Blessings of Time Traveling

Qi Mingcheng was in no hurry.Hurry up, it's impossible to do business.

However, after watching Qi Mingcheng go into the city during the day and leave the city at night, and after a few days in a row, but failed to make a single deal, Zhao Dalang no longer had the ambition he had at the beginning.Yes, how can it be so easy to do business?Common people like them can't find a way out!

After Qi Mingcheng entered the city alone again, Zhao Dalang discussed with Wu Shun, "Why don't we carry a basket of charcoal and sell it in the market?"

Wu Shun shook his head: "I'm thinking about this too... You can't rely on Mingcheng for everything! However, the rules in Yun'an City are different from those in Lidong Town. You have to pay to enter Yun'an City! You have to pay to set up a stall in the city! Charcoal is worthless, and you will lose money if you set up a stall.”

Two catties of charcoal can't be sold at a price!At the very least, it has to be sold for tens of catties!

Zhao Dalang frowned when he heard the words, and said, "Our charcoal is all good charcoal! Especially this white charcoal, the charcoal that the lame old man has burned for decades, he can't make such good white charcoal! It's just that , if something is good, it may not be sold... we can't ship it home as it is, can we?"

Wu Shun was also feeling guilty, but he was a little calmer than Zhao Dalang, and said, "Brother, don't panic. Mingcheng is a scholar, and he can do things better than us. Besides, let's sell it cheaply. It's a thousand catties on the market. White charcoal sells for [-] taels and [-] taels, and a thousand catties of black charcoal sells for [-] taels. Can't sell it!"

Zhao Dalang and Wu Shun are brother-in-law, according to the seniority of the Qi family girl, Zhao Dalang should call Wu Shun a brother.However, the two of them are actually the same age, in terms of month, Zhao Dalang is probably older.It is also a kind of respect for Wu Shun to call him big brother directly.

Zhao Dalang agreed with Wu Shun's words quite a bit. After hearing this, he became enlightened, gritted his teeth and said, "Yes, we can sell it at a lower price."

Qi Mingcheng must be reluctant to sell the charcoal cheaply.But Zhao Dalang and Wu Shun are different from him.When Zhao and Wu calculated the cost, they would directly ignore their own labor costs.Even though they were exhausted from getting up early and working late every day in the past days, as long as they didn't pay for it, they felt that this kind of fatigue was nothing.For them, cheap sales can also make money.

Wu Shun said again: "We can't set up a stall in the city, so why not set up a stall at the gate of the city and sell charcoal to passers-by."

"What if no one buys it?" Zhao Dalang began to worry again.

Wu Shun probably pondered this question for a few days, and said: "We find a fixed place to set up a stall, and it's nothing if we don't have business for a day or two. As long as we sell cheaply, we will spread the word to hundreds of people, and the business will be successful." It's coming! By the way, don't cut the price in half, take your time."

The two brothers-in-law were discussing logically, and Qi Mingcheng came back, and he brought another person with him.

"Big brother, big brother-in-law, this is the steward of the Lin family of the imperial merchant. Steward Lin, these two are my family members, this is my elder brother, and this is my elder brother-in-law." Qi Mingcheng introduced the two parties with a gentle smile, "Steward Lin , our family’s charcoal is placed on the boat, you can take a look first.”

Steward Lin was wearing a brocade dress, looking a bit arrogant.

However, since Zhao Dalang and Wu Shun already knew that he was in charge of the Imperial Merchant, they naturally didn't mind his attitude of looking at people with their chin up.What is a royal merchant?That's someone who does business with the royal family!Can such a family be offended?Even a steward has to confess!

Steward Lin looked at the charcoal, was satisfied with the quality of the charcoal, and said to Qi Mingcheng, "I'll send someone over to take the charcoal away later."

"Okay, then I'll wait here." Seeing that the business is really done, Qi Mingcheng smiled like the warm sun in winter, "By the way, I know that Manager Lin is busy with your affairs, but I still hope you can give me face I will hold a banquet at Guilin Residence tomorrow, and I will ask Steward Lin to honor me."

