Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Fang Zheng pondered for a moment, seeing the merchants still eagerly awaiting his reply.

He smiled faintly and answered, "Gentlemen, there's no need to be anxious, I have no other intentions."

"Production and sales can be said to be two completely different paths. Although the textile factory's production is amazing, we still rely on you all to accurately and quickly sell the goods."

"His Majesty often tells me, scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants are all one! Although you are merchants, what you do can be said to be for the country and the people!"

"The prosperity of Great Jing today is inseparable from your contributions, and I am merely sharing His Majesty's burdens."

His Majesty actually said that?!

And for the country and the people?! Their status is elevated so high!

As soon as these words came out, the merchants' faces flushed!

Although everyone is wealthy, their social status is really not that great!

Those without background are looked down upon by scholars, and if they sell things too expensive, they are secretly cursed.

Those with background, to put it bluntly, are the dogs of the nobles!

Who usually puts you in their eyes?

But these words coming from Fang Zheng's mouth are different.

A close minister of the Emperor, and everyone can see the relationship with the Crown Prince.

That respect is truly and genuinely displayed, definitely not fake!

Moreover, everyone has seen what he has done in Banshan Workshop, and he does treat merchants favorably.

I didn't expect... I didn't expect... His Majesty and Lord Fang to value merchants so much.

We have hope for the future...

Someone rubbed their eyes and whispered, "Long live His Majesty! Thank you, Lord Fang."

Subsequently, in twos and threes, voices of gratitude gradually merged into one.

Fang Zheng couldn't help but sigh at this.

Doing business in Great Jing is quite difficult, you have to be humble and still not please anyone, and you can only admire yourself at home when you want to wear Confucian robes.

Seeing that the merchants were thanking him endlessly, Fang Zheng quickly waved his hand and said, "Everyone doesn't need to be like this."

"Whether the people of the capital can safely get through this winter depends on your performance."

"Not only in the capital! When you get the textile machines, reduce costs, and expand production, in the future you will also have to sell your goods to all corners of Great Jing, so that everyone has clothes to wear."

"At that time, you will not only make money, but also earn fame! The people will also benefit from this, this is a triple win! Three wins!"

"From this, it can be seen that in addition to making money, you also shoulder the important task of enriching the country and the people! Like me, you have moral blood flowing in your bodies!"

"Will people still look down on merchants then? No! At that time, you will be righteous merchants! Respected by everyone! Even children will aspire to be merchants!"

"Who wouldn't give you this when they see you..." As he said that, Fang Zheng gave a thumbs up.

The merchants were moved to tears.

So it turns out that what flows in our bodies is the same as Lord Fang, moral blood!

He has already said this, it seems that this year's winter clothes must be sold at a low price....

If these words spread out today, wouldn't selling them a little more expensive make people point fingers at our backs?

"Ahem, okay, let's get back to the topic!"

"Speaking of textile machines, I once auctioned them in Jianjiang for several thousand taels apiece! But at that time, it was an expedient measure to save the disaster."

"Now that the situation is stable, naturally, we can't sell them so expensive anymore. Just... one thousand taels, what do you all think?" Fang Zheng held up his index finger.

The merchants gathered together again to discuss.

One thousand taels! Still expensive! Isn't this just a pile of wooden frames with a little iron?

Could it be that it was blessed by Master Huijue?

After a moment of discussion, someone stood up and said, "Lord Fang's words just now moved me greatly."

"I have long heard of Lord Fang's good reputation for valuing merchants, so I often tell people that Lord Fang is my idol!"

"But business is business... forgive me for speaking frankly, I don't think this textile machine is worth one thousand taels, can it be a little cheaper!"

Someone echoed, "That's right, Lord Fang, the price of the loom is indeed a bit high."

"To be honest, Lord Fang, my Zhao family's business spans the entire north. If we buy too few weaving machines, it won't have much effect, but if we order hundreds of them, the pressure will be too great. We are doing business outside, and the money in our hands is all liquid funds, we really can't come up with that much cash!"

Then they began to complain, each trying to outdo the other.

