Long before he heard that it would require a lot of manpower and resources, Meng Yang had expected the governor to say this, and rose at the words, “It is Meng Yang’s blessing to contribute to the people of Jinling, don’t worry, Your Excellency, I will do a good job of taking the lead.”
The governor nodded with satisfaction, “Don’t worry, this government will not let you contribute money for nothing, when the aqueduct is built, this official will write to the emperor and give you a big credit.”
Meng Yang bowed to the end, “Thank you very much, Your Excellency.”
A day later, a notice was posted in the magistrate’s office that the aqueduct was to be built, and people were invited to work for twenty coins a day and a meal at noon.
It was a time when most people were idle at home, and when they heard of such a good thing, they came to the magistrate’s office to apply.
At the same time, the governor also gathered all the famous merchants in Jinling City together.
This was the second time that the governor had called them together, and everyone was excited and guessed the governor’s intention at the same time. But no one cared, it was only a donation of a few thousand taels of silver, but it was worth it to make a good face in front of His Excellency!
The governor had a few tables set up in the front courtyard of the palace with tea, snacks, fruits and melons on them. When the people arrived, they sat with their acquaintances, knocking melons and chatting.
Since the Meng family has been in the business of medicinal pills, hotpot base and herbal tea, they have been well received by the merchants of Jinling City and many of them have sat down to get close to Meng Yang.
One of them, a chubby man, shook his folding fan in his hand, “Brother Meng, I heard that you have built two more workshops in the city, I wonder what kind of business you are doing?”
The rest of the men pricked up their ears.
Meng Yang smiled slightly, “It’s a new business, if Brother Li is interested, you can come with me to the shop after this side is over, I have samples there.”
Another new deal!
The crowd was envious, the Meng family had been lucky these past two years and had been making money one deal after another.
“Good.”
The man who spoke closed his fan, “Brother Meng will have to wait for me later.”
Meng Yang laughed, “Sure, sure.”
“Your Excellency has arrived!”
With the shout of a subordinate, the governor stepped over, and the crowd immediately rose and saluted.
The governor waved his hand, “I have a favour to ask of you all today, so please dispense with the salute.”
“Your Excellency, if you have something to ask, there is no need to ask.”
“That’s right, that’s right, Your Excellency, you can do as you wish.”
The governor was very happy and asked the people to take their seats, and opened the door directly, “The reason I have called you here today is to ask you to contribute to the construction of the aqueduct, of course, the amount you contribute is up to you, 10,000 taels is not too much, and one tael is not too little.”
The courtyard suddenly fell silent, although they had already thought of the amount they would contribute before they came, no one wanted to be the first one to do so now.
Meng Yang got up and took out his silver ticket and held it up in his hand, “I’ll donate 30,000 taels.”
As soon as he said this, there was a gasp from around the room, and there were even people who choked on their own saliva, wanting to cough but fearing that they would lose their manners, so they covered their mouths tightly, holding their faces red.
The man who spoke to Meng Yang just now even wanted to kick him twice. He knew that the Meng family was rich now, but this was no way to make a splash. You don’t want them to pay 30,000 taels too? That’s a lot of money!
“Good, Master, register it and mention it properly when this palace is on the fold.”
When the Emperor could see it, the people’s hearts fluttered and they threw away their grudges against Meng Yang and donated money.
“I’ll give twenty thousand taels.”
“I’ll give thirty thousand taels.”
“I’ll give thirty-five thousand taels.”
……
Looking at the thickening silver tickets in the box, the governor nodded slightly towards Meng Yang, who quietly bent over.
By the time the crowd came out it was already half an hour later, and instead of being angry at having donated more silver than expected, each one of them was flushed with excitement at the possibility of having their names seen by the emperor.
The man who hated to kick Meng Yang twice just now even caught up with him, “Brother Meng, you must keep your word and show me your new deal.”
As soon as the people heard this, they also padded over, “It just so happens that we have time today, so why don’t we follow suit, Brother Meng doesn’t mind, right?”
“No, I don’t mind.”
Meng Yang smiled as he got on the carriage and led the crowd to the shop.
The shopkeeper had been informed long ago that the master would bring people over to try out the soap today and had everything ready early in the morning.
When they arrived, they let them in.
The people were already impatient, “Brother Meng, quickly bring out the stuff and let’s have a look.”
Meng Yang gestured, and the shopkeeper went out, and in a short while brought in a few fellows carrying dozens of small boxes, all of which were hollowed out and very delicate.
The crowd stretched their necks.
The men placed the boxes one by one on the table beside the crowd, who couldn’t wait to pick them up and open them, but didn’t see what they were.
“This is ……”
“Soap.”
Meng Yang smiled and answered, “It’s for washing hands and bathing, it comes in different shapes and scents, you can see the ones in the hands of the people around you, they’re all different.”
The people looked at each other, and they were really different.
“How does this stuff work?”
Someone asked impatiently.
A fellow fetched water and Meng Yang demonstrated, and the crowd came over to watch. Not only did it wash cleanly, it also left a fragrance, and everyone was amazed.
“This is really good stuff, Brother Meng, when is your workshop going to start, I want some.”
“I want some too.”
“I’ll take it too.”
……
Having achieved the desired effect, Meng Yang did not move his voice, “This is not cheap, you all should think about how much you want.”
“Of course we know it’s not cheap, you don’t have to sell out either, just say the price.”
Meng Yang held out five fingers.
Someone’s eyes widened, “Five taels?”
Meng Yang nodded, “Five taels, that’s still the price I’m giving you all, it’s still expensive to sell to the public, don’t mind the price, it’s much cheaper than rouge and powder, and I have two taels of silver for the cost of this box.”
The box was indeed exquisite, and the crowd could see that.
Someone picked the soap up again and smelled it, looked at it carefully and asked, “How long will this piece last?”
“This varies from person to person, washing your hands ten times a day is not the same as washing your hands once a day, so let’s give you the one in your hands, you can take it back and try it out, if it’s good, when my workshop opens, you can come over and ask for it.”
The people took the soap and left.
The owner of the shop sent the people away and came back with a happy face, “Master, now there is no need to advertise, once our soap is made it will be snapped up like crazy.”
Meng Yang was also in a good mood, “Thanks to Yue’er for coming up with this idea, that girl, I can’t even match her business skills.”