In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 602 Business Development Plan and Precautions

With the Duke of Xin gone, only Lu Yunyi remained in the office of the Central Military Command.

He sat at the table, staring at the mountain of documents in front of him, feeling utterly bored.

The Korean prince is coming to the capital.
This news was akin to a large army setting out on a campaign, shaking the entire region.

In the past, Lu Yunyi might have thought this was no big deal.

He's just an old man with some power.

However, after witnessing the power and influence of the Duke of Ying firsthand,

Lu Yunyi couldn't help but feel wary of the Duke of Han, who held a position second only to the emperor.

He was the first prime minister of the Ming Dynasty, the head of all officials, and also the leader of the Huaixi noble group.

Such a person might be alright if he lived in the countryside.

But once they arrive in the capital, a place of fierce competition and gathering of heroes, who knows what kind of storms they will stir up.

Lu Yunyi recalled the merchant's experience yesterday, as well as the arrogant behavior of those seven garrisons.

Perhaps, behind this, there is South Korean support.

Otherwise, how could they have been so audacious as to commit treason in the capital region?

Lu Yunyi took a deep breath, a trace of sorrow flashing in his eyes.

This was the case from the very beginning of the nation's founding.

Despite possessing power and considerable skills,
However, no matter what, they are still far from being comparable to the elders who made outstanding contributions to the establishment of the Ming Dynasty.

Their influence was not superficial; their will had long been integrated into the orthodoxy of the Ming Dynasty.

They themselves even represent the legitimate rule of the Ming Dynasty.

"Marquis Wuding is right. It would be best to leave as soon as possible. It is not advisable to stay in the capital for long."

With this in mind, Lu Yunyi canceled his planned trip to the trading company that morning and instead sat in his office, writing furiously to draft the follow-up plan.

[Yingtian Trading Company's Follow-up Plan]
[Yingtian Construction Firm Establishment Plan]
[Yingtian Trading Company's Village Support Plan]
[Yingtian Trading Company's Sweet Potato Promotion Plan]
[Yingtian Trading Company Shareholder Conduct Guidelines and Restriction Plan]
[Cement Workshop Expansion Plan]
[Practical Applications and Future Impacts of Concrete]
[Potential problems, hidden dangers, and benefits of rural reconstruction]
How to capitalize on the trend and promote cement and concrete
[The Publication and Promotion of the Yellow Mud Water Sugar Lamination Method]
A day passes in the blink of an eye, and evening is approaching.

Lu Yunyi, ravenously hungry, lifted his head from the table piled high with documents and glanced at the sky.
I felt a sudden dizziness.

Looking at the densely packed project plan in front of him, Lu Yunyi let out a long sigh of relief.

He picked up the Coke bottle next to him, took a big gulp, and smacked his lips.

A sense of accomplishment welled up inside me.

To be able to complete so many plans in one day is truly amazing!

However, Lu Yunyi was also aware that these plans still had some shortcomings.

Tomorrow or the day after, once he has a new perspective, he will continue to revise and improve it.

Lu Yunyi picked up a piece of paper from the side and began to write quickly.

Since they were about to leave the capital, his wife naturally needed to go to Daning as soon as possible.

Two years have passed in the blink of an eye. Time flies, things have changed, and my heart is filled with longing.

"Father, Mother, Wanyi, Qiuhe, we must also send a letter to the General, a letter to Jinglong, and another to my father-in-law in the south."

Lu Yunyi muttered to himself as he wrote furiously.

The sky quickly darkened, and candles were lit inside the government office.

A gentle breeze blew by, causing Lu Yunyi to feel a slight sense of disorientation.

"call"

Finally, all the letters were written.

Looking at the thick stack of letters in his hand, Lu Yunyi couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.

“Yun Fang”.

"My lord." Upon hearing the voice, Feng Yunfang immediately entered the room.

"Send these letters out separately tomorrow, as quickly as possible."

"Yes!" Feng Yunfang took the letter, tore off a large sheet of paper from the side, carefully wrapped the letter, and then asked:

"Sir, shall we go and take a look at the trading company?"

The merchants have come several times today, hoping to invite you over, sir.

"What's going on?" Lu Yunyi leaned back and rubbed his temples.

"During the day, it was about winning the lottery; the first, second, and third prizes have already been drawn."

That evening, they wanted to ask an adult to check the accounts.

"They said there were just as many guests today as yesterday," Feng Yunfang said in a low voice.

