Wood, stone, gardens, flowers and trees...
The results were revealed one by one.
The prices range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands.
The highest is close to 400,000, and the lowest is 30,000 to 50,000.
The whole place was boiling with excitement as everyone was refreshed by the exaggerated and unbelievable prices.
It's like boiling water, bubbling all the time.
Everyone was having a great time.
He was not as calm as someone who had been in the business world for a long time. He was so excited that he stood on his chair and shouted wildly.
Everyone threw themselves into it and turned into a madman.
Lord Gu looked at this scene and shouted angrily, "How shameful!"
The old official from the Ministry of Revenue laughed heartily. "It's only when it's unbecoming that it fetches a high price. If everyone were as formal as we are, do you think anyone would spend hundreds of thousands of taels for five years' use rights?"
Lord Gu was speechless.
In his heart, he thought everyone in the hall was crazy. If it were him, he would never spend hundreds of thousands of taels just to buy a sign. Even tens of thousands of taels would be something he wouldn't be willing to part with.
However, what the old man from the Ministry of Revenue said also made sense.
If everyone were sitting upright, the price would definitely not be that high.
I have to say, the old man from the Ministry of Revenue has revealed the truth.
Why did Gu Jiu only invite wealthy merchants and not officials? Because officials are boring.
All boring people are blocked by Gu Jiu.
Lord Gu has already been blocked by Gu Jiu.
Therefore, Gu Jiu never invites Lord Gu to attend such occasions.
Inside private room number eight, the emperor was secretly delighted. He was so happy that he wanted to laugh out loud, but he pretended to be serious and held it back.
He looked at Chen Dachang.
Chen Dachang understood and whispered, "I've written it all down."
Every transaction was recorded clearly to ensure that Gu Jiu would not be able to embezzle a single penny.
Gu Jiu: MMP, you are so shameless.
How dare you doubt her character?
She is making money, but she will never embezzle any money.
Her credibility is impeccable.
At this moment, the emperor was pleased with everyone he looked at. Every time he looked at someone, he saw a glittering silver light, as if snowflakes of silver were floating before his eyes.
The emperor is very pleased!
As a result, the emperor's expectations of Liu Zhao also increased a little.
The King of Chu was very upset.
Why doesn't he have a wife who can bring in money?
Why did all the good things go to Liu Zhao?
Liu Zhao: My eyes are sharp and I chose my beloved wife, Gu Jiu, from among thousands of people. He may not be good at making money, but he was able to marry a woman who can make money. This is a real talent.
Private room number seven.
The Shaofu household official was very pleased.
The task of 1.7 million taels was completed in excess, not bad, not bad.
"Congratulations, Xiaojiu. What others can't do, you can do it."
Gu Jiu had a smile on her face, and she was also very satisfied with today's results.
According to the agreement between her and the emperor, she can get a commission of half, which is a considerable amount.
That’s great, I have money for the New Year.
She said, "Thank you, ancestors. Without your support, there would be no results today."
"You're too modest. There are tens of thousands of acres of land outside the South City Gate. When do you plan to start construction?"
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Don't worry, let's wait until next year."
"When you start construction, tell me. I'll also invest some money to earn some money for the coffin."
Gu Jiu laughed, "Isn't the ancestor worried that I'll mess up?"
The Shaofu Household Officer waved his hand. "After seeing what's going on today, I believe no one will doubt your ability to make money. The South City Gate looks messy and has no future. But I firmly believe that with your help, even if it's just mud, you have the ability to turn it into real money."
Gu Jiu was terrified, "Grandfather, you think too highly of me. I am terrified."
The Shaofu Household Commander laughed heartily. "You are too modest. We have a deal on this matter. Don't forget me for the project outside the South City Gate."
Gu Jiu agreed, "Thank you for trusting me, Old Ancestor. I will definitely live up to your expectations."
That's very good.
The Shaofu Household Leader felt very happy when he thought that he could earn a lot of money just by investing money with Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu’s ambition is not just about the South City Gate.
