Chapter 9 Banquet Hui Merchants Kill Hukou and open to traffic

Zhang Zhimu knew that Huizhou businessmen had been active in Yaogang for a long time, but they never came to contact Zhang Zhimu directly, and Zhang Zhimu did not take the initiative to contact them. They bought a lot of houses in Yaogang, and Zhang Zhimu still had an impression of this, but Lu Chengxiang said that a group of Huizhou businessmen came, that is, the bigwigs from Huizhou came. They come to talk about big things.

After thinking for a while, Zhang Zhimu said, "Tonight, invite them in our name." Mr. Lu, you arrange, remember to be sure to have the Yellow River catfish soup and steamed Yellow River carp. ”

"Huh! Mr. Zhang still remembers the meal we had in Huizhou? Lu Chengxiang heard that Zhang Zhimu wanted to get back the face he had at dinner in Huizhou last time.

"Yes, we need to get back the face we had last time. also let them know that we Shanxi people also eat fish. ”

"Huh! Okay, leave that to me. Lu Chengxiang said with a smile.

In order to receive Huizhou businessmen, Zhang Zhimu asked several main leaders of the kiln gang to also participate.

This time, the Huizhou businessmen really came prepared. They have been observing the Yaogang people, and half of the wealthy merchants in Yangzhou are Huizhou merchants, and they have always maintained a close relationship with Li Mao. With years of business experience, the Hui merchants can see that the kiln people are not simple businessmen. Therefore, they are extremely careful when dealing with each other. They don't want to be implicated for any other reason, but they're also very shrewd people. After observation, they found that the kiln gang people are not only masters of earning silver, but also have the bearing to dominate the world. After careful and careful research, the Huizhou businessmen decided to develop further contacts with the Yaogang people. In the past, the people they sent to Yaogang were nominally doing business, but in fact, they knew everything about the people in Yaogang nearby. They felt that if they didn't come out to contact the kiln people, they would soon be marginalized. But they are also worried that the kiln people will be willing to contact them. Because although there was some contact between the kiln people when they went to Huizhou in the past, the kiln people at that time were far from the current momentum. This time, their Huizhou Chamber of Commerce organized a team composed of more than 20 wealthy businessmen to come over, just to attract the attention of the kiln gang people. These people, including their retinue, were a hundred or so at once. They gathered in Yangzhou, originally wanting to meet Li Mao first, but unfortunately, Li Mao went to Wuchang. So they chartered a passenger ship from Yaogang and went straight to Yaogang. When they arrived at Lingshui Wharf, they contacted the people on Lingshui Wharf, and when Lu Chengxiang found out, he immediately talked to them on the phone. The one who called Lu Chengxiang was the businessman Lu Chengxiang had known when he was in Zhangjiakou. Lu Chengxiang complained: "Oops! Why don't you contact me before you come, I'll go to Lingshui Pier to meet you? ”

The other party politely said: "I'm afraid of causing trouble to everyone!" ”

Lu Chengxiang hurriedly asked the people at Lingshui Wharf to arrange for them to take a boat to Yaogang. Lu Chengxiang personally went to the kiln gang wharf to greet them. Lu Chengxiang didn't expect that the Huizhou Chamber of Commerce would send such a big formation.

Lu Chengxiang arranged a large string of steel spring carriages to welcome them to the Yaogang Hotel. When they arrived at the Yaogang Hotel, these well-informed Hui businessmen were also so shocked that they couldn't keep their mouths shut. They had long heard how good the Yaogang Hotel was, and they thought it was just a rumor from everyone. I didn't expect to see it with my own eyes, it's much better than what I heard. What they didn't expect was that half of the rooms in such a high-end hotel were occupied by guests. It can be seen how many businessmen come to the kiln every day. This is not a place where small traders and vendors can afford to live.

Let's talk about the steel spring carriage, in Yangzhou, only the rich can afford to sit on, but in Yaogang, the streets are full of steel spring carriages. Not to mention the high-rise buildings that are everywhere.

After these Hui businessmen settled, they first touched each other and reminded each other not to be suppressed by the things in front of them, otherwise the business would not be able to be discussed. Someone said, "Let's not compare our momentum with others." We are all businessmen, let's talk about profits. What benefits we can bring to others, what benefits we want, just talk about these things, we can't compare with others. ”

Someone said: "Yes, if we can't talk about it, we should come to open our eyes and come to the kiln to have a look!" If we don't come out, we all think that we are in Yangzhou and there is heaven, and we don't know that there is a sky outside the sky. ”

Before seeing these Huizhou businessmen, Zhang Zhimu and a few of them touched each other. Zhang Zhimu said to everyone: "We must not underestimate the Huizhou merchants, almost half of the silver of our entire Ming Dynasty is in the hands of the Huizhou merchants. It is said that when Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang went to Huizhou and lacked food, one of their businessmen donated 100,000 taels of silver. ”

