“Great, this is entirely up to you. Just go for it.” Chen Qingqing felt that Da Bao was making remarkable progress. In just a few months, he had expanded his sugar business to various prefectures and counties in the Great Ning Dynasty. He was simply a business genius.
“Okay, then it’s settled. I’ll go back and buy the land from the village head, and we’ll break ground next spring.” Chen Dabao had just gotten up to leave when he seemed to remember something. “Sister Qingqing, there’s something else I’d like to tell you.”
Chen Qingqing straightened her expression and said, "Okay, go ahead."
Da Bao cleared his throat and began to explain his thoughts.
"Here's the thing, we now have our own caravans, but every time we go to deliver goods to various prefectures and counties, we come back empty-handed."
I want to set up trading posts in various prefectures and counties to buy local specialties at low prices, such as wheat, cotton, fur, and wool, and then resell them to the south at higher prices.
They would then exchange these goods in the south for silk, satin, tea, rice, and other commodities, which would then be transported long distances to the north for sale.
Before long, we'll become the merchants with the most diverse and extensive businesses in the Great Ning Dynasty, and the greatest power and influence.
Hearing Chen Dabao's words, Chen Qingqing looked at him with new respect. She had long had this idea—to integrate resources from all sides and expand her business far and wide.
I never expected that Da Bao would also see the business opportunity. It seems I didn't misjudge him. Da Bao is a visionary and decisive businessman.
With admiration in her eyes, she praised, "Dabao, your idea is excellent. Let's do it as you just said, but I still have some suggestions for you."
Chen Dabao sat up straight, his face serious. "Sister Qingqing, you speak. I'm listening."
"Since you have this idea, why not take a longer view? We can sell the special products of the Great Ning Dynasty to other regions through long-distance trade, and at the same time bring back special products from other regions. The profits from this are not small. As long as we earn enough money, we can open a money exchange."
"Open a money exchange?" Chen Dabao shook his head repeatedly. "Sister Qingqing, I think money exchanges are a money-losing business. You can't make much money. It's better to do business steadily."
Chen Qingqing smiled and said, "How could we lose money? We safeguard the people's money. If there's a lot of money, we can lend it out and charge interest according to a set ratio. This not only facilitates the cash flow of business people, but we also make money. The profits from this are much greater than those from running a business."
At that time, we can also issue banknotes, which will not only solve the problem of large amounts of gold and silver and the inconvenience of carrying copper coins, but also provide many services and charge a certain handling fee. That will be a very profitable business...
“I understand.” Da Bao’s eyes lit up. “Sister Qingqing, you know so much. I can learn a lot from talking to you. Don’t worry, I will definitely develop in the direction you suggested, expand foreign trade, and strive to open our own bank in the future.”
Before she could finish speaking, Li An rushed in, looking flustered. "Miss Chen, something terrible has happened! A group of constables have surrounded our clinic."
"A yamen runner?" Chen Qingqing was startled and jumped up from her chair. "Doctor Li, did the man say anything?"
“I asked, but they didn’t say anything and just wanted to see you.”
"Don't panic, take me outside and see what's going on?"
Chen Qingqing believed herself to be law-abiding and had never done anything immoral or immoral. She was unaware of the seriousness of the matter and did not know that she had been framed.
In the front hall of Jishetang, more than ten yamen runners filed in from outside and immediately surrounded Chen Qingqing and the others.
The head constable, with a fierce face, stepped forward and asked, "Who is in charge of Jishetang?"
Chen Qingqing nodded slightly. "Sir, this is my daughter. May I ask what law my Jishetang has broken that would require such a large mobilization from you officials?"
The constable looked Chen Qingqing up and down. "Are you the shopkeeper here?"
Chen Qingqing nodded calmly, "Yes, that's right, I am Chen Qingqing, the shopkeeper of Jishetang."
"I didn't expect it to be a woman, what a pity." The head constable sneered and waved his hand behind him, "Men, seize the criminal Chen Qingqing!"
Chen Dabao immediately shielded Chen Qingqing behind him, saying, "Sir, please calm down and let's talk this out."
Chen Qingqing was stunned for a moment, but quickly came to her senses. "Sir, I don't know what law my daughter has broken, and why you are arresting me?"
Ang Lee frowned in disbelief and questioned sharply, "Our Jishetang has always adhered to the principle of healing the sick and saving lives, and has never done anything immoral or immoral. Why are you arresting our shopkeeper?"
The head constable scoffed disdainfully, "Treating the sick and saving lives? I think you're just after money and murder! Someone has died from poisoning after taking medicine from Jishetang. If you know what's good for you, don't obstruct our law enforcement. Come with us right now, or don't blame me for being ruthless!"
"Sir, are you mistaken? All prescriptions issued by our shop are open to investigation. It's impossible for anyone to die from them. There must be some misunderstanding here." Chen Qingqing stood still and argued her case.
"The person is already dead, and there's no way to verify anything now. If you have any grievances, go to the county government and tell our officials. My job is to arrest people."
"Okay, I'll go with you."
Chen Qingqing knew that running away was not the solution. Since she suspected that the medicine from Jishetang had killed people, she had to go to the county government to prove her innocence.
Upon hearing this, Da Bao became anxious. He knew the corruption within the government offices; it was a place no one could go, regardless of who was in the right. He quickly tried to stop her, "Sister Qingqing, you can't go!"
Chen Qingqing smiled faintly, "Don't worry, just take good care of the family. Don't tell my parents about this for now."
"Okay, I understand." Da Bao was flustered for a moment and could only nod in agreement.
The head constable then ordered the yamen runners to seal off Jishetang before sending someone to take Chen Qingqing to the Anyang County yamen.
Da Bao was worried, so he set up his carriage and followed closely behind.
The Miao doctor, hiding not far away, witnessed this scene clearly, and a cold smile crept onto his lips.
He felt incredibly pleased. "Chen Qingqing, Chen Qingqing," he thought, "your current situation is all because you were too arrogant."
Taking advantage of his superior medical skills, he acted recklessly.
One must know one's limits; if you eat meat, you should also let others have some soup.
Trying to get fat in one bite resulted in dying from overeating!
It's such a pity about that wretched woman. If only she had listened to me, she wouldn't have ended up like this.
It turns out that the person who died from poisoning was not someone else, but Hu Yuniang...
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