She took the opportunity to ask the Shaofu Household Order, "We have a fixed trade volume with Xiliang and Beirong every year, right?"
The Shaofu's heart skipped a beat and he became nervous.
Whenever Gu Jiu asked about something, it meant that Gu Jiu was going to cause trouble again. "What do you want to do now?"
Gu Jiu laughed, "Don't be nervous, old ancestor, I'm just asking casually."
Just asking?
The Shaofu Housekeeper hurriedly said, "Don't ask me so casually, my heart is about to jump out of my chest."
Gu Jiu's mouth twitched. Is it that exaggerated?
She coughed lightly and said, "I heard that the trade between Beirong and Xiliang is handled by the Shaofu."
"Exactly!"
"How much silver can the Shaofu earn from Beirong and Xiliang in a year?"
The Shaofu family official had a toothache and said, "This is a secret. I can't tell you. I can't tell you."
Gu Jiu didn't care and asked casually, "Do you have 100,000 taels? 500,000 taels? 1,000,000 taels?"
The Shaofu's brows twitched. If he could earn one million taels, he wouldn't have to worry about money all day long.
In the past, the Shaofu's main source of income was from the domestic salt and iron trade. Since the salt and iron trade was monopolized by the Shaofu, how could it not make money?
However, according to regulations, half of the profits earned from salt and iron must be given to the Ministry of Revenue.
Including trade with Beirong and Xiliang, half of the profits must be given to the Ministry of Revenue.
Otherwise, the Ministry of Revenue would only rely on commercial taxes, agricultural taxes, and head taxes, which would not be enough to support the financial expenses of the court.
The Shaofu Household Manager remained silent, and Gu Jiu immediately guessed that the profit from foreign trade was definitely not one million taels.
So incompetent!
Guarding a gold trade line, he couldn't even earn one million taels.
A bunch of idiots!
Gu Jiu felt distressed.
She felt heartbroken and angry.
She said nonchalantly, "If it were me, I could directly generate at least two million taels of profit, and indirectly generate tens of millions of taels of income."
The Shaofu family commander almost jumped up, "Xiaojiu, you can't talk nonsense."
Gu Jiu said solemnly, "I dare not speak nonsense. Old Ancestor, you know me well. I never brag. For example, I promised the emperor that I would use the calligraphy he bestowed to make up for the shortfall in repairing the three main halls, which totaled 1.7 million taels.
Who believed I had this ability back then? Everyone in the court, inside and outside the palace, was waiting to see me make a fool of myself? Today, I used my three million taels of silver to slap those people in the face. My ancestors kept saying they trusted me, but now, how come they're telling me not to brag?
The Shaofu's household official was upset and almost speechless.
"This is different. Your business is business. Trade with Beirong and Xiliang is not just business, it also concerns military and national affairs."
Gu Jiu laughed, "I completely agree with what you said, ancestor. This is a matter of national importance and cannot be viewed solely from a business perspective. So I would like to discuss a business deal with you, ancestor, and I hope you will grant me your blessing."
When it comes to business, the Shaofu Housekeeper perked up. "Go ahead. As long as it's not too difficult, I'll definitely agree to your request."
Gu Jiu considered his words carefully. "As the saying goes, those who are not of our race must have different hearts. Those people in Xiliang and Beirong are our Great Zhou's enemies. We should not show mercy to our enemies."
To be honest, I recently purchased a large amount of land and mines in the south, which requires a large number of coolies. Therefore, I want to purchase slaves from Xiliang and Beirong through your Shaofu.
I don't care where these slaves come from, whether they're captives or fugitives, as long as they're not from our Great Zhou, whether they're from Beirong, Xiliang, or even further west, I want them all. The price is negotiable."
Human trafficking is a bloody trade.
Before making this decision, Gu Jiu had hesitated and struggled.
Finally she convinced herself.
In fact, those trafficked people who fell into her hands were lucky. At least they had food to eat and could survive.
If it fell into the hands of others, it would be questionable whether it could survive the first six months.
In this day and age, human trafficking is a huge business.
