People in Hongwu, from heavenly master to emperor master

Chapter 225 The first glass mirror, rumor making expert

When Mrs. Xie opened the box, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao were also full of curiosity. Their eyes followed Mrs. Xie's opening of the box, and they also became shocked.

Zhang Yi's gift to Mrs. Xie was a mirror!
Mirrors are not a strange thing, and they can be expensive.

But the mirror that Zhang Yi gave was too transparent, under the sunlight, she reflected Xie's face, which was clearly visible.

This is not an ordinary mirror, the material of the mirror is a bit strange.

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted.

Xie has already taken out the mirror.

The mirror is wrapped in brass, with the body of the mirror in the center.

The mirror is not big, only the size of a palm, but the small piece in the middle is a priceless treasure.

"Glass!"

Zhu Yuanzhang is well-informed, and he explained the material of the mirror in one go.

There was a look of horror in his eyes.

The emperor was a well-informed person, and he also knew that Zhang Yi had a craft of refining glass.

The glass refined by Zhang Yi is different from the glass of this era. The almost crystal-like transparency is unique in this world.

It can be made into a mirror from glass, which Lao Zhu has never heard of.

Glass stone is famous for its transparency and transparency, but it is not a reflective material.

Seeing their reaction like this, Zhang Yi felt a little proud.

It seems that the mirrors I made are quite popular.

This mirror should be the first glass mirror in the world.

After all, before the Venetians invented the mercury coating, there was no glass mirror in this world!

And this happened a hundred years later.

He himself does not have the ability to mass-produce, so he just made a few sides for fun.

Zhang Yi gave Xie this mirror, which is his smallest mirror.

But judging from Xie Shi's reaction, Zhang Yi knew he was doing the right thing.

No woman can resist the power of a mirror.

Although the ancient bronze mirror technology can also polish the copper very carefully, the effect is infinitely close to the mirrors of later generations.

But brass and bronze are both good, after all, they are still different from glass mirrors.

Most importantly, glass itself was a precious luxury in Ming Dynasty.

Even the ancient glass with poor transparency will be a valuable item in the Qing Dynasty hundreds of years later, let alone the glass in Zhang Yi's hands.

Glass + mirror craftsmanship, plus the four words unique.

Zhang Yi has already pinched Xie Shi to death.

Not to mention Mrs. Xie, even Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao look at this mirror, they are also greedy!

The mirror itself is not important, what is important is the uniqueness and the eight words that people have me and nothing.

"Little real man, where did you come from?"

After Xie was excited, she put away the greed in her eyes and asked Zhang Yi solemnly.

Zhang Yi smiled and said:

"It was when I was tinkering with alchemy, I accidentally discovered some good materials, and refined them out by the way!"

Zhang Yi's explanation was accepted by Mrs. Xie, and she showed envy.

The technology of alchemy has almost unlimited possibilities except that it cannot make the elixir of life.

Zhang Yi found that his Taoist status was very useful. As long as he pushed on alchemy for something that he couldn't explain clearly, everyone would accept it for granted.

Xie accepted Zhang Yi's explanation, but solemnly returned the mirror:

"Things are too expensive, Auntie, I appreciate it!

The so-called no reward for no merit, I can't accept this mirror! "

Xie's actions won the favor of everyone including the emperor and Zhang Yi.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded. This daughter-in-law of the old Xu family has shortcomings, but she has nothing to say in terms of women's morality.

The glass mirror is obviously the price that Zhang Yi used to [buy] Xu's reputation. Although Mrs. Xie had promised Zhang Yi to protect the Huang family and his son before, one must know how to measure.

The Xu family's reputation may mean nothing to Zhang Yi?
But if Huang He was really a commoner, an ordinary businessman, the Xu family's reputation would not be so low.

Xie can sell Zhang Yi because of his gratitude!

But Zhang Yi couldn't help but remember the "value" of the Xu Mansion!
This is a story in which both sides can be human, and Xie can leave the mirror with peace of mind.

Some people's refusal is half-push and half-hearted, but Xie's refusal attitude is very difficult.

Zhang Yi smiled, he also expected that Xie would do the same:
"Auntie, after all, I didn't treat the boy as my own!"

He buttoned his hat, and Xie's hand stopped in the air.

She looked embarrassed, Zhang Yi said:
"This mirror is something that the kid has researched, and I was thinking about whether to make some to make up for the shortfall in alchemy!

It's just that the cost of this mirror is extremely high, and most people can't afford it!
I don’t have much to do with trails, so I just point to my aunt to help me spread the word!
You are not even willing to do me this little favor? "

puff~
Zhang Yi's words couldn't be more false, the Xu family girl chuckled.

