Chapter 39

On that morning, Caiyi Cloth Shop hung up a notice of temporary closure. The joint request by the Wang family and the Chancellor to close the Caiyi Cloth Shop caused a significant stir among the people. The commoners who did not weave fabric were annoyed by the Chancellor's interference, while those who made a living from weaving applauded the decision.

But everyone was waiting, waiting for Li Xian to return.

By the evening of the next day, as the lanterns on the city walls lit up, a large procession finally came into view of the citizens of the capital.

Shangguan Yong, Zhang Quan, and Yuan Zhao, who were waiting at the city gate, were so excited that they were on the verge of tears.

"Brother Xian is back, now things will be easier to handle," said Shangguan Yong.

Yuan Zhao nodded, "Yes, yes, with Brother Xian here, everything will be easier."

"I doubt it!" Zhang Quan squinted his eyes and chuckled, "Brother Xian's recent performance has been quite surprising. Just wait and see, if he doesn't cause a stir, that would be strange!"

"Great, great, I love excitement, I really do," Yuan Zhao was also someone who enjoyed chaos.

Without waiting for Li Xian's convoy to get closer, Yuan Zhao ran over and jumped onto Li Xian's carriage, "Brother Xian, I've missed you so much."

Li Xian looked at Yuan Zhao and chuckled, "Tell me, what problems have you encountered? I'll guess, is it because the scarcity marketing strategy has caused such a huge impact that it has angered the masses?"

"Wow! Brother Xian, you're amazing, how did you guess?" Yuan Zhao's eyes were full of admiration.

"Isn't it simple? I came up with the concept of scarcity marketing, so I naturally know what consequences it would bring," Li Xian was quite pleased with himself, his nose almost pointing to the sky.

"Brother Xian, do you have any solutions? Let me tell you, even the emperor is concerned. The situation is like this... like this..."

Yuan Zhao vividly recounted what had happened in the court.

"How difficult is this!" Li Xian was unconcerned, "I plan to hold a trade fair. You need to gather all the items, they must be goods. It doesn't matter if they are ordinary tables and chairs, jade, emeralds, swords, or even cultivation techniques. As long as they can be sold, bring them all. It's three days until the New Year, we'll start the trade fair tomorrow.

If they can't accept a 90% price, then at the trade fair, everything will be 90% off!

With the fabric prices at 90%, it will be 80% of the original price.

Besides sales, we will also hold lotteries and giveaways to boost the atmosphere of the entire capital. I've already thought of a slogan for the trade fair—'A Cheap New Year.'"

"This is just a New Year's market, there's nothing new about it!" Yuan Zhao showed his disdain for Li Xian.

"Yes, it is a New Year's market, but our New Year's market will be completely different. Just prepare the goods, I guarantee it will be spectacular."

"Alright, alright, I'll trust Brother Xian. I'll go and prepare." Yuan Zhao ran off, his speed was incredible.

Zhang Quan and Shangguan Yong also came up to talk for a few moments before they dispersed. Then Li Xian entered Wuyang City with just a few people, while the caravan left the city and stayed at the Li family's residence outside the city.

Li Xian might not have known that such a powerful caravan and its guards could not enter the city, but he still led the caravan to parade around to show off. This was to prepare for the trade fair the next day and to announce to everyone—Li Xian is back!

On Li Xian's carriage, there were four large boxes, each a meter square, containing a crystal chandelier, which was specially prepared for the emperor—nothing beats the word "imperial" for advertising.

In addition, on the carriage behind Li Xian, there was a simple loom. After hearing that the scarcity marketing strategy was "even more successful" than he had expected, Li Xian had brought a loom down.

After entering the city, Li Xian first met with his father to discuss the general situation and strategy. An hour later, he left the Li residence and went directly to the palace to pay respects to the emperor.

His Majesty the Emperor received Li Xian warmly, as if he had forgotten all the problems, including the fact that Li Xian had returned to the capital late for his report. "Li Xian, take a seat."

Li Xian had already been briefed by Li Yulong, so he did not sit down casually but first bowed, "Your Majesty, I apologize for the delay in my report. Please forgive me."

"I can forgive you, but tell me, why were you late?"

"To prepare a New Year's gift for Your Majesty. The gift is on the carriage."

"Fu Minghui, go and bring the items from the carriage."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Fu Minghui led a few guards out.

Li Xian then learned that the head guard who had read the imperial edicts to him twice was named Fu Minghui. In the past, Li Xian had never inquired about the affairs of the palace, as it was very taboo.

Soon, Fu Minghui brought in the items: four large boxes and a simple loom.

"Is this a loom?" The emperor clearly recognized it, though the loom seemed a bit strange.

