The Reborn Duke of Ming Dynasty

"This... my lord. I'm looking for your meaning. Columbus only managed to get to this side of the land after all the hardships." Zhao Xiande said with some surprise. "It's not impossible for me to go to the new land. After all, Columbus has already been there. There must be many people in Europe who know this route. But my lord let me go to the other side of the continent. This..."

"What? You're scared." Zhang Fan said.There was a contemptuous expression on his face.

"How...how could it be." Zhao Xiande immediately retorted.He looked as if he had been greatly insulted.However, Zhang Fan is his boss.It's not good to be angry.His whole face was flushed red. "My lord. Back then I traveled thousands of miles to the land of Europe. Although it was for money. Although Eunuch Zheng had already done such a feat a hundred years ago, but the sea charts were long gone. I have never climbed these journeys. What's more, Columbus can I can do it. I don’t believe that I can’t compare with a European barbarian.”

Zhang Fan's contemptuous look just now was naturally done on purpose.The purpose was just to excite him.See Zhao Xiande took the bait.Also repositioned.Asked: "Then why were you so panicked just now?"

"My lord. To tell the truth. I can be regarded as my lord's subordinate now. It's only natural to risk my life for my lord." Zhao Xiande said without affectation. "It's just that I was a businessman not long ago. Although the family has a lot of money, it can't avoid the villain's mentality. What's more, there are wives and children waiting for me in my family. What I said now is not to discourage adults. But adults should always Tell the humble staff. What are you going to do there after all the hard work?"

Zhang Fan heard what he said.On the contrary, he looked at Zhao Xiande in front of him with admiration.If it is Zhang Fan's own subordinate.Such as Wang Meng, Liang Chao and other central people.If Zhang Fan gave such an order, he would definitely not ask.Just do it directly; if it's those who are obedient and obedient.It must have been a hype in front of Zhang Fan.However, when it comes to doing things, we push three obstacles and four obstacles.This Zhao Xiande is not.He spoke out all the thoughts in his heart so openly.On the contrary, Zhang Fan felt that he was a trustworthy person.But Zhang Fan didn't think it was Zhao Xiande's frankness or lack of experience.This is exactly where Zhao Xiande is most shrewd.

"You want something to look forward to. Then I'll give you one." Zhang Fan said slowly. "I heard that when you came back in the first year, you found that porcelain, silk, and tea had the best sales in Europe. Although the price of buying the goods yourself was low, you still felt dissatisfied. So you planned to pay for the production yourself. Isn't that right. "

"Yes, my lord. I found out about this when I first came back from the humble job." Zhao Xiande said.He was not surprised that Zhang Fan investigated himself so clearly.After all, as a citizen of the Ming Dynasty.Although Jin Yiwei's ability cannot see the whole picture.But also know some. "It's just that many things like porcelain rely on the skills of those craftsmen. These skills are passed down from generation to generation. No matter how humble the job is, it is difficult to occupy these people for a long time. And things like tea need a lot of land. Besides Now the imperial court is investigating the land-occupying tyrants. Low-ranking workers don’t dare to go one step further. The only thing left is to raise silkworms and make silk, but it’s very easy to do. You only need a small space to raise silkworms. The hiring price of those female workers is also cheap .Now there are nearly 300 female workers under the name of humble workers. It can be made into about [-] pieces of medium silk every year."

"How much do you pay those female workers?" Zhang Fan asked.

Zhao Xiande didn't know Zhang Fan's purpose for asking this.But he answered honestly: "In the first year, it was five taels of silver per month. In the second year, it was one tael a month. In the third year, it was two taels a month. The highest price is also this."

"Two taels. I think this is where you pay the highest salary." Zhang Fan said.

"It's not a low job to show off. After all, it's only women from poor families who come out to work. Low jobs are also people who have lived a hard life for a while. The neighbors in the neighborhood can help." Zhao Xiande said. "And I have other plans for doing this."

"Oh. Let's hear it." Zhang Fan became curious after hearing what he said.

