The Royal Merchant of the Red Chamber

"Young one has seen the old man." Tian Yangsheng stepped forward and bowed in salute.His eyes swept over Tian Wenjing behind Xue Pan, and he looked back as if nothing had happened.

Xue Pan waved his hand and said, "There is no need to be too polite, shopkeeper Tian has worked hard."

As he spoke, he took out a red envelope from his sleeve and handed it to Tian Yangsheng, saying, "Gong Xi Fa Cai."

Tian Yangsheng smiled and took it with both hands, and said: "Bring the red envelope."

Then came the first-class process of last year's goods.Because the business of Fuyuan Pavilion has always been very good, not only restaurants and inns, but also pastry shops, etc., so it ranks tied for third place with Rouge Gouache in the Xue family's business.The second is pearl farming, tea gardens, and seafood shops. The first is Heaven and Earth and its many sub-businesses such as ceramic tiles, tempered glass, horse racing, gambling and so on.

Because of the large profits, there are also many red envelopes and New Year's goods bought.After a group of staff came forward to receive the dividends with a smile, Xue Pan waved his hand to signal the crowd to leave, and then said to Tian Yangsheng: "Tomorrow is 28, and Fuyuan Pavilion will not accept business in the afternoon. The stewards of the shops, the guys above the third class, and the owners of forty villages outside the city. As the Chinese New Year is approaching, everyone gathers together for a meal, and then you invite a group of good operas to sing a few performances , or juggling, etc., it doesn’t matter what it is, as long as it is lively. Everyone will start the holiday after a happy meal, and wait until the fifteenth day of the next year before opening for business.”

Tian Yangsheng immediately apologized and said with a smile: "The master is kind, and the little ones can't repay it."

"You have already done a good job." Xue Pan smiled and said, "It is only because of your hard work that the Xue family has the glory it is today."

Tian Yangsheng bowed again and again: "I dare not take credit, it's all because of the master's methods."

"Let's stop advocating each other." Xue Pan waved his hands and said, "It's getting late, you guys should go to bed earlier. Don't do business at all tomorrow, you mainly need to make sure the table is ready."

Tian Yangsheng nodded and said, "Yes."

Xue Pan said again: "Wen Jing has been with me for the past few days, I think he is really capable. It is a bit of a shame to stay with you. After the establishment of the bank next year, if you are willing to let him suffer, let him do things with me. Bar!"

As soon as these words came out, Tian Yangsheng looked at Xue Pan excitedly.Although he didn't know what a bank was, none of the businessmen in the world had heard of the name Jinling's Little God of Wealth.As long as he can stay by Xue Pan's side, his future will definitely not go wrong.He hurriedly said, "It's his luck that the uncle has a crush on the puppy. I'm afraid that the puppy will be too blunt and delay the important business of the uncle."

"If he wants to be blunt, there will be no smart people in the world." Xue Pan said with a smile.He put Zhaocai beside Tian Wenjing, besides cooperating with Tian Wenjing to understand Jinling's year-end bonus, the most important thing is to observe Tian Wenjing's character and means.After returning, Zhao Cai was full of praise for Tian Wenjing.With a high vision of attracting money, Tian Wenjing can win his favor, which is not bad.

And Tian Wenjing immediately reacted after hearing Xue Pan's words.Hastily bowed and said: "The little one will definitely work hard and live up to the high expectations of the uncle."

Decades later, when Tian Wenjing became the Secretary of the Household Department in one fell swoop, he became more and more sure that his choice today was not wrong.This is a later story, so I won't mention it for the time being.

On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, the ancestral hall of Xue's family was opened, and people cleaned it, packed up the offering vessels, and invited the gods;It's busy inside and out.

Just past time, Xue Pan got dressed and was ready to go out.Mrs. Xue, who was busy in the living room, frowned and said, "Today is the last time! You have to make such a fuss every Chinese New Year. I thought you would be able to rest in the capital this year!"

"It's just a meal. We've only worked hard for a few days, but those managers have worked hard for a long time! We can exchange our few days for their hard work in the coming year. Speaking of which, we've made money!" Xue Pan He replied with a grin.

