1627 Rise of the South China Sea

Chapter 2179
Hearing his tone, Ma Zhengping couldn't help but misunderstand his intentions under his impatience, and quickly responded: "I have prepared a generous gift for General Shi a long time ago, and I hope Lord Duan can introduce it for you!"

Duan Tiancheng said: "Boss Ma misunderstood, how can a big man like General Shi care about the benefits you can give?"

Although Duan Tiancheng's tone was a bit domineering, Ma Zhengping did not dare to refute at all, and quickly responded: "Yes, yes, I am being rude, I absolutely dare not offend General Shi... I hope Lord Duan will expressly tell me what I should do." it is good?"

In fact, from Ma Zhengping's point of view, if Shi Diwen meant asking for money, then things would be much easier to handle.Salt merchants have to deal with all kinds of officials, large and small, in their normal business operations. Some of them will open their mouths and ask for a lot of money, but as long as they ask for a price, there is room for bargaining.Moreover, the asking price itself shows an attitude, which means that this matter can definitely be done, and it is nothing more than the price.

Before Ma Zhengping came here this time, he had discussed with several other families of the seven major surnames. If General Shi of Zhoushan can be said to intervene in the dispute with Shanxi salt merchants, then no matter how much Shi Diwen finally offered, Huizhou The salt merchants have to share the cost equally.If the follow-up involves the military expenses required for Haihan to send troops, it will also be handled in the same way.

It's just that Shi Diwen's status is respected, and foreign businessmen like Ma Zhengping who had no connections in Zhoushan before have no qualifications to seek an interview at all, and can only use a roundabout way to obtain the opportunity to communicate with Shi Diwen.Although the chance is not great, he still hopes that Duan Tiancheng can help him match up and let Shi Diwen meet him once.

But listening to Duan Tiancheng's tone, Shi Diwen didn't seem to care how much benefit the Yangzhou salt merchants could give him personally, but wanted something else, which made Ma Zhengping a little confused.

Ma Zhengping thinks that the money offered on his own initiative represents his sincerity, and it worked for Duan Tiancheng before, but the sincerity that Duan Tiancheng's boss needs seems to be a little different, and there must be other things besides money. what?

Duan Tiancheng revealed the answer: "What the general wants is not just an agent who sells salt for us, but a real partner. The general thinks that if you can't meet the corresponding conditions, there is no need to give you a hand." , even if your opponent controls Yangzhou Salt Industry in the future, for us, it is just a change of agent. No matter who is in charge, he will definitely not refuse the low-priced refined salt provided by us. You can Think about it carefully, is it true?"

Ma Zhengping didn't need to think about it slowly, he could come up with the answer now.If the Anhui salt merchants finally lose out in the competition and are expelled from the Yangzhou salt industry market, then the Shanxi salt merchants will definitely return to cooperate with Haihan and replace the previous private salt supply with the low-priced refined salt provided by Haihan.

As for the previous festive conflicts, how could the benefits of real money be more important. In the face of huge benefits, businessmen would definitely choose more practical benefits instead of the so-called integrity.What's more, the Haihan people are obviously more powerful. Presumably the Shanshan salt merchants will not be really stupid enough to fight against the Haihan people by then.

But Ma Zhengping still didn't understand what kind of standard Shi Diwen called a "true partner". In other words, he was unwilling to take the initiative to think in that direction.

If you can make money standing up, who would be willing to take the initiative to kneel down?
"What General Shi said is very true, and I deeply agree with it, and I really want to become a partner of your country. It's just...how can I get General Shi to approve it?"

Since the other party didn't simply ask for money, Ma Zhengping had to be more cautious and not take the initiative to ask for a price.He had to wait for Duan Tiancheng to reveal the conditions first, so that he might still have a little room for bargaining.

Duan Tiancheng said: "Then ask yourself first, besides selling salt, what else can you do for Haihan. The so-called cooperation must be based on mutual benefit. The cooperation in the salt industry requires both of us. You can make a lot of money from it. This is mutual benefit. You want us to intervene in the competition among Yangzhou salt merchants and help you beat your peers. More income is enough. Let’s just say it, you and your salt merchant friends will obey the arrangement and work for our country in the future.”

