If we use grain as the basis, one tael of silver in the Tang Dynasty was about 2,000 yuan in later generations. Silver was cheap and copper was expensive. Although the official copper coins were one tael of silver, in fact, copper coins were more valuable than silver.

Xu Qilin's positioning of a mirror is a luxury, not an ordinary luxury. He probably can sell a small mirror as big as a palm, while a foot square of about tens of thousands of yuan.

If it is converted into later currencies, it is 200,000 or 20 million. It is not an exaggeration to say that it is a sky-high price, although this comparison is not very appropriate.

If we measure the salary of officials in the Tang Dynasty, the salary, rice, manpower, job land, monthly payment, regular physical treatment and special physical treatment will be combined, the annual salary of first-rank officials is about 800,000 yuan, and the ninth-rank officials are 700,000 to 80,000 yuan.

Xu Qilin is a fifth-rank official, with an annual salary of about 300,000 yuan. Compared with the price of a mirror, even he felt it was a bit expensive and he was a little nervous.

So, he felt that it might be more certain to try the waters first. Auction was naturally the first thing he thought of, but he was a little confused whether it was like this again and again.

If the price is clearly marked and sold as a normal product, it is necessary to obtain a reference basis.

At the same time, Xu Qilin also had a more grand arrangement, which was to establish a private institution similar to later commodity exchanges.

Xu Qilin has formulated the articles of association of the commodity exchange, which is a bit sketchy, but the main points are included. For example, the exchange membership system, the delivery and refund of performance deposits, price markings, etc.

Of course, Xu Qilin didn't write about futures at all, that was too advanced.

He first hoped to provide an orderly trading venue, open trading prices and unified trading rules, and through this centralization, it achieved smooth information, fair prices, and fair trading.

For the imperial court, the establishment of the exchange will speed up the circulation of goods and charge more taxes. This is to lay a foundation for large-scale transactions of flying tickets.

So, Xu Qilin invited some big merchants in Chang'an on the first day of the New Year holiday for the imperial officials.

Although the word "big" was mentioned in front, there were still dozens of merchants coming to the meeting. It has to be said that even though the business in the early Tang Dynasty had not yet truly flourished, many wealthy businessmen appeared.

Xu Qilin's reputation is quite famous. The development of two commercial and residential areas outside the city and the issuance of the "Minsheng Daily", and the fifth-rank official position is the Royal Daying Kukucheng.

These identities combined together have to remind many businessmen of His Majesty Li Er. And Xu Qilin's words and deeds are very likely to represent His Majesty's will.

Therefore, as soon as Xu Qilin appeared, although his attitude was kind, he did not put on any official airs. However, the merchants were extremely respectful and well-polite.

After Xu Qilin sat down, his eyes swept over the businessmen present. Some people knew each other, but most of them met for the first time.

Regardless of whether they know each other or not, the profit-seeking nature of merchants is the same, including Xu Qilin.

Without much nonsense, Xu Qilin briefly explained his intentions, so he distributed the printed regulations, sipped his own tea and waited for the merchants to react.

The businessman Zhou Guifu was not the first to see the key points, but he dared to speak first. Because his identity was not simple, he was a white glove of the Feng family in Lingnan doing business in Chang'an, and he met through Feng Zhidai and Xu Qilin.

With this relationship, Zhou Guifu felt that he could support him. Of course, he admired Xu Qilin's idea very much.

You should know that for merchants, shipping goods is the most important thing.

If you can't find a buyer for a while, you have to stay there. It costs money to store warehouses in the residence, and it costs money to eat, drink and live, not to mention delaying your time.

If you are trafficking goods to the Chang'an Exchange, you don't have to work hard to inquire about it and indicate the types and prices of your goods, and the buyer will naturally come to discuss in detail.

In time, this commodity exchange will inevitably be crowded. I don’t know how many people will sell and buy all kinds of goods.

As long as the goods are transported here, they can go directly to the exchange and negotiate the transaction as soon as possible. Sometimes the goods don’t even need to be put into the warehouse. They can negotiate in advance and wait directly on the dock.

"Xu Cheng is extremely wise and this charter is well-established."

Zhou Guifu bowed his hand, and when Xu Qilin looked up, he spoke respectfully: "The villain thinks it can be improved slightly. For example, obtaining information from merchants from south to north can help you know the approximate price of goods from other places. If it is used as a reference mark, it may be convenient for merchants and increase popularity of the exchange."

