The Ming Dynasty started with saving the eldest grandson

Chapter 368 Be careful with your words and deeds
Zhu Xiongying said excitedly: "According to the investigation of the Jinyiwei, thousands of wealthy merchants have come to Luoyang, and half of them are sea merchants."

"It seems that this time's watch can be sold for a good price."

Zhu Biao couldn't help but nod in agreement. He still planned to auction the first batch of watches.

The more rich people there are, the higher the price will be. The imperial court will make a fortune again this time.

Although the imperial court is not short of money now, no one complains about having too much money.

Chen Jingke made a new suggestion: "I think it's best not to use the auction method this time."

Zhu Xiongying asked in surprise: "Oh, why?"

Zhu Biao also looked over curiously.

Chen Jingke explained: "Watches are different from glass. Glass has technical barriers. It is difficult for people who don't understand science to make high-quality glass."

"So the court could monopolize the trade in high-quality glass and maintain an extremely high price."

"But watches are different. They are too easy to copy and will soon become prevalent."

It’s a bit exaggerated to say that it’s rampant, but this thing has no technical barriers and its manufacturing cost is not high, so it is indeed not worthy of its high value.

Unless it's a hype brand.

Products produced by the same factory can have very different prices just because of the different labels on them.

But let’s forget about hyping the brand now.

Even the butcher knives of the Imperial Guards could not stop the production of counterfeit goods, just as private casting could not be completely banned.

Even now, some people are still privately minting copper coins.

And with the advent of the Age of Discovery, those who privately minted copper coins moved their minting locations overseas.

There is no way to check.

Of course, it’s not completely impossible to hype the brand, but now is clearly not the right time.

Zhu Xiongying was even more puzzled: "I know it's easy to copy, so we have to ship as many as possible in a short period of time."

"While no one knows the true condition of the clock, it will surely fetch a high price."

Without waiting for Chen Jingke to answer, Zhu Biao spoke first: "Because the reputation of the court is above all else."

Seeing that Zhu Xiongying was still confused, he explained with a serious expression:
"Now we can really make a lot of money from merchants by taking advantage of the information gap."

"But when they discover the truth, they will start to think, 'So the court is also like this.'"

"Once they have such thoughts, it means that the credibility of the court has been shaken."

"The consequences of this cannot be compensated by any amount of money."

At this point, he said earnestly: "The court can make money, but it is best to make money in an honest and upright manner, at least on the surface."

Zhu Xiongying showed a thoughtful expression and nodded, "I understand. The reputation of the court is above all else."

Zhu Biao was very pleased. He thought that since the child could understand this principle, he would have a good future.

But immediately, Zhu Xiongying said with a look of regret:
"It's really hard to give up such a great opportunity to make money."

Chen Jingke smiled and said, "It's not that pessimistic. We can definitely make a lot of money. After all, these are the first batch of watches."

“It’s just not as much as I made initially.”

Zhu Xiongying's eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, "Do you have a better idea? Tell me quickly."

Chen Jingke said: "Put a very high price on all the clocks and sell them in piles."

"Each pile has a number, and everyone draws lots."

"Buy the corresponding pile when you draw the number you want."

Zhu Xiongying said disappointedly: "I thought you had some clever tricks, is this all?"

“If they knew that watches could be copied, would they still pay a high price for them?”

Chen Jingke said confidently: "Yes, not only will they buy it, but they will also praise the court for being trustworthy and not cheating people."

Zhu Xiongying asked doubtfully, "Why?"

Zhu Biao was also a little confused, but then he looked enlightened, and it was obvious that he had figured it out.

"Because what the court sells is not clocks, but the technology to make clocks."

"Everyone can see the practicality of watches. Even if they cannot be auctioned, it is still a very profitable business."

"If you can copy it one day earlier, you can be ahead of others and earn one more day's money."

Zhu Xiongying also suddenly realized and continued:

"Now only the imperial court has clocks and watches. If you want to imitate them, you can only buy our clocks and watches, even if you know the price is high."

Then he questioned, "But aren't they afraid that they will spend a high price to buy it, and then the court will sell it in large quantities right after?"

Chen Jingke said: "Therefore, the court must promise to the outside world that it will not ship goods within one month after the auction ends."

One month is enough time for craftsmen to produce qualified replicas of watches.

Yes, the principle of this thing is that simple.

However, if you want to produce in large quantities, it will take some time to train skilled workers.

At least this year, the imperial court will be the largest shipper of watches, enough to make a fortune.
-
Soon, the court announced the sales rules to the public.

The court also made it clear that clocks are easy to copy, so people should think carefully whether they want to get involved.

It also stipulates that if you want to be shortlisted, you must first pay a deposit of 10,000 strings of cash.

This new approach has sparked widespread discussion among many businessmen.

