Chapter 212: Kaifeng's Business

At the banquet, Lu Chengxiang introduced Wang Jingyu, the manager of Kaifeng Branch, to everyone. Wang Jingyu also got up to toast everyone. At this time, several leading figures of the Shanxi Guild Hall suddenly proposed to Zhang Zhimu, hoping that Yaogang could give Shanshan Guild Hall a few copies of "Yaogang Weekly", and even said that if you need to buy it, you can ask Zhang Dongjia to make a price, just to ensure that every issue is available. Zhang Zhimu agreed on the spot to send a few copies of the "Kiln Gang Weekly" to the Shanxi Hall for free, Zhang Zhimu explained, at this stage, the "Kiln Gang Weekly" is mainly distributed within the kiln, and it has not yet reached the time to charge, even if it is a fee in the future, it will only charge a little fee, and it will never make everyone's money.

After the banquet began, Lu Chengxiang and Wang Jingyu were quickly surrounded by everyone, because all the merchants and shops in Kaifeng were thinking about the goods brought by the kiln, and Li Mao left not much goods last time, which one got it and made money, this time these merchants had been waiting with red eyes.

In the morning, Zhang Zhimu and the others hadn't woken up from yesterday's wine, and someone came to the door again. This is the local businessmen in Kaifeng heard that yesterday the Yaogang people invited Shaanxi and Shaanxi people, and they quit.

Lu Chengxiang explained earlier: "If you don't come today, the original plan was to invite everyone today." Yesterday I invited fellow villagers, please understand that we are all meeting old people in another country, and we will definitely get together. ”

These people came today, that is, they were afraid that something good would be pulled down, so when they heard Lu Chengxiang say this, their anger disappeared. Everyone made an appointment to meet in the evening, and the representatives of these Kaifeng businessmen said when they left: "Don't mind, we Kaifeng people have regarded the kiln people as their own people, if the kiln people treat our Kaifeng people as outsiders, we Kaifeng people can't stand it." ”

Zhang Zhimu and others who said this were warm in their hearts, and it was inevitable that there would be another set of programs at night. The local merchants in Kaifeng are finished, and the Zhejiang merchants and Hui merchants in Kaifeng have united again and come to the door.

Before the official opening of this Yaogang branch, the guests of Yaogang had a big banquet three times.

But after that, Lu Chengxiang smiled and said, "It would be nice if there was such a banquet every day." ”

Zhang Zhimu knew that Lu Chengxiang had always been famous for his small calculations, and he must have taken a big advantage to spend so much money and still laugh.

Zhang Zhimu asked to know that the goods that the kiln gang people were going to leave in Kaifeng were basically set on the wine table, which was originally left for the Kaifeng branch to sell for half a year, but I didn't expect it to be over so soon. Those merchants who had long wanted to transport the silver back to Shanxi and Shanxi, when they encountered the kiln gang in this invoice number, jumped up with joy. Because they have long wanted to transport the silver back, but the road is not safe, they have not dared to move, this time to deposit the silver to the kiln gang ticket number, you can go to Shanxi and Tongguan to get the silver, this time it will help them a lot. Although it costs a little water, it is much cheaper and safer than hiring a dart game. Because there is no way to hire a dart bureau to encounter thieves and bandits. It turns out that there is a stream of bandits between Xuzhou and Huai'an and Yangzhou recently, often blocking the road and robbing businesses, and there are many business opportunities that have been robbed of the family. Many of these merchants did not dare to bring back the silver after they got rid of the goods in Kaifeng. This time, the ticket number of the kiln gang people is here, and the silver can be deposited here to Yangzhou and Xuzhou, which is a great help to them.

Kaifeng things were unexpectedly smooth, maybe the kiln people fought a victory, now in Kaifeng people are very trusting kiln people, so the kiln gang branch has not officially opened, the business has been busy. Many people have begun to remit silver to Shanxi, and those who remit it to Shaanxi have been remitted to Tongguan, because there are no branches in other places in Shaanxi, and Tongguan is the best place for them to get silver.

According to the specific situation, Lu Chengxiang decided to leave some more goods. It seems that the goods in the kiln are not enough in Kaifeng. But Lu Chengxiang said: "If we pile up the goods and can't sell them, then we are not qualified businessmen." ”

Three thousand horses were left, and two hundred were left of the oxen. Among them, there are two thousand horses, and a hundred cattle already have buyers.

