Three Kingdoms: Jiangdong is no longer a rat

Chapter 180 Funding
Yi Ji took the letter, looked down at it for a while, and remained silent.

The risks of ocean trade are indeed very great, and it is impossible for Yan Yi to hide a logbook here in advance to deceive him. The records in the logbook must be true.

He thought for a moment, then said in a negotiating tone, "Young Master, I have a suggestion. We should continue with the 60:40 split, and I will provide you with some financial support in terms of food and supplies. What do you think?"

Yan Yi was quite tempted by this proposal. As the saying goes, one only realizes the difficulty of a task when it comes to action. He did encounter difficulties in developing maritime trade in Southeast Asia.

This difficulty can be summed up in one word: money!
Engaging in ocean trade requires a lot of money. The cost of purchasing and maintaining ships alone is a huge figure, not to mention other expenses.

Most of the money Yan Yi obtained from Qiantang was spent on expanding the army, and he spent 200 million coins on purchasing war horses alone.

The remaining money he had now was no longer enough to vigorously promote the South Sea trade.

You can't have your cake and eat it too. Between expanding the army and conquering Southeast Asia, he chose the former.

Yi Ji's proposal gave Yan Yi hope of promoting trade in Southeast Asia. He thought for a moment and then said slowly, "I wonder how much money and supplies you can provide me?"

Yi Ji pondered and said, "Two hundred million coins! In addition, the Jingzhou navy can provide escort for your merchant ships and build four Pinghai ships for you. How about that?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Yi sneered in his heart. Liu Biao's move seemed to be considering him, but in fact he wanted to put shackles on him, and he even had the idea of ​​controlling him.

If the seagoing vessels are left to the navy of Jingzhou to manufacture, should Qiantang's shipbuilding industry and shipbuilding technology continue to develop?
The safety of the route was entrusted to the Jingzhou navy. Was this route his or Liu Biao's? Should the Qiantang navy continue to develop?
Using everything from others may indeed bring profits in the short term, but if you continue like this, you will gradually become a vassal of others.

If one day, he and Liu Biao had a conflict of interest and suddenly fell out, wouldn't the Nanyang trade be paralyzed immediately?
Thoughts flashed through Yan Yi's mind, his face filled with heartache. He sighed and said, "I only regret that I met you too late! If Ji Bo had come a few days earlier, I wouldn't have traveled all the way to Jiaozhou to buy a boat. Now I really regret it!"

Yi Ji didn't doubt his lies. He narrowed his eyes and said, "Young Master, why don't you find an excuse to postpone the purchase of the boat? There's really no need to waste this money."

Yan Yi's face turned pale with anger, and he said righteously, "A man without integrity cannot stand! How could I do something that would violate the agreement?"

"Ji Bu never broke his promise, and Hou Ying valued his word. Now, seeing your integrity, I can't help but think of the gentleman's demeanor in ancient times."

Yi Ji clapped his hands and sighed, feeling worried. Two hundred warships had been sent out. If nothing was accomplished, how would he explain to Liu Biao when he returned?
Yan Yi glanced at him and said, "Uncle Ji, how about this? Let the prince provide me with one billion coins and send two hundred shipbuilders to help me maintain the ship. I will take care of the rest! The prince can just sit back and make money."

Yi Ji was shocked, thinking he had misheard, and asked in a trembling voice, "How much did you say?"

Yan Yi said in surprise, "Only ten billion coins? How can this be? Your Excellency controls seven counties and 117 districts in Jingzhou, and you can't even come up with this little money?"

Yi Ji was stunned. He began to understand why Yan Yi had risen so quickly. This man was so shameless and ruthless in making money. Few people in the world could compare to him.

He smiled wryly, as if he had recognized Yan Yi all over again, and said, "Young Master, I come here with sincerity. Please give me a figure that reflects our mutual sincerity."

Yan Yi said confidently, "At least 900 million, split 50-50. A shipbuilder must be sent to reduce the cost of ship maintenance. I guarantee that within three years, your Excellency will earn back all of your investment, and thereafter, an annual profit of no less than 300 million coins. If you fail to do so, you can deduct it from my share of the profits."

Yi Ji was moved by what he said and said thoughtfully, "Can we sign a contract and an oath?" Yan Yi nodded and said, "Of course!"

This time he really intended to cooperate with Liu Biao sincerely, because the area he controlled was too small at present. Even if the Nanyang trade route was opened up, there would not be enough goods to sell for a while, and there would definitely be many empty cabins in the ship.

Rather than leaving these holds empty, it would be better to use them to transport Liu Biao's goods. When there is sufficient supply of goods in the future, Liu Biao can be kicked out.

Yi Ji bowed solemnly to him and said, "This matter is of great importance. Please allow me to return to Xiangyang and report to you. I will give you a reply within fifteen days."

Yan Yi smiled in return, "In that case, I will wait patiently for good news from Master Ji."

After the matter was discussed, Yi Ji did not want to delay any longer and immediately said goodbye and left.

Yan Yi personally escorted him out of Qiantang City, and the two said goodbye to each other on the official road three miles east of the city.

When he returned to the city, he felt a little tired and wanted to take a rare rest, so he ordered the carriage to drive to Yan's mansion.

At this time, the Yan Mansion was a busy scene.

In front of the vermilion lacquer gate, four servants were climbing a ladder to hang a scarlet brocade curtain embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns in gold thread.
Behind the screen wall, more than 20 servants were wiping the bluestone slabs with fine linen. The wet ground reflected the figures of people.
In the main hall of the front yard, six maids sat on cattail mats, wiping wine cups with silk cloth dipped in osmanthus oil.
In the front garden, the gardener directed the flower servants to move goldenrod and hibiscus flowers to the porch, each potted with branches tied with colorful silk ribbons. Not far away, beside the rockery, musicians were tuning chimes.

The Yan Mansion is so bustling because they are preparing for tonight's dinner.

This was the first time that Yan Yi had hosted a banquet for the city's celebrities and dignitaries since he conquered Qiantang. It was intended to appease the people and also served as a welcome banquet for the three Zhou brothers.

Yan Yi already knew Zhou Ang's past experiences. He had never imagined that his move to recruit Zhou Xin would actually bring him such a talented general.
It is true that happiness comes from heaven while you are sitting at home.

Today, Yan Yi's attention to the Zhou family has made them a rising star in Qiantang City. The value of the Zhou family is unquestionable.

As the former prefect of Danyang, Zhou Xin enjoys a high reputation in Danyang and is supported by the people. He can provide great help to Yan Yi in attacking Danyang.

Zhou Ang's leadership ability and experience are what Yan Yi's army currently lacks most.

Although Zhou Yu's talent wasn't as good as Zhou Ang's, it depended on who he was compared to. Compared to Zhou Ang, he certainly wasn't as talented, but compared to Chen Gan, Fan Yi, and the others, he was superior.

The three Zhou brothers were all prefect-level figures. In history, Zhou Yu was even appointed as the governor of Yuzhou by Yuan Shao.

It is not difficult to understand why Yan Yi attached so much importance to and treated Zhou with such courtesy.

(End of this chapter)