"Two hundred thousand pieces of book paper? Where did we get so much inventory!"
…
In the lobby of Dingguo Hou Mansion, Mu Qinxue sat obediently aside and was scolded.
Mu Ping only felt a splitting headache!
Offending the Bai family is nothing, but behind the Bai family there are forces such as the Duanmu family, the Zhenyuan Hou Mansion, and the Tuoba family.
"Your grandfather was a military commander. Even if he is a founding father, he will inevitably be slandered by his colleagues. Aren't you making enemies in the Duke's Mansion?"
Mrs. Mu hesitated for a moment and reminded: "The child's father, Liang Xiao, has been awarded the title of first-class imperial merchant."
"Imperial merchant?"
Mrs. Mu then truthfully informed Liang Xiao of his recent performance, and Mu Ping was stunned for a moment.
"You didn't even know that Liang Xiao signed a contract with Bai He, so you quietly agreed to cooperate with him? He can take such desperate risks for a five thousand tael contract, he already has the potential to be a big profiteer! Don't forget, your grandfather back then
Why did grandma die in the war? It was those profiteers who were like bullshit and had been secretly trading with Beihu..."
The more Mu Ping talked, the angrier he became. Mrs. Mu couldn't stand it anymore and said, "The Prime Minister also praised Liang Xiao and said that the only one who can help Your Majesty to pacify the world in the future is Liang Xiao."
"What? Xiaoxue and her teacher are optimistic about Liang Xiao?" Mu Ping immediately calmed down and looked at Mu Qinxue.
Mu Qinxue then detailed Zhuge Hui's evaluation of Liang Xiao and the fact that Liang Xiao was reused by the empress.
Mu Ping was speechless for a moment.
Even seniors like Zhuge Hui attach so much importance to Liang Xiao, then the situation is completely different...
You know, this old prime minister is the founding prime minister, a veteran of three dynasties like his father, and the most successful person in the Zhou Dynasty!
Mu Qinxue stood by and did not dare to disturb.
After a long time, Mu Ping sighed: "The matter is now over. If you like it, just go and fight for it yourself. Don't expect your father to come to propose marriage..."
Mu Qinxue was ecstatic in her heart, and said calmly on the surface: "My child will pay more attention to him, after all, time will tell people's hearts. As for business matters, dad doesn't have to worry about it, the child will be responsible!"
Mu Ping just said stiffly "Yeah" and went back to his bedroom to sulk.
After Mu Qinxue waited for him to leave, she couldn't help covering her mouth and snickering: "Oh, what a shame, there's no need to elope. I even thought of the script!"
pity?
Lin'er on the side was dumbfounded, looking at her young lady.
The Gongsun family controlled a quarter of the sugar cane supply around the capital and a near-monopoly in the paper industry, so Liang Xiao decided to come to discuss business in person.
Liang Xiao and Gongsun Ling were negotiating in the lobby, while Gongsun Wuji received the news in the side hall.
"He wants us to sell him three of the paper mills and the remaining sugar cane fields?" Gongsun Wuji frowned and looked at Zhuo Mingfeng.
Zhuo Mingfeng said: "I think he is worried that one day we will raise the price. I think it will be sold or not."
"Should we sell it or not? If we control the paper price, we might wait for the turmoil in the Great Zhou Dynasty to fish in troubled waters. This is what you proposed at the beginning. Through the paper price, we can get a preliminary understanding of the situation in the Great Zhou Dynasty." Gongsun Wuji said depressedly.
Zhuo Mingfeng said: "I can see that even without Liang Xiao, there may not be a big chaos in the Great Zhou Dynasty within two years, unless the Beihu goes south regardless of the cost. Now, with Liang Xiao joining the empress, I'm afraid there is no chance of this happening in the capital.
The turbulence is beneficial to us. Therefore, there is no difference whether to sell or not to sell. After all, the profit of the paper industry is limited, and it is originally for layout."
Gongsun Wuji looked sad.
Nowadays, there is only one pair of sisters left in the Great Zhou royal family, and all the forces are eyeing them. Even the Gongsun family is not without ideas.
But Zhuo Mingfeng and Zhuge Hui both spoke highly of Liang Xiao, which made him a little afraid.
His little sister is determined to live and die with Liang Xiao, and it is impossible for him to send someone to assassinate Liang Xiao.
"Can we just watch him grow stronger?" Gongsun Wuji looked unwilling.
