Moved, Tears in My Eyes

Fang Zheng pondered for a while, seeing the merchants still waiting eagerly for his answer.

After a faint smile, he replied, "You all need not be suspicious. I have no other thoughts."

"Production and sales can be said to be two completely different paths. Although the textile factory's production results are astonishing, to accurately and quickly sell goods still depends on all of you."

"His Majesty often tells me that scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants are all one body! Though you are merchants, your actions can be said to be for the country and the people!"

"The Great Jing Dynasty's current prosperity is inseparable from your contributions. I am merely sharing His Majesty's burdens."

His Majesty actually said this?!

And for the country and the people?! Our status has been elevated so high!

Upon hearing these words, the merchants' faces immediately flushed red!

Although everyone was wealthy and prosperous, their social status really wasn't that great!

Those without backing were looked down upon by scholars, and if they sold things too expensively, they'd be secretly cursed.

Those with backing were, to put it bluntly, the nobles' dogs!

Who normally took you seriously?

But these words coming from Fang Zheng's mouth were different.

A close minister to the Son of Heaven, and everyone could see his relationship with the Crown Prince.

That respect was genuinely displayed, definitely not fake!

Moreover, everyone had witnessed his actions in Banshan District, and he truly treated merchants well.

Who would have thought... who would have thought... His Majesty and Master Fang valued merchants so highly.

We have hope for the future...

Someone rubbed their eyes and said softly, "Long live His Majesty! Thank you, Master Fang."

Then two or three others joined in, and gradually the voices of gratitude connected into one.

Seeing this, Fang Zheng couldn't help but feel somewhat moved.

It was quite difficult to do business in the Great Jing Dynasty. Acting humbly and deferentially still didn't earn favor, and wanting to wear a couple of scholar's robes could only be done secretly at home for self-satisfaction.

Seeing the merchants were about to continue thanking endlessly, Fang Zheng quickly waved his hands. "Everyone needn't be like this."

"Whether the people of the capital can safely pass through this winter depends on your performance."

"Not just in the capital! Once you get the textile machines and reduce costs while expanding production, in the future you'll need to sell your goods to every corner of our Great Jing Dynasty, so that everyone has clothes to wear."

"By then, you'll not only earn money but also earn reputation! The people will benefit as well. This is a triple win! Win three times!"

"From this you can see that besides making money, you also shoulder the important responsibility of enriching the country and its people! The same moral blood that flows in me also flows in your bodies!"

"Will people still look down on merchants then? No! By then you'll be righteous merchants! Respected by all! Children will even aspire to become merchants!"

"Who won't give you this when they see you..." Fang Zheng held up his thumb as he spoke.

The merchants were moved to tears.

So the same moral blood that flows in Master Fang also flows in our bodies!

With him speaking to this extent, this winter's clothing would have to be sold at low prices no matter what...

If these words got out and they still sold at high prices, wouldn't that make people point fingers behind their backs?

"Ahem, alright, back to business!"

"Speaking of textile machines, I once auctioned them in Jianjiang for several thousand taels each! But that was an emergency measure to provide disaster relief."

"Now that the situation is stable, naturally I can't sell them so expensively. Only... one thousand taels. What do you all think?" Fang Zheng held up one finger.

The merchants huddled together to discuss again.

One thousand taels! Still expensive! Wasn't this just a pile of wooden frames with some iron?

Could it have been blessed by Huijue Monk?

After discussing for a moment, someone stood up and said, "Master Fang's words just now moved me deeply."

"I've long heard of Master Fang's reputation for valuing merchants, so I often tell people that Master Fang is my idol!"

"However, in business matters... forgive my directness, but I believe this textile machine isn't worth one thousand taels. Could it be made cheaper?"

Someone chimed in, "That's right, Master Fang, the loom price is indeed too high."

"To be honest with Master Fang, my Zhao family's business spans the entire north. If we buy looms, a few won't have much effect, but ordering hundreds would be too much pressure. We merchants operating outside all use working capital and really can't come up with so much ready cash!"

