Chapter 358 Convening the Merchants' Council
The next day.
The newspaper issue has been resolved.
Next, we discussed the New Year's Eve banquet.
"Do you know why we've been summoned here?"
"I don't know. In the past, the Ministry of Commerce's decrees were always conveyed in paper form. It seems that this time it's quite a big deal."
"I heard it was an order from the imperial court."
"Let's not talk about that. Look at these pastries, they taste pretty good."
"Yes, this way of dining is quite novel."
A square in Hu County.
The merchants gathered together in a dense crowd.
Every few steps there was a table with pastries on it.
Open-air plaza, self-service food.
It's a bit rudimentary, but there are too many people, so there's no other way.
"Dr. Wei has arrived!"
As a merchant's voice rang out, everyone's gaze turned to the high platform.
Wei Shuyu, dressed in a crimson official robe, slowly stepped onto the high platform.
Behind him, Choi Shin-ki and Fang Yi-ai, dressed in blue official robes, followed closely.
There was also a large contingent of soldiers from the Imperial Academy.
That's right, the Imperial College students have skipped school again!
"Thank you all for attending this meeting."
Wei Shuyu cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.
The merchants responded enthusiastically.
Under the leadership of the Ministry of Commerce, the lives of merchants did indeed improve.
After exchanging some pleasantries, Wei Shuyu got straight to the point...
"There are two main things I want to announce when I call you all here today."
"The first thing...pay tribute!"
"This time, the imperial court will not accept all the tribute items."
"Instead, a portion will be set aside and sold by the Ministry of Commerce."
What?
A glint of light flashed in the eyes of the merchants.
If it's handed over to the Ministry of Commerce to sell, who will it be sold to?
It's naturally them, these businessmen...
In ancient times, honesty was the foundation, and it also had a brand effect.
But to be fair...
The biggest brand is tribute!
Anything associated with tribute items will see its price skyrocket.
It's pure profiteering.
"Please don't be anxious, everyone."
Wei Shuyu smiled and said, "The Ministry of Commerce will notify you separately regarding the tribute."
"Actually, the purpose of this meeting is something else..."
"Do you all know..."
"This time, the imperial court's return gift to various countries will no longer be supplies, but a large amount of copper coins!"
Do you all know what this means?
The merchants once again displayed their shrewdness.
If you can't even figure this out, you don't deserve to be a businessman.
"What Doctor Wei means is..."
One merchant tentatively asked, "Let's leave these copper coins in the Tang Dynasty!"
"That's right!"
Wei Shuyu smiled and nodded: "This is a big deal!"
"It's no exaggeration to say..."
"If you're quick-witted, becoming rich overnight isn't impossible!"
All the merchants breathed heavily.
What does it mean to get rich overnight?
To put it bluntly, it's about ripping them off!
Merchants make money, and the imperial court collects market taxes.
Foreigners want to take the supplies back to their own countries...
Oh? You still have to pay customs duties!
Not buying supplies?
Then take the copper coins back with you...
This thing is completely useless outside of the Tang Dynasty; you can't bring it back with you.
“Um… Doctor Wei, I have a batch of flawed porcelain sitting in my warehouse.”
"I don't know if it's possible..."
A merchant asked somewhat embarrassedly.
The Ministry of Commerce has a clear regulation that inferior goods must not be passed off as superior ones.
A fine will be imposed if discovered.
And it will be a severe punishment!
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
Wei Shuyu rebuked with a stern face: "Foreigners are guests from afar, how can they do anything that damages the image of the Tang Dynasty!"
Even if you want to sell it, you have to tell them about the defects!
At first, the merchants were quite disappointed.
But after hearing what followed, his eyes lit up again.
You can sell it, right?
Thank goodness I didn't throw that piece of junk away.
A group of unscrupulous merchants started plotting something in their minds: "We're experts at this!"
"Alright."
Wei Shuyu pressed his hands down: "Let's leave it at that for now. In short, there's only one request..."
"When foreigners come to the Great Tang, they are your providers, your bodhisattvas, your Buddhas. You must treat them with respect and make them feel at home. You must never let them feel that the Great Tang has neglected them!"
I understand...
We're experts in this area.
The merchants smiled knowingly.
"Now let's talk about the second thing."
The merchants listened intently once again.
"With the Lunar New Year's Eve approaching, the court intends to hold a New Year's Eve banquet, and His Majesty has entrusted this matter to our Ministry of Commerce."
The merchants were puzzled.
They are businessmen, what does this have to do with them?
Even if merchants opened restaurants and inns.
But the imperial kitchen staff of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices were far superior to them.
Are you all very curious?
Why did the imperial court entrust this matter to the Ministry of Commerce?
The merchants were very cooperative.
They immediately began asking questions.
Wei Shuyu nodded.
When it comes to dealing with people, businessmen are absolutely impeccable.
"Because this time, the imperial court wants all the people to celebrate!"
"The entire city of Chang'an was brightly lit for three days and three nights!"
Wow.
The merchants erupted in gasps of surprise.
A time of celebration for all?
Chang'an has more than just ten thousand people.
If you were to list them all, it would be an astronomical figure.
"Dr. Wei, we're not going to have to pay for this, are we?"
In an instant.
The exclamations abruptly ceased.
