Ang Lee looked at the merchants below with a friendly expression, as if he was looking at his prey. He paused and said, "Hello, everyone! Is this iced red tea delicious? "
After that, he stood up straight and waited for the merchants' response.
The merchants were stunned at first, and then a few of them boldly said "good".
"Yes, it's delicious, very delicious."
"So this thing is called iced red tea! Good, it's really good. I haven't had such a delicious drink for more than a month. "
"Oh my god, it's so hot, and there's ice cubes in it. It's worth a lot!"
"It's worth it to be able to drink such delicious iced red tea."
"If such a good drink is sold to Dashi, it should be no problem to make twice the profit."
"Yes, yes, yes, this thing has unlimited business opportunities! There's no tea like this in the Tang Dynasty! If it's sold to Chang 'an, it's worth at least five times the profit. "
The merchants soon began to talk about it. Obviously, they were very satisfied with the iced red tea and felt that it was a rare good drink.
Ang Lee was naturally very happy to get the recognition of the merchants. This showed that his invention was very successful, and the iced red tea industry would soon develop.
The core technology of this industry was in his hands, and he had already handed it over to his trusted subordinates. In the future, the better the iced red tea business, the higher the local financial income, and the more large-scale construction could be carried out, so as to firmly control this important area. If the financial income was higher, it could also support the imperial court and let the court have more wealth.
Of course, the local area was temporarily isolated overseas, far away from the Tang Dynasty, and all the communication depended on the sea. However, the Tang Dynasty had been expanding, and the railway had been yearning for it. One day, it would be extended to the local area, and then this territory would have another way to communicate with the Tang Dynasty.
"Hey, I've seen this kind of leaf before. It's a kind of leaf in our local area."
A local merchant who was drinking iced red tea found the secret of the iced red tea when he saw the tea leaves of the Ceylon iced red tea. It was actually a kind of local leaf.
"Hey, it's true! Isn't this a very common leaf in the mountains? "
"Let me see. Hey, it's amazing. This is our local plant!"
The other two local merchants also felt it.
The Tang dynasty businessman was even more curious. He asked, "Assistant Minister Li, is this tea really a local plant?"
Ang Lee nodded affirmatively and replied, "That's right. This tea is a local specialty. It's just that the locals don't know that this tea is delicious. Now, this official has developed it."
"Aiya, this is really great. If I can buy a piece of land here and plant this kind of tea, the income will definitely be high."
"Yes! Didn't they say that the new imperial court of the Lion Kingdom was short of money and wanted to rent some land? Why don't we take the opportunity to buy some? This way, we can earn more money in the future. "
"Yes, I must buy a piece of fertile land and local tea leaves. Only the local soil and water can produce authentic black tea."
"I don't have that much money, but I do have the money to rent a piece of land for twenty years."
"Yes, yes, yes. Renting it is more cost-effective. Who knows how many years a person can live? Twenty to thirty years is enough. I'm forty-two years old this year. I can't guarantee that I'll live for another twenty to thirty years. "
The group of merchants began to discuss the matter of buying land.
This was the effect that Ang Lee wanted. Many merchants might not be willing to buy land directly. After all, farming was very hard work. It was better to directly sell goods and make money. However, by introducing the local Ceylon black tea, the merchants would find the business opportunity of farming. Many merchants would be willing to rent and buy land in the Lion Kingdom.
As long as a large number of merchants bought land, the local business environment would become better and the population would continue to increase. In this way, many subsidiary industries could develop rapidly. The merchants would be more willing to buy other land and resources, such as buying an iron mine, renting a coastal port, building their own wharf, and so on.
"Quiet, everyone quiet down."
Li An shouted to stop the merchants from discussing the issue. Only when all of them had shut up did he speak again, "Everyone, the reason why I invited you here today is not just to taste tea. I also have an important matter to tell you. Of course, you may already know that the new imperial court of Leo Country intends to rent and sell land and ports, as well as some mines. Moreover, the price is very reasonable. Everyone, please don't miss out on such a rare opportunity!"
