Water Margin people

Hearing Sun Lei's promise to Zhu Que to be the president of the overseas chamber of commerce, Li Ying, who was standing aside, cursed Zhu Que in his heart. He also wanted to be the president of the chamber of commerce.

"No need to thank me, as long as you do your job well, I will never be stingy with rewards!"

Sun Lei looked at Zhu Que and said, Qi State opened up overseas trade, and those rules were formulated by Qi State. This chamber of commerce is naturally controlled by the state, and he has the final say on who becomes the president.

The reason why Zhu Que was highly rewarded this time was that he helped Qi State win huge benefits from the merchants. Moreover, Zhu Que was originally the leader of Huizhou merchants, and his status among merchants in the world was also extraordinary. This kind of person can manage everything logically when he rises to the top. Merchant.

"Your Majesty, there is something else I want to report!"

Zhu Que saluted Sun Lei.

"you say!"

Although Sun Lei was already tired, he still managed to cheer up and asked.

"Your Majesty, be careful of coastal merchants like Quanzhou and Guangzhou!"

Zhu Que said solemnly.

"Tell me in detail!"

Sun Lei glanced at Zhu Wu who was recording on the side, then looked at Zhu Que and said.

"Your Majesty, the ports along the coast are engaged in maritime business. After the founding of the Song Dynasty, they lost control of the Western Regions, causing the Silk Road to be blocked."

"So maritime trade began. Guangzhou, Quanzhou, and Mingzhou successively opened shipping companies and began doing business with the Tibetan people in the South China Sea. By the end of the Song Dynasty, there were already Fujian Road Shipping Company, Liangzhe Road City Shipping Company, Guangnan Shipping Company, etc. The Donglu City Shipping Division, also known as the Sanlu City Shipping Division, has annual taxes of one million in Quanzhou, Mingzhou, and Guangzhou.”

"The huge profits made the Song Dynasty relax its control over the ports. Many Tibetan people settled in the state capital on the grounds of facilitating trade. The Tibetan people kept their own money and acted arrogantly. Many cities with Tibetan people were in chaos."

"Among them, Quanzhou is the worst. Because of Guangzhou's strict management, the Tibetan people choose to go to Quanzhou for trade. In recent years, Quanzhou has shown signs of surpassing Guangzhou and becoming the number one port."

"Foreign merchants and sailors came to Quanzhou with sea ships. They lived in the south of Quanzhou City, and gradually formed an area where foreign merchants and sailors concentrated. It was called "Fan Alley" and even Han people were not allowed to enter. It was like a country within a country. "

"The "Tiban Alley" already has 5 people. They have fleets engaged in long-distance trade, and control and monopolize the overseas trade of Quanzhou Port. The foreign Tibetans also brought various strange cultures and religions, and today's There are many religions in Quanzhou, including Buddhism, Islam, Nestorianism, Manichaeism, and Taoism.”

Zhu Que paused at this point. Huizhou merchants mostly believed in Confucianism and were very sensitive to the invasion of these foreign cultures, but he didn't know what Sun Lei's attitude was.

"I do know that there are many Tibetan businessmen in Quanzhou. Are they dishonest?"

Sun Lei looked at Zhu Que and asked. He didn't care about the rest. He just wanted to know whether these Tibetan people had disobedient intentions.

"This... villain dare not say that! Those places are monopolized by Jiangnan, Quanzhou, and Guangzhou chambers of commerce, and we Huizhou merchants have not entered too much."

Zhu Que shook his head quickly.

"Okay, I know this!"

Sun Lei looked at Zhu Que and nodded.

Zhu Que bowed again and left.

"What do you think?"

Sun Lei asked as he looked at the people around him.

"Non-my family, its heart must be different!"

Qiao Daoqing made a direct judgment. He had no good impressions of foreigners. He had seen too many plunders from Xixia and Liao on Hedong Road.

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid we need to investigate at this time, so we can't just listen to Zhu Que's words!"

Zhu Wu opened his mouth and said, now that the sea is about to open, chambers of commerce from all over the country are gathering together. Zhu is indeed the leader of the Huizhou merchants, and speaking ill of the Quanzhou and Guangzhou chambers of commerce at this time is probably intentional.

"Well, send someone to check!"

Sun Lei nodded, this matter really needs to be carefully investigated before making a decision.

"Li Ying, are you a little greedy?"

Sun Lei looked at Li Ying and smiled. He could see the dissatisfaction and envy on Li Ying's face. Li Ying was also proficient in merchants. Although he was not a big merchant, it was enough to amass a huge wealth by one person. It seems that he has the ability to do business.

"Your Majesty, I don't dare!" Li Ying saluted with some fear. He was worried that Sun Lei would have a distaste for him because of this.

"There is nothing to be afraid of. You are also proficient in the ways of a merchant. It is normal to want to do this!"

Sun Lei waved his hand.

"Your Majesty, I really want to do these things!"

Li should admit it directly.

"But you have an official position now. If you go, you can only manage the Shipping Department on behalf of Qi State. Are you willing?"

Sun Lei looked at Li Ying and asked, the Shipping Department is an important department in managing maritime trade, and all maritime profits are managed by the Shipping Department.

"Chen...chen..."

Li Ying was a little hesitant. The affairs of the Shipping Department were complicated, not just money delivery, but also involved many things. He was a little unsure.

"There is still a position for you, go out to sea and manage merchants! You will also represent the official business of Qi State!"

Sun Lei looked at Li Ying and said another option.

"Represent Qi as a merchant!"

Li Ying's eyes lit up. This is what he wants. He doesn't like being an official and prefers to deal with money.

"But if you go into business, your official position will have to change!"

Sun Lei looked at Li Ying and added.

"I am willing!"

Li Ying immediately replied that this was the opportunity he was waiting for.

"Okay, go to Mingzhou, Quanzhou, and Guangzhou and submit a summary of the situation there as soon as possible!"

Sun Lei looked at Li Ying and said, since he wants to go to sea, he must first understand the situation.

"I am determined to go through fire and water to repay His Majesty's kindness!"

Li Ying paid a courtesy visit. Just now, he was envious of Zhu Que's ability to be the president of the Qi State Overseas Chamber of Commerce. Now he doesn't care at all. He represents the Qi State official, which is a very high level.

After explaining the matter, Sun Lei also went to rest and slept until noon the next day.

"Oh, if only this could happen every day!"

After getting up, Sun Lei sighed. He was still leading the troops outside and did not have to worry about state affairs, but he knew that there must be a mountain of memorials in Liangshan City.

"Your Majesty, I received news from Master Lu that Xixia has been pacified, and Master Lu is returning with his troops in person."

Zhu Wu reported to Sun Lei.

"It's fast enough. Just wait for a while in Xijin Mansion!"

Sun Lei nodded and said, since we are returning in triumph, it would be best to go back together.

"Your Majesty, would you like to urge me?"

When Zhu Wu heard that Sun Lei wanted to wait for Lu Zhishen, he subconsciously asked if it would take half a month for Lu Zhishen to come back.

"No need, let him go slowly!"

Sun Lei shook his head and said, now he just wants to steal half a day's leisure. I'm afraid it will be difficult for him to get out of Liangshan City this time.

"At worst, learn from Qianlong, and go to Qin Shihuang to inspect the world if you have nothing to do!"

Sun Lei suddenly had an idea. He was an emperor anyway, so it was appropriate for him to patrol the world. He originally wanted to follow Qianlong's example and go to the south of the Yangtze River, but he felt that Qianlong was really a prodigal and not good enough for him. He was not a prodigal who was overjoyed at success, but a self-made rich man. (End of chapter)