The Frontier Prince: Starting From Scratch - Chapter 7 - Distributing the Funds

“You can establish a business guild, managed collectively by all of you. Out of the one million taels, I only require six hundred thousand taels from you, while the remaining four hundred thousand taels will be my investment in the guild. Naturally, I will also take a share of the profits,” Zhao Xu stated with a serious expression.

The crowd quickly understood his intentions. Prince Yan meant that they should pool together the remaining six hundred thousand taels. Profits would be divided according to the proportion of their investment, thereby reducing their risk.

“I am willing to contribute twenty thousand taels.”

“My family will put in five thousand taels.”

“…”

The regional magnates began to clamor, realizing that not participating in such a low-risk, high-profit venture would be foolish.

Zhao Xu nodded slightly, letting out a gentle sigh of relief. His plan had succeeded.

In truth, the one million taels was a deliberately inflated price; his actual intention was only six hundred thousand taels. The additional four hundred thousand taels was merely a nominal price to secure a stake in the guild’s profits.

Now, he had effectively earned six hundred thousand taels just by offering a technique, with future dividends to come. Despite the lucrative nature of the art of ice making, he chose not to monopolize it, instead sharing profits with the regional magnates out of necessity.

After all, the art of ice making was quite simple. If Prince Yan’s Mansion were to operate independently, not only would it lack startup capital, but he also had no influence in the south of the Yangtze, making the technology susceptible to theft or forceful acquisition. Ultimately, he might not earn any silver and could even incur losses.

By enticing the magnates of Yan Prefecture to join him, he secured their silver, ensuring a no-loss scenario akin to modern-day financing. Moreover, the magnates would invest significant effort to prevent technology leaks, safeguarding his future profit potential.

Of course, he didn’t demand an exorbitant amount from the magnates. It wasn’t out of kindness but rather to avoid pushing them into desperate measures to acquire the art of ice making through deceit.

With the silver distributed among them, they had no reason to take such risks.

As evening approached, the setting sun hung on the willow branches, signaling the day’s end.

However, Prince Yan’s Mansion was bustling with activity.

The magnates eager to invest feared missing their chance to join the guild. They immediately sent servants to fetch silver, land deeds, and transport cloth and grain.

The front courtyard of the mansion was exceptionally busy.

“Accountant Qin, make sure you record everything accurately. Don’t make any mistakes.”

Liu Fu brought a rattan chair for Zhao Xu to sit comfortably.

Many young members of the magnates surrounded Accountant Qin, urging him to register their contributions.

Accountant Qin wiped his sweat, nodding repeatedly, “Rest assured, Your Highness, I will redeem myself and ensure nothing is amiss.”

Zhao Xu nodded and instructed the servant weighing the silver, “Be careful; this is all silver. Don’t make any errors.”

The servants dispatched by the magnates closely monitored the numbers on the scale.

Beside the scale were boxes filled with silver.

For the magnates, gathering a large amount of silver was not easy. In ancient times, silver was a scarce and valuable currency.

Thus, Zhao Xu’s principle was: silver first, land second, other goods third.

As a result, the magnates pooled together twenty thousand taels in silver, with the remainder in land deeds, grain, and other goods.

The busy activity continued until dusk, when the accounting was finally completed.

Accountant Qin handed the account book to Zhao Xu.

“Your Highness, the storage now holds two hundred thousand taels of silver, along with sixty thousand mu of land and fifty thousand dan of grain…”

Zhao Xu nodded as he listened.

Currently, land in the Dasong Dynasty costs about five taels of silver per mu, which is quite expensive.

“Your Highness, since we’ve received the silver, can you now teach us the art of ice making?”

The heads of the thirty-eight regional magnates in Yan Prefecture were all present, still waiting.

“Of course.” Zhao Xu invited everyone inside and demonstrated the ice-making process in front of them.

The family heads were astonished, their jaws dropping in disbelief.

So the mysterious art of ice making was actually this simple.

“This is way too simple,” Zhang Qian’s face turned cold immediately, feeling deceived. “Your Highness, isn’t the price for this technique a bit too steep?”

“Ah, Squire Zhang, that’s not quite right. Even though the technique is simple, how would you have known if His Highness hadn’t shown it?” Dong Yuan shrugged.

“You…” Zhang Qian was rendered speechless, glaring at Dong Yuan.

This old fellow was clearly intent on cozying up to Prince Yan now.

Zhao Xu gave Dong Yuan an approving look.

Liu Fu had informed him that initially, the Dong Family, Lv Family, and Yang Family had sent their eldest sons, indicating that these families were not as hostile towards the Prince’s Mansion as the Zhang Family, Huang Family, and Du Family, and could be won over.

He chuckled, “Precisely because the technique is simple, it can be immensely profitable. Now that I’ve handed over the technique, you must keep it strictly confidential. If the business guild suffers losses, I won’t be responsible.”

No one had anything to say; Prince Yan’s words made sense. It was the simplicity that promised substantial profits.

However, realizing that if the technique were leaked, their earnings would diminish, someone immediately shouted, “If anyone leaks the art of ice making, they will be the enemy of our thirty-eight families, and we’ll fight them to the end.”

Zhang Qian’s expression turned grim; he had just entertained the idea of selling the technique to others to recoup his money, perhaps even making a significant profit.