Mrs. Xue shook her head and said: "I can't say enough about you, I just advise you to be careful about your body. I heard from the night watchman at the door that you were almost half-baked when you got home yesterday, and your little face was really blue from the cold. , you should take your time and don’t get tired.”

Xue Pan nodded.Chang bowed and said with a smile: "My loving mother reminds me, keep it in mind."

"Speaking is better than singing. If you really care about it, you should listen to someone's words." Madam Xue said, and took the fox fur cloak held by the little girl beside her and put it on for Xue Pan herself.He opened his mouth and asked: "You are not allowed to eat wine."

"Don't worry, Mom, I'm not a child anymore." Xue Pan said, and escaped out of the hall, stepping on the thin snow and walking to the door.

Mrs. Xue stood at the threshold and stared at Xue Pan's back until she could no longer see her, then she sighed slightly, turned around and went to work.

When Xue Pan arrived at the Fuyuan Pavilion, he saw a festoon of lanterns and strings of red silk lanterns hanging everywhere, which was very festive.Countless carriages stopped outside, all of them were stewards who drove over from Zhuangzi.Entering the lobby, the tables inside are filled with melon seeds, peanut candies and other food, and the guys shuttle among them, serving the dishes continuously.Some of the stewards who arrived early got together to chat and drink tea, and when they saw Xue Pan's figure, they immediately got up and greeted him.After paying New Year's greetings to each other, we chatted a little more.Xue Pan raised his head and swept across the empty stage, frowning and asked, "Didn't you invite a small opera? Why don't you see anyone singing?"

"The most famous Deyun troupe in central Beijing was invited, but the uncle didn't arrive just now, so they were not allowed to come on stage." Tian Yangsheng said, holding the playbook with both hands, and said respectfully: "Please also ask the uncle to order some plays."

"I'm impatient to listen to the play, so I ordered it for you." Xue Pan waved his hand, not ordering the play. "You can order as you like, let them sing whatever you like, don't stick to these, as long as it's lively."

Everyone declined in fear, Xue Pan gave way again and again and no one ordered, so he couldn't help laughing and said: "Look at you, if no one orders, wouldn't it be a waste of my heart?"

As he spoke, he pointed at Tian Yangsheng and said, "You can order some!"

Tian Yangsheng couldn't refuse, so he had to order a play on Fengyue.From time to time, there is the sound of gongs and drums, and the sound of silk and bamboo.The well-dressed actors came on stage one by one.Among them was a young girl who was handsome and had a good figure, Xue Pan couldn't help but take a second look.

Tian Wenjing on the side immediately stepped forward with insight and introduced: "This Liu Xianglian, who pretends to be Xiaodan, was originally a child of a noble family. Unfortunately, his parents died early and he failed to study. But he has a bold personality and loves to wield knives. And because he is good at flute and zither, he also likes to play a show from time to time. He sings well. He and Li Wei have some old friends, so he volunteered to come over when he heard that we wanted to invite a small opera."

When Xue Pan heard that he was Liu Xianglian, his heart was moved and he looked him up again.

Seeing this, Tian Wenjing knew that Xue Pan had intentions, so he told a few rumors about Liu Xianglian's love affairs in detail, and finally said: "He is a good person, but it's a pity that he drinks too much and gambles a little bit. Very much."

Xue Pan nodded. Just as he was about to speak, someone behind him said, "What kind of old-fashioned kindness?"

The two turned their heads and saw that it was Li Wei.A while ago, he was favored by Xue Pan to take over the management of the chamber of commerce, and now is the time when the spring breeze is in full swing.The brows and eyes are full of ambition, and the person is fatter than before.He cheerfully responded, and first greeted Xue Pan respectfully and said: "The villain Li Wei, I have met the uncle. I wish the uncle a smooth sailing in the coming year, the best of both worlds, the three suns are prosperous, the four seasons are safe, the five grains are plentiful, and the six and six are happy." , the seven stars shine brightly, the eight sides are majestic, ninety-nine concentric, perfect, with a hundred treasures and goods, a thousand happy encounters, everything goes well."

