"This ...... My lord. Find your meaning. Columbus had only gotten to this side of the land after all his hardships. Zhao Xiande said with some surprise. It is not impossible to go to the new land. After all, Columbus had already been. There must be many people in Europe who know about this route. But the lord let the lowly post go to the other side of the continent. This ......"

"How. You're scared. Zhang Fan said. There was a look of contempt on his face.

"How...... How could it be. Zhao Xiande immediately retorted. He looked like he had been greatly insulted. But Zhang Fan is his boss. There is bad anger. The whole face was flushed. "Your Excellency. At the beginning, he also traveled thousands of miles to the land of Europe. Although for the money. Although Gonggong Zheng had already done such a feat a hundred years ago. However, the charts have long been incomplete. These lowly roads have not been climbed. Not to mention what Columbus could have done. I don't believe that I can compare to a European barbarian. ”

Zhang Fan's contemptuous and contemptuous appearance just now was naturally made on purpose. The purpose was only to provoke him. saw that Zhao Xiande took the bait. And put yourself back on the right foot. "Then why are you so panicked?" ”

"Your Excellency. Let's be honest. The lowly position is now considered to be under the hands of adults. It is also a matter of course to take a desperate risk for the sake of adults. Zhao Xiande said without pretentiousness. It's just that he was a businessman not long ago. Although the family has a lot of money. But it is also inevitable to have a villain mentality. What's more, there are wives and children waiting for the lowly job at home. The words of the lowly position are not to retreat from the adults. But adults should always tell the lowly duty. What the hell are you going to do there? ”

Zhang Fan heard him say this. was impressed by the Zhao Xiande in front of him. If it is Zhang Fan's own subordinates. Such as Wang Meng, Liang Chao and other people in the center. Zhang Fan must not ask if he orders like this. Just do it; If it is those who disobey the yang and the yin. It must also be said in front of Zhang Fan. However, when it comes to getting things done, it will be delayed. This Zhao Xiande is not. He said all the thoughts in his heart so confidently. Zhang Fan felt that he was a trustworthy person. However, Zhang Fan would not think that this was Zhao Xiande's straightforwardness or lack of experience. This is precisely where Zhao Xiande is most shrewd.

"You want hope. Then I'll give you one. Zhang Fan said slowly. I heard that when you came back in your first year. It was found that porcelain, silk, and tea were the best in Europe. And the price of purchasing it yourself is low. But I still don't feel satisfied. So I planned to fund the production myself. Isn't it. ”

"Yes. My lord. I found out about this when I came back from my first year of service. Zhao Xiande said. He was not surprised that Zhang Fan investigated himself so clearly. After all, as a citizen of the Ming Dynasty. Although the ability of Jin Yiwei cannot get a full picture. But I also know something. "Only. Many of these things rely on the craftsmanship of those craftsmen. These crafts are passed down from generation to generation. There is no money in the lowly position. But it is difficult to occupy these people for a long time. And tea requires a lot of land. Moreover, now the imperial court is investigating the strength of the land. I don't dare to take a step beyond the thunder pool. Only this silkworm raising silk is very easy to make. You only need a small place to raise silkworms. The wages of those women workers are also cheap. Today, there are nearly 300 female workers under the name of the lowly position. It can be made into about 10,000 horses of medium silk per year. ”

"How much do you pay the women for their salaries?" Zhang Fan asked.

Zhao Xiande didn't know the purpose of Zhang Fan's question. However, he replied honestly: "For the first year, it was five dollars a month." The second year is one tael per month. In the third year, it is two taels per month. The highest price is also this price. ”

"Two by two. I think this is the highest wage you pay. Zhang Fan said.

"It's not a show of humility. After all, it was only some poor women who came out to work. A lowly person is also a person who has lived a hard life for a while. Neighbors can help if they can. Zhao Xiande said. And there are some other plans for this to be done. ”

"Oh. Let's hear it. Zhang Fan was also curious when he heard him say this.