Ma Zhengping's legs gave way, and he almost slipped off the chair, he hurriedly replied: "Lord Duan, please don't joke, I am a citizen of Ming Dynasty, how dare you rebel and make trouble!"

"Why are you panicking? I didn't tell you to rebel!" Duan Tiancheng said disdainfully, "You can't even beat your counterparts in Yangzhou, so can you still expect you to fail in raising troops in Yangzhou?"

"Yes, yes, Master Duan is right." Ma Zhengping hurriedly raised his hand to wipe the cold sweat off his forehead. Discussion on such topics is an absolute taboo in Daming. To be charged with the serious crime of colluding with foreign countries for rebellion, several heads are not enough to chop off.

Ma Zhengping secretly rejoiced that Duan Tiancheng had dismissed his subordinates when Duan Tiancheng came, otherwise Duan Tiancheng would have no taboos, and he would have to consider how to silence his subordinates after he finished talking.

As long as it is not a rebellion, it seems that it is no big deal.Ma Zhengping thought again that Haihan didn't even want to send troops directly, then he should indeed be thinking too much.

Then I heard Duan Tiancheng continue to say: "Following the arrangement means that we arrange for you to sell salt, so you should sell salt well, and arrange you to do other things, such as recruiting immigrants, buying officials, and controlling trade routes. Just like salt, do your best to complete it. If you do well, you will be the No. [-] leader in Yangzhou from now on. If you don’t do well, someone will naturally take your place.”

Ma Zhengping wanted to say something, but he didn't know where to start.Duan Tiancheng's request is not too outrageous, even some of the things he has been doing all the time, but doing things for himself and working for others are two different concepts.

Ma Zhengping felt uncomfortable, mainly because of Duan Tiancheng's condescending attitude.As the most powerful class in Yangzhou, except for a few local high-ranking officials, a big salt merchant like him would not put others in his eyes.If he hadn't been afraid of Haihan's force, he might have looked down on people like Shi Diwen and Duan Tiancheng as well, but now the Haihan people want to lower their stance to obey their orders and work hard for them. It is indeed difficult to adjust the mentality.

You can give money, as much as you want. In Ma Zhengping's view, it is at least a certain degree of equivalent exchange. It is fair to exchange money for Haihan's support. After all, Huizhou salt merchants currently lack the ability to protect themselves. And Haihan's powerful armament can just make up for this shortcoming.

But now the Haihan people don't want money, they just need to do errands for them in exchange for their protection. This inevitably makes Ma Zhengping feel a sense of humiliation. Even if he is a civil and military official in Yangzhou Prefecture, how can he ever call him out? To serve as a servant?

"This... I'm afraid it's not appropriate?" Ma Zhengping tried his best to calm down his emotions, and responded with a forced smile: "The request made by Mr. Duan is really embarrassing!"

Duan Tiancheng looked at Ma Zhengping's expression, and responded with a sneer: "I don't mean to force Boss Ma to agree, but just propose a cooperation plan. If Boss Ma really finds it difficult, then don't force it. We can't do business without righteousness." , even if you don’t cooperate, we won’t harm you. You can slowly consider my suggestion. Two days if one day is not enough, two months if one month is not enough. Whenever you think it through clearly, you can come to us again to talk about cooperation. The door will remain open."

After finishing speaking, Duan Tiancheng stood up and said: "But I want to remind Boss Ma that if you come to find me next time, the matter may not be as easy to discuss as it is now. There are some conditions, after passing this village, there will be no such shop! "

Seeing that he was about to leave, Ma Zhengping quickly got up and persuaded him: "Lord Duan, don't worry, I only said that there is a difficulty, but I didn't say that I would not agree! Please sit down, Lord Duan, and we will discuss it slowly."

Duan Tiancheng said: "Duan still has work to do, I'm afraid I don't have time to discuss with Boss Ma slowly. By the way, I got a piece of news last night, and I will treat it as a thank you for Boss Ma's previous hospitality. This news will be given away for free. "

Duan Tiancheng lowered his voice and said: "According to the information we got in Hirado, at least [-] firearms were sold from Hirado Port to Yangzhou this year. It's too clear, after Boss Ma goes back, he must be careful when going in and out of his daily life."

