A Good Landlord in the Tang Dynasty: Emperor Yuan Cong

Chapter 1094 Trading
"Has His Majesty taken a fancy to our bank and pawnshop?"

In the evening, it was hot, so the family enjoyed the coolness in the courtyard after dinner. There was a big bed in the courtyard and mosquito coils were lit, so it was quite cool and comfortable.

Fan Xuanfu waved the cattail leaf fan to Huaiyu,

Wu Huaiyu was making tea, and by the way, he told his wife that the emperor wanted to borrow someone from the Wu family pawnshop and bank during the day.

"Not really."

Wu Huaiyu said with a smile that Wu Huaiyu still respects the emperor today. Li Shimin is not a saint, but he can definitely be ranked among the emperors of ancient and modern times. He would neither kill the heroes nor rob the officials of their property.

"His Majesty used the money from the inner treasury as a capital, and asked Prince Consort Dou to help him run the pawn shop, and also run mortgages, deposits and loans, etc. It is also necessary to use the money from the inner treasury to make a profit, but Prince Consort Dou has no experience. Our bank pawn shop The business is pretty good, so it’s normal for His Majesty to want to borrow someone.”

Fan Xuanfu didn't believe in the emperor that much.
"I'm just afraid that I'll borrow something but never repay it."

Wu Huaiyu took a sip of tea. This was indeed possible. The emperor wanted to run a pawn shop. Of course, it was impossible to open just one or two shops. He definitely wanted to become bigger and stronger. If the pawn shop was well run, it would not only make money but also make money. It is a good thing to facilitate people and business.

Stores will definitely open one after another, and the target is most likely to be Changshengtang of the Wu family and the four major Hengqianzhuangs, Hengxingtang, Henglitang, Henghetang, and Hengyuantang.

Runniang said directly, "I guess not many people are really willing to go."

"If no one is willing to take the initiative to go, then we can only ask Prince Consort Dou to choose someone. Whoever is chosen can go. Those who are chosen will be paid according to the number of years they have worked in our family, and they will be paid for each full year. One month’s wages compensation,”

None of the shopkeepers who worked with the Wu family said they were unhappy.

This is also a fact. The Wu family's industry has developed so well in recent years, which is related to the fact that the Wu family can share the dividends. Whether they are apprentices, assistants, or shopkeepers, they are all well paid, and their wages are higher among their peers. Not to mention that if you work for a certain number of years, you will receive dividends from top shares.

Wu Huaiyu didn't care much about this, so he asked Xuan Fu to arrange it, but he emphasized that regardless of whether he went voluntarily or by lottery, the basic salary for the second half of this year would be paid every month in the future.

"Tell each bank and pawnshop that those who volunteer will be given priority. We will happily send them there, pay off their original wages, and give them another sum of money. We wish them a bright future. Of course, if anyone is willing to come back in the future, we will We are still welcome, and we still retain the current treatment, even for the top guys.”

"Don't throw away the melon rind. Peel it and cool it with vinegar and sugar. It will be delicious."

You can't pluck wool like this. The Wu family won't be bald anymore.
You might as well just take the Wu family's pawn shop and bank and replace it with a plaque.

"How many stores do you plan to open first, Prince Consort Dou?"

"Okay, just do as A Lang said."

"Then do we still want to borrow it?" Run Niang brought over a plate of cut watermelon. When she heard this, she couldn't help but ask.

"Consort Dou, I suggest you do it step by step."

Wu Huaiyu quickly stopped Dou Dan.
This prince-in-law has a really big appetite, and he plans to eat all over the place as soon as he gets started.

"We will open two stores in Chang'an City first, and we can also open one or two in Luoyang. Don't worry about other places. We will open a few stores in Chang'an and Luoyang first, and then recruit and train manpower. When we gain experience and have enough manpower, Just open another branch.

"Alang, you are so kind as the head of the family. This is not just about dismissing them, but you are also giving them so much compensation."

Summer is hot, but everyone still likes this sweet and sour dish.

Even if you work for the emperor, it is still unknown after all. In fact, ordinary people are most concerned about supporting their families and the little money and food in front of them.

