Having said that, this is a huge sum of money, and even though Prince Min is a prince, he is somewhat hesitant.
His father was a strict ruler, and when they were princes, they all lived in the palace. They had no time or opportunity to build up their own power. As for things like silver, he didn't give them much. Therefore, for such a bribe, which was almost one-third of the amount given to him by the court when he came to be a vassal, he just felt that God had given him a difficult problem.
He still couldn't make up his mind whether to accept it or not.
Zhao Qingye lived in the prefectural yamen. At first, she had no complaints about it, but as she lived there longer, she noticed many inconveniences. The regulations between the prefectural yamen and the palace were too different. The palace in the capital was built spaciously and grandly, making it very convenient for her to do anything.
But the prefectural office in Zhangzhou is very different.
Her living condition was very cramped.
After hearing about this, she asked the Sixth Prince: "Why can't we accept it?"
Prince Min was also very upset. He sighed and said, "If my father knew, he would definitely blame me."
Zhao Qingye thought about it and didn't dare to say anything more. She didn't know much about political affairs. Although she didn't like living in the prefectural government, she didn't dare to make decisions for Prince Min, for fear that Prince Min would blame her.
King Min's hesitation lasted until August. In August, the Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching. He didn't know what gift to send to the capital and was very troubled.
At this time, a big merchant from Zhangzhou came to the door and gave him a coral that was almost as tall as a person. The coral was as red as blood, and people couldn't let it go when they saw it.
King Min was overjoyed and wanted to give the merchant some silver as a reward, but the merchant did not dare to accept it and just said it was a token of his appreciation.
King Min accepted it and asked who the merchant was.
The prefect of Zhangzhou smiled and said, "He went to sea and did business on the sea."
King Min understood it immediately.
Hong Changshi had told him before that although the imperial court had banned maritime trade, there were still many people doing maritime business, selling things to those places on the sea and then exchanging many things for them.
King Min had his own fiefdom, so of course he had to know something about it, so he made special efforts to learn about it.
Moreover, Hong Changshi also suggested that he get involved in this business.
There is no other reason. Hong Changshi said it very clearly: "If Your Highness wants to achieve great things in the future, how can he not have his own power and army? And all of these require silver, a lot of silver. Now is there any way to get more silver than sea trade? This is a business of picking up money!"
As long as you can return safely from the sea, this is almost a profitable business.
King Min was actually also moved.
At this time, a top-quality coral from the merchant had completely moved him, but he knew in his heart that this was just the beginning.
He accepted the coral and at the same time, handed over the task of building the palace to the prefect of Zhangzhou.
On paper he had paid the money, but in reality he had not paid a penny.
The construction of his palace was in full swing and soon took shape.
Prince Min and Zhao Qingye went to see it in person and both thought it was very good and were very satisfied.
Two months later, the prefect of Zhangzhou said mysteriously to King Min: "Your Highness, it is winter now and the sea breeze is strong. A friend from the sea wants to visit you."
The friend who came from the sea actually refers to the one who would build his palace.
King Min knew the principle of taking money from others and helping them to get rid of their misfortunes. He also happened to have something to see them about, so he nodded and agreed to the arrangement made by the Zhangzhou prefect.
King Min met the people from the Qiu family.
He also learned that the Qiu family was one of the nine great families and one of the earliest families to start doing maritime business. They had a very good share of the maritime trade business.
Uncle Qiu was very good at speaking, and he praised Prince Min everywhere: "In the past, there was no prince in Fujian. Everyone said that we were a fishing village and looked down on us. Now that Your Highness has come, it is like a dragon entering the sea. It is time for us small shrimps to follow Your Highness."
King Min was very pleased to hear this, and seeing that he was in high spirits and looked very generous, he asked him, "What do you want?"
The generous gifts they had sent had already been accepted, and now King Min felt that he should negotiate the terms and hear what they were asking for.
Uncle Qiu was very frank. He said carefully, "Your Highness should know our difficulties. To tell you the truth, we don't dare to ask for anything. We just hope that after Your Highness is enfeoffed in Zhangzhou, you will still allow us to go to sea. We are willing to give 30% of the profits to Your Highness."
Thirty percent!
Prince Min does not need to invest any money, and he does not need to do anything. As long as he can keep his mouth shut, turn a blind eye, and not report the matter, these noble families plan to give 30% of the profits to His Royal Highness Prince Min.
King Min once again realized the benefits of becoming a vassal.
No wonder everyone says that a fiefdom is a good place to be, where you can have the final say on everything.
I see.
He didn't answer immediately.
I brought it up with Hong Changshi after I got back.
Hong Changshi and other staff and subjects all agreed with this point. After all, they also needed money to live. If the palace was to be run and they wanted to live comfortably, they needed money everywhere.
King Min himself was actually tempted.
He finally agreed.
Moreover, he received his first commission before the New Year - a full 200,000 taels.
Two hundred thousand taels of silver! This is only 30%!
King Min's hands were shaking with excitement. With the money, he could recruit more guards in private. As long as the officials didn't report it and he didn't want the court's salary, who would find out? This was simply a blessing from heaven.
As for Zhao Qingye, she received mountains of gifts.
They were all given by local officials and merchants.
These things were more dazzling than the rewards she received from the palace.
Before, she was jealous that when the gems were divided, Su Yao got more. But when she arrived in Zhangzhou, the gems she received were almost as big as a baby's fist. The rubies and sapphires were sparkling, and the spices from the sea dazzled her.
She even lost some of her thoughts about Xiao Heng.
Days like this are simply like heavenly days.
Really can't find anything bad to say.
She asked King Min if he could accept it.
King Min nodded. Once things started, they would go smoothly.
He said, "See which families gave the most valuable gifts and write them down. I will have other plans when the time comes."
King Min was no longer satisfied with just 30% of the profits.
As a local lord, why shouldn't he take advantage of this great way to make money
He signaled to Uncle Qiu that he also had a boat going out to sea.
Uncle Qiu seemed a little embarrassed at first.
But soon Uncle Qiu agreed.