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After Geng Jingzhong docked at Yuegang, the Mawei Navy left here. Moon Harbor is a commercial port, and it is already very crowded, and it cannot accommodate their fleet. In fact, from the very beginning, the naval fleet was not ready to dock at Yuegang, Wang Zhenbang had already sent people to fight the front station, and the best location was on Kinmen Island, so they temporarily docked on the Great Kinmen Island.

Kinmen is surrounded by the sea on all sides, and there are many harbor ports around the island, and there are more than 30 wharves that can be moored in large and small. For example, the South Bay of Dajinmen Island, where the fleet is docked now, faces the open sea, the wind and waves are large, the beach is steep and the water is deep, and it is a sandy beach, which is the most suitable for the fleet to dock, and at the same time, it is also convenient to go to sea for training every day, and there is no need to run far at all.

Kinmen used to be called Yuzhou, and some people called her Xianzhou. The Great Golden Gate is dumbbell-shaped, narrow in the middle, wide at the east and west ends, about 40 li long from east to west, about 30 li at the widest point from north to south, and only 6 li at the narrowest point. The whole island faces the mainland across the sea on three sides, and the nearest is less than 20 miles from Xiamen, which can be reached by boat in a quarter of an hour. As early as the time of Zhu Yuanzhang in the Ming Dynasty, Zhou Dexing began to build a city here, calling it "solid as gold, Xiongzhen Haimen", so it was named Kinmen. It was originally a barren earth and rock island, the oldest strata are mainly granitic gneiss, and the soil is represented by sandy soil and bare red loam, with poor natural conditions and limited agricultural development. Later, after people continue to cut and cultivate trees, there are now trees covering the sun, and the stone roads extend in all directions, and the barren appearance of the past has long been gone.

In this Kinmen, it is somewhat different from the cities on the mainland, and a large number of Fujian-style buildings have always been presented in the form of settlements. After Wang Zhenbang and other soldiers went ashore, they did not disturb the people, and there were less than 3,000 people on the entire island, even if all the residents were driven away, and their 20,000 soldiers were too crowded to live. The army has special tents for the army, and after the soldiers get off the boat, they choose a place and quickly set up the tents. More than 1,000 large tents are dotted around, and it looks spectacular.

The Mawei Navy prepared a month's rations in advance for this voyage, so there was no need to buy them near Xiamen. However, at the moment, stationed here, some fresh vegetables and the like are constantly being purchased ashore.

Geng Jingzhong didn't stay in Yuegang for long, but just took a cursory look at the trade situation here, and then got into a carriage and rushed to Longyan in the afternoon. It had just rained here yesterday, and the ground was still muddy. Geng Jingzhong, who was sitting in the carriage, only felt very bumpy, as if he was on a roller coaster, one high and one low, one down. He lifted the curtain of the carriage, and the group of them were all on horseback, and they didn't think it was anything, but the pedestrians on the side of the road were miserable, and their clothes were speckled and muddy. Geng Jingzhong saw that many people were holding a stick in their hands to prevent themselves from slipping, but it was still slippery three times in this way, and it was difficult to walk.

Not far in front of them, a convoy of nine carts, three of which were all stuck in the mud. The cart was full of goods, covered with a layer of rainproof cloth, and it seemed that it was going back and forth to Moon Port to do business, but this road was really not a little weak.

"Yang Jian, help them!" Geng Jingzhong watched the work of the convoy and failed to push the cart out of the mud pit with all his strength, so he commanded Yang Jian next to the carriage. This road is really too bad, there were not many people who used to take this road, since the construction of the mine and the starting town, the flow of people on this road has increased. This kind of road is okay on a sunny day, at most it is bumpy, and when it rains, it becomes very muddy, which greatly hinders the development of the starting town and the surrounding towns. Geng Jingzhong secretly made a decision, and when he arrived at the starting point town, he ordered people to start building the road to Yuegang. also learn the methods of later generations, raise funds to build roads, set up cards to charge, and it is estimated that there will be many wealthy businessmen who are willing to be responsible.

