Once the door was closed, only Qin Yao and Liu Fei were left in the room.
Liu Fei motioned Qin Yao to sit for a while, then he stood up and moved a wooden box over to the bedside.
He carried the key to the box around his neck and took out three keys. He opened one layer of the box and then two layers, until the last layer of locks was opened. He took out a wooden box from it and placed it in front of Qin Yao, his expression unable to hide his excitement, "Third sister-in-law, you open it."
Qin Yao had already vaguely guessed what it was, but when she really saw what was in the wooden box, she couldn't help but take a deep breath.
A thick stack of banknotes.
Yes, it was not a silver note, but a money note, similar to the ancient Jiaozi that Qin Yao knew. It was a large-denomination paper currency with four denominations: fifty taels, one hundred taels, five hundred taels, and one thousand taels.
This kind of paper currency has existed for some time in this era. It was at its peak during the previous dynasty. During the turbulent times, the aristocratic families were divided into factions, the monetary system was completely messed up, and the banknotes were no longer used.
Now, eight years after the founding of Sheng State, it is finally being used again.
This is safer than carrying large amounts of cash, and more convenient than exchanging silver bills.
There was a total of 20,000 taels in the box that Liu Fei brought!
Liu Fei did not miss Qin Yao's small breath. Even though he had seen it before and brought the money back personally, he felt so excited when he saw it again that he couldn't calm down for a long time.
Getting such a large sum of money so easily makes people feel like a dream and it is unreal.
Liu Fei spent the entire journey from the capital back home in this confused state. Only when he saw Qin Yao today did he gradually gain confidence and a greater sense of reality.
"Third sister-in-law, this is for you. I went to Manager Song's place yesterday, and the part belonging to the factory has been handed over to Manager Song."
"This time in Beijing, as soon as the counter opened and the new ladies' boxes were put on the shelves, they were sold out in less than two days. Later, the shopkeeper of Fulong Commercial Bank set a purchase limit rule, and the situation stabilized."
"This time, Fulong Company brought a total of 300 spring-themed ladies' boxes to Beijing. All of them have been sold out, and there are 200 more pre-orders. Given the speed at which our stationery factory strives for excellence, I'm afraid it will take until the middle of the year to deliver all the goods."
Thinking of the grand occasion on the first day of the counter store's opening, Liu Fei's heart is still beating faster. "All the noble ladies in the capital came, not only the daughters of wealthy families, but also county ladies and princesses. There were so many people that day that it was inevitable that some places could not be taken care of. The maids in the store were very cautious and didn't dare to breathe, for fear of offending the nobles."
Fortunately, there were no major mistakes and the business opened smoothly.
"Third sister-in-law, as you said before, we have added a free tea room in the store so that customers can rest while waiting. Now that we are out of stock, many young ladies still meet in our tea room every day. All customers who have purchased more than two ladies' boxes from our store can enjoy free tea. Now it seems that the response is very good. Even if the store is out of stock, there are still many customers every day."
Now the stationery factory's R&D team has produced several new styles. These are smaller in size and made of more expensive materials. They can be carried by hand or worn cross-body. The craftsmanship is exquisite, and they are made to be like family heirlooms.
Judging from the popularity of the first batch of spring ladies' boxes, Qin Yao is very confident about the launch of new products.
She has asked Liu Zhong to keep an eye out for leather merchants in various places for purchases, and asked Song Yu to find craftsmen who know how to make leather and bring them back. When the time is right, the first pair of leather luggage will be available.
When the time comes, when she wants to travel far away, she can use portable luggage instead of bulky wooden boxes or fragile cloth bags.
Qin Yao looked at the banknotes in the wooden box again. After deducting one-third of the money to be paid to the Princess's Mansion as an endorsement fee, there were still 13,300 taels left.
If no one in the family commits a crime, it can be said that financial freedom has been achieved.
"Fourth brother, from now on, matters concerning the Beijing counter store will be handed over to you." Qin Yao has always been generous to her subordinates. Under Liu Fei's surprised gaze, she picked out a thousand-liang bill from the box and stuffed it directly into his hand.
Liu Fei was flattered, "Third sister-in-law, this is too much, I can't take it."
Qin Yao looked at him steadily and said, "Don't be in a hurry to refuse. This kind of reward will only be given once. It is mainly to reward you for successfully sending the endorsement fee to the Princess's Mansion in the name of Liujia Village Stationery Factory."
"From now on, all matters in Beijing will also include the endorsement fee. Do you understand?"
Qin Yao took out the part that was to be sent to the eldest princess from the box and handed it to Liu Fei.
Liu Fei opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but in the end he chose to shut up, put all the money away, and looked at the one thousand taels that belonged to him, with a sense of accomplishment in his heart - this was the first one thousand taels of silver he had earned with his own ability.
"Oh, I almost forgot." Liu Fei quickly put away the money and took out a gray cloth bag, and returned it to Qin Yao with both hands respectfully.
The reason why he was able to successfully deliver the money to the princess's mansion was thanks to the contents of the cloth bag given by his third sister-in-law.
Qin Yao took it, opened it and took a look inside, confirming that the token that Mu Ling had given her was intact. She nodded, smiled and stuffed it into the wooden box, then took the box away.
Before opening the door, Qin Yao suddenly asked again: "Before you left Beijing, did you have any news about Mr. Gong Liang?"
Liu Fei shook his head, "No."
But the young man's mind was quick. He immediately asked Qin Yao what she wanted to know and planned to inquire about it the next time he went to Beijing.
"Forget it if there's nothing." Qin Yao waved her hands. Fearing that Liu Fei would take the initiative to please her, she reminded him seriously: "You don't have to check. If you provoke someone, you will end up in trouble!"
"Just take care of yourself and the store."
Seeing her serious expression, Liu Fei quickly agreed. No matter what, it would not be wrong to listen to his third sister-in-law.
However, just after Qin Yao finished her instructions and Liu Fei was about to go out, Liu Ji pulled him aside and asked him the same question.
"There is no news from you, sir. Is there no news from Prime Minister Qi's family either? The great scholar's return to the capital is such a big thing, but no one in the capital is talking about it?" Liu Ji didn't believe that Liu Fei hadn't heard any news and kept asking.
Liu Fei couldn't resist and pulled away Liu Ji who was grabbing his collar, "Let me think about it, let me think about it"
Liu Ji snorted, crossed his arms and waited, "Think quickly!"
Liu Fei stood on tiptoe and looked around, trying to find his third sister-in-law, Liu Ji's nemesis, to come and rescue him.
Unfortunately, Qin Yao had so much money in her hands, so she called the children and drove home to hide the money.
Not finding a savior, and looking at the scoundrel who had cornered him, Liu Fei was so upset that he could not even cry.
"Third brother, really not. During the time I was in the capital, I only heard those officials complaining behind the princess's back that she was cruel and vindictive. I really didn't hear anyone mention Mr. Gongliang or Young Master Qi."
Liu Ji raised his eyebrows curiously, "Why is the princess so cruel and vindictive?"
"It seems to be about killing loyal officials and not letting them go even after they have become disabled."
After all, he is the 'spokesperson' for his own Lady Box, and Liu Fei doesn't want to listen to these groundless rumors.
Seeing Liu Ji lost in thought, he quickly escaped. (End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
