Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Jia Cong said: "I heard that you have a lot of foreign sugar, foreign cloth, spices and all kinds of foreign goods in your hands. In the past, it was limited to the limited financial resources of various royal merchants and wealthy families, so they couldn't fully enjoy it.

Now, I, Wanguohao, have brought many wealthy businessmen into the game. As long as the price is low enough, I will take as much as you have.

In addition, our country's exquisite silks, porcelain, tea and other specialties are also shipped to you in large quantities. How about it? "

Everyone was overjoyed, and they all came because of this, and hurriedly said in unison: "God bless, if this can happen, we will be the steadfastest friends of His Excellency the Marquis forever."

Jia Cong smiled and said: "This is also my honor."

He knew very well that allowing cheap and good Western goods to be dumped would definitely impact the domestic industry and cause many people to lose their jobs and go bankrupt.

However, the Chinese Empire is an agricultural country. As long as there is land, people will not easily starve to death. Industries with low technical content, such as sugar making and weaving, will collapse if they fail. People can do other things if they don't do this.

For example, non-woven fabrics can be used for silk reeling, sericulture, porcelain making, etc. Some industries will shrink, while others will rise, which can be considered pros and cons. This is also the law of trade. You can't just take advantage without suffering a loss.

What's more, the general trend is like this. Even if we suffer some losses, we must first build a new navy. The existing old-fashioned guns and warships in the army are really useless.

When it comes to commodity trade, Xue Wen is an expert and also joins the discussion.

Seeing everyone talking happily, Jia Cong smiled and said: "Everyone, the general direction of this matter has been decided.

The way of a businessman is based on integrity. I don't think you will give up long-term business for the sake of small profits, do something that is inferior to good, or cut corners.

Once I find out, all business will be discontinued in the future. Do you understand? "

Everyone hurriedly said: "Don't worry, Your Excellency, Marquis, we will operate with integrity and there will be no lies."

They are all in a competitive relationship with each other. They wish that someone would fake it and report it to the Marquis of China. Then wouldn't they be able to eat his cake?

It was so easy to catch up with Jia Cong, and no one dared to cheat easily, lest they lose big for a small gain.

Jia Cong nodded and said: "Second uncle, Brother Yun, Robert, you can go down and discuss the specific details with the lords.

In a word, if you are unsure about something, do more research and research, and don't let others be easily deceived. "

The three of them nodded in agreement.

Jia Cong looked at Robert again and said with a smile: "Lao Luo, I heard that you can become a baron in the Netherlands. I am very pleased and happy to congratulate you."

Robert was flattered and hurriedly bowed and said: "It's all thanks to the support of the Marquis. I'm so grateful."

He knew very well that his title as a baron was just an empty title. He had no money, no fiefdom, no army. He was completely different from a distinguished noble like Jia Cong.

Jia Cong nodded and said: "You have lived in China for many years. You should know that the Netherlands and China are difficult to compare. Although you are from the Netherlands, your career is in China. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I understand. I am willing to die for the Marquis."

Robert knew very well that if he hadn't relied on Jia Cong, he wouldn't even be qualified to talk to a Lord like Feng Yilok. In the words of the Celestial Empire, he would be acting like a fox and a tiger.

Therefore, he understood that only by satisfying Jia Cong could he be rich. If he was rejected by Jia Cong, he would be worthless.

Seeing that the conversation was finished, Jia Cong smiled slightly and reached out to pick up the gold tea bowl with colorful unicorn patterns on the yellow ground.

Seeing this, Xue Wen hurriedly signaled all the Western Yi nobles to leave.

Jia Cong stood up to see them off and said with a smile: "If you have any questions in the future, please discuss them with Brother Yun and my second uncle. I have been in Shenjing for a long time and it is inconvenient to go south."

Everyone smiled, nodded, and left.

Jia Cong ordered Jia Yun and Robert to go to Haosheng to receive him, and then left Xue Wen to discuss some business matters, and then led him to visit Jia Mu.