Tian Wenjing smiled and said, "You are so sharp-tongued. Since you became the manager of the Chamber of Commerce, you have become more and more pleasing when you talk!"

"It's all about the uncle's promotion." Li Wei replied with a smile.Smiling at Xue Pan: "My uncle's great kindness is too small to repay, so I can only promise him with my body—"

"Forget it!" Tian Wenjing stretched out his hand to push Li Wei, and scolded with a smile: "With your virtue, don't scare the uncle."

"What's wrong with me like this. In the words of the uncle, my face is called creative. What do you know?" Li Wei sneered and said, "Just a little boy like you doesn't understand the hearts of tough guys like us."

"..."

During the joke, it was noon, and all the stewards under the Xue family, including the head of the village, had arrived.Xue Pan walked slowly onto the stage, and the drums stopped for a while, and everyone's eyes were on Xue Pan.

I saw Xue Pan holding a glass of wine and said with a smile: "All my colleagues are the stewards and buddies of the shops under my Xue family. You have worked hard for our Xue family for many years. But it is said that the Xue family can have today's status, and the hard work of all colleagues They are inseparable. Today we finally met face to face. Among other things, I, Xue Pan, would like to toast to everyone. You have worked hard for so many years."

Everyone in the audience immediately stood up, raised their glasses and said, "Don't dare, don't dare."

"You are too polite..."

"This is our duty..."

Xue Pan ignored everyone and drank the wine in his glass.Hanging the wine glass upside down, not a drop came out.Everyone applauded again and again, and they all toasted.

Only then did Xue Pan say, "Everyone, please sit down."

So everyone sat down one after another.

Xue Pan said again: "Today I invited everyone to have a drink at the Fuyuan Hall, not for anything else, just to meet and talk with you. I can't write two Xue characters in one stroke. Today we all sit in the same hall. , they are all a family. After working hard for a year, I, as the host, should treat everyone to a meal to express my gratitude."

After hearing this, everyone was a little flustered.

Xue Pan waved his hand to silence everyone.He took out an account book from his sleeve, opened it and said: "Last year, my Xue family had a total of 120 shops in Beijing. The cost and profit of each shop are as follows: The total amount of rouge and gouache... Fuyuan Pavilion ..."

As Xue Pan slowly read out the situation of each shop, everyone looked at each other in dismay.

Xue Pan read for a while, feeling a little dry.So he handed over the account book to Jinbao who was on the side and continued to read.Holding a cup of tea, he sipped slowly.It wasn't until Jinbao finished reading an account book that he stepped forward and Shi Shiran said: "When I distributed New Year's goods and red envelopes to everyone yesterday, everyone must have noticed. Starting this year, our year-end dividends are not Definitely. But it will fluctuate with your work performance this year. In other words, the more you do, the more you earn. And vice versa. At the same time, from next year, the management of the store will adopt The system of competition—”

Listening to Xue Pan's words, everyone twisted their bodies a little uneasy.You look at me and I look at you between each other, a little confused.

Seeing this, Xue Pan smiled knowingly, and continued: "The so-called competition is like the imperial court, where an election campaign will be held every three years. Every manager of a store must participate in the election. And your competitors are your colleagues. The stewards at the top level, and even the guys in your shops and so on."

As soon as this remark came out, everyone was shocked.Some old people couldn't help but asked in shock: "Master, what did we do wrong?"

"You guys are doing very well." Xue Pan raised his arm and then pressed it down. Quan Dang comforted everyone and said, "Because starting from next year, all the shops under our Xue family will change the rules. Everyone has You saw the year-end bonus issued yesterday! From next year, the monthly money you distribute every month will also be spent according to this method."

Everyone raised their eyebrows suspiciously, looked up at Xue Pan, and remained silent.

Xue Pan had to explain the concept of basic salary and commission to everyone, and finally said: "That is to say, starting from next year, how hard you work each month will be linked to the ability of each of you. Too much pay, as for those with poor abilities..."

Xue Pan shrugged regretfully.

