Chapter 1832 Business
"You'd have to ask the souls of those who died unjustly and their families about that." Manbao also glanced toward the window and said, "I don't think this is the result, but the cause. It's the Queen Mother's assistance to these poor people that's the cause. No one knows what the result will be in the future."
Bai Shan said: "But she doesn't think so in her heart."
Manbao shook his head and said, "She won't live long, why bother arguing with her about how long it will last? If she gets mad to death, is it your fault or mine?"
No matter who is responsible, they will not have a good ending, so it is better to avoid talking about it.
Manbao refused to accept it and pretended not to know the Queen Mother's intention to atone for her sins. He just thought that she was doing good things for him and could lead her to do more good things.
"I wonder if the Queen Mother would consider supporting Master Tianzun," Manbao said. "It's really strange. How come the Queen Mother, the Emperor, and the Empress all believe in Buddha but not Master Tianzun?"
Bai Shan said, "Everyone is different. Some people don't even bow to either, only to Heaven, Earth, the Emperor, and Father. So there's no need to force it. It's fine for others, but the Emperor shouldn't be partial."
Manbao lamented, "It's a pity that Lord Wei didn't express his opinion on this point."
When these words were spoken, even Bai Erlang looked up. The three of them looked at each other and chuckled. To be honest, this year's New Year's Day was so peaceful that they didn't even hear Lord Wei cursing.
After the Lantern Festival holiday, Bai Shan and the other two went back to the palace again. The others went to school or work as needed. Old Zhou and Zhou Dalang went back to the farm.
This time, Xiao Qian stayed in the capital. After eating the food she cooked, Zhou Liulang felt that their restaurant could be improved, so he asked her to help in the restaurant.
Zhou Lijun was calculating with great enthusiasm. Her business of lubricating cream was doing very well and had even been sold to Yongzhou. The monthly demand was steadily increasing. It wasn't a lot, just a few jars at a time, but it was well within their acceptable range.
After all, it’s not good to keep this thing for too long once it’s made. It has to be used right after it’s made, preferably within a year.
Now Fang and Lu have specially set up a pharmacy in the West Courtyard to store the equipment and medicinal materials they use to make ointments.
The shelves alone filled three walls.
During the Chinese New Year, Manbao looked at the account book made by Zhou Lijun and found that the income from this item alone was more than that of the restaurant.
So she also started searching in the encyclopedia, hoping to find some more ancient recipes. Well, for Koko and the others, they were ancient recipes, but for her, they might be later recipes.
The recipe you find needs to be studied further, and after making it, you have to use it yourself first to confirm that there is no problem before selling it to others.
When Chang Yu heard her talk about this, he said, "Originally, we were supposed to do this together, but I didn't expect that you would be the only one who got the credit."
Mingda was explaining to Manbao, "Sister is jealous of you. I heard that you can sell a bottle of medicine for one or two taels. You must have a lot of income in a year, right?"
Manbao said: "My second niece is in charge of all the money matters."
She remembered what Lijun said, that when the lubricating cream was first sold in Yongzhou City, it was not popular at first, and Zhou Silang had to wait in line for it several times.
It was only because the third wife of the Li family came forward to mediate that a lot of trouble was avoided, but their business in Yongzhou was still subject to many restrictions.
Ultimately, it's because they've taken over other people's market share. Because of the rouge and cream, many people have reduced or stopped using rouge and oil.
But who in this world would complain about having too little money?
Manbao and Changyu asked, "Do you want to do this business?"
Chang Yu sat up straight and looked at her with bright eyes, "Is it okay?"
Manbao nodded and said, "I have no objection, but my niece is in charge of business matters, so you have to talk to her."
Manbao smiled and said frankly: "But I think she will agree. You are a princess. With your title, we can save a lot of trouble."
Mingda frowned slightly. She was just jokingly trying to enlighten Changyu's thoughts. Her original intention was to let Manbao comfort Changyu and stop her from thinking too much.
But she didn't expect that they would reach a cooperation directly. After thinking for a moment, she couldn't help but say to Chang Yu: "Sister, we are the royal family. It's not good for us to compete with the people for profit."
Chang Yu disagreed. "How could I compete with the people for profit? I didn't bully them, nor did I force them to buy or sell. The buying and selling of goods is based on ability."
Mingda shook his head and said bluntly: "Sister, you are still in the palace now, you can't interfere in the business outside the palace."
"Let's talk about it after I get married," she turned and said to Manbao, "You let your niece wait for me."
Mingda: ...
Manbao nodded and asked excitedly, "Is your marriage with Wei Yu settled?"
Chang Yu said, "During the New Year, the Emperor summoned him. On the Lantern Festival, Lord Wei also brought him to the palace. I heard that he will take the entrance exam for the Imperial College in February. I heard from the Emperor that if he passes, this marriage will be arranged immediately."
Manbao asked curiously, "What if I fail the exam?"
"If you don't pass the exam, just wait two or three months and decide again."
Manbao: ...What's the difference?
Mingda couldn't help but laugh and said, "My father and mother both like Master Wei very much. They think he is a very gentlemanly man."
She thought of something and turned to Chang Yu and said, "Sister, if you marry into the Wei family, I'm afraid this merchant style won't work. Lord Wei is very strict on these matters."
Manbao asked Mingda, "What about you? Do you want to do business?"
Mingda shook his head. "Forget it. I have enough food and clothing, and I don't lack money to spend. Why should I compete with the people for these benefits?"
She said, "My third sister is very strict with her subordinates, but she is also kind to the people. However, because she is involved in the timber business, her managers have been forcing her to buy and sell. Because of this, she knelt outside the Queen Mother's Palace for a long time and cried for a long time."
Manbao asked, "Has she changed?"
"I heard that the manager was punished for the compensation, but my third brother-in-law's real job was eliminated, and even my third sister was reprimanded by the Queen Mother." She looked at Chang Yu and said, "That's why I said the gain was not worth the loss."
Chang Yu said, "We are already princesses, why are we still so restrained? I don't mean to harm anyone, I just want to make some money for cosmetics."
"Your words are so false! Do you, a princess of a great country, need money for cosmetics?" Mingda said, "If you ask me, you live too extravagantly. Last time, when you wanted stuffed eggplant, the imperial kitchen almost missed the Queen Mother's meal in order to prepare the side dishes for you."
Changyu stopped talking.
Mingda sighed softly.
Chang Yu pointed at Zhou Man and said, "Ask her, who would complain about having too much money?"
Manbao was pondering Mingda's words. Hearing this, he uttered a "Hmm?" and raised his head before saying, "Yes, no one would complain about having too much money. But I remember what Brother Yang said a while ago: A gentleman loves money but earns it in a proper way. Actually, Mingda is right. You have power and influence, and it's wrong for you to compete with the people for profit."
Chang Yu didn't expect her to change sides at the last minute. He stood up angrily and asked, "So, you mean that royal relatives like us can't do business?"
See you at 6pm
(End of this chapter)
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