A Thousand Hills

Chapter 204

Jiang Xingyun and Duan Sihai formed an alliance so quickly, completely beyond Xu Shaodong's expectations.But because of the situation, Xu Shaodong still accepted Jiang Xingyun's invitation, not because of Jiang Xingyun's identity, but because Xu Shaodong really wanted to get a share of the pie in Fujian.

If you want a piece of the pie, you have to pay the price.

The price Xu Shaodong was about to pay made Xu Shaodong hesitate for the first time about his decision, so he was bound to be tied to the same rope as Jiang Xingyun.Not Shanxi Merchants, but him, himself.

Of course, now he can represent Shanxi Merchants, but first of all, he is himself.

Xu Shaodong was silent for a long time, and finally decided that since he had agreed to Jiang Xingyun, there was no reason to go back on his word, so it was better to give it a go.

When Xu Shaodong visited Jiang Xingyun for the second time, what he asked was not about when to meet the pirates, but about the construction of the seaport.Merchants travel thousands of miles just for money, so Xu Shaodong is naturally concerned about the construction of the seaport.

Moreover, Xu Shaodong was very well-informed, at least he knew that the reason why the imperial court returned the copy of King Min was that the harbor budget was too high.Among Xu Shaodong's family, they run a bank and are well-off, so they asked Jiang Xingyun for a question or two.

Jiang Xingyun said, "The budget must also be down-to-earth. There are mountains, rocks and trees in Fujian, and local materials can be used to reduce costs."

The fact that Xu Shaodong came to Fujian late was not because he was uninformed, but compared to other people who are excited to come here when they hear a message, Xu Shaodong did some research, Xu Shaodong said, " Even if the cost can be reduced, a seaport needs at least a million taels of silver. To tell you the truth, Miss Jiang, Xiao Ke also knows a thing or two about the affairs of Fujian. , not to mention the current seaport matter, which is extremely controversial between the court and China, even if it is to re-budget, it may be difficult for the court to approve it."

Jiang Xingyun raised his long eyebrows, looked at Xu Shaodong, and asked, "Shaodong, did you come here specially to attack me?"

"Don't you dare?" Xu Shaodong smiled and waved his hands, "We have known each other for more than a day. I am a merchant, and we merchants can't predict the profit or loss of every transaction, but we always try our best to gamble for a fortune."

"Aren't Shaodong afraid of losing the bet?"

"How can you not be afraid." Xu Shaodong said, "It is because you are afraid of losing that you have to do your best."

Jiang Xingyun sighed, "Shaodong is so bold."

"In the past, I also felt that I had good courage, but now I know that it is far inferior to Miss Jiang's." Xu Shaodong said earnestly.

"Let's stop flattering each other." Jiang Xingyun had heard a lot of compliments, and she always preferred to hear something real, and said, "Shaodong, go ahead."

What Xu Shaodong continued to say was not very pleasant, but it was absolutely true, "I feel that even if the budget can be cut in half, the imperial court will not agree to build a seaport in Fujian." Xu Shaodong said, "If the imperial court agrees to build a seaport , there is only one way, Fujian itself raises the money to build the harbor!"

Or maybe Xu Shaodong came prepared.Jiang Xingyun listened carefully, and said, "If Fujian can raise this huge sum of money, how can the imperial court allocate money for military training every year?"

"Yes." Xu Shaodong changed the subject and said, "Fujian can't raise money locally, so it's not difficult to gather the strength of merchants from other places."

Jiang Xingyun smiled, "If there are big merchants like Shaodong and your Xu family, it will be even more difficult."

Xu Shaodong smiled, "The Xu family is willing to contribute to Fujian, but I don't know if the prince thinks highly of our Xu family."

"Where did the words go? I come and go with the bank notes issued by your Xujia Yinzhuang." Jiang Xingyun smiled and said, "To be honest, I have never worried about money. The budget of the Ministry of Households is 700 million, and many people are scared to death by 700 million. In fact, the seaport does not need to be built in a day, such as Fujian, even if it wants to carry out sea trade, this also takes time. It does not matter to build a small port first, and, 700 million is not something that needs to be paid out in one year, and 70 in the first year is enough. The 70 does not need to be paid out of Fujian, so everyone can do sea trade? Isn’t that so? There are so many merchants to choose from. Three or four are almost the same, is it possible that all cats and puppies have to get involved? No, we only want big merchants."

Xu Shaodong asked, "Then how to choose these families, Miss Jiang, you have a good idea."

