Chapter 397: First Volume_Chapter 397: A Secret Strategy to Strengthen the Nation

First Volume_Chapter 397: A Secret Strategy to Strengthen the Nation

Qin Xiaofu had been by Qin Feng's side all along, and it had been a long time since they last parted. Qin Feng missed him dearly in his heart, but upon discovering that Qin Xiaofu was actually clinging to his thigh and rubbing against it, Qin Feng couldn't help but feel a wave of disgust and hurriedly pushed the fellow away, lest others misunderstand that he had a penchant for the cut sleeve and was involved with this rascal.

"How has the business progressed on this northward journey?"

Master and servant reunited after a long separation without a single word of pleasantries, instead asking about business first. Qin Xiaofu was heartbroken, like a neglected wife: "Young Master, am I really so insignificant in your heart?"

Sensing Qin Xiaofu's resentful gaze, Qin Feng couldn't help but spit: "Cut the act! You rascal must have skimmed quite a bit off the top again."

Qin Xiaofu was stunned at first, then his face flushed red. Thinking that the Young Master saw through him so clearly, he said in embarrassment: "We-well… not that much. Whatever benefits the Qin Shi Trading House, I don't touch a single coin. Whatever harms the Qin Shi Trading House's interests, I'm not interested in a single coin either. Whatever silver enters my pocket is all beneficial to the development of the Qin Shi Trading House."

Qin Feng did not doubt these words. After all, when running a business, being too 'upright' is actually detrimental to expanding trade routes. Occasionally using the back door and accepting small bribes better promotes business development. This was also why Qin Feng had always turned a blind eye to Qin Xiaofu's 'pocketing of profits.'

Besides, with the Jinyiwei keeping watch, if Qin Xiaofu had truly done anything to harm the Qin Shi Trading House, the Jinyiwei would have reported it to Qin Feng long ago.

"Young Master, following your instructions, the Qin Shi Trading House's candy business has already taken root in Jiangnan. In the Jiangnan region alone, thirteen candy shops have been opened. On this northward journey, in every large county with a population of over a hundred thousand, branch shops have been set up in the county city. There are now over fifty candy shops."

"Additionally, negotiations are underway for the Thirty-Six Counties of Jingdu. If all goes well, thirty-six more shopfronts will be added within days."

Qin Feng nodded, very satisfied with Qin Xiaofu's efficiency.

As for candy shops within Jingdu City, Qin Feng planned to leave that slot empty, to avoid the Liang Emperor reaching in to snatch profits again. Moreover, spreading the stalls too wide in Jingdu would be detrimental to Qin Feng's future asset transfers. After all, the 'Liuli Workshop' business had always been a thorn in Qin Feng's side — as the saying goes, once bitten by a snake, one fears a well rope for ten years.

Liu Hongyan, who was nearby, took out the account book and asked Qin Xiaofu to report the accounts.

Qin Xiaofu directly pulled out a simple report from his bosom, stood in the center of DaTang, and read it aloud in front of all the Qin Family Members: "Currently, of the fifty candy shops under the Qin Shi Trading House, thirty-five have begun turning a profit. The closer the candy shop is to Jiangnan, the earlier it turns profitable and the higher the profit margin."

"From the start of business until now, each shop makes a daily profit of Two Hundred Taels of Silver; thirty-five shops make Seven Thousand Liang of Silver. To date, total revenue stands at One Hundred Twenty Thousand Taels of Silver."

Originally, the Qin Family Members had a rather flat reaction to the candy shops' profitability.

After all, 'Two Hundred' taels of silver, by Jingdu's consumption standards, was a drop in the bucket — not worth mentioning.

But upon hearing the total profit of all candy shops, everyone's expression changed drastically.

Qin Tianhu frowned, his eyes filled with disbelief: "Seven thousand taels in a single day, over ten days in business, revenue of One Hundred Twenty Thousand Taels of Silver? Isn't this profit margin a bit too high?"

Although Qin Tianhu was not skilled in commerce, he understood basic arithmetic. If the candy shops in the Thirty-Six Counties of Jingdu were opened up—

Daily revenue could reach the ten-thousand-tael level, which would be Three Hundred Thousand Taels of Silver in a single month! That was already close to Qin Tianhu's annual salary!

Liu Hongyan had a rough understanding of the Confectionery Industry, but upon learning the total candy profits, she was still startled.

"How can the revenue come in so fast? At this rate, it can already offset the expenditures on the Beixi County side."

"Who would have thought that the profit from a single little candy could be so high!"

Shen Qingci spent her days Military Order in literary circles, so she understood the situation there far better than anyone else.

"Several days ago, candy had already begun flowing into Jingdu. Jingdu literati often send people to buy it from out of town. The local price is One Liang Silver per piece, and with the middleman's markup, by the time it reaches the literati's hands, it's roughly One Liang Three Qian. Even at this price, supply still falls short of demand."

"Reportedly, the Jingdu literary circle has already ranked candy as the third staple commodity after tea and wine. Especially these past few days, as candy shops have moved closer to Jingdu, buying candy has become much more convenient. Many literati hosting banquets can't do without candy on the table — it has become a symbol of status."

"Moreover… not just the literary circle, but the nobility and gentry also have a huge demand for candy."

Hearing Shen Qingci's explanation, everyone was filled with boundless anticipation for the 'future of candy.'

As the 'inventor' of candy, Qin Feng was not as happy as the others.

Jing Qianying was the first to notice that something was off about Qin Feng's expression, and quietly asked: "Feng'er, why aren't you happy about the candy profits?"

At these words, everyone present cast puzzled glances toward Qin Feng.

Qin Feng sighed softly and said with a bitter smile: "This candy… is ultimately just an Odd Skills and Tricks."

Odd Skills and Tricks?!

How could that be?

No one expected Qin Feng to dismiss candy as worthless, after all this was a business that raked in money by the bucket every day. Moreover, throughout all of Shedynasty, and indeed all of Heaven, the Qin Family had this monopoly. Just by selling candy, the Qin Family could become a wealthy merchant house that looked down on all of Heaven.

No one disliked having too much money, and Qin Feng was no exception.

Making money was naturally a joy, but this kind of joy was not the kind that delighted Qin Feng body and soul — it was a shallow, surface-level happiness.

"If candy is priced low, it can't turn a profit. If priced high, it remains a luxury item among literati and the nobility. No matter how developed the Confectionery Industry becomes, it offers Shedynasty no help whatsoever in its prosperity."

At these words, everyone fell silent.

But Qin Tianhu's eyes lit up slightly, and a proud expression crossed his face. That Qin Feng could consider the people of Shedynasty instead of falling headfirst into the money pit was a great comfort to Qin Tianhu.

The smile on Qin Feng's face grew even more placid: "No matter how wealthy the Qin Family becomes, it's only temporary. Only when Shedynasty's people are prosperous and the nation is strong can the Qin Family's wealth flow on forever. A strong individual in a weak nation is the sorrow of all Heaven. A weak individual in a strong nation can still hold their spine straight."

"This candy is ultimately just a springboard for the Qin Family. The Qin Family's true future lies in People's Livelihood, not in mere profit."

At these words, the eyes of the Qin Family Members all burned with fervor.

They did not understand Qin Feng's overly advanced business philosophy, but they understood that Qin Feng's existence was a blessing for all of Shedynasty…