Rise of the 1630s South America

Chapter 832 Wealth and the sale of stolen goods ([-])

"Then, these fifty barrels of wine belong to Mr. Wang Jiazhong, No. 11..." The auctioneer made a final decision and auctioned off the last batch of goods on hand.

Captain Ventura took a sip of yerba mate, adjusted his body to a more comfortable position, and then listened to what the auction host and auctioneer were talking about.It's a pity that the distance was too far, and there was some noise in the venue, so he couldn't hear clearly, and could only vaguely hear the words "old ship", "refitted", "five ships" and so on.However, these were enough for him to confirm some things, so he took another sip of tea nervously, and then subconsciously touched the bag at hand, which contained his cashier's checks at the Northwest Reclamation Bank, totaling more than 5000 Yuan—this is the funds he and several acquainted businessmen pooled together, and there is even an investment from a "senator".

Bearing the entrustment of so many people, he asked the inland water transport company for leave and came to Yancheng Port to participate in the auction, in order to take pictures of the navy's privately plundered goods in the Caribbean—mainly those ships.You know, the Navy is now eager to liquidate these goods so that they can invest in the development of iron-ribbed wood-hulled ships and three-decker battleships.Therefore, these goods will be auctioned at about half of the market price, which is very cheap and a good opportunity to make a fortune.After all, as long as you are not afraid of funds being taken up, after taking these "stolen goods" at a low price, as long as you spend some time, you can always gradually digest these goods slowly, and you can make money without losing money!

For the gold and silver jewellery, high-end furs, daily handmade products, wine, silk, cotton and linen that were auctioned earlier, he just tasted them and did not participate too much. As a result, a batch of goods were not photographed, which made people a little depressed.But the benefits are not without. Some merchants who bought the goods have also consumed a lot of funds. I am afraid that they will not be able to compete with him for those old ships. Capitalists, many so-called "big businessmen, may not be as rich as the officers and non-commissioned officers who joined the army and fought in the Far East in terms of wealth.

"Next is the last auction, five old ships." After a 10-minute break, the auctioneer really started today's grand finale: "The first ship is a galleon-shaped ship with three masts and a full load displacement of 360 tons. The side, poop, and forecastle are all damaged to varying degrees. The steering wheel also needs to be repaired. The canvas is damaged on both sides, the sail hawser is slightly damaged, and the bowsprit is broken. The rest is in good condition. The oak material is [-]% new. The reserve price is [-] One hundred yuan, the method of increasing the fare is still in accordance with the old rules, starting now..."

As the auctioneer's voice fell, several people started bidding almost at the same time, and the competition entered a fierce stage from the very beginning.The reserve price of 3950 yuan was also refreshed in an instant. Captain Ventura raised his card halfway and quoted the price of "4000 yuan", but it was quickly brushed down again at 4300 yuan. Now The latest listing price of this ship has been refreshed to [-] yuan.And it seems that it is far from the end, some people are still eager to try, as if they are determined to win this, which makes the sweat on Captain Ventura's forehead suddenly thicken.

"4550 yuan!" After a few more rounds, Captain Ventura raised his placard again, quoting the highest price so far.

The price has reached the current level, which has made some competitors hesitate.The price of a newly built 400-ton transport ship on the east coast is only more than 5000 yuan. Your ship, which is [-]% new and has many damages, has also been photographed for [-] yuan. People were surprised, so some competitors wisely gave up bidding and waited quietly for the auction of the next boat.

In this way, with the sudden decrease of competitors, when the captain of Ventura called out the price of "4900 yuan" in a trembling voice, the auctioneer asked three times and no one bid, and finally the final decision was made and the ship was recorded in Ventura. Pull the captain's name.At this time, even in the cold early spring, the lining of Captain Ventura's clothes was still soaked with sweat.

Nima's business of 5000 yuan was really scary. Captain Ventura lit a pipe for himself tremblingly, and after taking a deep breath, he calmed down a little.At this time, the auctioneer on the stage was already conducting the auction of the second ship, and a group of "beasts" were still happily bidding with placards.Captain Ventura was a little dizzy, so he slowly walked out of the auction venue, preparing to go outside to get some air.

The sky outside is blue and the sea breeze is refreshing.Captain Ventura sat comfortably on a stone pier, smoking a cigarette while carefully thinking about the plan after returning.It is already their established plan to apply to the Ministry of Communications for the operation of the regular steamer route from Dongfang Port-Yancheng Port-Xingnan Port, and to transfer materials and personnel between these three ports.This plan was approved by the public and invested heavily. As the trade in Peru became more and more prosperous, the coastal freight and passenger transportation between the mainland and southern Patagonia suddenly became tense, and private development began. Living space for shipping business.