There was a smile on the corner of Jiang Xingyun's lips, and he said, "Just like tea and salt, you have to have a ticket to do business. I'm thinking, the same is true for Fujian Maritime Trade. We can issue tickets, and those with the highest price will get it."

Xu Shaodong cupped his hands and said with a smile, "Miss Jiang, I'm really convinced."

"There is no way around this." Jiang Xingyun said, "Your Xu family has strong financial resources, these trivial matters are just to talk to Shaodong by the way. I have other important matters to discuss with Shaodong."

"Miss Jiang, please tell me." If this is not an important matter, then what Jiang Xingyun said is important...

Jiang Xingyun smiled, "That's right, you know more about sea trade than I do. In the future, sea trade will not be short of money in and out, and it must be a large amount of money in and out. You can't always bring your own silver box to count Accounts, if you use silver bills to settle accounts, it is more convenient than silver boxes. There are also several banks in Fujian, and I heard that you each do your own business. Wouldn’t it be more convenient if your bank bills could be exchanged?”

When Xu Shaodong heard the words "settlement with bank notes", his face was flushed with excitement, his hands on his knees trembled slightly, and when Jiang Xingyun finished speaking, Xu Shaodong said, "There is a reason here, it's not It is said that colleagues are enemies, but the bank accounts opened by Shanxi merchants, Huizhou merchants in Huizhou, and Wu merchants in Wudi are relatively sure. If the customer deposits silver in our bank account, we will definitely get it Come out. Like some small businesses, they also go to open bank accounts... How should I put it, the good and the bad are mixed. It is not a big deal, but there is one more thing, the bank notes issued by each bank are different, and the bank notes of each bank are recognized. The secret method, this is the secret of each family, and it is also the foundation of each family. Therefore, the bank notes between banks cannot be exchanged."

"You have your concerns." Jiang Xingyun said, "What's more, this bank note is issued by each of you, so I'm afraid not everyone is willing to abide by the bank's rules."

"Yes." Xu Shaodong said.

"I have something to entrust to you and Huang Shao, the shopkeeper of the Huishang Bank." Jiang Xingyun said, "When the matter of Haimao is settled, Fujian will attract business with Haitong. I think, the people who come will definitely come There will be less. Sea tickets are for those with the highest price. I'm afraid I don't have time to check the strength of the merchants who come to bid, so I'll entrust this matter to you two. Whether they are qualified to bid, you can help me review ,how?"

Xu Shaodong was overjoyed, he stood up and cupped his fists, "I'd like to thank Miss Jiang for giving me this opportunity."

"Don't be too happy, I haven't finished talking yet." Jiang Xingyun smiled, and stretched out his hand to signal Xu Shaodong to sit down. Xu Shaodong couldn't help but feel hot when he thought that he was five or six years older than Jiang Xingyun, but not as sophisticated as a girl .In fact, Xu Shaodong is really a stable person, otherwise the family wouldn't be so relieved that he came to Fujian to take charge of the affairs.The main reason is that Jiang Xingyun's proposal is too tempting.They help with the review, which means a lot of business!Xu Shaodong smiled, "Miss Jiang just give orders."

"At that time, I will give you a standard. Those who pass this standard will be allowed to participate in the sea ticket bidding. But there is one thing, since you have reviewed it, I think they have the financial resources to come up with money. The bidding is over, three The money has to be handed over every day. If there are merchants from far away who have not brought enough cash, your banker will discuss with them whether to borrow or loan or whatever, I don’t care, anyway, I will see the money in three days.”

Xu Shaodong stood up and bowed, "I have to thank Miss Jiang again, and give me the great benefit of the day."

Jiang Xingyun waved his hand, "Reciprocity, Shaodong, you are very helpful to me, but if there are such things, I will naturally remember you. Besides, you have to gamble in Fujian, no matter what, I can't let you You lost the bet, Shaodong."

Jiang Xingyun smiled while talking, and Xu Shaodong also smiled.

Jiang Xingyun informed Xu Shaodong in advance, just to let the bank prepare the money.

Xu Shaodong also raised a lot of opinions on the construction of the seaport in Fujian, and Jiang Xingyun also knew Xu Shaodong's good intentions, so he listened attentively.

