Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

When Jia Cong returned home, he immediately joined Pang Chao to read the abbreviation of "Western Affairs" sent by Jia Yun.

The abbreviation is written in black and white, and the details are clearly organized. It is obvious that Jia Yun put a lot of thought into it.

Let’s talk about money first. In addition to the 2000 million silver that Jia Yun brought to Jiangnan in advance, he also raised a total of 8500 million silver from salt merchants, totaling more than million taels.

The Xue family invested in the existing shipyards, shipwrights, workshops, etc.

In terms of management, in addition to General Manager Jia Yun, there are also his deputies such as Robert, Jia Xuan, and Jia Wen, as well as more than ten sons and daughters of the Jia family to manage the affairs, as well as hundreds of people sent by the Xue family and various salt merchants. Stewards and hundreds of workers have already established the personnel framework of the "Wanguohao".

In terms of introducing industries, Jia Yun and Xue Wen have preliminarily negotiated various factories with the Western Yi countries, including two shipyards, one steel factory, one machinery bureau, one ordnance institute, two new coal mines, and one textile factory. , Sino-Ocean Commerce Bureau.

According to preliminary estimates, the construction cost is more than 6000 million taels of silver.

As for maintaining continuous production in the future, I don’t know how much it will cost.

There is another thing. Robert has negotiated terms with Count von Ilok, a powerful nobleman of the Netherlands. If he can promote trade between China and the Netherlands, Count von Ilok promised to recommend Robert to the title of baron.

Jia Yun thought that this might be used as a cover-up, and recorded arms factories such as the Machinery Bureau and Ordnance Institute on Robert's head.

Even if someone investigates by then, there will only be some civilian properties under Wanguohao's name, and there will be nothing anyone can do.

Pang Chao read the abbreviation, pondered for a long time, and said: "It's okay if we do business, but the amount involved is too large, which may arouse people's suspicion.

As for the ordnance station, if the incident is leaked, it will be a disaster, so we should not be cautious. "

Jia Cong said in a deep voice: "There are some risks in this matter. The arms factory can slow down and start up other factories and mines first. Don't give up eating because of choking."

Pang Chao said, "What are your plans, brother Cong?"

"I want to open a coal mine in Shandong. This time I went to Shandong to suppress bandits. I heard that Shandong produces coal and is easy to transport by sea.

Jinling set up a shipyard, textile bureau, and commerce bureau, and asked the Xue family and Jinling Health Center to take care of them.

Another shipyard and steel plant were located in Guangzhou, and Su Qing, the current Guangzhou general under Rongfu, and the local Jinyi Guards were asked to take care of it.

General Su's son, Su Can, and I are both sworn brothers, so there's nothing wrong with us. "Jia Cong said.

Pang Chao nodded and said: "This is safe. It's just that the investment in this matter is very high. With your financial resources, brother Cong, how long can you sustain it?"

Jia Cong smiled and said: "Sir, don't worry, after our troops are strong in two years, these investments will be recouped. At the very least, we won't lose money."

"Why is Brother Cong so sure?" Pang Chao asked.

Jia Cong smiled and said: "Sir, don't think that building these warships, cargo ships, and steel is not suitable for food or clothing. When the time comes, it will make sense for us to have big fists.
Just pull the troops out, conquer Japan and Korea first, and then wait for a while. Wouldn’t the wealth of those two countries be in my hands? What is this investment worth now? "

Pang Chao frowned and said, "Back then, Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty used all his country's strength to conquer Korea three times but failed to return. How confident is Brother Cong?"

Jia Cong asked: "Did Yang Guang take the land route or the sea route?"

"Overland."

"That's right, I am a sea route, everyone has different routes, how can we compare them.

How can Goryeo, a small and small country, be able to withstand strong ships and powerful guns? Sir, don’t worry. Once the fleet is formed, Sir, you will know in person. "Jia Cong said.

"That's good. Without hearing and seeing, you can't understand things by observing them." Pang Chao nodded.

The two discussed for a long time and worked out some details.
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The next day, Jia Cong stood in front of the Shenshi Hall wearing a big red hairpin, a phoenix-winged purple gold crown, a white swan cloak, a bright red bullfighting suit with ox horns and dragon patterns given by the emperor, a jade belt around his waist, and court boots. The luxurious atmosphere is fully displayed.

Seeing Wangcai leading Xue Wen, Jia Yun and four or five white-skinned, blue-eyed and blond foreigners over, Jia Cong smiled slightly and then stepped down to greet them along with Pang Chao.

"You all have come from afar, and the flowers are shining brightly. I have not been far away to welcome you. Please forgive me for my sins." Jia Cong cupped his hands and said.

The translators nearby were busy translating into multiple languages.

Jia Cong said hello to Xue Wen, Jia Yun, Robert and others.

A foreigner is tall and handsome, with golden shawl curly hair, wearing a dark red velvet straight coat with white fur trim, a soft hat with three strips of mink sewn on the hat, a crown with a gold-plated silver ring, and eight silver balls on the upper edge. .
He stepped forward and took off his hat with his right hand, pressed his chest with his left hand, bowed slightly, nodded in greeting, and said a few words with a smile.

Robert hurriedly translated: "Master Marquis, this is the powerful Earl von Ilok of the Netherlands. He comes from a wealthy family and has a noble status. He extends his sincere greetings and heartfelt respect to you."

Jia Cong smiled and cupped his hands: "Nice to meet you."

He saw that all the Western Yi nobles were well-dressed and solemn. It was obvious that they attached great importance to this meeting, and he was somewhat satisfied in his heart.

