Come on, Your Highness

The Patriarch of the You family is a thin old man, but he is energetic and looks good. He came to meet He Xichao under the leadership of You Ziqing.

"The You family is also planning to participate in the border trade?" He Xichao asked with a smile as he raised his hand to avoid his salute.

"I'm ashamed, I can't compare to other families, so I came here to make fun, and the most important thing is to take this opportunity to meet the adults. The adults are young and promising, and the talents are outstanding. It is really an honor for the You family to be appreciated by the adults. "Old Master You smiled and cupped his hands.

He Xichao nodded: "Thank you, please sit down."

After being seated, Xia He served tea.

Old Mrs. You said: "Cotton cloth is newly produced in the old workshop. The surface is smoother and can be used as outer clothes. If it is embroidered, it will be much more beautiful than ordinary cloth, and it is also strong. But if it is used as lining, the rich and noble people are temporarily looking at it." It’s not good, it’s not comfortable enough, but it’s already a rare good material in ordinary people’s homes, please take a look, Mr. He.”

You Ziqing was holding a brocade box in his hand, and at Mrs. You's signal, he placed it in front of He Xichao, opened it, and took out a whole bolt of cloth inside.

"Please look, sir, this is just white cloth. Now the family is trying to dye it. It won't be long before we can produce various kinds of cloth."

He Xichao pulled out one corner and twisted it in his hands. Although it was incomparable with the smoothness and softness of the later generations, except for brocades and silks in the market now, it would be hard to find something finer than this.

After all, it is purely hand-woven, and the cotton thread is no more delicate than silk. It is unexpected to be able to achieve this level.

However, silk is expensive, and not the rich and the rich can afford it.

He Xichao stroked the cotton cloth, feeling satisfied.

"Mr. You worked hard. This is similar to what I imagined. If this quality can be guaranteed, I think it can be sold, but what is the cost?"

"Master He is too polite, I don't dare to be an old man." Old Mrs. You smiled humbly, "In terms of cost, it is the two parts of cotton harvesting and cloth making. Today's cotton is provided by the Prince's Mansion. The method is not very different from other fabrics, so it can be said to be cheap and profitable."

"How do you think the price of this kind of cloth should be priced?"

"Nowadays, the cheapest silk yarn costs one tael or five cents a piece. Cotton cloth is no better than silk. The advantage lies in its novelty. The old ones with the best texture can be sold for about one tael. It's fresh. The first-class ones can be sold for five to eight renminbi, and the general materials should be around three renminbi, which should be suitable, and the worst ones are for ordinary people, and even one renminbi is considered expensive, what do you think, Mr. He?"

Today's silver is ten or twenty qian, and one qian is 150 to [-] copper coins. Ordinary villagers can't spend a tael of silver a year. It takes nearly a month to buy a piece of cloth. Poor people are afraid I would not be willing to buy it.

However, He Xichao's main purpose in cultivating cotton to make cotton cloth is to make money. He has already invested a lot, but the profit is still zero.

In a short time, I can't take care of those low-level people.

Thinking of this, he said: "That's fine, the profit sharing is as agreed before, the Prince's Mansion will send people to manage it with You's family, and you will manage it for the time being. Please follow our format for the accounts. Ziqing knows how to record them, so that in the future Check the accounts. Summarize every three months, is it appropriate?"

"Follow Master He's orders."

"In addition, please print an English character on each piece of cotton cloth. This word has been specially engraved. This is the mark of the British Prince's Mansion, and it is also the brand of the British Cotton Industry. Seeing this, you will know that it is from the Prince's Mansion, and it is different from your Youjia. When the reputation is established and the market is expanded, the shop and storefront will be searched elsewhere, and then the Prince's Mansion will send someone to take over, of course the share will remain the same." He Xichao said.

The profit of cotton is considerable, because the price is not high, the cost is low, and it is a long-term business.

The You family actually wanted to do this business very much, but judging from what He Xichao meant, they wanted to be independent, and in the future even the cloth-making workshop would have to start anew.

