A son who doesn't resemble his father? Love you, old man, see you at Xuanwu Gate!

Chapter 16 Military Coup
Liu Ju defined silk as a top-tier luxury item.

With its vivid and lively silk patterns, the merchants, both large and small, in the hall were all impressed and gave it their approval.

However, even the best things have a life of their own, because people's likes and dislikes are constantly changing.

A thing that was once highly sought after and unattainable by everyone a few years, decades, or even hundreds of years ago may eventually become a "chicken rib" that is neither delicious nor worth discarding as time goes by.

Therefore, a top-tier luxury item does not mean that the product's characteristics represent the pinnacle of its industry, but rather that its customers represent the pinnacle of all industries, a wide and diverse group.

However, it's impossible to gain acceptance from all "smart people" through a single sales channel or a single target audience.

This is just self-admiration and will only become a hobby of a small circle.

The essence of releasing a small portion for retail is to let the world see the "beauty of treasures," to provide high emotional value, and to let those foolish and hypocritical people revel through the medium of the object.

And he amassed countless riches.

The truly top-tier luxury brands do not endlessly refine their products, but rather endlessly cultivate their customers.

Distribution and retail are both indispensable.

Unfortunately, many luxury brands fail to see this, stubbornly elevating their products to a level that alienates the masses and the everyday, until they disappear without a trace.

This is precisely why the global market value of luxury brands in later generations could not compare to that of an academician who could produce alcoholic beverages.

Close to the people, yet far from them; two jin of grain, one jin of wine, plus a limited edition of ten bottles, all under the name of "Emperor Han," and they dare to sell it to you for eight million nine hundred thousand.

Of course, Liu Ju wasn't so heartless as to brandish his sickle at the entire Han Dynasty. The exorbitant price of silk would deter all sensible ordinary people, who would only hear about it but not actually buy or sell it.

Bai Xue seemed to understand some of these things, but Liu Ju smiled and gave her time to slowly comprehend them. He then turned to look towards the front hall, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

Dongguo Xianyang, Kong Jin, and Ren Quan were quite interesting. They showed no anger at Zhuo Shang's almost rude refusal to accept the entire share from the three families and instead gave away twenty bolts of silk to the small merchant.

Even if they don't understand the essence of distribution and retail, they are still a family that has come a long way in the business world. There is nothing new under the sun, and one should not underestimate anyone.

"Your Highness, will we expand the weaving workshop?" Bai Xue suddenly asked.

Although she had not yet grasped what the Crown Prince meant, she vaguely sensed that the weaving workshop could not be expanded at will, but the huge profits made her waver.

It should be noted that a pound of raw silk costs only sixty or seventy coins, and twenty pounds of raw silk can produce a bolt of silk. Even with the waste from dyeing and weaving, the cost of a bolt of silk would not exceed two thousand coins.

Two thousand coins, one hundred thousand coins, fifty times the profit, at least forty-nine million coins a month, more than my aunt made in ten years when she controlled the weaving workshop.

Liu nodded, then shook his head and smiled, "Not now."

Good things are not necessarily better in greater quantities. For example, two identical rare antique vases may sell for a lot of money, but if one is smashed to make it a unique and rare item, it may sell for even more.

Silk cannot be compared in this way, but it will always remain scarce among the Han dynasty nobility, thereby driving up its price.

Production should be increased, but it should be increased little by little, step by step, and gradually.

……

Northern Army.

On the banks of the Wei River, Suo Zhong and Jian Xuan looked desperate, and the other accompanying officials also looked tense.

Before them stood rows of neatly arranged warhorses, each rider a soldier clad in studded armor, bows drawn and arrows strung.

Cha Jun.

The problem has been identified.

Based on their observations and the ledgers they obtained, the Northern Army suffered from serious problems of moral decay and military discipline deterioration. It was rampant for officers at all levels to embezzle pay. Although the imperial court paid the full amount of military salaries, the number of soldiers in the camps was often insufficient, creating a discrepancy between the actual number of soldiers and the amount of pay due. This discrepancy was embezzled by officers, which, to be precise, was called "ghost employment."

Even more seriously, the officers not only embezzled their positions, but also misappropriated the pensions of fallen soldiers. During the investigation, they found evidence that the officers temporarily hired street thugs to fill the positions.

Once these ledgers and evidence are presented to the imperial court, a large number of officers and soldiers will be beheaded, including the Grand Marshal, who will be severely punished for lax military discipline.

So, Suo Zhong and Jian Xuan hurriedly led their men to flee, preparing to return to the capital to report, but they were still caught up by General Gongsun Ao, who had received the news.

The arrows, gleaming eerily in the sunlight, sent chills down one's spine.

On horseback, Gongsun Ao looked at Suo Zhong and Jian Xuan, his eyes revealing no hidden meaning or murderous intent.

These two traitors!
He was promoted by the Grand Marshal and went from the shogunate to the imperial court, which is how he got his current status. Now he's about to stab everyone in the back.

These cruel officials are truly a pack of wolves that can never be tamed.

Suo Zhong and Jian Xuan looked ashamed, yet somewhat resigned. Dying here might not be such a bad thing; in this way, they would have no regrets before the Grand Marshal and His Majesty.

Seeing the two of them like this, Zhou Yang, one of the accompanying officials, cursed them under his breath as useless and stepped forward before Gongsun Ao could issue the order to kill them. "General, are you planning a rebellion?"

Gongsun Ao ignored him and raised his right hand. As soon as he lowered it, all the arrows would be fired and everyone in front of him would die. There was no need to waste words on dead people.

"slow!"

Suddenly, Wei Qing's voice came from behind.

"Grand Sima?"

Gongsun Ao dismounted and ran towards Wei Qing, helping the Grand Marshal rein in the horse and stop its hooves.

The cavalrymen on the shore all lowered their bows and arrows in unison.

Wei Qing's gaze swept over Suo Zhong and Jian Xuan, and lingered on Zhou Yangyou for a moment, his eyes so cold that the people standing there remained motionless.

With a "snap," Wei Qing's horsewhip flashed across Gongsun Ao's face, leaving a bright red bloodstain!
After being whipped hard, Gongsun Ao stood up even straighter.

Wei Qing then said sternly, "Everyone, go back and receive twenty strokes of the military rod."

"Yes!" The cavalrymen responded to the Grand Marshal's command as swiftly as mountains.

Zhou Yang suddenly stepped forward and looked at Wei Qing, "Grand Marshal, assassinating an imperial envoy is a capital offense!"

"Who died?" Wei Qingxi asked, looking at him.

These words immediately left Zhou Yang speechless, his face turning ashen.

"Assemble! Return to camp!"

Gongsun Ao gave the order, and the cavalrymen understood immediately. They quickly assembled in front of Gongsun Ao and then left like the wind.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Zhou Yang said "good" three times in a row, then angrily boarded the boat back to the south bank of the Wei River.

Suo Zhong and Jian Xuan didn't even have the courage to look up at Wei Qing before boarding the ship.

"Da Si..."

Gongsun Ao wanted to say something more, but Wei Qing shook his head. "Things have already gotten serious. Killing people will only make things worse. Go and invite His Highness quickly."

(End of this chapter)