Imperial Merchant [Qing Dynasty Transmigration + Dream of the Red Chamber]

Before Cao Youlin even opened his eyes, he heard that the family's "imperial merchant" status was about to be handed over. The news scared him back from the brink of death:

"W-wait, I'm not dead yet! You absolutely can't give it away!"

When he was young, Cao Youlin's soul left his body and traveled to the modern world, where he "skipped grades" through more than a decade of education. Just as he began to think he belonged to a later era, his soul suddenly returned to his Qing Dynasty body.

He even brought back a gift: an invisible trading device. Before he could even open his eyes, the device issued its first task: keep the imperial merchant status.

After that, Cao Youlin was kept busy. The Chang family wanted to send a special pet to a palace consort but had no way to get one? No problem, I can trade one to you. Whatever kind of pet you want, I can get it, as long as you trade me that broken machine you just brought back from overseas.

The treasury was short of grain, so Kangxi came to Cao Youlin to trade.

No problem. Just bring me two complete sets of the latest blue-and-white porcelain from the Imperial Household Department, and someone will be willing to trade.

That's right, the items being traded are all proposed by the other party. He has no right to add even a single copper coin to the price. No matter how large the transactions that pass through his hands, poor Cao Youlin never gets rich. He'd read about how others made fortunes with trading devices and was incredibly envious.

Kangxi was just as envious of Cao Youlin's "wealth." Whenever he needed something, he wanted to ask Cao Youlin for it. Now that a war was coming, he wanted some more powerful weapons. Cao Youlin searched for a while, then nodded.

Weapons were available, but they were worth a lot in trade.

Kangxi: No problem. I'll put my priceless treasure, the Eighth Prince, toward the bill!

The Eighth Prince: I finally get to make an appearance!

Cao Youlin: ...

Kangxi raised an eyebrow: Not enough? Then how about adding a promise not to confiscate the Rongguo Mansion?

Theme: If you want a good life, you have to create it with your own hands.