Qiu's old proprietor seemed to be dissatisfied with the Huizhou merchants, "Our salt merchants in Shanxi and Shaanxi have suffered a lot from them. They Hui merchants relied on the power of the imperial court to participate in the salt industry in Yangzhou, and our salt merchants slowly hurt their vitality. ”

"Huh! That's competition. Shopping malls are like battlefields, and we have never fought others, which shows that our Taoism is not deep. There's nothing wrong with having the opportunity to ask for advice face-to-face this time, but we must not be rude. I think that the fact that Hui businessmen came to Yaogang in such a position shows that they are optimistic about us and want to cooperate with us. We should take advantage of this opportunity. Zhang Zhimu said.

Lu Chengxiang hurriedly interjected: "Mr. Zhang, about business, you must not promise them too much first. Some things need to be bargained over slowly. ”

"I won't talk about business, it's up to you to talk about the specifics. However, I remind you that they are here today, and I guess there are two things to talk about. One is that they have strong capital, they must want to enter the ticket number industry, and they will definitely talk to us about the cooperation between the two companies. I think it's good for us, and you guys have to prepare for the next one. In particular, if they want to change the money bank to a ticket number, they must buy a certain amount of kiln coins, as well as a trust limit for mutual settlement. Mr. Lu should be prepared, I don't think we can agree to a specific amount at once, but we can agree in principle. In the future, discuss slowly and start small. But we took the opportunity to open the ticket number to Huizhou, although we have a semicolon in Jiujiang, but it is far from enough, their Huizhou merchants in many places can send silver to Huizhou through us. This is also a chance for us. Mr. Lu can also introduce our telegraphic transfer business to them. Although they need to spend more money on this business, they can exchange silver as quickly as possible, and for merchants, it means that there are more opportunities to earn silver. In addition, now our business environment in Shanxi is the best, both passengers and freight are the most convenient and safe, they will definitely want to develop in Shanxi. We should have a welcoming attitude because because we don't welcome them, they will come. Besides, business is done by people all over the world, don't be afraid of others doing business and making a fortune. Now we don't collect taxes, and in two years we can collect taxes. So you must relax your mind a little. Besides, with the ability of Huizhou merchants, many of our goods can be sold through them. Zhang Zhimu's words made everyone unravel, as long as they are not afraid of Hui businessmen coming to steal business, there is nothing else to say.

At the dinner, a few people from Yaogang came out to accompany them, which made these Huizhou businessmen feel flattered. Zhang Zhimu will not talk about attendance. Chen Yufeng and Ouyang He, who attended, were the military commanders of the Megatron Yaogang People's Army, and their attendance was a very face-saving thing; Lu Chengxiang is the big shopkeeper of the kiln, and no one may know about the businessman; Yan Boju is nicknamed "Cybernaut", and now no one knows that there is a Soma master in Yaogang; Lu Bingyi is the technical leader of the kiln, and the kiln has made so many new things, it is impossible to do without him; "Shenshou Zhang" is also a well-known miracle doctor, and now many patients who have no rule of law in the past can be saved when they go to Yaogang; Yan Xing is now the de facto person in charge of Shanxi's administration; Qiu Laodong's family was originally the leader of the Salt Gang, and now he has joined Yaogang and is quite famous; Li Yanna knows even more that he wrote "Song of Persuasion" and no one in the world knows about it.

After these people appeared, as soon as they introduced each other, the Huizhou businessmen were relieved. Because the kiln gang people sent such a formation to receive them, it was to give them enough face.

The welcome banquet is set up in the restaurant on the top floor of Yaogang Hotel, which has a very good view. After dark, you can overlook the lights of the kiln and the strings of street lamps. There are also lights on the boats that shuttle day and night on the Xiaoling River.

The electric light illuminates the inside of the restaurant, and the electric light is good, very bright and has no smell of fireworks.

After everyone finished greeting and sat down, the wine and food began to be placed up. The waiters cleaned up neatly one by one, and the serving actions were strictly trained, which was a scenery in itself.

Seeing that the dishes were almost over, Zhang Zhimu waved his hand, and the background music immediately became much smaller.

Holding the glass wine glass, Zhang Zhimu stood up and said: "It is our honor for everyone from Huizhou Chamber of Commerce to come to our kiln, and on behalf of all my colleagues in Yaogang, I welcome all friends of Huizhou Chamber of Commerce!" ”

After a round of applause, Zhang Zhimu continued: "Among the friends who came today, there are those we have known before, and there are also those who met for the first time today. I remember when we went to Huizhou to meet with all of you, I said that I would like to invite you to eat fish from the Yellow River and drink Yellow River catfish soup in Shanxi. It seems that today is finally the opportunity to do so. ”

Zhang Zhimu's words attracted a burst of laughter. Because at the Huizhou banquet, someone said that Shanxi would not eat fish, Zhang Zhimu refuted, and today Zhang Zhimu turned over the old accounts, and everyone felt very cordial.