Zhuo Mingfeng replied: "The possibility of him becoming stronger is not small, and he chose to make a fortune in the capital and rely on the imperial power. It is a wise move. We are beyond our reach and there is no way to restrict him. You see, Da Chu has no intention of fanning the flames.
, Could it be that Mr. Xing thinks Liang Xiao is a hero, so he doesn’t know how to take action?”
"You mean, Xing Feng also knows that the risks and costs of targeting Liang Xiao are too high, so he would rather give up?" Gongsun Wuji was stunned.
Zhuo Mingfeng analyzed: "Not necessarily, maybe this person really cherishes Liang Xiao and disdains this move. But no matter what he thinks, it proves that Da Chu has no intention to get involved in this matter. Since the Gongsun family has no possibility to restrict Liang Xiao
In order to develop, it is better to form a good relationship with him to show his attitude, in case something unexpected happens. In addition, the Gongsun family and the fourth lady have this relationship with him, you understand. "
Gongsun Wuji remained silent.
He couldn't understand what Zhuo Mingfeng meant. He must leave an extra escape route for the Gongsun family.
The Gongsun family is determined to dominate the world, but they have been hesitant to rise up because they have too many worries.
First of all, the Gongsun family's army alone is no match for the Zhou army.
Secondly, Bashu also faces threats from the south, Jiangnan, Jiaozhou and other places, and the great Zhou Wusheng who has never seen the dragon is actually still alive.
If one day the Gongsun family becomes weak and is even attacked by a group of people, they can at least consider formally surrendering to the Empress of Zhou.
Maintaining harmony with the Zhou court was also a balanced strategy for the Gongsun family to deal with internal and external troubles, and could deter those forces that were eyeing the Gongsun family.
Liang Xiao had a long conversation with Gongsun Ling, the representative of the Gongsun family, but Gongsun Ling was hesitant to make a decision.
Now Liang Xiao is a first-class imperial merchant, equivalent to doing business with the Gongsun family on behalf of the empress.
Liang Xiao said solemnly: "Each paper mill has one thousand taels or three. For those sugar cane fields including the sugarcane farmers, I will give you two thousand taels, for a total of five thousand taels. Mr. Gongsun, please think about it. I will give you those three paper mills."
After the paper mill is taken down, we can sign an agreement that the paper produced will be used by my workshop for its own use and will never be sold to outsiders. I will not compete with you for business. In addition, I can provide you with at least 10,000 kilograms of sugar at the market price every month.
.”
Gongsun Ling hesitated for a moment and sighed: "This is a serious matter, please allow me to ask for instructions from my eldest young master!"
Arriving at the side hall, Gongsun Ling truthfully relayed Liang Xiao's request.
Gongsun Wuji pondered for a long time and then said: "I will leave this matter to you with full authority. You can just pretend that I am not here and do whatever is appropriate according to your original ideas."
Gongsun Ling said nervously: "If we follow the original business thinking, as long as Boss Liang can sign a contract with our Gongsun family, it is not impossible to agree. We can get the supply of sugar, give Boss Liang a pleasant cooperation experience, and please us."
Fourth Miss, no matter how you say it, this is a major benefit..."
Gongsun Wuji looked at Zhuo Mingfeng and said helplessly: "Then do as you say!"
After Gongsun Ling came back, he finally agreed to Liang Xiao's request.
Liang Xiao was overjoyed and urged: "Without further delay, let's go to the government to sign the contract, and the government will be responsible for notarizing it!"
Liang Xiao spent five thousand taels of silver and finally took the last sugar cane land in the capital as his own.
However, two thousand taels is only the bottom cost, and the sugarcane farmers who are responsible for planting sugarcane also need his support.
Liang Xiao decided to provide sugarcane farmers with food and accommodation for a family of up to five people to increase their enthusiasm for production.
Ordinary people in the Zhou Dynasty could live a normal life with a wife and children on the bed for one tael of silver per month, so Liang Xiao's actual investment in workers' food and accommodation was far lower than the huge profits he made.
Of course, the low wages of workers in ancient times were not entirely due to stingy bosses. After all, productivity in ancient times was weak and transportation was not developed. Doing business was not always as profitable as the emergence of sugar. Especially in turbulent times, the risks involved in doing business were even greater.
Big, and of course more profitable.
After Liang Xiao took possession of the paper mill, he immediately began to make arrangements to open a newspaper.