Chapter 48 Doing Business Together
Just as she was wondering how to bring it up, Zhou Ruiyuan suddenly said, "Butler Liu, this might not be appropriate."
"Is this inappropriate?" Butler Liu looked at the man in front of him with a puzzled expression.
Zhou Ruiyuan slowly said, "Since Master Fang has asked for our skills, he must sincerely want to do incense business. However, our Zhou family is not stupid. A month's wages can only be used to buy a few bottles of the best incense. Why don't we make it ourselves and sell it?"
Butler Liu listened, his eyebrows curving upwards, as if he wanted to explain.
Zhou Ruiyuan continued, "I know you're going to say that our Zhou family doesn't have shops or customers, so business will never be successful. That's why I have a solution that satisfies both sides."
"What method?" Butler Liu asked.
Zhou Ruiyuan slowly said, "Master Fang provides our Zhou family with shops and customers, and our Zhou family provides the best incense. We earn 28% of the silver each month."
"You two, we eight."
Steward Liu was taken aback, not expecting this farmer to have such a mind. He quickly calculated for a moment, then stood up and said, "Alright, I'll convey your message to our master and see what he says."
Zhou Ruiyuan walked to his side and saw him to the door. "If Master Fang doesn't agree, that's fine. Our Zhou family won't force you."
Butler Liu was taken aback, turned to look at him, his gaze deepening, and then laughed: "You young man are truly remarkable!"
After he finished speaking, he shook his head, walked out of the courtyard, and got into a carriage.
After seeing him leave, Aunt Zhou hurriedly asked Zhou Ruiyuan, "Ruiyuan, what did you mean just now? What 'two' and what 'eight'?"
Du Wanchun came over and said with a smile, "Mother, what my husband means is to partner with the Fang family in business. They will get 20% of the profits, and we will get 80%. No one can take advantage of the other. This is much better than them only paying wages. Not only can we expand our Zhou family's business, but we can also get 80% of the profits every month."
Aunt Zhou understood and was overjoyed, "That's great! This way, we don't have to do this business ourselves."
Zhou Ruiyuan nodded slightly, "Yes, but I don't know if Master Fang will agree."
When Master Fang heard the news, he was not angry, nor did he try to bargain with the Zhou family. Instead, he readily agreed, "Alright, we'll listen to them. We'll provide the shop and the goods, and we'll split the profits 20/80 with them!"
Butler Liu asked doubtfully, "Master, are you really going to agree? We don't really need this incense business."
Master Fang held the burning incense in his hand and smelled it. "I haven't smelled such fine sandalwood in the palace for more than ten years."
Butler Liu looked surprised. "The palace?"
Master Fang nodded. “That’s right. I remember that the current emperor likes incense. If we can expand this incense business to the capital, and then to the imperial city, and become imperial merchants, then things will be different.”
"But can this incense really be sold in the capital?" Butler Liu asked with some concern.
With a smile in his eyes, Mr. Fang said, "With my connections, of course I can. No matter how much the Zhou family splits this deal, it's a sure thing. There's no need to worry."
Butler Liu, who only half understood, helped Master Fang light another incense stick.
As he inhaled the fragrance, Master Fang leaned back in his chair, suddenly remembering something. His eyes glazed over, and he murmured to himself, "Back then, I remember the eldest wife of the Lu family was the most skilled at making incense, but it's a pity she died young..."
Butler Liu asked cautiously, "Is it the Lu family whose property was confiscated?"
Mr. Fang did not reply, but slowly closed his eyes.
Even though he didn't say it, Steward Liu knew that it was the Lu family, the only family in the entire Xuan Yue Kingdom that was most skilled at making incense, being the Empress's maternal family.
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