Zhao Xun knew, but he knew that Haimao was very profitable. But in fact, there is only a general concept of maritime trade, and it is only known that it is a very lucrative business. Not to mention the distance, it is to start Dayan's goods from the mainland, pass through sea ships, and sail to Yizhou, Silla and other places, and you can earn back a lot of money. Not to mention sailing to Persia and other places, the silk and porcelain of the Yan Kingdom are even more valuable. How can a shipload of goods, after a long journey, arrive there without value? Rare things are expensive, and the less beautiful things are, the more expensive they are.

He knew little about how the maritime trade was conducted, what kind of goods were traded, where to dock, where to unload, where to load, and what rules were on the way. Well, speaking of which, Zhao Xun didn't know anything about maritime affairs at that time. But as the so-called art industry has a specialty, the businessmen who are engaged in shipping just need to know it. As long as there is a policy above, the businessmen below will gather to respond.

Later, after the general explanation of some maritime merchants, Zhao Xun understood. Dayan's exports are mainly silk and porcelain. I have to say that this thing that has been passed down through the ages is really valuable. Silk, porcelain, metal and iron were mainly shipped out, and silver, spices, flowers, and curiosities were brought from overseas. Of course, when it comes to the details, even if it is a year and a half, it is not clear, and Zhao Xun only understands a little about this.

"O Silk Road! Maritime Silk Road! Zhao Xun just sighed like this.

The Silk Road, Zhao Xun understood, but at that time, the Silk Road on the road passed through Liangzhou and entered the Western Regions. Historically, it has played a great role in promoting the commercial and cultural exchanges between the East and the West, but there are insurmountable shortcomings in land transportation, mainly because the Western Regions are often cut off by nomads, especially the frequent wars in the Hexi Corridor. In the north of Liangzhou, it is often harassed by the northern hus, how dare businessmen go out of the plug? The Central Plains Dynasty is strong, but once it is weak and loses its deterrent power to the north, the Silk Road will be blocked immediately. And this kind of thing happened one after another, and finally gave way to the dominance of the trading land by sea. After all, there are really not many people who can command the Quartet on the sea, and it is a big deal to go around in a circle.

In another history, the Silk Road of the Tang Dynasty developed to the extreme. But there are also repeated problems. During the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, Xue Rengui pacified the Tianshan Mountains, and the Silk Road was officially opened on the road. The establishment of the four towns of Anxi is to protect the security of the Silk Road. However, the Tibetan regime on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau repeatedly attacked and harassed the four towns of Anxi, and repeatedly captured the four towns of Anxi, making the Silk Road intermittent. The most stringent thing is that during the reign of Ruizong, Tubo captured the four towns of Anxi and completely cut off the Silk Road. It was not until Wang Xiaojie recovered the four towns of Anxi during the reign of Wu Zetian that this road was reopened. After the Anshi Rebellion, this road was never connected to Guò again, and so far, the famous Silk Road has completely declined.

But again, because of this, the Tang Dynasty was mighty and spread in all directions. However, Zhao Xun was dissatisfied with the Tang Dynasty's way of opening up trade without supervision. There are advantages, but there are also many disadvantages. The failure to protect one's own advanced technology has enabled all countries to make great progress.

To get back to the point, because after the defeat of Yanguo Town, it was originally difficult to trade on the road, and it was directly transformed into maritime trade. The biggest feature of this maritime trade is that you don't have to worry about being blocked by the enemy, and none of the countries and regions you pass through along the way have the strength to confront the Great Yan Empire, at least, you won't be able to get by. The unruly nomads, in particular, could no longer threaten the trade routes. Moreover, the Maritime Silk Road also has a characteristic, that is, low cost and high profit. The participation of the public in large numbers greatly contributed to the prosperity of the maritime trade routes.

The reason why Zhao Xun nailed down the Lingzhou Mansion was because it was located at the southernmost point of the Xiaoguo Army's power, which was convenient for going to sea.

"Governor, we mean more than that! Even if we hang the banner of the Xiaoguo Army, I am afraid that when we reach the southern seas, we will also be attacked by the Yangzhou Navy. Zhang Yunqi smiled bitterly.

Zhao asked: "Oh? What does this mean? Although my Xiaoguo army does not deal with the imperial court, nor does it deal with Murong Cheng, they will not intercept normal business. This is also the basic agreement formed by the forces of all parties, otherwise, who will go to their territory to do business. This Yangzhou Navy will not specifically target you, have you done something special? ”

Zhang Yunqi said abruptly: "The Metropolitan Governor is really discerning! When we left Yangzhou, the Yangzhou Navy pursued us. Of course, we didn't dare to surrender to this, so we captured four of the other side's warships! ”

Zhao Xun was stunned and said, "Captured?" Did you capture each other's dozen merchant ships? Shouldn't it? Although you have the advantage in numbers, you can't capture the warship! ”

Zhang Yunqi said: "It's a fake surrender, and then a counterattack strikes and takes the other party down from the boat." What's more, on top of the four warships, there are our people! ”

Zhao Xun couldn't help but take a deep breath, and admired Zhang Yunqi a little. It's easy to say, but it's not so easy to do.

"I didn't expect you to be not only a businessman, but also a naval general!" Zhao Xun couldn't help but smile.

"It's not me, it's Brother Gu Fei." Zhang Yunqi explained. It turned out that Gu Fei, who was close to thirty years old, had also been a pirate, and among the more than a dozen sea ships, a few were taken from pirates.

