You, a tyrannical ruler, roam the heavens; you cannot understand my joy.

Meanwhile, in the back room of "Liu's Goods Store," a well-regarded general store selling goods from both the north and south of the city, in the west of the city.

The warehouse owner, Manager Liu, was a middle-aged man in his fifties with an honest face but clear eyes.

He also heard rumors in the evening and specifically asked his son to copy the contents of the notice.

At this moment, a copy of the proclamation was spread out on the table. He sat around it with two old friends who had been partners for many years: Manager Sun, who ran a cosmetics shop, and Manager Qian, who was in the grain business. They discussed the matter in hushed tones over a pot of turbid wine and a few plates of peanuts and broad beans.

"Ten taels of silver is enough to get a share, and you'll also have priority in getting the goods to sell..."

Manager Qian, clutching the copy, asked, "Old Liu, Old Sun, what do you think... is this business... worth doing?"

Manager Sun, being rather cautious, stroked his beard and said, "Glass is a new thing. Growing vegetables in winter is amazing, but who knows if it's just a passing fad?"

"If the workshop run by the Ministry of Works fails, or if the glass isn't good enough, our ten taels of silver, though not much, is still hard-earned money."

"Furthermore, this 'right to sell'... it sounds appealing, but anyone can buy it. How can we, a small family, compete with those wealthy merchants?"

Manager Liu pondered for a moment and said, "Brother Sun's concerns are reasonable."

"However, I'm thinking that since the Ministry of Works took the lead and His Majesty tacitly approved it, it can't be a complete scam."

"Although we didn't manage to get any vegetables from those greenhouses, many people saw them with their own eyes, so there's no faking it."

"This glass must have its purpose."

"As for the right to sell... it's precisely because anyone can buy it that we have this opportunity."

"Those real big shots have high aspirations and big appetites. They look down on these 'selling rights'. What they want is 'exclusivity' and a monopoly."

"The Ministry of Works isn't giving it to them right now; they're probably just waiting and seeing."

"Isn't this our opportunity?"

He lowered his voice: "We don't aim to monopolize a prefecture or a railway line. We'll just do the glass business right here in Yingtian Prefecture, in a few familiar neighborhoods."

"We have little capital, but we know the ways, have a wide network, and are trusted by our neighbors."

"When the glass from the Ministry of Works comes out, whether it's used to make window panels or cups and bowls, we'll stock some up and sell it in our shops, or recommend it to people we know."

"Whether you earn a lot or a little isn't the point; the key is to get there first!"

"If this glass really becomes a major commodity in the future, we'll be among the first to handle it!"

Manager Qian was somewhat persuaded: "Old Liu makes a good point!"

"Let's not compete with those giant crocodiles for the ocean; let's just catch some small fish and shrimp in our own pond—that's safer!"

"It's always good to gain an early advantage!"

Manager Sun thought for a moment and slowly nodded: "Let's take a gamble, betting that this glass business can become successful."

Even if you lose the bet, it won't be a serious loss.

"Then... shall the three of us chip in and register at the Ministry of Works?"

"I think it's a good idea!"

Manager Liu made the decision: "Let's go first thing tomorrow morning!"

"Take our three families' household registration documents and shop deeds, and as the notice says, go to the Ministry of Works' Land Reclamation Office to ask them for clarification!"

......

Further south, near the city wall, lies an ordinary residential area.

In a slightly crowded but clean and tidy main room, the oil lamp flickered dimly.

There were seven or eight people crammed into the room, men and women, all of whom were relatives or neighbors.

The leader was a man in his early forties who worked as an accountant at the dock. His surname was Fang, and he was well-regarded in the neighborhood because he was literate and fair.

He also held in his hand a notice with crooked handwriting that he had copied from somewhere.

"Dear uncles, brothers, aunts, and sisters."

Fang, the accountant, read the proclamation aloud again, then glanced at the excited yet anxious faces of the crowd: "Has everyone understood the Ministry of Works' proclamation?"

"Ten taels of silver is enough to buy a share, and then you can get glass from the official workshop to sell!"

"Glass that can grow vegetables in winter!"

"Mr. Fang, this...this can't be true?"

"Ten taels of silver, we can manage if the families pool their money!"

