The peace talks were not very smooth. The three parties had different demands. Da Qi demanded a war reparations of 10 million taels, and the two countries became vassals of Da Qi.
Northern Chu is naturally not happy about this. Forget about paying tribute, but it is still possible for them to become brothers.
As for war reparations? No, we are poor. Da Qi, you are rich people. Please have pity on us.
Xiwu was even more shameless, saying that we could be our vassal, but you had to unconditionally provide various technical support, such as cement, water trucks, cotton planting, and interest-free loans to help them build their homes.
This really pissed off the Da Qi negotiating delegation, who were so shameless that they even wanted to take advantage of them.
Mu Wanqing, who was sitting in the main seat, was the calmest. In negotiation, he made a high offer and bargained on the spot, which was just like doing business.
Prince Yan suddenly looked over and said, "Princess Qingping, what do you say?"
Mu Wanqing cleared her throat and said, "The department store has just released a rare treasure. Have you gone to see it?"
The topic changed a little too quickly and everyone looked at each other.
Hutu was quite curious, "Ah, what is it?"
Mu Wanqing introduced with a smile, "The double-sided glass screen has an eagle spreading its wings on one side. Under the rising sun, the eagle soars into the sky, with a bright future and mighty and sharp, which symbolizes good luck. On the other side, there are twelve ladies, with celestial spirits floating in the air, as if the Queen of Heaven has descended to the mortal world..."
Everyone was very excited after hearing this. Glass screens are rare, let alone double-sided ones. It is no exaggeration to say that they are priceless.
want to!
"How much is it?"
Mu Wanqing said casually, "Two hundred thousand."
Hu Tu's heart was bleeding. How much money had he spent these days? "So expensive?"
"It's not expensive. It's a one-of-a-kind treasure, one of a kind, that can be passed down through the family." Mu Wanqing looked at everyone and made a suggestion.
"How about we go and see the real thing? It doesn't matter whether we buy it or not. What's important is the joy of appreciating the treasure."
Everyone responded, "Okay, we're tired anyway, let's go out and walk around to relax."
Mu Wanqing smiled slightly, with the corners of her mouth raised slightly.
When they arrived at the store, the place was clear and the entire store was only serving them. They enjoyed VIP treatment.
While eating exquisite dim sum that are not available on the market, several shop assistants surround you, flatter you and serve you attentively, fully satisfying the vanity of the guests. You will feel elated.
Once you get excited, you can't control yourself and start buying, buying, buying.
The man who said his wallet was empty a few days ago took out money again because he couldn't help himself.
The corners of King Yan's mouth twitched as he watched what a bunch of hot-headed guys they were.
"Princess Qingping, you are more suitable to be a businessman. No one can match your means of making money."
It is an open praise but a hidden criticism, with a hint of sourness.
Mu Wanqing didn't care at all, with a look on her face saying, "I know you are jealous, but I won't argue with you. I will just watch you make a fuss quietly."
The King of Yan was so angry that he was powerless.
“Here I come.”
As soon as the double-sided glass screen was taken out, the whole place fell silent, and a hint of enthusiasm flashed in everyone's eyes.
Beautiful, so beautiful, full of light and color, as if it came alive.
People who originally thought it was too expensive suddenly felt it was worth the money.
Hu Tu stared at the painting of ladies enjoying spring. It was a scene of elegance and beauty. The twelve ladies were beautiful in their own ways, with fluttering clothes, like fairy concubines.
Every stroke is exquisite to the extreme, smart and beautiful.
This painting alone is worth a lot of money, not to mention that it is painted on glass, which is even more perfect. It is dazzlingly beautiful.
On the other side, the eagle spreads its wings, looking lifelike and as if it is about to leap out, which makes people feel proud.
"I want it."
At the same time, another voice sounded, "Pack it up for me."
It’s the King of Yan.
The two were stunned and looked at each other with a somewhat subtle expression.
This feels damn familiar.
Sure enough, Mu Wanqing spoke up, "If both of you want it, then we'll follow the old rules, the one with the highest bid gets it."
The corners of Prince Yan's mouth twitched, what a treacherous businessman.