But everyone no longer cares.Their attention was all attracted by Xue Pan's words.Most of the people who can hold the position of steward in Xue's family have real talents and real learning.Now that there is a lure of real money, Xue Pan has already seen the green eyes of everyone in the audience.

Some people even couldn't help asking: "Master, what is the calculation of the monthly money for the coming year?"

"From next year, the monthly salary of your managers will be reduced from 100 taels to 50 taels, which is called the basic salary. Then, as long as a certain amount is reached every month, the first-class shops will make one ten-thousandth of the monthly profit, and the second-class shops will make monthly profits." One-thousandth of the monthly profit of the third-class shop will be your dividend—"

As soon as this remark came out, everyone was in an uproar.Among them, the stewards of Jianbaozhai, Rouge Gouache, and Fuyuan Pavilion were the most cheerful.As soon as this move was made, their monthly money was virtually doubled several times.If you can fight a little bit more, but after several years of hard work, everyone will be rich.Moreover, the dividends are given by the masters in a fair and honest way, as long as they work hard, they don't have to worry about being scared...

Seeing this, Xue Pan deliberately reminded: "You have to listen clearly, the monthly profit has reached a certain amount. Otherwise, you can only open 50 taels a month. And after three years, you will definitely not be in charge."

Everyone vowed: "Don't worry, sir! I know what's in my mind, and I just hope that the master will tell you how much the monthly profit is?"

So Xue Pan took out another account book from his pocket and handed it to Jin Bao.The above records are all the amount set by Xue Pan after several months of investigation.As long as every store works hard, it will definitely achieve it.It can be regarded as the basic share, as for the future...

Xue Pan looked at the excited crowd below, but smiled and said nothing.

Under the heavy reward, there must be a brave man. He believes that the income of the Xue family will be better in the coming year.Wool comes from sheep, and merchants have been the most shrewd since ancient times.Everything he does seems to be spreading money.But Xue Pan, who has experienced the market economy of later generations, knows that all this is just the beginning.

Before the banquet started, everyone's emotions were already mobilized.Even the bosses sitting behind were a little excited.Because Xue Pan also told them that as long as the annual output reaches a certain amount, they will also receive dividends.

All of a sudden, there was an uproar in the lobby, and everyone started discussing their work plans for the coming year.Xue Pan listened for a while, shook his head and laughed, and said, "There is a saying in the ancients, if you have wine today, you will be drunk today, and you will worry about tomorrow. Everyone has a good meal today. If there is anything to do, we will discuss it after starting work next year."

So they invited everyone to eat wine and food. After exchanging pleasantries from beginning to end, Xue Pan got to know more than half of the stewards and capable men in Beijing.It took more than two hours for a meal to break up happily.

After Xue Pan bid farewell to everyone and returned to Xue's mansion, it was already the first time the lights came on.Xue Zhizhang sat on the upper chair with a teacup and smiled lightly, and said in his mouth: "Are you starting to toss around again?"

"It's not a toss, but it's just moving the set of things from Jinling to the capital." Xue Pan shook his head, sat under Xue Zhizhang and said with a smile: "You have also seen how much Jinling's monthly profit is now. It is almost worth one-third of the profits of other regions. This is a harvest in one place, and if possible, I would like to make Xue's shops all over the world implement this method in the future!"

Xue Zhizhang shook his head, and said: "Jinling is our territory, and the manager sometimes acts a little domineering, and everyone will not do anything for my face. This is the capital city, beware of those managers who are greedy for profit and quick success. What a disaster."

"What are you afraid of, Daddy?" Xue Pan said with a soft smile, "I'm trying to mobilize their enthusiasm. It's all about letting them show off their abilities. After spending so long in the capital, if they don't even have the means to wink, they won't There is no need to work in the shop of our Xue family. We businessmen only pay attention to one purpose, and that is not to support idlers."

As Xue Pan said, he patted the coffee table very boldly.

Seeing this, Xue Zhizhang shook his head, but smiled and said nothing.

In any case, it is absolutely certain that the Xue family's profit in the capital will at least double in the coming year.