I, the Ming Dynasty, can still save me

Listening to Zheng Zhilong's words, Zhu Youxiao became more and more satisfied with Li Dan.

This Li Dan is very visionary and courageous. Investing in Daming Trading Company not only allows Li Dan to have stable dividend income, but also proves his submission to the court.

"The imperial court has promised to share the shares, so naturally there will be no objection. Besides, his fleet is of great use to the Ming Dynasty Trading Company, so it is also possible for them to become shareholders. I agree to his proposal.

It's just that the stock price of Daming Trading Company has skyrocketed. If he buys it now, it may be a bit expensive. If the amount is huge, you can do it cheaper. Don't think you are bullying others. . "

Since Li Dan was so generous, Zhu Youxiao was naturally willing to accept his favor and immediately asked Zheng Zhilong to accept the invitation.

But starting this year, the stock price of Daming Trading Company has skyrocketed. Private transactions at the beginning of the year have reached 700 taels per share, and now it is rumored to have risen to 200 taels per share. Li Dan did suffer a bit of a loss if he bought it.

"Please rest assured, your majesty, Li Dan said it before he came. It is already a great grace for your majesty to allow him to invest in Daming Trading Company. He is so happy, how can he find it too expensive? And when merchants do business, they are all about your love." I hope it's fair and reasonable. He actually thinks that the stock dividends of Daming Trading Company are very high and the price is very reasonable. I'm afraid it will continue to rise in the future.

Therefore, he proposed to Cao Min this time that he had prepared 400 million taels of silver and 45 merchant ships, with a total price of 450 million taels, and wanted to purchase 500 shares of Daming Trading Company at a price of [-] taels of silver per share. "

When Zhu Youxiao heard this, his hand holding the teacup stopped in mid-air, and he looked at Zheng Zhilong with confusion.

"450 million taels, buy 500 shares at the price of [-] taels."

Hearing the emperor's hesitation, Zheng Zhilong nodded slowly and confirmed to Zhu Youxiao:

"Your Majesty, when Li Dan said this at first, the common people thought they heard wrongly. Although his merchant ships are a bit old, they are all sea-going ships, and with the crew members inside, they cannot be worth around 1 taels. One ship.

Although the price of the shares in Daming Trading Company is high, this time Daming Trading Company specially issued 300 additional shares. In fact, he also purchased them from shareholders, and the price would not exceed 500 taels, but he paid [-] taels for it. Acquisition, which makes ordinary people puzzled.

However, Li Dan made it very clear to the common people, saying that he had long wanted to return home after wandering outside for most of his life.Now that the imperial court is promoting maritime trade, it is willing to recruit him to surrender.Naturally, he was overjoyed and always wanted to serve the imperial court, but he didn't know much about other things except sea trade, so he wanted to take this opportunity to contribute to the imperial court. "

Listening to Zheng Zhilong's explanation, Zhu Youxiao slowly put down the tea cup, first closed his eyes and meditated for a while, then looked at Zheng Zhilong and sighed.

"Li Dan is a real person."

But after he finished speaking, he continued to stare at Zheng Zhilong, and then said slowly:

"But you are also very conscientious and conscientious. That's what is said about eating people with short mouths and taking advantage of people with short hands."

Zheng Zhilong originally thought that the emperor would be extremely happy when he heard that Li Dan had spent so much money to buy shares, and then he would praise himself.Unexpectedly, Zhu Youxiao had something to say to him. He was so frightened that he knelt down and said:
"The grassroots people don't dare. The grassroots people don't dare. The grassroots people just think that Li Dan can spend so much money to increase the price to buy shares. He must be very loyal to the court, otherwise he wouldn't be like this."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youxiao shook his head inwardly. He couldn't tell for a moment whether Zheng Zhilong was telling the truth or a lie, but he didn't blame Zheng Zhilong for praising Li Dan so much.

As an emperor, he could see Li Dan's thoughts and intentions at a glance, which was to spend money to keep him safe.

In the past, he held a caravan and warship in Japan and had a good relationship with the shogunate. He could be said to be the emperor of the country, and no one could control him.

But now that the fallen leaves have returned to their roots, and after returning to the Ming Dynasty, his status will naturally be not as good as before.His warships have been incorporated into the Nanzhili Navy, and since he holds huge wealth, he will definitely be targeted by others with ulterior motives.

He is a smart guy and in this case definitely wants to protect himself or cling to someone.Daming Trading Company is undoubtedly the best choice. After all, everyone knows who is behind Daming Trading Company.

However, Li Dan also knew that small money could not impress the emperor, so he spent more than 400 million taels and purchased shares of Daming Trading Company at a high premium, making it clear that he was giving money to Zhu Youxiao.

Now the effect of this money is also very obvious, even Zhu Youxiao was very excited after hearing it.I also lamented in my heart that those people who engaged in smuggling and maritime trade in history were really rich.

