Tibet.

Chapter 1360: Negotiations at Sea
That evening, in the back hall of Dugu Mansion, several major families gathered together. Dugu Lie was in charge of presiding over the discussion. Dugu Ming and his nephew Dugu Jinyang represented the Dugu family, eldest grandson Nanfang and third son Changsun Yao represented the Changsun family, Yuansu and eldest son Yuance represented the Yuan family, and Dou Xian and eldest grandson Dou Ying represented the Dou family.

There are also more than a dozen other families, including the Yu family, Houmochen family, Doulu family, Zhao family, Li family and Yuwen family. The Li family here refers to the descendants of Li Bi, and the Yuwen family is not the lineage of Yuwen Jing.

They have just received approval for their application to purchase the island, and next they will have to go to the Ministry of Household Affairs to complete the purchase procedures.

Dugu Lie slowly said to the heads of more than a dozen families: "Today, I was summoned to discuss the matter of building an island country. I want to warn you that building an island is a very difficult matter. It requires a long-term and huge investment, and it is very likely to drain the entire family's wealth. I hope that you will think carefully before buying an island. Don't follow the trend, don't get carried away, and don't make this important decision hastily."

Dugu Lie was telling the truth. They got an island the size of Guanzhong with a large fertile plain in the middle. After preliminary calculations, they found that it would cost at least one million strings of cash to transport the large amount of materials to the island and also to find a large number of workers for construction. The Dugu family had the financial resources, and several other large families also had the financial resources, but these small families might not.

Dugu Lie's words made everyone feel uncomfortable. The imperial court allowed the establishment of an independent country overseas, but the four major families had been hiding such a good thing from them.

Now that they had finally applied and their family's century-old dream was about to come true, Dugu Lie was pouring cold water on them and told them not to participate? What did he mean? Only the four major families could establish a country, and no other families were allowed to participate?

After a while, Houmochenqing said coldly: "Thank you for the reminder from Patriarch Dugu. Our Houmochen family is not very ambitious. Buying an island with a few acres of land will not cost much money, but it can be regarded as the founding of a country, and it can also be regarded as an explanation to our ancestors."

Dugu Lie sighed in his heart. He actually gave a kind reminder, but since these guys didn't appreciate it, why should he care so much?
"The emperor asked me to come over today because he actually wanted us to speed up the progress. To this end, the emperor promised to give us 20,000 Indian prisoners of war, and we can also buy some elephants from Yunnan."

This sentence immediately livened up the atmosphere in the lobby. Yuan Ce smiled and said, "The reason why we haven't started yet is because of the labor issue. With the Indian laborers, we will naturally start construction."

Zhang Sun Nanfang asked, "The prisoners of war are managed by the Ministry of War, right? Brother Dugu should be very clear about their situation."

Dugu Lie nodded, "These 70,000 Indian prisoners of war are currently building a city on Changjian Island. There are more than 300 craftsmen and more than 20 officials there. The construction of the city has been completed. Now we are building warehouses, dormitories, government offices, and city drainage channels. There is also a freshwater lake nearby, and water needs to be brought into the city. It will be completely completed next month. According to the plan, these 70,000 prisoners of war will be transferred to Lugong Island to cut down forests and open up farmland. Twenty thousand prisoners of war will be transferred to us. We will discuss a plan in a few days to see how to distribute them reasonably. But I want to make it clear to everyone that the emperor specifically told me that they are prisoners of war, not slaves. They are guaranteed food and lodging and a daily wage of ten coins. They will be released and return home in five years. If they do not want to return home, they will also be transferred to overseas civilians of the Tang Dynasty, and we will find some women from India and nearby islands to marry them."

At this time, Houmo Chenqing said: "Thank you for Brother Dugu's efforts. We would like to know what we should do after the Ministry of Households buys the island?"

The eldest grandson Nanfang beside him smiled and said, "Let my grandson tell me about this matter! He has been doing this before and has experience."

Zhang Sunyao stood up, bowed to everyone and said, "I have some experience and I am willing to share it with you. After buying the island, we must first build a business in Quanzhou, including warehouses, dock leasing, ships, restaurants, inns, etc., to make logistical preparations for the future travel of personnel and materials to the island. Then we will go out to sea to see the island and get a general understanding of the island's location, area, routes, etc. The third step is to explore the island. We used to see the island and explore the island separately, but now we can combine them together. Find some professional craftsmen to look for water sources on the island. This is the most important thing. If no rivers or lakes are found on the island, we can apply to the court to exchange the island. We must also look for natural harbors and whether there are places to build cities around. We must also look for plains to see what the soil is like, etc., but the first step of the logistics base must be well built."

At this time, Zhao Neng, the third most important person in the Zhao family, raised his hand and asked, "Does it have to be in Quanzhou? I think Guangzhou is closer?"

