On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

Lin Zhen's voice came from the doorway. He wasn't wearing his usual attire today, but a dark, cloud-patterned brocade robe, a jade belt around his waist. He stood with his hands behind his back, a faint smile playing on his lips as he watched the bustling scene in the hall.

"Husband!" Zhang Li turned around upon hearing the voice, and a brilliant smile instantly bloomed on her bright face, like a blooming peony.

She hurried forward, her skirt fluttering and her hairpins trembling. "You're finally here! Come and see my new finds! I spent three thousand taels of silver to buy this coral tree from the Treasure Pavilion, and this screen is the treasure of the Suhangji shop! I begged the old shopkeeper for three days and three nights before he agreed to part with it!"

"Li'er, you always have a unique vision." Lin Zhen walked into the hall and glanced at the dazzling array of treasures. "It's just that this 'Golden Jade Hall' is almost becoming a Treasure Pavilion."

"Hehe, my husband, you are joking." Zhang Li took his arm and leaned against him affectionately, "Li'er, this will bring honor to our house. Besides..." Her eyes moved with a hint of cunning,

"These things look nice, but they can also be used in emergencies at critical moments, right?"

"Li'er is very far-sighted." Lin Zhen laughed, his fingertips brushing the cool hairpin in her hair. "How is the Beiyan trade route progressing?"

"I was just about to report to my husband!" Zhang Li cheered up and pulled Lin Zhen to the large rosewood desk in the side hall.

Several thick account books were spread out on the desk, along with an abacus, pen, ink, and paperweight.

"Husband, please look!" She flipped open an account book, her fingertips tapping on the lines of wet-ink figures. "The Black Rock Mountain Coal Mine franchise has been officially signed, with an initial mining license of ten years! Huitonghao is offering a 30% profit margin. This alone will bring at least that much into the government treasury next year!"

She held up three nail-painted fingers.

"Three hundred thousand taels?" Lin Zhen raised his eyebrows.

"Silver!" Zhang Li raised her chin proudly. "That's still a conservative estimate. If mining goes smoothly and sales are smooth, it's not impossible to double the amount!"

"Good." Lin Zhen nodded, "Li'er has made an indelible contribution."

"And more!" Zhang Li flipped through another account book. "Beiyan coal has opened up two transportation routes: canal and land. Canal transport goes directly to Jiangnan via the Yongding River and the Grand Canal. Land transport goes through Yanmen Pass and is sold to Mobei. The price is 20% higher than the market price in the capital. And the supply is in short supply!"

"Mobei..." Lin Zhen's eyes narrowed slightly, "Rouran... Gaochang..."

"Husband, don't worry!" Zhang Li's eyes flashed. "The sales in Mobei are limited to mutual trade, and the quantity is strictly controlled. Every cart of coal is accompanied by a secret sentry of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and all buyers are registered. Anyone suspected of aiding the enemy will not be allowed to leave even a single grain of coal!"

"That's pretty good." Lin Zhen praised.

"Also..." Zhang Li lowered her voice, a hint of mystery in her voice. "I've already got a sample of the mountain-blasting explosives developed by Sister Ling'er at the Burning Thunder Division. The trial results are excellent! The manager of the West Mountain Quarry made the decision on the spot and signed a five-year exclusive supply contract. The price is five times that of ordinary gunpowder!"

"Five times?" Lin Zhen raised his eyebrows slightly.

"It's well worth the money!" Zhang Li said seriously. "Efficiency has increased more than tenfold, safety is even more guaranteed, and the labor and time saved... far outweigh the fivefold price difference. Li'er also plans to promote this product in the construction of a new canal in Jiangnan. If we can get it, it'll be a huge deal!"

"Li'er, are you planning to turn the Burning Sky Thunder into a treasure pot?" Lin Zhen had a smile in his eyes.

"Why not?" Zhang Li said confidently, "A sharp weapon can kill, but it can also bring blessings! Sister Ling'er turned a killing weapon into a sharp weapon, and Li'er turned a sharp weapon into a source of wealth. Husband, don't you agree with this?"

"Yes." Lin Zhen nodded, "However, this substance is sensitive, so we need to be cautious when promoting it."

"Li'er understands!" Zhang Li replied, "We only cooperate with the Ministry of Industry and reputable large trading companies. The formula will never be leaked. Production is under the exclusive control of the Fenlei Division, and Li'er is only responsible for sales channels."

"Yeah." Lin Zhen nodded, "Li'er knows how to handle things very well."

"Husband..." Zhang Li's eyes moved, with a hint of coquettishness, "Li'er has earned so much money for the mansion, will you give me a reward?"

"What reward does Li'er want?" Lin Zhen asked back.

"Hmm..." Zhang Li tilted her head, pretending to think, "I want my husband to accompany Li'er to the head office of Huitonghao to discuss a big deal!"

