"Sea trade?!"

The merchants were slightly taken aback when they heard Chen Mo mention investing in sea trade rather than a money house. It was clear that Chen Mo intended to use their hands to establish the money house, but the reward, or profit, was in sea trade.

Isn’t this just using the chicken to lay eggs? The most critical point is he still wants to take a thirty percent share for the trade association.

Moreover, they were all involved in inland trade and were not very knowledgeable about overseas trade. They had only heard that every time the Court ventured out to sea, there were massive losses, leading the civil and military officials to persistently petition to shut down sea trade.

This made the merchants feel that Chen Mo was not thinking about leading them to make money but rather using them to establish the money house.

However, according to Chen Mo, the money house could indeed be developed and would facilitate their business, which was a benefit. This money could be spent, it was better than getting no benefits at all.

Of course, how much money to spend still needed to be determined.

Seeing them all silent, Chen Mo quietly took a document from his chest, placed it on the table, and said, "This is the record of profits from overseas trade during Emperor Ling’s time. Just that one time going out to sea brought in over thirteen million taels.

Of course, you must have also heard of the Court’s losses from sea ventures, wondering why, despite the income of over thirteen million taels, the treasury was always in deficit and faced consistent opposition from ministers. Now, I will tell you, because those thirteen million taels went entirely into the Emperor’s private treasury, none went into the national treasury. Conversely, the money used for sea ventures came entirely from the national treasury, so it’s no wonder there were deficits."

As Chen Mo revealed the Court’s secrets, everyone’s expressions changed, astonished by the amount of money that could be earned from sea trade.

Chen Mo gave Qing Dance a glance, and she nodded, taking the document from the table and handing it to the elder of the Wu Family. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

The elder of the Wu Family had already seen it, so after a brief glance, he handed it to Yi Qianchi.

Yi Qianchi read through it and then passed it to Xiao Quan and the others.

After everyone finished reading, the elder of the Wu Family spoke, "Our Wu Family is willing to invest one hundred and fifty thousand taels in the trade association."

"The Xiao Family will also invest one hundred and fifty thousand taels," Xiao Quan said.

"The Yi Family, thirty thousand taels." Compared to the Wu and Xiao Families, the Yi Family was still a smaller household, so offering thirty thousand taels was already the limit.

Qin Hao, after discussing with a few people beside him, immediately said, "My Qin Family is willing to invest two hundred thousand taels."

"Hiss..."

As the words fell, everyone gasped, well, this surpassed both Wu and Xiao Families.

"I will invest fifty thousand taels."

"I will invest thirty thousand taels."

"..."

Seeing others leading and the profit from sea trade, they were all tempted, starting to splash their money around.

Seeing that these twenty-seven families had all gotten on board, Chen Mo showed a satisfied smile. Then, like someone starting a business in its early stages, promising to reward employees once the company goes public, Chen Mo also painted a grand vision, saying, "I plan in the future to center on Huai State’s Grand Canal, extending north to Cangzhou, south to Chongzhou, and further to the Capital City of Celestial River, creating a Grand Canal running from north to south.

By then, items from overseas can be shipped to Jiangnan and the Capital immediately, and any merchant ships passing through this Grand Canal can be charged certain toll fees by the trade association."

Boom!

Upon hearing this, everyone instantly widened their eyes, their minds filled with a scene of "constant travel, endless trade," a prosperous and thriving image.

The most crucial thing is that this would be a great project benefiting future generations and the common people. Once completed, their status as members of the trade association would also be looked upon favorably.

Even many shrewd individuals had already figured out the implications, thinking that with such convenience in the trade association, wouldn’t powerful and wealthy individuals be flocking to invest in the future, making commerce incredibly prosperous?

Everyone felt immensely excited, and some were even considering increasing their investment.

Having made up their minds, they began to act quickly, and the trade association was established that very day, named Linhuai Commerce Association, with everyone unanimously electing Qin Hao as the first president.

Initially, it was suggested to select someone from the Xiao and Wu Families as the first president, but both families declined.

After all, they had a close relationship with Chen Mo and needed to avoid suspicion.

Delighted at being elected president, Qin Hao invested an additional one million taels, totaling three million taels, in the trade association.

After dealing with this group of merchants, by the time Chen Mo returned home, dusk had already fallen.

In the hall, because Chen Mo had informed them he would eat outside, the women were not waiting for Chen Mo. Having finished dinner, they were accompanying the children Chen Jia, Chen You, Chen Nuo, and Chen Zhong in play, just as a way to aid digestion.

"Husband is back," Wu Mi welcomed with a smile, then smelled the scent of alcohol on Chen Mo, saying, "Shall I have the kitchen prepare some sobering soup?"

"No need," he said, squatting down. Nearby, Chen Nuo, who was playing, saw Chen Mo and started running toward him on small legs, saying, "Father King, I want to ride a big horse."

These days, Chen Mo had often played with the four children, sometimes acting as a horse for them to ride.

But that was in private, and now with everyone around, he needed to maintain his dignity.

Chen Mo pinched Chen Nuo’s little cheek, smiling, "Nu’Er, father has been tired today, shall we ride a big horse tomorrow, alright?"

"No, no, I want to ride now." Seeing Chen Mo unwilling, the next second, Chen Nuo started to cry.