Not many gifts. There is only one magnificent silk fabric per person. And Hani and Liaco got a set of exquisite white porcelain. The gift to Hani was a set of white porcelain tableware. Including bowls, plates, plates and spoons. The gift to Liya was a pair of small vases.
Shanshan is the only way for East-West trade. Silk is not surprising. But for more than ten years. Due to the internal strife of the Han Dynasty, the control of the Western Regions was weak. The products imported by the Han Dynasty into the Western Regions are also decreasing. Even silk, which was common in the past, is becoming more and more in demand. Besides, what Liu Xin gave them was the finest silk.
Although silk is gorgeous. But it was the two sets of white porcelain utensils that really fascinated them. The mass production of white porcelain only started in the past two years. It's rare to see even in Dahan's mainland. Not to mention the Western Regions, where trade routes are almost cut off. As the king of Shanshan. Hani also only collected two white porcelain wine glasses. Not to mention other people. These two wine glasses are said to be smuggled by a big businessman risking his death. I was accidentally seen by the waiter in charge of purchasing. Buy it at a sky-high price. Then it has been treasured in the palace. Only when Hani and the princess had a drink before they were willing to take it out.
The pair of white porcelain wine glasses that Hani bought at a big price is still the first-generation product of the Xiangyang Research Institute. These two sets of equipment are now in front of them. But it is the latest production in Poyang County, Yuzhang County. Its white as jade. It's as thin as paper. The sound is exhausted. There are many exquisite patterns depicted on it. Nature is not the same. of course. Due to pigment limitations. The colors used to draw these patterns are not rich. Only a few colors such as red and blue. But compared to other items at the time, it is a great improvement.
Liu Xin looked at the bright eyes. With a smile, "These pieces of porcelain. Everyone thinks they are valuable."
Hani carefully picked up a porcelain bowl. Looked carefully for a long time. Just then he said, "They are too precious. That is to say, they are not too valuable."
Liya also nodded very seriously.
Liu Xin waved her hand. Said: "The pricelessness is a bit exaggerated. This set of tableware and that pair of vases are priced at one hundred taels of silver."
Hani was taken aback. He blurted out: "Impossible. How can such a good thing be worth a hundred taels of silver. And this set has more than ten pieces. It is the same price as two vases. Adults are not kidding me."
His surprise was not without reason. When white porcelain was just produced. Even in Xiangyang, the place of production, the price is not limited. But this is not what it used to be. The research institute opened more than 30 kilns in Poyang County at one go. It is already possible to mass produce various medium and high-grade white porcelains. The production process of vases is more complicated than tableware. The cost is naturally higher. Of course it will not be much higher. but. These kilns were all opened by the government. The prices of commodities are naturally uniformly set by the government. Liu Xin said that it is worth it.
Since it is an exclusive product. Liu Xin can certainly set the price higher. but. Liu Xin's plan is to bring white porcelain to the market in large quantities. the price is too high. Naturally fewer people can afford it. Liu Xin went the way of small profits but quick turnover. but. The price of white porcelain will not be too low. If it is too cheap, it will be looked down upon by those Western aristocrats. and so. Liu Xin wanted to set the price of white porcelain at a reasonable level. Ensure that families above the middle class can afford it. Then I tentatively asked them how valuable they felt.
Hearing Hani's answer. Liu Xin was not too excited. After all, Hani is the king of Shanshan. He is the richest man in Shanshan. A mere one hundred taels of silver is nothing to him. But it does not mean that other people can also afford it.
Liu Xin turned to Zhendaye and others and said, "If Liu still has such porcelain. It's still about one hundred taels. Would you buy it."
Zhendaye preemptively said: "The adults really still have it. Then I will buy the first one next."
Liu Xin nodded and said: "Liu believes that everyone can afford this price. However. This price is just a casual comment by Liu. Liu does not know much about the situation in the Western Regions. He needs to walk around the city. Then make a final decision. ."
The economic development of the Western Regions mainly relies on commerce. Hani is the king of Shanshan. Naturally quite business-minded. He keenly felt that there were endless business opportunities in it. Quickly got up and said, "My lord, why bother with that effort. How many porcelains did you bring. Xiao Wang is willing to underwrite all of them."
Liu Xin laughed and said, "Although the prince is rich, he can't afford the porcelain brought by Liu. Not every set of Liu's porcelain is a hundred taels of silver. Some of them are a hundred or even a thousand times more expensive. If you are interested. When Liu comes back from the market, I will open your eyes again."
All the Shanshan monarchs present took a breath. A hundred times a thousand times the value would require ten thousand taels or even one hundred thousand taels of silver. I don't know how many people can afford such expensive porcelain. But I think it will definitely not be Fanpin.
