Chapter 377: Volume 1, Chapter 377 – Free Is the Most Expensive

Rong Luoge was right; these merchants banded together to set conditions, and there were indeed people behind the scenes giving advice, but they couldn't stop Rong Luoge from rejecting it. She set the rule herself: any merchant who has leased a workshop for ten years or more, after leasing may not sublet to others, and may not close the shop without cause; such merchants can obtain a portion of the technology from her.

For example, those who open a dye workshop can use the newly developed dye formula she created, free of charge.

Weavers can choose either a loom or a jacquard machine, and use it for free.

Beyond that, for other trades she will gradually provide merchants with portions of techniques that the Imperial Manufacture Bureau forbids civilian merchants to use; this temptation is truly enormous.

Free to use, sign a ten‑year lease contract, pay the ten years' rent in one lump sum—still a good deal.

You have to understand that such things cannot be learned just by spending money.

Just this clause alone pulled back the merchants who had originally been courted by the noble families, and for a while a continuous stream of people queued at Yang Yi's side to pay rent.

The noble families, besides being angry enough to curse at home, have no way to stop it; after all, they cannot produce that many techniques, and they would never do such foolish things to give away for free.

This queen really is killing a thousand enemies and losing eight hundred herself—she's downright insane.

"In that case, we can get a large sum of silver quickly," Han Xinglan was almost made to laugh by Rong Luoge's move, "How did you think of this? Aren't you really afraid of taking a loss?"

It is indeed a bit detrimental.

Rong Luoge said with a smiling face, "How could I do something that loses? Free is always the most expensive."

Hm?

Rong Luoge looked at Han Xinglan and smiled, "Think about what our biggest problem is right now."

Han Xinglan, not very versed in commerce, looked at Rong Luoge humbly and said, "Please, Your Majesty the Queen, give guidance."

Rong Luoge, amused, leaned on Han Xinglan and said softly, "We lack nothing else, but insufficient popularity is a big problem. Whether this place can become prosperous depends on having people. Right now the most urgent thing is to keep this batch of merchants, let them get the workshops running as quickly as possible, open the front shops, and when other merchants arrive they will see this thriving scene. When there are people there are profits, and our place will start operating. Once the workshops become bustling, there will be no need for us to labor to retain them; they will have to work hard to stay."

Han Xinglan found the idea novel, having never seen it before, but it sounded quite reasonable.

Rong Luoge said with a smile, "Take the silver first to make cannons and ammunition; I know Minister Kang has come to you again, begging for funds."

Han Xinglan: …

"You work so hard to earn money, and I just spend it after taking it over," Han Xinglan thought, feeling sorry for her as she looked at Rong Luoge.

"You don't get it, do you? This is called long‑term investment. Once you deal with the noble families here, won't my investment return tenfold or a hundredfold?" Rong Luoge eased his mind and said, "It's called casting a long line to catch a big fish."

Han Xinglan chuckled lightly, "Fine, all the big fish you catch are yours."

Rong Luoge: …

That's not really necessary.

Han Xinglan looked at Rong Luoge's expression and couldn't help bursting into laughter; the day's fatigue vanished in that moment.

Rong Luoge also laughed, and said to Han Xinglan, "I have another idea; tell me what you think."

"What idea?" Han Xinglan asked, looking at Rong Luoge, feeling that her gaze was a bit ill‑intentional.