"Uncle Zhao, this is a good question. Quanzhou is the seat of the court's overseas office and the base for the court's overseas operations. If we put the logistics here, we will get a lot of convenience and important information, such as pirate information and the arrival of various important materials of the court. It is very important for overseas islands. Sometimes we may not get any news of going out to sea in Guangzhou for half a month or half a year, but in Quanzhou, we may get news of going out to sea on the same day."

Everyone nodded, they all thought that they should build a business in Quanzhou and follow the imperial court.

Dugu Lie said to everyone, "We invited everyone here today just to discuss the general direction. We will start discussing the specific steps tomorrow. It doesn't have to be in Dugu Mansion. We will notify you in advance. Please keep in touch."

Chang Sun Nanfang said with a smile, "Let me inform them first! We will start discussing the arrangements at the Quanzhou Commercial Bank tomorrow morning. Everyone should come to Chang Sun Mansion early! It's best to come at dawn and have breakfast at Chang Sun Mansion."

After everyone left, Dugu Ming drank a sip of tea in the study and said to his brother, "What you said today, brother, was not unintentional, right?"

Dugu Lie said coldly: "They are not qualified to establish a country. In fact, they have no ability. I know the foundation of the Houmo Chen family. And the Yu family, buying an island has almost emptied the family. How can they have money for subsequent construction?"

Dugu Ming nodded. "In fact, the establishment of a nation on the island was a conspiracy of the emperor. Just like the Enfeoffment Order, it made us willingly swallow the bait. The Guanlong nobles of nearly two hundred years just disappeared in the Tang Dynasty."

Dugu Lie sighed and said, "You are right. In fact, everyone understands it, but they can't help but swallow this bait. In the words of the emperor, this is called a win-win situation. The court has eliminated the largest Guanlong force, and we have also realized the wishes of our ancestors and established the Dugu Kingdom." Dugu Ming was silent for a moment and said, "I think it should be my eldest brother who should be the first king of the Dugu Kingdom, not Dugu Jun."

Dugu Lie frowned, "He is only responsible for building the island, not for being the king."

Dugu Ming shook his head. "He doesn't think so. Once he gains power, his ambition will swell. Big brother should also know his character."

Dugu Lie was a little embarrassed, "I have already asked him to go to Quanzhou, what should I do?"

Dugu Ming smiled faintly and said, "It's very simple. Find something Dugu Jun is willing to do. Naturally, he will not be interested in overseas construction."

Dugu Lie sighed and said, "What he wants to do most is to be an official!"

"Then find a way to get him an official position. Last time we donated the Baoji Guifang, didn't the emperor promise to give us a quota for the governor of Shangzhou? As for Dingyou, the eldest brother has become the Shangshu, but the second brother has never been convinced."

Dugu Lie nodded, "Okay! I'll go talk to the emperor later."

At this time, Dugu Jinyang, who had been sitting next to him and remained silent, said, "Father, let me take full responsibility for the construction of the island!"

"If your second uncle doesn't care, then naturally you are responsible!"

Dugu Jinyang added: "I have one more thing to remind father!"

"what?"

"It's about the matter of the 20,000 Indian laborers. I remember my father saying that among these 70,000 laborers who built the city on Changjian Island, less than ten died. What if these 20,000 laborers fell into the hands of other families and there were a large number of deaths?
The emperor has entrusted 20,000 laborers to the Dugu family. If a large number of them die, how will father explain to the emperor?"

Dugu Ming nodded, "Jinyang is right. Once a small family runs out of money, they will definitely exploit the workers cruelly, and there will inevitably be a large number of deaths. They are not responsible. The responsibility lies with the Dugu family!"

Dugu Lie pondered for a moment and said, "You are right. I really didn't consider this point. What should I do then?"

Dugu Jinyang said quickly: "Father, I have a plan to solve the problem!"

"Tell me more about it!"

Dugu Jinyang said calmly, "We will first discuss the allocation of 20,000 people internally. For example, if the Dugu family is allocated 5,000 people, we will first sign a loan agreement with the Ministry of Revenue, which clearly states that the workers will be paid 10 cents a day, work for six hours a day, and be given a pound of food and a sea fish every day. Then we will implement the deposit system. Each Tianzhu worker will pay the Ministry of Revenue a security deposit of 20 strings of coins. Once we have this model, the Ministry of Revenue will definitely sign contracts with other families in this way. I believe many small families will retreat in the face of difficulties."

Dugu Ming gave a thumbs up, "Jinyang has a good plan to cut off the firewood from under the cauldron!"

Dugu Lie also said: "The emperor also asked me to discuss the details with the Ministry of Revenue. I might as well finalize these terms with the Ministry of Revenue first and sign a general contract. The families below can then sign separate contracts under this general contract. Other families can't blame me for this."

(End of this chapter)