Qin Yuan did not realize she had stirred up a pool of autumn water in the palace, still worrying about her century-old plan.
Everyone was reluctant to engage in the ginseng business, appointing Mr. Songshan to persuade her.
The reasons were nothing more than doing familiar business was better than unfamiliar; the ginseng business was unfamiliar to the Marquis Mansion;
The business routes in the Northwest had always been profitable and lucrative, and should not be abandoned;
Liaodong was a place unfamiliar to them, and many things required careful consideration over time. Like this.
Summoning everyone to discuss the matter, Qin Yuan did not expect everyone to agree, but she did not expect that no one agreed at all.
Mr. Songshan said, "Madam, if you are only interested in the ginseng business, why not deal in Shangdang’s purple ginseng? As Su Shi said: Shangdang is the ridge of the world, while Liaodong is the bottom of the well. Since ancient times, people have thought that Liaodong ginseng is far inferior to purple ginseng. Even if we cannot enter Shangdang’s market, there are still places like Jizhou and Huizhou that also produce ginseng."
Everyone nodded.
Qin Yuan refuted, "Sir, you don’t know that Liaodong now has red ginseng."
In her previous life, after Lin Ziqi returned to the Capital City, he was promoted and made a fortune, which also benefited her, as she got involved in a share of the ginseng business.
Although Shangdang produced purple ginseng in abundance, it has been heavily extracted since the Han Dynasty, so it is increasingly hard to find today, causing ginseng prices to go higher.
The Di clan’s various tribes in Liaodong have devised methods to sell ginseng at high prices, cooking it in boiling water before drying to extend its medicinal properties, though not as good as purple ginseng, but it’s not significantly different.
In ten years, Liaodong ginseng will be the main ginseng used in the market of the Capital City.
Goryeo has long needed to import ginseng, and Liaodong ginseng doesn’t compete in the Central Plains, but just consuming Goryeo can yield heaps of profits.
Otherwise, from where did Yelv Guza acquire the riches to buy officials in the Da Xing Dynasty court?
For the future, Qin Yuan wanted a share, and if she could cut off the Yelv Family’s source of wealth, even better.
Mr. Songshan hesitated and asked, "Red ginseng?"
Qin Yuan spoke eloquently, "Fresh ginseng turns red after boiling and drying, thus it’s called red ginseng, which is more convenient to store than fresh ginseng. I heard the Yelv Clan sells this ginseng to countries like Goryeo at significant profits. Sir also knows that the royal families of vassal states often imitate our Central Plains’ Imperial Family, highly valuing medicinal use of ginseng for wellbeing, priced much higher than in the Central Plains."
Housekeeper Han and Housekeeper Cao sighed simultaneously.
This was indeed for the sake of our Marquis.
"Liaodong, Liaodong," Mr. Songshan frowned and pondered, finally saying after a long while: "Why not let Wind and Cloud Pavilion investigate thoroughly first?"
Madam insists the Yelv Clan has taken up this business, with some fine effort inquiring, useful information can surely be gathered from traders in both eastern and western cities.
Everyone said, "What sir said is very reasonable. Now, we don’t even have enough time to celebrate the festival, and after the holiday, we’ll need to collect pepper. Why not complete one affair before tackling another? Besides, we’re not very familiar with ginseng yet, and need to put thought into it."
Qin Yuan had to say, "Indeed, in a few days our entire clan has to go to the ancestral hall for worship, then to the palace for a banquet, followed by the city’s lantern festival... Everyone, go about your own business."
Perhaps once the pepper brings in profits, then they might trust her judgment in business.
Mr. Songshan stayed motionless, waited for everyone to leave, then said, "Madam might as well start anew with this affair."
Qin Yuan found it strange, "So sir stands by me?"
Mr. Songshan nodded.
"As the saying goes, horses grow strong with night grass, and people grow rich with unexpected wealth. The Marquis Mansion has fought many wars, and should have stored quite a wealth, but as the Marquis is a man of great business, using these funds as per madam’s previous plan, purchasing shops and land for the descendants’ stability is enough, yet not sufficient for major undertakings."
Mr. Songshan did not mention what major affairs, only his eyes burned brightly, as though wanting to see through Qin Yuan’s soul.
Qin Yuan remained composed without responding, only saying, "Though the Qiang people have been driven out from the Northern Border, a dying centipede still wriggles, they’ve occupied around Changbai Mountain, suppressed the Di people, and found a profitable business, lying dormant for decades, I dare say they will become a grave threat to Da Xing."
Mr. Songshan was taken aback, "Madam is thinking so far ahead."
Qin Yuan said, "Marquis has troops, has money, if Yelv Family’s financial path is cut off, Yelv Zhi cannot sway minds in the court, nor can they plot with vassal states through the ginseng business."
Mr. Songshan couldn’t help but applaud, "How many men are vainly born under heaven, truly incomparable to madam’s competence, Marquis is so fortunate to have Madam as his wife."
Qin Yuan laughed, "Why not say how fortunate I am to have the Marquis as my husband?"