"And what do you two mean?" Zhao Xun said lightly. These two people obviously caused trouble, there was no place to live, and normal trade could not be carried out, so they came to Zhao to discuss cooperation. If it weren't for Zhao Xun's recent maritime trade, these two would naturally not come to look for Zhao Xun. Of course, if it weren't for Zhao Xun's recent targeting of sea trade, these two would not have been able to enter the Metropolitan Governor's Mansion.

In fact, they have other ways to go, that is, to trade back and forth in the north of Qingzhou, so naturally they will not be disturbed. But the places where they used to trade were all early East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia and East Africa, and they were not familiar with Qingzhou, Youzhou and Jizhou at all. These places have long been carved up by major merchants, and it is not so easy for them to rise anew, and more importantly, they are all long-distance seagoing ships that are used for offshore trade, which is really unwilling. Hearing that Zhao Xun was encouraging maritime trade, the two of them specially sought cooperation.

Zhang Yunqi's face changed a few times, and he said in a deep voice: "Xiaomin is willing to give fifteen sea ships and four naval warships to the Dadu Governor, and he is willing to do things in the Dadu Governor's business!" ”

When Zhao Xun heard this, he smiled and said, "Really? Are you really willing to give me your ship? ”

"The small people are willing, but the small people are familiar with the trade in the sea, and they are willing to work for the business of the Grand Governor, and the other side of the sea for the business of the Grand Governor." Zhang Yunqi hurriedly said respectfully.

"Knock...... Boom...... Knock ......" Zhao Xun's fingers tapped lightly on the table, making Zhang Yunqi's heart beat with it. He was unwilling to send the sea ship in his hand to Zhao Xun, but he was willing to work in Zhao Xun's firm. Although it is not his own, Zhao Xun's business name, which is Zhao Xun's private property, if he does it well, it is naturally better than becoming an ordinary rich businessman. The experience of his own parents told him that no matter how rich he was, he couldn't do it without a backstage.

"Good! I accepted. Your four warships will be handed over to the Qingzhou Navy, by the way, Gu Fei, are you willing to serve in our Navy? Zhao Xun said lightly.

"Xiaomin is willing!" After entering the Metropolitan Governor's Mansion, Gu Fei, who had not spoken, said calmly.

"Yes! Don't call yourself a small citizen, from now on, that's my soldiers. I'll go to Qingzhou to report to the navy tomorrow, and I'll give you instructions. Remember, abide by the military rules and discipline of my Xiaoguo Army. I'm sure the military rules are different from other armies, and I don't want you to be kicked out of the navy for going against the military regulations. ”

"My subordinates understand!" Gu Fei's face was overjoyed.

"Zhang Yunqi, your fifteen sea ships will be merged under the banner of my Ministry of Internal Affairs, and you will be the maritime trade manager of my White Feather Firm. The two of you will account for two dividends of the sea trade, and after each profit, they will be divided. You will be in charge of the maritime trade of my White Feather Firm, and I will have someone assist you. ”

Zhang Yunqi's face was full of joy, and he said in a trembling voice: "Subordinates receive orders!" ”

Zhang Yunqi was naturally happy, the goal he wanted was achieved, and even exceeded his expectations. The Internal Affairs Office, although they are not familiar with this name, they all know that this white feather business is in charge of several wives of Zhao Xun, in other words, this is equivalent to the inner treasury of the emperor of the Great Yan Kingdom. He, Zhang Yunqi, is equivalent to the chief merchant of the emperor who does things for the emperor. It can be said that in the land of Xiaoguo Army, no one will provoke themselves lightly for no reason. Not to mention the two components of the sea trade caravan, for the prosperity of the sea trade, he naturally knows the huge profit earned. With Zhao Xun's flag, are you afraid that you won't have money?

"The Metropolitan Governor, his subordinates want to move the two families to Daoyouzhou City, and his subordinates will better serve the Metropolitan Governor. But there are too many people who handle household registration, and his subordinates are afraid of delaying the errand delivered by the governor. Zhang Yunqi continued.

Zhao Xun smiled faintly, this Zhang Yunqi is quite reasonable. What are you afraid of delaying time, it is clear that you will show Zhao Xun that you will place your family in Youzhou City to express your loyalty.

"It's okay, I'll let someone from the Internal Affairs Office inform the Lingzhou Mansion."

Then Zhao Xun asked about the situation of Haimao, and this Zhang Yunqi knew more than the businessman he was looking for a few days ago. It has to be said that the southern maritime trade is more prosperous than the north.

From the perspective of the scope of maritime trade, the emergence of Dayan maritime merchants has now covered East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia and East Africa. The scope is unprecedented.

I have to say that the emperor of the Great Yan Kingdom is still good, and since the founding of the country, he has always encouraged commerce, especially maritime commerce. Although it is in decline now, it is still thriving. Now the maritime merchants have a long voyage to and from the Persian Gulf. and opened a route to East Africa.

According to Zhang Yunqi, Yangzhou, Jiangzhou and even Jiaozhou's maritime trade is extremely developed, especially Jiaozhou's Guangzhou Mansion, which is the largest foreign trade port in the south, from the perspective of the number of ships, the number of ships that come to Guangzhou every year is very large, South Asia, Southeast Asian countries, as well as Persia, Dashi and other countries have appeared. Zhao Xun was a little dumbfounded when he heard this, this is much more powerful than he thought.

Think of it, for example, each ship has a load capacity of 50 tons. The throughput of Guangzhou's foreign trade goods this year reached more than 200,000 tons. That's a lot of money in those days. In these places, you can see people of all skin tones and hair colors. For these "foreigners", Zhao Xun has also seen them in Luoyang City, but they are far less than as many in the south as Zhang Yunqi said.