his mouth, "It can be called a treasure..."
Yan Papi also shook his head. He really couldn't estimate it because he had never seen this thing before.
But in the end he stretched out a finger and said: "One hundred taels, there are at least 8,000 people in the capital willing to pay this price."
He was even willing to pay the price himself to buy the mirror.
Xiao Pingsi realized something and said in shock: "Young master, you mean that this thing can be copied and turned into a commodity like fireworks?"
"Of course..." Fang Jue smiled.
"Then what's the profit margin for a mirror made of this material?"
Fang Jue smiled and said: "Then it depends on your Majesty."
"What do you mean, young master?"
"I plan to use this material to decorate His Majesty's palace, especially the Fengtian Palace... In this way, the ministers will imitate it, and the rich will like it..."
Yan Lanfeng said sincerely: "You don't need to be rich, I also like this thing..."
Fang Jue smiled and said: "If the price is higher, the interest rate on this item can be higher than that on fireworks."
Xiao Pingsi and Yan Lanfeng suddenly stopped falling asleep.