A deposit of ten thousand strings of cash is a lot, but those who can come here are all wealthy businessmen, so no one cares about this.

What everyone was discussing was the auction itself.

It is easy to copy, and yet the threshold is so high, and it is sold at such a high price...

What do you want to do?
Everyone was smart and soon understood the court's intention.

This is not about selling watches, but about selling production technology.

Some businessmen who were not interested in this matter simply chose to give up.

Everyone understands the practicality and commercial value of watches, but not everyone is interested in manufacturing, which is normal.

Some people are not interested, while others are interested.

Some businessmen became very excited after learning the truth.

Is the imperial court willing to sell production technology?
Good, good, that’s great.

Once the technology is mastered and a workshop is established, it will be the goose that lays golden eggs.

By then, even if the price of watches is pushed down, there will still be profits.

This is the long-term business.

Besides, the world is too big.

Does anyone really think that all countries and forces can imitate watches?

Easy to imitate is only relative.

Most of the barbarian forces do not know how to smelt iron, and even if the technology is taught to them, they will not be able to imitate it.

Clocks can only be purchased from Daming.

Therefore, the profit of this business is still very high, and it is also a long-term business.

Businessmen who thought very clearly came to sign up, waving their banknotes.

In the end, all the clocks and watches produced by the Ministry of Industry were sold out, with the price reaching more than 6 million strings of cash.

Fifteen of those super luxurious table clocks, valued at eighty-eight thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight strings of cash, were sold.

It’s not that only fifteen people bought it, but that the Ministry of Industry only built fifteen units.

Looking at the transaction list in his hand, Zhu Biao's hands shook unconsciously.

Rich, the merchants in the Ming Dynasty are so damn rich.

Zhu Xiongying was also shocked: "There are orders for 126 ultra-luxury clocks? Are those businessmen so rich?"

Chen Jingke shook his head and said, "I'm afraid they are not using them themselves, but are planning to sell them for money."

"The monarchs of many overseas countries are far more extravagant than we can imagine."

Zhu Xiongying said: "Can't they wait for the imitation to come out and then make it themselves?"

Chen Jingke explained: "They really can't copy it, mainly because of the two large transparent glass panels in the front, which can only be made by the imperial court."

Zhu Xiongying seemed to have thought of something, and asked excitedly, "Does this mean that only the imperial court can make this kind of ultra-luxury clock with large glass?"

Chen Jingke naturally understood what he meant and nodded, "Yes, only the court can make this money." "You can spread the news and accept orders for super luxurious clocks."

"Tailor-made, as long as they propose a design and the industry can make it, we can do it."

"Ahem." Zhu Biao coughed dryly and said, "The Ministry of Industry is a central government agency, how can it engage in business? Let's go to the glass company."

In fact, it was just a change of signboard to provide a fig leaf for the court. Actually, it was still produced by the Ministry of Works.

But it is this piece of cloth that is very important.
-
The fact that the watch sold for more than six million strings of cash did not surprise many people, as everyone felt that it was reasonable.

It is normal for Chen Bandu to make a lot of money after many years. It would be strange if he did not make so much money.

Then the Ministry of Revenue set its eyes on the money. Before the money was deposited into the account, the Minister of Revenue Pei Youwei went to Zhu Biao and cried poor.

Money is needed here and there, and the Ministry of Revenue has a deficit of tens of millions of strings of cash.

You don't want to see the court go bankrupt, do you?

What else could Zhu Biao say? After deducting the share given to the neglected academy, the remaining money was divided 30% with the Ministry of Revenue and 70% with the Ministry of Revenue.

The inner treasury accounts for three, and the Ministry of Revenue accounts for seven.

But Pei Youwei's goal is not just the immediate millions of coins. His real goal is the long-term profit of the super luxury clock.

Zhu Biao was quite happy, and without further ado, he divided it 30% to 70%. Three households in the inner area and 70% to the inner area. Is this okay now?

Pei Youwei was very happy and left the Qianqing Palace with his head held high.

Hehe, as the Shangshu, I have worked really hard to raise so much money for the Ministry of Revenue.

He had already thought about how his colleagues would praise and admire him.

Halfway through the journey, I met Qiu Guangan.

Facing his old superior, Pei Youwei was very respectful and quickly greeted him.

After Qiu Guangan returned the greeting, he casually asked him if he had anything to do here.

Pei Youwei naturally wanted to show off, so he told the emperor how he had taken advantage of him.

But Qiu Guangan was not happy, but confirmed again and again:

"Are you sure that His Majesty did not bargain and agreed directly?"

Pei Youwei also realized that something was wrong, nodded and asked:
"His Majesty agreed as soon as I asked... Lord Qiu, is there any problem?"

Qiu Guangan nodded slightly: "It seems that your majesty has a big plan. Calculate the Ministry of Revenue's assets carefully and make preparations."

