The Rise of Ming Dynasty 1646

Chapter 543 Pilot joint-stock company

Huang Zongxi raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, and respectfully held up a pamphlet and said, "This is the "Regulations on Shareholding and Operations" written by His Royal Highness the Counselor King, and the businesses I just mentioned will be organized in accordance with this regulation.

"I know what you are worried about. In the future, whether it is an iron factory, a glass factory or an ocean caravan, it will no longer be the private property of the imperial court. The imperial court is only one of the shareholders, and all sales and decisions must be made by the general meeting of shareholders. The imperial court has a small share, so he can only let other shareholders make the decisions."

When he said these words, the attention of the wealthy businessmen and gentry below immediately focused on him.At the same time, another handyman distributed the "Regulations on Equity and Operations" to everyone.

In fact, joint-stock management appeared in Shanxi as early as the end of the Wanli period, but it never took shape. However, those present have heard of its regulations.

Huang Zongxi continued: "According to the "Regulations", all industries will issue stocks according to their valuations, and the holders of the stocks are shareholders. As long as they are shareholders, they can receive dividends or receive bonuses.

"And these industries are not divided into types, and all suitable sizes are decided by the general meeting of shareholders. Accounting, craftsmen, stewards, etc., all only listen to the general meeting of shareholders. Of course, some important departments, such as those involving military weapons and prohibited items Yes, the imperial court will send special personnel to supervise, but as long as it does not violate the laws of the Ming Dynasty, they will never comment on the transaction."

Everyone listened to him introduce the situation of the "joint-stock company" piloted by the imperial court, and each of them opened the "Regulations" for a closer look, and gradually began to nod their heads in agreement. Everyone invested a lot of money in a business, and it is bound to be able to make a large scale and make money. ability is also stronger.At the same time, the regulations also strictly protect the rights and interests of shareholders. If it is implemented in this way, it is worth investing money in.

It's just that this model is too fresh, and the Ming courts of the previous dynasties have a bad reputation in the eyes of businessmen, so there are still very few people who are willing to eat crabs.

Huang Zongxi sighed secretly, and was about to talk about the benefits of investing in shares, when he saw a black-faced middle-aged man standing up on the east side and shouting harshly: "I said, what's wrong with you, old and young? A few years ago, the court asked everyone to donate side salaries." , Liao’s salary, and suppressed salary, didn’t you all take out a lot of money? Now that the court is so reasonable and politely invites us to take money to invest in shares, you have become iron cocks instead?”

He cupped his hands towards Huang Zongxi, "Lord Huang, I know that it costs money for the imperial court to fight against the Tartars, so someone from me, Long, will donate 2000 taels!"

Huang Zongxi couldn't help smiling wryly when he heard the words, "Master Long, we are not giving donations today."

"Ah, yes, take a share." The middle-aged man slapped his head, "Isn't the owner of the iron factory making guns and cannons?

Fang Yizhi hurriedly said: "The iron factory here only manufactures axles, agricultural tools, and utensils, but not military weapons..."

"Here, where is the shipyard? Warships must be built, right?"

"Longjiang Shipyard does build warships..."

"Okay, then I will invest in the shipyard!"

At the end of the Ming Dynasty, there were benevolent merchants, but there were more traitors and profiteers. Naturally, Zhu Linmi would not separate the manufacture of weapons from the control of the imperial court, so private investment mostly only involved the production of civilian items.Even the Longjiang Shipyard, in fact, only opened up the production of civilian ships to merchants to buy shares, and the warship part was independently operated.

The production of military products is mainly invested with the money of the royal family.After all, these people's surname is Zhu, and they basically don't care about anything, and they don't understand anything, and officials love to find fault with them, so the possibility of them revealing advanced technology or smuggling weapons is relatively low.

Shopkeeper Long started, followed by many patriotic businessmen, mainly because the Ming army had won several battles recently.Several hundred to several thousand taels of silver have been invested in various industries one after another, but due to the influence of the treasurer Long, most of them invested in the shipyard.

These people are just doing good deeds and donating money at this time, but they never expected that what they did today has won inexhaustible wealth for future generations...

After the surroundings became quieter, a black and thin man stood up and said, "Master Huang, just now you said that the imperial court encouraged self-organized fleets to explore the sea, but did not mention how to return it?"

"Who is this?"

"Ah, Caomin's surname is Ji, and the single name is a good character. It is a Guangdong maritime merchant."

"Treasurer Ji." Huang Zongxi said, "His Royal Highness Fuzheng Wang instructed that anyone who sails out to sea only needs to carry a few imperial court attendants on board, and all expenses will be allocated by the imperial court.

"For every mile of new waterways discovered, you can get three taels of silver.

"Those who explore unknown islands and set up flags on them, regardless of mountains, rivers and lakes, will receive 7000 taels of silver for every [-] dumps of land.

"If there are materials needed by the imperial court on the island, the proceeds from the sale will go to the people who explore the island for half a cent, and the period will last for 15 years.

"When you meet a valuable island, build a camp on it..."

After being introduced by Huang Zongxi, Ji Liang was very satisfied with the price. He had dealt with Zhu Linmi for a long time, and even the latter had a reliable reputation, so he nodded immediately, "Since the imperial court is so generous, the grassroots are willing to lead the fleet to sea!"

……

"Your Highness, I have disappointed you." Huang Zongxi submitted a volume of detailed accounts of private equity investment, "In the past few days, only 300 taels of shares have been raised. There is also a sea merchant named Ji Liang Willing to go to sea to explore waterways and new lands.”

"More than 5 taels is not bad. Everything is difficult at the beginning, Mr. Lizhou, don't blame yourself." Zhu Linmei said with a smile, "When the people who have participated in the shares have made huge profits and the news spreads, someone will beg you for money receive.

"By the way, Mr. Li Zhou has to step up the preparations for the business management department. In the future, not only the customs department will be transferred to the business management department, but also the management of shareholding, caravan going to sea, and even newly acquired territories overseas will be taken care of by the business management department. Be responsible and have a long way to go.”

"The next official must plan carefully, and dare not make mistakes."

Although the business management department is temporarily under the name of the Ministry of Household Affairs, according to Zhu Linmi's plan, the business management department will become independent in the future and become the business department of Ming Dynasty, responsible for the internal and external commercial affairs of the entire Ming Dynasty, especially overseas trade.I believe that it won't be long before the Ministry of Commerce will surpass the Ministry of Households and become the largest source of income for the imperial court.

After Huang Zongxi left, Zhu Linmi took out another list, which was the details of the shares purchased by the clan members of the Ming Dynasty a few days ago.

He summed up briefly, then nodded slightly, "Including Huang Zongxi's 8000 taels, we raised more than 91 taels of stock in a few days. Daming really doesn't lack rich people."

This is the money invested by the titled "big family" among the clansmen. After the news spreads, there will definitely be small clansmen who have no status and no titles to invest in the shares. Without the salary, this will be their future jobs. .

Although these people are not as rich as King Lu and King Gui, they can't stand the large number of people. Under the gathering of sand into a tower, Zhu Linming estimates that at least they can make up more than 50 taels.

With such a large sum of money, it is enough for several shipyards to spare no effort to build warships.In addition, the glass factory, carriage shop, and new iron factory he had planned for a long time have also received sufficient funds and can be put into practice.

(End of this chapter)