Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 426 Don’t put eggs in one basket
The crown prince is about to ascend the throne, and for Zhang Yanling, those long-shelved projects can be officially launched.

There was no need to seek anyone's opinion. This was originally a project he was cooperating on with the Huizhou merchants. Previously, the Huizhou merchants, led by Qin Zhao, had contributed money and effort to the prince's enthronement. Now it was time to reward them and let them feel the benefits of cooperating with the powerful.

Zhang Yanling then met with Qin Zhao and took Qin Zhao to appreciate his newly opened workshop.

It does not involve military industry, it just brings out the soda ash manufacturing project that has been mentioned before, so that people can see the specific production process.

"Second Master, with such a large site and so many craftsmen, and such a long preparation time, I wonder when we can see the benefits?"

Qin Zhao smiled and asked, "It's not that I care about how much the return is, I'm just afraid that after the product is produced, no one will buy it even if it is the best product ever."

in business.

Qin Zhao is not the kind of person who invests blindly.

The five thousand taels of silver she gave to Zhang Yanling before was not only because of her appreciation of the market prospects of soda ash, but more of an invisible investment in the prince's power.

Of course, when it comes to investment, most people will exaggerate the benefits to investors before actually seeing the returns. Now, she has little confidence in the market prospects of soda ash... Mainly because this thing will always change once it is sold by royal relatives.

Zhang Yanling said: "This is just the primary product, that is, soda ash itself. Obviously, the market demand for compound products, that is, reprocessed products, is not that great. We have to digest it ourselves and transfer its added value to downstream factories. In general, we produce, sell and use it ourselves."

"This……"

Qin Zhao couldn't help but frown when he heard this.

It turns out that all businessmen are dishonest!

If you want to cooperate with Zhang Yanling, you really have to be prepared to be cheated.

If the products are sold in the market, the profits will naturally be divided according to the previously agreed proportion. But if they are produced and sold by themselves... then what price should be used for internal consumption after these products are produced? And she does not have the right to cooperate with Zhang Yanling for other products.

This means that Zhang Yanling and her cooperated in an industry, but the products could not be sold, so Zhang Yanling had to buy them himself, and when buying them, he tried to keep the price as low as possible so that she could not see any profit.

Zhang Yanling smiled and said, "I know what Mr. Qin is worried about. The products produced by the downstream industries, such as soaps, will all be divided according to the agreed shareholding ratio. The next step is to start the production of colored glaze, especially the dressing mirrors that were manufactured before... and then further processing."

Qin Zhao felt much better after hearing this. He smiled and said, "Second Young Master, it seems like you planned all this in advance. I'm afraid you thought of this step more than half a year ago. It's really... rare... If these workshops need to continue to increase investment, just tell me."

"That's not necessary."

Zhang Yanling said, "The initial investment is already huge, so there is no need to add more. The technology and other things are also in place... But as for downstream sales, Mr. Qin can talk to other Huizhou merchants... After all, we have to sell the goods to make money, and we can't just rely on the Beijing market."

Qin Zhao said, "Second Master, don't worry. We have people from the capital to Nanjing, Hangzhou, Fuzhou, and Guangzhou... Hui merchants travel all over the world, and there are also businesses along the Yangtze River from Bashu to Jiangnan. As long as the products produced are good, there is no need to worry about sales. There is one more thing I want to discuss with you during this meeting."

"please say."

Zhang Yanling waved his hand.

Qin Zhao smiled slightly: "Now there are rumors outside that your father will soon enter the cabinet. He is now the president of the Hanlin Academy. In the future, he will be related to Huizhou merchants... that is, salt permits. I wonder if..."

Zhang Yanling smiled but said nothing.

This group of businessmen really know how to take advantage of every opportunity.

Just like Qin Zhaozhi went to the Zhang family to get closer, her purpose was to get more political resources from the Zhang family. Now there are rumors that Zhang Luan is going to join the cabinet and even has the ability to influence the court. She must want to maximize her benefits.

Today, the most profitable business in the world is still the salt and tea trade.

Qin Zhao was panicked when she saw Zhang Yanling remained silent. She lowered her head and said, "If you have any difficulties, just think of it as my fault."

"Do not."

Zhang Yanling shook his head and said, "Some things will be done sooner or later, but it will take some time to accomplish them. My father has no real power now, and his high position and power are just rumors for the time being. After all, even the crown prince has not ascended the throne yet... We can't rush into things, right?"

"What the Second Young Master said is absolutely right."

Qin Zhao said quickly, "However, if your father can help us Huizhou merchants in this matter, we will definitely return the favor and will absolutely... obey your orders in the future."

"I will help if I can, but don't hold your hopes too high. It's best for you to solve business matters on your own. Even if my father is truly qualified to exercise power in the court, it must be handled impartially. Everything still depends on how it is run, and we must ensure fairness and justice."

Zhang Yanling said it calmly.

When Qin Zhao heard this, he was thinking in his heart, look at this person, his family is not even in power yet, but he is using all these diplomatic rhetoric, he is almost leading me into a ditch.

You still have to be careful when interacting with the Zhang family.

This family is full of smart people.

……

……

Qingning Palace.

Queen Mother Zhou once again called her grandson over. It seemed that she just wanted him to come over for a simple meal to calm his sorrow over his father's death, but in fact, Queen Mother Zhou's main purpose was to persuade her grandson to marry as soon as possible.

