After a while, Yang Ling, minister of the Ministry of Industry, came out.
"Your Majesty means that after Liang Xiao becomes a first-class imperial merchant, he can be involved in any industry, including land sales, salt and iron, wine industry, book industry...?"
The empress nodded and said: "Yes! From now on, Liang Xiao's business activities will represent my royal industry. What do the Yang Qing family think?"
Yang Ling bowed his head and praised: "My emperor is wise! Now that the national treasury is empty, it is time for a few decent imperial merchants to serve the country."
"Mr. Yang, what do you mean?" Duanmujie was angry.
Yang Ling smiled and said: "Master Duanmu, Your Majesty has already said this. If you continue to oppose Liang Xiao's business, wouldn't you be opposing His Majesty? This..."
Duanmujie said in panic: "That's not what I meant!"
"I would like to emphasize again that Liang Xiao's business behavior represents the royal industry. I consider it for the sake of the country. Why not?" the empress said coldly.
Due to Zhuge Hui's strong support, the ministers realized that the empress was already angry, so they were trembling with fear, and no one objected anymore.
The empress saw it and sighed in her heart.
She knew that Liang Xiao was right. She was able to overwhelm the ministers now because she firmly controlled the military power, which was inseparable from the management of her grandfather and father.
If he continues to be unable to change the situation, the Zhou Dynasty will inevitably fall apart in a few years. You can imagine what will happen to you and your sister by then...
After all, Zhuge Hui was supposed to be the only legitimate prime minister, but in order to appease these aristocratic families, he only became the "right prime minister" and forcibly created a "left prime minister".
The previous Prime Minister Zuo was Dugu Ping, the head of the Dugu family in Jiangbei. Later, she found an excuse to remove him, leaving the position of Prime Minister Zuo vacant.
Looking at the civil and military officials below the stage calling for sage, in a daze, she seemed to see the young man in white who succeeded the prime minister Zuo, ranked at the head of the officials on the left, and led the civil and military officials to salute her.
Although that guy is a bit shameless, he is indeed the future pillar of the country!
At this moment, the empress felt that she finally had hope for the future.
At the same time, Liang Xiao personally took his men to the market and announced his plan in public.
"From now on, 10% of the profits from selling sugar in my shop in various places will be used to relieve local refugees on behalf of Your Majesty, 50% will be used to donate to the current emperor, and I will only take 40% of the profits!"
After the news spread, the whole place was in an uproar!
"Who knows how much profit you make from sugar?" a businessman from the Duanmu family sneered.
Liang Xiao smiled and said: "No need to worry about it. Your Majesty will send someone to monitor my sugar mill regularly to understand the cost."
People no longer objected.
"Young Master Liang has served the country and the people, and it is worth singing and crying!"
A shopkeeper from Dingguohou Mansion was the first to raise his hand in praise.
As the largest buyers in private transactions with Liang Xiao, they are destined to make a lot of money.
Even if Dingguohou Mansion only looks at it from a commercial perspective, Liang Xiao's profits are greatly reduced, and 60% of them are dedicated to the empress, which means that Liang Xiao's industrial expansion will be greatly slowed down, and Dingguohou Mansion does not have to worry about itself.
Being abandoned by Liang Xiao too quickly, or being threatened by Liang Xiao in the future will threaten other properties of the family.
Other merchants soon realized that Liang Xiao's reduction in profits seemed to be beneficial to them, and they were relieved.
"The profit cut in half means that if something unexpected happens in the future, this guy will be more likely to lose money and may not even have a chance to make a comeback!"
Liang Xiao had excellent hearing, so of course he heard their pointing and ignored them.
He believed in the authority of the empress, and since she had promised him a first-class imperial merchant, it was no problem.
Sure enough, Liang Xiao received the imperial edict as soon as he returned home.
"The emperor was entrusted with the destiny of heaven, and the edict said: Therefore, Liang Xiao, the son of Lanling Marquis, inherited his father's ambition, served the country loyally, wrote poems in the capital, and did business to benefit the people. I am very happy! I also feel the gratitude of his father's heroic sacrifice for the country, and now I specially confer Liang Xiao as his father. 'First-class imperial businessman', temporarily grant him all business privileges. I appreciate this!"
The person responsible for the reading was none other than Lin Duan, the Superintendent of Ceremonies, Bingbi.
After Liang Xiao received the decree, he specially entertained Lin Duan.
Lin Duan looked at Liang Xiao excitedly and said sincerely: "Our family has long admired Mr. Liang for his thin golden body and rich economic knowledge. We hope that Mr. Liang will not forget the cultivation of our emperor and start with business, so that he can help the world and save the people in the future!"
Liang Xiao solemnly agreed and received the official seal.
Dingguo Houfu received the news immediately, and Mrs. Mu secretly breathed a sigh of relief and sighed: "Fortunately, the fake mother apologized to him in advance. It seems that this son does have a bright future. When your father comes back, you will look at him differently. "
Mu Qinxue was secretly happy.
With the empress and Duan Yunxiu's mutual promise, she can safely abduct Liang Xiao with Duan Yunxiu!
"What did you say? A first-class imperial merchant? He surrendered to the imperial court so quickly?"
When Gongsun Wuji received the news, he jumped up on the spot with a look of horror on his face.
"A new official position was created for Liang Xiao, a first-class imperial merchant..." Zhuo Mingfeng, who was standing by him, had a bright look in his eyes.
"Mingfeng, now that things have come to this, is it necessary for my third sister to come?" Gongsun Wuji asked urgently.
Zhuo Mingfeng sighed: "It is impossible to recruit Liang Xiao. Now, this is your private matter and I can't get involved."
Gongsun Wuji understood, and said with a depressed look on his face: "Should we at least bring my little sister back? Since he has taken refuge with the empress, my third sister will definitely not like him."
Zhuo Mingfeng smiled and said nothing.
No one knows what Zhuo Mingfeng is thinking at this moment.
With a gloomy face, Nangong Lei returned to Zhenyuan Hou Mansion and conveyed the news to Nangong Ning.
"First-class imperial merchant?? This foolish king actually let a prodigal son become an imperial merchant? This world is destined to change hands!" Nangong Ning was so angry that he broke the vase on the table on the spot.
The more prosperous Liang Xiao is, the more she hates him!
Only when Liang Xiao falls into despair, makes a fool of herself, or even loses her reputation can she prove to the world that her choice is right and that Liang Xiao is blind!
"We must unite with all the major families to suppress this son's business!" Nangong Lei gritted his teeth, suddenly remembered something, and changed his words, "This son actually has the right to intervene in the sale of salt and iron. If we cooperate with him regardless of past suspicions, it will be a way to make money. Way?"
"Dad?" Nangong Ning was anxious.
Nangong Lei comforted him: "Don't worry, we are just using him! When the time comes, wouldn't it be nice to lure him into doing some bribery and send him to prison?"
Nangong Ning suddenly realized it and said with a smile: "Then we still need to ask my father-in-law and the others for help?"
Xing Feng, who was resting in Honglu Temple, also received the news and was surprised.
"What can he do if he is in our Dachu?" Xing Hai, who was standing by, asked curiously.
Xing Feng replied: "My emperor is talented and has great strategies. If we get this person, he will definitely be the second son-in-law of Da Chu. What a pity! Now I am afraid that he is already the emperor's son-in-law in the heart of the Empress of Da Zhou... or even Da Zhou." I’m even more curious about the emperor’s choice. He used to go bankrupt in business, but now he only relies on sugar. Can he really be able to shoulder the heavy responsibility of a first-class imperial merchant?”