A dark-skinned man said excitedly. He worked as a back scrubber in the bathhouse. Ten taels of silver was a huge sum for his family, but if several families pooled their money, there would be hope.

"Exactly! I saw those greenhouse vegetables with my own eyes, they were so fresh and vibrant!"

"This glass must be a treasure!"

A woman who worked as a kitchen helper in the restaurant chimed in, "We're not aiming to get rich quick. Being able to stock up on goods, set up a stall, or recommend restaurants and inns is better than working as a maid or doing manual labor, right?"

But some people worry: "But we've never done business before!"

"How much is this glass?"

What if I can't sell them and they're stuck in my hands?

"Yes, the capital isn't much. It can be split among several families, with each family contributing one or two taels."

"But this 'right to sell'... it sounds suspicious. Could it be that the imperial court thinks we common people are easy to fool?"

"What's there to be afraid of!"

The accountant raised his voice: "The notice is posted there, stamped with the Ministry of Works' official seal, how could it possibly disappear?"

"We may be ordinary citizens, but we are still subjects of the Great Song Dynasty!"

"Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, you have executed corrupt officials, provided relief to displaced people, and manufactured cement—aren't all of these concrete achievements?"

"I see this glass business as an opportunity!"

"We're not greedy, we don't want to compete with those gentlemen. We'll just pool our resources, put together ten taels, register, and just to have a name on it."

"Once the glass is ready, we'll stock up on a smaller quantity and try selling it in the market and at the dock."

"That's great! We have another way to make a living, and another source of income for our family."

"No, it's only one or two taels of silver. Consider it an opportunity for the children to broaden their horizons and to support the new policies of the imperial court!"

His words warmed everyone's hearts.

Yes, one or two taels of silver is something even a poor family can scrape together, but it could be an opportunity to change their fate!

His Majesty is a man of action; following the court's proclamations will never lead you astray!

"Mr. Fang is right! Let's do it!"

"Count me in! I'll contribute two ounces!"

"My family will contribute one and a half taels!"

"I'll contribute too..."

……

On a cold winter morning, the chill seeps into your bones, and your breath turns to frost.

The street outside the Ministry of Works, which was usually quite spacious, was now bustling with noise and completely blocked by a dense crowd.

Fang, the accountant, led seven or eight neighbors, all wrapped in thick old cotton-padded coats, hunching their shoulders, and squeezed on the outer edge of the crowd, standing on tiptoe to peer at the Ministry of Works gate. Their noses were red from the cold, but they couldn't hide the eagerness and curiosity in their eyes.

Several wooden sheds had been temporarily erected in front of the Ministry of Works, and clerks were sitting in the back registering information.

The queue stretched from the entrance of the government office all the way to the street corner, and it kept growing.

The group consisted mostly of ordinary people like Fang Zhangfang, dressed in worn cotton robes or short tunics, their faces bearing the shrewdness and trepidation of common folk.

There were also some shop owners and peddlers who were dressed a little more neatly.

The few people who looked like stewards of wealthy families mostly stood on the periphery, observing coldly or talking in hushed tones, without queuing up.

"My God... so many people!"

The dark-skinned man scrubbing backs in the bathhouse gasped, "How many people... how many people would want to get involved?"

"Mr. Fang, is there any profit to be made from this?"

The woman helping in the kitchen was also a little intimidated: "Yes, there are so many of them, there must be over a thousand people!"

"Are they all going to buy these 'sales rights'?"

"Won't there be more glass sellers than vegetable buyers in the future?"

Fang, the accountant, also felt uneasy. His original plans at home to "gain an advantage" and "make a small profit" seemed so pale and powerless in the face of this sea of ​​people.

Ten taels of silver per share is not much, but if thousands of people buy this share, will the glass still be valuable in the future?

He could almost see the streets filled with glass vendors arguing heatedly over a single coin.

The already dwindling confidence, like a small flame in the cold wind, flickered and threatened to go out.

"Maybe we should just forget about it..." an old man muttered. "There are too many people. With our meager resources, we'd probably be throwing them into the water without even making a sound."

"Let's take another look, let's take another look..." Fang the accountant tried to remain calm, but in his heart he was already thinking of a reason that wouldn't hurt anyone's feelings and persuade everyone to go back.

