In terms of price, using the same tin amalgam method, the Ming Dynasty sells it cheaper than yours; in terms of quality, the Ming Dynasty's silver mirrors are better than yours.
Zhu Youxiao also divided the mirrors into different sizes so that the prices could be differentiated.
A palm-sized tin-mercury amalgam mirror cost 1,200 taels, a book-sized one cost 2,000 taels; silver mirrors cost 3,000 and 5,000 taels respectively.
And this is the retail price, the supply price to the dealer is reduced by 30%. In other words, if you can sell it at the retail price, you can make at least 400 to 500 taels just for one mirror.
"The emperor only gifted one silver mirror to Korea, and one to Tokugawa Hidetada and one to Tokugawa Iemitsu of Japan." Wu Zheng took a sip from the tea bowl and said, "The domestic distributor has been confirmed. We will have to rely heavily on you two to sell this overseas."
Li Dan nodded slightly, and Yan Siqi nodded. The two understood and realized that this was an opportunity to make a fortune.
Japan had abundant silver and many daimyo, known as the Three Hundred Domains. Many held territories exceeding 10,000 koku, but because they were not daimyo, their territories could not be called domains.
In other words, if the minimum purchase amount is one domain and one side, then the amount would be three hundred; if the territories with ten thousand stones are included, the number would double again.
Besides, would they only buy one mirror of this quality? That's impossible. Take the Tokugawa shogunate for example. If they didn't buy ten or more mirrors, would they have the nerve to lead the daimyo?
Li Dan and Yan Siqi's eyes met, and neither of them took the initiative to look away, and the intention of competing was obvious.
"Besides Japan, there's also Southeast Asia and the Western Barbarians." Wu Zheng said slowly, "Your Majesty's intention is that the Japanese market will be monopolized by the two of you, the South Seas will be sold to other sea merchants, and as for the Western Barbarians, let them come here and buy directly."
Li Dan withdrew his gaze, looked at Wu Zheng, and said with a folded hand, "Since it is the will of His Majesty, I dare not disobey your order."
Wu Zheng waved his hand and said, "It's not that simple."
After a pause, Wu Zheng looked at Li and Yan and asked solemnly, "Do you two know what righteousness business is?"
………………
"How remarkable is Xian Gaozi, Shang Yin, who was unique and remarkable. He helped to save the state of Zheng and forged an imperial decree to reward the Qin army. He refused rewards for righteousness, and instead upheld public interests and eliminated selfishness. He was humble and valued anonymity, and lived far away from the Nine Yi."
When a new issue of "Daming Forum" appeared before people, the emergence of the term "righteous business" began to refresh people's cognition.
Even in later generations, these two sentences are often used to define and evaluate businessmen.
To put it bluntly, businessmen are profit-driven and money-making ruthless people. Morality, when it comes to money, is simply not something a businessman should consider.
But now, the court, or the emperor, has expressed a different opinion and added "righteousness" to the criteria for distinguishing merchants.
What is "righteousness": honesty and law-abidingness, loyalty to the emperor and patriotism, charity, and giving back to society...
Through this definition of "righteousness", many people understand why Li Dan and Yan Siqi were granted civilian nobility and received this honor from the emperor.
The opening of Shanghai and the construction of the port were largely due to the generous funding of Li and Yan; purchasing grain to Taiwan and transporting immigrants were also in response to the court's call to contribute money and effort.
Furthermore, Li and Yan had recently dispatched a fleet to transport grain to the Southeast Asian countries. It was said that the grain was shipped directly to Liaodong to aid the imperial court in its campaign against Liaodong.
It is surprising that the Li and Yan families were not the only ones involved in transporting grain by sea, but also the maritime merchants Lin and Yang.
Could it be that they all want the title of "righteous merchant" and want to obtain the "civilian nobility" awarded by the court?
"By the time those fools wake up, there will be nothing left for them to do." Li Dan's adopted son Li Guozhu sat in the spacious cabin, playing with a silver mirror in his hand, reflecting light and shadow onto the cabin wall, and shaking it left and right.
Xu Xinsu narrowed his eyes slightly. As Li Dan's sworn brother, he naturally knew that this grain transportation was just the beginning and would become the norm in the future.
The imperial court did not expect merchants to selflessly sacrifice themselves for the purchase of grain for Liao, but the profit margins were certainly slim, which was the main reason why merchants were reluctant to do it.
If you wanted to please the court and strive for "civilian nobility", then of course there was nothing to say. But before this, not many people speculated about the standards and conditions for the court to grant nobility.
Even Li Dan, Yan Siqi, Xu Xinsu, Yang Tiansheng and others did not understand the court's deep intentions.
In their opinion, the fact that Li Dan and Yan Siqi were able to obtain civilian titles was a means for the imperial court to recruit maritime merchants. Those who had more money and more power would be rewarded, which was like buying a horse's bones for a thousand gold coins.
But now, they finally understood the emperor's intentions. This was to redress the reputation of some merchants, or to differentiate between them.
Righteous merchants will be recognized by the court, enjoy preferential policies and receive support; while those merchants who break the law, break their promises and are only interested in profit will definitely not have a good end.
"It's new that businessmen value loyalty, but it's not without reason." Xu Xinsu took a sip from the tea bowl and said slowly, "In the past, they were kind and generous, seeking a good reputation. Now-"
Li Guozhu nodded in agreement as he watched Xu Xinsu's gesture. Raising it to the level of loyalty to the emperor, patriotism, and giving back to society instantly made the concept of "righteousness" lofty and noble.
"Your Majesty also emphasizes righteousness." Li Guozhu, not caring which direction, bowed and said, "Uncle Xu and my father also told me the same thing."
Xu Xinsu smiled and said, "Your Majesty's 'righteousness' is very different from that of us common people. You only need to remember two things: loyalty and sincerity, and you will not suffer any loss."
Li Guozhu thought for a moment, then bowed and said, "Uncle Xu's words are so valuable, and I will learn from them."
From such a long period of experience, Li Dan, Yan Siqi, Xu Xinsu and others all had this feeling and came to this conclusion.
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