"Oh?" Lin Zhen raised an eyebrow. "What's the deal?"

"The Jiangnan Silk Road is expanding next year!" Zhang Li's eyes flashed with a businessman's sharpness. "Huitong Hao wants to monopolize 70% of the Suzhou and Hangzhou silk shipped north. They have a big appetite. Li'er wants to lower their price and make them give up the 20% profit margin on the 'Mobei Furs' sold south! With a husband as great as you, I don't think that old fox Qian will dare to bow down!"

"Li'er wants to use your husband as a 'door god'?" Lin Zhen laughed.

"My husband is Li'er's 'stabilizing force'!" Zhang Li held his arm tightly, smiling sweetly, "With you around, Li'er is confident!"

In the afternoon, the "Huitonghao" head office.

Located on Zhuque Street, the most prosperous street in the imperial capital, the three-story vermilion lacquer gatehouse is extraordinary, and the gilded plaque sparkles in the sun.

The store is luxuriously decorated with nanmu counters, rosewood tables and chairs, famous calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls, and the air is filled with the mixed aroma of fine tea and precious incense.

In the private room, the scent of sandalwood wafts through the air.

Zhang Li sat at the top, wearing a pomegranate red palace dress, looking bright and radiant, with a strong aura.

Lin Zhen, wearing a black robe and jade belt, sat beside her with an indifferent expression. He was playing with a warm mutton-fat jade pendant in his hand, his eyes calm and peaceful.

Opposite, the head manager of "Huitonghao" was Qian Youcai, a slightly fat old man with a chubby figure who looked like a rich man. He had a humble smile on his face, but his eyes were as shrewd as a fox.

"Manager Qian, 70% of the silk from Suzhou and Hangzhou is shipped north. You have quite an appetite." Zhang Li picked up the blue and white covered bowl and gently skimmed off the foam. Her voice was crisp and pleasant, but it carried an invisible pressure.

"Haha, Madam Zhang, you're joking." Qian Youcai rubbed his hands together, smiling broadly. "Huitonghao is also helping Madam Zhang relieve her worries! The Jiangnan Silk Road is a long journey, and the risks are not small. We are familiar with the route, and the channels are unobstructed. Taking over 70% of the business will also help Madam Zhang relieve her worries, right?"

"No worries?" Zhang Li put down the teacup, a sneer curling up at the corner of her lips. "Manager Qian, are you treating me like a three-year-old? Suzhou and Hangzhou silk is tribute grade. What's the profit? What's the risk? You, Huitong, want to take 70% in one go, but are only willing to give a profit of 15%? The abacus beads are clattering loudly!"

"This...this..." Qian Youcai's forehead was covered with sweat. "Madam, please calm down. This price is the most sincere offer we can make..."

"Sincerity?" Zhang Li raised her eyes slightly. "Li'er's sincerity is to sell Mobei furs southward and give 20% of the profit to Huitonghao."

Qian Youcai's eyes flashed: "Madam...are you serious?"

"Of course." Zhang Li nodded. "Mobei furs, sable, black fox, and snow wolf skins are all top-grade. They are in short supply in Jiangnan. A 20% profit is enough for your Huitong account to make a fortune!"

Qian Youcai calculated quickly in his mind.

The profit margin of Mobei furs is extremely high, and a 20% profit is indeed tempting.

But he originally wanted to monopolize the 70% share of Suzhou and Hangzhou silk... This...

"Why? Shopkeeper Qian thinks it's too little?" Zhang Li's voice turned cold. "Li'er never mentioned that about the bento. Li'er will just look for another company to partner with for Suzhou and Hangzhou silk. There's no shortage of strong businesses along the Jiangnan Silk Road."

"No! No! Madam, calm down!" Qian Youcai waved his hands quickly, a smile plastered across his face. "Madam, you're so quick-witted! I admire you! So, let's take a 70% share of Suzhou and Hangzhou silks, and I'll give you a 20% cut. And 20% of the Mobei furs. I'll take it! What do you think?"

"Twenty percent?" Zhang Li's lips curled slightly. "Manager Qian, are you sending away beggars?"

"Then... Madam... what do you think?" Qian Youcai asked tentatively.

"30%!" Zhang Li said firmly, "30% profit on silk and 20% profit on fur. Five-year contract!"

Qian Youcai felt heartbroken, but he didn't dare show it on his face. His eyes involuntarily glanced at Lin Zhen who was silent beside him.

Lin Zhen continued to play with the jade pendant, not even raising his eyelids, as if the intense business negotiations before him had nothing to do with him. However, the invisible pressure made Qian Youcai feel uneasy.

"This...this..." Qian Youcai gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, I'll do as my wife says. Thirty percent for five years!"

"Manager Qian is straightforward!" Zhang Li smiled, her face radiant and charming. "Come here! Get the deed!"