But he said so, Xie couldn't refuse.

Besides, she really likes this mirror.

She picked it up again and took a picture, liking it even more.

"Then auntie will thank you very much. Later, auntie will give you some things. I hope you don't refuse!"

"it is good!"

From the moment Xie Shi was willing to accept his own mirror, Zhang Yi knew that the bond between himself and the Xu Mansion had been established.

The so-called friendship is nothing but established when each other troubles each other.

Now that he has decided to build a good relationship with the Xu family, Zhang Yi will definitely take care of it.

Asking Mrs. Xu to help him promote the mirror is not to fool the other party. Zhang Yi is short of money recently, and he can't sell too much of the medicine allicin.

The glass mirror, which cannot be mass-produced, is what he found for himself to make money.

Since the quantity is small, it is necessary to find a way to increase the price of the mirror and sell it as a luxury.

The most important thing about luxury goods is the ability to tell stories.

Telling this story from Mrs. Xu's hand was the best way he could think of.

He said these words sincerely, but it was a pity that Xie was Zhang Yi's excuse to make her accept the mirror.

Both parties were very satisfied with each other, and after we chatted for a while, Xie's mother and son sent Zhang Yi out in person.

When she gave it away, I don't know how many caring people saw this scene in their eyes.

Zhang Yi's goal has been achieved.

This trip to Xu's mansion will somewhat make those who stared at him feel a little bit concerned about Xu's mansion's face.

As for the Huang family and his son, they must have gotten what they wanted.

On the carriage back, Lao Zhu couldn't wait to ask him:
"What's with your glass mirror?"

Zhang Yi laughed:
"Of course it's something I made myself, the craft is definitely the craft of the future, and it will definitely make money!
However, it is a bit difficult to completely reproduce it, and it cannot be mass-produced! "

Regarding the inability to mass produce, Zhang Yi did not fully tell the truth.

Just looking at Lao Zhu's red-eyed expression, Zhang Yi knew that he wanted the manufacturing process of glass mirrors.

But he didn't want to give it to him, even if he was his own brother, he would still be clear about it.

Things like glass mirrors are not things that can change the fate of China. If it is beneficial to China in the future, such as vaccination, he can promote it for free or even take risks.

But he is not short-sighted, and puts all good things in other people's arms.

Don't test humanity!
This is Zhang Yi's sentence to warn others, and also to warn himself.

No matter how nice Uncle Huang is, don't put all your eggs in one basket.

What's more, he didn't deceive Lao Zhu, he really didn't have the ability to mass-produce glass mirrors.

Maybe wait until he's a teenager, an adult, with more self-preservation.

He will gradually turn these things into something that can change his life.

Zhu Yuanzhang was slightly disappointed, but only disappointed.

His mind is not enough to become irrational for a rare treasure.

Lao Zhu knew Zhang Yi well, and there were deep meanings behind many things this kid did.

"What's your plan, boy?"

Regarding Lao Zhu's doubts, Zhang Yi didn't respond angrily:
"How can I have any idea, can't I be kind?"

The Zhu family's father and son squinted their eyes. Although they didn't speak, the meaning was already obvious.

kindly?

When did your kid ever feel kind?

Zhang Yi felt guilty and laughed:

"It's not a big deal, it's just that money is tight recently, I'll sell some mirrors to make some money!

But there are not many mirrors. If you want to sell them at a high price, you have to sell them as luxury goods, right?
The high premium of luxury goods, there is always someone to pay for it?

But why should I pay the bill?That depends on our ability!

So the first step in selling luxury goods is to be able to tell stories..."

Strange goods to live in!

Zhu Yuanzhang and his son immediately thought of this word, and Zhang Yi should probably do the same thing.

But Lao Zhu was curious how to do it?
Zhang Yi didn't hold back either, and continued:

"I know the theoretical stuff, but please help me make up my mind about the operation!
According to my thinking, if I sell the glass mirror, it can be sold for three to five taels of silver, but I don't want to. I only have those mirrors in my hand, and it would be a loss to sell them for three to five hundred! "

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao took a deep breath. He still felt that he was losing three to five hundred taels of silver?

Although glass is expensive, no matter how expensive it is, there is a trick.

In the early Ming Dynasty, silver was very valuable, and one tael of silver was completely different from the one tael of silver in the prosperous age.

Three, 500 taels, if the grain price is used as an anchor, Lao Zhu has not rewarded the duke yet, and the normal income of Xu Da's family is currently around 1000 taels.

