Chapter 2447 - 2421: Seeking Advice

For instance, a prince’s residence would have a chief historian and the like, appointed by the court to manage their food estate. But someone like Manbao, of course, doesn’t have that; she has to discuss matters with the magistrate of Liyang County by herself.

As for Bai Shan and Bai Erlang, the food estate they received simply requires someone to relay the message to the local county magistrate to handle everything according to the court’s laws. Their job is just to audit the accounts and collect taxes when the time comes.

Of course, if they want to manage it personally, they can, but they still have to go through the local magistrate. For instance, if the Prince of Yizhou wants to impose additional taxes on his fief, he must first notify the local officials of the state or county.

However, he can’t just raise taxes on a whim. If the magistrate finds his request unreasonable, they can report him to the emperor, and the emperor or the imperial clan will reprimand him and deny his request to impose additional taxes.

In any case, it has its own set of operating rules. For Manbao, who is taking on her first duty as a rural landowner, she isn’t very experienced and thus occasionally exchanges ideas with newly-titled county lords and county barons.

Bai Shan and Bai Erlang are straightforward about being hands-off managers, "Our food estate is far away, in Longzhou. Everything just proceeds as usual; we can’t manage it anyway."

Manbao went to Mingda and Changyu and asked, "Your food estates are much bigger than mine; how do you plan to manage them?"

Changyu replied, "There’s a chief historian there."

Oh, right, a princess’s residence also has a chief historian.

Mingda said, "Focus on developing agriculture. Manbao, didn’t you once say that you earned a lot of money from your little manor in Qili Village? You used that money to pay for your studies and travels, right?"

Manbao nodded.

Mingda continued, "My manors and food estates have more land and people. I’m not fond of doing business as it competes with the people and often harms them. Farming, being the foundation of the nation, can support my expenses."

Changyu said, "But my nanny says that farmers are poor while doing business makes one rich. The yield from farming a hectare of land doesn’t earn as much as trading once."

Manbao said, "Hearing you say this, it sounds like trading wouldn’t incur any losses."

She added, "In this world, big profits come with big risks. Trading isn’t as easy as it looks."

On her trip to the Western Regions, Manbao observed many things, "Some people make a fortune on a single trip, but more often, people lose their fortune, sometimes at the cost of their companions’ lives. The world is unpredictable; how can you be sure that every trade will go smoothly?"

Princess Changyu said, "Your fourth brother..."

"That’s because he trades in goods that aren’t too valuable, mostly earning hard-fought money," Manbao explained. After her journey, she realized that someone like her fourth brother seldom incurs losses but doesn’t earn any more than others either.

The most profitable trades are still in textiles, tea, and porcelain, especially textiles, where it seems you can always sell whatever you take out.

But likewise, they are the easiest to rob.

After all, outside, textiles can sometimes be used as currency.

But the market demands strictly, and any slight flaw will greatly reduce their value. If they get rained on, become damp, or stained...

And they are the easiest to be robbed as well.

So, Zhou Silang mostly brings medicinal herbs, which can only be sold to pharmacies, and since their price isn’t high, as long as they have enough people, no one dares to take the risk to rob them.

Changyu then asked, "Then why not engage in more profitable businesses?"

Manbao replied, "Medicinal herbs, grain, and tea can all be proven to be grown by our own family and relatives. Even if the quantity is large, it’s still considered farming. If my fourth brother engaged in too many other businesses, he might be classified separately as a merchant household."

As Manbao rose in government positions, they became increasingly cautious.

Especially on the way back from the Western Regions, both Manbao and Bai Shan had discussions, and they sought advice from Mr. Zhuang. Now her government rank is rising, and one of them is a highly respected compiler, so it’s essential to protect her reputation.

Therefore, they can do business, but it’s best to keep it related to agricultural and sideline products, such as grain, medicinal herbs, cattle, and sheep. Items like textiles, silks, and porcelains should be kept to a minimum to avoid giving others a hold over them.

Manbao encouraged Changyu, "Agricultural and sideline products are very profitable. If you don’t believe me, come to my house, and I’ll show you the income from my government’s estate over the past two years."

Changyu immediately asked, "When is your family hosting a banquet? The emperor has already agreed to let us go, so you have to send us invitations. On that day, can we also wander around the streets?"

While making money is important, having fun is more significant.

Mingda agreed with this. The fief is still far away from her; the present is more important.

Manbao said, "I have six days off, starting tomorrow. Bai Shan and the others are also free tomorrow, and we’ll host the banquet the day after."

With cunning intent, Manbao said, "I’ve calculated everything. The day after tomorrow, everyone has to go to the yamen, so they can mostly just come for a drink at noon and then head back to work in the afternoon. My house will only have some close female guests, so you don’t have to worry about being seen. I’ll take you to tour the garden, and then we’ll go to the Guardian of the Nation Temple area to enjoy the lake and see the scenery."

Both Changyu and Mingda’s eyes lit up, "We can go boating on the lake too?"

"Of course, the spring lake view at the Guardian of the Nation Temple is quite beautiful, and there are many delicious food stalls by the lake. When you’re having the feast, don’t eat too much, save some room for stomachs, and we’ll go out for some tasty food."

The palace maids and wet nurses at the side: ... This is the first time I’ve seen a host advising guests to eat less at their banquet.

However, Mingda and Changyu were both excited, whispering, "Isn’t this inappropriate? This could be considered amusement, right?"

Manbao said, "We can also visit the Guardian of the Nation Temple to burn incense for the empress dowager, wishing her happiness and joy in the Western Heaven."

Along the way, they could visit Master Zhi Ren. Since their return from the Western Regions, they hadn’t had a chance to see Master Zhi Ren, and they weren’t sure if Jiechen’s injuries had healed. His skills are so formidable; they wonder how many years he has trained and if he could teach them some skills...

Hearing this, Mingda and Changyu thought it was a good idea, feeling that this way, it wouldn’t count as just amusement.

When Manbao finally returned home, the sun was almost setting. Bai Shan, who was writing invitations, found it curious, "When we left the Ministry of Personnel and passed by the Ministry of Rites, they clearly said you were heading home after leaving the palace. How did it take you until now to get home?"

Manbao: "I was halfway home when I remembered I didn’t know how to manage a food estate, so I went back to consult Mingda and Changyu."

Bai Shan: "Did they have any suggestions?"

Manbao shook her head, "Although they are princesses, they don’t have fiefs yet, so they don’t know and plan to leave everything to the chief historian to handle."

Manbao took out the long list to show Bai Shan, "Here, my food estate of five hundred households."

Looking through it, Bai Shan felt a bit envious, "Your food estate is nearby, how lucky."