In real history, more than half of the eight major salt merchants in Yangzhou in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties often mentioned in later generations were Hui merchants. Xin'an merchants, all over the world, are famous overseas, not without reason. However, in the seven years of Chongzhen, Hui merchants could not take the lead in Yangzhou. They need a chance, a chance to get on top. They are patiently waiting for an opportunity.

Now, the refined salt and green salt in northern Shaanxi and Gansu are isolated by the rebel army. Only part of the green salt is transshipped through Sichuan. However, even the Sichuan road is not safe. Because, Zhang Xianzhong likes to be active in Sichuan. Every time the officers and soldiers were strong, Zhang Xianzhong would move to Sichuan. From time to time, the war has greatly reduced the amount of refined salt and green salt transported to the south of the Yangtze River. If at this time, the Han family can obtain a considerable amount of refined salt, they will undoubtedly gain the upper hand in the battle with the eight major salt merchants.

Zhang Zhun frowned and said, "What if the Han family eats you?" ”

Shen Lingfei said confidently: "No." ”

She didn't explain why the Han family wouldn't eat her, but her expression was very determined.

Since the other party is so confident, Zhang Zhun is no longer reluctant, and he said briskly: "Since you have a relationship with Han Minghua, there is no problem." When the salt drying field in Xiahezhai is produced, your fleet can dock here and take salt directly from here. ”

Shen Lingfei said happily: "Okay! ”

The division of the sales site of refined salt was immediately discussed.

The strength of Huang Shilang and Guo Mingtai is not very strong, and it is already very good to be able to control Huai'an Mansion. The larger territory, for the two of them, is also the moon in the water, which can be seen but not touched. Therefore, as long as Zhang Zhun is here, he can ensure the refined salt they need, and the two of them will naturally not block other things.

Shen Lingfei's appetite is actually not very big. Because, she also knows very well how terrifying the risks of this profession are. Her real purpose is to test the waters and get some profits through the Han family. To put it simply, it is a second-class dealer. Anyway, every time her fleet extracts glass, she has to go south, which is a bit of a waste. If you want to really step on one foot, it is absolutely impossible without great strength and background. Since the three of them didn't have much conflict, they reached an agreement, and Zhang Zhun naturally had no opinion.

After the discussion was completed, Huang Shilang and Guo Mingtai said goodbye and left, but Shen Lingfei continued to stay. She also wanted to tell Zhang Zhun about the sales of glass. Speaking of glass, her expression was obviously quite pleasant. She made no secret of her excitement and said in a loud voice: "It sells well!" It sold out in one fell swoop! The people in the family are so envious! They asked me where the glass came from, but I wouldn't tell them! Hmph, you want me to tell them? Don't! ”

Zhang Zhun asked with some surprise: "What's wrong with you and your family?" ”

Shen Lingfei didn't answer, just smiled very proudly.

Zhang Zhun then said: "Since this is the case, we will have a date later." ”

It's time to send off guests.

Shen Lingfei didn't say goodbye and left, but was a little eager to say something.

Zhang Zhun stared at her for a moment, and said with a smile: "Miss Shen, are you still in trouble?" If there is anything, say it, don't hold it in your heart. ”

Shen Lingfei hesitated for a moment, as if she didn't know if she should say it to Zhang Zhun. After a long while, she said slowly, "Lord Yulin, can I talk to you about something else?" ”

"Lord Yulin?"

"Something else?"

Zhang Zhun said to himself.

This kind of title is really unique, why don't you call Brother Yulin?

Also, what is something else? What a quirky statement.

Shen Lingfei's eyes flashed, and he said slyly: "I want to call you a servant, but I am unfamiliar." If you call you Brother Yulin, it will seem too close. If I think about it, I'll call you Lord Yulin! You wouldn't mind, would you? If you mind, I won't call it. ”

Zhang Zhun glanced at her and said indifferently: "Lord Yulin, Lord Yulin, what else are you going to say to me?" Time is precious, you still don't have to go around, have something to say. ”

"I wonder if Lord Yulin is interested in the market?" Shen Lingfei said eloquently. Her eyes continued to flicker and flicker, brighter and brighter, like two stars twinkling in the night sky, and like two sapphires of the purest form.