"How can we just let them pick at will? If no one voluntarily goes, then we have to select people from each store. If this is not possible, we can also draw lots. We also have to ensure that each store is not affected. We try to only select one person from each store. In this way, the two of them can gather a large number of starting troops for Prince Consort Dou."

Fan Xuanfu was not happy.

The five major halls of the Wu family have been operating pawn and loan businesses for only about ten years, but their momentum and reputation are very impressive, not to mention the profits are astonishing, especially because their loan interest rates are low and they are well-known.

"First open more stores. Four stores will be opened in Chang'an city and outside the city. In addition, there will be 22 counties in Yongzhou Prefecture. Except Chang'an Wannian County, we will open four stores each. The other 20 counties will open one store first, and then Tongzhou and Hua Zhouzhou, Qizhou, Puzhou, Shaanzhou, and Shangzhou will each open one. Xiangzhou, Luozhou, Jingzhou, and Jiangzhou will each open two. Yangzhou, Bingzhou, Yizhou, and Guangzhou will also open... "

Once you come in, no one wants to leave, unless you are kicked out for serious violation of the rules.

People in the Tang Dynasty not only ate fresh watermelon rinds cold, but also dried the watermelon rinds and then pickled them with vinegar. The vinegar-pickled melon rinds are equally delicious.

Wu Huaiyu picked up a piece of watermelon and froze it in the well. The ice was cold and crispy, sweet and juicy when eaten. It was quite delicious.

"What Xiang Wu said makes sense. Among the wealthy families in Chang'an City, none of them lend money, but only Wu Xiang's family lends the lowest interest rates, but they can do the largest business and have the best reputation. This is all an exaggeration. A place for people.

Back then, the Wu family was slowly expanding from store to store. How could it be done like this? Do you have the people and experience?

This is found in no more than 10% to 20% of shops and firms in various industries throughout Datang.

"Your Majesty wants to borrow it, can you still borrow it?"

By following this step by step, it will not be a problem to open 180 stores in three to five years. "

the next day,
As expected, the prince-in-law Douxi came to the Yamen of the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the Imperial City. This prince-in-law is now Zong Zhengqing, in charge of the affairs of the royal family. Originally, this position should be held by the royal family Li, but now the person who is more qualified to sit in this position is Li Xiaogong and Li Daozong,

"After all, our pawnshop and bank have made a lot of money over the years by working with our family, and they have a share of the credit."

Then reserve the seniority of their current position for them, and it would be best if they can come back in the future.

Even if we can't come back, at least we can get together and part ways easily, and we won't treat everyone badly.

Therefore, Li Shimin would not bother the two masters about anything, and let his brother-in-law take care of his own money.

This melon from the Wu family is grown in the village in Fanchuan. It has a thin skin and a sweet taste. Compared with other varieties, the one with the same skin as winter melon is more delicious.
However, people in the Tang Dynasty are accustomed to eating the old variety of watermelon. Because the skin is particularly thick, the skin can usually be fried or eaten cold.

Dou Dan laughed.

After the establishment of the counterfeit office, the money of Emperor Gaozu that Consort Dou had in his hands could be directly deposited as capital.

After eating a piece of watermelon, Huaiyu kept the rind. He also drank the twice-cooked bone soup. There was nothing he couldn't eat with the cold watermelon rind.

In addition, press N plus one to give everyone a compensation.

Right now, Prince Consort Dou is in short supply.

But Li Daozong went to Lingzhou, and Li Xiaogong was drunk at home listening to music and dancing every day.
In the end, the emperor asked his brother-in-law to take this seat. Anyway, before Li Yuan died, he had asked him to give his children to him, and also gave him his money and estate to take care of, and later distribute it to the princesses and princes.

I am here today to learn some experience from the Prime Minister, and to borrow some talents by the way."

Wu Huaiyu was very happy.
"I can help you arrange for the transfer of manpower from two or three stores, from shopkeepers to clerks, right now,"

When Dou Dan saw this, he also knew that it would be impossible to open 180 of his houses in one go. Of course, he had never thought of opening so many.
It's just asking for a lot of money and paying it back.
But he didn't expect that Wu Xiang was actually quite happy and was willing to immediately transfer manpower from several stores to him.

