Compared with the Jiaozhou official fleet, which followed the trend and planned and then moved, those businessmen who followed the trend for profit were undoubtedly more full of adventurous spirit. Don't underestimate www.biquge.info fighting spirit of the Ming Han people, they are no worse than the Europeans. On the contrary, the industrious and kind Han Chinese are more able to adapt to the overseas environment than the brutal and greedy European robbers, and can integrate into the local area more quickly and take root. The Chinese people all over the South Seas can illustrate this very well.

The fundamental reason why the Chinese are now inferior to the Europeans is not that they lack the adventurous spirit, but that they do not have enough support. The reason why the Europeans of the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, France, and Britain can now cross the globe and include most of the world under their colonial rule is inseparable from the support of the state. In the future, the "empire on which the sun never sets" The British Empire started with pirates, and they used the power of the whole country to colonize and plunder, so they became more powerful.

And what about Da Ming? Because of the short-sightedness and greed of the landlord and civil service class, they are self-contained. Again and again, he used the power in his hands to force the emperor to implement the policy of banning the sea many times. Shengsheng will spend the Zheng He fleet, which was once proud of the world, in the long river of history. The once overlord of the sea, the Daming treasure ship, could not even see a shadow, and Liu Fan, who was harmed, now wants to develop the navy and rely on Western ships to implement it.

One is the state apparatus, where the people of the whole country go all out to colonize and explore. One is that the state prohibits it, and the people do it secretly, and there is no comparison between the two. So the reason for the failure cannot be attributed to ordinary Han people at all. If the Ming Dynasty could also colonize the whole country like the Europeans, then with the technology and heritage of the Ming Dynasty leading the world for thousands of years, the current world has already been the world of the Ming Dynasty!

But this is just a conjecture of Liu Fan, it is impossible to have such a "long-term" vision with the urine nature of those landlords and literati. Since the ruling class does not support it, Liu Fan can only do it himself. Although Liu Fan now only has two provinces, but with the advantage of the two states of Jiaolai backed by Shandong and even the entire north, how can it be much better than a small Netherlands, Portugal and other small lands The innate conditions are much better, although the start is a little late, but Liu Fan is confident that in the future to surpass these colonists and become the hegemon of East Asia.

However, this is not enough to rely on Liu Fan's efforts alone, but also to mobilize all kinds of businessmen of all sizes in Shandong and even in the north. Out of this consideration, Liu Fancai held this conference, the purpose of which is to mobilize the enthusiasm of businessmen in Jiaolai and Lai, so that they can see tangible benefits through this sea trade. Driven by interests, there is no fear that these people will not comply.

In the Shili Street of Qingdao Wharf, among the luxurious restaurant Wanghai Building, Liu Fan chose the location of the conference here. Speaking of the owner of Wanghailou, it is actually no one else, but Li Si, a salt merchant in Jiaozhou City. The current Li Si is no longer the little salt merchant who used to have a little strength in Jiaozhou City. As one of the earliest forces to take refuge in Liu Fan, under Liu Fan's continuous support, Li Si's Li family has become a well-known businessman in the whole of Shandong. The scope of its business is not only limited to the sale of illicit salt, grain stores, silk villages, restaurants and many other industries. This Wanghailou is one of the masterpieces of the Li family.

As a vested beneficiary of Jiaozhou's new policy, the Li family naturally has to follow in Liu Fan's footsteps. Hearing that Liu Fan was going to hold a maritime trade conference, Li Si was also the first responder, Li Si not only contributed Wanghailou as the location of the conference, but also actively used his influence to contact powerful businessmen from all over the world to promote this matter.

On the top floor of Wanghai Tower, maritime merchants from Jiaolai and even half of Shandong gathered together. As the initiator, Liu Fan naturally sat on the most conspicuous main seat. Looking at the people who were talking below, Liu Fan coughed dryly and said, "Governor, the purpose of inviting you to come, I think everyone knows it." As a traditional port in Shandong, Jiaozhou Bay has great geographical advantages. It would be a pity not to give full play to this advantage, so the Governor has been committed to the development of Jiaozhou Bay and Qingdao Port over the years. Thanks to His Majesty's Hongfu, now he has finally made a little progress. ”

"Adults are far-sighted and long-term, which is beyond our reach! Thinking that a few years ago, Qingdao was just a small fishing village, who would have thought that it would develop into a prosperous port in less than two years? It's all up to adults!" As soon as Liu Fan's words fell, Li Si couldn't wait to compliment

Hearing Li Si's words, although everyone despised his shameless behavior, they still agreed with Li Si's words, and the development of Qingdao was obvious to all. Qingdao Port was able to rise rapidly in just two years, replacing Jiaozhou City as the largest port in Shandong, which is inseparable from Liu Fan's efforts.

Seeing everyone's expressions, Liu Fan was a little amused, waved his hand to stop Li Si's words, and Liu Fan continued to say to everyone, "Although Qingdao has made some achievements, there is still a particularly important condition for its development and growth. That is the sea trade, and the Governor has always wanted to make the port of Qingdao a good port in the world. Therefore, opening up various routes to overseas has become a matter that we must solve at the moment. In recent years, with the influx of Franco-machine merchants, everyone must have a general idea of the huge profits of ocean trade. As the owner of Jiaozhou Bay, we can't watch those blonde red-haired ghosts take all the money for nothing. That's why I'm going to send a fleet to Japan this time! Open up a new route and find a partner to cooperate with for Jiaozhou Bay! ”

After a pause, Liu Fan waited for everyone to digest it before continuing: "Someone may have to ask, what does this new route have to do with us?" Wouldn't it be better for us to pick up ready-made ones when you get the routes open? Oh, now I'm telling you that this idea is undesirable. During this visit to Japan, the Governor will adopt a new way of cooperation and re-establish the rules. I can tell you very clearly that in the future, if you want to carry out maritime trade in Jiaozhou Bay, you can only do business and dock in Jiaozhou Bay with the permission of the Broken Army. Without the permission of the Breakers, no one or any vessel could do business in Jiaozhou Bay. At the same time, the Jiaozhou fleet will not protect those who refuse to cooperate! ”

"Wow" Liu Fan's words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, causing an uproar among everyone. Wouldn't not being able to do business in Jiaozhou Bay mean that they would lose the foundation on which their businessmen depended? (To be continued.) )