Cheng Shao, who was hiding in the crowd, snorted and laughed, thinking, this young lady even dares to bully the general's ancestors, let alone the general himself.
Just looking at the smile on his wife's face, you can tell that the young lady is as powerful as a chicken with its feathers blown off, but the words she says make people feel as if they have drunk nectar, and their whole body is filled with comfort. In one word - awesome!
As for why Miao Wan is so tough?
Of course, it was Gu Shuyao who taught well. Her method regarding the Wuliangha clan and the two merchants from Jiangnan and Dengzhou greatly inspired Miao Wan.
Most of the things she knows how to do are cheap and expensive, so she won't lose money if she prices them according to the current general prices.
Merchants don’t go out of the country to do business?
It doesn't matter, then we can enter the customs and do business. Ruan Jialin has always wanted to be an imperial merchant. The saint will not think that the money in his private treasury is too much, right?
(Saint: I am so poor!)
As long as they find out that this is a way to make a lot of money, those merchants who clamor to boycott Miao Wan will definitely be the first to slap themselves in the face. In front of merchants, there is no face, only interests.
Miao Wan had long wanted to teach those merchants a lesson. Chen Sixu had spoiled their appetites, but there were always some who were not so arrogant. It would not be a bad idea to replace them with a new batch of merchants.
It’s a good opportunity to take advantage of the holidays when there are many people around, and the more people who know, the better.
As for wanting to incite the people to cause trouble?
Miao Wan went upstairs with a smile. The birthday boy was still waiting to eat the cake. The people downstairs were going crazy when they saw the prices. Many of them didn't even bother to put their shoes on after they fell off. They just picked them up and ran home.
Why?
As soon as you enter the door, you can see clothes neatly hung on the shelves, and in the corner are various instant noodles packaged in cloth bags.
Let’s talk about clothes first. According to what Miao Wan had planned before, they were divided into three categories. The first category was ordinary clothes, which included a set of cotton jacket and cotton pants, gloves, hat, and scarf, and cost three taels of silver.
The price of one-third is only one tael of silver, and the price of one-half is only one and a half taels.
Let me put it this way, the cloth sold in the county town nowadays, the cheaper one for a slightly stronger piece of cloth is at least two taels of silver, and it can only be made into two sets of clothes after being cut into pieces. One of the shirts or pants has to be pieced together with the cut-off corners of the cloth.
Speaking of cotton, one pound of the best cotton costs five cents of silver. One pound of cotton can only make a thin set of cotton jacket and trousers at most. It is not enough to make anything thicker. It needs at least one and a half pounds.
So the common people made their own clothes, and the cheapest set would cost at least one tael and seven qian of silver, but they only had to sell it for one tael.
The material feels very strong, the kind that you would not be able to buy at a fabric store without three taels of silver.
You can wear it for at least several years if you buy it. Anyone who doesn’t buy it is a fool.
Even outsiders, as long as they are registered in the northwest, are tempted. Those who want to travel know best how difficult it is to travel in cold weather. If they don't dress warmly and drink water, they will get frozen and their lifespan may be affected.
Therefore, some people who come from other places to do business, although they are not as rich as traveling merchants, are willing to buy better things.
That is, a mid-range six-ply cotton jacket, the marked price is five taels of silver, and half of it can be bought for only two and a half taels.
If you can wear it for several years... you'll make a lot of money!
As for the most expensive clothes, there was no set price. There were only three sets of clothes worn by Miao Wan and her two daughters. It was written below that the starting price was ten taels of silver, and they were custom-made and not sold repeatedly.
Under normal circumstances, the issue of wearing the same clothes would drive the ladies crazy.
However, low-end and mid-range products are selling like hot cakes, while high-end products are ignored.
There was no way. Miao Wan's harsh words on the stage just now were very high-sounding, but she said it in a very satisfying way, and everyone also enjoyed hearing it. But the merchants and traveling businessmen behind her started to make a fuss.
Some of the female family members are themselves the families of merchants and traveling merchants, and some have a lot of dealings with merchants and traveling merchants. Seeing that a conflict is bound to occur, they would not go to patronize the family even if they are tempted, so as to avoid the embarrassment of talking about it and causing trouble for the head of the family.
