Fu understood upon hearing this: "Does Your Majesty wish to do this business?"
Zhu Ci shook his head in regret. "Not for the time being. This requires a massive investment."
It wasn't that he didn't know, but once he actually calculated it, he was startled; he really didn't have much money left.
But this was only natural; the state's accounts had been in complete chaos before, his own money had been used to subsidize the army, the money Zhu Ying brought back had also been funneled into it, so how could there be any money left?
Fu spoke thoughtfully, "If Your Majesty is willing, I could also contribute a portion of the funds, treating it as my New Year's gift."
Zhu Ci glared at him and said, "How many gifts do you intend to prepare for me?"
For Zhu Ci, the newly renovated Imperial Palace was already a New Year's gift, that newly carved Green Jade Wurtz Tree was even more precious; however, he had only noticed two days ago that the New Year's gifts for the Emperor had not been neglected either.
Besides sending some elegant antiques, most of the gifts were items made of gold and silver, clearly intended to allow him to convert them into cash at any time.
To put it bluntly, there was little difference between this and giving him money directly.
Now you're giving away money again.
What, are you a wealth-bringing child?
Fu fell silent for a moment; he also felt it was a bit excessive. Giving too much money was not much different from telling the Emperor that he lacked ability.
It was just that.. he still remembered when he first met the Little Emperor, the other man had been dressed very simply. If it weren't for that face and his overall aura, he would have looked no different from a commoner; it was clear his life was not easy.
Later, during their time together, he never seemed to have any requirements regarding food, clothing, shelter, or travel.
He had seen all manner of people and was well aware that only when one's life is under constant threat will a person suppress all their needs to the absolute minimum, seeking only to survive.
For some reason, he simply couldn't bear to see the Little Emperor living in such poor conditions.
It was one thing in the past, but now he is the Emperor; if he continues to live poorly, won't it imply that we, his ministers, are incompetent?
But in the future, one would have to be more tactful; however, giving money was giving money, so how much more tactful could one be?
He remained silent here, leading Zhu Ci to think he had spoken too harshly, so he said in a gentle voice, "Alright, I understand what you mean. If you also think this business is good, why don't we partner up?"
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Author's Note: Zhu Ci: Forget marriage, wouldn't it be better to make money together! *Cat's eyes sparkle into the shape of copper coins. jpg*
Next update at 12:00 PM
Chapter 140
The more Zhu Ci thought about it, the more he felt it was feasible. He had always felt that since it was a constitutional monarchy, it would be best for the Emperor, the Censorate, the Grand Secretariat to remain independent of each other and not be too interconnected.
However, it was clearly all just his own wishful thinking.
Unless different political parties are established like in some countries in later generations, with clearly distinct political views between them, it would be impossible to untangle the mess.
But if political parties were truly established, wouldn't that be equivalent to legitimizing and justifying factional strife?
Zhu Ci would certainly not allow such a thing to happen.
Then it wouldn't matter; there would be no problem with Fu becoming even closer to the imperial family.
Huang Chunyao already wanted to make Fu his son-in-law; what was there to be so reserved about? He should hurry up and tie the Grand Secretary to his own boat.
Sigh, Zhu Ci could certainly understand why the emperors of every dynasty were dedicated to strengthening centralized power.
Because once power is decentralized, the people below him will truly cause him nothing but trouble.
Rationally, he knew that for the current Great Ming, a constitutional monarchy was the best system, but when things actually happened, he felt like getting rid of the Censorate, or elevating the Grand Secretariat to suppress the Censorate.
Fortunately, his mind wasn't that clouded yet; if he truly elevated the Grand Secretariat, he might end up in a direct confrontation with Grand Secretary Fu, which would be no good.
The profession of an Emperor truly involves spending one's entire life searching for balance; unfortunately, Zhu Ci believed he lacked that kind of temperament, so he could only try his best to maintain a three-way standoff.
Fu Lue was a bit surprised: "Partnership?"
Exactly, doing business together. It's perfect—you have the channels, I have the ideas. Isn't a partnership the definition of a win-win?
The more Zhu Ci thought about it, the better it seemed. If he did it himself, it wouldn't just be a matter of building factories; he would have to handle everything from sales channels to management talent one step at a time.
The most troublesome part would likely be selecting people, then having to test them to see if they were suitable; one couldn't simply appoint a puppet who could only act upon his orders for every single thing.
He can barely manage the affairs of the state every day!
Fu has people and a sales network there; when the time comes, it can just be handed over to him. He only needs to give him a bit of profit-sharing, treating it as an investment of both technology and capital.
Anyway, judging by the way Fu was finding all sorts of ways to send him money, he likely wouldn't scam him.
Moreover, this was the only business he had that involved cooperating with Fu.
Fu was also very tempted after hearing this. The Emperor's private treasury truly didn't have much money; after the New Year, many red envelopes had been distributed, he feared the purse was running low.
If we cooperate, we won't have to keep coming up with all these different ways to give money in the future.
Alright, I wonder how Your Majesty wishes to cooperate?
That's simple. Once both parties have negotiated their respective shares, the dividends can be distributed according to those shares.
Zhu Ci was only responsible for the technology; everything else was Fu Ku's responsibility.
In fact, this business model was already very mature during this period, there were templates available for signing contracts.