In Kaifeng these days, almost every night, Lu Chengxiang led the people of their branch to hold a meeting to summarize the situation during the day, and Lu Chengxiang always took the trouble to reason with them and talk about business. The people who are preparing to enrich the Xuzhou and Yangzhou branches and Quanzhou branches are also busy with the people in Kaifeng, and they also follow the discussion and summary of the day's events at night. This way of working is very beneficial to the improvement of the people below, which is also the difference between the kiln and other places. The apprentices in other shops are secretly learning, and here I am afraid that you will not be able to learn, and I wish that these people could go out and become shopkeepers all at once.

Regarding the reconstruction of the Kaifeng branch, after Lu Chengxiang and Wang Jingyu got along, they handed it over to them to deal with, and decided to hold the opening ceremony when the brigade returned from the south, because by that time, the reconstruction work should be completed.

After the affairs of Kaifeng were dealt with, Zhang Zhimu came to the palace to bid farewell to King Zhou. King Zhou also told everyone to be careful in case of trouble, and at the same time told Zhang Zhimu that if the price of rice is right, he should bring back more rice. Because this year is still dry, I am afraid that there is still not enough food here.

Zhang Zhimu nodded again and again.

Considering the speed, the horse team still took the first step, and waited for the horse team to cover the distance for half a day before the fleet set off. The horse team got up early and walked greedily in the dark, it took two days to Guide (Shangqiu), and it took two days to reach the opposite shore of Xuzhou, and the fleet also followed the speed of the horse team to Xuzhou.

When he arrived in Xuzhou, Lu Chengxiang immediately sent someone ashore to inform the Xuzhou branch to come and pick up the ship. The fleet was docked, and the horse team had to camp on the other side of Xuzhou that day.

Lu Jun, the manager of the Xuzhou branch, Lin Xinmin, the deputy manager, and Lu Wenchen, who was trapped in Xuzhou, took people to the dock together, and everyone was very happy to see each other again after a year, especially in this year, the Xuzhou branch also made remarkable achievements, and they also learned about the great changes in the kiln itself. Not to mention that Lu Chengxiang and Lu Jun's father and son met, Lu Chengxiang already knew that Lu Jun was very dedicated in Xuzhou, and the situation here had been opened, which made Lu Chengxiang feel even more light.

Leaving Liu Yun to take care of the boats on the dock, Zhang Zhimu and others came to their own inn in the Xuzhou branch together. The inn seems to be well maintained by Lu Jun and Lin Xinmin, and half of the guest rooms are occupied by guests. Lu Jun arranged the people of Yaogang to live in an independent courtyard, and the next thing was of course to put on a banquet. However, Zhang Zhimu was not most concerned about these, he asked Lu Jun: "Manager Lu, what about the people in Haizhou who came back with Li Mao last time?" ”

Lu Jun replied, "After they come back, I will lend them a little bit of silver as instructed, and let them go home and make arrangements." After they went back, they arranged their own affairs, and they also figured out what you had explained. This time, they returned to Haizhou with a few members of the prospecting team, and according to them, they wanted to find out the distribution of phosphate rock, and repeatedly told me that this matter must be kept secret. ”

Zhang Zhimu said with a smile: "It seems that they didn't come back in vain, and this matter must be kept secret for the time being." If possible, you go and buy the mines there. ”

Lu Jun scratched his head a little embarrassed and said, "I've thought about this, but they said that no one cares about it there, and they don't know who to buy it from." ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "Then don't worry about it, let's get some ore back first, you have to hurry up on this matter, and we will bring it back when we return." ”

After speaking, Zhang Zhimu said to Lin Xinmin: "Manager Lin, you still have to buy some graphite and zeolite, these are good things, they are all treasures in the kiln, and we can use these things in production." ”

Lin Xinmin hurriedly stood up and said "yes".

Lu Chengxiang said to Lu Jun again: "The summer grain is down, you must prepare in advance to prepare for grabbing the grain, the more grain, the better." ”

Li Jing nodded and said, "Yes!" ”

Lu Chengxiang took out a piece of paper and said to Lu Jun: "This is the list left by those merchants who were killed from Tongguan with us last time, and there is the address they left on it. You can contact them according to the list, and some businesses can take care of them. A lot of business can also be made big through them. ”

Lu Jun said: "Many of them have also taken the initiative to contact us, especially to ask us about the steel spring carriage. ”

Lu Chengxiang said: "This time, the steel spring carriage has brought a lot, and there are many things better than the steel spring carriage, all of which are not sold." ”

Lu Jun was very happy to hear this and said, "Some of the goods that Uncle Li left us last time were not enough to sell. You'd better stay a little longer this time. ”

Lu Chengxiang glared and said: "I see that you have been trading for so many years and have not long been insightful, if you sell anything in piles, can you have a good price?" ”

Lu Jun was a little unconvinced and said, "Then it can't be sold without goods." ”

It seems that only Lu Chengxiang's son dares to contradict his father.

