Chapter 236: Enrolled in the Neiwu Prefecture

Jia Cong replied: "To atone for my sins, I and Qu Shi wish to present the Xiuniang Perfume Shop and its perfume-making formula to His Majesty, to enrich the Imperial Treasury and generate profit for the state."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao heard this, his expression softening slightly, and said: "I've heard your perfume-making formula is most unusual, and the Xiuniang Perfume Shop yields fifty thousand taels annually."

For a middle-rank household, this is already a vast business; your willingness to surrender it shows sincere repentance."

Yet to you, this shop may seem extraordinary; to me, it is ordinary—what use would I have for it?"

The Emperor's implication was clear: he still looked down on the perfume business, which was perfectly reasonable.

The Great Zhou's Neiwu Prefecture oversees copper, iron, salt, tea-horse trade, silver casting, silk, and other state monopolies, governing imperial merchants across the land; for generations, each merchant house has seen annual revenues of tens of thousands of taels.

A shop yielding only fifty thousand taels annually would indeed not catch Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's eye.

Yet Jia Cong did not lose heart, continuing: "Your Majesty's wisdom sees clearly: though the Xiuniang Perfume Shop earns only fifty thousand taels annually, the perfume industry holds great promise."

In the Central Plains, incense is mostly burned; its production is costly and labor-intensive, profits are meager, and open flames pose constant fire hazards."

Many of the old imperial merchants within the Neiwu Prefecture are now worn out—after generations, talent has dwindled, and their fortunes decline further, as with the Xue family, once one of Jin Ling's Four Great Houses."

With these three factors, if a proper, meticulous method is employed to establish trade routes over three years, my rough estimate is that the Xiuniang Perfume Shop's profits would exceed current levels by tenfold!"

If His Majesty, wielding the authority of the Neiwu Prefecture, opens branch shops in the wealthy cities of the Jiangnan region, profits would multiply many times over—this is the second point."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, hearing Jia Cong's detailed and logical analysis, already believed eight-tenths of it; upon hearing his final assertion, his eyes brightened.

The Neiwu Prefecture's registry lists dozens of imperial merchants, yet only a handful earn over five hundred thousand taels annually—and even those are the accumulated gains of generations."

If perfume products are exported overseas via maritime trade to Western barbarian states, profits would surpass those in the Central Plains by several times—this is the third point."

Guo Lin, standing nearby, was startled at the mention of five hundred thousand taels—such a sum of silver was unimaginable to him.

The Ning and Rong mansions, top-tier noble houses with over seventy years of accumulated wealth, are among the richest in Great Zhou nobility."

Even if it took ten years to cultivate a single imperial merchant yielding fifty thousand taels annually, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao would deem it an extremely worthwhile investment."

Moreover, the prosperous lands of Zhejiang and Jiangnan surpass even the imperial capital in wealth; the several prefectures of Jiangnan favor refined luxury, and perfume products would surely flourish."

In recent years, the surrounding towns of these three regions have grown increasingly prosperous, providing fertile ground for the perfume industry's expansion."

And the perfume-making method I have developed employs Western methods of natural philosophy, extracting essences from natural fragrant materials; when used, they evaporate naturally without open flame, eliminating fire hazards—this is the first point."

…

Moreover, according to my knowledge, the use of fragrances originated among the Western barbarians; their bodies and skin differ greatly from those of the Central Plains, and their dependence on fragrances far exceeds that of the Chinese."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao knew well that though young, Jia Cong was calculating and cautious; when he mentioned five hundred thousand taels, he likely held back even more."

He murmured: "Tenfold? That would reach five hundred thousand taels annually!"

Long ago, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, foreseeing the future, established the Si Bo Si in Jin Ling, Ningbo, and Fuzhou, greatly expanding maritime trade."

Thus one could see how vast a fortune five hundred thousand taels annually truly was—even Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, the Son of Heaven, showed signs of being moved."

Yet Jia Cong claimed that with only a few years to establish trade routes, such a feat could be achieved…"

Even now, neither mansion has declined; yet their combined annual income from land estates and shops barely reaches fifty thousand taels—this is precisely why Jia Zhen coveted the Xiuniang Perfume Shop."

Moreover, the method of extracting essence requires little labor and minimal external tools, yet yields immense profit; currently, the shop operates only in the imperial capital, so profits remain limited."

If there is an opportunity to innovate and renew, the Emperor would regard it as a good thing."

For Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, governing the realm cannot rely solely on land taxes, salt taxes, and commercial taxes; the profits of imperial merchants under the Neiwu Prefecture are a vital pillar."

Currently, the Great Zhou remains peaceful and secure; though natural disasters have plagued the past few years and minor rebellions occasionally flare, these are mere skin-deep ailments, insufficient to shake the dynasty's foundations."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's true concern lies in border threats: the Jurchens to the north, the remnants of the Mongols to the west, the coastal regions of Guangdong harassed by Western Sea states, and the persistent piracy along the eastern seaboard."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao adopted Jia Cong's suggestion to vigorously develop firearms precisely to strengthen the nation and army, preparing for potential future border conflicts."

But whether firearms, a strong army, or border security—all require vast sums of silver."

Now Jia Cong tells him that within a few years, he can establish an imperial merchant house yielding five hundred thousand taels annually—how could the Emperor not be interested?"

He had not expected that his scolding of Jia Cong would accidentally uncover a new path to wealth for the Neiwu Prefecture; he felt a quiet, unexpected joy."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao firmly believed: to receive a minister's loyalty, one must also show him kindness."

Thus his expression softened, and he said: "The perfume-making formula and the Xiuniang Perfume Shop are, after all, your and Qu Shi's creation; I cannot seize your livelihood outright."

He suddenly asked: "The Xiuniang Perfume Shop is Qu Shi's business—can you speak for her?"

Jia Cong paused slightly: "Your Majesty, Qu Shi follows my decisions."

This exchange, though odd, completely eased the previously tense atmosphere; Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao smiled faintly: "I won't concern myself with your romantic entanglements—just get the job done."

In Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's view, the excuse that "disciples outside the mansion may not own private property" was merely a pretense; if even the female proprietor is his, whose shop is it, really?"

He continued: "I shall send officials from the Neiwu Prefecture to discuss details with you and Qu Shi; if your proposal proves viable, I shall incorporate the Xiuniang Perfume Shop into the Neiwu Prefecture."

I shall establish a Perfume Bureau within the Neiwu Prefecture. You are currently serving in the government and should not directly engage in commerce—let Qu Shi act as your proxy, while you oversee planning; all operations and profit-sharing shall follow standard imperial merchant practices."

Set a three-year term; if you truly deliver as promised, I shall not withhold generous rewards!"

Hearing this, Jia Cong breathed a sigh of relief; he had shown weakness to the Emperor, letting the Emperor believe he held control over him, all to extract the Emperor's benefit."

This elaborate scheme had finally borne fruit."

Yet his face showed gratitude and emotion; he immediately kowtowed deeply to thank the Emperor's boundless grace."

…

After leaving the palace, Jia Cong went directly to Qu Qu Hongxiu's residence on Xinchun Street and recounted everything that had transpired in the palace."

Qu Qu Hongxiu was stunned—she, a remnant of a hidden sect, had become an imperial merchant? It was too absurd to believe."

Her clear, watery eyes stared at him: "How do scholars' minds work? You talked your way past this—someday you might sell me, and I'd still be counting the silver for you."

Jia Cong smiled proudly at her: "I'd never sell you."

Qu Qu Hongxiu gave him a playful glare, but over the past few years she had grown accustomed to letting Jia Cong decide; since he deemed this a good thing, she had no objections."

…

Lady Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

Upon learning of Jia Rong's entanglement with Prince Prince Zhongshun, Jia Zhen immediately dispatched two groups to track Jia Rong's whereabouts—and soon received reliable news."

It was said that while escorting Jia Rong back to the city, Prince Prince Zhongshun learned Zhang Shou'an had confessed Jia Rong as the mastermind, and immediately sent him to the Dalisi."

Hearing this, Jia Zhen turned pale—if Jia Rong implicated him as the instigator in the Dalisi, he too would be unable to escape blame."

Now they waited for Jia Cong to return from the palace, hoping Jia Mu would mediate, and Jia Cong would explain to the Dalisi that the Xiuniang Perfume Shop was Jia family property, thereby securing Jia Rong's and his own release."

Yet no matter how long they waited, Jia Cong did not return, leaving them anxious as ants on a hot pan."

Jia Mu, Jia Zheng, Lady Wang, and others also knew the urgency and stayed to wait with them."

Only when the moon rose above the willows did a maid report that Third Master Cong had entered the inner gate; Jia Mu immediately ordered him summoned to Rongqing Hall for questioning."

(End of Chapter)