"Speaking of which, I didn't discover this at the beginning." Zhao Xiande was a little embarrassed. "At the beginning, Beizhi planned to set the wages at five renminbi per month. It is quite a lot for ordinary people here. But Beizhi found out that many people who received the money did not save the money as Beizhi thought. .But to buy things. I thought about it. Since they are willing to spend money, I might as well give them more. In addition to the silk mill, there are many other businesses under the name of the humble. Most of them are within the reach of ordinary people. Things. Beizhi told them. As long as they work here, go to the store under the name of Beizhi to buy things. You only need to pay [-]% of the money. Now these people with a little money will come to buy in the store of Beizhi Things. The humble job business will naturally be fine."

Zhang Fan heard what he said.He looked at this man in amazement.To put it mildly, his approach is to promote the circulation of private capital.On a larger scale, it means expanding domestic demand and carrying out reproduction.His previous life.The government has been promoting this all the time.Even uncles and aunts who are not majors in economics can chatter a few words.

It's just that when Zhao Xiande saw Zhang Fan's expression, he thought of going elsewhere.He hesitated and said: "My lord...would you feel that this is a humble job? It's a bit too greedy. After all, this is to earn back their hard-earned money from their hands..." No wonder Zhao Xiande said hesitantly.After all, in his eyes.A scholar like Zhang Fan should really hate such a profit-seeking businessman.And Zhao Xiande didn't dare to lie.He thought of Zhang Fan's identity again.

"No no." Zhang Fan shook his head hastily.Said. "I think your method is good. Think about it. Although you are the only one doing this. But in this way, they can also buy what they need cheaply. And your capital is getting more and more. This way you can Continue to expand the business. And if the whole of Suzhou does the same. Then..."

Zhang Fan's words gave Zhao Xiande a sense of enlightenment.yes.If the whole of Suzhou does this.So what will Suzhou City look like in the future?Zhao Xiande is obviously not a person who stands still.He immediately thought of the whole Jiangnan.The entire Daming.

"But now we don't have to think about it like this. Because once the sea ban is lifted, we don't have to think about just making money from our own people." Zhang Fan said. "Let's continue talking about your going to sea. Let me ask you. You have been to Europe three times. How much demand is there for the things you brought with you. Well. That is, how many people will spend a lot of money to buy it? these things."

Said these.Zhao Xiande immediately regained his spirits.He said happily to Zhang Fan: "My lord, you can't imagine. Europeans have such a great need for these things. Let's not talk about porcelain and silk. The supply of those tea bricks is already in short supply. Good tea is very important for Europeans, big and small. The country's royal family and those countless nobles are simply snapping up. The price is not much better than gold of the same size; and the tea made from bad tea is also very good for ordinary people in Europe. Sell. The price is more valuable than the things that were exchanged with the Tartars in the north. As for the porcelain and silk, they are even more incredible. They have become synonymous with the...high society in Europe. It is not affordable for ordinary people Yes. This year. I brought a set of high-quality bisque tea sets. Although it cost nearly a hundred taels locally. But a Duke of France competed with a Marquis of England. In the end, the Duke of France spent 500 pieces Bought gold coins. The lowly job counts. It’s worth about [-] taels of pure gold. The Duke of France seems to have gotten a huge bargain. Madams and ladies are all flocking to it. My lord, how many of these things do you want?"

Zhang Fan was not surprised by such a price gap.Instead, he said frankly: "In this case, then I will show you another way to get rich. That piece of land is just like what I said just now. The people there are still living a tribal life. But the Europeans were ambitious. They started to enslave those people. Do you know what the two Portuguese told me just now? They want to invade India. Yes. It is the place you have been to. Master Xuanzang A place to learn Buddhist scriptures from the west. The purpose is to snatch things there to prepare myself for war."

How did Zhao Xiande know these things.After being surprised, I couldn't help but started to wonder again: "Then... my lord. What does this have to do with getting rich. Could it be that my lord also wants to be enslaved in a humble position. It's impossible to squeeze those people."