In fact, the trouble came faster than Miao Wan had imagined. Taotao's birthday cake had just been eaten, and everyone had not had time to go back to General Yunhui's mansion to eat hot pot, but someone showed up at the door.
They even showed off their prowess and brought a hundred elite soldiers to the scene, ready to shut down the JuFu Supermarket.
"General Yunhui's family is inciting friendly relations between Northern Mongolia, the Western Regions, and Dayue. I suspect General Yunhui of treason. I will immediately close the shop and arrest all of them. They will be imprisoned and await their fate!"
It's a pity that although his soldiers are powerful, when it comes to group fights... there are more people on the Qiao family's side today, with plainclothes and military uniforms standing out in large numbers with swords drawn.
There were more than 200 people, making the more than 100 people on the opposite side look a little green.
Qiao Ruichen stood in front of the bed and saw that the person who came was from another branch of the Xu family army that was responsible for guarding the Goddess Peak. He remembered that the surname was Liang and he had never found any relationship with the Chen family. He had always been very cautious and did not expect him to be so reckless.
His expression was quite gentle. "General Liang, you must have misunderstood. My wife is just running a small business, and the rules she set are all for the benefit of the people and to suppress commerce. What does this have to do with treason?
"Suppressing commerce?" Liang Yunchun sneered. "I think the one making the most money is Madam Qiao, right? Are you obsessed with money? Are you even bullying merchants from the Western Regions and Northern Mongolia? Don't you know that the Western Regions are at their most rampant right now? Are you trying to force them to join the Western Regions and oppose Dayue?"
Qiao Ruichen raised his eyebrows, unsure whether Liang Yunchun was too stupid or too greedy.
He pondered for a moment, then stopped smiling and his expression became much colder. "Zicheng will naturally consider this when he replaces the general in command of the Gubei Army. Even if there is an alliance, it does not mean that Dayue will allow the merchants to act recklessly. I think General Liang should understand this..."
"Nonsense! What do you mean by merchants being arrogant? Is there anyone more arrogant than you, Qiao Zicheng? First, you had dealings with the Wuliangha clan, then after a falling out, you were ungrateful and forced them to leave Dayue. Now you want to drive away all merchants and traveling traders. I will definitely report you to the Saint and accuse you of deliberately provoking and attempting to start a war to disrupt the border!"
Liang Yunchun's expression grew colder as he spoke. "As for replacing the general, it seems clear that you have bribed the general and want to subjugate the Gubei Army into a private army for your Qiao and Cheng families. I have already sent a memorial to the capital at full speed. Your shop must be closed immediately. Before the imperial edict comes down, do not even think about interfering in the official business of the Gubei Army!"
"I understand." Suddenly, a cold female voice said indifferently, "General Liang, what you mean is that you have the final say over the Gubei Army now?"
Liang Yunchun raised her head, her eyes like arrows, "Who the hell are you? How dare a woman like you speak so arrogantly here?"
Miao Wan sucked her cheeks and whispered, "Boss, if you don't kick this kind of person, the New Year will be over."
Liang Yunchun: "..." He heard it.
Cheng Shao also poked his head out from upstairs and chuckled, "Oh? Then I wonder if I can speak?"
Liang Yunchun narrowed his eyes slightly and took out a token from his bosom. "The Regent has ordered that the Saint has not yet fully taken charge of the government. The Duke of Chen's Mansion has colluded with the Queen Mother to cause cholera beyond the scope of the law. To prevent unrest at the border, the Gubei Army has been ordered to await the imperial decree from the capital."
When Cheng Shao saw the token, his eyes turned cold. It seemed that there were quite a few villains in the Gubei Army.
He was about to explode, but Miao Wan squeezed Gu Shuyao, and the two of them pushed him out of the window, causing him to stagger.
Cheng Shao: “…” I haven’t even started pretending yet, what are you doing?
Miao Wan was extremely excited. "Oh my, this is personal rule. I'll have to ask His Majesty later if there's any talk of a complete withdrawal. So, is there anyone else in the court who can rule on His Majesty's behalf?"
Liang Yunchun was startled and scolded, "You woman, stop talking nonsense..."
"Shut up!" Miao Wan slammed the window hard, took a deep breath, and quietly put down her hand.
