The British Duke's Mansion

Jinchun Courtyard.

Zhang Kun, holding a wine cup, was enjoying a drink with Zhang Zhiyuan, the son of Duke Zhang Weixian of England.

Although there had been a minor disagreement between the two sides, the situation has now changed and the culprit has disappeared.

When faced with enormous profits, nothing is off-limits for discussion.

"Phew~"

Zhang Zhiyuan exhaled a long puff of smoke, looked at the cigarette between his fingers, and sighed to Zhang Kun:

"This tribute is truly extraordinary, incredibly generous!"

That's right, I added hemp seeds to that stuff, so of course it's very potent.

"The cost of tribute is too high, and we also have to prioritize the palace's needs, so the supply is very unstable."

Zhang Kun sneered inwardly, flicked the fine gold-thread cigarette between his fingers, and introduced it to Zhang Zhiyuan with a smile:

"This is what Zhenjinhao mainly does; it's more profitable than offering tribute."

"Brother Kun, I have some questions."

Zhang Zhiyuan took a deep drag of his tribute cigarette, pointed at the premium gold-thread cigarette between Zhang Kun's fingers, and asked questioningly:

"Isn't the price of this premium gold-thread cigarette too high? If it were lowered, the profit margin would be smaller, but more would be sold, right?"

"Brother Zhiyuan, our top-grade Golden Silk Cigarettes are priced the highest on the market, second only to tribute cigarettes!"

Zhang Kun stubbed out the nearly burnt-out premium gold-thread tobacco in the tobacco dish after only a few puffs and explained to Zhang Zhiyuan:

"With this pricing, whenever people mention tampoo, the best thing that comes to mind is the premium gold thread tobacco!"

Just like the imperial kilns of Jingdezhen, nothing else can compare!

"Brilliant!"

Zhang Zhiyuan clapped his hands in admiration and asked Zhang Kun the price:

"Brother Kun, I'd like to invest in Zhenjin Company. How much money do I need to prepare?"

"Brother Zhiyuan, it's not that I'm asking for an exorbitant price, but Zhenjin Company is being watched by too many eyes."

Zhang Kun held up five fingers and replied to Zhang Zhiyuan:

"Fifty thousand taels of silver, in exchange for one-tenth of the shares, and at most one-tenth of the shares can be sold."

With the income from Zhenjinhao, we can earn it back within three years!

"Hahaha—you're not just asking for an exorbitant price, you're asking for the lion's share!"

Zhang Zhiyuan was so angry at the exorbitant price that he burst out laughing and questioned Zhang Kun:

"You said you'd earn it back in three years. What if you don't? Will you make up the difference?"

"If Brother Zhiyuan is not optimistic about the future of Zhenjin Company, I can write a guarantee."

Zhang Kun, displaying a confident demeanor, explained to Zhang Zhiyuan:

"Brother Zhiyuan, as I just told you, we want to make the most expensive Jin Si cigarettes."

Therefore, Zhenjinhao's pricing should naturally be the most expensive, so that everyone will be convinced!

They say I get 10% of 50,000 taels, but does that mean I'll really get 10% when I receive my year-end bonus?

Then, changing the subject, she suggested to Zhang Zhiyuan:

"If Brother Zhiyuan cannot come up with so much money all at once, he can consider other businesses."

Since our wild rice is a medicinal herb, the Beijing garrison and military should purchase some and distribute it to the soldiers to dispel the epidemic and relieve dampness and cold.

The British Duke's Mansion has deep roots in the Beijing Garrison, this business is exactly what Brother Zhiyuan should do!

The revenue at that time will probably be no less than that of Zhenjinhao!

"...Would you be willing to give me one of your spots?"

Zhang Zhiyuan was very interested in hearing this. After thinking for a moment, he said to Zhang Kun:

"How many taels of silver would I have to pay Jin Yun Shipping to secure this spot?"

"That's also fifty thousand taels!"

Zhang Kun once again extended five fingers to Zhang Zhiyuan, then withdrew two, and smiled:

"Jin Yun Hao can lend this 50,000 taels to Brother Zhiyuan for investment in Zhen Jin Hao!"

No interest required, repay after three years.

If Zhang Zhiyuan had the authority to make the final decision, he would have agreed to Zhang Kun's conditions on the spot.

