The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 114: With such a daughter, what else could a husband ask for?
"Second Master Cheng, are you delivering the betrothal gift on behalf of Third Master Cheng?" After Cheng She left, Shang Zishu couldn't help but tease Shang Mingshu.

"If this is a betrothal gift, I wouldn't dare accept it." Shang Mingshu was not embarrassed at all.

Taizu issued a clear edict, advocating frugality in marriages, and not allowing betrothal gifts to lead to extravagance and competition. Marriages between two families should be of equal status, and intermarriage between the noble and the humble is prohibited, regardless of family background.

Nowadays, no one would really make things difficult for others over the issue of betrothal gifts, but if one wants to make a fuss about it, this small and insignificant thing would only amuse people on a normal day, but if one day the Shang family is accused of extravagance or Cheng Mian is attacked, this would be a powerful point of criticism.

Cheng She brought back enough tea to calm the frenzy in the tea market of Huizhou Prefecture. The quantity was so huge that even though Shang Mingshu didn't know the exact number, she could guess that as long as the operation was proper and the transportation was smooth, the sale of this batch of tea would be enough to more than double Shang Jinliang's wealth.

Such a huge betrothal gift, if only the money is considered, may not be enough for Your Majesty to get married.

"I spoke out of turn." Shang Zishu quickly covered her mouth, looked around, and made sure that everyone around her was trustworthy before patting her chest in relief.

"There's no need to be so nervous at home." Shang Mingshu was amused. "Although my home may not be spotless, if I can't even say what I want, then that's my incompetence."

Shang Mingshu knew that there were too many servants in the house, and there must be spies, which could not be eliminated. Xiang Mingzhai was in its heyday, and more and more people would be arranged to work as spies in the future. She wanted to find a way to eliminate this wave, but there would be another wave. She could only ensure that those who came into close contact with the things at the entrance of their business were trustworthy.

"Why can't these people just focus on themselves?" Shang Zishu knew that Shang Mingshu had put a lot of effort into doing this. She felt a little sorry for Shang Mingshu and a little angry at that bunch of rats.

Shang Mingshu looked at Shang Zishu in surprise. Thinking that she was going to marry into the Chen family in Hangzhou, she couldn't help but say, "Second sister, you shouldn't have the intention to harm others, but you must be on guard against others. For us merchants, information is of utmost importance. I have also released people in other people's homes."

"You..." Shang Zishu couldn't believe it.

Shang Mingshu tilted her head and nodded: "I mean no harm."

She also believed that not all people who entered their business had bad intentions.

Shang Zishu seemed to be lost in thought. She understood why Shang Mingshu told her this. She bowed straight and said, "I appreciate your instruction."

Seeing Shang Zishu's serious expression, Shang Mingshu returned the greeting while holding the round fan in her hand: "I dare not move."

The two sisters made each other laugh, and the relaxed and happy atmosphere continued until the evening. Shang Mingshu was in a good mood, and thinking that her elder sister and father were very tired today, she personally went into the kitchen to cook some delicious dishes, including everyone's preferences, and also made osmanthus drink.

When dusk fell, the father and daughter returned, looking radiant.

"Mr. Cheng brought back hundreds of thousands of kilograms of tea, of all grades." After Shang Wenshu sat down, she didn't care about the dinner table and couldn't wait to share.

Shang Jinliang did not force him to eat and sleep without talking, but asked the servants to open a jar of good wine: "The tea has been shipped away. The whole Huizhou Prefecture knows that we have several cargo ships transporting tea to Guangdong and Guangxi. I'm afraid that those who have hoarded tea will have to panic and sell it off tomorrow morning." There are new teas every year. Except for some teas worth collecting, most of them will be cheap due to age, and many people do not have liquid funds on hand, so they must sell them quickly to cash in.

"Third sister, should we still collect tea?" Shang Jinliang and Shang Wenshu discussed it on the way back, but still wanted to hear Shang Mingshu's opinion.

"Collect." Shang Mingshu nodded decisively. "The plan remains unchanged. Guangxi is such a large area. The tea trees are plagued by insect pests this year. They will have to rest and recuperate for at least three years. They will stockpile tea to cope with the next two years. The prefectures around Guangxi that rely on Guangxi tea also need tea. This will be left to the Guangxi tea merchants to make money.

Dad must tell the transporters not to sell loose tea to the cities around Guangxi for high profits, as this breaks the rules."

Only when everyone can make money can we truly achieve harmony and wealth.

Shang Wenshu was slightly startled when she heard this, then she lowered her head and laughed. On the way home, Shang Wenshu suggested to Shang Jinliang that they continue to collect tea. Even if Guangxi cannot consume it, they can distribute it to the surrounding areas of Guangxi. However, Shang Jinliang rejected it outright.

When it comes to business, she is not as good as her sister.

Shang Jinliang was very pleased. "You're right. We've already teamed up with many close friends to stockpile tea. We can't break the contract just because we make a profit. In Mingshu's opinion, how should we divide the profits among them?"

Shang Zishu and Shang Wenshu both looked at Shang Mingshu.

Shang Zishu didn't understand why Shang Jinliang asked this. What did the tea that the Cheng family gave to them have to do with those merchants? Why should they share such a huge profit with them? What did they do?
Shang Wenshu was hesitant. After checking the accounts, she knew very well how much money the Cheng family could make from the several ships of tea given to them. She was reluctant to give the money away, but she also felt it was not fair to keep it.

Shang Mingshu knew that Shang Jinliang already had the answer in his mind and was testing her. She knew what answer Shang Jinliang wanted, but her answer was not to please him, but also reflected her business philosophy.

"Father, before the situation became clear, the uncles were willing to invest money to help us get rich. This was a sign of trust and friendship. If the Cheng family's tea had been delivered before you and the uncles discussed it, I wouldn't have given up my own money. But the tea arrived late, and since the uncles are grateful for their kindness, we can't betray their loyalty for the sake of profit."

Moreover, how can we be sure that these ships of tea can reach Guangxi safely? Our uncles and aunts are also worried about the danger of losing their money. I think if something goes wrong with these teas on the rivers and seas, our uncles and aunts will not blame us.

Together with the Cheng family's tea, and the tea we collect starting tomorrow, except for the tea we have stored, all the tea sold will be divided according to the profit we agreed on in advance. The tea that Xiang Ming Zhai needs to store will be counted from the tea purchased tomorrow."

"A famous beauty." Shang Jinliang looked at the little girl with relief and pride. Before such a big profit, many people like him who had been in the business world for half their lives might not be able to maintain their virtue and integrity.

How could he not be proud that Shang Mingshu, a young lady, could be so decisive?
At this moment, Shang Jinliang suddenly felt relieved that he had no successor.

Even if he had a son, who could he have a son like Shang Mingshu? If he really had such a son, he would study hard and embark on a career in officialdom. Wouldn't Xiang Mingzhai be another example of a family without successors?
"Dad, the way to make a living is to pursue long-term goals and not be bound by immediate gains. The wealth in the world is endless, and opportunities are as numerous as stars. If you lack a discerning eye and pursue new opportunities, like a river flowing into the sea, money will flow in continuously."

Shang Mingshu picked up the tea bowl filled with drinks and raised her hands to her family: "May our Xiangmingzhai's wealth never run out of money and continue to thrive."