"I propose that we all meet here today, cheers!" Zhang Zhimu raised his glass and said.

Everyone responded together and drank this glass of wine.

Then the representative of the Huizhou Chamber of Commerce also stood up to speak, raised a toast, and everyone also toasted.

However, the people of the Huizhou Chamber of Commerce knew that it was not easy to meet Zhang Zhimu and these leaders of Yaogang, and they wanted to do more business while they were not drinking.

A Huizhou businessman stood up and said: "Mr. Zhang, everyone from Yaogang, after we came to Yaogang, we were already very shocked before we walked out of this hotel. We will stay in Yaogang for a few more days and have a good visit. However, all the owners of Yaogang are here today, and the opportunity is rare. I wonder if we're going to talk about what we're going to talk about before we drink too much. Then we had a good drink. ”

His words were unanimously agreed by Huizhou businessmen.

Zhang Zhimu said with a smile: "Since the friends in Huizhou have this intention. So let's talk about this friend first! ”

"Okay, I'll talk about what we want to do business with the kiln people."

Speaking of this, Zhang Zhimu interjected: "This friend, we welcome business matters, and we are willing to make a fortune with friends in Huizhou." However, you should study this matter slowly with Mr. Lu, our big treasurer. None of us can handle this. ”

Zhang Zhimu's words gave Lu Chengxiang a great face. Lu Chengxiang also stood up with a smile on his face like a full moon and said, "This friend, let's talk about business matters slowly, and you arrange the time." ”

"Good! Since there is Mr. Zhang's words. We'll talk slowly. With that, the man sat down.

Another station said: "Zhang Dongjia, we know that now the whole Ming Dynasty belongs to Shanxi Anding, and we all know that only in this way can we have business." I don't know if we can come to Shanxi to do business. ”

"Yes! Now many people have come to Shanxi to do business. Let me tell you, Shanxi is not only stable, but now the passenger and freight conditions and financial conditions are not comparable to Shanxi. We do not exclude any merchants who operate legally. Now there is another condition, which is that no taxes will be collected. However, this preferential condition is less than two years away. Zhang Zhimu said.

"Then thank you Zhang Dongjia. We businessmen are not afraid to pay taxes normally, as long as there are fair conditions. With that, he sat down.

At this time, the people from the Huizhou Chamber of Commerce stood up and asked: "On behalf of the Huizhou Chamber of Commerce, I would like to ask Zhang Dongjia a question." We Hui merchants are also preparing to set up their own ticket numbers, and we want to integrate many original money houses to establish the same ticket number as the kiln gang people. I don't know what Zhang Dongjia thinks? ”

"That's a good thing. For businessmen, there is one more option. For the Hui merchants, you have a lot of money and can operate better, much better than hiding in a cellar. Zhang Zhimu's words drew another burst of laughter.

"Don't you think that Zhang Dongjia will have competition?"

"Yes, but the business of the world is done by the people of the world. We are not afraid of competition. We can also join forces and recognize each other's bills. Ticket numbers can be settled at regular intervals. It's good for everyone. I suggest that after you set up a ticket, you will also go to Yaogang to build a branch, and we will also build a ticket number to Huizhou. We do business together, and we are all beneficial. ”

Zhang Zhimu's words attracted applause from Huizhou businessmen. They didn't expect Zhang Zhimu to be so open-minded.

Another merchant stood up and asked, "Zhang Dongjia, we know that a tram line is being built between your kiln gang and Xiurong, and asphalt roads are being built on both sides of the tram line. On both sides of the road, a commercial street is ready to be built. Can we buy some places and build our own shops? ”

"It seems that Huizhou's friends are terrible, and your intelligence work has been done in our family."

Zhang Zhimu's words caused another burst of laughter.

"This friend is right. We will have the tram open by the end of the year. We also have plans to build a shopping street. However, we have not yet fully naturalized what to do. Zhang Zhimu said, "But we will study this matter immediately." You can share your thoughts with Mr. Lu first, and see if we can consider them together when we make plans. It is not even excluded that we will build this street together and develop it together. I think this matter will immediately attract merchants from all over the Ming Dynasty. We haven't decided how to do this street, and we haven't thought about it. However, one thing we know is that once our tram is opened, there will be no need to build on both sides of the road, and it will naturally gather popularity and talent. I see that friends from Huizhou have just come to Yaogang, and I suggest that you have a further understanding of Yaogang after visiting Yaogang, and also have a certain understanding of this upcoming construction street, and put forward your ideas. ”

"Great!" The merchants of Huizhou did not expect that the Yaogang people would not reject them at all. This was not prepared when it came.