Xue Wen smiled and said: "Brother Cong, you are still far-sighted. After listening to your words last time, I ordered someone to buy a Xiyi fourth-class ship. After a try, it turned out that its artillery was far more powerful than the Tianchao water. division.

Now we buy first and then build. Within a few years, we will be able to compete with the Western barbarians in Nanyang. "

Originally, he was quite hesitant about purchasing firearms, but considering his future overseas business, he still felt that it would be safer to have something in his hands. At most, he could keep a low profile and park on the surrounding islands and not go near the inland.

Jia Cong waved his hand and said: "Xi Yi is thousands of miles away and it is difficult to send too many troops. If we are really desperate and attack together, the Celestial Empire will not be able to bear it. We cannot take it lightly.

We are too far behind when it comes to sailing, and we have to take our time. However, with the human, material and financial resources of the Celestial Empire, as long as they master the skills of the Western Yi, it will be a matter of time for them to catch up from behind. "

Xue Wendao: "You are right. When it comes to shipbuilding, our foundation is stronger than that of Xiyi. It's just a different approach, but we can't deviate from our roots. After all, shipbuilding is made of wood.

I have already given orders to stock up on materials as much as possible, and my shipyard has hired many Western shipwrights to imitate Western ships with them. As long as the shipyard is completed, there will be no shortage of clinker and clinker.

According to my old shipwright, there is not much mystery in Xiyi shipbuilding. It is just that the shapes of Chinese and Western ships are different. In terms of sophistication and solidity, Xiyi is not as far as the Celestial Empire. As long as there are ready-made things, it can be figured out easily. "

Jia Cong was relieved. It seemed that the gap was mainly reflected in firearms. In the field of wooden sailboats, Tianchao still had a deep foundation. Even if they were not ahead, they were at least good at winning.

Fortunately, Xiyi hasn't put the steam engine on the ship yet. This naughty thing is the real killer.

Because he said: "There is a thing in the West, called a steam engine. Its principle is to burn coal to boil water, and use rapid hot water vapor to drive the machine. It is like our waterwheel, but the thing that is driven is not water flow, but water vapor, hence the name steam engine.

This thing is an important weapon of the country. When used in a cart, it can move like lightning. When used to carry heavy loads, it has infinite strength. When used in a ship, it can traverse the four seas. Compared with the power of water, wind, cattle, horses and animals, it is like gold and earth and stone.

Even Xiyi may not understand at this moment. "

Xue Wen was surprised and asked: "Is there such a magical thing?" "It is true, but I don't know exactly how Xiyi is using it at this moment. The second uncle can make some inquiries.

Or we can exchange skills and invite and hire some experts from the West. Each one counts, the more the better. Be sure to keep them for my use.

Don't say anything else, no matter how much money they spend, just ask them to develop how to use this thing on ships. "Jia Cong said in a deep voice.

Xue Wen nodded and said, "Okay, I'll start arranging this matter when I get back."

"Don't let the news leak out."

"Brother Cong, don't worry. How can we let the most important weapon of the country be used lightly on others?"

After dismissing Xue Wen, Jia Cong called Jia Yun that night and gave them detailed instructions. In the future, Xue Wen will be based in Jinling and Jia Yun will be based in Guangzhou. This is his tentative dual-core development idea.

Although shipbuilding is slower, other things can be achieved immediately, such as training new troops. As long as there are weapons, instructors, and training grounds, the results can be achieved in a few months.

"Brother Yun, this time you go south to Guangzhou. In addition to focusing on factory construction and goods trade, you also need to help train the new army." Jia Cong said.

Jia Yun's heart trembled and she hurriedly said: "My nephew is stupid. The so-called new army is..."

"Musketeer. Don't worry, someone will cover you. Just make sure there is no shortage of supplies and money."

"Third uncle, don't worry. My nephew understands. I wonder how many people there are in this new army?" Jia Yun said.

"Seven thousand people. Each person is paid 3 taels of silver per month and one stone of rice." Jia Cong said.