"Yes!" Yang Jianjian approached with a few people on horseback, but none of them got off their horses, and the ground was really too rotten.

"Hey, friends, please, your cart is so deep that I'm afraid it's not easy to push it up. Do you need us to take a hand and use our horses to pull it, I'm afraid it will be better! ”

Hearing Yang Jian's words, a man wearing a long shirt walked out of the team, who seemed to be the person in charge of the team. "You are polite, all the brothers took the initiative to help, Xiao Ke Lin Xuan is grateful! We are the convoy of Xiamen Lin Kee Commercial Company, going to the starting point town to sell some local products, and we don't want to be stuck on this road! ”

"Here, bring some rope and a few horses!"

With the efforts of more than a dozen horses of Yang Jian and others, the three carts were pulled out of the mud pit at once, and the stewards of the convoy were also relieved. It seems that they have indeed been trapped for a while, and as soon as the cart was pulled out, everyone in the convoy had a feeling of weakness.

"Thank you for the help of a few brothers, can you ask the high surname of Brother Tai?" After the cart was pulled out, Lin Xuan immediately stepped forward to thank Yang Jian for his help, and his tone was very sincere.

"I don't dare to be a big name with a high surname, my name is Yang Jian, but my son-in-law ordered me to come to help, if you want to thank my son-in-law!"

"Dare to ask who your son is?"

"My son-in-law's surname is Fu!" When Yang Jian and the others set off, they were told by Geng Jingzhong not to tell his true identity, and to declare his surname Fu to the outside world. Fu represents both Fuzhou and Fujian, using the word Fu to save trouble.

In fact, Lin Xuan had already seen the carriage behind him, and he also knew that Yang Jian and the others were guards. But just look at their lineup, they are brightly dressed, and they look like big families. Even the guards were so magnificent, presumably there must have been an important person sitting in the carriage. He Lin Xuan is just a small business house manager, and such a big man is not something he can climb directly, but he is also shrewd, and he did not directly thank Geng Jingzhong in the carriage, but thanked Yang Jian, the purpose is to figure out that Yang Jian and Geng Jingzhong in the carriage have a one-sided relationship. This is also the shrewdness of a businessman, who knows the essence of many friends and many paths.

Although he has been in this world for two years, Geng Jingzhong usually doesn't talk much about rules. He saw that the cart in front of him had come out, and he no longer wanted to sit in the carriage and bump around, so he lifted the curtain and walked out, ready to ride forward, and take a look at the scenery along the way.

Lin Xuan walked to the carriage and saluted Geng Jingzhong: "Thank you Gongzi Fu for your help!" Childe's ancient road is hot, which is admirable! ”

"Steward Lin is polite, this is just a gesture, I don't deserve to thank you! Look at your full load, where are you going? Geng Jingzhong was still standing in the carriage at the moment, but the coachman got out of the carriage as soon as Geng Jingzhong came out.

"Let's sell some goods to the starting point town of Longyan!"

"Oh, let's go on the same road, I heard that the starting point town is very prosperous, and there are still many Westerners who have settled there, so I want to go and see it!" Geng Jingzhong smiled and explained his purpose. "Since we are on the same road, let's set off together, and by the way, please ask Steward Lin to tell me about the affairs of the starting point town?"

"Hey, that's a good feeling!" Lin Xuan was also very happy. There are many benefits to setting off with this blessed prince, not only can you make friends with this rich and noble son, but if the convoy is in trouble again, these guards will not stand idly by!

Geng Jingzhong changed horses with one of the guards and began to walk on horseback, his carriage at the back of the line. The cart of Lin Kee Commercial Bank opened the road in front, so the two groups of teams merged and slowly headed towards the starting point town. A large group of people and horses are relatively quiet, just Geng Jingzhong and Lin Xuan are riding horses and chatting non-stop, basically Geng Jingzhong is asking, Lin Xuan is answering, and through guò questions and answers, Geng Jingzhong also has a deeper understanding of the current starting point town.

"According to what Steward Lin said, this starting point town can no longer be called a town, and the general county town can't be compared!"