Beirong and Xiliang are trafficking in people from Da Zhou, and Da Zhou has also been trafficking in people from Beirong and Xiliang.
Regardless of whether Gu Jiu is involved or not, this business will continue to exist, and the transaction volume is astonishingly large.
With Gu Jiu's participation, she can at least be a boss with a conscience and not enslave her people to death.
In fact, sometimes Gu Jiu would reflect on herself. Did she change this era, or was she assimilated by this era?
Human trafficking and human traffickers are condemned by everyone in modern times.
But in ancient society, she seemed to have accepted this fact imperceptibly.
Is human trafficking a crime?
It is indeed a sin.
However, there are still many common people who are willing to sell themselves and become slaves in wealthy families.
For example, the servants in the palace, if asked to resume their status as good citizens and make a living on their own, would kneel at the door and cry for three days and three nights, as if their parents had died.
It is nice to take shelter under a big tree. This saying is fully demonstrated in this era.
The common people live a hard life.
Many times, people would seek refuge in wealthy families and become slaves, just to find a backer.
Those captives, if they could not be sold into slavery, would be killed in pits, because keeping them alive would be a waste of food.
Food is precious. There is not enough food for our own soldiers, so how can we possibly feed the prisoners?
But in Gu Jiu's opinion, killing the prisoners was such a pity and a waste.
Those are all strong laborers.
Wouldn't it be better to keep it as a laborer?
In fact, a long time ago, as early as when he was in the northwest, Gu Jiu had the idea of buying prisoners.
But at the time, she had no capital, no status, and the timing was not right. She suppressed this idea.
However, after today, the time will basically be ripe.
That's why she took the opportunity to make this request.
The Shaofu Household Manager looked hesitant.
Gu Jiu used his eloquence to persuade the Shaofu Household Officer, "Grandfather, buying and selling the people of Beirong and Xiliang, especially the captives, is equivalent to weakening the power of Beirong and Xiliang. This is a good thing that benefits the country and the people!"
Secondly, you only need to communicate well with the border troops in various places and transport people to the designated place, and you will receive a lot of silver. It is equivalent to your Shaofu opening up a business with no capital investment and reaping the profits.
Moreover, the border troops also gained an additional source of income, which could provide the soldiers with two more meals of meat and cotton-padded jackets for the winter. Such a good thing, why not do it?
"Old Ancestor, please don't forget that Beirong and Xiliang kidnapped our people, enslaved them, and tortured them. Shouldn't we, the Great Zhou, retaliate?"
The Shaofu's household official was tempted, but he still refused. "This matter is of great importance. I need to report it to His Majesty and obtain His Majesty's permission before I can agree to it. Also, human trafficking is against the harmony of heaven, and someone in the court will definitely impeach me."
Gu Jiu complained, "Most of the scholars in the court have pedantic views. They keep harping on the virtues of a country of rites and etiquette, yet they watch helplessly as their own people are abducted and murdered.
We simply treat them the way they treat us, and yet we say this is against the harmony of nature. When our own people are being persecuted, why don't they say this is against the harmony of nature? Why don't they seek revenge? It's because of those pedantic people in the court that every war is a losing battle, seeing only the money spent, not the money earned.
If this continues, will the border troops be able to fight in another twenty or thirty years? I’m afraid that once a war breaks out, the old masters in the court will start clamoring for excessive military spending and destroying their own military prowess.”
The Shaofu Household Officer was a little confused, "Can you make money by fighting a war?"
Gu Jiu laughed, "Old Ancestor is really a joke. If we don't fight for money, then what is it for?"
The Shaofu family official was a little confused, "Of course it's to expand the territory."
Gu Jiu said loudly: "What is the purpose of expanding territory? Of course it's for money! Is land money? Is population money? Are cattle and sheep money? Are the minerals under the ground money?
Using the glorious military exploits of expanding territory to intimidate neighboring countries, forcing them to open up trade lines, earning silver from other countries, and dumping our Great Zhou's goods, is this money?
