Lin Gao Qiming

Chapter 274 - Countermeasures

"When it comes to the use of molasses, it's actually a bit wasteful to make alcohol. It can be used to make wine. Many wineries here in Xuwen use this."

Bei Wei said: "Xue Ziliang in my team, he can make a lot of foreign wine. He mentioned to me last time that the molasses from the sugar cane factory can be used to make rum—"

"This is good," Wen Tong said hastily, "The economic benefits of rum are much greater than that of alcohol."

Bei Wei doesn't see it that way: "Is alcohol more useful in industry?"

"Yes, but alcohol can be made as long as it contains sugar and starch, and rum must be molasses." Wen Tong said, "I also thought about making wine with molasses, but I don't know how to do it , it would be great if you had technicians.”

Bei Wei said, "Then I will send him when I go back."

Chang Shide said with a smile: "Once the rum comes out, it will not be a problem to sell it back to Europe. When I was talking to them, I heard that Cuba and Batavia were the main export places of rum back then."

"What is saved after making rum from molasses can continue to refine other by-products." Wen Tong said, "It's better than making alcohol alone."

So the matter of preparing to build a rum distillery in Xuwen was settled in this way. After all, it was too inconvenient to transport the molasses to Lingao for processing.

In the evening, Wen Tong drafted a report to the executive committee, applied for the shipment of a distiller, and at the same time temporarily seconded Xue Ziliang to South China Sugar Factory to guide the work.

The few people who were enthusiastically talking about the use of sugarcane by-products did not realize how huge the impact of the South China Sugar Factory's commissioning was. In a sense, it even surpassed the various constructions of the Crossing Group in Lingao.This is a factory that is completely open to ordinary people in Daming. The convenience, high efficiency and low cost brought about by mechanized and industrialized mass production have left a deep impression on everyone who comes into contact with this factory.And its consequences came to them faster than anyone expected.

Hai'an Street, Sugar Industry Guild Hall - Haiyi Hall.

This bluestone gatehouse, with a strong Cantonese style, occupies a prominent position on Hai'an Street.Hai'an Street is famous for its "Sweet Port", and it is the merchants in this hall who control this "Sweet Port" and almost completely monopolize the export of Leizhou sugar. Most of them come from Chaozhou and Guangzhou in Guangdong.There are more than 20 sugar shops on the street, without exception.The geographical proximity and the connection of interests make the sugar merchants here very united and jointly maintain this hard-won country.

Ever since billowing black smoke billowed from the chimneys of the South China Sugar Factory, these sensitive businessmen seem to have smelled a whiff of imminent social change.They began to feel uneasy. There were always whispering voices in teahouses, restaurants, and in the cabinets of every sugar store.

Everyone thinks what should be done, but no one knows what to do. Even those who are determined to respond to all changes without change feel a little lost in their hearts. They always feel that someone should come out to affirm his countermeasure.

Now, the shopkeepers and principals of these sugar shops are all gathered in the flower hall of the guild hall.This tall and bright hall is made of exquisite materials and fine workmanship. There is no second one in Leizhou Prefecture.Originally, at this time of year, shopkeepers gather here, drinking famous tea, eating fine food, and sometimes there are singers singing softly, discussing this year's sugar price.The rewards of many people's hard work and blood sweat for a year are decided at such gatherings.

At this moment, the hall was filled with a strange sense of panic. Like usual gatherings, six Eight Immortals tables were set up in the hall, which were filled with various small dishes, famous teas and good wines.But today, none of these people who are extremely particular about diet and daily life have an appetite.The shopkeepers and stewards of each family sat silently, some people rolled their eyes quickly, as if they were thinking about something, and some sat firmly on the Diaoyutai, calm and calm.Someone suddenly stood up, walked a few steps, sat down again, opened the Sichuan fan in his hand and kept fanning it violently.

"It's spring anyway, it's not so hot." A fat man said, unable to stand the strong wind from the people around him.

"The heart is hot, and it won't cool down if you don't fan it." The fan fan looked younger.

"Hot shit, there are quite a few people selling sugar at your place, why worry about nothing?" the fat man said dissatisfied.

"There are quite a few now, what about in the future?" The fan fan is the young owner of "Ri Xie Cheng", and his sugar store is one of the ten largest sugar stores on Hai'an Street.