"That's not it, since the opening of the starting point town in September last year, it has become more and more prosperous, where is the general county town so popular. The starting point town is still under construction until now, and there are more than 100,000 residents in it, just one city wall is missing, otherwise it will be a prosperous county seat. Fu Gongzi should know that Yuegang is called Xiaosuhang, and with the development speed of this starting town, it will definitely surpass Yuegang in a short time. Lin Xuan said this, and sighed at the starting point town, "I won't tell you that at the end of last year, our firm spent a lot of money to buy a house in the starting point town, and now it seems that it is too worthwhile!" ”

"But I've heard that there are a lot of factories there, is that the case?"

"Childe is really well-informed. If you want to say that this factory was only opened this year. Originally, most of the people living in this starting town were miners. Those iron mines and copper mines were all opened by the prince, and the government didn't dare to say anything, to say that the prince was really good to these miners, and the wages were sufficient. They're rich, and our business is going to be easy."

"The government is not allowed to open mines! Won't the government shut down the mine? Geng Jingzhong said meaningfully.

"Hey, who dares to say anything about the mine opened by the prince, if the government dares to close the mine, not to mention whether the prince can pass the pass, it is that tens of thousands of miners in this mine must immediately change the people." Lin Xuan glanced at the Fu Gongzi in front of him, it seemed that he should be a person from a far away, otherwise he wouldn't even know about this.

"And what about a few thousand foreigners? Can they get used to it in our land? "Geng Jingzhong recruited back last time mainly have a skill, and he is still very concerned about these people, and specially let Geng Da Geng two and Geng three brothers be responsible for arranging them, and report directly to him if they need anything, but then Geng Jingzhong thought that the matter here was too complicated, so he handed it over to Li Guangdi to deal with.

"What can I not get used to, more than 2,000 Westerners live in East Street, and they are all rich. They all started the workshops that produced Western gadgets in the starting town. I heard that these foreigners have shares in the workshop, and at least they can earn this amount every month! Lin Xuan said and stretched out two fingers.

"Twenty taels?" Geng Jingzhong reported a number.

"Where! It's two hundred taels! Lin Xuan's head turned and said with certainty.

"So much!" Geng Jingzhong was indeed a little surprised. Two hundred taels is a lot of money, and the monthly salary of his soldiers is only six taels. "Well, there won't be so many!"

"Why not, it seems that Fu Gongzi really doesn't know anything about this place at all. Let's put it this way, Geng Da's general management brothers have opened more than a dozen workshops to produce rare Western gadgets, which are very popular in the market. For example, this pocket watch, the manufacturing process is more complicated, and it is said that I have been apprenticed to Westerners for more than half a year, and I have not been able to make a piece on my own. Lin Xuan said as he took out a pocket watch from his arms. Look at it, this one piece is worth thirty silver coins, expensive, really expensive! But although the price is very expensive, but we traders must buy, who said, time is money, the wise saying! ”

Geng Jingzhong nodded, Geng Da sent a lot of this pocket watch, all of which were equipped with the army, and all officers of 100 households and above should have a total of about 400 yuan. Geng Jingzhong didn't take these things seriously before, but he didn't expect this thing to be quite valuable, it seems that he has to understand it well, and it is true that he hasn't looked at the accounts for a while.

"This pocket watch is indeed a good thing, but you can't buy a pocket watch for thirty silver coins in my hometown, it seems that there is a lot of profit here!" Geng Jingzhong continued to ask tentative questions.

"Hehe, Fu Gongzi, what do you think I'm doing this trip? My cart was loaded with ivory carvings, silk, spices and medicinal herbs, all of which were purchased by the Lin firm from Yuegang, and after being transported to the starting point town, I bought pocket watches, table clocks, hanging ornaments and toys, which are now the favorites of large families. In particular, pocket watches and table clocks are the most practical, and the others are actually fresh and rare! ”

Geng Jingzhong thought about it, this month the port is becoming more and more prosperous, and it has also driven the surrounding economy. The communication and cooperation between the starting point town and the moon port can also speed up the development of the starting point town, and the importance of the moon port is stronger.