"Master He, is there something you don't understand?"

"Please say."

"Cotton cloth makes money, there is nothing wrong with it, but is it too energy-consuming for the Prince's mansion to take care of it? The old man is not robbing the business. After all, cotton cloth is not difficult to make. In the future, other cloth shops may follow suit, and the profits at that time will not be high." It’s going to be as impressive as it started.”

Mrs. You has been in the cloth business all his life, so he can naturally see the competition among his peers, and the profit tends to be thinner.

He Xichao laughed when he heard this: "Old You, which business in this market does not have peers? Daqi has a large population, and the demand is huge. Besides, isn't the border trade opening soon? As long as there is a way, I am afraid that there will be no sales?"

No one would dare to viciously compete in the business of Prince Daqi, right?

Besides, is there nothing else besides cotton cloth, ready-made clothes, baby products, flannel toys, everything in a mess, he doesn't want to share profits with the You family.

Old Master You nodded again and again: "Master He is right."

This is the first time Mrs. You saw He Xichao, as his grandson said, he was extremely young, but his business methods were sophisticated and not easy to fool.

Such a person, even if he is not an official, will definitely become a wealthy gentry if he is a merchant.

He thought for a while, then humbly said: "Master He, I still have an unfeeling request."

He Xichao nodded: "Please tell me."

"This is the cotton and money-making business provided by His Highness the Crown Prince. The You family is just relying on their experience to find a way to make cloth for them. They can share [-]% of the profits. It is really a kindness from His Highness and Your Excellency. It's just..." Speaking of this, He hesitated for a moment, but still asked cautiously, "I wonder if Yingmian can sell it on my behalf, and the You family is willing to pay a fee every year for the right to operate it."

He Xichao immediately raised his eyebrows when he heard that, feeling in his heart, this kind of vision is vicious, and he directly asked to join.

This time He Xichao didn't refuse: "Of course we can, but we can talk about how to proceed after the business is on the right track."

After all, this is not He Xichao's style, and it is easy to be tricked.It's just that he has too many things to do, and he doesn't have time to take care of this business, so he can only let the You family take care of it for the time being.

Fortunately, in this day and age, Xiao Hong is so powerful that he decides life and death, and he can slap the You family with a single palm no matter how noisy they are.

"By the way, what about the cotton-padded jacket and cotton-padded jacket, I heard from Ziqing that there are already finished products."

After all, cloth is retail and loose, so the money is not quick, and the most profitable has always been the government's material purchases.

Daqi has an army of hundreds of thousands, and capital to keep out the cold is an expense of the imperial court. Even if each person has a cotton coat, no matter how low the price is, it is a terrible deal.

When He Xichao asked this, Old Master You stood up and said with a smile, "Master He, wait a moment."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and unbuttoned his thin outer garment, revealing the inner garment, which was somewhat bulging, and stood in front of He Xichao and said, "Your Excellency is laughing, the old man is wearing a cotton coat, even if it is not filled enough , it’s still a little hot in spring.”

The weather is already considered warm in this season, but it is still a bit cold for the elderly in the morning and evening. However, Mrs. You didn't wear a cape, but just put on an outer garment and came here, which shows that it is really warm.

He Xichao took a look, "It's quite delicate."

Old Mrs. You said: "After all, I wear it by myself. I always pay more attention to it. Mr. He, I also made a few other ones for His Highness and Your Excellency. The cotton coat is light and cold-resistant. It is really a good thing."

He Xichao didn't back down, and accepted it: "Thank you, in fact, making money or not is the second priority. If the common people can get one in the future, there will be a lot fewer people who freeze to death in winter."

"My lord is righteous."

Prince's Mansion,

He Xichao showed Xiao Hong some cotton-padded clothes and cloth. The cotton-padded clothes were thick or thin, and they were bulging, making them very warm.