Then they began complaining one by one, each voicing their hardships.

Fang Zheng smiled and shook his head. It was merchant nature to haggle, which wasn't surprising at all.

But what was surprising was that so many people had the courage to stand up and haggle with him.

Rather interesting.

Fang Zheng clapped his hands and laughed. "Adorable! Adorable!"

"You truly are the capital's top cloth merchants, daring to haggle with me here."

The merchants were dumbfounded. Everything was fine just now, but the moment they mentioned lowering prices, he became unhappy?

"But doing business requires negotiation! I admire your courage!"

"Seeing how brave you are, I'll give you another discount. Final price, seven hundred taels!"

"I've spoken. Who agrees, who objects?"

The merchants immediately beamed with joy.

They couldn't object anymore. With him being so accommodating, objecting further would truly be ungrateful!

Seeing no objections, Fang Zheng smiled. "Good, then those with purchase intentions can go to Banshan District. I'll arrange for someone to receive you."

"But delivery won't happen this year. Order half a year in advance, and during this half year you can prepare land, build factories, and recruit female workers."

"Moreover! After you buy these textile machines, you can find people to copy them! I absolutely won't interfere!"

"You can also recruit many skilled craftsmen to research better textile machines. If today we can spin five spindles, tomorrow we might spin ten!"

"Broaden your thinking! That's how you make big money!"

The merchants were stirred to excitement.

Too generous! Really too generous. Living a lifetime and finally encountering fortune falling from heaven.

This wasn't even fortune falling from heaven anymore, it was like gold bricks falling!

If they hadn't come today, it would be equivalent to losing a hundred million!

Fang Zheng still smiled as he looked at everyone.

He vaguely remembered high school history mentioning that capitalist sprouts began appearing in the Ming Dynasty.

Free wage labor, factories, employment systems all started with handicraft textile industries.

These things already existed in the market, though not on a large scale.

Perhaps in a few decades... some big capitalists might emerge from these merchants in front of him?

Once this thought appeared, it couldn't be suppressed.

The corners of Fang Zheng's mouth curled up wildly. That would be too interesting.

He might even establish some organization in the future to protect female workers' interests.

"Alright, it's getting late. Everyone can go back and discuss privately."

"You can start selling at reduced prices as early as tomorrow. I'll select a few who reduce prices the most and help promote them in the newspaper for free!"

"That's all for today. Please return, everyone!"

"Master Fang's righteousness!!" The merchants were emotionally stirred and shouted in unison.

Then amid constant pleasantries, they gradually left.

Fang Zheng watched all the merchants depart and sat wearily in his chair.

After bustling about for most of the day, he hadn't drunk a sip of water or eaten a bite of food.

In the future, he should transfer a couple of lecturers from the county to do this work. Doing it personally was too tiring.

After resting briefly, Fang Zheng rode home.

As soon as he entered the door, he saw Li Yuanzhao standing energetically in the courtyard, enthusiastically boasting to the household servants about his glorious achievements in violently cracking down on unscrupulous middlemen.

Damn! This kid really was bored out of his mind. I should assign him more work in the future!

Fang Zheng walked up to Li Yuanzhao with a dark expression and patted his shoulder. "Your Highness, what are you doing?"

Li Yuanzhao turned around with an excited face. "Old Fang, why are you just getting back? I've been waiting for you for ages!"

Fang Zheng sighed and said, "I just came back from the textile factory. Haven't had anything to eat yet. What about you?"

"No... Old Fang, I'm craving that bread. How about you bake me some?"

"Hey! No wait! I came for business this time. I just came from the palace. I heard the Northern Rong delegation is leaving in a couple days. Do you want to see them off?" Li Yuanzhao said.

The Northern Rong delegation finished their talks? They're leaving already?

But thinking carefully, they had indeed stayed for quite a long time.

Paba had given him sixty thousand taels of silver, which he had used to buy clothes for the capital's people.

Emotionally and logically, he should indeed see them off.

"I'll go! A host's courtesy must be fulfilled! I'll go see them off in a couple days!"