"Speaking of which, this humble duty was not discovered at the beginning." Zhao Xiande was a little embarrassed. "At the beginning, he planned to pay five denias a month. That's a lot for the average person here. But the lowly found out. Many of the people who received the money did not save their money as they would like to be. It's about going shopping. Think about it. Since they are willing to spend money. It's better to give them more of it. In addition to the silk mill. There are many other things to buy and sell. Most of them are things that ordinary people can use. Tell them about it. As long as you work here in the lowly position. Go to the shop under the name of the lowly to buy something. All you need to do is give 70% of the money. Now these people who have a little money come to buy things in the lowly store. It's natural that the business of being humble will be good. ”

Zhang Fan heard him say this. I looked at this man in amazement. To a lesser extent, he said that he was promoting the circulation of private capital. In a big way, it means expanding domestic demand and carrying out reproduction. He was in his last life. The government has been propagating these all the time. Even if you are not an uncle or aunt majoring in economics, you can nag two sentences.

It's just that Zhao Xiande saw Zhang Fan's expression, but he thought of somewhere else. He hesitated and said, "Your Excellency...... Wouldn't it feel degrading to do this? Some are too greedy. After all, this is to earn their hard-earned money back from them......" No wonder Zhao Xiande said a little hesitant. After all, in his eyes. A scholar like Zhang Fan should hate such a mercenary businessman. And Zhao Xiande didn't dare to lie. He thought of Zhang Fan's identity again.

"No, no." Zhang Fan hurriedly shook his head. Said. "I think you're a good idea. Think about it. You're the only one doing it, though. But that's it. They can also buy what they need cheaply. And your capital is getting more and more. In this way, you can continue to grow your business. And if the whole of Suzhou does it. So ......"

Zhang Fan's words made Zhao Xiande feel like he was suddenly open. yes. If the whole of Suzhou did it. So what will the city of Suzhou look like in the future? Zhao Xiande is obviously not a person who rests on his laurels. He immediately thought of the whole Jiangnan. The whole of the Ming Dynasty.

"But now we don't have to think about it that way. Because the sea ban was opened. We don't have to think about just making money from our own people. Zhang Fan said. Let's move on to the fact that you went to sea. I ask you. You've been to Europe three times. How much demand is there for what you bring with you. Kindness. That is, how many people will spend a lot of money on these things. ”

Saying that. Zhao Xiande immediately came to the spirit. He said to Zhang Fan with his eyebrows fluttering: "My lord." You can't think of it. How much do Europeans need these things? Let's not talk about porcelain and silk. Those tea bricks are already in short supply. Good tea is a crazy rush for the royal families of European countries and the nobles of countless countries. The price is not far behind that of gold of the same size; And those tea leaves made from bad tea are for ordinary people in Europe. It's also very easy to sell. The price is worth more than what he would have traded back to the Northlands for the Tartars. As for the porcelain and silk, it is even more incredible. It's almost the European ...... High Society...... synonymous with . It's not something that ordinary people can afford. This year. I brought a set of fine plain porcelain tea sets. Although it cost nearly 100 taels locally. But a duke of France competed with a marquis of England. In the end, the Duke of France bought it for three thousand gold coins. Forget it. It's worth almost five hundred taels of red gold. The Duke of France seemed to have made a huge bargain. Whenever you meet people, you brag about it. As for silk. Today, it has become the standard clothing material for the upper class of Europe. All those ladies and ladies flocked to it. My lord. There are as many of these things as there are. ”

Zhang Fan was not surprised by such a disparity in price. Instead, he said calmly: "In that case." Then I'm going to show you another way to get rich. It's like what I just said. The people there also live a tribal life of Rumao and drinking blood. It was also very calm. But the Europeans are ambitious. They began to enslave those people. You know what those two Portuguese told me just now. They want to invade India. Right. It's the place you've been to. The place where Master Xuanzang learned scriptures from the West. All they do is to rob what is there to prepare for war for themselves. ”

Where did Zhao Xiande know these things. After being surprised, I couldn't help but start wondering again: "That...... My lord. What does this have to do with getting rich. If it is not that the adults will also be humbled to be enslaved. It doesn't work to squeeze those people. ”

