Merchants competed fiercely, quickly driving the price up to one million taels.
Su An on stage was grinning from ear to ear.
"Our fabric project has now been priced at one million taels. Is there anyone offering a higher price? If not, all fabrics in the palace will be purchased from Wangji Trading Company from now on."
The entire investment promotion conference was completely silent; no one bid anymore.
Su An's gaze swept over everyone, and only after confirming that no one was bidding against him did he finally make the final decision.
"Alright, congratulations Mr. Wang on obtaining the right to trade fabrics. Here is your trade token, please keep it safe!"
As she spoke, she personally handed the token engraved with the word "fabric" from the tray to Boss Wang.
Although this token is made of bronze, it is of extraordinary significance.
Upon receiving the token, Boss Wang beamed from ear to ear. He immediately hung it on his waist and proudly bowed to the surrounding merchants, saying, "Thank you all for your generosity!"
Su An followed the same method and sold off the trading rights for the remaining projects one by one.
The accountant was busy checking accounts and making notes, so busy that he didn't even have time to drink water.
Many people regretted not bringing enough money.
But it was too late to say anything now, so they had no choice but to leave reluctantly.
Meanwhile, news of the investment promotion conference also reached the Imperial Study.
Fu Hai still gets a little excited when he recalls that scene.
"Your Majesty is truly wise. Miss Su is intelligent and has unique ideas. She is indeed the best candidate to manage the Imperial Household Department. Today, she held a business fair at Baoan Hall. This old servant personally witnessed all the merchants vying for the best prices. Our national treasury is sure to be full!"
Upon hearing this, Chu Yi's face was filled with smiles, and he nodded and applauded repeatedly.
"Good, good! I knew she would have a way to replenish the national treasury. It was worth all the effort I put into capturing her."
He didn't ask for much; he would be content as long as Su An could have a few million taels of silver in the national treasury.
Unexpectedly, just as he finished speaking, footsteps sounded outside the door.
"What makes Your Majesty so happy?"
Su An entered the Imperial Study without reporting to the Emperor.
Fu Hai, standing to the side, frowned and reprimanded him.
"How dare you, Su An! Now that you have become a female official, you should abide by the laws and regulations of the Great Chu. How dare you enter His Majesty's study without prior notice? Kneel down now!"
Upon hearing this, Chu Yi smiled and raised his hand, returning to the scene.
“Don’t be presumptuous! Miss Su comes from the countryside and is not particular about formalities, so I will not force her to do so.”
Just kidding, Su An is his cash cow now, why would he easily hold him accountable?
Then, he stared intently at Su An, raised an eyebrow and asked, "Miss Su, has the matter of the Imperial Household Department been resolved this time?"
"Your Majesty is right; this old servant has spoken too much."
Fu Hai had no choice but to lower his head dejectedly and admit his mistake.
One of them played the good cop, and the other played the bad cop. How could she not see through it?
Su An pouted and silently complained in her heart before raising her hand to her side and patting it lightly.
Immediately afterwards, dozens of sword guards carried in a large box in single file.
Before Su An could give any instructions, they lined up the large boxes and placed them on the ground, then opened the lids and retreated behind Su An one by one.
Su An pointed to the large boxes and analyzed.
"This is all the money I received from today's investment promotion conference, totaling ten million taels."
“I have already done a check. The Imperial Household Department was short of 10,000 taels of silver, but now it has all been made up. The remaining 10 million taels is from the national treasury. It will be enough for His Majesty to use for disaster relief, military support, and purchasing daily necessities for the harem for two or three years.”
Following her fingertip, one could see that the large box contained bundles of silver notes, as well as gold ingots and silver coins.
The sheer number of them is dazzling.
A hint of surprise flashed in Chu Yi's eyes, then he laughed heartily, stood up from the dragon throne, walked to the large box, and ran his hand over each piece of it, praising it as he went.
"As expected, Miss Su has lived up to my expectations. In just a few days, she has resolved my biggest worry."
"With this money, I will have nothing to fear, whether it is a natural disaster or a man-made one."
She has already fulfilled Chu Yi's request, so shouldn't she keep her promise?
Su An raised an eyebrow, about to bring up the matter.
But then Chu Yi suddenly stopped smiling, turned around, stared at her intently, put his hands behind his back, and asked in confusion.
"I am very pleased that Miss Su has helped me earn so much silver."
"But I've heard that at this investment conference, Miss Su is selling trade rights with the royal family. While this may solve the problem of an empty treasury, what if these royal merchants take advantage of this to sell inferior goods in the future?"
Su An had already considered this matter.
When suddenly asked the question, Su An did not panic. He crossed his arms, smiled calmly, and began to stroll slowly.
"Your Majesty need not worry. I have already informed them that this investment promotion conference will be held once a year."
"In other words, this trade right is only valid for one year. These merchants are not fools. They are too busy trying to please the royal family to dig their own graves by tampering with royal property."
"Furthermore, His Majesty can also formulate trade regulations and establish a special supervisory agency to monitor the quality of goods. If there are any who are truly foolish, His Majesty can simply issue an edict to revoke their trading rights, wouldn't that solve the problem?"
Su An spoke casually.
It seemed to her that it was just an ordinary thing.
Upon hearing this, Chu Yi's brows relaxed, and his gaze toward Su An became even more ardent.
He curled his lips into a wicked smile.
"Very well, Miss Su is meticulous and thoughtful. I am completely convinced of Miss Su's abilities!"
Now that things had come to this point, Su An didn't hold back anymore. He grinned, revealing his tiger teeth, and asked Chu Yi with a smile.
"Since that's the case, then I've completed the task assigned by His Majesty, right? Shouldn't His Majesty also fulfill the promise he made to me?"
The emperor's word is law, and this time he has issued an imperial edict; he can't go back on his word!
Upon hearing this, Chu Yi's smile faded slightly. After a moment of contemplation, he slowly spoke.
"That's natural, Fuhai, draft the decree!"
Su An also pricked up her ears and listened carefully, afraid that Chu Yi would play some trick on her again and try to harm her.
Clear words were uttered from Chu Yi's thin lips, one word at a time.
"Miss Su is exceptionally intelligent and has rendered meritorious service in managing the Imperial Household Department. Therefore, she is hereby granted the title of Consort An, in charge of all matters concerning the inner palace, and is awarded a thousand taels of gold..."
Before he could finish speaking, Su An interrupted him in a panic.
"Wait, who wants to enter the palace as a concubine? You clearly promised me before that as long as I can settle the accounts of the Imperial Household Department, you would appoint me as a lady-in-waiting and let me leave the palace. As the king, how can you go back on your word?"
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