Chapter 456: Lead the Way
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
In order to strengthen the determination of the other tribe leaders, Zong Bang treated them to a meal in Carefree City every day.
Needless to say, this Central Plains person really knew how to eat.
For example, they had hotpot, barbecue, fish, beggar’s chicken, cake… They all tasted extremely good. Apart from needing to spend money, there were almost no shortcomings.
With Zong Bang treating, everyone was stabilized for a few days.
However, after treating these people to a meal frequently, yet there was no movement from the Imperial Court at all, seeing the money being spent like water, Zong Bang’s heart gradually ached.
However, if he could not sell the wool, it would be a huge loss.
Even if Zong Bang treated them every day, it was impossible for these people to stay in Carefree City without spending money.
Some of the tribesmen did not know when the tribe leader would be able to sell the wool and how much it could be sold for. When they saw that Carefree City was recruiting workers and that they were being paid a lot every month, they even went to do manual labor. However, the Imperial Court was still not in a hurry to buy the wool.
The leaders of the various tribes looked for Zong Bang again to discuss. “Why don’t we sell it at the same price stated by the Imperial Court? We can’t continue like this. It’s almost winter. We have to hurry back to the tribe.”
Zong Bang’s family had more cows and sheep than them, so he was even more anxious. However, he still felt that he could not be controlled by the Imperial Court so easily. He did not want to be so embarra.s.sed. He said to the other tribe leaders, “They are making use of our intention to sell. The price next year will only be lower.”
“Then what should we do? Can’t we just not sell it!” Ah Yu was a little angry.
She shouldn’t have been afraid of the threat of the other tribes in the first place, causing the sale of the wool to be delayed for half a month.
Zong Bang had also thought for a long time over the past few days. He said, “Just because the Imperial Court doesn’t buy it doesn’t mean that others won’t buy it.”
“When the weather gets colder, the commoners will fight to buy clothes to ward off the cold. The merchants of the Central Plains are even more cunning than us. They will definitely be willing to h.o.a.rd them and make a huge profit. I’ll look for them. At most, I’ll sell them at a slightly cheaper price.”
Zong Bang’s suggestion sounded good, but anyone with a brain would know that it was impossible for the local merchants in the southern frontier to offend the Great Empress who controlled the entire country for some profits.
Ah Yu did not believe that Zong Bang could make others buy the wool at all. She directly retorted, “If they still want to cam a living in Carefree City, they won’t buy our batch of wool.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of all the tribe elders changed.
Ah Yu said, “If you want to stay here, stay. I’m going to sell the wool and go home.”
She did not give Zong Bang any face and walked straight out of the door.
Zong Bang shouted behind her, “You’ll regret it. I’ll definitely let them buy the wool.”
The other tribe leaders originally wanted to leave with Ah Yu, but they thought about what would happen if Zong Bang and the other merchants succeeded in negotiating. In any case, they had waited for so long.
Zong Bang asked the hotel about the richest businessmen in Carefree City. The waiter only knew that Yu Suisheng was the largest boss in Carefree City. Secondly, many of the rich people were from the group that had followed the Great Empress from Youjia village.
Yu Suisheng was not in Carefree City. Zong Bang thought of all kinds of methods, but he could not even meet his steward.
When he visited the 30 families of Qinghe, they tactfully said that the master was not around. The direct meaning was that he would not accept any wool.
Zong Bang failed in his attempt. As for Ah Yu, she found Xu Yao and agreed at a price without any hesitation. She successfully sold all the wool and took the silver to purchase goods, preparing to return.
When the tribe leaders could not wait longer but to sell to Xu Yao, the Imperial Court published in the weekly political newspaper that the research inst.i.tute had extracted a large number of fibers from a special raw material. This fiber could replace cotton. In half a month, the fabric would be officially launched in the fabric shop.
The commoners were all very curious about what special raw material was extracted from. Zong Bang and the tribe leaders were shocked.
It was no wonder that the Central Plains people were not worried at all. It turned out that they were not afraid of not having wool.
How could they have discovered the raw material that could replace cotton so easily?
Zong Bang could not read or understand the newspaper, but he felt that this must be fake news. He immediately shouted angrily at the man reading the news in the restaurant, “That’s impossible. This must be a lie!”
As soon as he said that, the other Central Plains people in the restaurant stood up and retorted to Zong Bang, “This is the news published by the Imperial Court. With the Great Empress’ jade seal, it must be true.”
Zong Bang could not believe that his dream of selling the wool at high price had been shattered. “Then why not sell this fabric now, why make an announcement in advance?”
Everyone sneered. “It’s none of your business when the Imperial Court wants to make an announcement or sell cloth.”
“That’s right. Who do you think you are?”
Zong Bang was so angry that he wanted to hit someone. He couldn’t control his anger and flipped over all the tables and chairs. The patrolling soldiers rushed over and locked Zong Bang up in jail.
The tribe leaders panicked completely and hurriedly found Xu Yao to sell wool.
Xu Yao had long known that they would come looking for him. He did not show any arrogance. Instead, he said amiably, “What do you think of this price?”
When everyone arrived, they were already mentally prepared to be underpriced. They did not expect Xu Yao to calculate the money for them according to the previous wool price.
The tribe leaders nodded excitedly. “Yes, yes, we’ll sell them all.”
Now that they could sell it at the original price, they were all very happy.
Zong Bang was locked in jail. No matter how he shouted, no one paid attention to him.
It was not until Zong Ming received the news and rushed over to help Zong Bang compensate for the losses in the restaurant that the shopkeeper did not pursue the matter. Zong Bang was given a warning before he was released.
The other tribe leaders had already sold the wool. Zong Ming hurriedly said, “Brother, go and sell it to Lord Xu too. If you don’t sell it, you’ll really lose money in your own hands.”
In order to cam a lot of money in Carefree City, Zong Bang had bought a large amount of wool. If he could not sell it, he would have to drag it back. The losses were immeasurable.
Moreover, if this continued, when the synthetic fabric in Carefree City was officially launched, the Central Plains people would definitely be even more fearless.
Zong Bang’s eyes darkened and he said with an embarra.s.sed expression, “Go and sell it. As long as the price is the same as before, it’s fine.”
Zong Ming immediately looked troubled. He stammered, “Even Lord Xu knows that I have sold my wool. If I go, he will definitely know that it’s yours and might not accept it. Why don’t you apologize to Lord Xu? We still have to sell our wool in the future.”
Zong Bang said fiercely, “You sold it? You sold it too?”
Zong Ming did not dare to speak. Zong Bang suddenly leaned close to his ear and lowered his voice. “How much did you sell it for?”
Zong Ming was stunned and said slowly, “It’s the same price as before.”
Zong Bang could not believe it. “He didn’t lower the price?”
Zong Ming shook his head and hurriedly said, “Lord Xu is especially easy to talk to. He gives everyone the same price. It’s still higher than last year. Brother, go quickly.”
Zong Ming pretended to be reluctant. “If not for the fact that my family is still waiting, I definitely wouldn’t have sold it to those Central Plains people.. Lead the way!”