Traveling through time and space to become a child, supporting the family by catching fish and shrim

The relationship here is a bit too complicated, and Chen Lang can't figure it out for a while.

And he also felt that there was no need for him to sort it out.

Because even if you figure it out, you can't change anything.

I am just a scholar who knows how to do business. It is not my turn to worry about national affairs and court struggles.

Just be practical.

For example...

"My Lords, should we earn this money or not?"

Wang Yunzhang said: "To make money, of course we have to make money."

"That's why I kept you here."

"You are a clever kid, think of a way to make some money for the government and the market bureau from the Oiran Contest."

Chen Lang asked, "Sir, how did the government offices and the market operate in the past during the Oiran competitions?"

Wang Yunzhang said, "The market has never participated in the Oiran Contest."

Chang Anmin said, "The government office is responsible for security and the final selection."

"Choosing an oiran requires a judge who is as fair as possible. This relatively fair judging position is usually handled by government officials."

"This will also prevent cheating and wrangling."

Chen Lang asked, "You don't charge money?"

"Accepting it is a bribe." Chang Anmin said, "Either you don't go, or it's free. There are only two options."

Chen Lang said, "Isn't this just working for nothing?"

"Not really. After the Oiran Contest, the government can collect taxes from the brothels." Chang Anmin said.

Chen Lang frowned. "The brothels will report in a proper manner how much money they made from the Oiran Contest?"

Chang Anmin said, "Just say what you want to say, no need to beat around the bush."

Chen Lang said, "What the student meant is that it's too easy to cook the books with this thing. Even my wife can make a pretty good fake account."

Chang Anmin said: "After all, the Oiran Contest is a spontaneous act among the people, and it is not easy for the government to interfere."

Chen Lang smiled and said, "Then let's make it a government-run one."

"With official support, I believe the brothel won't refuse."

Chang Anmin asked, "If it's government-run, how will it be done?"

Chen Lang said: "First of all, it's the naming rights."

"For example, before the oiran performs, a male prostitute will come on stage to announce the show, right?"

"Now let me say that this Oiran Contest is specially sponsored and broadcasted by Guhonglou."

"Every time an oiran appears on stage, she reads out the sponsor's name. This maximizes the publicity and influence."

Wang Yunzhang laughed when he heard this and said, "You kid, you really have a lot of clever ideas."

"This naming rights... is quite interesting."

"But don't tell me that your Guhonglou wants to take away the naming rights for another ounce of silver."

Chen Lang chuckled and said, "I do want to, but I don't dare."

"After all, this time it concerns the two adults, so let other merchants contribute a little. My Guhonglou will just need a small sponsorship."

Chang Anmin said, "Go on."

Chen Lang said, "The second step is to divide the oiran competition into four zones: east, west, south, and north. Then, negotiate with the brothels and let them arrange the women in their brothels to be assigned to these four zones."

"If there are a lot of people, each district will have two rounds. If there are fewer people, it will be one round. In short, four people will be selected from each district to enter the finals."

"The purpose of this arrangement is to extend the entire competition system and provide more opportunities for major sponsors to appear."

"Besides the overall naming rights, there are also regional naming rights. For example, the fabric for the brothel women's clothes came from that cloth shop, the rouge came from that rouge shop, and the shoes came from that shoe store. All of these can be put up for auction."

"These sponsors can set up their own billboards around the competition arena, and the brothel girls are also required to thank their sponsors after their performances."

"This way, sponsors will work harder to promote the brothel girls wearing their clothes and shoes to reach the finals, which will bring in more extra income."

Chen Lang paused for a moment, gathered his thoughts, and continued, "What I just said was about making money from merchants. Next, we should make money from those talented people and second-generation rich people."

"The market will customize flower baskets for gifts. Each flower basket represents one vote. The winner is the one with the most votes."

"We'll take 30% of the flower baskets' fees, and give the rest to the brothel. After all, we're selecting an oiran, so we have to make a profit for the brothel so they'll be willing to do what we ask."

Wang Yunzhang nodded in agreement: "Yes, this approach can achieve a win-win situation."

Chen Lang said: "In addition to the above, I will provide another way that does not make money but can earn you fame."

Wang Yunzhang said, "Tell me about it."

Chen Lang said, "In the finals of the Oiran Contest, the women in the brothels will definitely compete in skills like playing the piano, chess, calligraphy, and painting, rather than their skills in bed."

"This kind of competition is actually very elegant and artistic. So we can definitely invite well-known and talented people in Linshui County to serve as judges. Having them provide professional comments will not only increase the fun of the competition but also enhance its professionalism."

"Finally, based on the judges' opinions and the votes from the flower baskets, the final four top performers and the top courtesan will be selected."

"Of course, if you don't mind the hassle, you can also add a few more titles, like the Best Stage Presence Award, the Best Dressed Award, the Best Talent Award, etc. After all, brothel girls participate in the competition just to gain a good reputation, and then rely on this reputation to coax more talented men into spending money in the future."

Wang Yunzhang looked at Chang Anmin and said, "Master Chang, what do you think of this method?"

Chang Anmin said: "You can give it a try."

Chen Lang added: "I also have a bold idea. We can invite people from Liaoning to be judges."

"This can also be considered as promoting friendly exchanges between the two countries."

Chang Anmin said calmly, "You're really getting more and more out of line."

Chen Lang smiled and said, "Sir, just pretend I didn't say anything."

Chang Anmin said: "I will consider it."

"Do you... have anything else to add?"

Chen Lang pinched the tip of his nose and said, "Yes!"

"Trophy!"

Wang Yunzhang asked, "What is it?"

Chen Lang looked around, picked up the teacup on the table, and said, "For example, this is the trophy, but it's made of jade mixed with gold, with a base underneath. Whoever wins the title of Oiran will have their name engraved on the base, and then one of the two masters will personally present it to the winner."

"This way, there's a sense of formality, and the woman who wins the award will also feel very honored, killing two birds with one stone."

Wang Yunzhang said, "A question."

"If you want to engrave words on the pedestal, you have to do it in advance. Are you trying to play dirty and arrange every winner in advance?"

Chen Lang slapped his head and was so excited that he ignored this.

In later generations, names were engraved on trophies using laser engraving, which was very fast. Alternatively, several copies were made as backups, and the winner would be awarded the trophy with his or her name engraved on it, and all the others would be destroyed.

"Then don't engrave the person's name, just the name of the award. After the competition is over, let the craftsman add the name." Chen Lang said.

Chang Anmin said, "These methods are all good, but Lord Wang and I need to discuss how to implement them."

"You can go first."

Chen Lang stood up, bowed, and said, "Student, take your leave."