"Chengying, go and call Li Yanqing and Yang Pengcai over. I have something to say to them."
"Yes, Master."
Li Yanqing was the head manager of a glass shop in the capital, and Yang Pengcai was a worker in a glass workshop.
Li Yanqing has a talent for business, as if he was born to do business. He has a knack for it. Although he has not learned those business methods, he uses them very smoothly. Youqing thinks highly of him. If she could send him out to manage the glass workshop, it would be a very good choice.
Yang Pengcai may not have much talent for business, but he is quite capable in glass innovation and improvement.
The two people are a sales talent and a technical talent.
Yang Pengcai and Li Yanqing met outside Youqing Courtyard; they knew each other.
Li Yanqing said, "Brother Pengcai, were you also sent here by the master?"
Yang Pengcai nodded: "You too?"
Li Yanqing nodded in agreement.
"Brother Yanqing, do you know what this is about?" Yang Pengcai asked.
Li Yanqing shook his head: "I don't know, but judging from the expression on Chengying's face, it probably isn't anything bad."
Yang Peng thought for a moment and agreed, "That's true."
The two entered the courtyard and then went into the study.
Yang Pengcai and Li Yanqing both knew Empress Youqing's identity, so they greeted her as soon as they entered. Youqing quickly asked them to sit down before starting to discuss the important matters.
"I've called you two here today because I have something to discuss with you."
Li Yanqing was a businessman and quite eloquent. Upon hearing this, he immediately replied, "Master, just let me know if you need anything."
Yang Pengcai then added, "That's right, just give the order if Master has anything to say."
Both of them were convinced of Youqing's identity and abilities.
Youqing then said, "I intend to move the glass workshop away."
Both of their current careers are closely related to glass, so they were taken aback when they heard this. What did this mean?
Li Yanqing asked, "Where does Master plan to move the glass workshop?"
Youqing mentioned several places.
"...These are all places where glass raw materials are located. We just need to choose one at the time. However, the specific location has not been decided yet. I asked you to come here today so that you can help me with the suggestions."
Both of them said, "It's fine as long as the master makes the decision."
Youqing didn't bring up the topic for the time being, but instead said, "Let's not rush to talk about this. The main reason I asked you to come here today is because of something else."
"Whatever you say, Master."
Youqing: "The workshops were moved out of the capital to save on transportation costs."
Yang Pengcai is more qualified to speak about the cost of glass. In fact, the raw materials for glass are not expensive; the expensive part is the transportation cost. Nowadays, unlike in modern times when there are trains and cars, everything is transported back by horse-drawn carts, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Moreover, even if the price of glass drops, it's still something that ordinary people can't afford, because the raw materials are brought back, the glass is made, and then it's sent out again.
Therefore, Youqing plans to move the workshop out.
Youqing continued, "Can you come along?"
Both of them were taken aback upon hearing this, and then followed.
The benefits at the glass workshop were really good. The two of them had already settled down in the capital, and they were both hesitant to go out again.
Seeing that the two hesitated, Youqing continued, "If you agree to come along, you will each take three percent of the profits from the glass business."
Three percent may not sound like much, but glass is a hot-selling and fast-moving consumer good, and there are various luxury items derived from it, such as mirrors, glasses, telescopes, etc.
Youqing's words truly shocked the two of them.
Neither of them were stupid; they were well aware of the profitability of glass. Three percent—that was a profit margin that even wealthy businessmen could earn.
“Master, this is not right. You have already given us quite a lot. We cannot accept this.” Li Yanqing said.
Yang Pengcai then added, "Yes, we can't accept these. If it weren't for our master, I don't know what kind of life I would be living now. We can't accept these."
The two weren't just being polite; they genuinely felt they shouldn't accept it.
Youqing smiled and said, "The outside world is definitely not comparable to the capital. You have already established yourselves in the capital. I want you to go out. This is what you deserve. You don't need to feel ashamed of it."
The two insisted on refusing, but Youqing insisted on giving it to them. In the end, they accepted it and decided to leave the capital.
Then we discussed some details, such as the specific location of the site.
After discussing it for a while, they finally made a decision. After seeing Yang Pengcai and Li Yanqing off, Youqing finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Master, you've finished speaking."
Youqing nodded, smiled, took a sip of tea, and said, "That's all. One thing is finally done."
The glass workshop situation really can't continue like this.
"My lord, take a look. These are this month's account books. I've already done the calculations. Please take another look."
"Okay, let me see."
Honestly, in the past few years, Youqing has truly experienced what it means for money to be just a number. The properties she owns in Beijing alone are enough for her to squander for several lifetimes.
After reading it, Youqing said, "Prepare one million taels of silver; I want to repair the road."
"Road repair?"
"Yes, road construction."
Cheng Ying didn't quite understand: "What kind of road does Master want to build?"
"Build a road to wealth and prosperity."
As the saying goes, "If you want to get rich, build roads first." Youqing plans to repair the roads in the capital. She doesn't need the imperial court to do it; she will fund it herself and find the people to do it.
After saying that, Youqing sighed, "I hope this money will be enough!"
Cheng Ying couldn't help but say, "One million taels is enough to build any kind of road."
In Cheng Ying's memory, roads are not actually that difficult to repair. With one million taels of silver, it's not impossible to repair all the roads in the capital.
"I plan to build a cement road."
"A cement road?"
After saying that, Cheng Ying suddenly remembered what cement was, and then paused, "That must cost a lot of money. Will one million taels not be enough?" Cheng Ying became worried again.
This is a new thing, and the costs of manufacturing and transporting it are relatively high.
Youqing smiled and said, "Don't worry, it's not like we're paying for everything. It'll definitely be enough."
"Does Your Majesty really expect His Majesty to pay for this? As far as I know, His Majesty has been spending money like water lately! I doubt he has the funds to repair the road."
Upon hearing this, Youqing smiled and shook her head: "He can keep his money for himself! I only plan to repair some main roads. There are many wealthy families in the capital. We can just let them pay for it."
How could they possibly agree?
Cheng Ying knew those people's ways very well. They had made a lot of money, but they were the kind of people who would rather throw money into the water and hear the splash than actually spend it. Asking them to pay for road repairs was like asking them to eat Tang Sanzang's flesh; it was simply impossible.
"They won't have a chance to refuse then; I have ways to get them to pay up voluntarily."
"What method?" Cheng Ying was extremely curious.
Youqing smiled mysteriously: "I won't tell you for now."
Cheng Ying: ...
The master is bullying people again.
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