Xu Qilin immediately remembered the signs of later commodity exchanges, London, New York, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur... He felt like he was confused by time and was stunned for a moment.

Seeing that Xu Qilin didn't say a word, Zhou Guifu thought his suggestion was not in line with his wishes, so he quickly decided: "The villain is rude, please don't care."

The ancients were smart, at least in terms of business wisdom, they were not inferior to themselves. The only difference was the limitations of vision and thinking. Once they made a breakthrough under their own prompts, they could learn from one example and apply it to others.

Xu Qilin showed an admiring smile on his face, and gave Zhou Guifu a thumbs up and said, "Please pick up the leftovers and make up for the shortcomings, learn from one example and apply it to others. Boss Zhou is really amazing."

"Xu Cheng is too rewarded." Zhou Guifu hurriedly bowed, not expecting Xu Qilin to respect him so much.

Xu Qilin praised the head of the earth and smiled at other businessmen and said, "You don't have to be restrained, just speak freely. Those with insight and ability may enter the management committee of this exchange. Don't miss the opportunity."

After saying this, the merchants immediately shone their eyes and became enthusiastic. Although this management committee is not an official title, its power is quite large from the perspective of the charter. For example, mediating commercial disputes, determining commodity quality, commercial fraud, etc.

Xu Qilin listened to various suggestions, expressed his appreciation for them, whether good or bad, and asked the clerk to record them carefully.

Obviously, most people do not want to give up this opportunity to show off. Not only does it show a small face in front of everyone, it is also possible to attract Xu Qilin's attention.

Xu Qilin also secretly remembered the names of several merchants, thinking that they were clear-headed and insightful. After all, it is not certain whether he can directly manage the exchange. It is always good to find some smart people.

Moreover, the commodity exchange will be an institution that is self-governed by merchants. The government is just supervising and refereeing, and is not prepared to get involved too deeply. It is not very suitable for him to have an official position.

After the matter of the commodity exchange was temporarily discussed, Xu Qilin took out a mirror and placed it on the table in the hall, asking all the merchants to comment.

When the merchants first saw this novel play, they were indeed extremely surprised. They watched the table and admired it. They looked at the clear images in the mirror and widened their eyes. Some people couldn't help but change their expressions funnyly.

A Hu Shang's eyes widened with excitement, and kept pulling his beard. He seemed to see the opportunity to make a fortune, so he bowed to Xu Qilin and said, "Xu Cheng--I don't know how much this item is worth?"

Xu Qilin pretended to be profound and smiled without saying a word.

"Even if this item is sold in Chang'an, it will definitely be priceless." Zhou Guifu deliberately made a bad move and pointed out the most important key points.

You can sell it at a good price here. If you want to sell it outside the territory, wouldn’t you make more money? So, if you want to get it, don’t think about it when the price is low.

In fact, Xu Qilin also knew that mirror dealers overseas were huge profits. Whether it was the Maritime Silk Road or the Land Silk Road, there were many wealthy people going to the country, let alone the royal family.

Of course, the Maritime Silk Road is not prosperous now. It mainly takes land to pass through the Western Regions and travel to Central Asia, East Asia, and even European countries.

"Is Yangzhou worse than Chang'an?" Another businessman was not willing to be outdone and said, "If it comes to the level of wealth, it is not much better."

Yangzhou in the Tang Dynasty was of course a place worthy of "relaxation and romance". "The city bridge was lighted and the sky was filled with the sky, and the water was sailed and the monument was nearly half a cow", "the night market was filled with thousands of lights, and the walls were covered with clouds, and the tall buildings were filled with red sleeves"; people at that time called it "the town between the Jianghuai River and Huai River, the town of Guangling was richest in the world."

"It may be sold in Hangzhou, Fuzhou, and Guangzhou. This treasure was sold overseas by foreigners, and it can be presented to foreign palaces. As a rank of promotion, what is the yellow and white thing?" Another businessman showed his clever thinking, and after saying that, he showed a pleasing expression to Xu Qilin.

No matter where you sell it, the prospects are bright! Xu Qilin smiled and said, "After the New Year, a public auction will be held. In the future, it may be sold at a normal price. Of course, on the exchange, you are all your own people, so there must be discounts."

After pausing, Xu Qilin pointed to the mirror on the table and continued, "This side is displayed here as a sample. Here, it is set up as a treasure display hall. Any rare treasures you have in your hands can also be exhibited together."