"Oh, the Lion Kingdom really wants to sell land. It seems that the previous rumors are true."
"It seems that the Lion Kingdom really has no money. They even want to sell land. This is such a good opportunity, we have to buy it!"
"The new court of the Lion Kingdom has just been established. We don't know how trustworthy they are. If they take the money and go back on their word, we merchants have no military or power. We can't win against them."
"Yes, yes, yes. The worst thing is that the court doesn't have a good reputation. If they don't keep their word, our money will be wasted."
The merchants all spoke.
Ang Lee naturally heard the merchants' conversation. He also knew what the merchants were most worried about, and he was the only person who could reassure them.
"Everyone, I know what you are worried about. Aren't you worried that the Ma Teqin Imperial Court won't keep their word and won't give you land after taking the money? You don't have to worry about this. I can guarantee that if they dare to go back on their word, the Tang dynasty will stand up for you. "
Ang Lee answered in a very domineering manner.
None of the merchants below the stage didn't believe Ang Lee. After all, the strength of Ang Lee's troops was enough to easily defeat the small court of the Ma Teqin Imperial Court. In the face of such a strong force, this newly established court had no ability to resist. Therefore, as long as Ang Lee said something, the new court of the Lion Kingdom wouldn't dare to go back on their word. After taking the money, they would definitely honor their word.
"Great, with the Tang dynasty as our backing, the new court of the Lion Kingdom won't lie to us. This time, we must buy more land."
A big merchant said happily.
"Yes, we want to buy, we want to rent, and we also want to grow tea leaves on the land of the Lion Kingdom."
The merchants all started to clamor.
"Assistant Minister Li, how can the land of the Lion Kingdom be rented and sold? Where is the land rented? I heard that there is a port? I want to rent a port. "
One of the merchant representatives said.
Ang Lee said with a smile, "Everyone, these people behind me are sent by the court of the Lion Kingdom. They have nearly a hundred maps with detailed information about the land rented and the location of the land rented. After you look at the maps, you will understand. If there is anything you don't understand, you can ask them at any time. Also, you can propose to go on a field trip. This is also allowed. The price is right beside the map. If more than one of you have your eyes on the same place, you can even compete."
After he finished speaking, he looked at the people of the Lion Kingdom behind him and asked them to immediately spread the maps out so that every merchant could have a chance to see the maps they wanted.
The people of the Lion Kingdom scattered the nearly a hundred maps in their hands and the necessary explanatory materials into four rows. There was a row on the left and right near the edge of the shed, and the two rows in the middle were placed back to back. This was to disperse the merchants as much as possible so that everyone could see the maps and explanatory materials clearly. In addition, these people also stayed under the shed to explain little by little so that the merchants could understand.
As there were enough maps, these merchants took turns to look at the maps in groups of three to five. They also looked for the land and resources that they were interested in. This resulted in some maps being empty while others had dozens of people gathered around them. The difference was huge.
"Such a small piece of land and the price is so high. It is too expensive!"
"Is this still expensive? This is already the lowest price. There is a big river beside this piece of land. It is very convenient for irrigation."
"Can we rent it for 20 years? The price can be lower."
"Sure, the price of 20 years is halved. It is very cost-effective. If you don't have enough funds, you can buy it together."
"Sure, this is good. We need to discuss it again."
"The water in this port is too shallow. We need to expand the port to allow merchant ships in. The price can be lower."
"No, this is the lowest price that our King can offer. We can add more land beside the port. This price is really not expensive. We can definitely rent it out."
"I want it. I want to rent this port for 30 years. When can I pay the deposit?"
"No hurry. I will write your name down below. If no one offers a higher price in two days, you can pay the deposit."
"What? You still want to bid? This is unnecessary. We still have to wait for two more days. No one will offer a higher price."
"I will increase the price by 10%. I want to rent this port."
"You think you have more money! You are just arguing! "
A large group of merchants and the people of the Lion Kingdom started an intense bargaining.
Ang Lee stood on the stage. He was drinking iced red tea while listening to the noisy conversation. He was thinking about something else.
