Chapter 43: No business without fraud

The first sign of a clash between major powers is economic warfare...

It is not impossible that the Baishang Kingdom took advantage of the instability in both Nanling and Beirong to launch an army to invade the cities in the southern border of Nanling as a reserve for future confrontation with Beirong!

Su Shengsheng was shocked again and again. Faced with the subtle and tense atmosphere at the table, her words came to an abrupt halt.

However, all this was just her inference and there was no substantial evidence, so she didn't say it out loud.

Seeing that she was hesitant to speak, Mu Ze couldn't help but ask curiously: "Then how can we eliminate counterfeit money?"

Su Shengsheng just smiled and said nothing, adding hot soup and food to everyone to ease the atmosphere.

Counterfeit currency has been unavoidable throughout the ages, and it is only in the modern digital economy that the problem has been completely solved.

The only difference is the national conditions. This is a war era, and it is undoubtedly a pipe dream to want to solve economic contradictions in one step.

Mu Ze was stunned for a moment before he came to his senses.

Even the emperor's small court was helpless in dealing with the problem of counterfeit currency, let alone a woman?

He was really overwhelmed by the aroma of delicious food today.

Mu Ze didn't ask any further questions, but instead complained about Fang Sishi, "That Fang Sishi made such a great contribution, but he only exempted the Su family from important duties for two people. He's too calculating."

He had spent a lot of time with the Su family and knew their current predicament, so he expressed such dissatisfaction.

Su Shengsheng sighed inwardly.

In fact, the exemption from military service written on the list by Minister Fang that day was not a typo.

In the last years of the old emperor, before the new emperor ascended the throne, in order to cope with the cash shortage, the old emperor promulgated the conscription law.

At that time, people were desperately trying to save money and not spend it, but Nanling and Beirong were at war, the military supplies were huge, and it was difficult to collect taxes, so this bad idea was resorted to.

The people were asked to hand over copper coins to avoid miscellaneous labor.

At that time, all the state capitals in the old capital were strengthening their defenses and digging trenches in preparation for war.

The people had no time to farm, grain production was insufficient, and they had to pay money to be exempted from military service.

Over time, farmland became deserted, food supplies became scarce, and it was no surprise that the Northern Rong easily breached the city.

After the new emperor ascended the throne, he abolished this labor service law in order to stabilize the people's hearts.

But he is trying to get the skin of the tiger by imposing tariffs in disguise, which is just the same old thing in a new bottle.

Mu Ze shook his head and sighed.

If the Su family did not have an imperial teacher and had not just been exiled, perhaps he could have been released from service by Su Shengsheng based on this merit.

Seeing that no one was in the mood to eat, Su Shengsheng asked, "Do you need some more charcoal?"

Xie Xuan had already put down his cup, stood up and said, "Mu Ze, pay the bill."

He spoke and acted so quickly that Su Shengsheng only had time to turn around and exchange a few polite words before King Xuanming had already walked out of the box.

"Your livelihood is not easy, and my prince is not short of money. You can keep these." Mu Ze did not give too much to avoid it being alms.

He placed twenty taels of silver on the table, clasped his fists towards Su Shengsheng and said, "Today is your first opening day. I wish you a prosperous business."

Su Shengsheng knew that this meal was not enough to repay the favor, so she stopped refusing and said, "Thank you, General Mu."

She led everyone out of the box and saw that downstairs was already silent.

Xie Xuan walked down the stairs, his eyes seeming to sweep over the man who had just spoken wildly.

Although Su Shengsheng was behind him and couldn't see his expression clearly, from the sudden change in his expression when he looked at Xie Xuan, she realized that Xie Xuan's casual glance was directed at that person.

Of course, it could also be that the man was guilty, or she was overthinking it.

Su Shengsheng followed closely behind the cavalry until they were escorted out of the store.

Afterwards, she stood aside and watched Xie Xuan and the others mount their horses and leave.

Qing Ning waited until Mu Ze was far away before walking out from behind the counter and asking, "Miss, what are you looking at?"

He came here to eat, originally for this...

Su Shengsheng withdrew her gaze from a distance and looked at Qing Ning who was looking into the distance with her. "How's the income?"

Qing Ning immediately smiled brightly: "Miss, we have earned more than twenty taels, which is enough for two months' rent."

One hundred coins per person, one tael of silver can accommodate ten people, and twenty taels can accommodate two hundred people.

Su Shengsheng smiled and nodded her head, "Silly girl, that's not how you calculate profit."

She sighed deeply, then smiled again when she thought of the twenty taels of silver in the box.

"Miss, if we can earn another twenty taels tonight, will it be profitable?" Qing Ning asked in confusion, covering her head.

"You have to deduct the ingredients, labor, rent, taxes, and wear and tear on the cutlery, and what's left is profit."

You know, this dynasty was not tolerant of merchants.

Qing Ning immediately deflated: "What a hassle!"

Su Shengsheng smiled and shook her head: "I didn't expect to make money this way."

Seeing that there were no new customers, Su Shengsheng used local resources to teach Qing Ning and the others business skills.

"Today we are just attracting customers. Next time, regular customers will only need to pay twelve cents. Do you think they will come next time?"

Qing Ning nodded vigorously, "Then he will definitely come!"

"Then next time they come, we'll offer a monthly membership card. It only costs eighty-eight coins per visit, but they'll need to pay one ounce of silver upfront. Do you think they'll be willing to pay that?"

Qing Ning answered without hesitation, "Of course I agree, and I'm even getting a twelve-cent discount!"

Su Shengsheng winked at her. "Then do the math. If these two hundred people are willing, and each person pays one ounce of silver, how much will that be?"

Qing Ning's mind raced, "Two hundred people, that's two hundred taels, plus the two hundred taels from tonight, that's four hundred taels, almost enough to buy this restaurant!"

Su Shengsheng smiled and pinched her money-loving little face: "This is only one month!"

Qing Ning's eyes widened, "Oh my God, it's coming, it's really coming."

Su Shengsheng smiled at the two people who were shocked and asked, "Are you still worried about the interest now?"

The two looked at each other and quickly turned their gazes away: "Don't worry, never worry again."

If you receive a month's salary in one day, what is there to be afraid of?

That’s right, diners are thinking about making a profit from their meals, while Su Shengsheng is thinking about their money tomorrow.

Isn’t this how people make money by pre-consumption?

For an ordinary family, being able to spend one or two taels of silver on food expenses a month is already the most they can afford.

She is not greedy and will not lock them up by getting an annual pass.

When this one leaves, there will be another one. You can't always try to fleece one person.

The purchasing power here is really too low, making it even harder for women to do business, so they can only target these idle men who love to take advantage.

Qing Ning finally came to her senses after a long while. She looked at the diners in the restaurant feasting like fat sheep waiting to be slaughtered, muttering, "No wonder people call me a profiteer..."

Su Shengsheng found it amusing: "After I make back my investment, I'll give you dividends! So, you don't want it anymore?"

When Qing Ning heard this, she immediately threw away her sympathy and said, "Of course we have to divide it. I am the right-hand man of the profiteer."

Ning Yu couldn't help laughing, "Then I'm the right arm."

Su Shengsheng smiled and embraced the two of them, "Let us go hand in hand and make a name for ourselves together in this formidable barrier."

Qingning and Ningyu both nodded heavily this time. They were no longer hesitant about the future, but full of confidence.