As we all know, agricultural civilization food is the most basic general equivalent, the core of a stable society, but at the same time, there is one indispensable commodity, that is, salt!

From the Two Rivers to Egypt, from Greece to India, salt was more important to the ancients than "salt", and even Rome once used salt as a soldier's salary.

The Chinese also realized the value of salt very early, and the Qi State of the Spring and Autumn Five Hegemons was originally a saline-alkali wasteland, but Guan Zhong sold salt to the world, and the Qi State became the hegemon.

Later, all countries began to attach importance to the salt industry, and unified the profits of salt into the hands of the national royal family or several big nobles, and the Shaofu was the department in charge of the world's mountains and salt taxes.

This time, the salt pond that Bai Pu wanted to develop with the wealthy merchants of the Qin State was the famous Yuncheng Salt Lake, which was developed in Zhuxia from the Yanhuang period and lasted until the era of Qin Zheng in the future, which lasted for a long time.

As a salt lake that can be easily collected and sun-dried, the Yuncheng Salt Lake in Hedong has been a battleground for soldiers since ancient times, and the Wei State of Korea made a lot of money when it owned this place.

The Yidun of the Wei State became the king of wealth by virtue of the salt pool, and with the example of this predecessor in front, can the merchants of the Qin State not be blushing?

But the red-eyed must also have the ability, Yidun is the guest of honor of various countries with his war horse and salt pond, and these merchants of the Qin State say that they are just the fat sheep of Great Qin.

But now Bai Pu actually asked for permission from Qin Zheng for the businessman to develop the salt pond, which is great news, this is not only a matter of making money, but also a milestone in the recovery of the businessman's status.

As for the other iron, wine, and charcoal, two are strategic materials, and the other is "luxury consumer goods", which is not a trade with a super high profit margin.

But as long as they can run one thing, they will be rich, and if they can do both, they will be called rich and worthy of kings, and as for all three, they will be able to do all...... I'm afraid I have to go down to accompany Lu Xiangye.

Bai Pu saw that the discussion below was becoming more and more intense, raised his hand and smiled: "Everyone, don't be too surprised, these are all promises made by Your Majesty, so naturally you will not break your word, but if you want to get this opportunity, you have to work hard to grasp it!" ”

The merchants didn't understand what he meant, if they wanted to run a salt business, they had to invest money in the salt lake, boiling salt was not an easy job these days.

As for the operation of iron, it is necessary to invest in iron ore and iron-making furnaces, the operation of the wine industry requires the purchase of grain and investment in fermentation, and the operation of coal requires investment in mining and crushing transportation, in short, it is definitely not a simple business.

However, merchants are not afraid of trouble, after all, they exist to move goods for those who are afraid of trouble.

An old businessman who looked at him with high morality asked, "Bai Shangshang, Zhao Duwei, I don't know what kind of way Your Majesty will take to let us participate?" ”

Bai Pu knew that the key point was coming, but fortunately he had just exchanged views with Qin Zheng, who had already observed the salt politics of the past dynasties, and finally chose the salt introduction method that began in the Song Dynasty.

It is to use paper notes instead of a license to buy and sell salt, which can be used for the circulation of the whole process, which is equivalent to the original version of stock futures, which can be traded very flexibly, and can even be used for large circulation in the market.

But Bai Pu is still a little worried, after all, paper is still just a new thing in Daqin, and can these businessmen accept him as a "voucher" and "money"?

Bai Pu could only pretend to be light and said: "Your Majesty said that he is going to divide the annual output into a certain number of parts, and no one can exchange the contribution and funds for a special paper salt introduction."

Then exchange the salt for sale in the salt house operated by Daqin, and you can also use these salt citations as equivalent copper coins to circulate in the market, but the value of salt quotations is generally very huge, and there is nothing in the market that can be worth a salt citation. ”

The merchants did not express their worries about it as Bai Pu feared, but felt that the idea was quite good, because it would reduce the cost of freight and the uncertainty on the road.

And they can also sell the salt in their hands at any time, which can completely avoid some risks. Theoretically, as long as Daqin continues to control the salt pond, this salt guide will not lose its effect, which is much stronger than other goods.

Of course, there is another important reason why the merchants of Great Qin think so, because the government of Great Qin, which implements a strict legal system, has a very good reputation, and there is absolutely no possibility of Song Ming Bao banknotes.

Bai Pu was also a little glad when he saw that everyone had accepted it, and immediately told everyone another good news: "Your Majesty also said that he has found a new method from the dreams of the gods and books, which can quickly increase the salt yield, and the finished product is more delicate and pure.

This method is called the method of cultivating and watering the salt production method, which is a method of imitating the cultivated land next to the salt lake to divert water and expose it to the sun.

Your Majesty said that if you have hard-working workers in your workshop, and you are willing to move to the side of the salt lake, you can learn this technique, and the more qualified people you recommend, the more your Majesty will give you. ”

The rich businessmen nodded their heads one by one, and Qin Zheng neither hid his personal interests nor engaged in equality, such a system was completely suitable for businessmen at least at this stage.

"Of course, in return, Your Majesty needs you to advance a certain amount of funds in all aspects, and I have already planned these components, which region and industry will be called in a while.

If you like it, you will raise your hand to grab the auction, and the price will be increased by one-tenth each time, and you can only get this certificate if you grab the auction and pay the money.

And the one with the largest proportion of one industry in each region will be nominated for the first phase of the royal merchant, and can go to meet His Majesty, and after passing His Majesty's test, he can obtain the royal title for a certain year.

If you don't have any opinions, I will announce the number and amount of industrial investment, and if you have insufficient funds, you can also come to the newly established bank under our Shaofu to make a mortgage with very low interest. ”

The bank that Bai Pu said was also thought of by Qin Zhenggang, and he was ready to establish a new financial system, the first part of which was to let everyone get used to the existence of banks, borrow and save.

Coupled with the upcoming Yanyin futures and bill of exchange business, Daqin's financial industry is barely on the right track, but now businessmen do not know the importance of the financial industry.

Then the banquet was withdrawn, and a large blackboard developed by Qin Zhenggang was carried to Bai Pu's side, and it was written the share and starting price of several industries.

With the sound of Bai Pu's hammer, the whole meeting finally entered a climax, and the investment share of various industries in Hedong was quickly snatched up by this "pack of wolves".

And Bai Pu and the Great Qin Hedong Governor's Mansion have received countless funds and workers, and the restoration of Hedong and prosperity is just around the corner, and even Bai Pu and Zhao Cheng have greater ambitions to turn Hedong into a small Guanzhong!

However, the businessmen in the audience are still unsatisfied, and they seem to be looking forward to a fatter cream, such as the whole world......