Chapter 54: Chamber of Commerce
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The influx of merchants made Qingzhou more bustling than ever before. The streets and alleys were filled with traders who had traveled from afar.
After waiting in Qingzhou for three days, the merchants were greeted with an announcement that sent them into a frenzy.
A proclamation was posted throughout the city: “All merchants in Qingzhou may obtain the method for producing soap from the Patent Office. Further details can be discussed at the Patent Office.”
As soon as the news spread, the merchants immediately inquired about the Patent Office—what it was, where it was located—and then rushed toward the building, which was situated across from the Governor’s Office.
While most merchants were ecstatic, some were deeply unsettled. As Xiao Ming had expected, the Wang family was the first to seek him out after the proclamation was issued.
“Your family can also establish workshops to produce soap,” Xiao Ming said, instantly rendering Wang Shijie speechless. “That way, you can manufacture as much soap as you want.”
Wang Shijie pondered for a long moment before speaking. “But, Your Highness, with such a massive increase in soap production and merchants selling it everywhere, how will prices be controlled? And what about competition between merchants?”
“I have already thought this through,” Xiao Ming replied with a calm smile.
Wang Shijie had pointed out a fundamental problem of this era—merchant infighting. Many of the merchants who had arrived in Qingzhou were powerful figures, some backed by regional lords or high-ranking officials.
Now that they all had access to soap, they would undoubtedly try to monopolize the business within their own territories, barring outside merchants from entering.
This kind of regional protectionism was not unique to this time period—even in modern times, local businesses often suppressed competition from outsiders.