"Didn't I have a pair of glass cups before? I wonder if I can use the glass to make a bigger window. I want to change this window into a glass window. Is that okay?" Wen Mianmian pointed to the window in front of the warm couch.
The Fourth Master looked up at the window and asked in confusion, "Why did you think of using colored glaze to make windows?"
Colored glass is generally used to make utensils and other objects, and I have never heard of it being used to make windows.
"Using colored glass as windows can make the room brighter, and you can also see the scenery outside through the colored glass. How wonderful!"
"Master, look, if we change this window into a window made of colored glass, when we sit inside the house, not only will the light be good, but we can also see the peach trees outside. Especially in winter, we can still see outside even if the window is closed. Isn't that great?" Wen Mianmian pointed to the window next to her.
"Then we'll make a curtain above the window. If we feel the light is too bright, we can lower the curtain. This way, we can see outside without opening the window, and the light inside will be more abundant. We won't have to light oil lamps during the day on rainy or cloudy days."
With these windows, the light inside is very dim when it rains or is cloudy, so we always have to light oil lamps in the house at that time.
But if the windows are replaced with glass ones, there will be more light in the room and we won’t need oil lamps in broad daylight.
The Fourth Master frowned and thought for a while, "But Mianmian, the glass needed for these windows is too big. The Liuli Factory is relatively small, and no one has ever made such large pieces before. Besides, no one knows how to use glass to make windows."
Besides, the price of glass is not cheap, let alone using it to make windows.
Although the palace has its own glass factory, it is small-scale and still in the development stage. Moreover, all the craftsmen are in the process of groping and learning. It is still somewhat difficult to make such large glass windows.
"Oh, I see." Wen Mianmian felt a little sorry.
Seeing Mianmian's somewhat lost look, the Fourth Master couldn't bear it and said, "I'll ask the craftsmen at the Liuli Factory to see if they can make such a large piece of glass."
We should give everything a try. Maybe Liulichang will really be able to produce large pieces of glass in the future.
"Master, please don't make things difficult for yourself. I just thought it was too simple. Besides, the cost of glass is quite high. If a large piece of glass is made, it will be fine. If it is not made, the loss will be huge."
She didn't think it through. This dynasty was not like the modern era. The cost of glass was very high, and the technology for making glass was not particularly sophisticated and proficient.
Although small items are not a big deal, such a large piece of glass must be a bit difficult to handle.
"It's okay. I know this. There's always a first time for everything. Liulichang can't just make small things forever."
Liulichang is still very small now, and it only makes small objects. If Liulichang wants to grow and develop, it will certainly not be able to continue to make only these small things.
What Mianmian said served as a reminder to him.
"Master, I actually have an idea." Wen Mianmian thought, if the Liuli Factory could be expanded, the glass produced in the future could be diversified, and it would not have to be limited to small items.
However, if you want to develop and expand Liulichang, initial investment is definitely necessary.
"What's the idea?"
"I think if we want to expand Liulichang, we will need money. It is unrealistic to have all the money come from the palace, so why not find someone to invest?"
"What is investment?" The Fourth Master was very curious about what Mianmian said sometimes.
"Investment is also a form of cooperation. It means finding wealthy businessmen to invest money, and then giving them dividends when Liulichang makes money... That's basically what it means."
Wen Mianmian was not a businessman before, so she didn't know much about this. She could only explain her general understanding to the Fourth Master.
The rest depends on how the Fourth Master does it.
After listening to Mianmian's advice, the Fourth Master suddenly realized something. Yes, why hadn't he thought of such a simple thing before?
Although the Liulichang was built less than two years ago, the profits from selling the glass produced there are quite a lot. If the wealthy businessmen can be persuaded to contribute, the Liulichang will have the money to expand its scale. In the future, when the glass makes money, they can get dividends. How could he not have thought of such a win-win situation?
The Fourth Master's face was full of joy. He bent down and kissed Mianmian on the forehead, "Mianmian, you are so smart."
"I'm not that smart. It's just that my mother and elder brother are both businessmen. I heard some of them when I was at home, so I came up with this idea. As long as the master thinks it's useful, it's fine."
"It's useful, it's really useful. I'll discuss this with the Emperor tomorrow. I'm sure he'll support it when he hears it."
The emperor also wanted to expand the scale of Liulichang, but the money required was too much.
It is impossible to take all of it from the national treasury. Otherwise, when the war becomes tense in the future and there is not enough financial support, they will definitely be in danger.
But it is different to seek cooperation with wealthy businessmen. They provide money and manpower, and everyone knows that Liulichang has considerable profits.
If it weren't for the fact that opening Liulichang would easily attract attention, those wealthy businessmen would have been unable to sit still long ago.
They are businessmen, how could they not know the profits of Liulichang? If this word were to be spread, there would definitely be many wealthy businessmen willing to pay.
After all, the thing rich businessmen have the most is money.
——
The next day, the Fourth Master went to the palace to discuss the matter with the Emperor.
After hearing what the Fourth Master said, Emperor Kangxi's face gradually turned to a smile.
He looked at the Fourth Master with admiration and said, "Fourth Master, your idea is great. Not only will it expand the Liulichang, but it will also bring in a lot more profits in the future." The most important thing is that he doesn't have to spend any money. Why didn't he think of this before?
"The Emperor also thinks this method is feasible."
"This method is fine, but we must find people of good character. Although there are many wealthy businessmen, there are also some who are greedy. If such people cooperate, it will bring trouble to Liulichang."
Even in such a huge officialdom, there are still people who take kickbacks and corrupt officials, not to mention such a big Liulichang. Moreover, Liulichang is a hot spot. Once this matter gets out, many people will definitely get involved.
Therefore, we must pay special attention to the selection of cooperation personnel.
"Of course, we must pay attention to the selection of personnel. We must not cooperate with those who have their own ulterior motives. Moreover, the control of Liulichang is in our hands. They only provide the money and will only receive dividends in the future. In this way, they still make money."
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