Chapter 65: Agreement

  "Mr. Liu pays the money, and my old man and young son provide the labor. The profit will be divided six to four, with Mr. Liu taking the larger share." Old Yuan had obviously thought this through beforehand, and upon hearing Liu's inquiry, he replied smoothly: "All Mr. Liu needs to do is pay for a plot of land and make some connections with the local officials, then secretly become the master of the workshop. After that, just wait for the profits to roll in. My old man and young son will take care of all the daily necessities, materials, and supplies, without causing Mr. Liu any trouble or affecting his farming or reputation."

  "Oh, Old Man Yuan has a good heart." Liu Yitiao nodded in understanding. Although merchants are wealthy and have no shortage of food and clothing, their social status and reputation are often looked down upon by others. Since ancient times, there has been the saying that merchants prioritize profits, and that there is no commerce without deceit. In the minds of people from ancient times, a merchant was someone who danced with money every day, was full of tricks, and had a brain full of greed for wealth. It's hard to imagine how ordinary people would be willing to associate with such a person.

  At the same time, Liu Yitiao also understood that Yuan Fang would cooperate with him not only because he obtained this curved plow from him, but also because he had some connections with people in the government. Having someone in the imperial court makes it easier to be an official, and doing business is no exception. Liu Er Tiao has a teacher who is a high-ranking official in the capital, which is already well-known among the villagers. Correspondingly, the old Liu family is also considered superior by these neighbors.

  Liu Yitiao picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea, then looked at Yuan Fang and asked softly: "I'll take care of the official business, Elder Yuan can rest assured. But as for this silver money, I don't know how much Elder Yuan needs?"

  "Thirty taels is enough!" Yuan Fang saw that Liu Yitiao agreed and was overjoyed, saying: "Mr. Liu only needs to pay twenty taels of silver, and the rest will be fully responsible by my Yuan family. I won't add any trouble to Mr. Liu at all! After the workshop is set up, I have confidence that within three months, we can earn back all the capital."

  "Thirty taels?" It wasn't a lot, Liu Yitiao thought to himself. "Old Man Yuan, I wonder what the total cost of making this plow would be? And if it were to be sold, at what price do you think it should be set?"

  The curved plow is definitely advanced, but if it's too expensive, it won't be widely adopted. Just like when tractors first came out, everyone knew they were useful, durable and convenient, but initially not many people could afford them.

  "This point, please rest assured, Mr. Liu's plow will not use much more material than the straight shaft plow, and ordinary willow wood, poplar wood, and pagoda tree wood can all be used for production. As for workmanship, although it is a bit higher, it has not reached an absurd level. I have roughly calculated that the cost of making one plow frame, including labor and materials, is only about 200 coins, and adding the cost of each plow blade of 40 coins, the total cost of making one complete plow is around 240 coins."

  "The current market price of a common straight-shaft plow is around 200 wen, but the Liu family's plow is at least three times more useful than that. If we set the price of the Liu family's plow at 500 wen, I'm sure the villagers won't think it's too expensive."

  "Mr. Liu, think about it, if we can make at least 250 wen from one plow head. If the workshop is set up and some carpentry apprentices are hired to work together, each person only responsible for making a part of the plow frame, and finally assembled by me personally. In one day, a workshop can produce at least five plow heads. After deducting material and labor costs, the profit for that day would be 1 guan 0.25 yuan. Mr. Liu, if it's like this in one day, then what about a month, a year? Wouldn't it be even more?"

  Yuan Fang spoke with great enthusiasm, it was clear that he was very excited. Although the profession of a businessman is often looked down upon by many, it cannot be denied that businessmen are generally very wealthy, with a lot of money. And many times, having money means having everything.

  Yuan Fang was a farmer and also a carpenter, but at this time, he looked more like a profiteering businessman.

  The world is full of people seeking profit, the world is full of people chasing after gain. As for merchants, Liu Yitiao naturally has no prejudice, after all, a society exists because of merchants, which brings circulation and economy, the importance of merchants is self-evident. Moreover, Liu Yitiao himself is also very clear that many times, interests are the root of everything. Yuan Fangken's willingness to cooperate with him and give him 60% of the profits, isn't it all about interests?

  "Mr. Yuan is absolutely right," said Liu Yitiao, putting down his tea bowl and saying, "I'll send the money over tomorrow, and I'll also go to the yamen to give them a heads up and get all the paperwork in order. You can start making arrangements tomorrow. Let's aim to get the workshop up and running before spring arrives this year. We'll start by selling it in a few villages near San Yuan County. If it really is useful, people will naturally come looking for us again, so we don't have to worry about not being able to sell it."

  "Haha, I knew Mr. Liu was a straightforward person." Yuan Fang's old face was filled with smiles as he said to Liu Yitiao: "Not hiding it from Mr. Liu, the venue has already been selected by me, and several apprentices have also been found. Now we're just waiting for your money and the official document from the government office."

  Liu Yitiao unexpectedly took a glance at Yuan Fang, and it was true that he had not seen it before. This old Yuan was actually a daring master.

  Liu Yitiao smiled and said, "The better. The earlier this workshop is set up, the more silver can be earned. Well, let Uncle Yuan come to my house to pick it up in the afternoon. Thirty taels I can still afford for now."

  "But before that, it's better for us to sign a written agreement first, just like last time when Old Man Yuan came to my house to see the cattle. Everyone will have some assurance then. What do you think, Old Man Yuan?"

  "This is natural, thirty taels is not a small amount, if we don't make a written contract, the old man wouldn't dare to take it either." Yuan Fang agreed with a smile. He had originally planned this anyway, after all, this wasn't a small transaction, and he was also afraid that Liu Yitiao would change his mind halfway through. He instructed Yuan Pei, who was sitting beside him: "Pei'er, go to the inner room to fetch some writing materials, ask Mr. Liu to take up the brush, and we'll settle this matter today."

  Neither side opposed it, and naturally it came into being.

  Liu Yitiao invested the money and became a silent partner, taking 60% of the monthly profits. Yuan Fang and his son contributed their labor and were responsible for the normal operation of the workshop, taking 40% of the monthly profits. It was like a joint-stock company, where Liu Yitiao invested with money and Yuan Fang and his son invested with technology, everyone made money. The only difference was that Liu Yitiao had it easy, while Yuan Fang and his son worked harder.

  Liu Yitiao bought some ordinary sacrificial items with the contract and returned home. When he arrived home, he found that there was an extra person in the house. Li Deshen, the head of the tenant farmers under Liu Yitiao's command. At this moment, he was chatting with Liu Laoshi. Seeing Liu Yitiao return, he stood up to greet him, walked to Liu Yitiao's side, bowed and said: "Greetings, Master, Old Man has arrived."