Li Xian smiled but did not explain the loom. Instead, he pointed to the four obviously opened boxes, "Your Majesty, this is the New Year's gift I prepared for you. To make this gift, I specially purchased sea soul silk from the sea people."

"Sea soul silk? Good, open it and let me see what it is that requires sea soul silk."

"Your Majesty, this is a chandelier, to be hung from the ceiling. Here..."

"Chandelier, good, hang it in this hall."

With the emperor's approval, Li Xian immediately got to work, and Fu Minghui and his guards came to help. A moment later, the crystal chandelier was hung.

The chandelier was suspended by five stainless steel hooks, made entirely of golden-yellow crystal glass, with occasional purple or red glass crystals embedded, making it exquisitely beautiful.

The light source at the top was in the shape of an inverted gourd, and below it hung over thirty crystal chains, each a meter long, almost touching the ground. The multi-layered, variously shaped crystals reflected the hall's brilliant light, creating a dreamlike, luxurious, and splendid scene.

A golden silk "cable" was carefully hidden in the gaps of the ceiling, eventually extending to the wall and connecting to a switch carved from the finest jade.

"Your Majesty, please." Li Xian offered the emperor the chance to use the switch for the first time.

"Good, very beautiful." The emperor, who had been eager, familiarly pressed the switch. After a faint wave of spiritual energy, the chandelier lit up!

The golden-yellow, slightly soft light shone, and the crystals scattered the light, making it dazzling.

"Turn off the other colored lights."

The emperor's order was quickly followed by the guards. After all the colored lights were turned off, the solitary golden chandelier displayed an indescribable nobility and splendor. The other colored crystals embedded in the golden crystals added a touch of liveliness and surprise to the solemn light.

Under the golden-yellow light, the hall exuded a mysterious majesty, as if enveloped in the emperor's authority. The slightly soft light also seemed to show the emperor's benevolence.

"Good!" The emperor was delighted.

After a long while, the emperor finally thought of the loom. "Li Xian, is there anything special about this loom?"

Li Xian then personally explained the new loom.

Next, the emperor had a palace maid operate the loom, and the self-operating loom gave everyone present a huge shock.

After a long time, the emperor sighed, "I see! No wonder your fabric prices are so low.

But, my dear minister, this loom is indeed excellent, but it will affect the livelihoods of many people. This... I am in a difficult position."

Li Xian inwardly despised the emperor, but what he thought was not important; what he said was. "Your Majesty, I have a few ideas.

First, please name the loom.

Second, I have already explained the loom technology. Your Majesty can have the state establish large textile workshops, recruit people to work in the factories. This way, Your Majesty can control the national textile market.

Think about it, Your Majesty. With ten thousand looms under your command, not only can the entire nation be clothed and fed, but you can also sell fabric to foreign countries.

Your Majesty, we can buy raw materials from foreign countries, process them into fabric, and then resell them. We can make a pure profit of about one tael of silver for every twenty bolts of fabric.

With ten thousand looms, we can produce about thirty million bolts of fabric a year, which would be a pure profit of 1.5 million taels of silver. That is a huge amount of wealth."

Next, Li Xian explained concepts like export trade, trade surplus, trade deficit, industrial wealth, and industrial society to the emperor. Of course, he was vague about some things, and he selectively forgot about the idea of replacing agricultural taxes with industrial and commercial taxes.

Gradually, the emperor came down from the dais and stood in front of Li Xian, listening attentively and occasionally asking for details.

After a long while, Li Xian finally concluded, "Therefore, the technology must be kept secret, and the borders must be sealed.

Second, we must grow enough food, as well as a certain amount of cotton and hemp, and raise a certain amount of silkworms. This way, we will not be at the mercy of others.

Third, we must rally domestic forces to develop industry and commerce.

Finally, with more money, we can arm more soldiers and cultivate more powerful cultivators. Then, both military and commerce can advance together. This way, not only will the Great Xia Kingdom flourish, but we can also expand our territory and conquer the world!"

"Good!" The emperor was so moved by Li Xian's words that he felt his blood boil.

Finally, Li Xian presented his goal, "Therefore, Your Majesty, I plan to hold a trade fair tomorrow, called the 'Industrial Expo.'"

"Approved!"

"Your Majesty, please name the loom."

The emperor, in high spirits, ordered, "Bring me pen and ink!"

A moment later, the emperor personally wrote two large characters (imperial edicts):

First page: Industrial Expo;

Second page: Caiyi Loom.

The Caiyi Loom, the emperor said, would allow all citizens to wear colorful clothing.

He then stamped the edicts and handed them to Li Xian, "My dear minister, it's up to you tomorrow."

Li Xian, moved to tears, said, "I will ensure Your Majesty is satisfied."

The page turns, and the advertisement begins.

The page turns, and the advertisement ends.