Manager Lin was very satisfied when he saw that the charcoal was of good quality and not even a single piece was broken.Although he had only been in contact with Qi Mingcheng for two days, because Qi Mingcheng would come to do something, he found this young man quite pleasing to the eye, and said: "There is no need to hold a banquet. You have a bright future, you must work hard in the future."

Steward Lin came in a hurry and left in a hurry.Qi Mingcheng specially gave him a ride.

When Qi Mingcheng came back again, Zhao Dalang and Wu Shun surrounded him: "Brother, can we sell our charcoal?"

Qi Mingcheng took out a bank note from his bosom, stuffed it into Zhao Dalang's hand, and said happily: "Here, here is 50 taels of silver, which can be regarded as a deposit. Someone will come to pull the charcoal soon. When the charcoal is weighed, they will weigh it." Will give us the rest of the money. Our charcoal is all sold out!"

The bank notes are too hot to handle.Zhao Dalang thought all this was incredible, he stammered and asked, "All, are they sold?"

"Of course!" Qi Mingcheng explained with a smile, "The steward Lin just now, don't look at how respectful I am to him, in fact, he doesn't rank well among the stewards of the Lin family, because his mother is in front of Mrs. Lin's family. For the sake of face, he can barely be regarded as a small steward in the outer courtyard. However, people like them, even if they are a small steward, they have to be called Master Lin when they come out. He collected all our charcoal."

The Yun'an Lin family made their fortunes from rouge and gouache, and now they are also engaged in the silk and tea business. The previous head of the family worked hard and finally got the name of an imperial merchant. This was the peak period of the Lin family's development.In the hands of the current head of the family, the current situation of the Lin family is not as good as before.However, a skinny camel is bigger than a horse. For ordinary people, the Lin family is still an existence to look up to, and it is a big family in Yun'an City.

"That's how our family's charcoal was sold to the Lin family?" Zhao Dalang rubbed his hands.

"Where is that Manager Lin buying winter charcoal for the Lin family?" Qi Mingcheng shook his head, "A big family like the Lin family has many Zhuangzi in the family, and their daily needs are naturally provided by their own Zhuangzi. Where Will it come to retail investors like us to buy it?"

Qi Mingcheng continued: "This Manager Lin is just leaning against a big tree to enjoy the shade. Taking advantage of the prestige of the Lin family, he is secretly running his own business! He bought charcoal from us at a low price, and sold it at a high price. It was sold to another house. The steward of the outer court like him often deals with other mansions on behalf of his master, and he has the most contacts in his hands. If anyone needs to buy charcoal, they will come to Steward Lin to buy it. .”

"Brother, what price did you sell the charcoal to Manager Lin?" Wu Shun asked again.

Mentioning this, Qi Mingcheng felt a little complacent, and said happily, "The charcoal in Yun'an City is more expensive than that in Lidong Town, and a thousand catties of white charcoal can be sold for nine taels or six dollars here. There was a little blood, so the price I sold to him was [-] taels per thousand catties, which was eight taels of silver cheaper. As for black charcoal, I sold him at two taels per thousand catties, which is not the same as Li Dongzhen. Same as last time."

Zhao Dalang was an honest man, and upon hearing the words, he said, "You sell it so expensively, so how can Manager Lin make any money?"

Qi Mingcheng was stunned, he thought Zhao Dalang's first words were to praise him, but he was worried for others.

Seeing that Qi Mingcheng didn't speak, Zhao Dalang was taken aback, and hurriedly said: "Since the steward is relying on Lin's family behind him, we must recognize a little loss and let him make a little profit. Otherwise, if we make him angry, we will lose money in the future." ...Hey, Mingcheng, do you understand what I mean?"

Qi Ming quickly said: "Brother, don't worry, this is the price I negotiated with Manager Lin. How can he not make money? Don't say that I have lowered the price for him, I will sell it at the price in Yun'an City." Give it to him, and he can make a lot of money if he sells it out again! Let’s put it this way, do you know the price of the eggs that the nobles eat? You can’t say that an egg is worth a tael of silver! The charcoal is the same.”

When the small stewards from other mansions come to Steward Lin to buy charcoal, the price must be quite high.