Suddenly, Zhang Zhun found that her eyes actually had a faint azure blue, not pure black. At the same time, her hair is also faintly golden. There was a thought that instantly popped up in Zhang Zhun's mind: Could it be that she is actually a mixed-race?

"Say?" Zhang Zhun nodded noncommittally.

This Shen Lingfei not only wants to meddle in the salt industry in the south of the Yangtze River, but also wants to meddle in the market of Yuben, and his ambition is not small! At this moment, Zhang Zhun seemed to smell the breath of greed on her body, as well as the strong smell of copper. This smell is really in contrast to her beautiful appearance.

However, Zhang Zhun himself is also quite covetous of the market. The reason is very simple, there is oil and water! It was now the Tokugawa shogunate, and politics was generally stable. Because during the Warring States period, the various daimyo fought with each other, causing great damage to the country, so the current book is at a critical moment when everything is in ruins. It's like a dry sponge, desperately trying to absorb moisture.

However, it is said that Ben itself also produces good silver mines, so its purchasing power is still quite strong. A large number of goods from overseas are constantly dumped into the local market to earn high profits. Because there is silver in the book, even if it is not a good product, it can be sold for a lot of money in the book. For example, a shipload of porcelain may only sell for three or four thousand taels of silver in Manila, but in Manila, it may sell for five or six thousand taels.

If you want to say what is the most profitable in the trade, tea is definitely the first choice. The tea ceremony was very popular in the newly stabilized world, and everyone from emperors, shoguns, and daimyos to ordinary samurai and commoners loved the tea ceremony. The finest tea from China can earn almost the same weight of silver there. Even if it is an ordinary tea, the profit is very considerable.

For a long time, the market of Yuben has been dominated by the pirate leader Zheng Zhilong. This invincible pirate leader can make millions of taels of silver every year from the capital, which is more than the imperial court's annual income from the Tai Warehouse. Someone once calculated that Zheng Zhilong's annual income was at least three or four million taels of silver. If it weren't for being so rich, how could Zheng Chenggong accumulate such a powerful fleet in the future? You must know that the Navy thinks that it is piled up with money.

It is no wonder that Shen Lingfei is blushing in the market, as long as he is a person, he can't help but be blushing.

To put it bluntly, that's a silver mountain!

However, because of Zheng Zhilong's control, others want to take a share of the market, which is quite a dangerous thing. Zheng Zhilong will never tolerate others interfering in the market. It is said that this market is the private land of Zheng Zhilong's family, and no one wants to touch it. Even if Yang Tiansheng and Yan Siqi want to get a piece of the pie in the market, it is a dream. Shen Lingfei has no power and power, and there is no strong armed backing as a backing, so she still wants to run the market? Aren't you afraid that Zheng Zhilong will spit and destroy her three small merchant ships?

Zhang Zhun pondered for a moment and said cautiously, "What advice does Miss Feifei have?" ”

Shen Lingfei pursed her lips and said with a smile: "You call me Miss Feifei?" ”

Zhang Zhun said generously: "You call me Lord Yulin, I call you Miss Feifei, and the two are not in arrears." ”

Shen Lingfei giggled, her smile was very bright and warm. It's just that it's a little contrived, some professional, it seems to be the result of deliberate grooming, and it's not at all as innocent and cute as the White Lady. She covered her mouth lightly and said happily: "Lord Yulin, you are really not the one who suffers. ”

Zhang Zhun didn't follow this topic, and said solemnly: "What chance do you have to encroach on the market?" ”

Shen Lingfei said with great ambition: "Of course, it is with the help of Lord Yulin's force. ”

Zhang Zhun smiled dumbly.

I thought she had any good advice, but it turned out to be by force.

If you had the strength to defeat Zheng Zhilong, you would have done it a long time ago, where would it be your turn to make any suggestions? He has long controlled the market in his own hands. It's a pity that Zheng Zhilong's strength is so strong, it's not something he can deal with now. Even if there is no external interference and everything goes well, Zhang Zhun estimates that it will take at least five years before it is possible to confront Zheng Zhilong head-on.

After all, the construction of the Navy cannot be accomplished overnight. If there are enough manpower, material and financial resources to build a large number of warships in a short period of time, the problem is not very big. However, the cultivation of naval personnel cannot be accomplished in a short period of time. In five years, a group of grassroots naval officers have been trained at most. It is simply impossible to train high-ranking naval officers without more than ten years. Again, ten years of the Army, a hundred years of the Navy.