When it was time to leave, Xu Shaodong lightly said to Jiang Xingyun, "Actually, since Miss Jiang has such a brilliant idea, why bother to redo the harbor budget... The Ministry of Households, after all, is the territory of the Eastern Palace. Making a budget and then handing it over to the imperial capital would be a slap in the face of the household department. I am afraid that the face of the East Palace is not very good."

Jiang Xingyun smiled nonchalantly, "Shaodong, you are now in charge of the Xu family's business in Wumin. Many members of your family must feel that the Xu family's business in Wumin is your territory. In fact, the Xu family's business It still belongs to the Xu family. It’s the same for every family and every country.”

What Xu Shaodong told Jiang Xingyun...Xu Shaodong smiled, "Little Xu's family is not worth mentioning. The sage said that governing a big country is like cooking small fish. The comparison is appropriate, but how is it the same? Xiao Xian is not good at cooking, but throw it away and cook again. The country is different."

"Is it different?" Jiang Xingyun smiled, "The previous dynasty didn't cook it well, so we asked our emperor Taizu to cook Jiangshan. From this point of view, there is no difference."

Xu Shaodong didn't dare to discuss this dangerous topic with Jiang Xingyun, so he hurriedly left.

On the second day, Jiang Xingyun hosted a banquet in honor of Xu Huang and the two young bosses of the bank.

Before the Ghost Festival, Jiang Xingyun took Xu and Huang to meet Duan Sihai at sea.

Xu Shaodong and Huang Shaogui know each other, but not very well.Xu Shaodong felt that his family had a close friendship with Jiang Xingyun, but he did not expect that the Huang family of Huizhou merchants also had such a friendship with Jiang Xingyun.

Xu and Huang each brought two guards, but Jiang Xingyun was only accompanied by a middle-aged man in green shirt.

Shopkeeper Huang Shao's single name is Yue, and he chatted happily with the pirate leader who came to pick them up.Huang Yue pointed to the pirate leader Jiang Futian and introduced him to Jiang Xingyun and Xu Shaodong. Jiang Futian looked at the half-painted mask on Jiang Xingyun's face and said, "Oh, why does the girl like to wear a mask just like our elder brother?"

Jiang Xingyun said, "I don't like to bring this thing, but I heard that Chief Duan never shows his true colors to others. If I don't bring one, I won't be at a disadvantage."

Jiang Futian laughed loudly, patted his thigh and said, "It's strange that Fujian sent you here, and I said, what can women talk about! So the girl is so eloquent!"

Jiang Xingyun put one hand on the armrest of the grand teacher's chair, and looked at Jiang Futian without saying a word. Neither Xu Huang nor Xu Huang dared to speak. Jiang Futian laughed for a while, but no one responded. I couldn't stop laughing, I didn't feel embarrassed on my face, and forced a few laughs, "Hahaha, I, Old Jiang, am a rough man, and I speak the truth, girl, don't be annoyed!"

Jiang Xingyun looked at Jiang Futian for a while, and said, "You came from the army, right?"

As soon as these words came out, Xu Huang's expression changed, and Jiang Futian laughed a few times, "Young lady flattered me, Old Jiang!"

Jiang Xingyun's eyes fell on Jiang Futian's hands, "Although you have been at sea for some years, I know that you came out of the army. You are not an ordinary soldier. You have been in the army for more than ten years."

Jiang Futian looked at Jiang Xingyun warily, and Jiang Xingyun said coldly, "Both generations of my family were generals in the army. I have seen soldiers like you a lot. Sit down for me honestly, don't test me, I'm not here to talk to you Yes, don't give me a chance to hurt you. Otherwise, I'll greet your father Lingtang, I'm afraid you won't be able to hold your face!"

"go out!"

Jiang Xingyun stopped drinking, and Huang Yue quickly pulled Jiang Futian away.

Jiang Futian said to Huang Yue all the way outside, "Oh my god, I'm choking to death, why is such a hot guy here!"

Huang Yue said to him, "You can be satisfied, my brother Jiang." Pulling Jiang Futian away and reasoning with Jiang Futian, Huang Yue said, "Brother Jiang, you are really good at bickering with other girls. If you win, you will always have face gone."

People who do business are eloquent.Jiang Futian couldn't hold back the teased face of Huang Yue, and said, "I'll just say something casually, this girl really doesn't give me face."

"King Jingjiang also has to give Miss Jiang face, you have more face than King Jingjiang?" Huang Yue asked.

Jiang Futian choked, and Huang Yue smiled, "The big things matter."

Jiang Futian repeated, "Too pungent!"

(End of this chapter)