The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 148 Shang Mingshu, even more daring

Prefect He then suggested rewarding the Shi family with their property, which they felt was a fair and justifiable way to receive it.

"This is bad." Shang Mingshu looked up, her sharp eyes meeting Shang Jinliang's clear gaze. "Father, rivers flow because of the confluence of hundreds of streams; markets prosper because of the competition of hundreds of industries. To monopolize profits and monopolize goods is like building dikes to block hundreds of rivers and walls to cut off the eight winds. At first, the houses will be filled with gold and jade, but in the long run, merchants will be constrained, goods will stagnate, and markets will be desolate."

There's one more thing she can't say: the way of emperors lies in checks and balances, let alone in the competition of commerce.

If the tea merchants of Huizhou Prefecture were to monopolize the market, it would not only be detrimental to the prosperity of the tea market, but their every move would also be scrutinized by the entire market and the government, making them feel constrained and ultimately resulting in more harm than good.

Shang Jinliang concealed the satisfaction in his eyes: "This is an award from the imperial court. If you refuse it, it will put the prefect in a difficult position."

Merit deserves reward, and the imperial court has proposed a reward plan. Shang Mingshu's refusal will make the government think that the Shang family is ungrateful and dissatisfied with the imperial court's reward.

"Regarding the Shi family's affairs, our actions were solely for self-preservation, and we do not deserve such a generous reward from the court. As for Shi Houqiong's background, it was merely something my daughter mentioned casually; the ones who contributed were Lord He and the other officers," Shang Mingshu calmly replied. "Father, why don't you suggest to the Prefect that we use a brokerage firm and bid fairly? This way, we can maintain a semblance of harmony with our uncles. As for the reward..."

Shang Mingshu paused, looked at Zhang Yushuang, and then said softly, "Father has always been troubled by the tea-horse trade in Yunnan and Tibet. Why don't we mention to the prefect whether the court should grant Xiangmingzhai priority supply rights for the Yunnan-Tibet tea-horse trade?"

Shang Mingshu's words made Zhang Yushuang and Shang Jinliang gasp.

Taking over the Shi family's teahouse will allow for the rapid expansion of Xiangmingzhai. If managed properly, it won't be long before Xiangmingzhai becomes the leader among tea merchants and accumulates a large amount of wealth.

He knew that Shang Mingshu was right, and he never thought that he would really take this piece of meat for himself. Not only would it arouse the jealousy of his peers outside Huizhou Prefecture, but his peers within the prefecture would also isolate Xiangmingzhai from now on.

However, he could not refuse all the rewards from the imperial court. Shang Jinliang accepted some of them as a sign of his acceptance of the imperial court's rewards, but he asked the prefect to arrange for the highest bidder to win the majority of the rewards.

I have absolutely no intention of getting involved in the tea-horse trade; at most, I'll try to get more tea permits next year...

Shang Mingshu is even more daring than him!

"Ming Shu, do you know what you said?" Shang Jinliang subconsciously looked at Zhang Yushuang. She dared to say such audacious words in front of outsiders.

It's important to understand that the tea-horse trade involved the imperial court's warhorses, which was tantamount to interfering in military supplies!

This is even more ambitious than demanding that their own tea be specially supplied as imperial tea!
Even if Shang Jinliang no longer considers Zhang Yushuang an outsider, he can't be so reckless.

If it weren't for the fact that Shang Mingshu had built up a sense of reliability and trust in Shang Jinliang over the past few days, he probably would have reprimanded her on the spot.

Shang Mingshu handed the small winnowing basket to He Sui: "Father, the tea-horse trade has caused so many incidents in the region due to the inconsistent quality of tea. As a result, we tea merchants have been blamed a lot. Why don't you write to the prefect, emphasizing the benefits of supplying tea through Xiangmingzhai? Xiangmingzhai will ensure that the tea is not of inferior quality and is not unavailable, thus securing good horses for the court, reducing the risks in trade, and increasing employment opportunities for the people of the region..."