Yuegang is now the largest foreign port in Fujian, with ivory carvings, export paintings and various handicrafts from Western countries, ginseng, medicinal herbs and various cloths, lacquers, bronze, tiger skins, etc., cherished wood, gold, sulfur, mercury and placer gold from the Wa Kingdom, spices, medicinal materials, rhino horns, ivory, pearls, dipteroscope, etc. It's all shipped here in a steady stream. And domestic tea, silk, porcelain and all kinds of exquisite handicrafts are also the favorites of outsiders. This qiē is now reflected in the town of Qiqi, where there are more than 2,000 Western craftsmen who bring their families along with them, and they are learning to integrate into Eastern society while maintaining the customs of their hometown, and at the same time producing and trading Western goods. At best, this is called cultural exchange, and the most real thing is that they make money and live a good life.

Excluding those women and children, there are probably a little more than a thousand Western craftsmen left, and these people are quite good in the starting point town. Geng Da and they also tried their best to pick up practical skills when recruiting people, and the more than 200 gun masters in Fuzhou are the best proof. The Geng brothers organized these craftsmen to start a workshop and learned from Geng Jingzhong, but they didn't expect the effect to be so good. The resulting products are very popular and very profitable!

"Steward Lin, the front is almost to the starting point town, this road is not bad, it shouldn't fall into it again, let's go first!" Geng Jingzhong passed this half-day chat, on the starting point of the town

I was looking forward to it, and seeing that it was not raining here, and the road was dry, I was ready to go first and arrive at the starting point town earlier.

"Fu Gongzi, you are busy, when you get to the starting point town, you can go to the Lin family firm on West Street to find me, I am still very familiar with this place!" Lin Xuan also arched his hand on horseback and said.

"Then let's see you at the starting point! Drive! After saying that, he quickly whipped his horse and took the lead in running forward. Yang Jian and other guards hurriedly followed, and even the carriage driver at the back also raised his whip high. "Gotta drive!" A group of people quickly rode away from the original large army and followed closely behind Geng Jingzhong.

After a wild run, the group arrived at the starting point town in less than half an hour. At the intersection of this town, there is a huge archway, on which are written the three big characters of the starting point town, which was built by Geng Jingzhong last year, but when it was built, he had already left here.

"It's been ten months, it's been ten months since we left here, and time flies so fast!" Geng Jingzhong stopped in front of this archway, looked at this tall archway, and couldn't help but sigh!

"Yes, Shizi, when we left last year, there was no such thing here. Looking at the town in front of it, it seems to be a lot bigger. ”

"Let's go into town."

Geng Jingzhong and his party can be described as dusty servants, and many of the guards still have a lot of mud spots left on them, and they followed Geng Jingzhong closely into the town. Now the starting point town is indeed much bigger and more prosperous. The rows of shops on the street, the pedestrians coming and going on the road, and the stalls full of goods on the side of the road, all show the prosperity of the starting point town. Along the way, Geng Jingzhong seemed to feel that he was on the busiest street in Fuzhou, and only this brand-new looking house told him that this was the starting point town, just a town.

The starting point town is no longer what it used to be, and a small village with only 100 families gathered here has now become a huge and prosperous town, which is no worse than any county town. Not far from the outskirts of the town are several mines, where there are more than 30,000 miners, and their wives and children are close to 100,000. After the construction of the starting point town, a large number of merchants settled here, bought houses and land, opened shops, and hired jobs, so that the town added thousands of people. The three brothers of Geng Da opened a workshop, mainly Western craftsmen, supplemented by local apprentices, and a large number of people, and then there were people who came one after another to make a living, totaling 1340,000 people, you must know that there are only less than 400,000 people in the entire city of Fuzhou.

After Geng Jingzhong and his party walked around the street, they returned to their yard. As soon as they arrived at the door, they saw that the three Geng brothers were already waiting here! Geng Jingzhong nodded, it seems that the guards in this place are still very dutiful, and they were discovered so quickly!