Ming Pixu wiped a bead of cold sweat from his brow.
Six hundred thousand taels of silver for a cement formula, on top of the commitment to construct the main road through the entire Xuzhou region — it was impossible not to feel the sting.
Fortunately, the price was not high enough to shake the Ming family to its core. And in the long run, this venture would surely bring him considerable profit.
Temporary pain must simply be endured.
He penned the final sum onto the contract Yun Shu had presented and signed his name with a steady hand.
Ming Pixu thought the negotiations had concluded. Holding the completed contract, he was already preparing to take his leave when Yun Shu, who had just put away her own copy, suddenly called out to him.
"Head Ming, stay a moment. This Princess has also prepared a modest gift for you. It should be arriving shortly. Once you have received it, you may go."
"This subject thanks Your Highness for Your generosity."
Ming Pixu bowed in gratitude, though unease stirred in his heart. He was no fool. He knew too well that the Crown Princess would never offer a gift without reason.
But what, exactly, was she planning?
Within the time it took for one cup of tea to cool, Ming Pixu had conjured up a dozen different possibilities in his mind.
None, however, prepared him for the arrival of several bolts of exquisitely dyed cloth.
Beautiful fabric? Was there something special about it?
Perplexed, Ming Pixu could not help but take a closer look.
And then, his eyes narrowed.
"May this subject be so bold as to inquire, Your Highness, what kind of fabric this is? Why has this subject never seen its like before?"
"A new variety," Yun Shu replied with a slight smile. "This Princess has named it 'cotton cloth.'"
She added helpfully, "Head Ming need not feel burdened. This fabric is exceedingly cheap. The production cost for a single bolt is less than fifty copper coins."
"Less than fifty?"
Even without experience in the textile trade, Ming Pixu could not contain his shock.
"Such fine-looking cloth, and so inexpensive?"
What fabrics were typically used for garments on the market?
Silk, satin, brocade, and hemp.
The first three were luxury goods, far beyond the reach of commoners.
Ordinary folk wore mostly hemp clothing — rough, plain, and rarely dyed in attractive colors. Even the lightest shades always looked dingy or ashen.
And yet, even a bolt of hemp cloth could sell for one to three hundred copper coins.
This cotton cloth, by contrast, was softer, more comfortable, and dyed in vibrant hues. If priced between three to five hundred coins, it would still find eager buyers among the masses.
This was... a golden opportunity!
Ming Pixu's heart raced. He looked up, eyes gleaming.
"Might this humble subject inquire whether this cloth business..."
"Head Ming is interested?"
Yun Shu laughed.
"To be candid, the process of producing cotton cloth itself is not difficult. What proved challenging was reducing the cost.
This Princess achieved that through the use of an improved spinning machine. One such machine can spin in a day what once required eight. Only by this innovation was the cost brought down.
As it happens, this Princess intends to present this new spinning machine at the end of the year as a reward to the Merchants' Association that pays the highest commercial tax."
So this was one of the long-promised rewards the Crown Princess had mentioned when she first established the Merchants' Association.
Though the secrets of this improved machine could not be kept forever — someone would eventually replicate it — it could likely be kept under wraps for at least six months. Perhaps even a full year.
That window of time would be more than enough for the merchants of Xuzhou to dominate the cotton cloth market.
Even when rivals emerged, Xuzhou would be the first name associated with cotton cloth.
This must be taken.
Without delay.
He would return and summon every Xuzhou merchant at once. This year, they would all contribute more in taxes.
Clutching the bolts of cloth as he left the Ministry of Works, Ming Pixu was equal parts exhilarated and regretful.
If only he had not offended the Sixth Prince today, he might have negotiated a slightly lower price for the cement formula.
The money saved could have been used for another small venture — to earn more profit and pay more in taxes.
What a shame.
What he did not know was that the very Sixth Prince he had supposedly offended, Yun Chuhuan, had shed every trace of irritation the instant Ming Pixu stepped out the door.
In its place was giddy delight.
He practically bounced in place.
"Fifth Sister, Fifth Sister! Did I not act superbly just now? Sixty thousand taels! That's ten thousand more than you predicted!"
"Quite well done," Yun Shu said, raising a brow. She tucked the contract away with a wave of her sleeve. "Once Head Ming delivers the banknotes, you shall receive five thousand."
Five. Thousand.
His Fifth Sister was surely the kindest, most radiant bodhisattva to ever grace this earth!
Drowning in debt as he was, Yun Chuhuan nearly fell to his knees in thanks.
"Wuwuwu, Fifth Sister, I knew it! You're the only one who truly cares about me! Next time you have a scheme like this, call me again! I swear — if you tell me to head east, I won't even glance west! If you ask me to bark like a dog, I won't meow once!"
Yun Shu blinked.
Was there no bottom to his shamelessness?
A proper prince, volunteering to bark?
She extended a single finger and unceremoniously pushed his face away.
"You certainly have grand ideas. This sort of thing only works once. You think such luck can strike repeatedly?"
"There are thirty-four provinces in all, and this was only the president from Xuzhou!" Yun Chuhuan remained irrepressibly cheerful.
"Fifth Sister, gather them up! Next time I have a rest day, we'll meet them all at once!"
"Unnecessary."
With the sixty thousand taels Head Ming had agreed to, Yun Shu now had a firm baseline price.
Anyone unwilling to match it?
Had they never heard the saying, 'To get rich, first build roads'?
For a merchant, would one rather travel a smooth cement road to a clean and well-kept city, or jostle over uneven dirt paths to a filthy, chaotic one?
When every other province completed its roads, and only theirs remained a mess, would they still attract trade?
Of course not.
Thirty-four provinces.
Over twenty million taels.
She was rich beyond imagining.
"Hahahahahaha!
If Father Emperor learned the true sum, he would surely turn green with envy."
Elated, Yun Shu led Yun Chuhuan out of the side courtyard, basking in the glow of newfound wealth.
At her side, his suggestion having been rebuffed, Yun Chuhuan still trailed after her, muttering persistently.
"Fifth Sister, are you truly not going to try pushing it higher? I really think we could get even more."
===
If you have been reading my historical translations, you probably know I keep a private glossary of ancient China terms in Google Docs. I usually share the link in the chapter comments. I realized some of you read on the app, and copying links there can be a hassle (´･ᴗ･`).
So I am officially uploading the glossary here on Webnovel under The Imperial Handbook: A Practical Guide to Ancient Chinese Society. This will make it easier to access, and I can keep updating it whenever I meet a useful term, office, rank, or cultural note. Whether you are new to history novels or want deeper context, I hope it makes your reading smoother and more fun. (๑˃ᴗ˂)ﻭ
If it helps, please add the handbook to your Library and give it a read. While you are there, feel free to add the rest of my handbook series as well:
• The Xianxia Handbook: A Guide to Cultivation and BeyondIn short: for all things Cultivation, Realms, and Daoist magic.
• The Imperial Handbook: A Practical Guide to Ancient Chinese SocietyIn short: for historical topics, courts, bureaucracy, and daily life in the past.
• The Webnovel Handbook: A Guide to Slang, Tropes, and Inside JokesIn short: for community slang, inside jokes, and fun tropes. The cover is ready, chapters will follow soon.
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