Zhao Min once served as a principal officer in the Ministry of Revenue and was skilled in accounting and other administrative tasks.
He was convicted of embezzlement.
Cough cough, most of the money he embezzled was used to support the various expenses of the princelings, while a small portion went into his own pocket.
"...So, it's really not unjust for this person to be exiled."
After listening to Duoshou's introduction, Xie Yuan couldn't help but sigh.
Helian Jue smiled and said, "Although this person has flaws in character, his abilities are indeed quite high. When he was in the Ministry of Revenue, the accounts he managed were the cleanest."
It takes skill to embezzle money without leaving much evidence.
If it weren't for the Second Prince, the Fifth Prince, and others concentrating their attacks on the Crown Prince's faction, Zhao Min probably wouldn't have been discovered.
"Zhao Min has already stumbled because of embezzlement, so he probably won't dare to repeat the same mistake!"
Helian Jue was worried that Xie Yuan would look down on Zhao Min, so he patiently offered an extra explanation.
He added coldly to himself: I'm not afraid even if he 'repeat the same mistake'!
Helian Jue was never a soft-hearted person.
Those who offended him or betrayed him all met with bad ends.
If anyone doesn't believe it, they can go and ask Xie Yuan's uncle Xie Ze in the capital.
Haha, I'm sure Xie Ze is now embroiled in countless lawsuits.
Perhaps he has already been locked up and taken to the Dali Temple.
With so many aggrieved parties relentlessly accusing him, even if Xie Ze has powerful connections in the palace, he can forget about escaping unscathed!
"A person Your Highness values must be a trustworthy person!"
Even if Xie Yuan didn't trust Zhao Min, she wouldn't show it. "I trust Your Highness!"
Helian Jue stared at Xie Yuan for a moment, then remained silent.
That's settled then.
Once Xie Yuan had his first "manager," he began to make his demands:
First, buy a farm to produce sugar.
Second, we will purchase sugarcane this year and buy land to build a plantation next year.
Third, they purchased shops in all five counties of Yuezhou specifically for selling sugar.
"The Princess Consort is thoughtful and considerate."
After listening to Xie Yuan's words, Zhao Min first praised him.
Then, he offered his own suggestion: "Although I have never seen sugar, I can tell from the Empress's description that it must be something like wine."
It's not a necessity, but a luxury item pursued by the wealthy.
Such a fine product cannot fetch a high price if it is only sold in Yuezhou.
"I think it would be good to open a sugar shop in Guangcheng!"
Zhao Min said earnestly, "You should have been to Guangcheng. Although it is also under the jurisdiction of Lingnan, it is a rare and prosperous place."
"Although it cannot compare to the capital or the Jiangnan region, it is still a place where merchants gather and goods are abundant."
In prosperous and thriving commercial areas, there is a market for luxury goods!
After listening to Zhao Min's "plan", Xie Yuan immediately understood what Helian Jue meant - this person was a talented person with vision and business acumen.
Xie Yuan is well-versed in various obscure historical facts and is a technically skilled individual.
However, she still lacks some skills in business and management.
Professional matters should be left to professionals.
"Alright! I'll leave the shop's affairs to Manager Zhao!"
Xie Yuan ordered someone to bring out a box of gold. "This money is my dowry. Steward Zhao, take it and use it to buy shops. The shops will be registered under the name of the Prince of Yue's Mansion."
Zhao Min raised an eyebrow. He was the most astute of all, and he gleaned another meaning from Xie Yuan's words—
Although the shop is registered under the name of the Prince's Mansion, it was purchased with the dowry money of Princess Xie, and should belong to Princess Xie's private property!
"Yes, I understand!"
Zhao Min was cunning and shrewd, yet also very reliable in his work.
Half a month later, just as Xie Yuan's makeshift workshop by the sea had produced its first batch of brown sugar, Zhao Min returned, weary from his journey.
He was holding a stack of property deeds in his hand, all of which bore Xie Yuan's name.
"Very good! Manager Zhao, thank you for your trouble."
Xie Yuan carefully put away the house deed, feeling a strange sense of peace in his heart.
This is the first private property she acquired in this time and space.
She seemed to have found something to hold onto, no longer a wandering, uncertain soul.
"This is what I should do."
Zhao Min was respectful, showing no sign that he had once been a fifth-rank official in the imperial court.
"This is the brown sugar produced in the workshop, as well as black sugar, rock sugar, and white sugar!"
"However, the process for making white sugar is more complicated and will take another month to complete."
Xie Yuan took out a piece of cut brown sugar, dissolved it in hot water, and handed it to Zhao Min, saying, "Try it!"
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
Zhao Min bowed and thanked him first, then carefully took the cup, looked at the red liquid in the cup, and brought it to the rim to smell it.
Mmm, a sweet smell wafts into my nose.
It's not the cloying sweetness of honey, nor the sweetness of mulberry syrup, but a pure sweetness.
Zhao Min took a small sip, and the warm, sweet liquid slid into her mouth, giving her a feeling of satisfaction from the bottom of her heart.
"Sweet! Delicious!"
If you think about it carefully, there's a hint of bitterness.
"Brown sugar is not only sweet, it can also be used in medicine. It can replenish the middle jiao (spleen and stomach), relieve spasms, and promote blood circulation. When combined with ginger, it can also dispel cold and generate heat..."
Xie Yuan went on to explain in detail the benefits of brown sugar.
Besides being made into noodles and desserts, it can also be used to make soups and tonics.
Zhao Min sipped the sugar water slowly while listening attentively and thinking deeply.
"This item is indeed excellent!"
Such a great product, and it's an exclusive business, anyone who isn't a fool could sell it like hotcakes.
Zhao Min was not only not stupid, but also very cunning.
While listening to Xie Yuan talk about these things, he had already come up with several strategies in his mind for promoting brown sugar, rock sugar, and white sugar.
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