"More than expected?" Lu Yunyi blinked, rested for a moment, and then stood up.
"Go and have a look."

"Yes"

Even though it was late at night, Fudong Street

But even such a behemoth as Yingtian Trading Company still stood out conspicuously on Fudong Street.

The surrounding light illuminated its smooth exterior walls.

Moreover, at the very top of the entire Yingtian Trading Company, there were neat rows of lights.

Upon arriving here, Lu Yunyi inexplicably felt a surge of heat.
It felt as if there were countless people queuing up in front of me.

Upon entering the business, the night shift employees had already begun their work.

Some of them were cleaning, while others were tidying up the shelves and stocking them with goods.
Others are investigating potential safety hazards caused by today's business operations.

Lu Yunyi watched their busy figures, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

Most of these people were city dwellers, including family members of wounded soldiers.

They cherish this job opportunity very much.

Because the merchant guild paid them seven qian of silver per month as salary.

This is more than double the salary of an average job in Beijing.

Of course, it is still different from jobs that require physical labor, such as porters, rickshaw pullers, and boatmen.

However, the personnel responsible for unloading, handling, and transporting goods at the trading company,

Their wages were more than double those outside.

In particular, the staff who stock the goods on the second and third floors are all elites carefully selected from the imperial estate and various merchants. They are meticulous and conscientious in their work and also have a certain ability to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit goods.

Looking at how busy they were,
Lu Yunyi's smile grew even wider.

The people of the Ming Dynasty were hardworking and honest, but in the past they lacked suitable job opportunities.

Today, the trading company can provide them with a place to settle down and make a living.

This sense of accomplishment was something Lu Yunyi felt.
It made him even happier than winning a battle.

Lu Yunyi walked and stopped along the way until he reached the fourth floor.

Just like yesterday, this place is already packed with people.
Besides the accountant and government officials, there was also his father-in-law, Liu Sili.

At this moment, Liu Sili's eyes were bloodshot as he stared intently at an account book, his expression constantly shifting.
He considered himself to be from a prominent family in Liaodong, with numerous iron mines, and a man who had seen the world.

But Liu Sili never imagined that a business he usually looked down upon would be so profitable!

They can earn 20,000 taels of silver in a single day; even if they were mining, they wouldn't be able to do it that fast.

What followed was a deep sense of fear.

With such a golden rooster right here, how many people will covet it? Can I handle it?
Just then, Liu Sili inadvertently caught sight of his son-in-law, his eyes lit up, and he quickly walked over:

"Yunyi, you've finally arrived."

Upon hearing his voice, everyone present simultaneously turned their gazes, which had been directed at the accountant, toward him.

The gaze was even more fervent and full of anticipation than yesterday!

At this moment, in their eyes,

Lu Yunyi is practically a money-making machine!
With a little tinkering, you can create a business that earns 20,000 taels a day.

If you put your heart into it, wouldn't everyone be able to get rich?
For a moment, the atmosphere in the room became somewhat strange.

Lu Yunyi also noticed this abnormality and gradually slowed his pace.

"What's going on? What happened to the trading company?"

Hearing Lu Yunyi's tentative question, Hou Xian, the palace eunuch, pursed his lips slightly:
"Lord Lu, business is even better today than yesterday. Everyone is looking forward to your arrival to celebrate together."

"That's right, that's right. Although today wasn't as busy as yesterday, we earned even more money." Geng Zhong nodded quickly, his eyes also red at this moment.

His hangover from yesterday left him completely exhausted.

But after arriving at the business today, he immediately felt invigorated and full of energy!
After hearing this, Lu Yunyi nodded in surprise, then looked at his approaching father-in-law and asked with a smile:

"Father-in-law, how are you feeling?"

"I admire you. I really admire you."

Only after further investigation today did I discover that...

This business is incredibly profitable; everyone benefits. It's fantastic, absolutely fantastic!

Hearing him say that, everyone present laughed.

They naturally love this kind of business.

It's true that many powerful figures and officials in the imperial court like to make money.

If you can make money and gain a good reputation at the same time, that would be even better.

After all, nobody wants to have a bad reputation, and everyone wants to claim the moral high ground.

Lu Yunyi looked at everyone present and reminded them:
"This is only during the opening period. The turnover will remain at a very high level, and it will decline later."

Only after things stabilize can we see more of the intricacies.

As he spoke, Lu Yunyi walked toward the conference room.

Inside, there were still many accountants constantly tapping on their abacuses.