Qiao Ruichen: "..." He calmly took his wife's hand and rubbed it for her, then slapped it until it hurt. Why bother?
Miao Wan endured the pain and snatched Cheng Shao's chance to show off. She pulled out her hand and took out the imperial edict from her chest. "Do you think you are the only one with the token? I still have the imperial edict! This was specially left for me by the saint. Several post station officials have seen it and can all testify for me!"
Everyone: "..." Isn't the place where you put the imperial edict a little wrong???
Liang Yunchun was choked.
Miao Wan didn't give him a chance to react, glaring fiercely at the soldiers below. "Why don't you kneel after seeing the imperial edict? Is it because the Regent gave you the confidence? Is he planning a rebellion?"
When she said this, although she didn't rush to attack Liang Yunchun, the soldiers guarding the shop all knelt on the ground. Liang Yunchun...
He gritted his teeth and made those who came to cause trouble kneel on the ground.
The merchants and traveling businessmen who were watching the situation from a distance felt disappointed. The troublemaker had already fallen on his knees, what else could they do?
Miao Wan asked Qiao Ruichen, who knew the situation, to go down and read the imperial edict, and handed him a loudspeaker.
"The sage said that the people are more important than the emperor. He felt sorry for the people's hardship. I am doing business by order. I promised the sage that every penny I earn will be used to benefit the people of the northwest and even the people of Dayue.
So I am willing to lose money to my fellow countrymen so that they can live a good life. Of course, I must earn money from merchants and traveling businessmen. Otherwise, how can I share the worries of a saint who loves his people like his own children?
The more Liang Yunchun listened, the uglier his expression became. He had no idea that the saint had such a trick up his sleeve in the northwest. Seeing the people kneeling on the ground and crying with emotion, he knew that his way to take advantage of the opportunity to capture Qiao Ruichen and even prevent Cheng Shao from becoming the General of Dingbei was blocked.
Cheng Shao no longer hid and took out the imperial edict that issued his appointment. Coincidentally... ahem, this imperial edict must be carried with him, otherwise losing or damaging it would be a serious crime, so he also hid it on his body.
Qiao Rui's eyes widened at the sight, and Taotao couldn't help but open his clothes as if he could take something out.
Cheng Shao hurried down, as he felt that if he didn't, he would lose face.
"The Saint appointed me General Dingbei and told me before I left that the Qiao family were loyal subjects serving the country wholeheartedly. They gave up their high positions and generous salaries to stay in the Northwest and fight against foreign enemies together with the people in order to take care of the people of the Northwest for the Saint."
He looked at Liang Yunchun, whose face was grim, and even glanced at the closed window in the distance. The sound was neither loud nor soft, because... with the loudspeaker, almost everyone who should have heard it could have heard it.
"As for General Liang, he's indiscriminately accusing others and ruining the Regent's reputation. This is framing the Regent and also throwing mud at the Saint. Such disloyal and unrighteous people are not needed by the Gubei Army. Capture them!"
A farce that brought the Dragon Raising its Head to a perfect end.
Even so, high-end customization has not become popular, mainly because it is too expensive. Most of them can only be afforded by wealthy people. As for wealthy people, they often have a few friends who are traveling merchants or businessmen.
Apart from the officials' wives who were still waiting and watching, only they could afford it. For several reasons, no one was in a hurry to buy it.
Miao Wan was not in a hurry to sell. She sent many particularly beautiful styles to Jin Fei in Beijing. Now Jin Fei and Xian Fei were the most powerful ones in the imperial city. If Jin Fei wore beautiful clothes, how could Xian Fei not be tempted?
The imperial concubines are dressed beautifully, so wouldn't the powerful people in the capital be tempted?
Once the trend becomes popular in the capital, it will still be time for Ruan Jialin to re-enter the country. By letting things take their course for a while, she can earn more.
Besides, there are businessmen from the northwest.
The imperial edict that had been kept for so long was finally used. The three northwestern counties soon heard about this matter. The merchants in the northwest became excited first. The traveling merchants and businessmen wanted to punish Miao Wan, but they didn't need it!
Haven't you heard? This general's wife wants to support the people of Northwest China. They are also people of Northwest China!
