"Chang Jijiu means that he wants to cooperate with Moxiang Bookstore?"
Jiang Li had almost finished eating, so she put down her chopsticks and looked at Chang Pengcheng.
Chang Jijiu hurriedly said, "Yes, Chang does think so."
He put down the cup in his hand and looked at his steward. He took a box from him and handed it to Jiang Li. "This is a little sincerity from Chang. I hope your Highness will accept it."
When he opened it, he saw three silver notes worth ten thousand taels.
Jiang Li's expression remained unchanged as he put the banknote back and asked, "How does Chang Jijiu want to cooperate?"
"Chang is willing to buy all the books in Moxiang Bookstore at double the price, but... Moxiang Bookstore can no longer sell books publicly from now on."
Jiang Li frowned slightly, "Why don't I quite understand what you mean?"
Chang Pengcheng stood up and filled Jiang Li's cup of hot tea with a flattering look on his face. "What Chang means is that he hopes Moxiang Bookstore can become a supplier of Bailu Bookstore in the future."
"Princess, you may not know that the prices of books at Moxiang Bookstore are too low. Not only Bailu Bookstore, but many bookstores are almost closing down."
"Since we're doing business, we naturally prioritize profit. Although I don't quite understand why Moxiang Bookstore would want to operate at a loss, since we're all in the same business, it's best not to go to such lengths, don't you think?"
Jiang Li smiled. "I understand what Chang Jijiu means. You want Moxiang Bookstore to stop selling books to students and instead sell all the low-priced books to Bailu Bookstore, right?"
"Exactly."
"Then may I ask, can Chang Jijiu's Bailu Bookstore handle a daily supply of one thousand books?"
"What? A thousand books?!"
Chang Pengcheng was shocked. Not to mention him, even if all the bookstores in the capital were united, they would not have such a large amount of inventory.
"Okay, don't worry, Master Chang. I've known about the problem you mentioned for a long time. I've been planning to send a message to the owners of all the major bookstores in the next two days. I'll talk to everyone about providing you with books at low prices."
After finishing the last mouthful of soup, Jiang Li wiped his mouth and said, "You can take this silver back first. The owner of Fengya Bookstore gave me 100,000 taels of silver and wanted to discuss cooperation with me on the bookstore."
After saying this, Jiang Li stood up and prepared to leave. Chang Pengcheng quickly pulled out the silver bills he had prepared in advance from his sleeve and stuffed a few into the box. "I am short-sighted. Princess, please accept these first. Consider them as my sincerity in cooperating with you. I will wait for your invitation."
Jiang Li smiled and said, "How can I feel comfortable with that?"
"Please give Chang this opportunity, Princess. In fact, here is also an apology from this brat to you, Princess. Please accept it."
"In that case, then... okay."
Jiang Li looked embarrassed, and only after Bai Zhi picked up the box did Chang Pengcheng breathe a sigh of relief.
He escorted her all the way to the door and said, "Take care, Princess."
After getting on the carriage, Bai Zhi exclaimed, "Princess, his 100,000 taels is..."
Jiang Li smiled and said, "Didn't you hear what he said? Sincerity, and apology."
"But," Bai Zhi was a little surprised, "but isn't Fengya Bookstore also owned by the prince..."
"Yeah, but he doesn't know it." Jiang Li sighed, "Oh, this guy is stupid and has a lot of money, it's good. We can earn so much in the time it takes to eat a meal. Let's go to the palace, just in time to borrow some flowers to offer to the Buddha."
She has never been a person who meddles in other people's affairs, but if she wants Gu Qingchen to complete the disaster relief work smoothly and return to Beijing as soon as possible, she doesn't mind causing some trouble.
As for Chang Pengcheng, he was still muttering on the carriage back home, "This herbal medicine shop is well-deserved of its reputation. A meal here is so expensive!"
If he didn't own Bailu Bookstore, he wouldn't be able to afford a few meals with his salary.
"Humph, this is not the time for you to give Jiang Li money."
As soon as Chang Tai finished speaking, he was slapped again.
"Dad! Am I wrong? One hundred thousand taels! That's one hundred thousand taels! Just give it away!"
"Let me tell you, the most important thing in business is to seize the initiative. Fengya Bookstore offered 100,000 taels first. If your father offered 30,000 taels, would the princess take me seriously?
Besides, if you hadn't offended the princess first, why would I need to spend money! I'm telling you, kid, these 100,000 taels will be deducted from your monthly allowance!"
"What? One hundred thousand taels? That will take forever!"
"That's perfect, so you don't have to spend all your money. Also, you'd better stay away from that kid from the Xu family. I don't want to lose my position as the chief priest because of you!"
“…”
Imperial Palace, Imperial Study.
After Jiang Li was given a seat, he picked up the hot tea handed to him by the palace maid, took a sip, and sighed, "The emperor's tea is still the best."
To be honest, the weather has been very cold these days. If Jiang Li had not arrived in time, the emperor would have gone to the queen to rest long ago.
The closer it gets to the end of the year, the less willing he is to work. The emperor pushed the memorials beside him aside and said with a smile, "So, in such a heavy snow, you came all the way to the palace just to ask for some tea from me?"
"Of course not."
Jiang Li presented the box, and when the eunuch took it, he felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
Why does it feel like... Princess Jingling is here to give silver again?
The emperor had the same idea.
"I thought you were here to call me to task. I sent Prince Jingling to provide disaster relief, and I'm afraid you're unhappy."
After opening the box, the emperor took a deep breath, closed his eyes, opened them again, and pressed the corners of his lips hard.
He was afraid that his joy would be too ostentatious, making him, the emperor, seem unstable.
After silently shouting three times in his heart, the emperor finally breathed a sigh of relief and closed the lid with a serious face, "What do you mean, Princess?"
"Going to provide disaster relief is what the prince should do. How could I be angry?" Although she was a little reluctant, Jiang Li was still very happy as long as she could block the third prince's way.
"I heard from the prince that the snowstorm in Qinzhou was too severe, and I think a lot of supplies are needed. As the saying goes, it takes a thousand days to maintain an army, but only a moment to deploy it. Your Majesty usually has so many officials to support, so it is natural that we should relieve your worries at this critical moment."
"Therefore, on behalf of the Jingling Palace, I will take the lead in donating 100,000 taels. I hope Your Majesty will accept it."
Hearing this, the emperor understood.
Yes, this is disaster relief, it's to save the people from dire straits. If every official donated some money like Jiang Li did, wouldn't it be...
"As expected of a daughter-in-law of the royal family, you have set a good example. Therefore, I will announce this matter at the morning court tomorrow, and then..."
"When the time comes, we will publicly praise all donors in the Daning Daily. Your Majesty, what do you think of this?"
Jiang Li's plan really touched the emperor's heart.
Even in his sleep, the emperor was humming songs.
As for Jiang Li, he retired after completing his mission and went straight back to the palace to ask Gu Qingchen for the reward.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com