Upon seeing him enter, Bian Rong, who had been engrossed in calculating accounts, looked up and hurriedly came over with his account book.

"Sir, today's sales figures are a bit strange. Sales on the third floor accounted for 30% of the total, and the goods sold out very early."

Bian Rong scratched his head, his eyes full of confusion.

Lu Yunyi took the ledger, examined it carefully, and then handed it back with a smile: "The accounts are fine. The jewelry and ornaments are right at the entrance on the third floor."

Some women from the capital didn't come yesterday, but they did today, so it's understandable that they bought more.

At this moment, Lu Yunyi looked at his father-in-law who had followed him and said:

"Father-in-law, the jewelry on the third floor is of utmost importance and is also the most profitable item in the business."

No matter what goes wrong, jewelry must not have any issues, especially regarding its craftsmanship and authenticity.

After hearing this, Liu Sili nodded blankly and then kept the matter firmly in mind.

"Yunyi, are you saying that all the jewelry sold out today?"

Geng Zhong quickly asked, then suddenly felt a pang of heartache.

Because his wife also came today, and said she wanted to take a good look around.

Lu Yunyi laughed and pointed to the accounts:
"Jewelry was the first item to sell out today, contributing nearly 15,000 taels of silver to the business's revenue."

"Hiss!" Everyone gasped.

Although it's unclear how much profit can be made from items like jewelry.

Even if you only earn half, that's still seven thousand taels of silver!

Seeing their reaction, Lu Yunyi said meaningfully:

"Items sold to the ladies of the capital should fully satisfy their emotional needs, provide the best service, and let them enjoy the treatment of gods and immortals. In this way, the items will naturally sell well."

In fact, in the initial plan,
The jewelry section is planned to be placed near the main entrance, so that it can be seen as soon as you enter.

However, considering factors such as safety and reputation, it was later moved to the third floor.

I would also like to ask you gentlemen to tell your wives when you return home, and ask them to help spread the word.

"When the business makes money, everyone benefits."

Upon hearing this, everyone present burst into laughter.

Some powerful figures in the military, in particular, decided that they would definitely have a good talk with their families when they got back.

They may not be good at making money, but they are quite adept at getting others to spend it!

Lu Yunyi smiled and looked at Bian Rong:

"Take yesterday's and today's accounts with you and go to the training room next door."

"Yes!" Bian Rong agreed without hesitation.

Lu Yunyi looked at everyone present and said with emotion:
"My lords, please come to the training room and have a seat. I have important matters to report to you."

Inside the training room, the esteemed guests took their seats. Aside from the firm's finance and human resources personnel, there were fewer than ten people in total.

The Governor's Office had a number of officials including Geng Zhong, Zhang Quan, and Xu Sima, while the Ministry of Works had Qin Kui and Li Zhigang.

Apart from Li Zhigang, the rest were all high-ranking officials of the first or second rank, or at the very least, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies of the fourth rank.

This made the atmosphere in the training room particularly heavy.

Li Zhigang's face flushed red; he had never imagined this.

How could a mere fifth-rank official like myself be allowed to sit in the same room as these first- and second-rank officials?!
"I'm about to rise to the top in one step!" Li Zhigang was extremely excited.

However, what Lu Yunyi said next...

But it was like a bucket of cold water, drenching him completely.

Lu Yunyi looked at everyone present, sighed deeply, and said in a deep voice:

"My lords, I may be leaving the capital soon to take up a post in Daning."

The future safety of the trading company can only be entrusted to you gentlemen.

"what?"

Everyone present looked surprised and turned their gazes toward Lu Yunyi.

Xu Sima and Geng Zhong exchanged glances, and based on the news of the past few days, they had a vague guess in their hearts, which made them appear calmer.

Qin Kui's reaction was more intense:

"Lord Lu, the matter of flood control has not yet been resolved."

The promotion of concrete and lime has not yet begun; how can we leave Beijing in such a hurry?

Qin Kui wished he could keep Lu Yunyi in the capital.

In this way, he, as the Minister, can firmly suppress Ji Yuchen.

In a few more days, Ji Yuchen will no longer be able to cause any trouble.

“Yes, why rush to leave? The Northern Expeditionary Army is still a long way from leaving the capital. You can go with them,” Zhang Quan, the Vice Commander-in-Chief, also advised.

Liu Sili stood there stunned, feeling an immense pressure wash over him, making it hard for him to breathe.

Li Zhigang was the same, blinking incessantly, also feeling an invisible pressure.

