Da Ming: Father, step aside, I'll be the prime minister!

Chapter 45 Can a mask cure the plague?

Zuixian Tower.

A table was laden with delicacies, but Yu Xiangdou didn't eat a single bite. Instead, he laughed so hard he bent over backward.

He slammed his hand on the table and said.

"Oh my! Oh my! Mr. Zhang is truly a genius, both ancient and modern. This trick of feigning indifference has completely fooled those Huizhou merchants, making them hand over their money without even realizing it!"

Yu Xiangdou was beaming with delight, clearly pleased that the Huizhou merchants had been ripped off.

"That's a full five thousand taels of silver! That old bastard Wang Shishun is going to lose everything! Mr. Zhang, you're amazing! I'm truly impressed!"

Now, Yu Xiangdou finally realized why Zhang Yunxiu had repeatedly told him never to be kind to the Huizhou merchants.

Thinking about it carefully, if I hadn't put on that cold and aloof demeanor earlier, how could I have made these cunning and treacherous Huizhou merchants believe what I said later?

Just now, the merchants were still somewhat doubtful, but at the crucial moment, Zhang Yunxiu suddenly changed his expression and said, "I have given you all face, but you are making excuses. Do you really think I, Zhang Yunxiu, am easy to bully?"

This stern shout instantly stunned the merchants, who turned pale with fright. Without the slightest hesitation, they obediently took out their silver and quickly signed the contract.

In fact, Yu Xiangdou also realized that the reactions of the Huizhou merchants were not unfounded.

Last time, they were skeptical of Zhang Yunxiu's proposal and unwilling to spend money, ultimately missing the opportunity.

Now, Zhang Yunxiu is proposing new business again. Even if he has some doubts, he can take in the popularity of the newspapers and Zhang Juzheng's high position and power.

It can't possibly be a lie, right?
Yu Xiangdou took a sip of wine, which calmed him down a bit, but he still smiled as he spoke.

"But what they don't know is that you, sir, are here to provide relief to the people and deal with the plague. It's not just five thousand taels of silver; tens of thousands of taels wouldn't be enough."

The Huizhou merchants were used to buying and selling goods, hoarding and speculating. This loss of five thousand taels of silver serves as a lesson for them.

Yu Xiangdou was laughing when he realized something was off. Zhang Yunxiu, sitting opposite him, was looking at him with a scrutinizing gaze and a very serious expression.

He stammered, "Sir, did I say something wrong?"

Zhang Yunxiu frowned and said, "When did I say I was going to trick them?"

Yu Xiangdou seemed unconvinced: "My lord, please don't joke. I know that you care about the people. This Renmin Pharmacy must be for disaster relief. It seems that the officials in the court have already made plans. With the Duke of Jiangling in charge of the court, we commoners are fortunate."

In Yu Xiangdou's view, Zhang Yunxiu set up this "Renmin Pharmacy" for disaster relief.

If you think about it carefully, Zhang Yunxiu dared to spend tens of thousands of taels of silver to do this business. Wasn't there a scheme by the court and Zhang Juzheng involved?
That's impossible! How could a normal person use tens of thousands of taels of silver from their own pocket to provide relief to ordinary people?

What's the difference between that and a spendthrift idiot?
But Zhang Yunxiu shook his head and said, "No, there was no plan. This was just my idea, and even my father didn't know about it."

I'm very serious; I'm just doing this to make money, and incidentally, I'll also help the people.

Yu Xiangdou simply didn't believe it. In his view, Zhang Yunxiu's claim of providing relief to ordinary people and then making money from the wealthy was nothing but a pipe dream.

Do you really think that princes and nobles living in mansions of wealth and power are all fools? Do you think they would go out of their way to give money to Zhang Yunxiu?

Therefore, Yu Xiangdou was certain in his heart that this "Renmin Pharmacy" must be the Grand Secretary's scheme.

Yu Xiangdou then wore a knowing expression.

"I understand, I understand, and I will definitely keep my mouth shut!"

Zhang Yunxiu glanced at him with an expression as if he were an idiot. He was too lazy to explain to this person any further and instead said...

"I told you to call Zhao Rui, has he come?"

Yu Xiangdou immediately replied, "I'll be there shortly. I've already asked someone to go find me."

He poured himself a cup of warm rice wine and began to introduce Zhang Yunxiu with a smile.

"Speaking of which, Zhao Rui was not very bright from a young age. His parents were in poor health, so they married him this 'virtuous wife'. After his parents passed away, his 'virtuous wife' helped manage the family business."

Last time, Zhao Rui spent two thousand taels of silver, not only was he ridiculed by the merchants, but he also received a severe scolding from his wife when he got home, causing chaos in his household.

"and after?"

Zhang Yunxiu ate his meal listlessly. The food at Zuixianlou was not as good as the stir-fries at the restaurant next to his house in his later years, so he found it tasteless.

"Later, things naturally took an unexpected turn for the better."

