Shanghai County.

Along the south bank of the Yangtze River estuary, construction is underway on several port areas and wharves, and the prototype of the Greater Shanghai Port is beginning to be unveiled to the world.

On the shore, a row of high-spirited, carved buildings rises from the ground, which is the maritime general association that is about to be opened.

After returning to his hometown to visit relatives, Yan Siqi, who had just returned here, seemed to be in a good mood. In fact, it can't be said to be showy, but there are more important things to do, and if it doesn't show the style of wealth and nobility, it may not go well.

Maybe it didn't matter to Zhu Youxiao, but at that time, people regarded being able to relist the family tree as a major event.

Re-listing the genealogy also means being able to have your own cards in the ancestral hall of the clan, yes, this is one such thing.

The thing was done, and he was in a good mood, but Yan Siqi pouted and raised the bar with Li Dan again, "I haven't been gone for many days, look at your stinginess, it's not magnificent at all." ”

Li Dan didn't have the same knowledge as him, the smile on his face didn't change, and he said to himself: "The craftsmen said that in a few days, as soon as the paint dries, it will be completed." What is your opinion on the constitution of our first maritime conference? ”

Yan Siqi shrugged his shoulders and said, "It doesn't matter if you have an opinion or not, the key is that other maritime merchants, they don't understand Banzai's thoughts." ”

Li Dan lowered his eyelids, snorted lightly, and said, "It doesn't matter if you don't understand, with your and my strength, will anyone dare to disagree?" ”

"That's right." Yan Siqi touched his chin and thought about it, and said, "Call Xu Xinsu, Yang Tiansheng, and Lin Huazhong tomorrow, and let's calculate and calculate." ”

"Okay!" Li Dan happily agreed, paused, and then said: "If Hongmaoyi comes in the future and wants to get a piece of the pie, what should I do?" ”

Yan Siqi frowned, this possibility exists.

If you refuse to trade directly with Hongmaoyi and continue to let Hongmaoyi take goods from middlemen, you will naturally be able to make more money.

But if the Hongmaoyi disagrees, there must be a real war. With the combined strength of him and Li Dan, coupled with the Daming Water Division, he is still somewhat sure of defeating Hongmaoyi.

However, one consequence of defeating the Rim is that merchant ships in the South China Sea are likely to be plundered by the Rhiz. And they want to hit or destroy the Hongmaoyi, but they can't catch it.

"I mean take a long-term view." Li Dan said slowly: "I don't turn my face with Hongmaoyi here, but I make less money." Trade with the countries of the South Seas can be unimpeded, and we can't double it and earn it back. ”

Although Yan Siqi was not very reconciled, he also felt that Li Dan was reasonable, nodded helplessly, and said in a deep voice: "I want to go to Dongfan and build a village there." ”

Li Dan was a little surprised, glanced at Yan Siqi, thinking that he felt that he was not supported after being amnestied, and wanted to find a good way out.

Yan Siqi glanced at Li Dan and said, "It's not what you think." When I was returning to my hometown, I heard that the government was recruiting people to go to Dongfan to settle down. Some villagers are quite tempted, and they also want to help them. ”

After a pause, Yan Sixia added: "You still don't know that Fujian Province has few land and many mountains, and it is difficult to live without relying on the sea to eat." If there is a famine, it will be even worse. ”

Li Dan's eyes softened and said, "Immigrating to Dongfan is a long live decision. Although it may be difficult to reclaim the land and build a house in the beginning, after settling down, growing rice and sugar cane is enough to get rich. ”

Hey? Yan Siqi looked at Li Dan in surprise, wondering how this old guy knew more than him. Didn't the immigrants just start in Fujian?

Li Dan coughed dryly and said slowly: "During your absence, you are busy with official business!" This, what about the documents issued by the imperial court, you can also take a good look at it. ”

Stretching out his hand and nodding Li Dan, Yan Siqi said suspiciously: "Is there something else to hide from me?" It's not authentic. ”

Li Dan laughed and said, "You are the vice president, how dare you hide it." ”

After a pause, Li Dan continued: "It's okay to talk to you. At present, there are two major things that Banzai is anxious to do, one is to open Taiwan and immigrate, and the other is to transport grain to Liao. ”

Needless to say, Zhu Youxiao agreed a preferential policy for the sea that participated in it, that is, to build a manor on land in Taiwan. If you do a good job, there will be a promotion in the rank of the civil lord.

Another transportation of grain to Liao is related to the opening of maritime trade between the countries of the South Seas.

The overseas markets of the Ming Dynasty mainly included the Wa Kingdom and the South Seas, which were divided into the Atlantic Ocean and the Oriental Ocean. The Atlantic Ocean is dominated by Annam, Champang, Siam, etc., while the Eastern Ocean is Luzon and other places.

When the maritime merchants who traveled the Atlantic Ocean returned, they usually brought back products from various countries such as sumac, carrot, rhino horn, and ivory; Luzon, on the other hand, often had to return empty, and the maritime merchants were reluctant to go.

Now, Zhu Youxiao hopes that the maritime merchants who go to the South Seas can also regard grain as an imported commodity. First, it is shipped to Taiwan to facilitate a large number of immigrants; The second is to directly transport to Dengzhou, connecting the towns in eastern Liaoning.

Of course, it's not for nothing, but it's less profitable. If you transport the grain to Dengzhou or Tianjin, you can get another citation, and you can go to Qingdao to buy commercial goods from Liaodong and Korea, mainly ginseng and mink and other mountain goods.

Liaodong fell, and the price of things like ginseng and mink soared. Some can still be shipped from Dongjiang Town and North Korea, but the quantity is not much, and all of them have been bought out by the imperial court in Phi Dao, and only shipped to Qingdao for trading.

That is to say, the income from the transportation of grain by sea is not much, but if it works well, the ship does not run empty, and it can be earned back from other places.

Yan Siqi listened to Li Dan's story, touched his chin and thought for a while, and said with some uncertainty: "Listen to what you mean, the profit of sending grain to the north is even greater?" ”

Li Dan spread his hands and said, "I don't know which one earns more, but Dongfan doesn't seem to have any special products, so it should be empty, right?" ”

"I can't believe you, I have to think about it." Yan Siqi felt that he was not busy deciding, after all, he hadn't calculated it carefully, and he couldn't figure out the specific level of income.

Moreover, since it was explained by the emperor, there is a distinction between priority and urgency, and you can't just think about making money, but you have to make the emperor think that maritime merchants are not mercenary, but for the sake of the country and the people.

Li Dan shrugged his shoulders, shook the folding fan in his hand twice, and said with a smile: "Anyway, I can't monopolize it, you can do whatever you want." I still have some problems, so I'll take my leave. ”

After walking a few steps, Li Dan turned around and smiled: "I forgot to tell you, in a few days, the plaque of the 'Maritime General Association' inscribed by Long Live Yubi will arrive, and we both have to go to greet it!" Also, remember to buy firecrackers, buy more, don't be stingy. ”

Yan Siqi snorted, looking at Li Dan's dashing back and rolling his eyes fiercely. The old immortal, how can he live as if he is more spiritual.

Well, I have to hurry up and go to Wu Zheng to read the documents, this old guy doesn't know how many things he is hiding from himself!

…………………