Chapter 898 I Still Miss Him
Before meeting Jiang Lianzhu, Mrs. Lin believed in her son's judgment. After meeting Jiang Lianzhu, Mrs. Lin and Jiang Lianzhu got along well and their relationship became closer.
Now that Dabao is in power, naturally, the status of Lin's Trading Company will rise, and they will not be treated unfairly.
No one can take away the qualification of being the first imperial merchant of Da'an Kingdom.
Of course, under the leadership of Mrs. Lin, the Lin Company is both virtuous and virtuous, and deserves the title of the first imperial merchant.
Mrs. Lin smiled as she drank her tea, "We should be polite to others, so there's no reason to be careless when it comes to our own family. New Year gifts are a big deal, and we can't be careless. Our company is what it is today, and it's inseparable from your care, Princess. This year's New Year gifts are a bit heavier than last year's, so please don't refuse. I also know that even if we don't give any, so many people in the capital will give gifts, and not a few of our Lin's company will. But this is our heartfelt gift, so I'll send it to the three mansions together, without splitting it up separately. You can take care of the supplies and make your own arrangements."
Jiang Lianzhu joked, "What you said, I haven't even seen it yet, but I feel embarrassed. What did you give me? Don't empty the Lin's Merchant House. It's the end of the year and people need to buy New Year's goods. If your merchant house has nothing to sell, instead, they will come to our Xiangwang Mansion to buy. That would make people laugh."
Madam Lin laughed heartily. "How could that be possible? Most of this year's New Year's goods are still on the way. If they were all piled up in the three prefectures, they would be completely overwhelmed. This year is a prosperous year, and the people have extra money. Our Lin's Company will lead other merchants in the capital to ensure an adequate supply of New Year's goods so that everyone can have a good year."
"That's right! It's up to you then."
Jiang Lianzhu was also satisfied. When a country becomes strong, trade will become more important.
She didn't know much about business. Dabao had a special department to manage the merchants. Mrs. Lin didn't talk much about business matters with her, but mainly chatted about family matters.
"I have prepared more rare medicinal herbs for you this year than last year. Take a look. If there is anything missing, just let someone inform me and I will help you find it. Also, I came here this time because I actually have something else I want to discuss with you." Mrs. Lin said, glancing at the servants serving beside her.
The old housekeeper has gone downstairs to work.
Li Niang brought several senior palace maids and served on the side.
Jiang Lianzhu understood, "Li Niang, the tea is cold. Go downstairs and make another pot."
Li Niang has been serving people for so many years, so she has some insight.
"Okay, Princess."
She took the tea tray and went downstairs with all the senior palace maids.
Only Mrs. Lin and Jiang Lianzhu were left in the conference room.
"What's the matter? Tell me."
Madam Lin lowered her voice and said, "Princess, we are family, so I won't beat around the bush."
Jiang Lianzhu nodded.
Madam Lin continued, "This year, our Lin's Trading Company has made a huge profit, more than ten times more than in previous years. We have so much money in our hands that we feel anxious. You know that any big trading company will seek out supporters among the high-ranking officials in the court, and according to the status of the supporters, they will receive a share of the company's profits. In the past, our Lin's Trading Company was inconspicuous and could not find any big backers. No high-ranking officials looked up to us. But now, we have become big and number one, and no one dares to cause trouble for us. So, I thought, it's better to keep the good things within the family. I would like to ask you to be our Lin's Trading Company's backer. What do you think?"
Jiang Lianzhu laughed, "You're just trying to find a way to give me money! I don't need it."
Mrs. Lin explained, "I knew you would say that. Think about it, our Lin's Company makes so much money, but if we don't share it with others and keep it all in our hands, it will be a disaster. I only have one son, Ziji, and he doesn't need so much money. I have too much money now and it's getting too hot to handle. The Lin's Company is doing better and better, and the more money we make, the more people will envy us. And those random people in the clan may have bad thoughts too. I have two daughters, two sons-in-law, and my sons-in-law's relatives..."
After hearing this, Jiang Lianzhu became more serious.
There are indeed people in this world who think that too much money is too hot.
Seeing that Jiang Lianzhu no longer objected, Madam Lin continued, "Please share some of the burden for me. Our Lin's Trading Company is what it is today thanks to you and the new emperor's care. You deserve this money. You can use it for your own personal use or save it in your own treasury. If you don't need it, you can hand it over to the new emperor or the national treasury. Just don't do it openly. Otherwise, other trading companies will have opinions about our Lin's Trading Company. Everyone pays taxes every year. Our situation is different from theirs..."
"Hmm!" Jiang Lianzhu thought about it. Mrs. Lin was sincere. In that case, it seemed that she had to accept the money that was delivered to her door.
"Alright then! Give it to me. I won't need it, so I'll pass it on to the new emperor and let him take care of the arrangements. I want to thank you on behalf of the people for your sincerity at the Lin's Company."
Based on Jiang Lianzhu's understanding of Dabao, Dabao is not the kind of person who would embezzle money for his own benefit.
Previously, he had not been tempted by the queen's substantial private property that he had secretly discovered. This time, he would certainly find a way to subsidize the national treasury and the people's livelihood with the profits contributed by Lin's Trading Company.
Mrs. Lin breathed a sigh of relief, as if what she was giving away was not silver, but a hot potato.
She said happily, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your understanding! I'll have the account books delivered to you later. Payment is due quarterly. Quarterly profits are nothing but floating clouds. Anyway, no matter how much, our Lin's Trading Company will pay 50% of its net profits..."
“Fifty percent?!” Is that too much?
Jiang Lianzhu was stunned by the money that fell from the sky today.
No wonder there were so many corrupt officials in ancient times, because when you become a high-ranking official, you will really get money delivered to your door.
The more you encounter, the bigger your appetite becomes and the crooked your mind becomes.
"During the off-season, it's 50%, and during the peak season, it's 60%..." Mrs. Lin explained.
"Okay, okay! You guys decide." A businessman shouldn't do business at a loss.
After finishing the business, Jiang Lianzhu asked, "Is Ziji coming back soon? Or is there any news?"
I haven't seen this middle school boy for a long time.
You know what, I miss him a lot.
Mrs. Lin raised her eyebrows. "Soon. I just received a letter a few days ago saying he'll be back for the New Year. I think he should be home a few days before the New Year. This kid is such a worry. He's been away for so long out of spite. Just thinking about him is so annoying..."
She said she was annoyed, but she couldn't hide the joy in her eyes and eyebrows.
"That's great!" Jiang Lianzhu's lips curled up slightly.
Then I will be able to see Lin Ziji in a few days.
This middle school boy, this little brat should be more mature.
After traveling around and experiencing a lot, I think it’s better not to act rashly.
With the news about Lin Ziji, Jiang Lianzhu felt a little relieved. To be honest, this kid had been away for too long and had not returned. She had been vaguely worried in her heart.
"When he gets home, I'll have him go to the palace to meet me right away..."
***
Inside the dungeon, a cell where female prisoners are held.
Xiang Zuo led his men to conduct a careful inspection here. The place that had been burned to ashes and where more than a dozen people had died had now been renovated and prisoners were being held there again.
There are basically no traces left.
He turned left to the place where the pine oil lamp had fallen and took a look. He then asked someone to bring some dry straw and pretended to light it on fire, which scared the jailer so much that he almost ran away.
The fire started and thick smoke billowed. Although the grass was dry, the ground was wet, so the burning speed was very slow. The fire went out before it reached the edge of the women's prison.
What's more, there is a long corridor separating it from the women's prison.
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