Families like Li Shanchang and Chang Yuchun may at least have less normal income...

So where does this kid have the face to sell mirrors for more than 500 taels?

"Don't look at Xiaodao like that, since Xiaodao said these words, naturally there is Xiaodao's way?"

Zhang Yi smiled...

"The target customers of luxury goods are not practical people like uncles, nor are they high-ranking officials from Ming Dynasty. The former would never think this thing is valuable, but the latter... there is a high probability that these poor people can't afford it...

Even if they could afford it, they wouldn't dare to buy it, given their boss' temper, peeling day lilies is easy..."

Zhu Biao couldn't help laughing out loud, Zhang Yi can blackmail Old Zhu with anything he says?
Zhu Yuanzhang was so angry that Zhang Yi blew his beard and stared at him. You can't speak without the emperor, right?

However, Lao Zhu also agreed with Zhang Yi's words that the officials of Ming Dynasty could not afford it at least with their apparent income.

And if they have money in private, they dare not buy it.

Old Zhu'an put the inspector in the official's house, it was not a secret arrangement, he was aboveboard.

Song Lian said a few nonsense at home, and Lao Zhu could take it out to chat with him,

This is the emperor's own method. In addition to monitoring, the role of the school inspection is also deterrent.

Zhu Yuanzhang never believed in human nature, nor did he expect too much from his officials.

Instead of waiting for them to make mistakes, Lao Zhu might as well remind his officials in this way not to force him to tear his face.

So in most cases, at least those senior officials are afraid to spend so much money to buy luxury goods.

The target customer of Zhang Yi is very clear, businessman!

Those great merchants!
"Your target is the rich households in the south of the Yangtze River!"

Lao Zhu's smile became playful, and the relationship between the rich families in Jiangnan and Lao Zhu was not very good. One of the reasons was that Lao Zhu often exploited these people for military expenses.

Zhang Yi laughed:
"Yes, it's a big dog like uncle!"

"Get out! I don't have any money for you to exploit, tell me quickly, what are you going to do?"

"Those wealthy households in the south of the Yangtze River are rich, and they are much more generous than the emperor. Let's not talk about anything else, just say how much money the emperor paid for my father's visit to the capital?
288 taels of silver, what is this in their eyes!
Xiaodao heard that Shen Xiu, a wealthy family in the south of the Yangtze River, is known as Shen Wansan...

It is said that the teacher in his family, as long as he writes a good article, Lao Shen will reward him with 20 taels of silver!

If this gentleman works hard a month, he can earn hundreds of taels of silver!
These talents can be regarded as truly wealthy, and their consumption concepts are also different from ordinary people!

So selling things to these people, there is actually no difference between 500 taels and 3000 taels...

You sold it cheaply, and they still think it's not good!

Think about it, someone smashed an oiran in the Qinhuai River, and it cost several hundred thousand taels a night. What is it to buy a mirror from us? "

Lao Zhu has a deep understanding of what Zhang Yi said.

Even he himself is jealous of the money of those wealthy families in the south of the Yangtze River.

He set up the sixteenth floor in Yingtian Mansion, an official brothel, and he was doing business with these rich people from the south of the Yangtze River.

Lao Zhu likes to catch everything, the more he knows about the accounts on the sixteenth floor.

When those wealthy businessmen contributed money to him, Lao Zhu was deeply jealous of their wealth.

The court of the Yuan Dynasty is very special. It is not that China has never been ruled by foreign races, but like the Mongols, they don't care about rule at all, and there are very few foreign races who refuse to be assimilated.

If it is said that other dynasties did not have imperial power in counties due to productivity reasons, the Yuan Dynasty can be counted as imperial power in provinces.

As long as you can raise taxes, the Mongols don't care how your subordinates are governed.

This led to great power for local officials and squires.

This is also one of the reasons why many scholars missed the former dynasty of the foreign race after the founding of the Ming Dynasty.

Because they have enough rights, these people also have unimaginable wealth.

So they also have the purchasing power that the emperor envied.

Zhang Yi was right in targeting these people as his target customers.

But how would he get those people to pay for it?

These people are rich, but not fools.

No matter how expensive glass is, it also has its basic value.

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his question, Zhang Yi smiled:

"So let's tell a story... well, use a word that you can understand uncle, rumor...

Uncle still remembers what I said about Yangzhou Mansion!
If you want to sell things at a high price, you have to tell them a lie to make them pay!

Well, you are right to say that it is a rumor..."

Speaking of rumors, Zhu Yuanzhang is not sleepy.

(End of this chapter)