Salt and iron monopoly has always been the right of the imperial court, but in the early years of this dynasty, because the imperial court lacked foundation, it borrowed a lot of money from major families and used their power to stabilize the situation in various places, so it gave up part of the salt business rights.
For the Tang Dynasty at that time, this method brought military funds to the army, and also allowed the people in various places to quickly settle down and live and work in peace. It was a very correct choice.
But after a period of development, the Tang royal family had established a firm foothold and no longer needed the help of these big families. However, the big families were not soft-hearted. It was not that you could take back power just because you wanted to. Although Li Shimin had long wanted to reorganize the state-run salt and iron industries, the officials of the big families had been obstructing him, so this matter was delayed.
With the great victory of Tuyuhun and the introduction of new salt by Li Xiang, Li Shimin had the confidence to declare war on the major families. At the same time, he also guided the conflicts between the major families and let them join the competition. This was the reason for the salt auction some time ago.
But this was only the first step. Although the major families were reshuffled, some families occupied too large a share of salt sales. If this continued, the court would not be able to live a good life. Therefore, they had to be dealt a fatal blow, which was Li Xiang's salt pricing.
The major families spent huge prices to get the salt permits into their own hands. They thought they had monopolized the salt market. Although they knew that Li Xiang also had salt permits, which were given to him as a reward, Li Xiang did not have a salt mountain.
There are several types of salt mountains in the Tang Dynasty. Some are usable, while others are not. They have a bitter taste. The salt mountains in Li Xiang's hands are all the inedible kind.
All the major families had released their people and had not heard that Li Xiang had any new salt mountains, so they thought that he had already controlled the market. If Li Xiang wanted to turn the salt permits into cash, he had to buy salt from them.
The price of salt on the market is getting higher and higher. Originally, a pound of the worst quality salt cost only a few cents, but now it has rapidly risen to thirty cents. If ordinary people want to eat some salt, it is more difficult than before. Is this really the case?
Take the treasure to the back garden.
The weather is getting hotter and hotter, but Li Xiang's place is also very cool. He built this place into a water pavilion, with water flowing around like a waterfall. When sitting in the house, the wind blowing in from outside is cool.
"You guys are really getting better at enjoying yourself. Go get me one later."
Li Shimin came out on a secret visit today because today was the day when Li Xiang's salt was on the market, and Li Shimin also wanted to hear first-hand information from Zhidaobao.
"No problem. I'll have my workshop do it later, and I'll consider it as a way to honor Grandfather."
Li Xiang naturally agreed to such a small matter on the spot. As long as it did not involve issues of stance, he was still willing to be a filial younger generation.
"What did you say? You also set up a craftsman's workshop?"
Li Shimin quickly sensed something was wrong. Li Xiang's various institutions were emerging one after another, and he even opened a grain store recently, extending his hands to the grain business. Salt was already a very important commodity. If he were to start dealing in grain as well, how powerful would this kid be in the future?
"Right! Lately, people have been asking me to build them furniture and various buildings. If I gave them all away for free, I'd be broke in a matter of days. So I decided to set up a workshop and get it up and running. If anyone wants something I have, as long as they're willing to pay, I can build it for you in a few days."
The craftsman workshop that Li Xiang mentioned is like a construction team in modern society. No matter whether it is a house or furniture, as long as you have enough money, I can make it for you. Of course, because my business is unique in the world, the production cost is a little bit more expensive.
Li Shimin breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this. He thought it was the same as the court's artisan workshop. If that was the case, Li Xiang even produced weapons, which Li Shimin probably would not allow.
"How much does it cost to make a water pavilion like this?"
Li Shimin lay comfortably in the reclining chair.
"If you include the furniture inside, it will cost about eight hundred coins."
After Li Xiang said this, Li Shimin almost fell off the stool. This water pavilion was only about forty or fifty square meters. Although there were all kinds of furniture in it, it was not worth eight hundred strings of cash!
You should know that in the more prosperous areas of Chang'an City, a two-story shop costs about the same. Can you spend so much here?
"Tell me honestly, what is the cost price?"
Li Shimin felt that Li Xiang had found another highly profitable industry.
"The cost price is a trade secret, how can I disclose it so easily? But it's okay to tell Grandfather. It has to be at least five hundred strings of cash."
Li Xiang lied casually, it was just some wooden furniture and an ordinary house. Now the technology is mature and all kinds of furniture are produced on assembly lines. The cost price is not even a hundred strings of cash. What's more, it is built on someone else's land and you don't have to pay for the land. The profit in the construction industry is no joke, especially the construction industry in the Tang Dynasty.
When Li Shimin heard the cost price, although he was a little bit unconvinced, but looking at the exquisite surroundings, if it only cost 800 strings of cash to spend the summer in such a place, then for the dignitaries in Chang'an City, it was still very worthwhile.
"I also heard that you bought all the land around Qujiang. What do you want to do with it?"
Qujiang is the living water of Chang'an City. The dignitaries like to go there for fun, but some of the land is unwanted and only a part is relatively prosperous.
"My grandson plans to use that piece of land to build a water playground, which will enrich the leisure life of the people of Chang'an City."
Li Xiang lied without hesitation. According to the information Li Shimin had received, Li Xiang had brought in valuable flowers and plants from all over the place and built various recreational facilities inside. If he had said that these were for the use of the common people, Li Shimin would not have believed him! Could the common people afford such an expense?
Before the grandfather and grandson could say anything else, they heard footsteps outside. Zhou Huairen had already come in to report. Li Shimin didn't ask about anything else. He just wanted to know the sales status of salt, after all, it was launched nationwide at the same time...