Just then, a commotion arose at the entrance of the Ministry of Works. An official dressed in a blue robe, who looked like a junior official, stood on a high stool that had been temporarily placed in front of the office, supported by a minor clerk.

"Silence! Having trouble finding a book? Check out our recommendations for novels from the Myriad Realms! Silence!" The clerk banged the gong a few times, and the noise subsided slightly.

The official cleared his throat and shouted into the loudspeaker, "Fellow citizens and merchants!"

"I am an Assistant Director of the Department of Agricultural Reclamation under the Ministry of Works."

"Regarding the detailed rules for attracting investment and equity participation in the Glass Industry Bureau, here are a few supplementary explanations. Please listen carefully!"

"First, the selling rights are priced at ten taels of silver per share; these are qualification shares."

"With this share, one can enjoy priority in purchasing glass products from the Glass Bureau and receive a certain sales quota for a specific region based on the shareholding!"

"Secondly, anyone who has collected one hundred qualified shares may voluntarily form a union and report it to the Ministry of Works."

"The Ministry of Industry may grant each joint venture a certain scope and a certain period of entrusted sales rights based on its total share capital, location, and reputation."

"Goods produced by the Glass Bureau will be supplied to this consortium with priority and preferential treatment, and the consortium will be responsible for selling them by the Ministry of Industry within the agreed area!"

"The proceeds from the sale, after deducting costs and the profits due to the Ministry of Industry, will be distributed to each shareholder in proportion to their respective capital contributions!"

Authorized reseller! Joint venture!

Fang the accountant's eyes lit up again.

This seems...

It's not quite the same as something that anyone can sell.

It's a bit like... a business where partners jointly lease out a piece of land?

"third."

"Those who form an alliance shall pool their funds to place orders for goods with the General Glass Bureau!"

"The sale of goods will be handled uniformly by the official sales offices specially established under the Ministry of Works!"

"After deducting the cost of the goods and the 30% profit due to the Ministry of Industry from the proceeds, the remaining amount will be distributed as dividends to each shareholder in proportion to their investment."

"You don't need to worry about sales; just sit back and wait for your dividends!"

Sold by the Ministry of Industry! Waiting for dividends!

These words immediately drew polarized reactions from the crowd!

Some people, especially the most cautious, those who distrusted the government, or those who had no sales channels of their own, changed their expressions drastically, as if their tails had been stepped on:

"What?"

"The money is given to the Ministry of Works, and the goods are also left for the Ministry of Works to sell?"

"Doesn't that mean they have all the power to decide?"

"How much they sold, how much they made—it's all just talk!"

"If we claim we lost out later, who will we turn to?"

"No, no!"

"Throwing this money into the water at least makes a splash, but handing it over to the government... it's like throwing a meat bun to a dog!"

"Let's go, let's go!"

"This isn't doing business; it's giving money to government officials!"

Many people immediately felt that this was just another way for the government to raise funds, with no guarantee whatsoever, and simply turned away.

The old man who had been hesitating beside Fang the accountant sighed heavily, shook his head, and left.

However, another group of people, including Fang the accountant, were momentarily stunned, but their eyes suddenly lit up!

"Ministry of Industry... acting as a reseller? Just waiting for dividends?"

Fang, the accountant, quickly processed the sentence, his heart pounding. What did this mean?

This means that ordinary people like them, who have no sales channels, no knowledge of the glass market, and are afraid of the risk of overstocking, only need to put up money and then wait to get their share!

All the pressure of production, sales, and pricing rests on the Ministry of Industry!

Their only concerns are whether the Ministry of Industry can sell the goods and whether it will distribute profits honestly!

"Mr. Fang, this...this seems...safer?"

The woman helping in the kitchen whispered that she hated all the hassle; she couldn't bring herself to buy the goods and then have to hawk them on the street herself.

"More than just safe!" The dark-faced man finally realized what was happening and excitedly slapped his thigh. "We'll provide the money, and the imperial court will provide the labor!"

"Let's split the profits together!"

"This...this is like a pie falling from the sky!"

"Where can a small family like ours find such a good deal?"

"Selling it yourself used to involve renting a shop, monitoring market prices, and worrying about losing money. Now I don't have to worry about any of that!"