Robert translated and introduced everyone one by one.

After saying hello, Jia Cong invited everyone to come to the hall to talk. My own maid serves tea and fruit snacks.

All the Western Yi nobles had just come in and saw the majestic and majestic mansion of Jia Cong, with its carved beams and painted pillars, and they already felt respectful.
Now I see that any maid serving tea and water is so young and beautiful, with exquisite clothes, and I feel even more fascinated. She is worthy of being a wealthy family in the celestial dynasty. She really has a profound background and can do big business.

They all secretly made up their minds to prepare a good argument later to persuade him to trade with them.

"Please." Jia Cong motioned for everyone to take a sip of tea and slowly said, "I think you all know what I want, do you have any good suggestions?"

Feng Yilock was the first to say: "I heard that His Excellency Huan Hou wants to do business with other countries, and we all come here with the greatest sincerity. No matter what you need, as long as we have it, we will sell it to you at the best price.
At the same time, we also hope to further expand trade between you and us on the basis of mutual benefit. "

All the nobles nodded in agreement.

Jia Cong smiled and said: "My kingdom is vast, rich in resources, outstanding people, fine clothes, delicious food, rare treasures, everything you need. Therefore, I have not been involved in business since my ancestors."

After listening to Robert's translation, the nobles looked at each other with worry. Regardless of whether they were from the East or the West, as long as they were nobles, they attached great importance to their family's traditions.

"But, I am a young man who has achieved great success. I am famous and wealthy. I am alone for a while. Looking around the world, I have nothing left to ask for. I heard that your country has some new and interesting things, which is interesting, so I invite you to come and talk about it."

Jia Cong said casually, looking like a playboy.

Pang Chao nodded slightly. This was also what they had agreed upon, not to reveal his ambition to compete overseas to prevent Western barbarians from being wary.

Baron English Sean said hurriedly: "I have long admired Your Excellency the Marquis' reputation, but it is our honor to ask for anything."

Jia Cong smiled lightly and said: "The Celestial Dynasty is based on the famous teachings of Gangchang, which maintains the people's hearts in the world. The ancient sages also have the admonition that 'you can't stop learning'.
Therefore, I also want to ask you for some advice on Western learning. Only by using Chinese learning as a body and Western learning as a practical application can we draw upon each other's strong points and make up for our shortcomings. "

The nobles were a little confused by him, weren't they talking about business? Why talk about learning?

For a moment, he was not sure what Jia Cong meant, so he just regarded him as a young man who didn't understand the affairs and treated him politely.

Seeing that the time was almost up, Jia Cong turned to the main topic: "Now I am not only interested in doing business with you, but also very curious about other countries' strange skills. In addition to doing business, I also want to open a few factories.

I hope you can help me a lot. Whether I can make money or not is a matter of detail. "

Seeing that he finally got down to business, everyone laughed and said, "Don't worry, sir. In the name of friendship, we will do our best to help."

Von Ilok said: "You should know that we, the Netherlands, travel across the sea and are known as sea coachmen. We have the most advanced shipbuilding technology. We are willing to assist you in building two of the most advanced shipyards in the world."

Baron Sean glared at him, "You will steal business. Who doesn't know that shipbuilding is a big business, with an income of tens of millions of silver. He hurriedly said: "Your Excellency, my English shipbuilding technology is not inferior to others. I am willing to serve you.”

Jia Cong smiled and said: "It's just right. The two of them can build a shipyard for me together. Let's see which one is smart."

The two of them were very satisfied and said with a smile: "I won't disappoint you. I wonder how big of a shipyard you want to build?"

Jia Cong asked: "How big is the largest shipyard in your country?"

Sean said: “Take our country’s Portsmouth Shipyard as an example, both cargo ships and warships can be built.

What about the output? Three second-level battleships, six third-level battleships, and more than ten fourth-level battleships can be built in a year. "

Von Ilok said with a touch of disdain: "Your Excellency, Marquis, what Baron Sean didn't tell you is that at this moment, a quarter of the ships in England are produced in the shipyard in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Our country builds 500 ocean-going ships every year and has a large number of mature craftsmen. As long as you are interested, I can assist you in building a shipyard twice the size of the Portsmouth Shipyard. "

Sean's face suddenly turned ugly, this bastard had gone too far.

Jia Cong smiled and said: "Don't worry, Mr. Sean. Five fingers are still long and short, not to mention the country? In this case, you two will do your best to help me build two shipyards and support the corresponding craftsmen. How much does it cost, but say No problem.”

Sean glanced at von Ilok, not daring to speak loudly, for fear that the duck would fly away, so he hurriedly said: "Take our country's Portsmouth Shipyard as an example, it needs at least 10 million taels of silver."

Jia Cong nodded, and the price was much lower than the price Jia Yun initially negotiated, and asked again: "How long will it take to complete it?"

"If all the labor and materials are available, it can be built in five years."

"It's been too long. I don't have the patience. I'll accept it for two years at most." Jia Cong frowned.

"If we use more human equipment, we can work day and night, but we need to add two million more silver." Sean said.

Jia Cong was noncommittal, looked at Feng Yilock and said, "Your Excellency, Count, do you have any suggestions?"

Von Ilok nodded and said: "This price is fine. If Your Excellency the Marquis gives me 2000 million taels of silver, I will build you a shipyard twice the size within two years and send corresponding mature craftsmen."

Jia Cong said: "Deal! How about paying monthly?"

"Okay." Both of them were happy. People from great powers in the Celestial Dynasty are so happy to decide such a big business in just a few words. (End of chapter)