eurekapd Chapter 228 Forming a Chamber of Commerce
Chapter 228 Forming a Chamber of Commerce
In the lobby of the inn, twenty or thirty businessmen sat down one after another, and they couldn't help but stare at Xie Shuting on the podium.
The shopkeeper Liancheng was very tactful and led the people who were having dinner in the hall to the private rooms on the second floor early. After all, the boss had important matters to discuss at the moment and did not want to have outsiders.
After the waiter served tea to everyone, he stepped aside. Xie Shuting flicked the teacup, looked at Shen Yancheng on the side and said, "Master Shen! Let's start!"
"Yes!~"
Shen Yancheng stroked his hands and bowed, then slowly stood up and took a half step forward. He glanced at everyone and said loudly: "Thank you all for accepting the invitation to come here today. Shen thanks you very much."
"Don't dare, don't dare."
Everyone waved their hands hurriedly, looking a little terrified and said, "It is our blessing that Master Shen has taken a liking to us. If Master Shen has anything to do today, we will certainly do our best to help him."
"Yes! It's our duty." Everyone echoed.
"Yeah!~"
Shen Yancheng nodded slightly to show his gratitude, with a smile that he could hardly suppress, and said loudly: "Today I have called you all together to discuss the establishment of a chamber of commerce, so I invite you all to come and discuss it."
"Chamber of...Chamber of Commerce?"
Everyone looked puzzled. After looking at each other, they looked at Shen Yancheng and said, "Master Shen! You have too much information. Establishing a chamber of commerce is not a trivial matter. This government office..."
"You clerks in the government offices don't have to worry." Xie Shuting said loudly.
Upon hearing this, everyone stood up in a hurry, stroked their hands and bowed slightly, saying: "Miss Xie! It's not that we don't trust you, but I'm afraid Master Xie can't make the decision even if the Chamber of Commerce asks him!"
The laws of the Song Dynasty clearly stated that the establishment of a chamber of commerce required official documents. Documents issued by the county government could not leave the county, and documents issued by the prefecture could not leave the prefecture.
Although there are many restrictions, the benefits of being a merchant cannot be summed up in one sentence. As for the Lian family merchant's writing, Lian Yue used his status as an imperial merchant to personally ask the Ministry of Revenue to supervise it.
Seeing that everyone was still doubtful, Xie Shuting took a step forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with Shen Yancheng, laughing loudly and said, "I have already revealed your doubts. I can't do the document from the prefecture, but I can do the document from the county government."
"Is what Miss Xie said true?" Zhao Cheng asked in shock.
"nature."
Xie Shuting nodded slightly and said with a smile: "I called you all here today for this matter. You don't need to worry about the affairs of the government office now. I will come forward. Please discuss it!"
After Xie Shuting finished speaking, she slowly returned to her seat, picked up the teacup and took a sip. Seeing this, Shen Yancheng quickly walked down and began to argue in front of the shopkeepers.
Xie Shuting did not interrupt her. Shen Yancheng knew very well what she wanted to do, so he naturally let her take care of it. After all, the Chamber of Commerce would make a lot of profit in the later period, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that it was making a fortune every day.
In the hall, Shen Yancheng talked incessantly about the advantages of the Chamber of Commerce and its future development prospects. As the shopkeepers listened, the expressions on their faces gradually changed from confusion to excitement.
"If everyone joins the Chamber of Commerce, we can integrate the resources in each company's hands."
At this point, Shen Yancheng changed the subject and said in a deep voice: "Besides, we also control the market price. You should have an idea of how much profit you can make!"
Zhao Cheng rolled his eyes and asked in confusion, "Brother Shen! How do we join the Chamber of Commerce? Are there any conditions?"
"Yes! How to join? What are the conditions?" everyone echoed.
"As long as you are willing to abide by the Chamber of Commerce's regulations and actively participate in the Chamber of Commerce's activities, you can become a member of the Chamber of Commerce." Shen Yancheng said loudly.
"Rules? Conditions?"
Lu Zhong looked suspicious and asked, "What rules? What conditions?"
Everyone's eyes instantly turned to Shen Yancheng. After being reminded by Lu Zhong, Shen Yancheng felt uneasy and didn't know how to respond.
Just when the situation was becoming awkward, Xie Shuting's voice appeared at an inopportune time, instantly bringing everyone back to their senses.
"There is only one rule: to stabilize the prices of all commodities in Laigu County, whether it is an increase or a sell-off, it must be approved by the county magistrate." Xie Shuting said softly.
Many people lowered their heads upon hearing this. How could their little thoughts be hidden from Xie Shuting's eyes?
"You are still too naive to make a big fuss about the price." Xie Shuting smiled bitterly in her heart.
"What are the conditions?" one person asked humbly.
"There is only one condition: don't take the benefits too seriously." Xie Shuting said slowly.
Many people were instantly confused. They were not very clear about the deeper meaning of Xie Shuting's words and cast doubtful glances at her.
In their minds, businessmen are not only after capital and profits, but also the most important thing. If they are not after profits, who would be willing to engage in menial work?
Seeing this, Xie Shuting sighed and said, "What do you think of the dam construction in Shanghe Township?"
"This is a good thing for the country and the people. It is naturally the credit of Mr. Xie."
"Yes! This is a good thing." Everyone echoed.
"If we wait for the imperial court to intervene in this matter, I don't know how long it will take. But I heard from the yamen runners that you were generous when donating money. Is there any benefit in this matter?"
"This..." Everyone was speechless for a moment, and had no way to refute.
Xie Shuting struck while the iron was hot and said loudly: "Perhaps you all have other thoughts, but the starting point is good. If the Chamber of Commerce can also act like this in the future and contribute to the government, the benefits it seeks will be no less than now."
After Xie Shuting finished speaking, she glanced at the crowd and saw that some of them were a little shaken. She sighed loudly and said, "Even if you are rich, but you are from a humble family, your food, clothing, housing and transportation are all in order. If you can use your money to do something for the people and earn a good reputation, isn't that good?"
Seeing that many people had already started to whisper, Xie Shuting finally decided to give another strong dose of medicine and said loudly: "As the saying goes, officials will not sue if the people do not sue. Everyone, please discuss it carefully. I cannot stay for long today, so you can discuss the following matters."
Seeing Xie Shuting walk out of the inn without hesitation, everyone realized it belatedly and held her hands to see her off. It was not until Xie Shuting's back disappeared that everyone came to their senses.
"What did Miss Xie mean by 'If the people don't sue, the officials won't bring charges'?" someone asked suspiciously.
"You don't understand this?"
One person secretly shook his head and said with regret: "I think you should not participate. The high-end Chamber of Commerce is not suitable for you."
Everyone burst into laughter upon hearing this. Seeing this, the person who asked the question scratched his head helplessly. He really didn't understand.
"Okay! Miss Xie has said everything that should and should not be said. You can make your decision now." Shen Yancheng reminded loudly.
Many of them were wavering and asked tentatively, "Boss Shen! What does the Chamber of Commerce say? Can you tell us first?"
"Sorry, this is the secret of the Chamber of Commerce and naturally cannot be announced to the public." Shen Yancheng refused without hesitation.
The atmosphere at the scene suddenly changed, and many people began to hesitate. In just a short moment, two or three people left. Shen Yancheng did not stop them, but just sat quietly at the door.