To avoid suspicion, Han Mo didn't even go to see Zhao Zhen off when he departed, dedicating himself entirely to writing in his study.
Although he himself did not appear in person, the Zhe family's influence had recently been very active. As directives were issued one by one, these sea merchants from Wokou were truly in for a lot of trouble this time. The goods they brought were indeed excellent and should have fetched a good price in Bianliang City. However, with just a word from the Zhe family's trading firm, their once best-selling products suddenly became unwanted. After all, compared to the benefits these Wokou brought them annually, what the Zhe family could offer them was far too much.
Although the market the Zhe family vacated was entirely for mid to low-end products, the issue was that the items they produced were eagerly sought after by common folk. For ordinary small households, even if they bought soap beans themselves for washing clothes, it would cost at least several hundred wen per year. But since using the soap produced by the Zhe family, not only were clothes washed cleaner, but the cost was also significantly reduced. The cheapest soap, a large bar, could be used for washing clothes and for the whole family to bathe. It wasn't just housewives who liked it; even the children in the household were fond of this soap. After all, compared to soap beans and plant ash, this product had better cleaning effects and wouldn't cause cuts to the skin when bathing. More importantly, it was substantial in weight; buying two or three bars would generally suffice for the entire family for a year.
While the expenditure for a single household was not much, it was important to remember that Bianliang City alone had over 300,000 permanent residents, and if one included the imperial guards and garrison troops, the permanent population was around a million! With such immense market demand, these merchants were truly flocking to this soap. On the other hand, the Zhe family, to ensure the safety of their formula, had been slow to increase production. Although they were not intentionally practicing scarcity marketing, when market demand exceeded supply, an increase in product value was unavoidable.
"Buy when prices rise, not when they fall" – this is a common human sentiment, and this matter has not changed much over thousands of years. Therefore, in the current situation, whoever could get the goods would undoubtedly have significantly better business than other merchants, which was also unavoidable. After all, people are inherently lazy; whether it's the housewives responsible for household procurement or the stewards in large households, they wouldn't exclusively buy just one piece of soap when they went out to shop. With such a popular product, the effect of driving sales for other commodities was exceptionally good.
The folding fans and other items brought by the Wokou were indeed exquisitely crafted and their styles were novel. However, these items were not necessities, and their business transactions with them were only once or twice a year. Although they were engaged in quick in-and-out business, how could temporary quick money compare to a long-term livelihood?
"Sir, what is the reason we have to go to such great lengths to deal with these Wokou?"
"The reason? It's best you don't ask such questions. You just need to know that our current goal is to make it impossible for them to move freely in Bianliang City. The son-in-law's ideas are not something you or I can understand!"
Ever since his long talk with Han Mo last time, Yuan Xingchi's awe for Han Mo had once again reached a new level. He had never imagined that a young man could be so deeply and frighteningly profound.
"I... I understand!"
After Yuan Xingchi's words, the coachman also reacted. Indeed, this was not something he should inquire about.
"By the way, how are the preparations going at the estate for those items? I've seen these things, and they're really not difficult. They just look good in shape; I don't see anything else particularly challenging!"
"These are samples they had me bring back to you. These are the absolute finest among the best. I secretly took a look just now, and they are basically no different from the items brought by those Wokou. If anything, in terms of craftsmanship, their finishing details are much better!"
As the coachman spoke, he took out two folding fans from his sleeve and placed them in Yuan Xingchi's hands.
"They do look good, but the bamboo ribs always feel a bit lacking. Here, go to the jade shops in the city and have them make a pair of fan ribs using the best mutton-fat jade according to this style, and then use the finest silk for the fan surface!"
"You mean, have the son-in-law take these items around Bianliang City?"
The coachman immediately understood Yuan Xingchi's intention.
"It seems you're not entirely stupid. Don't forget that our son-in-law is currently the foremost talent in the Great Song Dynasty. If he walks around Bianliang City with these items a few times, it's estimated that by tomorrow morning, these things will be selling like hotcakes!"
"But if that's the case, won't the items in the hands of those Wokou also be snapped up immediately?"
The coachman looked at Yuan Xingchi with some confusion.
"You don't need to worry about that. Before their goods are completely sold out, we will naturally drive their prices down to the very bottom and then swallow them whole!"
Yuan Xingchi let out a cold laugh as he said this.
"I understand, I'll have people prepare them now!"
"On your way back, go to the estate outside the city again and keep a close eye on them. Tell them that unless they have my permission, none of the items they produce are to be circulated! Have them work day and night. As long as they can produce five thousand pieces within ten days, those Wokou will all be ruined and lose every last penny!"
"Rest assured, sir, I will go back and brief Steward Xu immediately!"
After the coachman finished speaking, he suddenly became invigorated.
However, while they were busy with their work, Ping Zheng Sheng, who was staying at an inn in the east of the city, was so worried that his hair was about to fall out. To earn enough money, he had bravely brought out a quarter of his family's elite. However, his luck was really not very good. He had set out with four ships, but by the time they actually reached Mingzhou, only one ship remained. In order to earn more money to recover this loss, he had no choice but to brace himself and personally lead his men all the way to Bianliang City.