"Imperial Father has also said before that the sugar produced in our Great Tang is cereal-sugar, and the price is low.
As for the expensive sugar like stone honey, it was transported by merchants from the distant Western Regions.”
Li Chengqian spoke with assurance and continued,
"The other type of competition that your son spoke of is the competition between countries.
The kingdoms of the Western Regions have earned a large amount of money from our Great Tang through the stone honey.
Then why can't we use this higher-quality white sugar to make money from the countries in the Western Regions or even other countries?”
Old Li's eyes lit up when he heard this.
Li Chengqian's train of thought was something that he, the Emperor of Great Tang, had never thought of before.
He could actually earn money from other countries?
However, this brat was right.
Since the kingdoms of the Western Regions used stone honey and the Hu merchants used spices to earn money from the Great Tang, the Great Tang had no choice but to give them the stone honey.
Why couldn't the Great Tang follow suit and earn money from other countries?
Li Chengqian continued,"
"Your son believes that the reason why the stone honey of the Western Regions was able to make money from the Great Tang was because the stone honey of the Western Regions was a rare commodity.
It's nothing more than because their sugar refining technology is better than ours.
But once your son's white sugar manufacturing technique is invented, this situation will improve…
Your son calls this kind of economic exchange between countries 'international trades'.”
International trade, international trade.
Old Li muttered to himself. Li Chengqian's words seemed to have opened the door to a new world for him.
At this moment, Li Chengqian looked at his cheap uncle with a strange expression and thought,"
I'm sorry, uncle. This time, the white sugar factory will have to leave you behind.
Zhangsun Wuji naturally couldn't hear Li Chengqian's muttering.
But Old Li could.
For a moment, he was a little puzzled. He did not know why his little rascal suddenly muttered in his heart.
However, he soon understood what was going on.
Li Chengqian cupped his hands again and suggested,
"Imperial Father, that's why I propose to start a state-owned enterprise that specializes in the production of white sugar.
A small portion of this white sugar will be supplied to the internal market of our Great Tang.
However, they are mainly targeted at the rich and powerful of other countries, earning great profits for the Great Tang…"
"A state-owned enterprise? What does that mean?"
Old Li was a little puzzled.
Li Chengqian explained,
"Imperial Father, the 'state-owned enterprise' that your son spoke of is a type of production and sales organization that is owned by the country.
First, the imperial court would invest funds to start production.
The final profits would also belong to the imperial court or the national treasury.
Think about it, the income of our Great Tang's treasury comes mainly from taxes.
However, it had to be said that the ability to resist risks in this model was very low. Natural and man-made disasters would affect the amount of tax revenue.
If some state-owned enterprises were set up to donate blood to the national treasury, it would be very effective in increasing the stability of the national treasury.”
When they heard this, not only Old Li, but even Zhangsun Wuji was a little shocked.
This was because what Li Chengqian said was very novel, but it was also very thought-provoking.
For example, he said that the source of the national treasury's income was weak in resisting risks.
Old Li and Zhangsun Wuji were deeply touched.
Otherwise…
Before this, Old Li would not be troubled by the emptiness of the national treasury, nor would he be troubled by the spring plowing plan.
"Chengqian, I need to gather the ministers to discuss your question before we can come to a conclusion.
However, I feel that what you said makes sense. If it's really possible…"
At this point, Old Li's eyes flashed.
Obviously, the white sugar that his little rascal had made could make money, and it could definitely make a lot of money.
The price of ordinary cerealose on the market now was about 10 wen per tael.
The stone honey that was transported from the various countries in the Western Regions was even more expensive, reaching 60 copper coins per tael.
And what price should Li Chengqian set for the white sugar that was of better quality than the stone honey?
One tael was worth 200 coins, 300 coins, or 500 coins?
Just like what Zhangsun Wuji had said before, even if it was just one tael, there would still be people fighting to buy it!
Li Chengqian did not think of directly persuading Old Li.
Besides, Old Li had already said it.
Even if he was the emperor, he could not make the decision. He had to gather the ministers to discuss it.
However, there was one thing that Li Chengqian had to emphasize:
"Imperial Father, your son is only making a suggestion. As for the specifics, Imperial Father will have to decide.
However, your son feels that the manufacturing method of this white sugar should be classified.
If they really wanted to use white sugar to earn money from other countries through international trade, they would have to pay for it.
Then the technology must not be leaked. Advanced technology represented absolute competitiveness!”
Old Li instantly understood and looked deeply at Zhangsun Wuji.
Zhangsun Wuji, this old fellow, was extremely quick-witted. He immediately cupped his hands and said,
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will keep my mouth shut, but these guards…"
However, he turned his spearhead and aimed it at the guards in the courtyard.
Li Chengqian waved his hand and said,"
"Imperial Father, everyone here is someone I trust. There's no need to be so wary.
What your son means is that if you really want to start a sugar factory, then there must be confidentiality regulations in the rules and regulations.
For this point, you can actually refer to the management method of the vegetable oil squeezing factory that your son and uncle founded.
The restaurants in Chang 'an City needed vegetable oil now, and many people were asking about the craftsmanship of this thing.
However, his uncle had made the squeezing factory into an iron bucket, so the others could only think about it.”
Old Li nodded solemnly and suddenly thought of a problem.
He knew that Li Chengqian used stone honey as the raw material to make this white sugar.
However, he did not know how much stone honey was needed to make one tael of white sugar, so he asked this question.
Li Chengqian calculated for a moment and said with a smile,
"Imperial Father, according to your son's estimation, about one jin of stone honey can produce half a jin of white sugar!
This thing is mainly used to remove the impurities in the stone honey. Of course, there are some losses in the manufacturing process…"
"So many?"
Hearing this number, Old Li was shocked!
In his opinion, this white sugar was better than the tribute icing.
The frosting required ten catties of stone honey to scrape off one tael.
However, he didn't expect that he could make one tael of white sugar with just two taels of honey.
While they were talking.
The first plate of white sugar that he had just made was almost dried by now.
Old Li took the plate and left. He said,
"Chengqian, prepare more white sugar for Zhen. Zhen will reward the officials tomorrow.”
Taking advantage of the moment when he turned around, Zhangsun Wuji hurriedly said,
"Chengqian, leave some for this old man. This thing is too precious.”
Looking at the two old fellows who left after enjoying the autumn wind, Li Chengqian curled his lips helplessly.
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