But halfway through the discussion, Zhu Ci found it a bit unbearable: "No, don't just keep nodding and saying okay."
No matter what he said, Fu would just nod and say "okay, okay, okay." Was he the reincarnation of a repeater?
Fu clenched his right fist against his lips and coughed lightly before saying, "There is one thing that is inappropriate; each side should hold a fifty percent stake."
Zhu Ci waved his hand dismissively. "That won't do. This technology isn't that difficult; if someone else sees it, they might just turn around and replicate it."
Fu was not worried: "Even if they do replicate it, they might not even be able to sell it."
Do you really think selling something brand new is that easy? In these chaotic times, you need some real skill if you want to get people to part with their money willingly.
Zhu Ci said helplessly, "That's not what I meant."
Fu paused, breaking precedent by not reminding the Little Emperor to mind his status.
Referring to myself as 'I' always sounds more intimate than calling myself 'Zhen,' and besides, we are in private, so it makes no difference.
However, Fu insisted that regardless of whether the method was difficult or not, the most important thing was that it was unique; without the Little Emperor, he wouldn't even know what a can was.
Zhu Ci couldn't win the argument against him and ultimately agreed.
Holding the idea that he shouldn't meddle or take responsibility, he still had a discussion with Fu about the arrangements for later.
However, as he kept talking, he felt that he was asking too many unnecessary questions.
The business empire under Fu Cai's control was already immense and highly mature in all aspects; even with the perspective of a future era, Zhu Ci had no objections to raise.
After all, some sales models were not suitable for the current environment.
So in the end, it essentially became a situation where Fu would think while narrating and making arrangements, he became the one who simply nodded.
Fu couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty just said that I only know how to nod, but aren't you doing the same thing now?"
Good heavens, the boomerang came flying back so quickly.
Zhu Ci couldn't help but laugh loudly. "I don't understand these things, but your methods are all excellent. If I entrust things to you, you can just go ahead and arrange them."
Fu Cai did not believe he didn't understand, but he didn't know what to say either.
After all, the Emperor can assign tasks to him, but he cannot assign tasks to the Emperor.
Oh, studying and practicing calligraphy is fine, but.. it's the New Year, so let's not make the Little Emperor unhappy.
Zhu Ci looked at the self-striking clock. Oh, this thing was also sent by Fu.
Only when he saw the mechanical clock did he realize that he was living in an era of great change.
Fu followed his gaze and asked, "Does Your Majesty like it? How could your servant possibly have any more.."
Enough, enough, this is already very good.
Zhu Ci weirdly felt as if Fu was raising him like a pet, wanting to send over any good thing he saw to "enrich his life."
Although Fu was older than him, he wasn't old enough to be his father; wasn't this man directing his fatherly love toward the wrong person?
Zhu Ci complained inwardly while saying half-jokingly, "You send all your good things to me; what will you do if you don't have enough money for the betrothal gifts when the time comes?"
A dowry?
Fu Erzi's ears perked up as he immediately caught the point. He looked at Zhu Ci with those pale blue eyes and asked, "Has Your Majesty heard some rumors?"
Zhu Ci did not beat around the bush with him, saying directly, "I heard that you are about to marry the Daughter of Censor Huang."
Fu's expression instantly turned cold: "Who dares to speak such nonsense before Your Majesty?"
Zhu Ci fell silent for a moment; this was the first time he had seen an expression resembling anger on Fu's face.
He said thoughtfully, "It seems Censor Huang is intentionally trying to secure a good omen of an imperial marriage."
Forget it, let him take the blame for this, rather than pushing his cousin out.
Huang Chunyao's decision to seek out Zhu Ci showed that he took this matter very seriously; as for why he hadn't sought the Emperor to act as a matchmaker, it showed that he still knew exactly what was what.
Unexpectedly, after he finished speaking, Fu's gaze grew even colder, his pale blue eyes appearing as if frozen in ice.
Fu suddenly stood up, bowed toward Zhu Ci, said, "Fu has made up his mind to remain unmarried for life; I beg Your Majesty to believe me."
Zhu Ci was startled by him and hurriedly stood up to support him, saying, "What are you doing? Men should marry and women should wed; how can you decide never to marry? If word gets out, people will think I did something to you."
Fu lowered his eyes and said, "Given my special circumstances, it is difficult to find a wife regardless; why force it?"
Haven't I told you that this is just a condition you were born with? With your talent and looks, how could you be difficult to marry?
Fu Qingmiao said nonchalantly, "Even if someone were willing, they would only value me for other things, much like Censor Huang. Why should I bother marrying just to make my wife suffer and compromise?"
Even if everyone knew this was a condition he was born with, what of it? No matter how much he emphasized that it would not affect his descendants, people would still gossip, not to mention that some would secretly doubt he wouldn't live long.
The only one who truly wouldn't treat him as an outcast was the Little Emperor before him.
Zhu Ci looked at Fu earnestly and said, "I know what kind of person you are, I have never intended to make you a lonely official."
He paused before saying, "To be honest, if you were to marry into the Huang family, it would bring nothing but benefits and no harm. I would only replace Huang Chunyao and it wouldn't affect you at all."
Fu's eyes flickered slightly. Even if he sided with Huang Chunyao, had His Majesty not thought of acting against him?
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