"It won't be less in the future." The fat man still said unhurriedly, "If he doesn't sell to your bank, he will sell to my bank. It's the same price. What's the trouble?" Yuelai" shopkeeper.

"I'm afraid of the South China Sugar Factory!" The young owner swallowed, "Didn't you go to see their factory? It's like a nightmare! That big iron roller, if you go in by yourself, you'll be crushed to pieces! And the chimney that burns at night and emits smoke during the day, like a ghost tree!"

The fat man said: "He makes candy, we sell candy. We don't care what he does. Besides, no matter how much candy he makes, we have to sell it. What are you afraid of? Besides, he makes too much candy. The price went down, which is good for us—”

"It would be great if this was the case." The old man sitting at the side let out a long breath, "What if they also want to do sugar business?"

"Isn't this impossible? Every row is like a mountain—"

"It's hard to say." The old man sighed, "I heard that the owners in South China are all from Guangzhou. This business is so profitable, how can they let it go easily? What if they want to do the business of 'Yangzhuang' directly here? Woolen cloth?"

There was a murmur at this, when someone called out to the man who had been sitting immobile in the middle:

"Zhu Sanye, you are our backbone, take care of this matter with an idea!"

The man who is called the third master Zhu is over fifty years old, with a short stature, and there is no sense of decadence in his body, but he is shrewd and capable.His real name was Zhu An, and he was the third in the family. Everyone respectfully called him "Zhu Sanye", but his real name was covered up.His family runs a "Riyicheng" sugar store, and he has more than a dozen large ships with more than 200 materials, which are dedicated to carrying sugar goods to various places for distribution.Because the profits of sugar are very considerable and it is easy to cash out, there is a group of pirates on the sea who hijack sugar ships.Zhu Sanye, as the owner of a local sugar company and a big ship owner, specially organized various sugar companies to jointly fund and set up a "Haiyitang" peer organization to discuss the annual sugar price, and then use the profit from the profits of each business according to size and scale. Allocate a sum of money to hand over the government and entertain all parties.In addition, a lot of money was paid to recruit many fugitive soldiers from the navy to escort the ship. Since then, the incidents of sugar loss have been greatly reduced, and the nearby sea has calmed down a lot.This person is resourceful and courageous, maintains good public and private aspects, is very prestigious in the local area, and is the leading figure here.All the sugar companies are following the example.

The third master Zhu has not spoken since just now, and only when he was asked by name in the meeting, he said: "What idea? How can I have any idea? He is a serious business in sugar cane farms and sugar houses. It's not against the law. Do not disturb the people. Why should we manage it?"

The third master Zhu took a sip of the teacup: "Every shopkeeper, I hope the third master knows what you are thinking: it is nothing more than fear that the family will be rich and powerful, and they will squeeze us when the time comes, which will damage everyone's income."

Someone said: "I'm not afraid of this, I always feel that there is something wrong with the sugar in the South China factory!" He looked worried about the country and the people, "Now more than half of the sugarcane farmers in the county are asking them to make sugar. There are also boats coming from Haikang and Suixi. If there is something tricky in it and the signboard of Leizhou Tang is smashed, we will not be able to eat this meal!"

"Not bad!" The young owner of "Rixiecheng" came to the spirit, "There must be something strange about their sugar! I have also been to the sugar house. There is always a certain number of sugar that can be produced from one acre of sugarcane. Regardless of the skill of the master, in the end There is always only a little less, how can you get more when you come to his house? Can you get so much more? Either adulteration or black magic!"

The word "witchcraft" startled everyone.Speaking of which, the big iron roller that turned quickly and didn't see a cow did look a bit crooked.After a while, the fat shopkeeper of "Riyuelai" said: "No way, there is no such magic in the world."

"It's not sorcery, how did this sugar come out of thin air?"

"I don't know! If there is such a magic trick, I want to learn it too!"

The third master Zhu stopped the chattering, and only asked: "All shopkeepers, have you inspected all the candies you have received recently?"

Everyone said that they have tested it, and there is nothing special about it.Because the South China factory is boiling sugar for the first time this year, it has taken special care of the work. As long as it is boiled sugar in the South China factory, it must be carefully inspected.The result surprised them, the sugar delivered earlier was still very ordinary. In the past half a month, the sugar in South China is much better than all other local sugar houses, especially the cleanliness is the difference between cloud and mud—no without any impurities.