Lu Jun saw that the angry old father stopped talking, and said to Zhang Zhimu: "Mr. Zhang, let's leave a little more in our "Yaogang Weekly". Many of our frequent guests here come to see our "Yaogang Weekly", and our newspapers are all bad, and everyone still can't get enough of them. ”

Zhang Zhimu laughed and said: "In the future, when a new newspaper is published, we will leave a few more copies for each branch, and we will prepare to use lead printing in the future, so that not only the quality of printing will be much better, but the number of copies printed can also be more." ”

Lu Wenchen, who had never interjected, finally couldn't speak, and asked Zhang Zhimu: "I brought back a lot of duck down, goose down, and the black pigment (manganese ore) and liantin you want this time." Shall I go back to the kiln now, or will I wait here and go back together when you come back? ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "You are not going back directly, nor are you waiting for us here, but you want to go to the south with me to purchase more of these things." Because you've already been there once, the situation is familiar. ”

Lu Wenchen said: "Okay, then I'll go back with you." ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "Are you thinking about your welding again?" Don't worry, your brothers are already doing their jobs beautifully, and each of them has a few apprentices with them. When you go back, you will not only study gas welding technology, but also electric welding technology. ”

Lu Wenchen asked puzzled: "Electric welding technology?" ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "During this period of time, you are not in the kiln, and we have already used electric lighting. ”

Lu Wenchen asked: "Is it the carbon arc lamp mentioned in the newspaper?" ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "When we sail at night, you will see that our ship has already used carbon arc lights. The arc of this carbon arc lamp can emit light because the arc generates high heat, and we can also use the heat of the arc to melt the metal to complete the welding. ”

Lu Wenchen said: "Oh, I left for such a short time, and things have changed so much, I didn't expect it." ”

Waiting for the wine and food to be put up, everyone has sat down, Zhang Zhimu picked up the wine cup and said: "All the employees have worked hard, this year we have made great progress in all aspects, these achievements are the result of the joint efforts of all employees, including our branch employees." Of course, there is also credit for your hard work, and I want to thank all of you. Today's wine is for everyone! I'll do it first! ”

Zhang Zhimu drank all the wine in the cup.

Then everyone began to get drunk and rested, because there is no New Year's Festival, and there are no special circumstances in which branches around the country are absolutely not allowed to drink. Not only the regulations of the branch of Yaogang are like this, but also the shops of various merchants in Shanxi also have strict regulations on this.

One of the reasons why Zhang Zhimu is very happy today is the implementation of phosphate rock, he knows that the Ming Dynasty will start using matches. Zhang Zhimu was secretly thinking: What should they call this kind of fire talent when it is exported to foreign countries in the future?

The next day, Lu Jun reported a report from an employee who needed to be rewarded, Zhang Zhimu didn't read it, and told him that your father would be responsible for it in the future, just report it to him directly.

Lu Jundian said, "Okay, I'll ask my father in a while." But there's one thing I want to tell you. Recently, it has not been very peaceful in our neighborhood, and there is a large stream of bandits that have robbed caravans several times, and some people have lost not only their wealth but also their lives. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "I heard about this in Kaifeng, were there water bandits here before?" ”

"I heard from the local people that there were water bandits in the past, and the officials and troops attacked and suppressed them several times without results. Now that the officials and soldiers can no longer take care of these bandits, they are becoming more and more rampant. Lu Jun replied.

Zhang Zhimu's heart suddenly moved, thinking that if it was difficult for the officials and troops to encircle and suppress, it would mean that they had a base area that was difficult to attack.

Thinking of this, Zhang Zhimu shouted, "Yulin, let's go to the dock." ”

Yang Yulin said: "Let's go, it's long overdue to go out." Otherwise I'll suffocate. ”

Chen Yufeng: They had already gone to the dock to see Liu Yun and their horses across the river.

At this time, the wharf in Xuzhou was already crowded. Thousands of horses crossing the river was a spectacular sight. Chen Yufeng and Ouyang He stood on a high place, watching Liu Yun and them busy below, and Yan Boju personally greeted every horse that came down from the boat, as if he and every horse knew each other. As long as he was with the horse, Yan Boju was happy.

Yang Yulin was also much happier when she arrived at the dock, and since she left Princess Anping, Yang Yulin has been in a bad mood, and their relationship has been very deep during this time.

