My family has been wielding knives for generations, but now it's my turn to wield a pen!

"..."

Looking at Helian Zhaoyue's eyes, which seemed to be spitting fire, Jiang Xiaobai couldn't help but chuckle twice.

Does this woman not want to listen?

Ha, but he still insisted on saying it.

Jiang Xiaobai immediately said slowly, "I suggest that the people contacting the border cities should be rotated every half month."

"This way, we can avoid the situation where someone is bribed and secretly harms the interests of all three parties!"

After listening, Teng Zixiu nodded slightly.

This is fair; more frequent rotations will put everyone at ease.

Before he could speak, Jiang Xiaobai's voice rang out again: "Also, Qi can settle accounts monthly upon delivery, but... Bei Yu cannot; it's always cash on delivery!"

"And each time, we have to pay an extra 20% deposit!"

At this point, Jiang Xiaobai said calmly, "So that when the goods arrive, Bei Yu won't renege on his promise again!"

"Why should I?!"

Helian Zhaoyue slammed her hand on the table and stood up, her face full of anger.

The State of Qi can settle accounts monthly upon delivery, but the State of Beiyu requires payment in advance before delivery.

It's one thing to pay in advance, but now they want an extra 20% deposit?

Isn't this... discriminatory treatment?

"On what grounds?"

Jiang Xiaobai smiled faintly and said, "Even the Princess can renege on a bet she personally agreed to!"

"Therefore... it's hard for me not to worry that the merchants of Northern Yu will follow suit!"

"What if they get the goods, mount their horses, and run away? Who will compensate our Chinese merchants for their losses?"

"you……"

Helian Zhaoyue's chest heaved violently, and finally she said through gritted teeth, "Fine, I will discuss this matter with your Emperor personally. The affairs of the border market are not something you can decide alone!"

That's right, the main purpose of negotiating at Yipinlou is still the goods.

His Majesty of Dahua would certainly not agree to something like a security deposit.

"We will naturally follow whatever rules His Majesty sets!"

Jiang Xiaobai picked up his teacup, gently blew on it, and said, "But whether the major merchants have the goods on hand and are willing to sell them to Beiyu at that time is another matter entirely!"

"Your Majesty cannot simply shut down all our major businesses just because we have no goods on hand, can you?"

The managers of the eight major merchant houses present were sweating profusely as they listened.

They ignored His Majesty's words, but now that Jiang Xiaobai had spoken, they dared not disobey.

After all, the business of this unique perfume is entirely in Jiang Xiaobai's hands.

If Jiang Xiaobai says he won't sell, even if the imperial court sets rules for border markets, they wouldn't dare to easily go against Jiang Xiaobai.

"well!"

Helian Zhaoyue, furious, uttered two "Fine!"s: "The previous bet isn't null and void! What do you want to know? I'll tell you!"

"Feel sorry!"

Jiang Xiaobai smiled faintly and said, "This young master doesn't want to hear it now!"

Clang!

The long sword was drawn instantly.

Helian Zhaoyue charged toward Jiang Xiaobai with her sword, but she was stopped by Dong Lao and Teng Zixiu from the left and right after taking only two steps.

"Princess, calm down!"

Teng Zixiu gripped Helian Zhaoyue's wrist tightly and said, "Before you came to Dahua, you personally told me that no matter what happens, you must remain calm!"

"I can't calm down at all!"

Helian Zhaoyue's eyes reddened, and her voice trembled with tears: "Let me go! Waaah, I'll kill this bastard today!"

Seeing this, Tang Ningshuang's right hand landed on the hilt of her sword, and she looked coldly at Helian Zhaoyue.

The smile on the princess's face also faded.

"Now is not the time to act impulsively!"

Dong Lao seized the opportunity and snatched the long sword from Helian Zhaoyue's hand.

Teng Zixiu also whispered and persuaded Helian Zhaoyue for a while before pressing her back into her seat.