After listening to everyone's words, Zhu Sanye concentrated for a long time and did not speak.Seeing everyone looking at him, he said: "How does the South China factory make sugar? We have no control over this matter, and there is no need to control it. I have inquired in the county, and there are nearly three people in Xuwen and Haikang under his own name. The thousands of mu of sugarcane fields are still divided by so many substitute cooks, and they have at least [-] to [-] shi in their hands." He changed the subject, "Why haven't you seen them for sale?"

"Yeah, we also find it strange!" Everyone said in a hurry.As long as you are not blind, everyone can see that the South China Factory will definitely be a big sugar hoarder. Each family has sent "running out" shopkeepers to the door to say hello, trying to find out the meaning of this big deal, but unexpectedly, despite the other party's words, It's very polite, but it doesn't mean to sell it at all.

"The other sugar houses under his family's name are also sending sugar to South China. It seems that they have no intention of selling it. It seems that they are hoarding the goods for export."

"They have big ships, maybe it's possible."

"It's hard to say—"

While discussing orders, suddenly a young man ran in and said something in the third master Zhu's ear, and the third master Zhu's face changed immediately.He asked in a low voice, "Really?!"

"That's right, everyone in the county is talking about it. The cabinet is almost finished, and it will be opened in just a few days." Although the servant's words were very soft, the people nearby still heard a little.

"What? It's..."

Third Master Zhu's face was gloomy: "Sure enough, what I told you is right - the South China factory will start weighing in a few days!"

This news was like pouring cold water into a frying pan, and the originally lifeless hall suddenly boiled:

"What's the matter! It's outrageous."

"If you want to eat this bowl of rice, you don't even have the courtesy to come to inform me. There are some lawless people in the South China factory!"

"Third Master Zhu, this is not acceptable. The sugar in Leizhou has been underwritten by 21 of our Haiyitang's peers for decades. If they break the rules, how can we make money in the land in the future?!"

"Yeah, I wish you a word, my 21 sugar shops. We have the money to contribute money, and we have the strength to contribute. We must not let this South China factory disturb our situation!"

The young owner of "Rixiecheng" shook his fan lightly, and said triumphantly, "No trouble to the third master, I have a way to keep them hurt."

"What way?"

"Hmph, find a few ways to dump the corpse, and take it to his door in the middle of the night. Make an agreement with Mr. Li and Mr. Chen in the yamen, and wait for him early in the morning. If he doesn't report to the official, you can ask him on the spot." If the crime of "hiding the corpse" is reported, the treasurer inside must be taken in. After getting it into the yamen, some money will be paid, so that they can suffer a little..."

"Don't show off your bad idea!" Zhu Sanye shouted, "Do you think people come empty-handed? You can get the posts praising paintings in the governor's yamen of Guangdong and Guangxi? When he shows them, let alone the county Grandfather, even the master of Futai has to be polite and send him out the door."

Everyone was a little discouraged, the so-called bachelors are not all powerful.But ordinary people, unless it is the day of the rebellion, no matter what they do, they are afraid of becoming an official.Not to mention the rich and old.What's more, the biggest official they could come into contact with was the magistrate of Leizhou. Hearing that the other party had connections in the Yamen of the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, he felt a little timid, and his eagerness to try had dropped a lot.

"Besides, after such a quarrel, the feud with the South China factory will be resolved! Do you know what's behind them?" Zhu Sanye said, "The iron rollers alone are not like ordinary big households can buy. thing."

Everyone's eyes were on Mr. Zhu, knowing that he had something to worry about.

Zhu Sanye smiled: "We can only do this matter softly, not forcefully. In my opinion, it is better to find out their details first. What is their origin and who is their proprietor? What is the relationship between the praise of the painting and them, you have to make it clear."

"Third Master is right!" The fat shopkeeper of "Riyuelai" slapped the table, "If the power is big, we will be soft; if the power is small, we will come to the big one. Am I right, Third Master?"

"It's about the same." Zhu Sanye said vaguely, "Do you know yourself and your enemy?"

Some anxious ones were already shouting: "Third Master, just tell me what to do!"

(End of this chapter)