Ming Zuo

Chapter 727 Going Out

"We have always been keen on trade. Since your financial resources and shipping capacity are limited, we can definitely send a fleet to Batavia to benefit more people."

Zuo Menggeng stated his purpose.

Anthony van Diemen looked suspicious.

"Mr. Commander-in-Chief, maybe you still lack the necessary understanding of ocean trade. It is thousands of miles away from here to Batavia, and the weather and sea conditions along the way can cause immeasurable losses. And the vicious pirates, even more It is a nightmare for navigators. You have never set foot in it, so you should be cautious."

Tossing and turning means one thing, I don't want Shandong's fleet to go to Batavia.

When trading with others in the past, Anthony Van Diemen often used this set of rhetoric, which made the other party flinch very well.

It's a pity that this time he faced Zuo Menggeng.

A man who understands the importance of seas and routes better than he does.

"Since the Dutch can travel thousands of miles without fear of these risks, we Chinese do not lack the same courage. Besides, there are experienced guides like you along the way."

Zuo Menggeng narrowed his eyes halfway.

"Or, you don't intend to strengthen our friendship?"

Anthony van Diemen was taken aback.

"No, no, respected Commander-in-Chief, the olive branch you extend is the honor we dream of, please don't doubt our friendship."

Zuo Menggeng listened and let it go.

"The so-called trade must come and go, don't you think so? Dear Mr. Congressman."

Seeing Zuo Menggeng's resolute attitude, Anthony Van Diemen knew that this matter could not be refused.

Otherwise, Zuo Menggeng will definitely close the door to trade and let them return to the previous state.

"I have to say that you are a wise politician. I believe that under your leadership, China will be stronger in the future."

"I also think so."

It was decided to go to Batavia for trade, but looking back at the performance of the local merchants, Zuo Menggeng was angry.

"Zhongheng, the Dutch are willing to take risks to trade, but mine can earn money just sitting at home, so why go into the sea?"

Even Xu Ji, Zuo Menggeng's father-in-law, has this attitude.

Pan Yunlong also said: "Although the profit from selling goods in Yuanyang is huge, the risks involved are really scary. Since we can make profits without taking risks, why should we look far away?"

Seeing that the merchants in Songjiang Mansion were arguing a lot, but they didn't want to go out on a boat, Zuo Menggeng simply asked someone to hang up a world map.

"Everyone, please open your eyes and take a closer look at this world."

Zuo Menggeng gestured with his hand to the coastal areas of Daming and Nanyang.

"If we don't go out, such a large sea area will be handed over to others. The Westerners come and go as they want. Now they come with merchant ships, but what if they come with gunboats in the future? By then, thousands of miles of sea will be everywhere. Tantu, how to defend?"

The merchants were all stunned.

Obviously, there is no consideration of national security and military security in their thinking.

Since they only focus on business, Zuo Menggeng starts from the business point of view.

"All the commercial routes on the sea are in the hands of Westerners. Whether our products can be sold or not depends on others. And the price of the goods is also up to them. At that time, the bulk of all trade will fall. In the hands of Westerners, and we can only eat leftovers, are you willing?"

Everyone listened, and their minds finally fluctuated.

But they still have doubts.

"The risks at sea are huge. If you make a mistake, the loss is unpredictable. Does the commander have a good strategy to avoid the harm?"

Zuo Menggeng laughed angrily.

"Benefits and risks have always been directly proportional. How much risk can be taken, and how much profit will be gained. You look forward and backward, how can you look like you are doing big things?"

After being reprimanded by him, everyone lowered their heads in shame.

However, there was one person whose blood was boiling with excitement at what he said, and stood up on the spot.

"I'm going to Batavia now, I'd like to take the lead."

Everyone saw that it was Xu Erjue.

Xu Ji didn't expect his son to sail to sea.

"What are you doing nonsense? If something happens to you, what will you do at home?"

Xu Erjue didn't listen.

"Zhongheng is right. Others can go, and I can go. Ten thousand miles of sea, wealth is infinite. If I don't take it, there will be endless troubles. This is not only for the benefit of money, but also for the future of China. My father has always taught his children Self-cultivation, family harmony, peace of the world, can make some contributions to our Chinese nation, why should the child cherish this body?"

Xu Ji was speechless at what he said.

Thinking about it carefully, he, as a father, is far less brave and responsible than his own son.

Someone came forward and immediately had an effect.At present, many businessmen expressed their willingness to go with Xu Erjue.

Zuo Menggeng was the happiest seeing these businessmen finally stepped out of their comfort zone.

"You don't need to worry too much. The Nanyang route is familiar to the Dutch. They have been safe and sound for so many years, and they have obviously minimized the risk. When you go here, you only need to follow the Dutch closely. There's really no risk."

Everyone felt quite reasonable when they heard it.

It can't be that these Westerners are really fearless in life and death, let alone the comparison between benefits and costs, just to sail the sea, right?
After the matter of going to sea was settled, each family immediately began to raise supplies and loaded the ships day and night.

Zuo Menggeng asked Zuo Hua to mobilize a group of elite forces from the navy to serve as sailors from various families to go together.

These people will draw nautical charts, inquire about information, and record the customs and customs of various places, as well as various situations such as politics, economy, and humanities on the way.

To put it bluntly, it is to prepare for the future invasion of Nanyang.

Five days later, the mighty fleet sailed out of the mouth of the Wusong River and entered the sea.

It also carries the dream of pioneering and enterprising merchants in Ming Dynasty.

Although the return date of this fleet is far away, countless people are already looking forward to it.

The results of this ocean-going operation will be directly related to future foreign trade and foreign expansion.

But just the wealth earned from this trade has already made many people see the power of the ocean.

The Dutch brought six shipments of goods. Although all of them were sold at a good price, the cost of purchasing here was even more astonishing.

In addition to trading with the Dutch, merchants from all over the country also started business exchanges with each other through the commodity exchange meeting.

In the end, according to statistics, this commodity exchange meeting alone created a wealth of more than four million taels of silver.

The Songjiang locals have collected more than [-] taels of silver just by relying on taxation.

With this money, Chen Zhi and Zuo Maodi breathed a sigh of relief, and finally they can start operating various infrastructure constructions.

It is believed that with the continuous development and expansion of foreign trade, the Songjiang Mansion in the future will definitely gather the wealth of the world and reproduce the glory of later generations.

(End of this chapter)