He glanced at Hu Tuzhi, telling them to stop fighting among themselves, as it would not be worth it for Mu Wanqing to gain an advantage.
Just give it to him this time, and don’t fight with him next time when you get something good.
As a result, Hutu was not happy. As soon as he saw the glass screen, he wanted to present it to the emperor to win his favor.
The emperor was unhappy with him because of the defeat this time. If no one spoke up for him, he would have ended up in a bad way.
"King Yan, you are not short of good things, so please give them to me this time. I can use them in a big way."
The King of Yan wanted to, but unfortunately he couldn't, "I am also very useful."
Neither of them gave in to the other, and both had their reasons for buying.
Okay, let’s talk money.
"Two hundred and twenty thousand."
"Two hundred and fifty thousand."
"Three hundred thousand."
Finally, it was bought by Hu Tu for 400,000 yuan.
His face flushed as he paid the bill, "Princess Qingping, I don't have enough money on hand, can you... lend me some?"
Mu Wanqing was very straightforward, "Okay, I want 3% interest, how much do you want to borrow?"
"Three hundred thousand." Hu Tu's family is rich.
"Okay, just pay me back 350,000 when the time comes." Mu Wanqing casually reported a number. As for whether it was a 30% interest, just listen and forget it. "Or you can give me 350,000 worth of goods. I want to build a ranch recently, and I'm in need of cattle and sheep."
Hutu was silent and thought for a while, then signed the IOU and took the seal representing his token of trust as collateral.
He deliberately asked, "Aren't you afraid that you won't be able to collect the money?"
If foreigners like them deliberately refuse to pay, they can just run back to their country and hide, and Mu Wanqing will be out of reach.
"Whoever dares to default on his debt will be punished." Mu Wanqing waved the things in her hand carelessly, "Believe it or not, I can pay you back in a minute. Is it worth it to kill your whole family for a little money?"
Hu Tu: ...She is definitely capable of doing such a cruel thing.
Everyone: ...Terrible!
Hu Tu took the lead, and others followed suit, running to Mu Wanqing to borrow money, just to buy the treasures they set their eyes on.
Mu Wanqing responded to every request and lent out a million silver coins in one day.
This is just the beginning. The department store will add new products every day. They are all one-of-a-kind treasures and will be sold out while stocks last.
The members of the three negotiation teams were used to going around and buying a lot of things every day.
The atmosphere was just right, and the companions around me were naturally affected by the shopping spree.
Du Shaoxuan was stunned. The goods in the department store were of good quality and were advertised as unique, yet they were sold at sky-high prices.
I also have to be skinned by Mu Wanqing, which is painful and pleasurable.
Even so, I still enjoy it and feel uncomfortable if I don’t take a walk around every day.
"You lent them the money on purpose?"
She never does business at a loss.
Mu Wanqing laughed, "I can't hide anything from you. As a creditor, you have more say, and the next cooperation will be easier to discuss."
If you can't pay back the money, then we can do business together and I'll advance the money.
Du Shaoxuan couldn't help but chuckle when he saw her laughing face. She had so many clever ideas that no one would suffer any loss.
"Father really likes the horse glass screen you gave him, and asked me to thank you."
The six war horses on the screen were all Du Shuai’s mounts. Some of them died in battle, some died of old age, but they were his old friends whom he never forgot.
The older you get, the more you reminisce about the past.
"As long as he likes it." Mu Wanqing took out a few things. "By the way, give these poker cards and mahjong tiles to Du Shuai to kill time. They are quite interesting."
Du Shuai is alone at home recuperating from his illness, while his children are all busy with their own things, so he is indeed quite lonely.
It would be a big trouble if he ever thought of taking Mrs. Du home.
Mrs. Du is a confused person, but she thinks she is very smart, has a high status and great destructive power.
Du Shaoxuan had no idea that she had so many thoughts on her mind, and asked with great interest, "How do we play? Teach me."
Mu Wanqing enthusiastically pulled over two of his subordinates, set up a table, and started playing mahjong.
She taught while beating them. They were all smart kids and learned very quickly.
Although Du Shaoxuan lost a few games at the beginning, he became very lucky later. After winning a game, he smiled and said, "This mahjong is quite fun. My father will probably like it."