Shen Lingfei smiled slyly and said meaningfully: "Lord Yulin, why do we have to confront Zheng Zhilong head-on? ”

Zhang Zhun's eyes lit up slightly, and he said quietly: "Oh? How so? ”

Shen Lingfei said slyly: "No matter how many warships Zheng Yiguan has, it is impossible to spread all over every port in this book!" ”

Zhang Zhun came to his senses and said interestingly: "What do you mean...... Smuggle? ”

Shen Lingfei's eyes were shining, as if she was very interested in smuggling. Her expression was so strange, as if she was in a serious business, a business that followed the rules, and she didn't have much interest. On the contrary, he did illegal things and worked very hard. She said eagerly: "Lord Yulin, don't you think this is a very good way? ”

Zhang Zhun groaned, noncommittal.

Smuggling from this book is, of course, a good way. Zheng Zhilong monopolized the market, and the price of commodities was of course relatively high. From the buyer's point of view, of course, I want to buy cheap and good goods. As long as there are ships that dare to smuggle, of course I will buy them. The problem is that Zheng Zhilong is not stupid, and of course he will prevent such a situation from happening. If he finds such a sign of this, he will definitely make an example and nip smuggling in the bud. If he didn't do this, it wouldn't be Zheng Zhilong, and his maritime hegemony would not be formed at all.

Shen Lingfei said with a smile: "Lord Yulin, Zheng Zhilong has a lot of opponents, the red-haired ghost (Netherlands), Liu Xiang, and Franc Jiren, and they don't have a good relationship with him. In short, it was impossible for him to go north with all his might, and Lord Yulin didn't need to worry about it at all. ”

Zhang Zhun said with a smile: "Even if he uses thirty percent of his strength to go north, I can't bear it." ”

Shen Lingfei still said with a smile: "Lord Yulin is humble. The little woman has studied the eagle eye gun you gave me, and the craftsmen of our family all said that it is really ingenious, and it is absolutely impossible to study it without twelve points of skill. Even the most skilled craftsman in our family could not replicate the Eagle Eye. It can be seen that adults still hold some core secrets. In time, Lord Yulin's strength will definitely increase further. Actually, come to Fang Chang, this matter is not in a hurry! ”

Zhang Zhun nodded.

That's right, let's say Fang Chang.

What Zhang Zhun needs most now is time.

As long as he has time, he can forge an elite army, an elite navy. At that time, Zheng Zhilong, Yan Siqi, Yang Tiansheng, and Liu Xiang will all stand aside. The Dutch, the French, the Portuguese, the Spaniards, the British, all rolled back to Europe. Smuggling into the market is just a plan at the moment, and it is unlikely that it will be implemented in three to five years. Three or five years later, he should have the ability to confront Zheng Zhilong. Well, it's a confrontation with Zheng Zhilong's strength.

Shen Lingfei saw Zhang Zhun's heart moved, and the fragrant sycophants were immediately sent, and said with a smile: "Lord Yulin is talented and smart, and the little girl is really admired. When the time comes, Lord Yulin will be rich, but don't forget to bring the little girl with you. ”

Zhang Zhun stared at her deeply.

He understands this woman's thoughts, this is a long line to catch a big fish! First in front of yourself, throw a big bait to make your heart move. When the conditions are ripe in the future, the first partner I think of must be her. After all, for this kind of thing, you must find an agent.

This woman's scheming is not profound.

However, her suggestion is a good thing, and Zhang Zhun doesn't care about it.

However, Zhang Zhun rolled his eyes and thought of a better idea. When it comes to smuggling, how can we not have such a weapon as opium? What's more, it's to smuggle to the book! He also smiled and said, "Miss Feifei, if you want to earn a huge amount of silver, I have a good idea. Moreover, this idea, with Zheng Zhilong, should not have a direct conflict. As long as you can keep it confidential, this business is the only one, and there are no other branches. ”

Shen Lingfei's eyes suddenly lit up, and he became twelve points interested, and hurriedly said, "Lord Yulin, tell me quickly, what is a good idea?" ”

Zhang Zhun said slowly: "Do you know a plant called poppy? ”

Shen Lingfei shook her head.

(To be continued)