"I'll look at the details, and everyone will study with us Mr. Lu." Zhang Zhimu said, "Can we relax and drink?" ”

"Yes, yes! Drink now. Everyone responded.

After drinking for a while, the businessman who had problems in Huizhou last time came over to toast Zhang Zhimu with a glass of wine, "I was a little offended last time." This time, I really appreciated that the fish in Shanxi are indeed different from the fish in other places. It tastes so good. ”

"Whereever, no offense." Zhang Zhimu said, "It's a joke. But speaking of it today, it really has a taste. Let's drink one! ”

The two of them clinked their glasses and drank one together.

Zhang Zhimu's generosity once again convinced the Huizhou businessmen. Zhang Zhimu knew that through the soft power of Huizhou merchants and kiln gang people, they could penetrate into the Huizhou area. In the future, it will be much easier for the kiln people to govern Huizhou.

However, they didn't say anything about the kiln coins at the banquet.

In the next few days, the Huizhou merchants began their visit to the kiln. These Huizhou businessmen are worthy of being both Confucian and businessmen. When they visited the Kiln Gang Museum, they were able to go in and stay in it for a whole day, and when they came out, they didn't think they had seen enough. When I visited the library, I was able to sit there and read a book for a day. Of course, they are all big businessmen on the rich side, and they will not be like those small businessmen who are busy chattering. They visited the kiln for a week and did not finish it.

Just as the opening ceremony of the train to Kill Hukou was about to take place, Zhang Zhimu invited them to go to Kill Hukou together. Of course, these people were very happy to be invited.

Although it was November and the snow had already begun to fall, the heating in the train carriage was burning well. The special train leading to the mouth of the killing is hung with several soft sleeper cars. Such a trip is a pleasure for these people who have been doing business all year round.

The railway went around, and there were more than 350 kilometers from Yaogang to Kill Hukou. Zhang Zhimu: They set off at seven o'clock in the morning and did not arrive at Hukou until four o'clock in the evening. Because the road from Yaogang to Niutoushan has been open to traffic for a long time, the train can run to 50 or 60 kilometers per hour, but the newly built line, because the road is not familiar, the driver does not dare to run fast, can only be 40 kilometers or even 30 kilometers per hour. So it took more than nine hours to run. Even at such a speed, the merchants of Huizhou felt that it was incredible.

All this has greatly stimulated the businessmen of Huizhou and has a great impact on their future development. It can even be said that it will have a great impact on the development process of the whole country in the future.

When the acting prince heard that the opening ceremony of killing Hukou was going to be held, he and Jiang Jian's general soldiers came to kill Hukou in advance, which added a lot of weight to the opening ceremony of the train to kill Hukou.

However, Zhang Zhimu knew that when he saw the acting king, he would inevitably have to listen to his complaints, that is, he complained that the train to Datong was not opened first.

In the plot of land bought by Yaogang, a two-megawatt generator has begun to generate electricity, which brings great convenience to Hukou to return to the station. Otherwise, it is really inconvenient to light calcium carbide lamps and horse lamps on the platform.

The opening of the train to kill Hukou has brought great vitality to the small city of Hukou.

Zhang Zhimu's arrival attracted the idea of killing those businessmen in Hukou.

Zhang Zhimu and the others arrived at Kill Hukou, and the next day, they held a grand opening ceremony at Kill Hukou Station. The people who attended the ceremony crowded the train station.

On behalf of the prince, he personally cut the ribbon for the opening ceremony. Zhang Zhimu and representatives from all walks of life spoke. After the ceremony, the kiln people held a grand banquet. The Yaogang branch has contracted several of the largest restaurants in advance. Of course, the acting prince, Jiang Zongbing, the Hukou garrison, the representatives of the Huizhou Chamber of Commerce and other VIPs were arranged in Shengxing Tower.

When the owner of Shengxinglou saw Zhang Zhimu, he hurriedly came over to congratulate him and said: "Congratulations, Zhang Dongjia, your train is open, and we will have a better time after killing Hukou." ”

"Rejoice, rejoice!" Zhang Zhimu hurriedly returned the salute and said, "Old boss, I see that your restaurant has also been cleaned up again." It means that your business is getting better and better. ”

"Thank you for your good wine. During that time, our hotel had your good wine from Yaogang, which suddenly brought up the fame of our restaurant. ”

"Good! In the future, there will be more customers killed, and your business will be better! Zhang Zhimu said, "I won't bother, now I'm going to accompany the prince." ”

"Good! Please! ”

Zhang Zhimu knew that the prince would be very happy today, but it was inevitable to complain.

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The Song army occupied Hokkaido, and Yuankou landed on the island of Kyushu. Opening up the Japanese battlefield. --Progress of "Memories of the Southern Song Dynasty".