Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

“It's not like I don't understand these things.” Li Yuanzhao rubbed his temples, his head aching, “But when you talk about standardization, I think it makes sense. Things like ingredients aren't as controllable as steel, wood, or bricks. The quality of livestock and vegetables raised by farmers varies too much. I've tasted the meat too. Some people's livestock is particularly delicious, while others raise animals that are hard to swallow.”

“Since we're opening a restaurant, the quality of the food should naturally be the core. If this problem can't be solved, it's difficult to expand.”

Fang Zheng laughed: “So, you're just making trouble for yourself because of this.”

Then he looked around and whispered: “Our main product is hamburgers. Who can tell the difference when the meat is minced? Sometimes, when there's not enough supply, we can add some unwanted offal, and a little bit of bean flour. When we slather it with thick, rich sauce, no one will be able to tell!”

“Besides, the patties we're selling have to be fried anyway. That pot of oil, fried for three to five months, will guarantee that the people will shout 'delicious!' and want more after they eat it...”

“As for the vegetables, it doesn't matter. Just chop them into shreds and put them in.”

“Don't forget the original intention. We're doing business to get the process running smoothly, not to haggle over every penny. How many days a year do ordinary people get to eat meat? Usually, they eat steamed buns, pancakes, and clear noodle soup. With cheap meat to eat, especially fried meat, the more they eat, the sweeter it gets!”

Li Yuanzhao glanced at him and said: “I said, we're doing this to get the process running smoothly, but you can't just feed people garbage, can you?”

“A pot of oil fried for three to five months, what would that be like?”

“Tsk, you have to add new oil, right? Add oil every day, always using new oil. The scraped-off oil sludge can be mixed into the baozi filling, wouldn't that be delicious?” Fang Zheng shamelessly instructed, “These are all cost-control techniques. And I'm telling you, if you follow my method, if people can afford to eat it every day, I guarantee they'll get fat!”

“If the people get fat, what will people say about us? 'Fast food makes you fat!' The brand effect can be built directly.”

It's not that Director Fang is heartless. This is just the level of the common people in Da Jing right now. Although it's improving, the average lifespan is still very low.

The development of the capital is already the fastest. What is the living standard of most people? You can only say they're not starving. They only have a chance to improve their meals during the New Year and holidays.

Eating some junk food is nothing. So what if there are some carcinogens?

They basically won't last until the day cancer develops. Eating more fast food can let them experience the taste of meat a few more times and replenish some high calories.

Two words: happiness!

When the living standard improves in the future, we can gradually improve along with social progress.

“As long as it's not diseased livestock or poisonous vegetables, it doesn't matter if people don't die. It doesn't matter if the oil is a little worse, not a drop can be wasted.”

“Starting off so badly, I'm afraid people will die.” Li Yuanzhao said speechlessly.

“The people don't eat it every day. Maybe they're saving up those few coins in their hands and only come to eat it on a good day.”

“Eat this on a good day?” Li Yuanzhao touched his chin, thoughtfully: “This is not treating people as people. I think your approach won't work. It's completely inconsistent with my original intention. I want to do a business with a conscience. What if they find out the truth in the future and curse me to death? How can we do that?”

Fang Zheng said unhappily: “What do you mean by not treating people as people? Do things according to the conditions! As long as you keep the cost low enough and the price is fair enough, even if people die from eating it, they can only blame themselves for their poor resistance to poison! What if you set the standards too high and things don't work out?”

Li Yuanzhao raised an eyebrow: “I don't believe in that! Alright, I'll handle this myself. Don't give me any more ideas.”

“Let's talk about the real business. What did you call me here for today? Just to listen to him talk nonsense about business?” Li Yuanzhao pointed to Liu Zhongshun on the stage.

Liu Zhongshun's speech was at its climax at this moment, and his voice became louder: “Although merchants used to be a lowly profession, their status has improved a lot under the wise rule of the imperial court.”

“Therefore, I sincerely advise everyone that whether a business can be successful depends secondarily on capital and ability. The most important thing is to have a determination to contribute to Da Jing and the imperial court. The fate of our individuals is connected to Da Jing. Only when Da Jing is good can we be good!”

“Absolutely do not be greedy for temporary personal gain and forget where the root of wealth lies. I can responsibly say to everyone that Liu has a lot of wealth now, but the happiest time for me was when I used to earn one hundred and several tens of taels each month.”

“Actually, what is the use of money? Liu's wealth is just that the people entrust me to put their wealth here, to operate and manage it, and sooner or later it will be returned. If one day you think that the money you earn is yours, then bad things are about to begin.”

The merchants under the stage discussed.

Liu Zhongshun spoke freely: “Therefore, I advise everyone not to take money too seriously, and not to aim for money when starting a business, otherwise you will become unhappy.”

“In the past, when we were poor, we could comfort ourselves that we would be happy when we were rich, but when I really had money, I realized that I couldn't even find a reason to comfort myself in this painful life!”

Fang Zheng was dumbfounded.

Good fellow, you are a natural capitalist, pretending even better than me!

Is the speed of progress so fast?

Liu Zhongshun continued to say: “Liu has said so much, it seems that he has been denying the significance of everyone doing business and making money. But that's not the case. As long as we broaden our horizons, we can find new achievements. That is to abandon the small self for the sake of the greater self. Establish factories, vigorously engage in commerce, and prosper the family and the country!”

“Your vision determines your height! I'm done, thank you everyone for giving Liu a face today. If you need to ask me any questions, please move to the exchange, Liu is waiting for you!”

The audience under the stage thanked him with cupped hands, and the crowd gradually dispersed and moved into the exchange.

Fang Zheng didn't move, turned to Li Yuanzhao and said: “Your Highness, I'm going to open a bank, and this bank is jointly opened with His Majesty.”

“I came to you today for nothing else, just to bring you to see and tell you about this. You also invest some shares. Later, I will hand over the affairs of the bank to Liu Zhongshun for management. This guy is a talent. When my bank is established, if you need to employ people or connect with resources, just go directly to Liu Zhongshun.”

Li Yuanzhao said in surprise: “A bank? Do you have so much money that you can only open a bank to hide it?”

Fang Zheng was embarrassed: “How can you say that? We'll talk about it when Liu Zhongshun comes. The bank we're going to open is extraordinary...”