The three of them fell silent after listening.
The former empress they were seeing, wasn't she from common origins!
Her heart was with the farmers, she sought welfare for the people, disregarding status and position, and went down to the fields to research high-yield grains, even selflessly contributing them. This was what spurred the people's living conditions to improve day by day!
With such a mother and father, how could the children be any different? Today, she had not only told them a story but also given them a lesson!
It could be said that they had truly gained a lot!
At noon, the estate didn't expect the masters to visit. Lunch was simple hand-pulled noodles. Perhaps it was because the children were tired from working all morning, or perhaps because they were accustomed to fine clothes and delicacies since childhood, but encountering such food unexpectedly, they found it novel and ate until they were stuffed!
After the meal, Zhao Jiaqi did not forget to find Ling Weifeng to ask about the镖局 (biāo jú - escort agency). This was crucial for her grand undertaking of logistics!
Ling Weifeng hid nothing from her: "Preparations are almost complete. We will officially open in the middle of the month and have already received some business. We'll just be waiting for the opening to escort the goods!"
Zhao Jiaqi inquired curiously: "Does your 镖局 (biāo jú - escort agency) only operate locally, or across the entire Yun Kingdom, from villages to towns, then to counties, prefectures, and even the capital?"
He chuckled: "Of course, it's local. However, if any city requires frequent escorts, we can establish a 镖局 (biāo jú - escort agency) there. As for our escorts reaching every corner of Yun Kingdom, even villages, we currently lack the capability!"
It wasn't a shortage of manpower, but a lack of funds!
Zhao Jiaqi raised an eyebrow, a glint in her eyes, and smiled: "What if I could provide you with that capability? Allow you to transport goods in a short period, and even transport them to all parts of Yun Kingdom, including villages. Are you interested?"
Such a bold statement shocked not just him, but the other two were utterly stunned!
After a long while, they recovered.
Ling Weifeng quickly replied: "Of course, I'm very interested. Everyone in this world knows that doing business with Madam is like making money with your eyes closed!"
"Since that's the case, I won't beat around the bush. I'm investing in your 镖局 (biāo jú - escort agency). I'll be solely responsible for providing funds and plans, and I won't interfere with operations or any other aspects!"
She had plenty of money, but no manpower. However, as the leader of the martial arts alliance, he had plenty of people for manual labor and those with martial arts skills, that was undeniable!
Ling Weifeng's mind was already rapidly analyzing whether her proposed terms were beneficial to him. The result was that she hadn't mentioned the most important point!
"May I ask how Madam intends to divide the profits?"
Zhao Jiaqi had already thought this through, but the division didn't depend on her!
"That will depend on how much each of us invests!"
This statement was a double-edged sword!
Ling Weifeng asked again: "If we contribute half the money each, does that mean we each need to find half the manpower?"
As expected of an old fox who had roamed the martial world, Zhao Jiaqi smiled and replied: "Then what if I say I can secure half of the 镖局's (biāo jú - escort agency's) business for you? Tell me, wouldn't it be unreasonable for me to take a commission from each transaction?"
Half the business?
This 镖局 (biāo jú - escort agency) hadn't even opened yet, and Madam could already secure half its business! She was truly a god of wealth!
Ling Weifeng stopped probing and directly laid out his terms: "How about this? We each contribute half the money, and we split the net profit fifty-fifty. What do you say?"
"You're straightforward, and I'm not one to dither. Deal!"
She joined the 镖局's (biāo jú - escort agency's) business just like that, and Ling Weifeng even conceded half the profit. This had to earn the admiration of Ying Xiong, who specialized in business!
As for her plan on how to develop the 镖局 (biāo jú - escort agency) to reach all parts of Yun Kingdom, she hadn't mentioned it to Ying Xiong. If she had, his business acumen would have understood it immediately and even simulated other business ventures!
The two of them sealed the deal in a casual chat, leaving the other person, Ying Xiong, dumbfounded!
He also wondered in his heart whether his medicinal estate should also partner with her!
Fan Zehao finished his work and learned that his wife had gone to the estate in the countryside. She had left without guards, so he rode his horse to follow.
Seeing his wife had just signed a contract with Ling Weifeng, and both were beaming, he guessed that his wife had likely finalized another business deal this time!
Ling Weifeng was a perceptive person and immediately gave them space. He cupped his hands and said: "Your Highness, Your Highness Consort, please chat. I will go and make arrangements to have our 镖局 (biāo jú - escort agency) and logistics spread across the country starting this morning!"
Zhao Jiaqi: "Good, thank you, Leader Ling!"
If this little bit of hard work could bring significant wealth, then it was worth it!
After they left, Fan Zehao picked up the contract they had just signed on the table. Seeing the profit sharing, he smiled: "Wife, I remember you were fond of farming and researching grains, but I never expected you to be so keen on business. Congratulations on closing another deal!"
Zhao Jiaqi raised an eyebrow subtly and walked over to snatch back her copy of the contract, saying: "Thank you for your praise, but my hobby of farming is unchangeable. I plan to fence off land here, build greenhouses, and cultivate Eastern Green vegetables and off-season fruits. We'll sell them to the surrounding prefectures and also to the vassal states!"
This was a good idea. In winter, green vegetables were scarce. The Eastern Green vegetables grown in their hometown's greenhouses could originally supply the surrounding prefectures. But now, with improved living conditions, their greenhouses only supplied their own prefecture. Therefore, building greenhouses now was a good idea!
"I think it's feasible. Let's build greenhouses on all five hundred mu of our estate, and also have people reclaim the surrounding land. We'll reclaim as much as possible, what do you think!"
Zhao Jiaqi: "Okay, as much as we can reclaim before the frost sets in!"
They briefly made arrangements for their plans by the end of the year. Only then did Zhao Jiaqi ask what had happened in the capital!
Fan Zehao clenched his fist and tapped the table rhythmically. He said in a low voice: "The Axi tribe has completely pacified the barbarian tribes. To thank General Ji for his advice and our contribution of grain and weapons, they wish to personally come to the capital to pay their respects."
Pay their respects?
Where was the emperor?
He had already fled, who were they to thank!
Zhao Jiaqi remained silent upon hearing this. She had very little good feeling towards the capital, and returning there would be difficult, very difficult!
He knew his wife's temper best. Smiling, he pinched her cheek and said: "I've sent an imperial decree to Prince Huangfu Xi, the Crown Prince of Heng, in the capital, asking him to receive the Axi tribal prince, with the Ministry of Rites cooperating!"