After being divorced, my identity as a poet was exposed

Their family business was almost invincible in Ningguo.

But if they really put it in the Wu market... none of them knew what the outcome would be.

Before this, they had not learned about the Wu market, and they didn't even know how to enter the Wu market.

At this moment, Su Mingtang proposed such a business alliance plan...

A little sudden.

It also made them suddenly feel a little uneasy.

They looked at each other, vaguely thinking that this alliance plan was good, but they hadn't figured out exactly what was good about it in such a short time.

Su Mingtang looked at everyone and smiled, then said:

"Everyone, just like what Brother Guo said just now, if you fall behind by one step, you will fall behind by one step!"

"The trade between Ning and Wu has been implemented for half a year. Look, the merchants of Wu have already started to take action, but what about the merchants of Ning..."

"During the twenty years that Ji Tai was in power, our Ningguo's business did suffer a big blow, but in my opinion, the biggest blow was that it made our Ningguo merchants less courageous."

"What are you worried about?"

"We should reciprocate. Wu's good products are invading some of our markets. We can't just sit there and wait for death. We should go to Wu's market and fight for it."

"It would be the best if we could gain a foothold in the Wu market and gain greater benefits. At the very least, it would help us understand the gap between us."

"Your Majesty said that defeat is not a big deal. What is scary is not knowing where the defeat took place when the army is in a state of collapse, and still thinking that you are far ahead... That is the most tragic thing!"

"The emperor has built such a stage, and his intention is to let the products of various countries compete on the same stage."

"As the Emperor said, how can you see the rainbow without going through the storm?"

“Commodities that dare not compete in the big market are like flowers in a greenhouse. They may look beautiful, but in fact…when the cold winter comes, they will wither and die in an instant.”

"Now that Wu has come, many of our goods are losing ground, and our merchants seem to be still asleep."

"Or maybe you're still at a loss as to how to deal with it."

Su Mingtang took a deep breath and looked at everyone, then said earnestly:

"The Emperor said that shopping malls are like battlefields!"

"It is a battlefield without the smoke of gunpowder, but extremely cruel!"

"This is bound to eliminate some merchants, and it is also bound to make more merchants aware of the crisis and start to improve their equipment and technology to adapt to the coming business winter."

"On this big market stage, the imperial court will not intervene in any way."

"Because what Ningguo needs is a group of far-sighted businessmen to rise up, and what Ningguo's products need is for them to gradually have their own core competitiveness in this competition!"

"It is a high-end product made with unique craftsmanship, unique technology, and unique equipment!"

"Everyone, this depends on us!"

"We can't let the merchants of Wu dance alone in Ningguo, so... I think that the merchants of Ningguo should also work together to dance on the stage of Wuguo."

"I wonder what you guys think?"

There was a brief silence.

Cui Sangeng, the patriarch of the Qinghe Cui clan, was the first to express his opinion: "The Qinghe Cui clan is willing to become a member of this business alliance!"

The others also expressed their willingness to join.

They finally understood.

Although these words were said by Su Mingtang, he was actually relaying the emperor's meaning!
If you think about it carefully, this is a good idea with no downsides!
Now that trade between Wu and Ning has been liberalized, the products of each country will sooner or later compete with similar products from Wu!
Ningguo's market is so small that the competition will be extremely fierce.

Instead of waiting for merchants from Wu to flood into Ningguo's market and turn it upside down, it is better to take the initiative!
Once this business alliance is established, every family here will send people to the State of Wu.

Prices and transportation can be unified within the alliance, and the division of the Wu market can be completed internally, so that members of the alliance will not compete with each other on price in the Wu market. Even if it fails, everyone can summarize the reasons for the failure together.

This will be of great benefit to future development.

The establishment of a business alliance can be said to have only benefits and no disadvantages!
Su Mingtang was very pleased when he saw this: "Okay, then let's settle this matter for now. After the emperor finishes the banquet, we will discuss it in detail tomorrow."

Wang Qian, the patriarch of the Wang family of Taiyuan, clapped his hands: "Good!"

"To be honest, before Ning and Wu opened up to trade, there were already merchants from both countries secretly selling goods to each other."

"From what I understand, the business activities at Wuya Pass have always been very active. You will never guess who is the biggest business in Ningguo."

The family heads here have all heard about the smuggling in Wuya Pass.

Because even a small portion of their family's goods were actually sold to the State of Wu by those multinational merchants.

This matter had always been prohibited by the imperial court, so they did not participate in it.

Liu Baiyin, the head of the Shuzhou Liu family, asked in a low voice: "Could it be the Annan horse caravan?"

The Annan Caravan is the largest caravan in the Annan Road.

The person in charge of this caravan was named Chen Wusheng. He used to be the chief escort of the Annan Daochang Escort Agency. After the Annan Caravan was established more than ten years ago, he became the leader of this caravan.

Its name is quite famous in Annan Province.

Because one year after the Annan Caravan was established, the Changyun Escort Agency declared bankruptcy.

The Annan Caravan not only carries the goods of merchants, they also run their own business!

Silk and tea were purchased from Ningguo and sold to Xiayuanzhou of Wu State through Wuya Pass.

In Annan Province, he purchased ironware, pottery, etc. from Xiayuanzhou and sold them to Ningguo.

This is a deal on the edge of a knife.

But unfortunately, no accidents have happened to the Annan caravan over the years.

Even the imperial court turned a blind eye to the actions of the Annan horse caravan.

Wang Qian nodded slightly, "But the real boss behind the Annan Caravan is not Chen Wusheng!"

"Who is that?"

Wang Qian whispered:
"It can make the government afraid to ask, and it can enter and exit Wuyaguan freely..."

Everyone was shocked. Liu Baiyin widened his eyes, pondered for three breaths, and asked in a low voice: "Could it be... the Duke of Yan's Mansion?"

The fact that the government dares not interfere shows that the real boss has a very high status!

The army guarding Wuya Pass is the Red Flame Army!

The Red Flame Army was the army once controlled by the Duke of Yan's Mansion!
Wang Qian nodded slightly: "So, what I mean is that after this matter is over, should we send a visiting card to the Duke of Yan's Mansion? If the old Duke of Yan is willing to meet us... this may be of great help to us in entering the Wu market."

Su Mingtang frowned slightly.

He thought for a moment and said, "Let me ask the emperor for his opinion on this matter."

"This... What if the emperor doesn't know that the Annan Caravan belongs to the Duke of Yan's Mansion? Will this cause the Duke of Yan's Mansion to be dissatisfied with us?"

Merchants cannot afford to offend officials, let alone a transcendent entity like the Duke of Yan's Mansion.

Su Mingtang's question let the emperor know what the Duke of Yan's Mansion had done. If the Duke of Yan's Mansion's financial resources were cut off...they, the businessmen, would be the ones to suffer!

Although the emperor has abolished the Duke's Mansion, it is still out of reach in the hearts of these businessmen.

Su Mingtang groaned for three breaths: "This matter... maybe the emperor already knows about it." (End of this chapter)