After finishing all this, Teng Zixiu wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked at Jiang Xiaobai, saying, "Then let's do as the young master says!"

"Brother Teng is truly sensible!"

Jiang Xiaobai nodded with a big smile.

In the following period, Teng Zixiu led the two sides in continued negotiations.

The list of goods is jointly verified by the three parties, with each business responsible for its own area.

The transport routes were divided into several, each destined for a border town, to prevent the goods from piling up.

As for payment, Qi State settles accounts monthly, while Bei Yu pays in advance and delivers the goods, plus an additional 20% guarantee silver.

Teng Zixiu wanted to fight for Bei Yu several times, but seeing Jiang Xiaobai's indifferent gaze, she could only swallow her words back.

Helian Zhaoyue didn't say another word from beginning to end, she just sat there, constantly glaring at Jiang Xiaobai.

In just one hour, Jiang Xiaobai felt like he had been glared at by this woman at least a thousand times.

If looks could kill, he would probably be reduced to ashes by now!

"Alright!"

Gradually, after all the details were finalized, Jiang Xiaobai stretched, stood up, and said, "Then let's arrange it this way!"

"Little prince!"

A manager of a business quickly stood up, his face full of anticipation, and asked, "About the perfume..."

As he spoke, the manager of the business rubbed his hands together.

Although the other seven families did not speak, their eyes were also fixed on Jiang Xiaobai, full of anticipation.

The border town is important, but the perfume is right in front of us.

Such a piece of fatty meat, naturally everyone would want to take a bite.

Don't worry!

Jiang Xiaobai smiled and said, "Once the perfume is officially in mass production, I will have Jingshang notify everyone as soon as possible."

"As for the share and price, we'll discuss that in detail later!"

Upon hearing this, the managers of the eight major merchant houses all breathed a sigh of relief.

"Furthermore, you may stay in the capital for a couple more days!"

Jiang Xiaobai continued, "I will send someone to deliver some samples to you in the next couple of days."

"After you go back, you can promote it in various places, letting people smell and see it, but don't sell it to the public yet!"

"Once everyone's appetite is whetted, then release the perfume!"

At this point, Jiang Xiaobai's lips curled up: "This is... the art of scarcity marketing, it's incredibly effective!"

"Hunger marketing?"

Those present listened with puzzled expressions.

They didn't understand what the strange word meant, but when they put it in context, it seemed to make a lot of sense.

The perfume hadn't even been sold yet, but it had already made them so eager to buy it.

If everyone in the world can smell the fragrance but can't buy it, by the time it officially goes on sale, the doorstep of the shop will probably be worn down by people walking all over it.

Upon realizing this, the eyes of the managers of the eight major merchant houses lit up simultaneously, and they all bowed and agreed.

"Well, in that case, let's call it a day!"

Jiang Xiaobai nodded in satisfaction, then his gaze fell on Helian Zhaoyue: "Your Highness, when you have time, would you like to visit our Duke Zhenguo's military camp?"

"Then... hey, I'll give you a huge surprise!"

"Great! This princess loves surprises the most!!"

Helian Zhaoyue snorted coldly, gritted her teeth, glared at Jiang Xiaobai, and turned to walk outside.

That's right, she doesn't want to see that bastard for even a second right now.

The eight major merchants and the customers present also stood up and bowed to Jiang Xiaobai to take their leave.

Jiang Xiaobai escorted everyone to the gate of Yipinlou, watching as sedan chairs and carriages departed one after another.

The members of the Northern Yu delegation also began preparing their carriages.

Just as Helian Zhaoyue was about to board the carriage, another carriage slowly approached from afar and finally came to a steady stop outside Yipinlou.

Jiang Xiaobai glanced at it, his expression filled with doubt.

At that moment, the curtain of the carriage was lifted from the inside.

The next moment, Helian Zhaoyue, who was standing next to him, suddenly cried out in surprise, her displeasure vanished, and she rushed over excitedly...