The renting of land in the Lion Kingdom would not end in a short period of time. It would definitely take a long time. This shed that was built would probably only be torn down after a long period of time.
During these days, a large number of merchants would continuously enter this shed to look at the land that they were interested in. They would sit down to chat and drink tea.
Now, iced red tea was supplied in large quantities for free. However, if large quantities of iced red tea were to be supplied for free for a long period of time, it would cause a certain amount of pressure on the finances. Hence, in order to reduce the financial pressure, the iced red tea would be charged from tomorrow onwards. The price could not be too expensive to prevent suspicion of cheating customers.
"Alang, the iced red tea is running out. Do you want to continue preparing?"
Yun 'er frowned and ran over to report.
Ang Lee asked softly, "Why is it not enough? Didn't I ask you to prepare more? "
Last night, Ang Lee had already instructed Yun 'er to bring a group of people and prepare sufficient iced red tea before noon.
"Alang, we prepared a total of five thousand cups. Who would have thought that they could drink so much?"
Yun 'er looked aggrieved. She paused and pointed at a fat merchant in front of her. She said unhappily, "Alang, that fatty in front drank more than twenty cups by himself. He had to go to the washroom three times. If they all drink like this, no matter how much we prepare, it won't be enough for them to drink!"
Ang Lee raised his eyes and looked at the fat merchant in front of him. He said with a smile, "This fatty can really drink. Twenty cups! It's really hard on him. He's not afraid of bursting his stomach. If it wasn't for the free iced red tea, he probably wouldn't drink so much. He's a greedy person. "
"That's right. This damn fatty isn't afraid of bursting himself. We can't let him drink anymore."
Yun 'er said angrily.
Ang Lee said with a smile, "Today is the first day. No matter how much they drink, they have to be supplied in large quantities for free. From tomorrow onwards, the iced red tea will be charged. Let them have a good drink today!"
"Yes, Alang. This servant will go and prepare some more. Let them drink to death."
Yun 'er reluctantly went to prepare more iced red tea.
Although the weather was hot, drinking three to five cups of iced red tea was enough. Drinking seven to eight cups was already the limit. For the fat merchant to drink more than twenty cups in one go, it was purely because of his mentality of taking advantage of others. This would not be of any benefit to his body. To be able to go to the washroom three times in a row, it could be seen how much he drank.
The amount of Ceylon black tea that Ang Lee asked his subordinates to make was enough to last for a period of time. However, Ang Lee could not stay in this place for long. He still had to leave. In order to take more with him to taste on the road, he sent people to gather the nearby people and let them enter the mountains to pick Ceylon black tea. He also gave them a certain amount of labor fees.
After drinking the third cup, Ang Lee could not drink anymore. There were so many subordinates here in charge. Ang Lee did not need to stay here all the time. After two hours, he left.
At night, his subordinates came to report the situation. Everything was within Ang Lee's expectations. More than half of the merchants expressed their willingness to buy. In addition, the merchant ships at the port were more frequent. In the days to come, there would be more and more merchant ships entering the port. At the same time, there would be new merchants coming to understand the situation.
As long as the number of merchants was enough, it would not be a problem to buy the land rented by the Lion Kingdom. In this way, the financial problems of the Lion Kingdom could be completely solved.
"Alang, it's getting late. You should rest."
Yun 'er brought a basin of hot water and served Ang Lee to rest.
Ang Lee asked with concern: "After a busy day, you must be exhausted! Tell me! How many cups did the merchants drink in total? "
"Alang, we prepared a total of eight thousand cups. In the end, there were only six hundred cups left. They were drunk by the guards."
Yun 'er said.
"Five to six hundred merchants drank a total of eight thousand cups. What a huge amount! It seems that we can really make a lot of money! "
Ang Lee said with a smile.
"Alang is planning to start selling iced red tea tomorrow? But if we charge a fee, we probably won't be able to sell eight thousand cups. Especially that fatty, he drank another three cups. If we charge a fee, how could he drink like that? "
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