"So, we can finally make money, right?" Xiao Hong excitedly touched one by one, as if he was touching white money, he said sadly, "I still remember that before I went to Jiangdong, I gave my father [-]% of the money without shame. Li, said to be filial to his old man. As a result, two years have passed, and there is no sign of Yinzi, so I am ashamed to mention this matter."

"I guess the emperor took it as a joke, and there is even more money to subsidize your private house." He Xichao said.

"Isn't that right, I really have no face to take it, but the house is expensive, and I can't live without the cheek." Xiao Hong finished touching the cloth, picked out another big cotton coat, took off his outer jacket, and wiped it.

"Hey, it's quite thick, lighter than leather, Xi Chao, that's great."

He was already tall, but the cotton bounced and stretched the fabric, making him even stronger.

The cotton-padded jacket is a little yellow without dyeing, and it’s not a good fit for keeping warm. If Xiao Hong hadn’t been handsome, tall and handsome, he would have been a foolish son of a landowner if he was lined with this cotton-padded jacket full of rustic atmosphere.

He Xichao looked at him and spun around, and almost burst into laughter: "Take it off quickly, it's so ugly."

"Where is it ugly? I'm so mighty and domineering!" Xiao Hong even made a bumpy look, raised his arms and kicked his legs. It's warm, I'm sweating just now."

Whoever jumps up and down wrapped in a big padded jacket in warm weather will be surprised if he doesn't cover himself and sweat.

He Xichao was speechless: "Stop making trouble, what would happen if you said it was dedicated to the emperor?"

Xiao Hong blurted out: "Long Yan is very happy."

He Xi raised his eyebrows: "Go there, don't forget to praise me."

Xiao Hong arrogantly brought Xiaoxuanzi and Xiaodunzi, who were carrying burdens, and a team of guards into the palace.

At this time, Emperor Tiangan was discussing the spring tax with Mr. Xie Ge. Now Mr. Xie Ge is also the Minister of the Household Department, and the spring harvest is also under his control.

The servant carefully came in to report, and Emperor Tiangan said, "Xuan."

Xiao Hong stepped into the Qingzheng Hall with cheerful steps, stood up straight and bowed to his father first: "I have seen my father." Then he turned his head and said with a smile, "Mr. Xie Ge is also there."

Elder Xie Ge immediately raised his hand to salute Xiao Hong: "I have seen His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"Exemption." Xiao Hong looked at Emperor Tiangan and said, "I don't seem to have come at the right time."

Emperor Tiangan picked up the tea: "It's okay, you are the prince, you should listen to it."

Xie Ge said: "I checked the spring tax records of the Ministry of Households over the years. Daqi is stable and the population is increasing, but the spring tax has hardly been raised. If it is distributed to the land, it will be less than it is, which is worrying."

Emperor Tiangan nodded and looked at Xiao Hong: "Hong'er, what do you think?"

"Agricultural tax is mostly land tax, but land annexation is becoming more and more serious nowadays. Farmers have no land, so naturally there will be less. It seems to be the case in all dynasties." Xiao Hong said it smoothly, but he was puzzled after finishing speaking, "This phenomenon has been happening for a long time. , why did you mention it all of a sudden?"

Mr. Xie Ge said: "The old minister just took over the Ministry of Households, so he may have cared a little more. After all, this year's salary is still counting on this spring tax. Besides, the emperor issued an order to ban the border, and the salary of the army here is concerned both at home and abroad. , if it is not resolved, this border trade may come to an end without a problem."

"The national treasury is indeed empty, and there is no excess money." Emperor Tiangan sighed when he said this, "I claim to be diligent in government for the people and considerate of the people. , but it is still unavoidable.”

However, Xiao Hong was not surprised. He said: "In addition to the large amount of land per capita at the beginning of the founding of the country, as time goes by, even if there are no tyrants to rob, land transactions will occur, and gradually they will be concentrated in a small number of rich and powerful people. In the hands, unless the distribution is re-measured, this will cause great turbulence, which is not conducive to the stability of the country."