"My dear grandson, since ancient times, if you want to accomplish the great cause of a king, you must stabilize the people's hearts. Now that you have started a family and are about to ascend the throne, the thing that worries our ancestors the most is that you... have no offspring yet." Queen Mother Zhou brought up the old matter again and used moral principles to pressure her grandson.

Zhu Youtang said respectfully, "My grandson understands. But... I have younger brothers. Even if something happens, there will be someone to support me." Queen Mother Zhou rolled her eyes at him and said, "You are quite free and easy, but have you ever thought about whether your younger brothers can do things well? The inheritance of the royal heir has always been the most important thing. How can you convince others if you have no children?"

"But……"

Zhu Youtang was still talking about the difficulties. "Many things cannot be forced. Just like now that my father has just passed away, I am only concerned about mourning for him and will not think about other things for the time being."

Queen Mother Zhou said, "There is a saying among the people that eggs should not be put in one basket. You only have the Crown Princess serving you now. If the Crown Princess cannot give birth, then you will not even have an heir in the future. Even if you want to observe mourning for your father, you can first take in a few concubines into the palace. In this way...wouldn't the chance of giving birth to an heir in the future...be greater?"

At this point, Queen Mother Zhou actually laughed.

Perhaps she felt that it was somewhat disrespectful to induce her grandson in this way, but she did not care.

Nowadays, she is probably the only one in the entire palace who can still smile in front of others.

And no one dared to say anything. After all, she was the deceased emperor's biological mother. She could laugh if she wanted to. What could you do to her?

Zhu Youtang looked reserved and said, "Grandmother, I know what you mean, but I really won't think about these things right now. Even if I just have a thought, it would be unfilial to my father.

"In fact, for my grandson, concubines are all the same. I have no desire for these things. What's more... the Crown Princess is really good to me. I feel that having her by my side is enough.

"Also... my grandson wants to make things as peaceful as possible in the future, and not let the palace become a mess and cause headaches..."

Queen Mother Zhou frowned and asked, "Grandson, what do you mean by this? Are you saying that I asked you to take a concubine to cause trouble for you?"

Zhu Youtang explained: "My grandson thought that with more people around, there would always be disputes, and it would be difficult to reach a unified opinion on some things. My grandson is now devoted to mourning for his father, and his mood is depressed. He really can't bear those things."

In fact, Zhu Youtang was more worried about getting along with strangers.

Of course he didn't know how to say this.

People in this era obviously cannot have empathy, just like Queen Mother Zhou really cannot understand the mentality of people with autism. She only thinks that as a man, it is good to have a bunch of beautiful women around you. Who doesn't want to have many wives and concubines?

Driven by this kind of thinking, she had no idea how much her grandson longed for a simple and warm life.

Even when Zhang Yu entered the palace, she had to use some tricks in advance to open Zhu Youtang's heart. Now, if a woman is forced on him casually, it would be strange if he could accept it.

Queen Mother Zhou said, "There's no need to disturb others. Just look at those maids you met when the Crown Princess was selected. Those who are still unmarried, why not find some to serve you?"

"No."

Zhu Youtang refused very straightforwardly. In this matter, his attitude was unusually firm. "Please, Grandmother, fulfill my filial piety and don't mention this for the time being. Otherwise, I will feel very guilty and feel sorry for my father... Besides, I really don't want to mess with other women."

Queen Mother Zhou was very anxious.

Another fist hit the cotton!

She was thinking, why is this child just not smart?

Could it be that he was entangled by his little wife, and it was the Crown Princess who asked him to say so?

Or is it that Zhang Laizhan is very scheming, and after I met him, he immediately mentioned what I said to his daughter and asked his daughter to slander the emperor to the prince in advance?

"Oh, that's how it is."

Queen Mother Zhou adopted an open-minded attitude and continued to eat with her grandson.

When they were almost done eating, Queen Mother Zhou suddenly asked, "Have you met the Crown Princess a lot these past two days?"

Zhu Youtang shook his head and said, "I only met the Crown Princess once these two days and had a meal together."

"What did you say?"

Empress Dowager Zhou asked quickly, "I haven't seen her in the past two days, and you are keeping vigil in Fengtian Hall. Since she doesn't have to accompany you, why doesn't she come to pay her respects?"

Zhu Youtang shook his head and said, "It was just a simple question about her well-being. I told her not to worry. Grandmother, let your grandson do the filial duty... Yu'er is also very sad about the death of her father. She has no energy to do anything. She has lost a lot of weight in the past few days. It's heartbreaking to see her."

"Oh."

Queen Mother Zhou asked again, "Didn't she say anything about helping you find a concubine?"

"what!?"

Zhu Youtang was puzzled, and then asked curiously: "Grandmother, I don't understand what you mean. Why did she tell me this?"

Queen Mother Zhou asked, "She didn't mention it at all?"

"No."

Zhu Youtang shook his head decisively and said, "She and I are still grieving and sad, and we don't even talk much. Why would we say such nonsense? Is the Empress Dowager going to tell her about this?"

"That's no need."

Queen Mother Zhou thought to herself, if your future queen knew that I, her grandmother, was going to take a concubine for you, she would definitely treat me as a bad person!
I still have to maintain the image of a kind grandmother!
As for Zhang Laizhan... and his daughter, they are so lucky... Why is my grandson so stupid as to be so devoted to a little girl from outside the palace?
(End of this chapter)