Zhang Fan knew that although Zhao Xiande was a businessman who was unprofitable. But he is also a decent gentleman. He could never do these things. And Zhang Fan didn't plan to let him do this: "Naturally not." The Europeans captured and drove the local natives into slavery. Many people who could not bear the slavery fled to the other side. I'll let you go and be kind of a Europeans who will teach them how to resist the ambitions of these wolves. You want to. These Europeans once strengthened themselves with the help of the blood and tears of others. Inevitably begin to yearn for something more. The porcelain and silk of my dynasty have made them yearn for it. Once people yearn for something too deeply. Naturally, they will want to take him for themselves. ”

Zhao Xiande naturally understood what Zhang Fan meant. But he wasn't against it. On the contrary, he was very much in agreement: "What the adults said is true." In the past three years, he has been to Europe three times. While excited with the joy of making money. But I can also feel that there are too many local forces in Europe. The land of the individual countries is not very large. However, they are more or less connected. No one can completely wipe out anyone. Now the sea route is open. Naturally, these people are aiming for other lands. The wolf's ambition is obvious. ”

Zhang Fan was also very happy to see him so sensible.

It's just that Zhao Xiande still has some concerns: "I understand what the adults mean." But by virtue of the power of one person. How can such a thing be done? ”

"We have to think long-term about this. Besides, haven't the Europeans yet crossed that land to the other side? You still have a lot of time. Zhang Fan said. And. I'm not asking you to selflessly help the natives. Don't you think it's a good thing to let them do the work for you? Don't get paid. All they wanted was that they could oppose the enslavement of the Europeans. I'll give you a few more. I can train them a little bit. In this way, even if it is impossible to defeat the armies of the Europeans. But it can also make these people grateful to us. And these people are the same skin color as the people of my Heavenly Empire. It's kind of closer. ”

"That's right." Zhao Xiande said. But he had other things to worry about. "But my lord. It's no problem to go out to sea. But the lowly office needs to provide for the people of a land that is wider than the territory of our dynasty. Even if you have some money now. I'm afraid it's ......."

"You don't have to worry about that." Zhang Fan naturally knew what he was worried about. "Didn't I just tell you. Let those people work for you. The climate there is warm and humid. It's no different from Jiangnan. It is quite suitable for silkworm raising. When the time comes. Silk made from these people could be sold to those Europeans in turn. Use their money to fight a long battle with them. ”

Although Zhao Xiande didn't understand what Zhang Fan's "protracted battle" meant. But Zhang Fan's general meaning was understood. He couldn't help but admire Zhang Fan: "Adult's clever plan." The stones of other mountains can be used to attack jade. ”

"Huh." Zhang Fan enjoyed Zhao Xiande's painless sycophant a little.

"It's just that it's a huge matter. It is controlled by a lowly person. It's really a bit overwhelming. Zhao Xiande said.

"Have you forgotten what I do?" Zhang Fan said with a smile. "I have a lot of idle people under me. As peace as today. These people will give me trouble. It's better to let them go overseas for some experience. It's good to be insightful. Save the worry in front of you. ”

Zhao Xiande was relieved. If only he had to do it alone. I'm afraid he won't do it either.

"That's all for today. You've just come back tired too. Let's go back first. Surely your wife and children have been waiting for you for a long time. Zhang Fan said. The official will be here for a long time. When I returned to Suzhou, I was planning carefully with you. ”

"Yes. My lord. Zhao Xiande saluted Zhang Fan. He walked out full of joy.

Zhang Fan looked at Zhao Xiande's departing figure. I couldn't help but ponder in my heart. There are still some things he hasn't told Zhao Xiande. That's about drugs. Think of three hundred years later. The West relied on opium to get back all the silver that flowed into China. It also took advantage of this to harm the Chinese people. Zhang Fan was very unhappy in his heart. Opium, opium poppy and other things are things that have accompanied human history. And yet it's so much of a huge economic value. But it was at this time that people gradually discovered it. Zhang Fan intends to strike first. Let those who commit crimes often come three hundred years later with the bitter fruits they will bring to the world. And his target is undoubtedly aimed at South Asia, which has been producing opium poppies since ancient times.

But Zhang Fan before doing these things. We also need to make some plans for the future. And a key figure in this matter happens to be by Zhang Fan's side now. That is the prince of today. The future Emperor Wanli of the Ming Dynasty. Zhang Fan plans to "educate" from the baby.