My hotel is full of emperors throughout history.

All the emperors, including Li Shimin and Zhu Yuanzhang who had been observing, were dumbfounded.

"One hundred... coins?!"

Liu Che raised an eyebrow.

"Manager Chen, don't try to sell to us cheaply just because we're the emperor. We don't need it..."

Suddenly, Liu Che seemed to realize something and looked at the smiling Chen Mo.

"Are you planning to use this to rip off rich people?"

"good!"

Chen Mo smiled and nodded.

"As you can tell from your reactions just now, what's valuable isn't the thing itself, but the story behind it and its rarity."

Chen Mo looked at the increasingly interested group and continued speaking.

"If we were to label these crystal glass cups, and even more exquisite and larger glass ornaments, as 'exotic treasures from overseas,' 'masterpieces of nature,' or 'relics of immortals,' and release them in limited quantities..."

Chen Mo paused for a moment, then gave an example.

"For example, if you make a transparent glass kylin like this, you can say that it is a manifestation of auspiciousness from an overseas fairy mountain, and that obtaining it can ward off evil spirits and bring blessings to your descendants."

"Then the news spread that this was an auspicious omen from heaven, a once-in-a-century occurrence."

Or perhaps,

Chen Mo's smile grew even more shrewd.

"We'll create a set of glass statues depicting the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea. We'll say that these were made by an overseas craftsman who dreamt of meeting an immortal and received a secret technique from him. Each statue contains a wisp of immortal energy. If you collect all eight and place them in your home, you can attract wealth, good fortune, and longevity..."

"In addition, the mirrors you saw in the room earlier can also be sold."

"It is said that a fairy's precious mirror was lost to the mortal world. As long as you look in the mirror every day, you can absorb a bit of fairy energy, prolong your life, and beautify your skin."

"Do you think those powerful families will go crazy fighting over it?"

"After all, they don't lack money at all; what they lack are things that can demonstrate their status."

Chen Mo looked at the group of emperors and concluded.

"In short, the thing is still the same thing, but it's given a mysterious veil and a unique story."

"We will strictly control the number of units released—only one unit will be sold at a time, and no more will be sold."

"Let everyone know that money can't always buy this; it also depends on luck and status!"

"At that time, won't those powerful families be at our mercy, vying for this unique auspicious omen and those elusive celestial aura and blessings?"

"But what if they've already planned to lower the price?"

Fusu, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but ask.

"Don't worry about that. They're not a rock-solid group. They might say they won't make a move, but when the time comes, the prices will probably be higher than ever!"

However, Chen Mo offered another method.

"Give each of them a slip of paper, have them write down a number and hand it in, then sell it to the person with the highest number."

Chen Mo chuckled slyly.

"At that time, no one will know how much others will pay, but they are afraid that they will not get it, so the price they write down will probably be more than the auction price."

"In this way, the mountains of gold and silver accumulated by those powerful families over generations will flow into the national treasury like a flood that has been released."

"After all, you can squeeze money out of people, but once you miss out on this stuff, you really can't get it again!"

"At a negligible cost, they accumulated real wealth, which they then used to replenish the national treasury, implement new policies, and consolidate imperial power..."

"What do you all think about this deal? Is it worth it?"

"Hiss~!"

Upon hearing this, all the emperors, including Fusu and Zhu Biao who were standing nearby, couldn't help but gasp.

Negative!

That's fucking sneaky!!!

But they like it!!!

I love it so much!

"Brilliant!"

Zhu Yuanzhang slapped his thigh, so excited he almost jumped up.

"Damn it! These pedantic scholars always believe in this kind of mystical stuff!"

"Let's get a twelve-animal zodiac glass paperweight first! No, let's get the Twenty-Four Filial Piety Scrolls! Let's see if those pedantic scholars will buy it!"

"Do it! We must do it! I want them to cough up all the money they've swallowed!"

Liu Che couldn't stop smiling.

Then, he gave Chen Mo a deep look.

"I thought the government monopoly on salt and iron was already ruthless enough! But Manager Chen, you're even more ruthless than me!"

"Now that's great! Those powerful and royal families are probably eager to give me money, and after they do, they'll be gloating, thinking they've received a tremendous benefit!"

"Manager Chen's move was indeed ruthless!"

Li Shimin couldn't help but praise it.

"But I like it! The more the better!"

After hearing this, Old Zhu became even more convinced of his previous idea.

"Let me tell you! He's even more unscrupulous than a profiteer!"

"His mind is full of damn dirty tricks!"

"If this were in our Great Ming Dynasty, we probably wouldn't even have enough skin to peel off!"

Chen Mo was somewhat dissatisfied after hearing this.

What kind of talk is that!

He helped you get back the money from the wealthy family, and you still called him a profiteer!

Is this appropriate?

Where did he commit adultery?

Isn't it just a normal business transaction based on mutual consent?

Chen Mo looked at the group of emperors and pondered for a moment.

"Now that you've made money, what do you plan to do with it?"

"What are you doing?"

The emperors were stunned.

Ying Zheng was the first to speak.

"Build roads! Construct canals! Fortify the border!"

"I will ensure that the roads of the Great Qin Dynasty connect the north and south, that water conservancy benefits all people, and that the Great Wall forever guards the frontier!"

"This is the foundation for all ages!"

Liu Che pondered for a moment, his gaze sharper than ever before.

"Supply the artisans first, then expand the army! Prepare for war! Forge more armor and powerful crossbows!"

"The hooves I desire will traverse the northern deserts and western regions!"

"All wealth should be used to quell the Xiongnu and expand our territory!"

Li Shimin's considerations were more balanced.

"Part of it should be used to replenish the treasury in preparation for disasters and wars; part should be invested in river engineering and water conservancy to benefit the people and ensure the country's stability; if there is any surplus, taxes should be reduced or exempted to allow the people to rest and recuperate, and then funds should be provided to government schools to revitalize education."

Zhu Yuanzhang counted on his fingers, the abacus clicking away.

"First, we need to raise the officials' salaries!"

"These bastards, when their salaries are low, they find all sorts of ways to embezzle!"

"Then, we built water conservancy projects, established military farms, and relocated people to strengthen the border areas! These were all real and tangible achievements!"

"Oh, right, we also need to allocate funds to the Ministry of Works so they can thoroughly study those agricultural books and blueprints you provided!"

Zhu Di's approach combined the characteristics of both his father and himself.

"The military expenses for the Northern Expedition must be guaranteed! The compilation of the Yongle Encyclopedia should also receive increased investment."

"Furthermore, the Grand Canal needed to be kept running smoothly, and the construction of Beijing could not be halted..."

Chen Mo smiled slightly after hearing their plan.

"Have you ever considered establishing a bank?"

"bank?"