"We've collected 12,000 taels of silver today, based on half the deposit. In just a few hours, we've not only recouped our costs but also made a huge profit. It's equivalent to several years' worth of profits for the rouge shop."
"Let me tell you, after all these years of using an abacus, this is the first time I've ever had so much cash flowing through my hands."
Madam Su rubbed her aching back and sighed, "Isn't that right? After serving by your side for so many years, I've seen quite a bit of the world."
"Putting everything else aside, when the Empress was selected to enter the palace, much of the dowry that had been prepared was converted into cash."
“I was watching from the sidelines and helping with the handling of those days. Although the amount was considerable, it couldn’t compare to today. In just a few hours, tens of thousands of taels came in, which is truly remarkable.”
"But sir, those people didn't even blink an eye at the price of eight taels of silver a pound of sugar."
"They buy dozens or even hundreds of taels at a time. Everyone says that the Jiangnan region is a wealthy and prosperous place, but it is still outdone by the capital."
Su thought back to when they were in Suzhou, and how a single meal for their masters was no small expense.
Sometimes, a slightly more elaborate dish requires ten chickens and various fruits as accompaniments.
They are so particular about the finest food and the most exquisite preparations that no family could surpass them.
Some families are very particular about appearances, and with each wash, the colors of their clothes will fade a little. Even the delicate embroidery will become fuzzy and discolored.
Therefore, these people would only wear their clothes once and would never wear washed clothes, which shows their extreme extravagance.
But are there many families like this?
There were many, but not that many. Most families could afford twenty or thirty servants to serve them, but they would absolutely not be willing to spend tens or hundreds of taels of silver to buy sweets.
After all, ten taels of silver can buy a small yellow ox these days!
Liu Er said, "You're too short-sighted. This is the capital, right under the emperor's nose! We'll never lack high-ranking officials and nobles."
"You think it's too much, but I think it's too little. If I had known it would be like this, I should have advised the Empress to give her something else for the opening ceremony."
"The price has dropped by two taels of silver per pound. How much money have we lost? I can't think about it anymore. The more I think about it, the more my heart aches."
"Keep the accounts safe and send them to the palace tomorrow for Her Majesty to see. This is truly a good business."
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