Chapter 1003 Spies

Chapter 1003: Spies Chapter 1003: Spies Editor: Atlas Studios Mu Yangling continued, “However, I plan to expand the two factories.

In the past, as long as an order came in, our factory would accept it no matter how big or small it was.

Moreover, because we don’t produce a high quantity, we even set a limit stipulating that each person can only buy 1,000 units in half a year.

I plan to operate separately now.

The smaller factories will specialize in accepting small orders, but the limit is still the same.

Meanwhile, the larger factories will accept large orders from people like you, the upper limit for each person being 10,000 units per year.

The big and small merchants can queue separately and don’t have to queue in the same line anymore.” Everyone’s eyes lit up, almost unable to contain their excitement.

This meant that they only had to queue with people who could afford big orders, which implied things would be sped up.

Most importantly, the quantity they could get in a year went from 2,000 to 12,000 units.

“But I have a request.

Anyone who has placed a highest-quantity order must order another 1,000 units of Western clocks and glass products to be sold overseas.

If they are sold internally to Westerners, the price cannot be lower than the cost price at which I’m selling to you.” Mu Yangling smiled and said to everyone word by word, “Don’t worry, I won’t make you suffer a loss.

It’s just that you might have to bear the export expenses yourself.” The patriarchs looked at each other and only came back to their senses when they received the price list.

The things sold to the Westerners were sold at 20% higher a price.

If the price of the clocks increased because of the different numbering system, then what explained the price difference for the glass products?

These things were exactly the same as the ones sold domestically.

The patriarchs only had one thought left in their minds: The Princess Consort is plotting against the Westerners.

“As long as you agree to this condition, I’ll be able to fulfill your maximum orders before the new year.” The eyes of the patriarchs lit up and they agreed without thinking.

10,000 units sounded like a lot, but with the festive season just around the corner, they would definitely be able to make a huge profit.

Wasn’t it just an additional 2,000 units?

If the price was higher, so be it.

They would slowly sell it overseas.

There would always be a way.

It was convenient for the sea merchants since they could directly carry the goods onto their ship, and they should be able to sell it all after a trip.

Even if they didn’t sell it all, they could always give some away as an add-on gift or something.

As for merchants who didn’t do maritime trade, it was even simpler—they could just discuss it with the sea merchants later.

They could either make an agreement with the sea merchants to help ship their goods out, or sell to them at a cheap price.

After the merchants considered the sales channels, they scrambled to place orders on the spot.

Each of them placed an order for 10,000 units at once, fearing that if they fell behind, they would have to queue for half a month.

Mu Yangling sat behind the screen and drank her tea slowly.

Watching all this, Spring was filled with admiration.

Actually, the production efficiency of the two factories was not as low as what the outside world thought.

It was the Princess Consort who had asked the factories to sell half and keep the other half.

As a result, they had built up a significant quantity over the course of half a year.

The most important thing was that with half a year of inventory as the foundation, the factory would be free to recruit more workers.

Workers only required one month of training.

Once the workers were trained up, their production would increase greatly.

The customers would still have to queue up for the orders, but the time would definitely be much shorter.

Furthermore, Zhu Liang had just reported that they had reduced the cost by another 20%.

This way, the two factories in the Prince’s estate alone would earn a lot of money.

Even if they spent a portion of their energy to scheme against the Westerners, the factories would not be in chaos.

After Zhu Liang prepared the list and presented it to Mu Yangling, Mu Yangling asked Zhu Liang to send the patriarchs away, leaving only the patriarch of the Zhou family, Zhou De, behind.

Under the envious and jealous gazes of the others, Zhou De stayed behind with a smile.

No one felt that it was rude for the Prince’s estate to let a butler attend to them.

Merchants had low statuses, and when they wanted to do business with nobles, they mostly interacted with people like the butlers.

In fact, they were very flattered to be able to see the Princess Consort and have her personally talk to them this time.

Not everyone was like Duke Fan and the Princess Consort, who didn’t mind personally appearing to discuss business.

After the others left, Zhou De kept away his smile and stood respectfully at the side.

Mu Yangling came out from behind the screen and said to him, “Master Zhou, take a seat.” “Thank you, Your Highness.” After bowing, Zhou De half-sat on the chair.

