"As for the question that the lord said before that it is worth equipping every merchant ship with a compass, I think that this move is very worthwhile."

In the main hall of the Li Mansion, Wang Renbiao picked up the teacup, took two sips of tea and continued:

"This time the ships going south, conservatively estimated to be thousands, once in the sea in the face of a big storm, there will definitely be many ships out of the main fleet, at this time, a compass, can increase the chance of survival for the lost merchant ships by two to three percent, if this probability can be superimposed, in the next is very happy to give each ship with a few more compasses. Because a compass is only five dollars, and the value of a merchant ship and its crew is far greater than this amount of money! ”

Li Zexuan smiled when he heard this, and said, "Hehe, not bad, I didn't expect Renbiao to see the problem so thoroughly!" ”

Then he thought for a moment and said, "As for the fifty compasses that Renbiao wants, I will have the people in the workshop deliver them to you in these two days, but I also need Renbiao's help with one thing." ”

"Sir, just say it!"

Wang Renbiao hurriedly said.

"The Wang family's fleet is heading south this time, I want to ask you to help me bring something, I care if this kind of thing is rubber."

"What is rubber?"

Wang Renbiao was puzzled, he was also very knowledgeable, but he had never heard of rubber.

Li Zexuan pondered the language and described:

"It is the sap produced by a tree, and when you reach the countries of the South Seas, you can send people to search for rubber trees, which are evergreen trees, with straight roots, three compound leaves, leathery whole margins, and panicles. The fruit is a capsule, the seeds are oval, and there is milky juice, and this juice is rubber. Usually, you only need to make a hole in the bark and put a jar under the hole, and a lot of rubber will be collected. ”

Wang Renbiao and Leng Yuyao's eyes widened when they heard this, this is the first time they have heard of this kind of magical tree, why does it sound like a fantasy?

"Is there such a tree in the world? It's amazing! ”

Wang Renbiao was stunned for a long time, and finally sighed.

Li Zexuan smiled and said: "Well, this rubber tree is indeed a bit magical, it also has another name, that is, the tearing tree, when you cut its bark with a knife, it will flow out a lot of white sap, it looks like it is in pain and tears!" ”

Li Zexuan is not talking nonsense when he says this, the word rubber tree originally comes from the Indian word cau-uchu, which means "tree of tears".

Wang Renbiao exclaimed: "Interesting, so interesting!" Listening to what the lord said, if my family allows it, I want to go south to see it for myself. ”

Leng Yuyao couldn't help frowning and said, "It's a good rubber tree, why do you have to cut its bark?" You are so cruel! ”

Li Zexuan rolled his eyes, eldest sister, you carry a sword every day, and you are going to kill someone when you see someone who is not pleasing to your eyes, do you still have the face to say that others are cruel?

Leng Yuyao instantly understood the expression on Li Zexuan's face, her face flushed, and she hurriedly looked away, and didn't say a word again, just like what she said just now was not what she said.

"I need this kind of rubber very much, Renbiao, how much you found this time, you will bring back as much as you want, I want it all, you can rest assured that the price will definitely satisfy you!" It's a good idea to bring back some rubber seeds, but be aware that the seeds and leaves are poisonous, so don't let people eat them! ”

Li Zexuan saw that this cold-faced chick was quite knowledgeable, so he didn't see her anymore, and he said to Wang Renbiao later.

There are many industrial products that are inseparable from rubber, and Li Zexuan really wants this thing very much. Although rubber was originally produced in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, it has not yet been introduced to Asia at this time, but the climate in Southeast Asia is hot, the light and rain are very abundant, with the general climate conditions of the Amazon rainforest, it is difficult to ensure that there are no wild and primitive rubber trees, in case you find it, it will not be profitable. Especially in Malaysia, this place is a famous rubber kingdom in modern times, with the world's largest annual rubber production.

At this time, people must not have realized the value of rubber, and the earliest people who could use rubber were the oldest inhabitants of the Americas, the Indians.

In 1493, Columbus made his second voyage to the island of Haiti in the Americas. He saw the merry game of the Indians: they formed a circle and sang a song while joyfully throwing a ball around in rhythm. When the ball hits the ground, it can bounce high. Columbus was astonished, and after careful inquiry, he learned that the ball was made of something he had never known before—rubber.

Later, when Columbus returned from the Americas, he brought rubber back to Europe. However, no one in Europe at the time knew what such wonderful things could be used for anything other than making games. As a result, it was sent to the museum and displayed in a display case for viewing as "a novelty brought back by Columbus."

It wasn't until 1770, when the English chemist and discoverer of oxygen, Priestley, discovered that rubber could erase pencil handwriting, and rubber came in handy.

Well, about erasers, in fact, there is a stalk, now the English rubber of rubber is also used to describe eraser, but interestingly, Americans are used to eraser eraser, rubber is used to describe condoms............

Inside the house.

Wang Renbiao thought seriously for a while before he said: "Since the lord needs it, then I will definitely order the people below to go all out to find this so-called rubber tree at that time." In addition, I will also apply to the clan to send an additional twenty merchant ships to load rubber for the lord, and how about the price of a shipload of rubber at the price of 400 yuan? Of course, if the rubber is not enough to be filled, we will also bring some goods back from there by the way. But in that case, the lord will have to sell us twenty more compasses! ”

Li Zexuan was happy in his heart, Wang Renbiao was opening the back door for himself at this time! Because if you pull a boatload of silk porcelain, transport it to the South Seas, and exchange it for some spices and grains, the profit obtained is definitely more than 400 guan, and it is conservatively estimated that there are at least two or three thousand guan, which is not an exaggeration at all, and the ocean trade is so profitable!

"Haha, the compass is not a problem, the compass that the Wang family needs this time, our workshop will give priority and supply it for free, please rest assured! If your family's fleet can really find rubber trees in Nanyang, then this time I Li Zexuan owes you a favor to the Wang family! ”

Li Zexuan reciprocated Li Dao, he has always been respected by others, and he respects others.

Wang Renbiao was taken aback, and the importance of this matter went up to another level, and he hurriedly arched his hand and said: "Don't worry, as long as the Nanyang countries have rubber trees, our Wang family's fleet will definitely be able to find it this time!" ”

......................

There is another watch, it may be after twelve o'clock, don't stay up late, let's see it tomorrow! Staying up all night hurts!

Thank you for the luck of fate and the handsome governance!

Thank you Lin Yuanyuan for the monthly pass! Thank you for the recommendation votes!

(End of chapter)