And more importantly, the ships from the mainland to Southern Patagonia are all unfixed ships, that is, when they will depart from the mainland and when they will arrive at Xingnan Port is unknown, because the South China Sea Transportation Company that undertakes this business The task is also very heavy, and the ships cannot be arranged.A batch of tasks can only be arranged when one ship comes back, and it must be planned as a whole, so that precious transportation capacity cannot be wasted easily, which causes the ship's sailing time to be unstable.

The route that Captain Ventura and others are planning to operate is different. The "senator" investor has repeatedly emphasized to them the importance of "fixed route", "fixed flight" and "fixed time".For this reason, they ordered two passenger and cargo schooners at the state-run Zhenhai Shipyard in one go. After hearing that the Navy had seized cheap ships for sale, they sent Captain Ventura to personally go to Yancheng Port to take pictures. one ship.In this case, the three ships form a fixed flight, and the shipping off the coast of La Plata can almost support it.

Just as Captain Ventura continued to think about his future life and whether he should resign from the inland waterway transportation company recently, two voices spoke from the front.Captain Ventura looked up and saw that they were old acquaintances: Shao Yuanyi, a private lender from Xihu County, and Couette, a Dutchman who had naturalized on the east coast and settled in Qingdao County.

Shao Yuanyi is now considered a well-known figure in the Nanyazi Lake area. Not only is he highly skilled in medicine, but he also has a lot of money—it is said that he has released more than 1000 yuan to the outside world.His father-in-law Pedro (Petrov) has now been promoted to the position of deputy director of the Xihu County Public Security Bureau because of his repeated meritorious service. A little friendship.Wealthy, powerful and famous, he is talking about people like him, no wonder the private lending business can do well, this background is not so strong.

"This time I came to Yancheng, partly to take some bargains, and partly to visit relatives." I only heard Shao Yuanyi say to Couite, "My father-in-law is getting old, and I miss my little daughter very much. This time, I was asked to come to Yancheng See how Anna is doing, and take a pair of granddaughters back to Xihu County to live in for a few months. As for the business, I really didn't care too much, well, I just bought fifty beef cows and ten horses, It cost more than 700 yuan, and it was shipped back and sold in this county. This small business, in the eyes of the store staff, may not be able to stand on the table, ha ha."

"Livestock is a hard currency in the countryside of our country. These cattle and horses can earn at least six or seven hundred yuan when they are transported back. This is the wealth prepared by God for you." Captain Couette smiled and said.He also came to participate in this auction feast, and by virtue of his wealth, he snatched a considerable share from it.Linen clothes, wine, vinegar, tobacco leaves, dried fruits, farm tools, etc., anyway, he mixed everything he could buy, and finally spent a total of more than [-] yuan in cash. He was one of the dozen or so most popular people at the auction. up.

The things he photographed are ready for the next home, which is the plantation owners of Xinhua Island.At that time, he will personally drive the ship to the New China region via South Africa, and then pull a ship of sisal, coconut, tropical dried fruit, dried seafood, high-grade wood, etc. back from there, earning money twice.

And after running this trip, Captain Couette will officially retire.This old man, whose life has been full of ups and downs, has now bought a big house on the outskirts of Qingdao Port, and brought his family over from Amsterdam.From now on, the relationship in the business field and the two boats will be inherited by his eldest son, and the second son will take a sum of money and go south to Xingnan Port to find opportunities to get ahead; in addition, he has a youngest daughter who married Pei Qin, a Ming immigrant who was new to this county a few years ago, lives in Guiyi Fort, which is considered a very good home.

The two chatted for a while, and then they dispersed.Captain Couette's "Testhel Shoal" was moored at the pier, and he had to hire a group of dock laborers to transport his cargo on board.We must hurry up on this matter. Look at all the flute-shaped transport ships moored in the harbor. They are all ships of the South Sea Transportation Company chartered by merchants.This time, the navy auctioned out nearly 60 yuan worth of supplies. Some of these items were in the warehouse of Yancheng Port, and some were still on the captured ship before they could be unloaded. In short, the wharf will definitely be busy for a long time.At this time, he took the first step and hired someone to let his ship be loaded and left first, that would be a profit.

As for Shao Yuanyi, after saying goodbye to Captain Couette, he nodded to Captain Ventura, and then walked towards the suburbs on foot.He was going to ask Anna to hire a few people in the village to gather the livestock; in addition, he didn't want to leave so early, it was rare to come to Yancheng, so of course he had to inspect it.A profitable business is often discovered in this way.

(End of this chapter)