Mu Wanqing had an idea and ordered someone to make a few more decks of poker and mahjong. The mahjong should be made of jade, such as black stone, white jade, jadeite or agate, the more luxurious the better.
Put more thought into poker, use mythological stories, handsome men and beautiful women, or Western-style scenery, just to have selling points.
"Sell it to those people?" Du Shaoxuan knew what she meant as soon as he heard it. She had a very smart brain.
"Yes." Mu Wanqing nodded with a smile, "Good things should be shared with friends."
It would be even better if it were to become obsessed with playing with things.
Du Shaoxuan: ...
Mu Wanqing suddenly remembered something, "What's wrong with that Agudamu?"
Agudamu was a guard in the Xiwu delegation, but he didn't look like one. Hutu seemed to care about this person very much.
He usually did not participate in negotiations, but just wandered around the city with his men.
Du Shaoxuan specially sent people to keep an eye on his every move.
"No, I just went shopping and ate, and bought a lot of things."
"What did you buy?" Mu Wanqing was very concerned.
A list was handed over, and it seemed as if he was wandering around aimlessly, and the things he bought were also scattered.
Mu Wanqing's eyes fell on a few lines of words. The man bought several sets of wool products at Mu's Business, and bought silk, tea, and porcelain from Jiangnan at the specialty street, and also...
"Did you go to the government building to inquire about the policies on buying land and property?" Mu Wanqing felt a little strange.
According to Xiliang's policy, merchants from all over the country were allowed to come and do business, including foreign merchants.
As long as they pay taxes and do business peacefully and abide by the rules of Da Qi, the government promises to protect their legitimate rights and interests.
Therefore, there are many Hu merchants who open shops in the Specialty and Customs Street, selling specialties from the Western Regions, and Mu Wanqing often goes there to take a look.
As he was talking, a subordinate came over and reported, "Young General, County Master, that man rented a shop on Specialty Street and said he wanted to sell carpets, furs and wool."
Du Shaoxuan was stunned for a moment and looked at Mu Wanqing. The two looked at each other in surprise.
"This is setting up an intelligence gathering point right under our noses."
Mu Wanqing raised her eyebrows, "He is a smart man."
As for how smart they are, it’s hard to say.
The negotiation delegation talked for half a month without much progress, but the effect of the fierce battle was significant.
While everyone was eating, they were still enthusiastically discussing what they bought yesterday. Mu Wanqing suddenly said, "You can't go shopping in the mall after you go back. It's a pity."
It was like a bucket of cold water poured over us, and everyone, who were in high spirits, looked at each other in surprise.
Prince Yan looked at her deeply and asked, "What good ideas does the county lady have?"
Mu Wanqing rolled her eyes and said, "How about we cooperate to open a chain of department stores? Build one in each of your capitals. I believe the business will be very good."
This suggestion hits the mark of everyone's preferences, and the pursuit of luxury goods by the powerful and wealthy is obvious to all.
Everyone became interested, "How can we cooperate?"
Mu Wanqing was playing with the teacup. The results of boiling a frog in warm water were quite good.
"You provide the land and are responsible for the connection with the local court and government. We provide the technology and are responsible for daily management. The goods will be imported from us."
Hu Tu's eyes lit up. This was totally profitable. "Who will pay for the building?"
Mu Wanqing smiled and said, "Of course it's half for each of us, and the profit is 50-50."
All the building materials are purchased from them, so don’t they have the final say on the price? The purchase price is also a monopoly, and it all depends on Mu Wanqing’s wishes. King Yan realized this and said it was not cost-effective and he would not cooperate.
Don't think that what he said was decisive, he just wanted to force Mu Wanqing to give up her interests, but Mu Wanqing was so smart.
"Then forget it." Mu Wanqing looked indifferent and didn't mention it again.
But it made many people scratch their heads, anxiously jumping up and down, and hating the King of Yan so much. Couldn't they just talk it out peacefully?
King Yan: ...It’s all my fault anyway?
It was a dark and windy night, late at night, and everything was quiet.
At the entrance of the department store, several sneaky figures appeared, carrying oil drums and pouring oil out...
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