Zhang Fan knew that although Zhao Xiande was a profitless businessman.But he is also a gentleman.He could never do these things.And Zhang Fan didn't intend to let him do this: "Of course not. Those Europeans captured and drove the local natives and used them as slaves. Many people who could not be enslaved fled to the other side. I let you go Teach them how to resist these wolf-minded Europeans. You think. Once these Europeans strengthen themselves with the blood and tears of others, they will inevitably start to yearn for more things. The porcelain and silk I have made them yearn for. If you yearn for something too deeply, you will naturally want to take it as your own."

Zhao Xiande naturally understood what Zhang Fan meant.But he did not object.On the contrary, he agrees very much: "What the adults said is true. I have been to Europe three times in the past three years. Although I am in the excitement and joy of making money, I can also feel that Europe has too much power. The land of each country is not big. However, there are more or less connections between them. No one can completely eliminate the other. Now that the sea route is open, these people are naturally aiming at other lands. The wolf ambition is obvious."

Zhang Fan was also very happy to see him so sensible.

It's just that Zhao Xiande still has some concerns: "The humble officer understands the meaning of the adults. But with the strength of the humble officer alone, how can such a thing be done."

"This matter needs to be planned for a long time. Besides, those Europeans have not yet crossed that land to reach the other side. You still have a lot of time." Zhang Fan said. "Also. I'm not asking you to help the natives selflessly. Don't you think it's a good thing to let them do the work for you. No wages. All they want is that they can object to the Europeans' treatment of them. I will give you a few more people. I can train them a little bit. In this way, even if the European army cannot be defeated, these people can still make these people grateful to us. And these people have the same skin color as my Chinese people. It's kind of close."

"That's true." Zhao Xiande said.But he had other worries. "But my lord. It's no problem to go there by sea. But I need to support people on a land wider than my dynasty. Even if I have some money now, I'm afraid..."

"You don't have to worry about this." Zhang Fan naturally knew what he was worried about. "Didn't I tell you just now. Let those people work for you. The climate there is warm and humid. It's no different from Jiangnan. It's quite suitable for silkworm rearing. At that time, the silk made by these people can be sold in reverse." To the Europeans. Use their money to fight a long war with them."

Although Zhao Xiande didn't understand what Zhang Fan meant by "protracted battle".But the general meaning of Zhang Fan is understood.He couldn't help feeling admiration for Zhang Fan: "Your Excellency has a great plan. Stones from other mountains can be used to attack jade."

"Hehe." Zhang Fan somewhat enjoyed Zhao Xiande's flattery.

"It's just that this matter is so huge. It's really too powerless for a humble person to control it." Zhao Xiande said.

"Have you forgotten what I do?" Zhang Fan said with a smile. "I have a lot of idle people under my command. The world is peaceful now. These people will cause me trouble. It's better to let them go overseas for some experience. It's also good for gaining insight. Save worrying about it in front of you."

Only then did Zhao Xiande feel relieved.If you really let him do it alone.I'm afraid he won't either.

"That's all for today. You're tired just now. Go back first. Your wife and children must have been waiting for you for a long time," Zhang Fan said. "I will stay here for a long time. I will plan carefully with you when I return to Suzhou."

"Yes, my lord." Zhao Xiande bowed to Zhang Fan.Walked out happily.

Zhang Fan looked at Zhao Xiande's leaving figure.I couldn't help thinking in my heart.There are still some things he didn't tell Zhao Xiande.That's about drugs.Think 300 years from now.The West relied on opium to get back all the silver that flowed into China.It also used this to harm the Chinese people.Zhang Fan was very upset.Although opium, poppies and other things are things that have walked along with human history.However, its huge economic value.It was at this time that people gradually discovered it.Zhang Fan planned to strike first.Let those criminals advance the bitter fruit they will bring to the world 300 years from now.And his goal is undoubtedly aimed at South Asia, which has been producing opium poppy since ancient times.

But before Zhang Fan did these things.Also make some plans for the future.And a key person in this matter happened to be by Zhang Fan's side right now.That is the current prince.The future Emperor Wanli of Ming Dynasty.Zhang Fan intends to "educate" starting from the baby.