Chapter 438 - Why Didn’t You Rob Instead? (II)
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Qufu Dalao Yinwei: “150,000 strings of 1,000 cash… Did the streamer not add 10,000 by mistake?”
Youlai Gengxinle: “Can anyone explain how much 150,000 strings of 1,000 cash is? I can’t count it with my 10 fingers.”
Suoyi Jintianne: “Hahaha. You can’t even count it with the hands and feet of your whole family, let alone your 10 fingers.”
Zhendeshi Liugengo: “Let’s just say that the exchange ratio between copper coins, silver, and gold is different depending on the dynasty. It’s just like the fluctuations in foreign exchange. You wouldn’t understand it even if I explained it in detail. To put it simply, a string of 1,000 cash is equal to about 1,000 pennies. A penny is equal to one yuen. So, guess how much 150,000 strings of 1,000 cash is in renminbi?”
Was an exorbitant profit like that not insane? Traveling to the ancient times with a glass vase would make one a billionaire in an instant. Jiang Pengji wanted to sell a set of glass products for 150 million.
The streamer was not evil-minded; she was evil from head to toe!
Seeing their comments, Jiang Pengji helplessly stated her opinion.
Host V: “I’m not that wicked. It’s, at most, seven to eight million if it’s converted to the currency here.”
Everyone was speechless.
Dashen Mazi: “Pricing something that’s worth seven to eight yuen at seven to eight million isn’t considered wicked?”
Jianfei Shibaile: “The streamer is awesome.”
Liu She calmed himself down, lest he was scared to death by his daughter. He looked at the glass tea set with a deep look in his eyes. He spoke after a while, “If this is the only set in the world, it would not be hard to sell it for 150,000 strings of 1000 cash.”
Jiang Pengji raised her eyebrows and replied, “It’s impossible for this to be the only set.”
“Therefore, the price is too high. Only ‘small profits by quick turnover’ can ‘benefit’ more aristocrats in the Northern Borderline. We need to figure out a price they can accept without feeling like it’s cheap.” Liu She pondered and fixed his gaze on the glass tea set. “You should price it around 20,000 to 30,000 strings of 1,000 cash, and make more styles available. You can adjust the price according to the differences in purity. If you want it to sell well, you have to plan carefully and publicize their origin.”
The audience felt as though Liu She had a good conscience. The audience was appalled that Jiang Pengji wanted to set the price of the glass tea set at 150,000 strings of 1,000 cash.
Xianggu Zuimengla: “Have my values been led astray? Why do I think that glassware that costs 20,000 to 30,000 strings of 1,000 cash is cheap?”
Tumi Dalao: “You’re not alone.”
Buyao Hushuobadao: “You guys aren’t alone.”
Jiang Pengji frowned upon seeing the ridicules.
“Isn’t the price too low?”
Liu She replied, “It’s a pretty good price. If you want to exchange for gallant horses, you need to lower the price.”
The Northern Borderline was vast and produced many high-quality horses. They also kept a close watch over the ranch.
However, there were always people who took risks for the sake of interest. They smuggled Dabai, the horse Liu She gave Jiang Pengji, out of the Northern Borderline. It was originally intended for the king of the Northern Borderline, but the officials smuggled Dabai and sold it off before giving it to the king. The horse dedicated to the king, in the end, was slightly inferior to Dabai.
It was impossible for Liu She to not know about the means within.
“Lanting, Amin often said that running a business is just like being in a war and governing a country. There are a lot of tricks you can pick up. Once you’ve mastered the rules, you can play with the market.” Liu She smiled. His wife was good at business. She was basically the one who built the property of the Liu family’s mistress. He gained some superficial knowledge after years of living together. “Let me handle this. You just have to wait and collect the money.”
Of course, Jiang Pengji believed in Liu She. “Then, I’ll control the number of products baked and strive for perfection.”
Liu She nodded and added, “When a thing is scarce, it’s precious. No matter how good a thing is, it won’t be valuable once there is too much of it. I’ll stay here for a few more days and bring a few sets of pottery back. After that, don’t bake it in the kiln for the time being. Keep a close watch over the workers. If someone secretly bakes it or leaks the craftsmanship, kill him immediately. Don’t be kindhearted and irresolute.”
“I know. The person who bakes the glass is under my control. If the secret gets out, I’ll know who did it.”
Jiang Pengji had a gentle smile on her face. The craftsman beside her could not help but feel as though he was on pins and needles.
The old man had experienced many different ways of seeking profit, such as setting up the kiln and smuggling goods for his craft when he was younger. After all, it was a trade with no cost. Such a thing was normal. There was no need to worry about a lack of interest; it only required courage.
He felt his heart shake upon listening to their conversation. Tens of thousands of strings of 1,000 cash would attract anyone.
However, he could not help but draw back after hearing what they said afterward. The money would do him no good if he were dead.
“Do your job well. Your contributions won’t be forgotten once we’ve made loads of money.” Jiang Pengji patted the craftsman’s shoulder. “If you do your job well, your grandsons can then have their craftsman status stripped off. When there’s a school in the district in the future, they can study for free.”
The current household registration system was a nuisance. The children of a craftsman could only be registered as craftsmen. Without a miracle, it was impossible for a craftsman to strip off his status.
However, the Lord promised to give his children the opportunity to study. In ancient times, learning was difficult, no matter how rich a family was.
Acquiring books was a huge problem. How could one study without textbooks?
The craftsman did not doubt Jiang Pengji since she was born an aristocrat.
The eyes of the craftsman lit up, and he replied confidently, “Don’t worry, Lord. I won’t disappoint you.”
For the bright future of his children and grandchildren, and for the sake of being in a superior social class, the craftsman wanted to supervise each component with his eyes wide open. He would watch his workers destroy all the rejected glass with his own eyes.
“That’s good, then.”
Jiang Pengji asked the craftsman to take out all three glass tea sets. She wished to gift the best set among the three to Liu She. She would keep one for herself, and the other set would be placed in the office of the district headquarters.
******
Qiguan Rang came to work with sleepy eyes the next day. He opened the door, and a strong, golden ray penetrated into the hall. The reflection of light made him feel giddy.
Tsk. What on earth is that? He squinted and discovered a set of exquisite, glazed items sitting on the table.
His sleepiness vanished in an instant. Qiguan Rang was so shocked that he hurriedly took a few steps back and looked around. He muttered, “Am I still sleeping?”
He did not believe in spirits. Qiguan Rang slowly got closer to the table, but the beautiful objects did not disappear.
He carefully reached out and touched them. He felt a chill on his fingertips. “This isn’t a dream…” His breathing grew heavier as he stared at the glassware.
“What’s wrong, Wen Zheng?” After five minutes, Feng Jin came in, carrying a large pile of dusty bamboo slips. Feng Jin sympathized with Qiguan Rang for working overtime.