Princess Ruining knew this.
Although the Gu family and Lu family's trading businesses had some back and forth, due to the different industries they operated in, the Lu family ended up buying more often.
Gu Yaoniang chuckled softly, "It's alright. Whenever I feel uneasy, I'll go and exchange it. If the Lu family's silver shop can't exchange it, I'll report it to the authorities and have the master arrest Jinchuan to settle things for me."
Although she said this, it was clear that she trusted Lu Zhaoan very much.
Xie Danqiu looked at Gu Yaoniang's smiling face and teased, "You actually believe him. The money that should have been given to you was a little late, so in the end, your family is the one who lost out."
She didn't believe Lu Zhaoan couldn't have thought of this. Lu Zhaoan was a cunning old fox.
"Actually, it's not a loss. We agreed that if I go to Lu Family Trading Company to exchange the silver a year later, they will give me an extra 10% interest!"
Gu Yaoniang smiled slyly: "Jinchuan is smart, but I'm not stupid either!"
Wang Zhilan exclaimed softly in surprise, "Ten percent? That much? Why?"
Her voice rose slightly, and her few words revealed surprise and bewilderment. In her memory, Lu Zhaoan, a well-known businessman in Shuojing, was not one to easily offer discounts.
“He can use commercial drafts to do business with me, but not with others. If my commercial drafts are not redeemed, he will have more cash in his account. Wouldn’t he be able to spend a single copper coin twice? Giving me ten percent is already a small amount.”
Wang Zhilan covered her mouth and chuckled: "Isn't that just the interest on a loan?"
Princess Ruining, who was standing to the side, deepened her gaze upon hearing this.
Yes... no new mines have been discovered in Dacheng, and no new silver coins have been minted for many years. However, the world is at peace, trade routes are wide open, and the people are prosperous. With increased trade, the amount of silver available has not increased, which somewhat restricts the commercial development of the Dacheng Dynasty.
If these commercial bills could be promoted among the general public...
That might solve the current predicament of lacking new mines! If the imperial court takes the lead in doing this, most of the silver circulating in the market can flow back to the national treasury, and private commerce will not be disturbed.
And the imperial court will likely no longer be short of funds in situations where real money is required, such as military pay and trade.
Moreover, this matter is of great importance, and the imperial court is more likely to gain the trust of the people than large merchants.
However, the specific implementation details still need careful discussion. After all, it involves money and is a completely new policy, so it requires careful consideration.
But she could no longer contain her excitement and grabbed Gu Yaoniang's hand, saying, "Yaoniang! You two are truly geniuses!"
She stood up to leave, saying, "I have business to attend to at my residence. You all continue eating! Tell the waiter to put it on my tab!"
With that, he hurried out.
Wang Zhilan was somewhat puzzled, but Xie Danqiu seemed to have thought of something and chuckled softly: "This Yao Yao."
But nothing could distract her from her concern for the country.
Wang Zhilan stamped her foot: "You all know, but I don't!"
She seemed annoyed, yet her eyes were smiling as she laughed with Xie Danqiu and Gu Yaoniang.
Downstairs, Lu Zhaoan entered the lobby of Zuiyue Tower. The manager came forward and told him that Gu Yaoniang and the other two had come to the tower for a meal.
"Master, shall we go up?"
Naturally, I went to the private room where Gu Yaoniang and the others were to say hello.
Lu Zhaoan waved his hand, signaling the shopkeeper to go and get busy.
When the three of them came downstairs, Zuiyue Tower was still packed with guests. Wang Zhilan quietly nudged Gu Yaoniang's waist with her elbow, and stood on the stairs gesturing towards the lobby: "Those snacks are all from your Jinyu Tower, right?"
Gu Yaoniang smiled and said, "Of course!"
The waiters at Zuiyuelou respectfully saw the three off to their respective carriages. Gu Yaoniang was the last to leave, and just as she was about to get into her carriage, a figure walked over from the side.
Lu Zhaoan seemed to have just arrived at Zuiyue Tower when he unexpectedly ran into Gu Yaoniang, and was quite surprised: "Why have you been coming to Zuiyue Tower lately?"
Gu Yaoniang gestured with her chin towards Wang Zhilan and Xie Danqiu's carriage: "The princess invited us to dinner."
Her eyes, bright as stars, sparkled before him, seemingly tinged with a hint of pride.
Lu Zhaoan suddenly panicked, not daring to look any longer, and turned his head away, saying, "Oh...oh, is that so..."
Gu Yaoniang found it somewhat amusing.
Xie Danqiu poked her head out of the carriage and exclaimed, "Second Brother Lu?"
Lu Zhaoan nodded to her very politely.
Aren't you leaving yet?
Xie Danqiu asked.
Hearing Xie Danqiu's shout, Wang Zhilan also leaned out of the carriage and looked curiously at Lu Zhaoan and Gu Yaoniang.
Lu Zhaoan looked at her, and Wang Zhilan blushed and hurriedly lowered the carriage curtain.
Gu Yaoniang smiled and said, "You guys go first."
She glanced at Lu Zhaoan beside her: "We still have some business to discuss."
Xie Danqiu didn't ask any further questions. Seeing that this was the case, she urged the carriage to head home.
Wang Zhilan's carriage followed behind. Gu Yaoniang watched the two carriages go far away, but when she turned around, she saw a familiar figure flash by in Tonghua Lane.
She wanted to look again, but the figure was nowhere to be found.
Gu Yaoniang was puzzled and pondered to herself. Then she thought again that perhaps she was seeing things.
She turned to Lu Zhaoan and asked in surprise, "What a coincidence? We met here?"
Ah Fu followed closely behind Lu Zhao'an, looking as guilty as a thief, and hurriedly answered, "Madam, you don't know! Our young master comes to Zuiyue Tower at almost this time every day!"
Lu Zhaoan glared at him: "Shut up!"
Ah Fu hurriedly overlapped his hands and covered his mouth, which made him look rather cute.
Gu Yaoniang was amused. Afu was a little confused, blinked his small eyes, but dared not say anything more.
"Shall we go in and have a seat?"
Lu Zhaoan stepped aside, making way for him.
Gu Yaoniang tilted her head slightly, looking at him with amusement: "I just came out."
Seeing that Lu Zhaoan seemed somewhat disappointed, he asked with a smile, "Is something really wrong?"
Lu Zhaoan rolled his eyes and nodded.
Gu Yaoniang scoffed, "Why wouldn't I believe it?"
Lu Zhaoan coughed lightly: "Really?"
He pulled out a commercial note and flashed it in front of Gu Yaoniang. Gu Yaoniang understood immediately and followed him into the Zuiyue Tower.
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