With Zhao Xu’s reminder and the fervent reaction of the crowd, he quickly abandoned the thought, lest the other families find out.

The Zhang Family would become public enemy number one in Yan Prefecture.

“Alright, in that case, let’s swear an oath here: whoever leaks the art of ice making outside the business guild will be struck by lightning and die a miserable death,” Dong Yuan turned to the others and said.

Everyone echoed the sentiment, each taking an oath in front of the group.

Though Zhang Qian was displeased, he had no choice but to follow suit.

Zhao Xu joined in the oath; he was profiting handsomely, and keeping the technique confidential was naturally beneficial.

As night fell, Yang Cheng, the head of the Yang Family, spoke up, “Your Highness, tonight we are hosting a banquet at Tianxiang Pavilion. Would you honor us with your presence?”

“I’m truly sorry, I have just recovered from a serious illness, and my health is still not good enough for drinking. Perhaps in a few days,” Zhao Xu declined.

He had many matters to attend to.

“In that case, we’ll reschedule,” the regional magnates were not offended; Zhao Xu’s reason was impeccable.

They all paid their respects, and gradually, the magnates departed.

Zhao Xu entrusted all matters related to the business guild to them.

They needed to discuss who would travel south and how to securely transport the raw materials.

Once everyone had left, Zhao Xu and Liu Fu entered the storage in the inner courtyard of the Prince’s Mansion.

Inside, there were rows of boxes filled with gleaming silver.

In addition to the silver, there were sacks of grain and piles of fine cloth and other goods in the corners.

“Go, summon Chang Wei,” Zhao Xu instructed.

With such a fortune piled up in the Prince’s Mansion, it was like a child flaunting gold in a bustling market-temptation was inevitable. These regional magnates were adept at navigating both the underworld and the legitimate.

To safeguard this wealth, Zhao Xu had to rely on Chang Wei.

Liu Fu went out, and soon Chang Wei arrived outside the storage.

Zhao Xu ordered a servant to bring out a small chest of silver and asked, “How much does the Prince’s Mansion owe you in total?”

“The imperial guards’ pay is three taels per month for each of the hundred men, totaling nine hundred taels for three months,” Chang Wei replied, his gaze towards Zhao Xu softening a bit. This Prince Yan had promised to pay within three days, and it hadn’t even taken one.

“This chest contains a thousand taels of silver. Take it all,” Zhao Xu handed the chest to Chang Wei.

“Nine hundred taels is nine hundred taels. The Prince’s Mansion shouldn’t owe wages, and I won’t take a penny more,” Chang Wei insisted stubbornly.

“You’re really a stickler. When His Highness gives it, just take it,” Liu Fu quipped from the side, earning a glare from Chang Wei.

“The extra is for the injured soldiers. Also, the Prince’s Mansion’s storage is crucial now and needs strict guarding. Have the soldiers work hard, and I won’t let down those who are diligent.”

As Prince Yan, holding military power was paramount, and winning over the soldiers was essential. Moreover, Chang Wei was straightforward and a fierce general, known for cutting down enemies like chopping vegetables. It was crucial to win him over.

Hearing that the extra silver was for the injured soldiers, Chang Wei’s expression softened, showing a hint of something different.

Clenching his fist in salute, he declared loudly, “Rest assured, Your Highness, with me, Chang Wei, here, not a grain of rice will be lost from the storage.”

“Good, with your assurance, I am at ease,” Zhao Xu smiled.

After Chang Wei left, Zhao Xu stretched and casually remarked to Liu Fu, “Liu Fu, there are traitors in our Prince’s Mansion.”

“I understand, there are spies planted by the regional magnates within the mansion,” Liu Fu’s eyes narrowed to slits.

Otherwise, why would the servants of the magnates come to rescue Zhang Han?

“Gather all the servants and maids in front of the bedchamber,” Zhao Xu ordered, then headed towards the bedchamber.

At that moment, Feng’er was sitting on the steps in front of the bedchamber, resting her chin in her hands, daydreaming, while Luan’er leaned against the door, playing with her hair.

Seeing Zhao Xu return, Feng’er stood up with a bright smile, while Luan’er gave a shy smile.

Zhao Xu chuckled. These two girls were only fourteen or fifteen years old. In modern terms, they were in their teenage years. The serious demeanor they maintained in the Prince’s Mansion was merely a facade for authority.

When no one was around, they revealed their youthful innocence.

“Your Highness is back,” Feng’er approached, naturally taking Zhao Xu’s arm.

Before Zhao Xu’s madness, the relationship between the three of them had been quite harmonious.

Luan’er wasn’t as bold as Feng’er, merely staying by his side.

“Busy all day, I’ve neglected two beauties,” Zhao Xu teased with a grin.

Survival was the priority at the moment.

“The affairs of the Prince’s Mansion are many, Your Highness should prioritize important matters,” Feng’er, though lively, couldn’t help blushing at Zhao Xu’s teasing.

Luan’er lowered her head shyly, thinking that the ninth prince’s madness had healed, yet he seemed more carefree.

As she pondered, she noticed the servants and maids of the mansion gathering in the courtyard, casting a questioning look at Zhao Xu.

Zhao Xu smiled gently, “Don’t worry, just watch. Tonight, I intend to root out the spies within the mansion.”