The emperor didn't bargain at all, not because he was generous and didn't care about the money.

It was because he had a big plan that would spend all the Ministry’s money.

That’s why we generously give each household a share of the profits.

Whatever I give you today, you must return to me with interest tomorrow.

And by then you won't be able to use the excuse that the Ministry of Revenue has no money to organize it.

Didn't I just give you a few million strings of cash? And there's also the profit from pre-ordering luxury watches.

What about money?

Do you want to deceive the king?
After thinking it through, Pei Youwei's mood suddenly became heavy.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, how could he do this?"

Qiu Guangan asked back: "What's wrong, Your Majesty?"

Pei Youwei said in grief and indignation: "How can your majesty plot against a subject... especially an honest subject like me."

"Ha..." Qiu Guangan almost laughed out loud, shook his head and said:
"When did His Majesty plot against you?"

"Don't say that all this is just my guess. Even if it's true, what can it do?"

"How can national affairs be leaked so easily?"

"Your Majesty will need the Ministry of Revenue next, so help the Ministry of Revenue accumulate some assets first. How can this be considered as calculating against the ministers?"

As he spoke, his tone became somewhat serious.

Pei Youwei was frightened and broke out in a cold sweat. He quickly apologized:
"Thank you for your advice, Lord. I apologize for my words."

Qiu Guangan's tone softened a little and he said:

"I know you said this because of your special relationship with me, but you must remember that walls have ears."

"Sitting in this position, the most important thing is to be careful in what you say and do."

"It is better to say less than to give others a handle."

Pei Youwei was a talent with a background in mathematics, which is why he was promoted to the Minister of Revenue.

He is Qiu Guangan's junior, and they are also on the same boat.

He felt a little uncomfortable when being scolded. After all, he was the Minister of Revenue. Didn't he have any face?

After hearing these words, I was left with only shame:
"This subordinate will remember the elder's teachings."

After talking for a few more words, the two separated.

Pei Youwei's mentality had returned to normal. After returning to the yamen, the officials of the Ministry of Revenue saw him like this and thought that the matter had not been accomplished.

They all comforted him, saying that it didn't matter if he didn't get the money, as the Ministry of Revenue still had some surplus.

Instead, he was somewhat amused: "The money is coming. 70% of the money for the watch will go to the Ministry of Revenue, and 30% will go to the Imperial Treasury."

Everyone was pleasantly surprised and praised Minister Pei for his ability to get money from the emperor right away.

Life at the Ministry of Revenue will be much better from now on.

Looking at this group of 'naive' subordinates, Pei Youwei seemed to see himself just now.

However, with Qiu Guangan's reminder, he said nothing, but just said:

"Please settle the accounts of our Ministry of Revenue. I need detailed data, so that others will not say that our Ministry of Revenue has unclear accounts."

Having just received the money, everyone was motivated to work and immediately responded to the call and started working.

After everyone had left, Pei Youwei fell into deep thought.

Is Lord Qiu’s guess accurate?
If he guessed right, what plan would require such a huge amount of money?

Unfortunately, there was too little information and he had no clue at all.

Chen Bandu must know, but he didn't dare to run over to ask.

It’s not that he didn’t know Chen Jingke. On the contrary, the two were quite familiar with each other and often met each other when they were in the mathematics class.

But he did experience the dissolution of the mathematics research class and the reconstruction of the morphology research class.

Have a deeper understanding of Chen Jingke.

To put it bluntly, he had awe for Chen Jingke.

The higher the position, the more one knows about Chen Jingke, and the more respect one has for him.

So he didn't dare to ask.

Qiu Guangan also had the same doubts as him.

As a cabinet scholar, he had close contact with the emperor every day.

I have some understanding of Zhu Biao.

It is true that this emperor is more kind than his father, but he is also a bit sinister.

He is particularly good at planning and achieving his goals through roundabout means.

The most classic example is the expansion of cabinet power.

Now the science of rationalism is the only dominant school. Normally, in a cabinet with expanded power, the voice of rationalism should have the absolute upper hand.

If the emperor wanted to reverse this situation, he would inevitably face opposition from the civil service group.

However, after the emperor's operation.

The civil service group suffered a loss in this matter and did not dare to raise any voice of opposition.

Precisely because he understood the emperor's character, Qiu Guang'an did not believe that Zhu Biao would agree to a 30-70 split so readily.

That's why there is such speculation.

But as a cabinet scholar, he had never heard of any big plans?
Apart from the construction of the special zone, there seems to be nothing special that requires money recently.

I can't figure it out.

He is not a person who likes to make things difficult for himself. Since he can't figure it out, he will go find someone who knows the inside story.

So after get off work, he went straight to Chen Jingke's house.

(End of this chapter)