Sixty-Seven Wealth Alliance (Part 2)

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  Four people stared blankly at Su Ning, no one speaking. After a long time, Zhang Sun suddenly spoke up: "But we weren't worried about spending money anyway?"

  This is indeed true, these are all the children of high-ranking officials and wealthy families, where would they lack money? Every month, they have a fixed amount of money for their own consumption, and they are all eldest sons and grandsons, future masters of the house, so they are treated even more generously, and they don't need to worry about not having enough money at all. Like Du He's kind who steals things from home to sell is purely a prodigal son, of course, another aspect is also because he is the second son, the younger son, so his expenses are naturally less.

  It's obvious that everyone present is not short of money, each one is a small local tyrant. This is exactly the kind of person Sui Ning needs to target, who else would he cheat if not the local tyrants? Although Sui Ning received many rewards and gifts, the amount of copper coins was indeed insufficient. At this time, gold and silver were not yet circulating as currency, only copper coins were in circulation. Therefore, although Sui Ning had a large amount of gold and silver, it was still difficult to exchange them for copper coins.

  "That's what they say, but haven't you guys ever heard that money is scarce when needed? You may not think so now, but what if something happens and you need to spend money to fix it? Are you going to learn from Du He and steal things from your own home to sell? And then get caught? And make your father furious? Du He is a cautionary tale, we should be prepared for the worst! Even a cunning rabbit has three burrows, let alone humans! You guys think I'm right, don't you?" Su Ning displayed his own brand of nonsense.

  This remark struck a chord in the hearts of four local tyrants, and this incident at the Du Ruhui's home sounded an alarm for many wealthy families. The heads of households began to strictly discipline their children, especially when it came to spending money, they became even more cautious and strict. After this major rectification, the number of customers in the red-light district of Pingkangfang decreased significantly. Many young masters were too embarrassed to go out, unable to afford the price of 1,500 coins per night.

  This is still the least expensive, if it were a high-end courtesan, listening to a small song would cost no less than 10,000 coins, which is equivalent to 10 guans of money, a huge sum that can buy two heads of cattle. If it's just for living expenses, in a year it would be around this amount, and the politics of the Tang Dynasty have been relatively stable in recent years, with many places having bumper harvests, prices plummeting, and the value of money increasing. Correspondingly, what falls into their hands is also much less...

  Thinking of this, Zhangsun nodded deeply with emotion: "Although I am the eldest son in my family, my father is very concerned about my expenses and manages them very strictly. Although there are quite a few savings, almost 600 yuan, not to mention that I have never been to Qinglou, even if I want to go once, I have to calculate carefully, our days are not easy!"

  Li Zhen also nodded deeply: "My father is even more strict, generally not allowing me to go out, and often grounding me. This time I was only allowed out because Sanming came to visit, let alone spending money. But this also has its advantages, since I don't go out much, my expenses are low, and now I've saved about 250 taels of silver in my private room, hidden in a jar under the bed."

  Li Bei Yao's face turned red: "I won't even mention it, Grandfather is not at home and Grandma takes care of me even more strictly. Growing up to this age, I only have about 150 yuan in private money. Eldest Brother Li Zhen, your money is a huge sum in my eyes!"

  Li Chengqian sighed in frustration: "I do have a considerable amount of savings, about 2,000 guan or so, all accumulated from years of frugal living in the Eastern Palace. However, I couldn't possibly use this money. Leaving the palace is harder than ascending to heaven, and it requires Father's permission, with guards following me everywhere. It's not just that I couldn't visit Qinglou, even eating something casually would be extremely difficult. If people found out, tomorrow my father's desk would be piled high with impeachment memorials against me. How could I dare to act recklessly?"

  Su Ning smiled and said, "This is the advantage of us opening a wine shop together! You basically can't get out, even if you do go out, it's not like you have to spend a lot of money. So, these funds will just sit there, useless, but give them to me, I'll open a wine shop and make a fortune!"

  Baoyao, your 50 taels will become 500 taels in my hands within two months! Azen, your 250 taels will become 2,500 taels in my hands within two months! Erhuo, your 600 taels will become 6,000 taels! Chengqian, how much do you think your 2,000 taels will become? Guess!"

  Four people immediately fell into endless speculation, but Li Chengqian quickly reacted: "Sanming, no way, the Great Tang strictly prohibits officials from engaging in commerce. Although you are not an official yet, you are a viscount, how can you engage in such a lowly occupation? Isn't that self-degradation? Not to mention my father's place, even the courtiers' place won't pass it!"

  Su Ning gave Li Chengqian a cold glance: "How can I say you're good, how can you do this kind of thing yourself? Do you think the owners of all those shops on the market are really their own masters? They're just slaves from wealthy and aristocratic families, using their identities to do business, but in reality, everything they earn still belongs to those wealthy and aristocratic families! Otherwise, how could those wealthy and aristocratic families and high officials live a life of luxury just relying on their salaries?"