"Yes, Third Uncle. I will purchase the corresponding guns and ammunition from Xiyi when I get back." Jia Yun said.

"Go and go. When you get to Guangzhou, go to Guangzhou General Su Qing. He is from our family. I will say hello to him."

"Yes, nephew, please retire. Third uncle, please take care."

After sending Jia Yun away, Jia Cong pondered for a long time and wrote a letter to Wang Jin of Liaodong, asking him to order the seven thousand "country warriors" selected in Zhuangzi to disarm and go south in batches.

These people have either been their own tenants for generations, or are descendants of soldiers. They have always been treated favorably by themselves, and their loyalty is not a problem. They are also veterans with actual combat experience, and they can become effective with a little training.

Watching Hai Dongqing, who was delivering the letter, plunge into the dark blue night sky, Jia Cong was speechless, pondering over the pros and cons in his mind.

Wan Yanshan thought he was worried about the safety of the letters, so she smiled and said: "Brother Cong, don't worry, countless letters have been sent through this line, ensuring safety."

Jia Cong smiled slightly. The key words in his letter were secret words. On the surface, he said that he had set up several workshops and needed people to work on them. Only Wang Jin could understand that it meant military training.

Then he returned to his room and wrote another letter to General Su Qing of Guangzhou. After sealing it, he called Yan Shuangying in.

"Third Master, what are your orders?" Yan Shuangying said with cupped hands.

Jia Cong gave him the letter and said: "Tomorrow morning, you select a few brothers to go south to Guangzhou to deliver the letter to General Su, and then stay in Guangzhou. There is no need to come back."

Yan Shuangying was shocked and fell to his knees with a plop: "Third Master, if I have committed a crime, I will be beaten or punished without any hesitation. Why are you driving me away?"

Jia Cong glared at him angrily and said, "Get up, I haven't finished speaking yet. What's the hurry? I'm letting you go this time because I have a huge responsibility entrusted to you."

Yan Shuangying calmed down for a moment and said hurriedly: "The third master has ordered me to go through fire and water without hesitation."

"I have ordered 7000 local warriors from Liaodong to go south to Guangzhou. You will lead this group of people and train them according to the Western Yi military training method, so that they can form an army as soon as possible." Jia Cong said.

"Yes." Yan Shuangying hesitated for a moment and said, "Third Master, then let's just throw away our stubbornness...?"

Jia Cong nodded: "When the time comes, Jia Yun will bring you muskets and artillery, and he will also send you Xiyi instructors. You will know which one is better and which one is worse."

"Yes."

"In addition, in the letter, I have informed General Su and asked him to cover for you and buy an island for you to live and train to prevent others from being discovered.

Your mission is to train troops and develop strong troops! No matter what I lack, let Jia Yun provide it. I just want a strong army, do you understand? "Jia Cong said in a deep voice.

"Don't worry, Third Master, I understand." Yan Shuangying said.

"You pick twenty or thirty capable men from the guard camp, and go in batches to pick up the soldiers from Liaodong. They go south along the canal to Jinling, and then take the Xue family's ship to Guangzhou."

He has 1,000 soldiers, and 100 of them are selected as bodyguards. They can be said to be the best among the best. There is no problem in terms of loyalty, skill, conduct, military exploits, or character.

Yan Shuangying nodded, with tears in his eyes, he cupped his fists and said: "Third Master, the little one is gone, please take care of yourself."

Jia Cong was also a little sad. He and Yuanba had followed him for the longest time, and they had always been hard-working and loyal. He said: "From now on, you are no longer a private soldier, but a general who leads the army. When you have nothing to do, read more military books and think more about what to do." fight."

"Yes, please remember Third Master's teachings, little one." Yan Shuangying said goodbye crying.

"Go ahead, I'll be waiting for your good news in Beijing."

"I will swear to the death to help Third Master train a strong army. Please give Third Master a name for the new army."

"Well, musket projectiles are as fast as lightning and can beat the edge of a knife. Let's call it the sharp edge camp." Jia Cong said. (End of chapter)