"Okay, let's get up. I don't blame you. I just said it. Li Dan is a kind person. He can actually spend more than 400 million taels to buy shares. That is enough to show his sincerity. Then there is nothing wrong with your kind words. "

Hearing this, Zheng Zhilong stood up cautiously as if he had been granted amnesty.Then he didn't know what he thought of, and asked the emperor cautiously:

"Thank you for your majesty's magnanimity. If your majesty has no objection, I will settle the matter after I return." "Well, let's settle it. Since Li Dan is so sincere, we naturally have no reason to refuse. And he Since he has rich experience in sea trade and will also be a shareholder of Daming Trading Company in the future, then give him the title of Daming Trading Company Consultant. You can also ask him for advice if you have anything to do with sea trading."

Zheng Zhilong was overjoyed when he saw this and quickly knelt down to thank him.

"Okay, but you must remember it clearly. The person standing behind you is me. You and Huang Dong are the principals of Daming Trading Company and the ones who make the decisions. Don't let others just say a few words and do it. You must take it yourself. idea."

Hearing the emperor's concern, Zheng Zhilong was deeply moved.

"Your Majesty, please rest assured. Xiao Xiao and Huang Dong know very well that we are the family of the Ming Dynasty Trading Company for your Majesty. Naturally, we will not put the cart before the horse and we will definitely take good care of our family for your Majesty."

After hearing what Zheng Zhilong said, Zhu Youxiao nodded with satisfaction.

"Well, that puts me at ease. Well, after talking about Daming Trading Company for so long, I have forgotten the main thing. Originally, I called you here today to open a new route. Last time you reported this matter, I I'm very interested. It's been two months now, how are you preparing?"

Seeing the emperor change the topic to a new direction, Zheng Zhilong immediately breathed a sigh of relief.After sorting out his thoughts for a while, he quickly handed over his hands and responded:

"Your Majesty, I am currently discussing the formation of two fleets with four ships each. One fleet will follow the route that Westerners took in the past, go to the South China Sea, pass through Manchuria, pass through India, Tianfang and other places, and finally reach the Western countries. .

Another group hired Spaniards as guides, sailed from Nanzhili, passed Ryukyu and then went east, passing Xiaodongyang (Pacific Ocean), and took three or four months by boat to reach America (America). "

The Ming Dynasty trading company now sells the "Kun Yu Ten Thousand Kingdoms Map", and the positions and outlines of the paintings are not much different from those in modern times.Therefore, Zheng Zhilong is extremely familiar with the geography of the entire world and can speak clearly and logically.

After hearing this, Zhu Youxiao also thought it was feasible, but he was not worried about going to Europe, but he was very worried about going to America.As far as he knew, most of North and South America were now Spanish colonies. It would be troublesome if they were turned away by the Spanish and not allowed to dock for supplies.

But as soon as his idea came out, Zheng Zhilong immediately advised Zhu Youxiao to relax.

"Your Majesty, according to what Li Dan said, Westerners have walked this route many times. Now it's not just the Francois, but also the Red-haired Barbarians and the English. So it doesn't matter if we go there. Besides, According to the Francois, materials are scarce in America, silver is cheap and goods are expensive, and there is a huge demand for Ming porcelain.

As long as we bring the porcelain and spices there, we will be allowed to enter the port for supplies. At that time, we can divide the ships into groups, one going north and one going south, charting the route, inspecting the terrain, and preparing for the second time. "

Zheng Zhilong and Li Dan have been thinking about this plan for a long time. Taking into account both profits and the court's plans, I am sure Zhu Youxiao will not refuse.

Zhu Youxiao thought for a while after listening, and felt that this plan was very good.

In his mind, the best place was the west coast of North America, which would later become San Francisco and Seattle in the western United States.The climate there is spring-like all year round, the climate is mild, and the minerals are rich, making it very suitable for living.

More importantly, as long as you master this place, you can go east across the Rocky Mountains and reach the central plains, which cover more than 100 million square kilometers. The soil is fertile and extremely suitable for farming.

In addition to this place, there is also the Pampas grassland in South America, which later became the location of Argentina.

This area is also a vast grassland with fertile soil.This place, together with Brazil behind it, is truly a land of abundance and extremely suitable for living.

Zhu Youxiao couldn't help drooling when he thought of this.He has always envied these places in his heart, but now his strength is limited.The main forces of Spain and Portugal are now mainly in South America. If Ming Dynasty goes there now, it will definitely be squeezed out by them.

Therefore, if you go now, it is best to go to North America. Although the Spanish also have colonies in Mexico and the west coast of North America, they also have a place for the Ming Dynasty.

Thinking of this, he immediately gave Zheng Zhilong instructions.

"Well, some time ago, the Southeast reported that the navy of Fujian and Zhejiang defeated the Red Mao Yi in Penghu and captured four of their large Western ships. Yuan Keli, the governor of Fujian and Zhejiang, sent three ships to the capital. I thought that since these ships were Built by red-haired barbarians, it is suitable for ocean navigation.

So I want to keep one of them in Tianjin to be imitated, and leave the remaining two to you for the time being. These two will join the fleet heading to America.

This brings a total of six ships. After arriving in America, four ships went north to survey North America and two ships went south to survey South Asia. "(End of chapter)