Fang Zheng shook his head with a smile. The nature of merchants is to bargain, this is not surprising at all.

But what was surprising was that so many people had the courage to stand up and bargain with him.

A bit interesting.

Fang Zheng clapped his hands and smiled, "Lovely! Lovely!"

"You deserve to be the top cloth merchants in the capital, daring to bargain with me here."

The merchants were dumbfounded. It was fine just now, but as soon as they mentioned lowering the price, he became unhappy?

"But doing business is about negotiating, I admire your courage!"

"Seeing that you are so brave, I will give you another discount. Last price, seven hundred taels!"

"I have finished speaking, who agrees, who opposes?"

The merchants immediately beamed with joy.

They can't oppose it anymore. You're being so considerate, if we oppose it again, we'd really be unappreciative!

Seeing that no one opposed, Fang Zheng smiled and said, "Okay, then those who intend to order can go to Banshan Workshop, I will arrange for someone to receive you."

"But we won't be able to ship the goods this year. Pre-order six months in advance. During these six months, you can also prepare land, build factories, and recruit female workers."

"Moreover! You can find people to copy this textile machine after you buy it back! I will never stop you!"

"You can also recruit a large number of skilled craftsmen to study better textile machines. Today you can spin five spindles, and tomorrow you may be able to spin ten spindles?"

"Open up your minds! Only then can you make big money!"

The merchants were so excited by what he said.

Too generous! It's really too generous. I've lived my whole life and finally encountered a pie falling from the sky.

This is no longer a pie falling from the sky, it's simply a gold brick falling!

If I hadn't come today, it would be equivalent to losing a hundred million!

Fang Zheng still looked at everyone with a smile on his face.

He vaguely remembered that high school history mentioned that the sprouts of capitalism began to appear in the Ming Dynasty.

Free hired labor, factories, and the employment system started from the handicraft textile industry.

These things already exist on the market, but the scale is not large.

Maybe in a few decades... a few big capitalists will emerge from these merchants in front of him?

As soon as this idea appeared, it was uncontrollable.

The corners of Fang Zheng's mouth turned up wildly, that would be too interesting.

He might set up an organization in the future to protect the interests of female workers.

"Okay, it's not early, everyone can go back and discuss it privately."

"You can start selling at a lower price as early as tomorrow. I will select a few spots for those who lower the price the most and help you promote it in the newspaper for free!"

"That's all for today, please go back!"

"Lord Fang is righteous!!" The merchants were excited and shouted in unison.

Then, in constant greetings, they gradually left.

Fang Zheng watched all the merchants leave, and sat tiredly on the chair.

He had been busy for most of the day, without drinking a sip of water or eating a bite of food.

In the future, he should transfer two lecturers from the county to do this work, it's too tiring to do it himself.

After resting for a while, Fang Zheng rode his horse back home.

As soon as he entered the house, he saw the Crown Prince standing in the courtyard with a face full of energy, bragging to the servants about his great achievements in violently cracking down on black intermediaries.

Damn it! This kid is really bored, I should give him more work in the future!

Fang Zheng walked to Li Yuanzhao with a dark face and patted him on the shoulder and said, "Your Highness, what are you doing?"

Li Yuanzhao turned his head and said excitedly, "Old Fang, why are you only coming back now? I've been waiting for you for a long time!"

Fang Zheng sighed, "I went to the textile factory, I haven't eaten yet, have you eaten?"

"I haven't eaten... Old Fang, I'm craving that bread, or will you bake some for me?"

"Oh! That's not right! I have something important to do this time. I just came from the palace. I heard that the Northern Rong envoy is leaving in two days, do you want to see them off?" Li Yuanzhao said.

The Northern Rong envoy has finished talking? They're leaving already?

But thinking about it carefully, they have indeed stayed for a very long time.

Paba gave me sixty thousand taels of silver, and I used this money to buy clothes for the people of the capital.

It is indeed appropriate to see them off out of courtesy.

"See them off! We must fulfill the duty of the host! I will go see them off in two days!"

......