Chapter 103: Jaw-dropping Cost

In fact, the ministers were more or less skeptical that the cost of this new thing called paper might be lower than they imagined.

After all, they understood the almost obvious hint in Xiao He's words just now.

Isn't it just to remind Fusu to be more careful and cautious when talking about the cost?

But Chunyu Yue's shout made everyone hesitate.

hiss……

Could it be that the cost of this paper is really high, and Prince Fusu intends to quote a low price and pay for it himself?
Only a fool would do this, right?
Who is so stupid...

hiss……

Everyone looked at Fusu, who was standing there like a gentle gentleman, and recalled his past deeds.

Everyone was confused.

It seems that this is something that Fusu can really do.

That's right!

No matter how the court officials had looked down on Prince Fusu, who in their eyes had been brainwashed by the Confucians.

But there is a dark one, and if such a gentle gentleman does not become a king or a prince, but just a friend, then everyone wants him.

This person is so nice!

This man is a true gentleman!

Therefore, after Chunyu Yue revealed this matter, everyone gasped.

Then my heart was lifted.

Oh my god, if that's the case, how expensive must this thing be?

To the extent that Prince Fusu didn't dare to directly state the cost, and was hesitating whether to put in the money?
Fusu didn't pay any attention to the court officials. He was just stunned by Chunyu Yue's shout.

What?
Pay money?

Do I need to pay for that thing?

It’s so cheap, basically just the cost of labor.

The materials are almost free!

But before he could say anything, Ying Yuan spoke.

"Brother, what Dr. Chunyu just said is exactly what I want to say!"

"In addition to supplying the Great Qin court with this paper, if there is any surplus, I am thinking of selling some of it to subsidize the national treasury!"

"How can you pay for the subsidy to the national treasury?"

"Besides, you are just like me, a young man who has just been observing politics for a short time. Even if you have some savings, how long can you sustain it?"

"It's better to tell it frankly so that everyone can have a clear idea in their mind!"

As soon as Ying Yuan said this, all the court officials present became excited instantly.

"Yes, yes, that's right, Master Yuan is right. Master Fusu might as well talk about the costs honestly!"

"That's right, Master Fusu, please be honest. We are just curious and have no other intentions!"

"Yes, yes, curious, curious, everyone is curious!"

"..."

Looking at the impatient looks of the crowd, Ying Yuan raised his eyebrows slightly.

Wealth can move people’s hearts!

Look at these ones!
I’m afraid you all understood what I just said, “sell a part of it to subsidize the national treasury.”

Tsk tsk, these people may have even figured out the sellers.

good very good!

I just like the best leeks like you.

However, now it depends on Fusu's performance.

At this moment, Fusu glanced secretly at Ying Yuan.

But he found Ying Yuan looking at him with a smile, and even raised his eyebrows at him. Fusu almost felt so choked up that he almost died.

So, you want to take the blame for "cost fraud" yourself?
If the real cost is exposed by then, won’t I be socially ruined?
But when he thought that this would contribute to the Qin Dynasty and that the treasury really had no money, Fusu could not say anything to refuse.

Looking at Ying Yuan's constantly raised brows and the smile on his face, Fusu rarely cursed in his heart.

'Gan! '

"I'm being controlled by my sixth brother!"

"Now I have no choice but to take the blame!"

Fusu gritted his teeth, took a deep breath, looked at the court officials, and spoke loudly.

"Well, the materials needed for this paper are quite precious, including several precious medicinal herbs used to whiten and enhance the fragrance, plus a formula specially prepared by the Mo family."

"Therefore...therefore, the cost is...is about three times that of silk!"

Although he hesitated a bit, Fusu finally finished speaking.

However, Ying Yuan was extremely dissatisfied when he saw Fusu blushing and lowering his head, looking like he wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into, after he finished speaking.

Why did it only stand there for a while?
You just hold on for a while!
It’s hard for us to continue our play if you continue like this!
Fortunately, Ying Yuan’s worries did not become a reality.

Because all the court officials were focused on the "shocking news" that Fusu had just released.

"Wow, no wonder I smelled a faint fragrance just now, they really put medicinal herbs in it!"

"The taste is a small matter. If you think about it, you will know how much must have been put into it to make it so white."

"I dare not imagine it! I really dare not imagine it. It must have taken a lot of effort to make it. Otherwise, how could such a thin piece of paper be so tough!"

"But the cost of silk is three times as much, which is a bit scary!"

"You get what you pay for. Can I get four pieces of silk in exchange for a piece of paper like this?"

"Yeah, it doesn't matter if good things are a little more expensive!"

"Then... let's discuss this later?"

"Well, we need to discuss it!"

"..."

At this moment, all the court officials had no time to pay attention to Fusu.

I'm afraid their minds are now full of thoughts on how to buy more paper from Fusu and then resell it at a higher price.

Of course, you must keep some treasures for yourself.

Many people seemed to still be squinting their eyes, savoring the pleasant experience of the ups and downs of the brush moving across the paper.

What's more, he actually picked up the white paper on the table, put it to his nose and took a deep sniff, and then looked intoxicated.

Looking at everyone's excited expressions, Fusu didn't know what to say.

He really wanted to tell everyone that there were no precious medicinal herbs, nor any top-secret formulas.

It's just a bunch of broken fishing nets, rotten bamboo strips and other miscellaneous stuff.

The so-called fragrance is actually just the ordinary smell of grass and trees.

Why is it blowing so loudly?

Fusu had no idea how all this happened.

He could only habitually look at the culprit behind all this.

As a result, when he turned his head, he found that Ying Yuan was giving him a thumbs up and smiling happily.

It seems like he is praising him for doing a good job?
Faced with the straightforward praise from his sixth son, Fusu really didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Sixth brother, I have paid so much for you!

You must remember my brother's kindness.

When Wang Jian saw the scene of the two brothers smiling at each other without caring about anything, he frowned and felt doubtful.

'How come these two gentlemen have such a good relationship?'

"Could it be that this is a trap?"

(End of this chapter)