These merchants usually depend on the powerful and wealthy, and such rewards undoubtedly give them a status so that they can seek protection from imperial power.
What could be safer and more reliable than the protection of imperial power?
After listening to Han Xiao's story, Lu Qingyun's eyes lit up. Ruan Xiuran, who was originally serving as a background board, couldn't help but nod and kept giving thumbs up.
After pausing for a moment, Han Xiao's throat felt a little dry.
Before he could do anything, Lu Qingyun immediately filled Han Xiao's cup with tea and personally handed it to Han Xiao.
"Well, the boy is teachable." Han Xiao nodded with satisfaction, feeling that his words were worth it.
"Hehe, keep going. What if these merchants are unwilling?" Lu Qingyun thought a lot. Their Lu family is a businessman themselves, so they know that some merchants are stingy.
"This is easy. For things like fundraising, we need someone to take the lead. Look, isn't there one here?" After saying that, Han Xiao pointed at Ruan Xiu Ran.
Ruan Xiuran was stunned and pointed at himself blankly: "Me?"
"It's not you, it's the Ruan family you represent. We can find a few people to help us. People are profit-driven and sociable. If everyone donates and you are the only one who doesn't, what do you think will happen?"
Ruan Xiuran and Lu Qingyun listened and thought to themselves that it made sense. After all, it was a fundraising campaign initiated by the imperial court, so these merchants had to give it some face.
"Also, we're not asking them to donate for nothing. Businesses that donate can have their taxes reduced slightly, even if it's just a little bit. I believe these people will continue to donate."
"Yeah, why didn't I think of that?" Lu Qingyun slapped his thigh and exclaimed.
The sound was so loud that even Mr. Qinghe looked over, wondering what these three brats were doing.
Lu Qingyun noticed Mr. Qinghe's gaze and quickly shrank his neck and smiled ingratiatingly.
Then he turned to Han Xiao and urged, "There's more, there's more. The financial resources are solved, but what about the manpower?"
"Manpower? That's even simpler. Jiang State's criminal law has always been strict. I'm sure there are a lot of people imprisoned in the prisons of various prefectures."
Lu Qingyun nodded, he knew this.
"These people are just sitting around doing nothing, so why not get them to work? Those who have committed less serious crimes can have their sentences reduced by working. As for those on death row, since they're going to die anyway, why not let them make use of their remaining value before they die..."
The more Lu Qingyun listened, the deeper his admiration for Han Xiao became. By the end, he could no longer look Han Xiao in the eye, fearing that one day Han Xiao would dislike him or that he would provoke Han Xiao and die without a burial place.
Han Xiao's move is really cruel, but it is very useful.
"That's about it. You can discuss rewards and punishments with the Third Prince and let the Emperor make the decision. If you have any further questions, you can come back to me."
Lu Qingyun nodded gratefully. If there weren't so many people sitting there, he would have wanted to hug Han Xiao and kiss him hard.
"Okay, I understand. I'll discuss it with my father when I get home later. We'll discuss the specific details then."
Han Xiao nodded, then said with some concern, "Fundraising isn't just for merchants. Court officials can donate as well, right? Qingyun, you need to open your mind and not be limited by what's in front of you."
It would have been fine if it was just the merchants, but Lu Qingyun didn't expect that Han Xiao would actually set his sights on the officials.
Seeing Lu Qingyun's hesitant expression, Han Xiao continued, "Do you think these court officials have no money? Go check the turnover of Qihuoju and see who bought all the things."
Speaking of this, Han Xiao has too much say. Every month, Xing Yi brings the account book of Qihuoju to Han Xiao to see.
There is quite a list of ministers recorded above.
"But, is this a good idea?" Lu Qingyun said hesitantly.
Han Xiao waved his sleeves and said, "Okay, just go back and talk to your father. Anyway, I have given you my advice. As for how to do it, you guys make your own decisions. I won't get involved."
After saying that, Han Xiao picked up the teacup and drank it all in one gulp. His throat was almost smoking after saying so much.
Ruan Xiuran kept nodding in agreement and said to Lu Qingyun, "Qingyun, I think what Han Xiao said is right. We can really give it a try. If all else fails, we still have Mr. Qinghe to help. What do you think, Han Xiao?"
"Mr. Qinghe?" Lu Qingyun was stunned and looked at Han Xiao in disbelief. Could it be that Han Xiao was going to drag Mr. Qinghe into this?
Han Xiao quickly shook his head: "I didn't say that. I haven't told Grandpa about these things. I believe the Third Prince won't bother my Grandpa with these things."
Although Chu Jinglin wanted to get Mr. Qinghe's support, this matter was of great importance. Chu Jinglin would never have come to disturb Mr. Qinghe unless he was desperate.
"What about you? Do you want to talk to Mr. Qinghe..." Lu Qingyun said cautiously. With Mr. Qinghe's blessing, the matter would be 80% successful.
Han Xiao rolled his eyes and said unhappily, "Go ahead and do it. Come back and tell me when you've made a decision."
It was very difficult for Han Xiao to ask Mr. Qinghe to take action, but Han Xiao didn't want Lu Qingyun to develop the habit of coming to him when he encountered difficulties.
This would be very bad for Lu Qingyun. As expected, after Han Xiao said this, Lu Qingyun immediately understood what Han Xiao meant.
He said with a smile: "Hey, blame me, blame me. I will tell you to wait for my good news when I get back."
After that, the three of them stopped discussing business and started drinking and chatting.
Among the three of them, only Han Xiao is married and has become a father. Han Xiao is the same age as Lu Qingyun, and Ruan Xiuran is two years younger than them.
But in ancient times, he was considered an adult and old enough to get married.
After three rounds of drinks, Lu Qingyun blushed and started talking nonsense. He put his arm around Han Xiao's shoulders and said resentfully, "Look at you. We are the same age, how can you be a father? I am not even a father yet. I also want to be a father, wuwuwuwu..."
Han Xiao: “…”
Pushing the babbling drunk away with disdain, Han Xiao said unhappily, "If you want to be a father, wouldn't that be easy? I'll tell Uncle Lu you want to get married and ask him to find you a wife."
"Hic~ No... I don't want it. I don't want anyone except Lanlan. They are not as pretty as Lanlan, but... but Lanlan despises me, sob, sob, sob..."
Han Xiao, realizing this was gossip, immediately helped Lu Qingyun over, letting him lean back on the chair and curiously asked, "Lanlan? Which Lanlan?"
Thinking of the task that the young master gave to Han Xiao, Han Xiao was thinking about how to ask it, but he didn't expect Lu Qingyun, who was not careful with his words, to say it out loud.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com