After thinking for a moment, he asked Zhang Kun with a wry smile:

"Brother Kun, don't be fooled by the fact that my family has inherited the title of Duke. We actually have many poor relatives who need our help."

There are also various social obligations, which are very expensive. He also supports many families in various businesses, so he doesn't have much cash on hand.

Even if we could raise 50,000 taels, the new business wouldn't have enough capital, so how would it operate?

"Brother Zhiyuan, rest assured."

Zhang Kun withdrew two more fingers and suggested to Zhang Zhiyuan:

"Jin Yun Hao will lend 10,000 taels to the new business, also without interest, and will repay it after three years."

If there aren't enough funds in the account by then, we can simply convert it into a 10% share!

......

The British Duke's Mansion in Jiaozhongfang.

Zhang Zhiyuan returned home excitedly and first handed the project proposal written by Zhang Kun to his father, Zhang Weixian.

He then explained to Zhang Weixian in detail all the conditions that Zhang Kun had set out for him.

After listening to his son's account, Zhang Weixian frowned, stopped looking at the project proposal, and questioned him:

"Have you figured out the accounts? Zhang Kun wants you to give him 40,000 taels for nothing?"

"You're going to throw the remaining ten thousand taels into the tampons business too?!"

"Father, how could I not understand this?"

Zhang Zhiyuan didn't take it seriously and smiled as he advised Zhang Weixian:

"It's not a bad deal to spend 40,000 taels to buy a merchant's spot, is it?"

"I've already inquired; the price for a spot on the Jin Yun ship starts at fifty thousand taels."

"Hmph, this is the price, but is it really worth that much silver?"

Zhang Weixian shook his head and continued to question Zhang Zhiyuan:

"If it's really worth that much silver, why would he give you a ten percent share of Zhenjin Company?"

They're even willing to give you back 10,000 taels so you can use it to start a new business?

To put it another way, is our business in the Beijing Garrison only worth ten thousand taels of silver?!

"this......"

Zhang Zhiyuan was somewhat stunned by Zhang Weixian's question, and stood there frozen, not knowing what to say.

Zhang Weixian didn't stop, and pressed Zhang Zhiyuan for answers:

"Moreover, the slots for transporters are valuable right now because the Golden Cloud only has 48 slots available!"

But did Jin Yun Hao ever guarantee that it would only have 48 carriers in the future?

If another batch of transport merchant slots are released in a few years, will they still be worth 50,000 taels? How much will we lose?

Don't forget, the shipping company is not Jin Yun. Jin Yun controls the system and guarantees profits regardless of drought or flood!

If we can't compete with the other transport companies in the capital, we'll suffer losses too!

"Father, he wouldn't dare, would he?"

Zhang Zhiyuan finally came to his senses and smiled dryly at Zhang Weixian:

"These forty-eight transport companies all have powerful backers; they will all have to go to the fortune teller when the time comes."

Moreover, we have connections with the Beijing Garrison and the Beijing Imperial Guards...

"He wouldn't dare, but is the Jin Yun still his? The Jin Yun is now a royal establishment!"

Zhang Weixian interrupted Zhang Zhiyuan and said sternly:

"Are we the only ones in the capital? Can't the Duke of Dingguo's mansion and the Duke of Chengguo's mansion do business in dried mushrooms?"

Even if he only gives us a spot, and the tampongolica business is really as profitable as he says, we can break even in three years.

"When that happens, everyone will be envious and pressure him to release more spots. Will he be able to withstand that?"

Zhang Zhiyuan was rendered speechless by Zhang Weixian's reprimand. He knelt down, bowed his head, and admitted his mistake, saying, "It was my oversight."

"Get up! It's good business, but you're thinking too little!"

After reviewing Zhang Kun's project proposal, Zhang Weixian pondered for a moment, then asked Zhang Zhiyuan to stand up. His tone softened considerably as he reprimanded him:

"You think the other party offered such a high price because of the name of the British Duke's Mansion?"

Actually, what they're offering isn't a price, they're just offering to cut some of your money!

Zhang Zhiyuan respectfully agreed, but then Zhang Weixian suddenly asked:

"I remember you said that Zhang Kun is very young, is he married?"