expressions upon seeing her.Fang Jinshi raised her hand and touched her face. Did she not wash her face before going out today Why were they all looking at her with such eyesThe next second, she knew...Chapter 1121: Smuggling Goods Is a Death Sentence
The two merchants from Wumeng Nation who made a deal with Fang Jinshiu seemed afraid she would back out. They sent someone to inform Fang Jinshiu within three days, exchanging tea for salt.
The government didn't interfere with the buying and selling of salt crystals, which allowed Fang Jinshu to get a huge bargain.
"My lady, the two merchants from Wu Meng have been waiting at the door."
Fang Jinshi finished counting the tea leaves and took two steps back. With a wave of her hand, two large boxes of wild mountain tea appeared on the empty space in the room, a total of 200 kilograms. This amount could be exchanged for 6,600 kilograms of salt crystals. As long as it was refined properly, almost half of the fine salt could be extracted from this batch of salt crystals.
That's over three thousand pounds of salt.
The salt trade has always been a highly profitable business, a surefire way to make money.
A Wumeng merchant could produce such a large quantity of salt crystals in her hand. If she could trade with several other merchants who had salt crystals, after several transactions, the amount of salt she possessed would be at least tens of thousands of jin.
This is the hardest fiat currency besides gold, silver, and food.
Because of Zong Yu's identity, Fang Jinxiu always had a worry in her heart. Paper can't contain fire, and once the people from the Daxian royal family discover Zong Yu's identity, they will definitely not tolerate him.
Then their whole family will be in danger.
She had to plan an escape route in advance, after all, she had a huge space at her disposal. While no one knew, stockpiling life-saving supplies was always a good idea.
In the future, no matter what kind of difficulties I encounter, I will not be too passive.
Fang Jinxiu followed the two merchants from Wu Meng Nation to the pier outside the capital city. Their salt crystals were transported by water, and almost an entire ship was filled with their goods.
Fang Jinshi set sail with Xiaoyue and Zhao Xingzhou.
"Madam, if there's no problem, let's begin the inspection."
Fang Jinshu nodded, Zhao Xingzhou followed the other party's servant into the hold to inspect the goods. A carriage loaded with tea leaves was parked under the ship, and Xiaoyue accompanied one of them down to inspect the goods as well.
During this period, the bearded man opposite was enthusiastically inquiring from Fang Jinshu about whether she had any other good things in her hands.
"Of course there are," Fang Jinshi said with a smile.
The other party was clearly interested, they particularly liked the wild osmanthus tea from last time.
"I heard that vegetables and fruits in Beijing are also very good, especially those produced by a fruit and vegetable shop called Jinshi Cai Zhuang. It is said to be tastier than ordinary vegetables."
The Madam also knows that our Wumeng country has a very changeable climate, with some places being dry and others humid. Only a small part of the region is suitable for growing crops.
Therefore, fruits and vegetables are also rare items in our place.
It's a pity that the vegetables are too delicate. By transporting them from Daxixi to Wumeng, they will lose moisture and become unfresh. This deal probably won't work out.
Fang Jinshi laughed upon hearing this.
"Not necessarily."
"If you can't make it with others, you can definitely make it with me."
The other person's eyes instantly lit up.
"How can that be, madam Do you have any clever plan to quickly transport fruits and vegetables to our Wumeng Nation"
Fang Jinxiu shook her head.
"Daxi to Wumeng is over a thousand miles. Even by the fastest boat, it would take about half a month to transport."
The Wumeng merchants across the way also shook their heads.
"Half a month, that definitely won't work, the vegetables will be rotten."
"If Madam could manage to transport the goods to us within five days, we'd definitely make a deal. I guarantee the profit would be no less than that of salt crystals."
Fan Jinxiu suddenly found it funny.
"Five days, Your Lordship is asking too much of me. I can't make vegetables fly."
The other person's smile faded instantly upon hearing this, thinking Fang Jinshu was trying to please him.
"Just now, it was the mistress herself who said that this business could definitely be done with you."
"Now you say you can't do it, could it be that Madam is trifling with me"
"Of course not," Fang Jinshu said.
This Umon merchant's hands held salt crystals, and she thought to herself if she could get them all at once, that would be best. She’d wring out one, then go find the next.
"Please remain calm, my lord, and hear me out."
"For thousands of miles, I can't get all the fruits and vegetables delivered within five days, but I can make sure they stay fresh and juicy for half a month."
"Actually, the transportation time isn't the main issue. As long as we can ensure they don't spoil during transport and stay fresh, this deal will definitely work out."
The other person's expression clearly showed disbelief after hearing her words. They found it too unbelievable.
"Madam, summer is approaching quickly. Even now, the temperature is quite hot. Our cassava from the desert wouldn't withstand such a long journey."
"Besides, don't try to fool me with those delicate spinach leaves."
Fang Jinxiu hadn't expected him to believe her words immediately, nor did she open her mouth to refute.
"If you don't believe me, when you go back I can send you a few baskets of vegetables. I will pack them according to my method. Just take them back and see if they spoil or not."
Seeing that Fang Jinshi was so calm and composed, it seemed genuine. He didn't appear to be lying at all. Besides, there was no reason for her to deceive them about this.
If they were really going to do the vegetable business with her, they would have to wait until the vegetables were delivered and check their condition to see if they were as fresh as she said. If they were rotten or didn't meet the standard, they wouldn't pay.
In the end, she was the one who suffered the loss.
The絡腮鬍 struggled internally, torn between trusting her and the risks. Going back and forth from 大熙 to Wumeng was no small feat, especially considering the significant opportunity cost. A four-nation trade summit like this only happened once every four years.
Several monarchs kept fighting each other, engaging in constant warfare that made it nearly impossible to coexist peacefully. It was incredibly difficult for merchants from the two countries to engage in trade.
Although we wouldn't completely stop trading with them on a daily basis, the amount of goods exchanged wouldn't be large. If it were too significant, it would attract unwanted attention from the authorities. The government strictly forbids such large-scale transactions. Once caught, you could face the confiscation of your entire fortune at best, or even have your entire family imprisoned at worst.
That's why these merchants would go to any lengths to get a chance to participate in this trade fair, hoping to make a big score all at once. They wanted to trade for as much as they could, the more the better, ideally enough to last them for four years.
Just then, Zhao Xingzhou and Xiaoyue both came back.
"My lady, everything has been checked carefully. The salt crystals are fine."
The quantity is correct, and the goods are also correct. The other party did not stuff stones into the salt crystals to make a fake product.
Fang Jinshi nodded in satisfaction, her impression of the man with the bushy beard improved a little. He was still a pretty honest businessman.
“My tea leaves are definitely the best quality, all the same grade.”
The other man nodded, and spoke a few unintelligible words in Umon to the bearded man. Finally, the bearded man showed a satisfied expression and nodded as well.
Fang Jinshu stood up, thinking that the other party should consider the vegetable business for a while. The Four Nations Trade Fair would last for a month.
Before ending things, all they need to do is sign the trading list and the agreement. The authorities are willing to be flexible and give them some time to transport their goods.
But for large transactions outside the trading period, the government will not allow transportation. If you dare to transport them privately, they will be treated as violations of the law, smuggling goods, and you will be beheaded.
With more than twenty days left, Fang Jinshu didn't feel rushed.
"Since everything is fine, I'll have people come to move the goods. Farewell."
She turned to leave, but suddenly the man with a bushy beard called out to her. lips twitched, and as he raised his eyes, he met Zong Yu's cold gaze. He suddenly felt a pang of guilt and turned his head away."That, Shen Li, go find the waiter for some hot water and food. Also b...