"Hong'er sounds like he has some ideas." Emperor Tiangan smiled, and couldn't help asking, "If you are in power, what should you do?"

Xiao Hong didn't shy away from suspicion. He Xichao had discussed this issue with him as early as in Jing'an Palace, so he came up with the proposal of border trade.

He said directly: "Farmers have little land to produce, so the tax they can receive from them is of course limited. Except for the lowest class of the people of Daqi, the other part is very rich, and they can be collected from them."

"You mean merchants?" Emperor Tiangan asked.

Xiao Hong nodded.

"I'm afraid it won't be easy. Once the [-]% border trade tax is released, how many people do you think will oppose it? He Xichao invites merchants from all over the world to discuss it. I see that they will be restrained by him and have to drop it." Emperor Tiangan said flatly.

There is nothing in the imperial city that can be hidden from the emperor, not to mention that these big merchants paid homage to their masters when they came to Beijing, and kept close contacts in private to communicate with each other. Isn't it for the purpose of lowering tariffs and making more profits?

Although they can't make any big waves, but as long as they insist on not reducing taxes or participating in the mutual market, the court has nothing to do.

When Emperor Tiangan said this, his eyes fell on Xiao Hong. Together with Mr. Xie Ge, it was obvious that the pair of monarchs and ministers wanted to see something from Xiao Hong.

It stands to reason that such a big move by merchants should not have been overlooked. There are always countermeasures, right?

But Xiao Hong blinked his eyes, looked at his father and Mr. Xie Ge instead, and asked: "Father, what do you think I am doing, Xi Chao must have his own way to do this, just this situation will not trouble him, don't worry Bar."

"What is he going to do?" Emperor Tiangan said a little curiously. After all, He Xichao uttered wild words and paid the frontier army's salary at the beginning, but he has not seen any action so far. By the way, he went out with Xiao Hong for an outing. .

"This ah..." Xiao Hong put it off, and then said, "Keep it secret."

With such a lackluster appearance, both Emperor Tiangan and Elder Xie Ge wanted to beat him up.

Xiao Hong laughed: "Ah, you two just look at it, and you will never be disappointed when you are in such a hurry. And don't worry about the border army's salary. My family Xi Chao said that before he left Beijing solve."

When he said this, Xiao Hong was very proud, with his chest puffed out and his eyes bright.

Hearing this, Mr. Xie Ge's heart was cold, he lowered his eyes, without showing any displeasure, and warned himself that this is the prince, and he should not do anything secretly.

His little apprentice is devoting himself to this bastard thing. It's unreasonable to resist on himself when ordinary people can't do it!

But Emperor Tiangan narrowed his eyes at the sentence "My family cherishes the dynasty", the bastard is getting more and more presumptuous, did he take his warning as a deaf ear?

It's a pity that Mr. Xie Ge is still here, so he can't close the door and clean up!

There was a hint of danger in the air, and Xiao Hong, who had a keen sense of smell, sensed it instantly, he touched his arm subconsciously, and quickly said: "I almost forgot, Dad, I didn't come to see you for this matter! "

"Oh, and why?"

"That...is a good thing." Xiao Hong rubbed his hands together and said happily, "Longyan must be delighted to see you!"

Hearing this, Mr. Xie Ge said, "Your Majesty, Prince, that old minister will take his leave first."

"Hey, hey... No, no, Xie Ge is always here, so we just happened to have a look together."

When Xiao Hong said this, both Emperor Tiangan and Elder Xie Ge looked puzzled, and then saw Xiao Hong shouting outside: "Xiao Dunzi, Xiao Xuanzi, bring the things in."

Two bundles were brought in and opened one by one.

"That's it!" Xiao Hong picked up a piece of clothing and shook it, then smiled proudly at Emperor Tiangan: "Father, do you still remember the pieces of cotton as white as clouds that I planted? This is a soft, lightweight, close-fitting, comfortable... most importantly, a very warm cotton coat!"