Yu Xiangdou also had some storytelling skills, his voice rising and falling in intonation.

"Our newspaper is a huge hit, and his silk shop has become famous throughout the capital. High-ranking officials and nobles are flocking to them, and it's said that the waiting list is already open for a month."

As they were talking, a servant came to report.

"My lord, Master of the workshop, Zhao Rui has arrived."

Zhang Yunxiu nodded: "Let him in."

Yu Xiangdou stopped talking and waited for Zhao Rui to come in.

A moment later, there was a careful knock on the door. After Zhang Yunxiu and the other man answered, the door was slowly pushed open, and a stout young man walked in.

Upon entering the private room and seeing Zhang Yunxiu seated at the head of the table, Zhao Rui's legs immediately went weak. He stumbled and kowtowed deeply to Zhang Yunxiu.

"Your Excellency, please accept my humble bow! The current prosperity of Ruijin Silk Shop is entirely due to Your Excellency's blessings."

Zhao Rui's words sounded somewhat stiff and deliberate.

Zhang Yunxiu smiled and scrutinized the other person: "Zhao Rui, did your wife teach you to say that?"

"My lord," Zhao Rui instinctively tried to make amends, but then remembered his wife's instructions, and kowtowed again, saying, "Please forgive me, my lord, I am truly foolish and fear I have been impolite."

Zhang Yunxiu shook his head helplessly: "Get up."

"Yes."

With great difficulty, Zhao Rui stood in front of the food counter, looking like a child who had made a mistake, his whole body covered in sweat.

"Sit down," Zhang Yunxiu said.

Zhao Rui was very nervous, his body was a little stiff, and he stumbled as he sat down.

Zhang Yunxiu said, "From what you've said, your Ruijin Silk Shop has been doing very well lately?"

"Thanks to your blessing, my silk business has not been doing well since the beginning of spring. Prices are rising everywhere, and my silk business..."
Nowadays, thanks to Lord Lai's newspaper, Ruijin Silk Shop has made a name for itself in the capital. In just three days, its daily income has increased by more than 40%, and many wealthy and powerful families have come to see me after hearing the news.

To be honest, after a rough calculation, I estimate that after deducting costs and advertising expenses, I can make an extra one or two thousand taels of silver in another month or two.”

Zhao Rui was an honest man. While ordinary merchants would keep their income from trade a secret, he spoke of it directly.

Zhang Yunxiu narrowed his eyes: "I heard you were also beaten by your wife?"

"It wasn't a fight." Zhao Rui scratched his head awkwardly. "It was just a misunderstanding. My wife has been all smiles these days."

Making money, how can you not wear a smile?
Zhang Yunxiu grumbled inwardly.

It's true that fools are often blessed. Someone like Zhao Rui, if he hadn't met his wife, would have been lucky to have met such a good person as himself.

Wouldn't that mean being swindled out of everything?

This young master has a kind heart!

Zhao Rui hesitated for a moment, then pulled out several thick silver notes from his pocket. The notes were tied with red silk thread, indicating that they had been carefully prepared.

He placed the silver notes on the table and gently pushed them towards him, saying...

"This is all thanks to your good fortune, sir. Please accept these silver notes."

Upon seeing the silver note, Yu Xiangdou, who was sitting to the side unable to interject, immediately brightened up. With his sharp eyes, he could tell at a glance that there was at least two thousand taels inside.

Zhang Yunxiu glanced at the silver note, but instead of refusing, he scrutinized the other party and said...

"Is this also your wife's wish?"

"A despicable person."

Zhao Rui scratched his head, which was taken as tacit agreement.

Zhang Yunxiu tapped the silver note with his finger and said, "Even Ruijin Silk Shop would take several months to earn back these two thousand taels of silver, right? And you're just giving it to me like this?"

Zhao Rui cupped his hands in greeting and said very sincerely, "Without you, sir, I would not have earned this money."

Staring at the other person, Zhang Yunxiu remained silent for a long time, making Zhao Rui feel uneasy all over, wondering what he had done wrong.

Suddenly, Zhang Yunxiu received the silver note in front of him and said with a smile.

"I'll take the banknote, but there's one favor I need to ask of you."

"If you give me any orders, I will do my utmost!"

In Zhao Rui's eyes, Zhang Yunxiu had long been regarded as an extraordinary person.

"Look at this picture, can you make it?"

As they spoke, Zhang Yunxiu pushed a hand-drawn draft paper to the other person.

Zhao Rui looked down and examined it carefully. The lines drawn on the paper were simple, but the various structures were very clear.

It looks like a mask?
"What is this, sir?" Zhao Rui looked at Zhang Yunxiu with some confusion, wondering why the other party was doing this.

Zhang Yunxiu said, "Can you reduce the cost of this to five copper coins?"

Five coins?

Zhao Rui was startled and said.

"If cotton cloth were used, eradication would not be possible."

(End of this chapter)