Everyone stared at Wei Shuyu in horror.
Merchants are most afraid of fattening up their businesses only to be fleeced!
"That's right!"
Wei Shuyu readily admitted it.
Upon hearing this, the merchants' expressions changed drastically.
The overall consumption in Chang'an...
Who can afford to take that responsibility?
What kind of expressions are you all making?
Wei Shuyu joked, "This is a great opportunity to make money!"
"Doctor Wei, I trust you wouldn't cheat us merchants like that, would you?"
Just then, a respected old merchant stepped forward.
"What kind of scam?"
Wei Shuyu's eyes widened: "This is a job I managed to snatch from the Ministry of Rites with great difficulty!"
A chill ran through the hearts of the merchants.
A thought suddenly arose in their minds.
Wei Shuyu demanded money from them in order to advance his official career.
"Dr. Wei, please speak frankly..."
The old merchant said proudly, "However much you want, as long as it's within our capabilities, we can give you!"
Everyone stared blankly at Wei Shuyu, fearing he would say a price they would find hard to refuse.
However, Wei Shuyu took an unconventional approach...
"Old man, you're quite quick with your words!"
"Tell me, haven't you been involved in bribery quite a bit?"
The old merchant was terrified.
But he still stubbornly replied, "I have never done such a thing before. It is only because what Doctor Wei did before is admirable that I am willing to contribute some funds."
"Yeah?"
Wei Shuyu smiled and said, "Little Jiji, get him a stool and investigate him thoroughly!"
"oh oh……"
Choi Shin-ki: "Remains, move a stool!"
Fang Yi'ai: "Xiao Shandao, move a stool!"
Qin Shan said, "Brother Xiuxiu, move a stool!"
Wang Xiu turned his head away, "We've brought our little brother along today!"
"Little Weiwei, move a stool!"
Chai Zhewei: "..."
I have made contributions, is it appropriate to ask a meritorious person to move a stool?
Swish...
The group all looked at him.
Chai Zhewei jumped up and hurriedly went to get a stool.
When I finally sit in the position of the head of the Imperial Academy, the first thing I'll do is make you move chairs for a month, no, for three months!
"Thank you... thank you, Physician Wei."
The old merchant was completely dumbfounded.
"Everyone!"
Wei Shuyu's expression turned serious: "I must reiterate this..."
“Excluding matters covered by Tang law such as taxes and fines.”
"The Ministry of Commerce will not solicit money from anyone in any form!"
"If you find any officials soliciting money under false pretenses, feel free to file a complaint with me!"
"Once discovered, they will be severely punished!"
The merchants' expressions kept changing.
This is why they trusted Wei Shuyu.
"alright…"
Wei Shuyu waved his hand: "Let's continue discussing the New Year's Eve banquet."
Aren't you all curious about how we're going to make money?
Wei Shuyu turned his gaze to the old merchant...
"Old man, do you own any shops in Chang'an?"
The old merchant was alarmed and quickly got up.
He then cautiously replied, "The old man has a fairly substantial fortune, with interests in various industries."
Damn it.
Seeing how sloppily you're dressed, I never imagined you were actually a wealthy old man.
They have a presence in all walks of life, and in later generations they all belong to the group!
"good……"
Wei Shuyu thought for a moment and asked, "I wonder if it would be possible to run a restaurant?"
"have!"
The old merchant nodded.
"If people were allowed to eat as much as they wanted on New Year's Eve, could you handle it?"
"Can!"
The old merchant responded through gritted teeth.
It hurts a little to spend the money.
Just for the seat bestowed by Wei Shuyu, it was worth the investment.
Don't push yourself so hard.
Wei Shuyu smiled and said, "In business, we should do our best."
"Besides, you can't possibly host so many people."
The old merchant was embarrassed.
This is true.
"What if we only allow you to supply a limited quantity?"
Um?
The old merchant was taken aback; a limited quantity could save him a lot of money.
Just as he was calculating how many copies to limit, Wei Shuyu spoke up again...
What if you were given a limited supply period?
Holy crap.
It's even cheaper if it's for a limited time.
No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than Wei Shuyu spoke again…
"What if we only let you sample one or two dishes for free?"
Holy crap!
The loss was negligible.
"Have you ever considered how incredibly large the customer traffic will be back then?!"
"You can only offer one or two dishes for free, and charge for the rest as usual."
"Even for some exquisite dishes, the price can be increased..."
Damn it!
According to this calculation, he not only suffered no loss, but also made a fortune!
"Think about it again, what if they offer it for free?"
"Don't the people think well of you?"
"I'll come back to your shop next time I have money."
Wo cao cao cao cao.
In ancient times, reputation was of utmost importance, and once established, it would quickly spread.
"Most importantly..."
"With you doing this, and everyone else doing this, has the image of merchants improved in the eyes of the people?"
Holy crap!
The old man was so shocked that he couldn't speak.
A moment later, the old merchant bowed to Wei Shuyu...
"A word from Physician Wei is worth more than half a lifetime of business!"
"I am ashamed to admit that I am not as talented in business as Doctor Wei!"
Turning around, the old merchant looked at all the other merchants...
Gentlemen.
"Wanbao Trading Company will fully support this New Year's Eve banquet!"
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