Zhao Dalang and Wu Shun were dumbfounded.However, Wu Shun quickly reacted.He usually goes to Lidong Town to sell some prey, and most of the time he sells to the manager in charge of purchasing in the restaurant.The steward's hands and feet are fairly clean, but he also secretly takes kickbacks.

Not long after, the person in charge of Lin arrived, pulling several carts.

By the time it got dark, all the charcoal had been transported away, and the balance had been settled.

All the banknotes were placed with Zhao Dalang.

The money was simply and rudely divided according to the head, with Zhao, Qi, and Wu each taking one-third.However, the money in Zhao Dalang's hands must be handed over to the company, and it should be handed over to the old lady when he gets home.If Qi Mingcheng was the Zhao family's "daughter-in-law" under normal circumstances, then the money in his hand would also need to be handed over to the public.However, Qi Mingcheng will leave after three years, and the Zhao family is a kind family, so there is no need for him to do so.

The two brothers-in-law wanted to rush home immediately, but Qi Mingcheng said, "We've already made money, so we can't just go back empty-handed, right? It's winter and the Chinese New Year is coming soon, why don't we go for a walk in the city tomorrow? Buy some presents for the family. It's not too late to go home the day after tomorrow."

Zhao Dalang and Wu Shun hesitated after hearing this.

Qi Mingcheng also said: "There are so many hills in Lidong Town that are unowned, and the government has not issued any ban on the mountains. Let's prepare in advance next year so that we can burn more charcoal. In short, the more money you earn, the more money you make. So, when you get the money in your hands, don't be reluctant to spend it."

Qi Mingcheng talked all about this, so the two brothers-in-law finally decided to go to the city to have a look.

Both of them are people who love their wives, Zhao Dalang bought a pearl flower for his wife.Wu Shun's family had no elders, so he simply spent some extra money to buy a thin silver hairpin for his wife.Zhao Dalang also bought a box of rouge for Zhao Xiaomei, because she should get married in the new year.In addition, Zhao Dalang also bought gifts for other members of the Zhao family, a pair of earrings for the old lady, and some pens and inks for Sanlang and Shiro.

Qi Mingcheng didn't plan to make heavy purchases with Zhao Dalang, so he bought some fabrics and planned to take them home for everyone to cut and wear.

When they left the city with big bags and small bags, martial law was imposed at the gate of the city.When I came here, I was clearly in and out freely, so why was martial law suddenly imposed?However, since ancient times, the people have not fought with the officials. Since there are officers and soldiers guarding the city gate, they have to line up honestly and wait for the inspection before they can leave the city.

When it was about to be Qi Mingcheng's turn, a small man in front of him was stopped.

"Take off the mask!" said a soldier guarding the gate.

The little man took off the bamboo hat as he said, and the mask and the bamboo hat are connected as one.

Qi Mingcheng saw this person's profile.Hey, this is not a man, but a fake man disguised as a man.

Qi Mingcheng recognized him at a glance, isn't this the young master they met at the back door of the Zhou Mansion last time?However, Wu Shun said that this young man was disguised as a man.He disguised himself as a man twice, but last time there was no trace, but this time he looked like a girl.

They are obviously the same person, they are both women disguised as men, why is there such a big difference?

Qi Mingcheng realized that this young master, ah no, it should be called a young lady, probably in trouble.Maybe the martial law at the gate of the city was just to catch her.It's no wonder that Qi Mingcheng's brain is so open, if this little lady is fine, why is she wearing coarse clothes?

While explaining something, the little lady shook her head and looked around.

Suddenly, her eyes drifted over, and she obviously saw Qi Mingcheng too.

Qi Mingcheng was very afraid of causing trouble to his upper body, he reminded himself that this is not a society ruled by law, and as a commoner, he should be more honest.But Qi Mingcheng knew very well that Sanni sold herself as a slave in the Zhou Mansion.This little lady who is presumed to be Miss Zhou's Biao must have the right to speak in Zhou's mansion.

Qi Mingcheng made a quick decision.

He stuffed the things in his hand to Zhao Dalang, squeezed forward, and yelled at Shen Ling: "Little girl, why are you here? Didn't you tell me to wait for me on the boat? It's fun to sneak out, isn't it? You What about the third sister? Why doesn't she look at you? See if I turn around and don't teach her a lesson!"