  The Tang Dynasty has clear regulations that officials are not allowed to engage in business, but does it also stipulate that the children and relatives of officials, as well as their household slaves, are not allowed to do business? Does it say that officials are not allowed to recognize people or find agents to do business for them? You, your family is doing steel business at home, aren't they? And doesn't the Empress seem to be doing some small business too? Rules are dead, but people are alive. As long as we can face heaven above, earth below, and our parents and the common people in between, we only make money from the rich, not from the common people. We also pay taxes after making money, what's wrong with that? Which article in the Tang Dynasty law prohibits us from seeking a better way of life?

  Changsun Wuji and Li Chengqian naturally knew about the small secrets within their own family. At this time, the Tang Dynasty was very poor, having just finished a war, and couldn't come up with anything; how could the Changsun clan, a large family, guarantee its reputation without enough money? How could they make ends meet? Without money, how could Empress Changsun maintain the palace's expenses? The funds allocated by the Ministry of Revenue were barely enough for the minimum expenses, and the remaining so-called savings were likely also earned through various means...

  Li Zhen and Li Bo-yao were born into a military family, and generally speaking, they didn't do any business. However, they had extensive connections with merchants, otherwise the Guo Gong household wouldn't have had surplus grain. Not every dynasty was like the Song Dynasty, which could afford high salaries for officials and maintain integrity. The young Tang Dynasty was very poor!

  Then the four of them were all somewhat moved, Li Chengqian gritted his teeth: "Sanming, although we haven't known each other for long, but I believe in your character and ability, so I'll give you those 2,000 guan!" Zhangsun Chong immediately said: "Sanming, I've always trusted you, don't let me lose my investment! 600 guan, all given to you!" Li Zhen nodded at once: "Alright! All given to you, 250 guan!" Li Bo also had no choice but to nod: "Okay! All given to you!"

  Su Ning smiled complacently: "Yes, I'll also contribute 3,000 guan. This is the reward money bestowed upon me by Your Majesty. Let me calculate... My 3,000 guan, Cheng Qian's 2,000 guan, Er Huo's 600 guan, A Zhen's 250 guan, and Bo Yao's 150 guan, adding up to a total of 6,000 guan. Wow, what a huge sum! As for me, it doesn't matter, since I'm using my own money. Can all of you bring the money?"

  Li Chengqian felt a bit apprehensive, if this matter were to be known by Emperor Taizong of Tang, it would absolutely not be a good thing. However, the words had already been spoken, and the five people present had all invested money, so if he were to go back on his word now, that wouldn't be good either. So gritting his teeth, Li Chengqian said: "As long as you can earn enough money before Father finds out to shut Father's mouth, it'll be fine."

  The other three also nodded in agreement. After all, leaving their families and starting a business on their own was a first for them...

  It's clear that what Suning cares about is not the principal, he has plenty of it. Those hundreds of taels of gold and silver can be exchanged for money, and those bolts of silk are also currency in the Tang Dynasty, they can be used. What Suning cares about is the big local tyrants behind these small local tyrants. Once the wine shop becomes famous throughout the land, will the big local tyrants be willing to give up this fat and oily piece of meat? They will definitely hold on to it tightly! Three dukes and one emperor, their combined strength is enough!

  "Alright, we're all men now, let's make a vow. This matter, at least until I agree, can't be leaked out a single word, no matter who it is. Even if you're found to have taken out all your private savings, you can't say what it was used for! Everyone, let's make a vow to heaven together!" Su Ning raised his right hand and made the gesture of making a vow to heaven.

  Making an oath to heaven in the Tang Dynasty was even more binding than current laws, basically making an oath to heaven is a solemn oath that one must defend with their life! So when this was said, the faces of the four small local tyrants all turned serious, and then each one raised their right hand and made an oath to heaven. Once this oath was established, Su Ning would feel at ease and wouldn't feel any discomfort. In ancient times, making an oath to heaven was much better than signing a contract or drawing a picture!

  Get Rich Alliance, officially formed!

  After taking the oath, the partnership ceremony was completed. Su Ning revealed a sly smile: "Hmm! Now we can discuss the dividend distribution. The total capital is 6,000 yuan, I invested 3,000 yuan, so I will take 50% of the profit. Does anyone have any objections?"

  The four of them nodded, indicating no objection; Suning continued: "So next, Chengqian invested 2,000 yuan, which is one-third of the total capital, so Chengqian can get one-third of the total dividend, no objection?"

  The four nodded, no objection; Suning continued to calculate: "So next, Erhuo invested 600 yuan, which is one-tenth of the total 6,000 yuan, so Erhuo can get one-tenth of the total dividend; A Zhen invested 250 yuan, accounting for one-twenty-fourth of the total capital, so A Zhen can get one-twenty-fourth of the total profit; Bai Yao invested 150 yuan, accounting for one-fortieth of the total income, that's it, does anyone have any opinions?"