"Thank you so much, Prime Minister Wu. I will also recruit some people here. The talents borrowed by Prime Minister Wu will help lead the area. I promise that when the store is up and running, all the people borrowed will be returned."

Wu Huaiyu didn't believe what Consort Dou said.

Running a pawnshop is not something that everyone can do, especially those who are excellent and skilled in the industry. If Prince Consort Dou borrows money, there is no way he will pay it back. Consort Dou returned home satisfied.

I couldn't wait to go to the main office of Changshengtang to pick someone.

Wu Huaiyu continued to be busy at the Ministry of Civil Affairs Yamen, eating in the canteen at noon.
The minister and Lingyang County Duke Dou Shilun came over with a smile and took the meal together.

The officials of the Ministry of Civil Affairs share a canteen and all eat for free. However, the food standards for officials and officials are slightly different.

Wu Huaiyu, the minister, and Dou Shilun, the minister, had better food and a private room.

However, Wu Huaiyu is not willing to eat in the private room, preferring to eat in the big restaurant. Moreover, if he eats in the Hemen canteen every day, he usually has to invite several subordinate officials to join him.
While eating, we chatted about work.
It is also equivalent to increasing the understanding with subordinates, and even strengthening the understanding of yamen work affairs.
"Why did my brother come here just now?" Dou Shilang asked with a smile.

"Your Majesty, the matter of setting up a depository with the internal funds has been left to Prince Consort Dou. Prince Consort Dou asked me for help." Wu Huaiyu looked helpless.

Of course Dou Shilun knew this. His brother had just had tea in his public room and just talked about this.

The food for lunch today is good.

There are not only stewed mutton, but also air-dried meat.

These dry winds are all brought from the north. Recently, many of them are caused by the previous cold disaster in early spring. Countless livestock, cattle and sheep in the north froze to death.
The herdsmen had no choice but to skin and slaughter the frozen cattle and sheep, and dried the meat. At least they could salvage some losses.

At the beginning of summer, a large amount of these air-dried meats and bacon from the north moved south.
Because the quantity is too large, the price becomes very cheap.
Although air-dried meat is definitely not as good as fresh meat, there is nothing to dislike about the cheap price.
The Ministry of Civil Affairs’ canteen has purchased a lot of it. It’s not bad if it’s taken care of properly. After all, it’s also good meat.

Previously, the yamen also organized a large number of benefits for officials of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and gave some to everyone.

Minister Dou is very attentive today.

"Why do Lord Lingyang have to be so polite to me? Just tell me what you have to say."

Dou Shilun laughed. He did have something to ask Wu Huaiyu for help. In fact, it was not a big deal. Dou Shilun was not only a relative of the emperor, but also a high-ranking official and nobleman. He was also a painter, etc.
In addition, his family also has a high-end brocade weaving workshop and has many skilled weavers. The Dou family is very high-end in weaving high-grade silk fabrics such as brocade silk and satin, and it is also very profitable.

In addition, of course, the Dou family also owns a large amount of fields, and they produce a lot of food for themselves or rent every year. They also make a lot of money from their weaving mills, etc.
Therefore, it is natural that the Dou family would also lend food and money, and also operate pawns and mortgages.

It's just that it's not as good as the Wu family in terms of scale or reputation.
Although borrowing food or money is basically double the profit, it still suffers from scolding, and the profit is not as good as that of the Wu family. In the final analysis, it is still a matter of scale.

When it comes to mortgage loans, the Dou family is really not as good as the Wu family.

Dou Shilun was also quite wealthy and would lend a lot of money and food every year.

Now that I know about the money the Wu family makes from mortgage loans, I feel envious, especially after chatting with my brother Dou Consort today,

Dou Shilun had an idea,

He also wanted to learn from Wu Huaiyu, and even borrow some people from the Wu family. He wanted to learn the Wu family's model of running a pawn shop, make it bigger and stronger, and even repair the bad reputation he had in the past few years.

I not only want to make more money, but also want to have a good reputation.

I thought this kind of thing was impossible before, but now with the example of Wu Huaiyu, a door has been opened for him.