The accountant nodded emphatically, his mind now completely clear, all his previous doubts vanished: "Yes!"

"By pooling our money, we've essentially joined the group."

"The Ministry of Works took our money and other people's money to manufacture and sell glass."

"They sell more, they earn more, and we get a larger share."

"They sell less, so we get less, but at least we don't have to bear the risk of not being able to sell our own products!"

"The Ministry of Works deserves its share of the profits, which is a fair percentage!"

"They provide the recipe, the craftsmen, the kiln, and they're also responsible for turning the goods into money!"

"We'll put up some capital and wait for the profits. What more could we ask for?"

The more he talked about it, the more he felt that this method was brilliant, and it was tailor-made for ordinary people like them who wanted to benefit from new things but were afraid of taking risks!

No wonder it's called "fundraising for shares, government-run sales"!

"Let's do it! We have to!"

The accountant made up his mind: "I'll go sign the contract right now!"

"Invest early, and you might be able to catch the first wave of dividends!"

When they finished signing the contract and received their "share certificate," their feelings were completely different from before; they were filled with anticipation.

Hearing the news that "the cutting and polishing skills will be taught for free" made him even more overjoyed.

Learning this skill will provide an additional livelihood, even if you don't work in sales. In the future, you might even be able to find a job in the Ministry of Industry's glass workshop or "official sales outlets." These are real benefits!

"Quickly, sign up everyone in the family who is nimble and agile!"

"If I learn a skill, even if I don't get any dividends in the future, I'll still have food to eat!"

......

That afternoon, at the Zhou residence.

Wu Fu gave a detailed report on the new model he had learned about.

After listening, Zhou Shichang first raised an eyebrow, then burst into laughter, his laughter filled with undisguised contempt.

"Fundraising through shareholding, government-run sales, and then just waiting for dividends?"

He shook his head, as if he had heard something utterly ridiculous: "Our Emperor, and those officials in the Ministry of Works, really... they'll come up with any trick or scheme to make money."

"This is no longer about competing with the people for profit; this is treating the people like pigs and sheep, drawing a big pie in the sky and then trying to make money off them."

"Master's insight is brilliant," Wu Fu echoed. "This model may seem to save the people a lot of trouble, but in reality, their lives are entirely in the hands of the Ministry of Works."

"He says the cost is what it is, he says the selling price is what it is, and he says how many were sold."

"In the end, whether or not to divide the spoils, whether to divide them more or less, or even to divide them at all, is entirely up to him."

"Those peasants are probably being sold out and they're even helping to count the money."

"That's exactly right." Zhou Shichang took a sip of tea. "Moreover, do the math: ten taels per share, a hundred shares would only amount to a thousand taels."

"Even if there were thousands of such 'alliances,' how much silver could they raise?"

"A million is the absolute maximum!"

"The Ministry of Works went to such lengths just to gather these paltry sums?"

"This shows their dire straits."

"Furthermore, it's sold through the Ministry of Works... Hmph, government-run businesses, how many have ever been thriving and had clear accounts?"

"It's nothing more than raising another batch of parasites and adding another layer of exploitation."

"That 30% profit is probably not even enough to satisfy the appetites of those clerks."

"If we lose money, what will we get in dividends?"

"A simple 'poor management' is enough to appease those fools."

He put down his teacup and said firmly, "Therefore, we need to remain calm and composed."

"This model only attracts ordinary people who fantasize about getting something for nothing or who are fooled by 'free skills'."

"The real huge sums of money are untouchable."

"When the Ministry of Works realizes that this small amount of silver is useless, or that it cannot fulfill its promises for the first dividend period, causing public resentment, it will naturally come back to us for help."

"At that time, what we want will not be this vague 'profit-sharing right'."

......

Qingyutang.

Upon hearing about the new model, Chen Wannian's chubby face jiggled with laughter: "Brilliant!"

"Should we let government officials be shopkeepers, selling goods and sharing the profits for the people?"

"Can this last?"

"Officials have no backbone; when the accounts are completely black, those who paid money will be left with nowhere to turn!"

"Let's just watch the show, that's all."

"Look at these officials in the Ministry of Works, how are they going to keep up this 'sharing profits with the people' show?"

"After the stage collapses, let's see if there are any pieces of wood we can pick up."