There are memories of Liu Xin and Ma Yun from later generations. The institute has been able to produce many kinds of porcelain. In addition to daily necessities such as tableware. There are also many exquisite crafts for decoration and appreciation. Take the vase as an example. Liu Xin gave Liya only a pair of very ordinary small vases. But there are many vases. Not only the form is much larger. The appearance is much more beautiful. There are amphorae, plum bottle and square bottle. There are so many different things. These are all high-end porcelain. The process is complicated. The output is also low. Naturally, the price cannot be equal to those of ordinary porcelain. What Liu Xin has to do is to put the low-end and high-end porcelain products on the market at the same time. Meet the needs of people at different levels. It is also good to maximize your profits.
After entering the mud city yesterday. Liu Xin did not have time to take a good look at the scenery in the city. I just feel that most of the houses in the city are relatively simple and low. right now. Liu Xin, Jia Xu and Wei Yan were walking on the streets of Muni City. Only then did I discover that the city of mud is quite lively. I speak various languages from time to time. People of different dresses passed by them in twos and threes. These people must be merchants from all over the world. There are also many shops on both sides of the street. The shops are not very big. The decoration is also very simple. Most of the goods in the shop are also piled up in a mess. There are no rules.
Liu Xin strolled into a shop. At a glance, I saw a beautiful wool carpet hanging in the middle of the shop. Liu Xin couldn't help reaching out and touching it. Soft and smooth. The texture is pretty good.
The shop owner is a middle-aged man in his forties. Not tall. Also slightly blessed. The boss greeted him. Looked at Liu Xin. Say in blunt Chinese: "Please look at the guest officer. My carpet came from body poison. The texture is absolutely excellent. You don't want to find the second one in the whole Muni City."
Liu Xin glanced at the boss. It seems to be very shrewd. Put down the carpet in your hands. He smiled and asked: "You can still speak Chinese."
The boss smiled wryly: "When I was young. Many Han people passed by here every day. I listened a lot. Naturally, I would say a few words. If you like this carpet, the guest officer, I'll give you a call. 20% off."
Liu Xin said "Oh". Asked: "How much does this carpet cost?"
The boss rolled his eyes. Said: "It depends on what the guest official pays. The guest official is a Han. I must carry the big man's copper coins. If it is five baht, it needs ten thousand. If it is a small one, it needs fifty thousand."
Xiaoqian refers to those inferior currencies that Dong Zhuo cast a few years ago. It was actually able to circulate to Shanshan. It seems that the connection between the Han Dynasty and the Western Regions is not completely broken. Liu Xin nodded secretly. Said: "Unexpectedly, Dahan's coins can also be used here."
The boss smiled and said: "Look at what you said. We in the Western Regions do not make coins. Of course, we need to use the coins of the big man. But. The guest officer is better not to use small coins. That thing is degrading badly. The small ones accept it. In the future. It may not be spent."
Liu Xin waved to the guard behind him. I have taken a few Zhongping Tongbao. Pass it to the shop owner. Said: "Small money has long been forbidden in Dahan. This is Dahan's latest coin. Is it possible to use it with you."
in fact. In the states ruled by Yuan Shao and Cao Cao. Small money can still be used. It's just that the devaluation is very serious. And under Liu Xin's rule. Not only small money. Even Wuzhu Qian has gradually withdrawn from the circulation market. Except for gold and silver now. The only legal currency is Zhongping Tongbao. Of course there are stronger than these currencies. That is the bank note issued by Dahan Bank.
The boss heard that the big man had issued a new coin. The heart couldn't help but feel cold. Hesitated. Still took a look at Zhongping Tongbao from Liu Xin. Can't help but gleam in his eyes. Loudly said: "This copper coin is so beautifully cast. Guest officer. I will change as much as you have. Gold and silver or the goods in this shop will do."
Hear what the shop owner said. An idea came to Liu Xin. from now on. Not only can it export tea, silk and white porcelain to the West. You can also export currency. Of course, what Liu Xin wants to export is not copper coins. This thing is neither easy to carry. The value is low. What he wanted to export was the banknotes of Dahan Bank.
Actually Liu Xin also knew. The West probably hasn't learned how to make paper yet. Xiangzhi can also be shipped to the Western Regions for sale. The same will be lucrative. But paper and printing are both powerful tools to promote cultural progress. Liu Xin does not want such advanced "technological products" to be used by foreigners. but. The paper-printed banknotes can be taken to the Western Regions and even further afield for promotion. As long as the place where Dahan Bank is opened. You can turn the bank note into a kind of "hard currency."
Thought of this. Liu Xin laughed. Said: "How much of these copper coins can be carried with you. I have better things to replace. But first see what valuable things you have in your shop."
The shop owner heard that Liu Xin had something better. He couldn't help but exclaimed: "Guest. You came to the shop today. You are right here. Although I can't say that it is the best shop in Muni City. But it is definitely one of the best. The visitor moved to the back. There is guaranteed to have what you want."