To be precise, the expansion of Qingdao City is not to expand on the original basis, but to build another city opposite the harbor, that is, Huangdao District in later generations.

The two cities are divided into different places, which is like a guard, making the harbor less susceptible to external attacks.

The efforts of the foreign merchants were to build this city alone and gain some special power.

For Meng Jiucheng, it is naturally a good thing for someone to pay for the construction, but he also has his own principles and bottom line, that is, control of the city.

"I would like to express my gratitude to you for your generous help." Meng Jiucheng changed his tone and said seriously: "But the guards of the city and the appointment of the city lord are not negotiable. As for preferential policies, they can be more flexible."

The merchants are very cunning, and they may have expected that this condition would not be easily accepted. The so-called starting price on the ground and paying the money on the spot. Repaying it second best is also their strategy.

"Since that's the case, we will do our best to invest in the city and jointly with other merchants." Pu Ladin looked at his companion, received a gesture from his eyes, and said, "In addition, can we bear the entire sales of the treasure mirror?"

"I'm afraid this is not good." Meng Jiucheng shook his head gently and said, "The rules set before were that those who have the highest price will be the most popular. Now you are monopolized. Wouldn't you offend other merchants?"

It is a trivial matter to offend other merchants. The key is that foreign merchants are profit-oriented. If they rely solely on them to transport goods and sell grain, there will inevitably be any unexpected situation in the future.

Not putting eggs in one basket is also the principle of doing things that Meng Jiucheng adheres to.

"Of course, the higher the price." Pu Ladin smiled and explained: "It's just that other merchants reacted too aggressively, and the city lord Lord Hu also favored everyone to share the benefits."

So that's it. Meng Jiucheng understood that these people must have encountered setbacks in Qingdao, and their attempt to monopolize mirror trading was strongly opposed by other businessmen.

Logically speaking, the price of foreign traders is high, and they can't afford to pay for all the mirrors. But Meng Jiucheng thinks this is not good, and it will be unfavorable to the development of Qingdao's commerce in the long run.

As for why foreign merchants are willing to pay a lot of money, they naturally have to sell overseas to make huge profits.

Meng Jiucheng thought for a long time but couldn't come up with the best solution. The rules had been set and he broke them himself, which was indeed a bit reasonable.

"This matter needs to be discussed before confirming." Meng Jiucheng said in a deep thought: "Please wait a few days for me. After I get married, I will go to Qingdao. The last solution is, I think it will satisfy everyone."

"Xie Mengshuai." The servant Ladin didn't bother to him. After replying, he got up and said goodbye with his companions.

Meng Jiucheng pondered for a while and felt that the original auction was a bit simple. After all, there were not many merchants at that time, and in order to attract, he didn't think so much.

However, the auction must be cancelled, but the benefits cannot be maximized.

After thinking for a long time, Meng Jiucheng suddenly thought of a new term - the access mechanism. Can this mechanism be used to make the market have both reasonable competition and moderate protection, and finally get the best interests of himself?

The biggest benefit refers not only to money, but also to materials and technicians, including grain, metal, cotton, sea boats, etc. The technicians are various craftsmen.

Is this feasible? Meng Jiucheng fell into long thoughts, and even Yang Miaozhen came in quietly without realizing it.

"Menglang--" Yang Miaozhen waited quietly for a while before she couldn't help but call softly.

Oh, Meng Jiucheng woke up from his thoughts. Looking at Yang Miaozhen, he couldn't help but smile and said, "I'm so impressed, please forgive me, my wife."

"Is it the Fans who made you nervous?" Yang Miaozhen asked with concern and said generously: "Just return the gift so you don't have to worry about it anymore."

Meng Jiucheng smiled and said, "It's not a worry, but a better way to think of a better way than now. Well, there is no need to return the gift, and they dare not ask for it."

Yang Miaozhen nodded and said, "Uncle is here. Should I discuss with him to see if he has anything to be dissatisfied with?"

Meng Jiucheng hurriedly stood up and said, "That's right. We have no relatives and elders. My master, my master's wife, your uncle, is like a parent. We have to worship you when we get married, so we can't be careless."

Yang Miaozhen smiled, and her respect for her uncle Liu Quan was also respect for her.

…………………

A newly renovated mansion, a pair of big red lanterns hung on the gatehouse; a red carpet was spread from the gate to the entrance of the bridal chamber of the main room of the intermediate courtyard, and the other gatehouses in the mansion were decorated with lights.

At the time of the year, Meng Jiucheng set out from the mansion in a big red wedding dress and went straight to the large mansion where Yang Miaozhen temporarily lived.

After the wedding, a drum band of more than 100 people walked in front, Meng Jiucheng rode a horse in the middle, and Yang Miaozhen followed behind in the sedan chair.

Liu Quan, Wang Min and the generals rode horses and followed Yang Miaozhen's sedan chair. More than 100 other soldiers carried Yang Miaozhen's dowry and walked at the end.

At noon, the wedding ceremony officially began. The wedding ceremony was held in the front yard of the mansion, and the ceremony was presided over by Wang Min.

The music paused. Wang Min presided over: "Meng's name is 90% male, Yang's name is Miaozhen. Today, the two formed the love between Qin and Jin. Heaven and earth are in harmony, dragons and phoenixes are auspicious. All the generals admire them, and their families are prosperous and their army is prosperous."

When the host came here, he paused for a while, then faced Meng Jiucheng and Yang Miaozhen, and said loudly: "The newcomers both worship the heaven and earth!"

Meng Jiucheng and Yang Miaozhen knelt on the red prelude in front of them, and bowed to the heaven and earth.

"rise!"

"Word to elders!" Meng Jiucheng and Yang Miaozhen walked to Wang Zhongfeng and Zheng Ruxin and knelt down and bowed to Ruyi.

"Honey husband and wife!"

"The courtesy is completed, sent to the bridal chamber!"

The music started again, and Meng Jiucheng and Yang Miaozhen walked towards the middle courtyard accompanied by two ritual officials and then entered the bridal chamber.

In the bridal chamber, Yang Miaozhen sat on the bed with her veil covering her head. The ritual officer used a gold and silver plate to hold gold, silver and money, colored money and mixed fruits into the tent. He took out two cups, tied the cups together with red and green knots, and handed them to the two.

Meng Jiucheng and Yang Miaozhen finished drinking wine. This is also called the "Hao" ceremony. Only when marriage is a major event in life can it be considered truly completed.

The "Heyi Ceremony" began in the Zhou Dynasty and was an important ceremony in ancient weddings. It later evolved into "Jiao Gujiu".

The bride (bitter gourd) is to break one bride into two halves, each serving wine, and each bride and groom drinking one saut.

The melon is divided into two parts, symbolizing that the husband and wife are originally two bodies, and the handle is connected by a thread, which symbolizes that the two people are connected into one by the wedding, so they are divided first into two, and then combined into one.

Because the taste is bitter, the wine is also bitter. Drinking the bitter wine in the wine indicates that the couple will share the joys and sorrows after marriage. At the same time, it also symbolizes that the couple is united and tied together like this.
Chapter completed!