He was initially quite pleased with himself for being able to participate in such a big event.

But at this moment he suddenly realized that the reason he had been living so comfortably before was because Lord Lu Yunyi had been taking care of things behind the scenes.

Li Zhigang quickly recalled the scene of himself, a fifth-rank official, going to the Governor's Mansion and dealing with those high-ranking officials.

Let alone arguing logically, they probably can't even speak properly.

Lu Yunyi took in everyone's expressions and smiled helplessly:

"My lords, due to the circumstances, there are some matters in the north that I need to handle, so I have no choice but to leave the capital."

The reason I've gathered everyone here today is to discuss something.

This is crucial to the smooth operation of the business in the future.

If this matter is not handled properly,
The business could collapse at any moment, and then no one will make any money.

As Lu Yunyi's voice grew increasingly solemn, the atmosphere in the room became increasingly oppressive.

Everyone frowned and their expressions became serious.

"Yunyi, you speak."

Geng Zhong spoke in a deep voice, a hint of wariness already appearing in his eyes.

Lu Yunyi took a deep breath and said in a deep voice:

"My lords, I would like to tell you something. The reason why the trading company has achieved its current success is..."
It's not because of you or me personally, but because of the business model itself.

This is a business deal that will satisfy all parties.

We can make money precisely because everyone is satisfied, rather than thinking about making money first and then pursuing satisfaction.

The order in which things are done is important.

In other words, you and I did something that satisfied everyone.
Money will naturally follow; this can be considered a reward for doing this.

The officials present were all seasoned veterans of the bureaucracy, and they easily grasped the meaning, nodding in agreement.

In their view, businesses whose direct purpose is to make money are often unsustainable.

Businesses that prioritize getting things done and make money as a side activity are more sustainable.

The current business is a prime example of this.

Lu Yunyi took a deep breath and continued:
"The reason I say this is because human nature is inherently greedy."

The business was large in scale, with intricate internal relationships, like a spider web.

Money can be generated at any stage of this process. If someone becomes greedy, how should this be dealt with?

"Seize him!" Geng Zhong's eyes narrowed, revealing a chilling murderous intent.

Xu Sima nodded as well.

"The Censorate sent people here yesterday. Once any corruption is discovered, it must be investigated and dealt with immediately."

"For the first three years, the commercial bank stipulated that dividends would be distributed once a year."
The goal is to help you, sirs and the government, recoup your investments as quickly as possible.

Later, the dividend distribution was changed to once every two years.

"What if, at that time, you gentlemen become greedy?"

Lu Yunyi spoke calmly, his voice as still as water.

Qin Kui seemed to have regained the composure befitting a high-ranking official, and said in a calm tone:
"After investigating the situation, he was removed from the business."

We all eat from the same pot; if anyone throws a rat dropping into the pot, I'll smash their rice bowl.

Geng Zhong, as the Left Army Commander, also spoke in a deep voice:
"Let me be frank from the start: there are plenty of profitable businesses..."
However, there are not many businesses that can maintain long-term stability.

Now that we finally have one more, we should both cherish it.

According to the established rules, neither the two government offices nor the shareholders were allowed to interfere with the daily operations of the business; instead, the palace would appoint a manager to handle the specific affairs.

That's good. We all come from military backgrounds. An army can only have one command voice, and the same applies to a trading company.

Otherwise, if everyone keeps talking, wouldn't things get chaotic?

So, from now on, let's both refrain from interfering and just wait patiently for the year-end bonus.

If corruption is found, those who should be arrested should be arrested, and those who should be executed should be executed.

If it doesn't cause any trouble on a regular basis, and continues to operate smoothly like this, that would be great.

Xu Sima nodded:
"Since you've said that, let's put the rules in black and white."

Anyone who violates this rule will be kicked out.

"I won't include him in any future profitable business opportunities."

Lu Yunyi looked at the officials in front of him, somewhat surprised.

Things went even more smoothly than he had expected.

He turned to look at Feng Yunfang and waved.

Feng Yun then took a stack of documents and distributed them to everyone in turn.

Lu Yunyi looked at everyone and said in a deep voice:

"My lords, this is what I have decided today."
[Yingtian Commercial Bank Shareholder Behavior Code and Restriction Plan]

You can take it home and examine it carefully, or you can ask some experienced shopkeepers for advice.

If there are differing opinions, let's put them on the table and discuss them.

Let's finalize this as soon as possible.

(End of this chapter)