This shop is not big, but it is filled with a wide variety of high-quality Yishui inkstones of different sizes and shapes.
Xiao Chen picked one up and looked at it carefully.
"The shape and quality of your inkstones are acceptable. The only thing lacking is that there are no two identical Yishui inkstones." Looking at the waiter who had been following him, Xiao Chen slowly put down the inkstone in his hand.
On the counter.
"Young master, you are joking." The waiter hunched over and explained with a smile: "The Yishui inkstones in our shop are all artificially quarried and manually carved. They are all based on the texture, color, and originality of each inkstone.
The shape is a masterpiece made by the carver on the spot. If you want two pieces that are similar in style, you may be able to find them. If you want one that is exactly the same, you may not be able to find it even if you search the entire Yizhou City."
Although the waiter's body was hunched over, his face was full of confidence when he said this.
Xiao Chen frowned: "Well, that really makes me a little embarrassed. I want to buy it as a gift. If the appearance is too different, wouldn't it be easy for people to misunderstand which one is better and which one is not?"
"If you want two Yishui inkstones with similar appearance, sir, we can still pick them out in our store." The waiter said, getting ready to help Xiao Chen choose at the counter.
"Two are not enough, I need a hundred identical Yishui inkstones." Xiao Chen said.
"Ah?" The waiter's raised arm stopped in the air.
He had seen many literati who came to buy Yishui inkstones. With his sharp tongue, he could always sell a lot of Yishui inkstones.
But today, this was the first time he had heard of these two requests from Yi Shuiyan, and they actually asked for the exact same style. He really couldn't meet this request.
"Two young masters, if you want a hundred identical Yishui inkstones, I'm afraid we have to customize them." Looking at Xiao Chen, the waiter said apologetically.
"Can you customize this?"
The waiter shook his head: "This customization can only be made by the Ouyang family, the largest manufacturer of Yishui inkstones in Yizhou."
"Oh," Xiao Chen was stunned, "Aren't you trying to push your business out?"
The waiter smiled, rubbed his hands and said, "Actually, it's almost the same. If we can get such a big order for the Ouyang family, the younger one can also earn a certain amount of hard work."
"So direct? Aren't you afraid that I will go directly to the Ouyang family to customize Yishui inkstones?" Xiao Chen really didn't know how to get rid of this enthusiastic waiter.
"Young master, I don't know something about this. In Yizhou City, if you want to buy a large amount of Yishui inkstones at a low price, you can only go to the Ouyang family's inkstone making workshop. If you are not an insider, where is this workshop?
I don’t even know.” The waiter winked and said mysteriously.
"Why is this? Are the prices of the stores on this street too high?" Xiao Chen smiled and stared at the waiter.
Xiao Er crouched down and looked at the street outside the store to make sure there was no one, then lowered his voice.
"These stores are all set up for those dignitaries and government inspectors who come here because of their reputation. If a young master wants hundreds of Yishui inkstones of the same shape, they should be purchased collectively by universities or administrative agencies. If you go to the Ouyang family
If it is customized, no matter the shape or color, it will be exactly the same as the one on the store outside, but the price will definitely make the young master earn enough at one time."
"Wait, wait." Xiao Chen interrupted the other party, "I still don't understand what you said. Can we understand it this way: the Yishui inkstones in the shop outside are truly high-quality Yishui inkstones.
Inkstone. And the Yishui inkstone that is planned to be customized by the Ouyang family is just similar in appearance to the Yishui inkstone, but its true origin is that the stone is collected from other places and processed according to the production procedures of the Yishui inkstone? "
The waiter chuckled and lowered his voice: "Although these raw materials are not real Yishui inkstone materials, they are definitely very similar. Unless someone has studied them for many years, there is no way to tell them apart. Master, you can rest assured."
Xiao Chen finally understood in his heart that this was a shoddy product.
"Then what's the price difference between this kind of Yishui inkstone and the Yishui inkstone in stores outside?" Xiao Chen then asked.
The waiter cleared his throat: "What should I say? Those with a similar appearance like ours sell them for ten taels of silver. For one Yishui inkstone, you can earn eight taels of silver. If you buy a hundred ten
Woolen cloth?"
Xiao Chen couldn't help but take a breath of air.
Just an inkstone that only literati can use has such a large door inside. What about other materials? Among the large amounts of cloth and cotton purchased by the imperial court every year, will there be such shoddy products, but the price remains the same?
situation exists?
In the past, when I was in Jinyiwei, I also investigated a lot of corrupt officials. However, the most they did was to confiscate their homes and confiscate all their properties to the state treasury. I never understood how they were corrupt. What the waiter said today
, Xiao Chen instantly understood why some people spent a lot of money to buy an official position.
It's not that people want to honor their ancestors, but they just want to use the power in their hands to get more money.
"This situation is considered a fraud. Won't the government investigate it? If it is discovered by the government, my money will be wasted and I will be sued?" Xiao Chen also lowered his voice and told his own story.
concern.
"Check, the government will strictly investigate this kind of thing wherever it goes. However, if this kind of business also involves the government, he will not investigate himself." The waiter said mysteriously.
Xiao Chen shook his head: "I think it's better not to take risks. If you are investigated and dealt with, the money is a small matter, but the lawsuit is a big deal. Then your reputation will be ruined, wouldn't it be counterproductive?"
Feeling Xiao Chen's hesitation, the waiter increasingly believed that the two of them were two big and profitable fish.
"Young master, don't worry. Our industry chain is in the same league as the state government. At least I can guarantee that no one will check you in Yizhou. When the master leaves the Yizhou area, there will be approval from the Yizhou government.
Who dares to say that the Yishui inkstone in your hand is not genuine?" the waiter said proudly.
"Is there any approval from the state government?" Xiao Chenjing asked in surprise.
"Of course this is necessary. The state government does not collect taxes on scattered sales outside. But such a large purchase of Yishui inkstones requires taxes to be paid to the state government."
"Then who should pay this tax? Me or Ouyang Workshop?" Xiao Chen said.
"According to normal transactions, the seller is required to pay this tax. But since the price is so low, the tax must be paid by the buyer. But don't worry, young master, this tax is just a symbolic charge. Those vain money is still the last
It goes into your pocket, Master."
Looking at the waiter with a serious look on his face, Xiao Chen laughed in his heart.
With government and businessmen colluding and deceiving the superiors and concealing the truth from the inferiors, Dongchang always has endless work to do.