Therefore, Xining Town soon welcomed merchants from the three northwestern counties, which made the traveling merchants and businessmen who were waiting and watching even more anxious.
In fact, the threshold that Miao Wan sets is not high.
Miao Wan and Gu Shuyao were receiving this group of Northwestern merchants. "I need Eucommia ulmoides. Either leaves or saplings are fine. Provide me with 100 kilograms, and I'll let you get the goods at half the price, just like the people in other counties. You can also use minerals or Eucommia ulmoides to pay for the goods, up to half the price."
A businessman heard it and asked tentatively, "I wonder why the two ladies want Eucommia ulmoides..."
Miao Wan took out some boots that were used as samples. "For making shoes, these shoes are waterproof and won't freeze your feet. They'll be used in many ways in the future. When the goods are ready, I'll definitely ask you all to buy them."
Everyone felt excited after hearing this. Anyone who was not stupid could understand that this was their opportunity, an opportunity to replace some of the traveling merchants, and also an opportunity to make a fortune.
Everyone agreed, signed the contract, used silver to take half of the goods, and immediately went back to collect a large amount of Eucommia trees or leaves.
The climate in Anyong County is not that cold, and the climate in Lin'an County, which is farther away and closer to the pass, is even better. The leaves of the trees have already begun to sprout in February.
The trend is as follows: some people buy in large quantities, others plant Eucommia trees, and some businessmen even buy hills to plant Eucommia trees themselves. By the time the weather warms up and the flowers bloom, this has become a trend in the northwest. Most people know that Eucommia is a good thing, and the price has risen.
Fortunately, Miao Wan told this matter, and it was also because Eucommia glue could only be made in Xining Town. Gu Shuyao didn't even make it in Xiping County. She only developed various uses in the newly established research institute, and the glue was also made in the factory in Xining Town.
Cheng Shao had no objection to this. They all knew that Xining Town was the most special to the Northwest. If it were placed in other places, there would always have to be a balance for various reasons.
Especially since Cheng Shao had just moved into the General's Mansion, the 150,000-strong Gubei Army was divided into several major factions, almost all of which had their own little ideas and were not easy to manage.
If it weren't for the potato seedlings as a prerequisite, it would take Cheng Shao at least several years to take charge of the Gubei Army.
Fortunately, there was no major unrest in Xifan this winter, which is also strange. It is obvious that after Chen Sixu was gone, the Gubei Army was actually most likely to break through.
Everyone felt that the Xiban people were definitely plotting greater unrest, which put a lot of pressure on Cheng Shao and Qiao Ruichen.
Only Gu Shuyao's expression did not change much.
Miao Wan couldn't hold back any longer. After inspecting the academy, she rushed to the research institute - a large courtyard with only two stories high.
The reason why it is called a big courtyard is that there are actually not many houses inside. It is just a two-story main courtyard and two side rooms on the east and west sides, as well as a small kitchen and toilet.
It is called big because a large area is reserved and made into the style of a racecourse, with targets and various weapons.
A while ago, Gu Shuyao developed an arrow with a blood groove and a hook, which amazed Miao Wan. But Gu Shuyao was not satisfied with it.
"This is relatively easy to imitate. If they can imitate it, our soldiers will suffer. The clinic cannot treat such symptoms."
Gu Shuyao actually felt a sense of urgency. "Regardless of the situation, there are many mineral resources in the northwest, but there are not many iron and copper mines. We are still somewhat restricted by the vassal kings in the interior."
Miao Wan had no other choice. "When my business gets bigger, we can use silver to hit them. No one can resist silver, right?"
When saying this, Miao Shiren, who was shouting about losing money to gain publicity, also found out that 100,000 taels of silver was enough for a seven-digit deposit, and he was not far from being the richest man in Xiping County, so he was very confident.
Unfortunately, after just a few days of feeling confident, I heard that Qiao Ruichen and Cheng Shao were worried about the Xiban people. Even Northern Mongolia and the Western Regions have been in turmoil recently because of the merchants.
Miao Wan was a little scared, this was before she stepped into the research institute.
The moment she stepped through the door, there was a loud bang, which scared away all her fear and Aya and the others so much that they almost bumped into the door.
Miao Wan's eyes suddenly lit up like fireworks, and she ran to the backyard at an unprecedented speed.
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