In the afternoon, the little guys asked to go to the swamp to play. They said that they wanted to check the terrain in advance and teach the little boy, who liked to play games and not go to school, how to catch river snails.
They brought a lot of people and specially prepared long bamboo poles with hooks. After the nine little guys experienced the dangers of the swamp, they had always been afraid of the swamp.
As for Zhang Xiaobao not allowing them to build a large fur processing plant, they were not unhappy. After all, they were used to it. They could always find opportunities to make a fortune, but every time this business was done, it would cause conflicts in the local industries, and their brother would stop it.
Only those that could make a little money and could make up for the shortcomings of other industries were allowed.
So they did not care. At most, they would think about it later. There were plenty of opportunities to make money. They could think about it while learning about the relationships between various industries and the knowledge taught by their brother.
For example, this fur processing plant. Yizhou was very important. The daily throughput of goods was very large. In addition, there would be a steady stream of small caravans coming and going from the occupied areas by land. Then, whoever monopolized the trade of fur would be able to influence at least 50 provinces through this trade.
How could such a big influence be monopolized casually? If Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Family built a fur processing plant here, how could other businessmen in the same industry survive? Who would sell the fur to others in the future?
Therefore, Xiaobei and the other eight understood that in an important area of material circulation, there could not be a monopoly in any industry. Otherwise, it would cause artificial price disruption to the whole area and the products in the surrounding radiation area. In turn, this showed that monopolies were very profitable. At the same time, they could gain other benefits beyond the value of the goods, such as local political connections and cross-industry connections.
Xiao Bei and the others could understand, but the little boy who was being educated by them was confused. He couldn't understand how building a factory had anything to do with all this nonsense. For a moment, the little boy began to have a new yearning for school. He felt that he did not understand, but Xiaobei and the others could. When he played with them, he could not lift his head.
*****
After sending his brothers and sisters to the door and watching them leave, Zhang Xiaobao said to Wang Juan, "The local scenery is really good. When we build villas in the future, let's buy two. We can live here when we are free."
Wang Juan did not pay attention to what Zhang Xiaobao said. What villa? Could he come here once a year in the future? Even if they really needed to come over, it was impossible for them to live in the villa. No matter how big the villa was, how could it compare to the restaurant at home?
"You should learn from the real estate developers in the future and get some money first." Seeing that Wang Juan didn't answer, Zhang Xiaobao said something else.
"Should we advertise first and ask them to take out a portion of the money as a deposit before the house is built? The agreement is 20 strings of coins per square meter. After the house is built, it will become 50 strings of coins per square meter. If they don't take out the money, we can return the deposit to them for free?" Wang Juan asked with a smile.
"That's right. It's a commonly used method. It's not new anymore. But every time it's used, there will always be people who fall for it. Real estate developers will buy in advance to drive up the sales figures and encourage more people to buy. Then, they will refund the money without paying any interest. At this time, administrative orders should be used to regulate and not a simple market economy. Because guiding the public is one of the functions of the government."
Zhang Xiaobao was just saying. He didn't want to use such methods to cheat people to make money.
Wang Juan knew that Zhang Xiaobao wasn't saying that he wanted to do this. But with the development of the social economy, other businessmen would think of such a good method, especially when ordinary people were buying houses. When the truly rich people bought expensive houses, no one would dare to cheat them.
When the time came, people would be cheated by real estate developers one after another. Other than scolding the real estate developers, they would also complain to the country about why the imperial court didn't do anything.
After a long time, the imperial court would lose its credibility. In the future, when there was something that required the help of the people, the people would 'dawdle' in the beginning. Later on, when there was danger, not only would the people not be anxious, but they would also gloat. Then, the country would be finished.
Unlike now, when the people were very obedient and did whatever they were told to do. It was said that the people could be ordered, but they couldn't be made to know. But with the current credibility of the imperial court, there was no need to explain. Just tell the people directly that if you dug a ditch in front of their house, even if the people understood, they would work hard to dig a ditch because they believed that the imperial court wouldn't do anything to harm them.
Such people's trust was easy to lose, but difficult to gain. It was important to protect them as much as possible. The trust of the people in you wasn't something that you could rely on to harm the people, so you had to cherish it.
"So, you want the imperial court to strengthen the legislation and enforcement in this area?" Wang Juan directly brought up Zhang Xiaobao's plan for this' boring 'matter.
Zhang Xiaobao nodded. "That's right. We have to do it in advance so that those businessmen who think that they are smart enough to have such thoughts will give up on it. We have to prepare for a rainy day. The only thing that worries me is whether the officials in the imperial court will stop us for their own interests. It's not good for us to always interfere, as it will affect the imperial power. Even if Li Longji doesn't say anything, others will still find fault with us. "
"So …" Wang Juan asked.
"So, let them suffer a little first. When the time comes, we'll use this opportunity to resolve the matter. Communicate with Li Longji first and set a trap for the other officials in the imperial court," Zhang Xiaobao said with a sinister smile.
"Alright, let's report it." Wang Juan agreed.