“Master Zhou, do you know why I asked you to stay behind?” “I’m slow-witted.

Please enlighten me, Your Highness.” Zhou De lowered his head nervously.

Smiling, Master Zhou said, “Master Zhou, don’t be nervous.

This is just a casual chat.

I heard that our ship is going out to sea soon?” “Yes.” Zhou De said, “In three days’ time.

I plan to make a trip to Nanyang before the new year.” “Several Western ships are also going out to sea recently.” “They’re going back to their own country.” Zhou De said with a smile, “According to those Westerners, the storms on the sea route will decrease a lot at this time every year, so they have always chosen to set off during this period.” Mu Yangling nodded to herself and said, “Then why don’t you follow them to the west through Nanyang?” Seeing that Zhou De was stunned, Mu Yangling said, “The 2,000-unit order you placed, plus the 4,000 units belonging to Duke Fan and I, add up to a total of 6,000 units.

We need you to bring them to the West.” Seeing Zhou De’s hesitation, the smiling Mu Yangling said, “Don’t worry, I won’t let you suffer a loss.

If these things can’t be sold at a decent price, we’ll give you those 4,000 units as a gift.

In addition, I’ll give you another 10% of the profits from this voyage.

How about that?” How could Zhou De dare to accept it?

He hurriedly said, “After passing through Nanyang, we won’t be far from the West.

Besides, the gems and spices in the West are very famous.

Even if the glass and clocks can’t be sold, just by buying gems and spices we won’t incur a loss on the trip.” Mu Yangling did not force him to accept it.

If he suffered a loss when the time came, she could always give him some discounts on the factory orders.

Mu Yangling asked Zhou De to stay mainly to give him some instructions.

First, after going ashore, she wanted him to try his best to sell their glass products and clocks at a high price.

Unless it was absolutely necessary, the price was not to be lowered.

Secondly, investigate the various products wherever he went.

Regardless of whether they were expensive or cheap, record them all and bring them back, including food and various minerals.

Thirdly, inquire about the weapons and equipment sales of the various countries and see if he could buy back cannons.

Even if he could buy some small firearms, he could charge all the costs to the Prince’s estate.

Fourthly, inquire about the political situation and interactions of the various countries.

Zhou De’s blood boiled as he listened, and he was so afraid that he broke out in cold sweat.

It was simply like experiencing ice and fire at the same time.

He knew that if he agreed, he would be in danger in the future.

Once he was discovered by the Western countries, he would definitely be executed on the charge of being a spy.

However, if he performed his duties well, his family could use this opportunity to advance.

Wealth is obtained from taking risks.

From the time he spent so much effort to get close to Fan Zijin back then, one could see his boldness.

Zhou De knelt on the ground and kowtowed.

“Your Highness, don’t worry, the Zhou family is willing to do its best for Great Qi, even if it means giving up our lives.” Mu Yangling smiled and asked Xiao Ting to help him up.

She said, “Master Zhou, don’t worry.

I won’t make things difficult for you.

The departure time in three days is a little tight.

Why don’t you delay it for a while?

Select a few loyal and smart people to come over.

I’ll get someone to teach them how to gather information.

You can also listen in.

Don’t worry, what I’m asking you to find out isn’t confidential information.

You won’t be in danger.” Seeing that Zhou De was still trembling in fear, Mu Yangling smiled and said, “Didn’t Great Qi not do anything to these foreign spies?” Zhou De was shocked.

“There are foreign spies in Great Qi?” “Of course.” Mu Yangling said, “If it weren’t for Andre and the others, why would the Western countries send envoys to our Great Qi so quickly?

Great Qi has never interacted with them before, and it’s such a coincidence that all four countries came at once.” In other words, Great Qi had at least four spies from the Western countries.

Zhou De’s face flushed red—in fury.

Mu Yangling said, “Andre is doing very well.

He’s been in Great Qi for more than 20 years.

Not only can he now interact with peddlers, but he can also bribe the upper echelons of Guangzhou.

He’s not only sounding out the kind of general information I asked you to find out.

Even I don’t know how many secrets of Great Qi have been leaked to him.”

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