Only with money can we raise more troops, upgrade their equipment, and build an army armed to the teeth. With such an army, who in the world can challenge us?
A war without money is doomed to fail. An army without money will sooner or later be dismantled. Wars are fought for profit.
Why did Beirong and Xiliang repeatedly march south? Because they saw benefits. They captured our people and robbed our subjects. From Xiliang and Beirong's perspective, aren't these benefits gained through war?
The Shaofu family steward had lived for decades, and his worldview was once again refreshed by Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu once again transformed himself into a big liar and personally took action to brainwash the Shaofu Household Order.
He rubbed his brows and said, "Just leave me alone."
Gu Ji didn't say anything else. That was enough.
She didn't know that because of her words, the private room No. 8 next door was so silent that you could hear a pin drop.
Just now, Gu Jiu was a little excited and raised her voice, so much so that what she said could be heard in the private room No. 8 next door.
Her remarks that wars are started for profit shocked everyone in Room 8, from the emperor to the guards.
Everyone looked at Liu Zhao.
Could it be that Liu Zhao asked Gu Jiu to say these words?
Gu Jiu already knew that the emperor was sitting in private room number 8, so he said this on purpose?
So scheming!
Liu Zhao, I didn't expect you to be such a grandson of the emperor?
He is clearly a scheming man!
So cunning.
Since you can't do it yourself, you let women come out to show your presence. Can you have some shame?
Liu Zhao: MMP, this is the first time I've heard your discussion of the nature of war, okay? I'm shocked, okay? My worldview is shattered, okay?
How could he know that Gu Jiu was not only good at making money, but also good at analyzing the nature of war.
In fact, Gu Jiu's remarks were ultimately about money.
Liu Zhao lowered his head and felt like laughing.
I didn't hear the previous incident, so I don't know why Gu Jiu mentioned the war.
However, Liu Zhao couldn't help laughing when he thought that even such a serious topic as war could be brought up with money.
It’s not called a money string for nothing.
The emperor looked serious and glanced at Liu Zhao.
Liu Zhao asked, "Grandfather, do you want to call Xiao Jiu?"
The emperor waved his hand, "No need."
Military and national affairs must not be treated as a joke.
Liu Zhao breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried that the emperor would send someone to call Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu didn't know that the emperor was sitting in the private room number 8 next door. If she knew, she would not say a word.
Even if I speak, I will lower my voice and not raise it because of excitement.
The bidding conference is coming to an end.
Some are happy and some are sad.
The task of 1.7 million taels was exceeded, and the shortfall was only a few thousand taels to make up the total of 3 million taels.
Just relying on a piece of imperial calligraphy and a five-year authorization, he earned three million taels.
No one in the court can match his ability to attract wealth.
The old man from the Ministry of Revenue repeatedly sighed that the younger generation was so formidable.
It was not until then that Gu Jiu came to private room No. 3 to pay his respects to Lord Gu and the old Lord of the Ministry of Revenue.
"The younger generation greets the elder and pays respects to father."
"Madam Zhao is very polite. Madam Zhao, once you make a move, you won't have to worry about money. I admire you very much."
Gu Jiu laughed. Her first impression of the old man, the Minister of Revenue, was quite good. At least he was not pedantic.
"Thank you for your compliment, old man. I just happened to meet you at the right time."
"You're so humble, too humble. No one else could have come up with such an idea, only you could have. That's your uniqueness. I was just chatting with your father. If you have any profitable business next time, let me take a share. At least I can make some money for my coffin."
Gu Jiu pursed his lips and smiled, "It is an honor for me that the old man thinks highly of me. If there is such an opportunity, I will inform you in time."
"Then it's settled. Master Gu, I envy you for having such a capable daughter."
Gu felt uncomfortable and embarrassed, but at the same time, he felt proud and happy.
It's so confusing!
He said to Gu Jiu with a serious face: "Be careful not to be arrogant or impatient. Think more about your family. It is important to add a child to the palace as soon as possible."
Gu Jiu lowered his head and secretly rolled his eyes.
Mr. Gu is the true king of awkward silences.
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