*****
Five days later, when Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan estimated that the team that went to Zhenla should have news back, Li Longji had finished discussing with the officials in the morning court in the capital. When they returned to their posts, he began to call them.
Li Longji's behavior was purely because he had nothing better to do. He didn't say it when the morning court ended and insisted on waiting for them to return before using the phone. It was obvious that he hadn't lost interest in this new communication tool.
"Connect to the Ministry of Works. Look for Zhang Zhong in the Shang Study Room of the Ministry of Works … Zhang Qing? Come to Xingqing Palace. There's something important to discuss. " Li Longji made the call. It was still manually connected. Zhang Zhong didn't know what was going on, but he agreed.
Li Longji put down the phone and picked it up again. "Connect to the Ministry of Revenue. Look for the Minister of Revenue … Wang Qing? Go to Xingqing Palace. "
He called them one by one like this, tirelessly.
However, the officials were already used to it. Ever since the phones were installed, Her Majesty would call them for no reason and then talk about things that didn't concern the overall situation. When she really couldn't find a topic to talk about, she would even ask what they wanted to eat for lunch. No one knew when these days would end.
Not long after, the officials who had just entered office mode were summoned by Li Longji to Xingqing Palace. Xingqing Palace had been renovated and was 50% larger than before. Moreover, a lot of good wood and stones were used.
The officials stood in the small square in front of Xingqing Palace and waited for Her Majesty to speak. At the same time, they looked at the current building and the newly planted flowers and plants that had been brought in from elsewhere. They were all calculating how much money had been used to build Xingqing Palace, which had already looked very beautiful before and was now even more beautiful than before.
"Everyone, look at the big fish tank that I had people bring in yesterday. Don't you think it looks more comfortable than the previous one? It's a pity that there are no fish in it. I have to buy two first. Let me introduce it to you. This fish tank is not only bigger, but the glass is also stronger than before. Look, look, look.
In addition to the bigger fish tank, there is also an automatic water circulation system supported by electricity, a lamp in the water, and a heating and oxygenation system. The Ministry of Works specially made them and set up a separate manufacturing and sales department. When you go back today, if you want to buy them, you can look for Minister Zhang. He will give you a 20% discount. "
Li Longji introduced happily, like a child showing off his new clothes to others.
When the officials heard Her Majesty's words, they all gritted their teeth. She called them over just to see the fish tank? It was beautiful, but Her Majesty really had nothing to do. Now she was advertising for the Ministry of Works?
Among the crowd, Jiang Cen of the Agriculture Temple didn't think much of it. The design of the fish tank was indeed very good. However, before Her Majesty used it, the Agriculture Temple had already used it and it was more practical than this one. At the same time, the number of fish tanks in front of them was far more than the fish tank in front of them.
Jiang Cen knew that he had applied for 12 fish tanks from the Ministry of Works alone to be used to observe the situation of the crops in the water so that better cultivation and pest control could be carried out.
Jiang Cen felt very happy. Xiao Bao and Cuckoo spared no effort in supporting the Agriculture Temple, but at the same time, he also knew that he couldn't show this happiness. Otherwise, Her Majesty would be very angry if she heard about it. Who asked him to use it so late?
Jiang Cen was very cooperative and asked, "Your Majesty, how much is a 20% discount for a fish tank like this?"
"It's not expensive. The total is 120 strings of coins. The entire set of equipment will be guaranteed for three years after you buy it. As long as it's not broken by people with stones, you can replace it if it's too damaged. If it's not damaged, you can repair it. I guarantee that it will be comfortable and convenient to use."
Li Longji was very suitable to be a promoter and patiently introduced the fish tank.
Jiang Cen frowned and asked again, "Your Majesty, 120 strings of coins is expensive, right? It's still a 20% discount. We are not outsiders and know that this glass tank is not very valuable. It's made with stones. The auxiliary equipment is also produced by the Ministry of Works and is very simple. Can … can it be cheaper?"
"What's not valuable? Minister Jiang, accounts … are not calculated like this. Did the cost calculation only consider the price of the raw materials? Your knowledge of political economy isn't good enough, "Li Longji said with a straight face.
Jiang Cen quickly replied, "Yes, yes, I will continue to learn when I go back. It's not expensive, only 120 strings of coins. It won't be enough to buy many meters. It won't even be enough to fit a house. Then, Your Majesty, can we buy it now?"
Li Longji smiled and waved his hand, "Not now. You can only pay a part of the deposit. Those who want to buy it should hurry up. 50 strings of coins for each fish tank, and then the Ministry of Works will produce it. You can pick it up in two days."
"Yes, we can sign a contract first. If there are any accidents, the deposit you paid will be refunded to you. However, each person has to order at least three of them. At the same time, there will be an additional bonus event. When the time comes, we will give it to you along with the fish tank. That will be a big surprise."
Zhang Zhong also echoed, but he couldn't bear it. Someone was fooled again.
I saw that some people have been waiting for the next chapter, so I will more or less say hello after the next chapter. Thank you for your support.
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