Ma Zhengping was shocked when he heard that last year, the situation in Yangzhou took a turn for the worse for the Huizhou salt merchants. It was because the enemy formed a musketeer team to secretly sabotage the salt transportation plans of the Huizhou salt merchants many times.Later, at the end of the year, Haihan sent people to Yangzhou to destroy the musketeers. The Hui salt merchants were also rejoicing, thinking that the situation might turn around.

However, the news given by Duan Tiancheng verified what they were most worried about. The opponent might have already organized a new musketeer team, and the Huizhou salt merchants' operations would fall into a passive position again.

If Haihan doesn't intervene, then the situation in Yangzhou will probably follow the same course as last year.Shanxi salt merchants are still strong, while Huizhou salt merchants will be beaten again.

Ma Zhengping didn't doubt whether Duan Tiancheng's news was true or not, because before he came to Zhoushan this time, there were already certain signs in Yangzhou, which were exactly in line with Duan Tiancheng's "warning".So now he has to think about a very realistic question, if Haihan doesn't provide support to his side, how long can he last in Yangzhou?
According to the calculations they made before Haihan last year, Shanxi salt merchants may spend one to two years destroying their transportation routes and supply of goods. , and there is no way to continue to earn profits through the operation of the salt industry, then they can only withdraw from Yangzhou in despair.

But last year, after the Shanxi salt merchants suffered a big loss under the hands of Haihan, they should no longer have the patience to toss slowly as before. There is room to breathe, lest Haihan ruin a good thing again.

Now they can still sit together to discuss the possibility of cooperation, just because the situation in Yangzhou is not yet clear, and Haihan thinks that Huizhou salt merchants are more worthy of wooing.However, if the Huizhou salt merchants were completely defeated, Haihan would certainly not be able to save a loser, and the Shanxi salt merchants would become Haihan's only partner at that time.

The pros and cons of this are too complicated, and Ma Zhengping can't figure it out in a moment.But there is one thing that Ma Zhengping can be sure of now, that is, he cannot let Hai Han, the only life-saving straw, slip away from him.

"Master Duan, I'm definitely willing to cooperate with your country. You don't need to doubt your sincerity? You can agree to the conditions that Lord Duan just said, but if you want to implement them in place, you have to consider that your opponent will trip us up. Son, so we still have to find a way to get rid of the people who might get in the way first."

Ma Zhengping decided not to think about it so much, first accept the conditions proposed by Duan Tiancheng in his own name, and see if Haihan can give enough support by the way.If Haihan's support is only in words, then this partnership is not worth mentioning.

Duan Tiancheng looked at Ma Zhengping's expression, confirmed that he was not joking, then nodded slowly, and sat back on the chair again: "I knew that Boss Ma is a sensible person, so I specially asked you out again Interview. As long as you are willing to cooperate well, there is no need to worry about your competitors driving you out of Yangzhou."

Ma Zhengping said: "But Lord Duan said earlier that your country cannot send troops directly. How can we combat the arrogance of the Shanxi salt merchants?"

Duan Tiancheng said: "If you don't send troops, there are many other ways. Since your opponent can form a musketeer team, of course you can follow suit. With our military training and weapons and equipment, you still worry that you won't be able to defeat them." Those bumpkin musketeers?"

Ma Zhengping was overjoyed and said, "Is this really possible? Thanks to Mr. Duan for making it happen."

Duan Tiancheng said: "I'm just a person who does things, don't thank me."

Ma Zhengping understood, and quickly added: "Yes, yes, I should thank General Shi! Lord Duan, please tell General Shi. If this can be achieved, I would like to donate ten thousand taels of silver to General Shi every year as military funds! "

Ma Zhengping didn't care at all whether the money would become military funds or flow into General Shi's personal pocket, he was just looking for a reason to donate money.Although General Shi does not seem to be a greedy person, who would dislike too much money flowing into his pocket?

As for how much the training process and the purchase of weapons and equipment would cost, Ma Zhengping didn't intend to ask the detailed amount at all right now. Anyway, it was enough to spend the money. When did the salt merchant run out of money?
(End of this chapter)