Zhang Zhimu came straight to Chen Yufeng and Ouyang He and said, "You guys are so leisurely, watch the excitement here." ”

Chen Yufeng said: "Let's stay away, don't delay people's work." You see, it's that 'Cybernaut' there, why don't you know how much people bother him. ”

Zhang Zhimu smiled and said: "Yan Boju has been close to horses all his life, and he can't do it without his horse, and he will have no spirit when he looks at it." ”

Ouyang He said with a haha: "This is also the blessing of Mr. Yan, to have so many horses to accompany him." ”

Zhang Zhimu said to Chen Yufeng and Ouyang He: "Just now I heard Lu Jun talk about the recent troubles with water bandits, these water bandits have also made trouble before, and the official army has not been cleared up several times in the encirclement and suppression. I think they must have places that are easy to defend and difficult to attack, and where the officers and troops cannot be used. ”

Ouyang He immediately understood Zhang Zhimu's intentions and asked, "Does Zhang always want to occupy the magpie's nest?" ”

Zhang Zhimu smiled and said: "That's what I mean!" ”

Chen Yufeng said: "Then we have to understand the situation again." ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "I want to visit the current Zhizhou Lord in Xuzhou, and I can learn something from him." ”

Chen Yufeng said: "Good idea, if we have his support, we will be justified in sending troops." ”

Zhang Zhimu asked Lu Chengxiang to prepare a gift, and took Yang Yulin to the Zhizhou Yamen, the official in front of the yamen obviously knew Zhang Zhimu, he quickly went in to report, and quickly came out and said: "Your Excellency, please!" ”

Zhang Zhimu, Yang Yulin and others entered the yamen, and Lord Zhizhou got up very politely to greet them.

Zhang Zhimu hurriedly saluted and said, "I've seen Lord Zhizhou!" ”

Lord Zhizhou said: "Excuse me! Zhang Yishi! It's a pleasure to meet you! When my predecessor handed over to me, I heard about you Zhang Yishi many times. If we have more righteous soldiers like you in the Ming Dynasty, why worry about the immortality of the thief army. It's great to hear that you've wiped out the thief's army today. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "My lord is well-informed. We've just wiped out the thief army, and the adults will know. ”

"Everywhere, it's all a report from the imperial court, boosting morale! There is too little exciting news about our Ming Dynasty. Lord Zhizhou said.

Zhang Zhimu said: "I came here today, first, to visit adults; Second, I don't know about something, I want to ask an adult. ”

"Zhang Yishi, you're welcome! Please tell me something."

Zhang Zhimu said: "I heard when I opened the seal early that there were water bandits in Xuzhou, and everyone in Xuzhou was even more accurate. I don't know what's going on? ”

Zhizhou heard Zhang Zhimu ask this, sighed and said: "Xuzhou, where the tributaries of the Yellow River and the Huai River all pass through Xuzhou, can be described as a water network that is vertical and horizontal, and large and small lakes are dotted around. The large lake is vast and the water surface is nearly 100 miles wide. Reeds are everywhere, and waterways are hard to find. If you are not a permanent resident of the area, it will be difficult to find a way out if you go in. There is a gang of water bandits who have been entrenched in the lake for many years. In the past, the imperial court sent naval troops to encircle and suppress it several times, but they all returned in vain. Because the water area is longitudinal and horizontal, it is difficult to drive large ships, but because there are no water bandits familiar with the road, they have been ambushed many times and suffered many casualties, so they have to give up. Now that thieves are everywhere, the court has no strength to take care of them, and they are becoming more and more arrogant. dared to block the road in broad daylight to rob passing caravans, rob goods and hurt people. It's really lawless. ”

Zhang Zhimu asked: "Then the government didn't think of a way?" ”

Lord Zhizhou said: "Alas, there is no way for the imperial court and navy, so what can be done locally?" ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "Your Excellency, when I came this time, I happened to win a battle with the thief army, and we want to take advantage of the high morale to ask your lord to help the court and the people in addition to this evil." ”

Lord Zhizhou was of course happy when he heard this, and said: "Zhang Yishi thinks so much about the court and the people, and the official admires it very much, as long as the official can do it, just say it." ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "I want to know more about the situation of the water bandits, can you find someone who is familiar with the water bandits and the situation of the lake to give us a detailed introduction." ”

Zhizhou said: "This is not difficult, our navy in Xuzhou has participated in the previous crackdown on bandits, and they are very familiar with the situation. ”

------------------

Calculus formulas, tables of chemical elements; Conquer Japan in the east and attack Mayi in the south; Penicillin, syringe. --Progress of "Memories of the Southern Song Dynasty".