Wu Huaiyu drank mutton soup and listened to Dou Shilang finish the story.

I didn't feel anything unhappy about it.
These days, powerful nobles lend money. In the past, temples were even more vigorous, but Zhenguan temples and temples were suppressed and restricted. Now they are quietly reciting sutras and even farming for self-sufficiency, and no longer participate in mortgage lending.

As long as you have capital, you can lend money, and there are no restrictions on access.
Even in the past, there was no interest rate standard. One was willing to lend, and the other was willing to borrow. Just make a contract, and the government would not be involved.

Although the Wu family is doing relatively well in this industry,

But for the entire lending industry, it does not occupy much share. Whether the emperor wants to open a bank, the court opens an official bank, or Dou Shilun wants to formalize it.
In fact, it does not affect the Wu family.

Of course, if they want to borrow someone from the Wu family, it will still have some influence.

Dou Shilun has status, status, and money. He still has a lot of money. Of course, he will not be willing to put this money in other people's banks to earn dead interest.

The bank will give you at most one penny in interest, which is only 10% per year. When you lend money yourself, you used to get double interest. One year's interest is equivalent to doubling the principal. Even if the monthly interest is limited to 6 cents, you can still get 72% of the principal in that year, and it will almost double in two years.

What Shilang Dou envied was that the Wu family's monthly interest on lending was only three cents, but they opened one branch after another and made more money than he could on lending money. He wanted to learn how to do it.

Wu Huaiyu sipped the mutton soup.

Didn't agree.

How can there be such a good thing in the world?
When Li Shimin came to borrow it, he gave it to him because he was the emperor. Even though you, Dou Shilun, are the emperor's cousin and the Minister of Civil Affairs, it doesn't mean that I have to give you this face.

Even if I lend you some people, it won't have much impact on the Wu family, but why.

Dou Shilun also came prepared.

"Except for the weaving and dyeing department, my family is one of the few that masters the weaving technology of Rui Jin, Gong Ling and other special fabrics. The shapes of pheasant, fighting sheep, Xiangfeng, Youlin and so on are original to me. In addition, Da Zhang Brocade, Du Ruan Brocade and other weaving techniques are among the few in our family that have mastered them and are allowed to do so."

Dou Shilun wanted to make an exchange with the Wu family.
He was willing to share the weaving technology of these special fabrics with the Wu family, and also loaned a group of related senior weavers to the Wu family.
The conditions were, of course, to borrow a group of pawn shopkeepers from the Wu family, as well as some of the Wu family's cotton spinning techniques.

The Wu family is also engaged in the textile industry, but the main focus is on general silk damask and cotton spinning, especially cotton spinning. The Wu family is still the leader in the development.

Minister Dou, this deal is one for two.

Pretty smart.

In the past, cotton was sold from Gaochang in the Western Regions. The quantity was scarce and the price was several times that of silk. However, the Wu family somehow mastered cotton planting and weaving technology, even better than the people in Gaochang. In recent years, the Wu family has grown more cotton every year. , more cotton cloth is woven every year,

Although the price of cotton cloth has been falling, the Wu family almost monopolizes this market and makes a lot of money. Dou Shilang's family has a high-end specialty fabrics workshop, but he has long been envious of the Wu family's cotton spinning.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, I wanted to make an exchange.

The Dou family also wants to join the cotton spinning industry, and also wants to optimize their mortgage lending business.

Wu Huaiyu was quite surprised. He didn't expect that Dou Shilang would be willing to pass on the skills of a few special weavings he had mastered to the Wu family.
Those special fabrics are quite high-end, and the imperial court even banned private weaving at one time, and the imperial court's Weaving and Dyeing Department monopolized these technologies and industries.

It was rare for the Dou family to obtain a weaving license, and now they were willing to transfer the technology and even transfer the weaving authorization to the Wu family.

These special fabrics are extremely popular for Hu merchants in places such as Chang'an or Guangzhou. They don't have to worry about selling hot items and are very profitable.

Shilang Dou really spent a lot of money on this deal.

"Since Minister Dou is so sincere, I can't refuse," Wu Huaiyu agreed with a smile. This is a good deal.

(End of this chapter)