Shang Mingshu had clearly thought things through carefully. Her words were reasonable and well-founded, which not only moved Shang Jinliang, but also made Zhang Yushuang nod in agreement.

Finally, Shang Mingshu said, "Father, please remember to make it clear that the imperial court has many tea and horse trade markets. We can use Yunnan and Tibet as a test. If it succeeds, it will fulfill our loyalty to the imperial court. If there are any problems, Xiangmingzhai is willing to take full responsibility."

"Let me think about it..." Shang Mingshu's words transformed Shang Jinliang's initial astonishment into a growing sense of anticipation. If this were to succeed, the profits would far exceed those from acquiring the Shi family's assets. While his wealth might not skyrocket, the status of his tea business would be incomparable, perhaps even surpassing that of becoming a royal tea merchant!

They also won't offend other competitors who are envious of them. Once the pilot program is successful, Xiangmingzhai will become the object of everyone's craving to curry favor with them, and they will no longer have to worry about them causing trouble.

The risks are obvious. To monopolize tea in a particular part of the tea-horse trade would threaten the interests of many who wanted to profit from the chaos. However, if this were to succeed, it would guarantee the imperial court's horses, reduce conflicts between the two countries over the tea-horse trade, and establish diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Shang Jinliang's heart was pounding.

His greatest regret in life was that he was unable to take the imperial examinations and serve the court and contribute to the country.

He only had a slight talent for business, and he worked hard to expand his business, build bridges and roads, establish schools, and take in the elderly, women and children. He thought that this was all he could do in his life.

Now, his daughter has offered him another path, a path that allows him to do more for the country and its people, even if it is full of thorns, he is willing to try.

He disregarded everything else, his heart filled with boundless pride, and strode towards the government office.

At this moment, his mind was clearer than ever before, and his patriotic feelings had nowhere to be expressed. This was the perfect opportunity to confide in Prefect He.

“Ming Shu, it’s a loss for both the Lu and Xu families if you don’t marry into their families.”

Zhang Yushuang had always felt that Shang Mingshu had married into a higher social class, and regretted that she had missed out on such a good family background for various reasons. But at this moment, she felt that whoever married Shang Mingshu in the future, as long as Shang Mingshu wanted it, she would have no shortage of fame and fortune. She didn't need a high-class family to embellish her life; she could create a high-class family herself.

A virtuous wife brings blessings to three generations.

Zhang Yushuang had heard it many times, but only now did she truly understand its meaning.

Like Zhang Yushuang, Prefect He also had the same thought after listening to Shang Jinliang's grand ambitions. When he learned that it was Shang Mingshu's suggestion, Prefect He only regretted that his legitimate son was already married, and his illegitimate son, just as his wife said, was not worthy of such a remarkable woman as Shang Mingshu.

"You're going to celebrate the New Year at my house?" Shang Mingshu smiled gently, changing the subject.

"What? Are you trying to kick me out?" Zhang Yushuang was actually quite hesitant. She wasn't ready to return to the capital yet; logically, she should go back to her relatives' home in Fengyang Prefecture. But when she thought of those people in Fengyang Prefecture...

She wanted to stay here even more. The more time she spent with Shang Mingshu, the more she liked her and wanted to be with her to see what other surprises Shang Mingshu had in store for her.

"If you're happy, then stay." Shang Mingshu noticed Zhang Yushuang's struggle and sullenness over the past two days and deliberately brought it to the forefront. "We're as close as sisters. If you don't mind that I'm not marrying up, then don't be a stranger."

It was because they were afraid that Zhang Yushuang would want to stay, but would feel that it would be too impolite.

"You dare to talk back to me like that! If I really leave, wouldn't that be agreeing with what you said, that you're not good enough for me?" Zhang Yushuang understood Shang Mingshu's meaning and couldn't help but scold her, "I'll write home right now and say I want to stay at your house to welcome spring."

At this moment, Zhang Yushuang also regretted that her elder brother had already married.