Zhou Guifu rolled his eyes and wanted to represent the Feng family to take over this transaction. Even if he only won a few more sides, he would make a lot of money by selling it in Guangzhou and selling it with the maritime merchants.

But what conditions should be taken to make Xu Qilin moved? Well, now, don’t talk about it in front of everyone, it’s not too late to meet in private before talking.

Seeing that the merchants were thinking, they were estimating the value and profits, and they were also confused and wanted to ask for details.

Xu Qilin smiled bitterly and said, "This treasure mirror produces very little. It is the limit to be able to produce twenty of such quality yuan a year."

Oh, there were obviously several businessmen who breathed a sigh of relief, and now they felt confident.

Twenty yuan a year, even if it is the Tang Dynasty, such a big place and so many rich people, are they still worried that they can't sell it? At least, the value of this treasure mirror will not drop much within five or six years.

…………

The treasure display hall is very popular. In addition to the one-foot-square mirror, Xu Qilin also brought some of his own commercial goods.

Although half of the optical glass has not been made yet, it does not prevent Xu Qilin from replacing it with natural crystal. Telescopes are definitely military products and cannot be manufactured and sold. However, the single-piece myopia glasses and reading glasses were launched on the market before the New Year.

Other businessmen are not willing to fall behind, this is a good way to advertise for free and increase popularity. Regardless of whether it is a treasure or not, at least one booth will be left for free, so it is not useless.

Of course, news spread like wildfire, and most of the people who came came to see the treasure mirror. It is said that Hu merchants have prepared funds to bid at auction after the New Year.

On the booth where the mirror is placed, of course, there is no price marked, which shows the value of the rare goods.

"If you can get a treasure mirror with 6,000 guan and sell it overseas, you should be able to make a profit of thousands of guan, right?" A businessman estimated that this made several companions' eyes red.

"Only twenty treasure mirrors are produced in a year, and even in the Tang Dynasty, it will not be less than 8,000 guan." A short and fat businessman whispered: "If you win it for 8,000 guan and sell it for 10,000 guan, it will not be difficult, right?"

"There are royal relatives and powerful officials who have come to see the treasure mirror. If they join the bidding, I don't know how much the price will be raised?" Someone grinned and felt that the auction must be fierce and difficult to succeed.

"I'm afraid that overseas merchants will come to grab the goods." The companion touched the beard under the jaw and said with concern: "If they sell such treasure mirrors overseas, they will make more than a few thousand chunks of money?"

"Yes!" The short and fat businessman scratched his face and agreed, "Those foreign tourists traveled to and from the sea with good merchants and sold spices to produce a huge amount of money, and their financial resources were naturally unmatched."

"While they don't know the news, they always have to buy one or two sides this time." The companion gritted his teeth and said, "Even if it's a small one, it should be a sure profit and no loss when you turn it over."

"That's right, that's right." The short and fat businessman nodded repeatedly.

The so-called big treasure mirror is a foot square, while the small one is the size of a palm, and can be carried with you. Xu Qilin only said that the big one is twenty sides a year, but the small one does not reveal the specific number.

Even if it is big, Xu Qilin doesn't plan to build only twenty sides a year. Like his partner Feng's family, he can secretly put a few or more than ten sides out and ship overseas through the port of Guangzhou.

Xiang Zhou Guifu had already given a generous gift, but did not explain how much mirrors were purchased. His identity was not enough, he just set off the front station, and Feng Zhidai came to contact him behind him.

Xu Qilin cannot determine the price, and there must be a basis after the auction is over. It is either to reduce the price by 10% or 20% at the high price of the auction to clearly mark the price and push the mirror to the market.

At this time, Xu Qilin had already entered the palace and asked Xiao Zhao to take the mirror to Bingxia Palace. He took his side to Qianqiu Palace.

His Highness did not wait. Almost after the palace maid informed him, His Majesty Li Er asked the palace maid to lead Xu Qilin in.

Xu Qilin entered the hall and had finished the ceremony. He presented the mirror directly and waited for His Majesty Li Er to speak.

"Is this the priceless treasure mirror?"

His Majesty Li Er had obviously heard of it, but when the mirror was placed in front of him, he looked at the clear image inside, and even his pores could be seen clearly, and he could not help but widen his eyes and look shocked.
Chapter completed!