Considering that these people may not have been exposed to the local situation at all, Guo Kang felt that it would be better to explain it in detail.

"In the past few decades, in order to fight Poland and Lithuania, we have built docks on some major communication routes, and we have also built cities and roads at key locations." Guo Kang said: "Although the original action should have been mainly based on military purposes, in order to save expenses, a lot of tuntian work was still carried out. ”

"I went through a lot of information that could be made public. Judging from the current situation, how to solve the problems there depends on the intensity of our investment. ”

"When my uncle was in Novgorod, he was entrusted by the locals to build a fortress at the mouth of the river along the coast." He described his experience: "The enemy from the north and the west, from there, often landed or rowed directly along the river all the way south, attacking the Novgorod hinterland and the city. Historically, from the time Rurik conquered the Rus' region, this was a common route. Later Norsemen also have always loved this path. ”

"Of course, as the first few groups of conquerors, the upper echelons of Rus definitely don't want new conquerors to come over from their hometown. Therefore, they are also very attentive to the defense work. Moreover, the alliance of the Nordics is growing. In order to counter the influence of the Hanseatic League, Denmark and Sweden are in the mood to unite. The city council feared that, once they received support, they would continue to move south and east, threatening Novgorod's security. ”

So, they paid a lot of money this time, and persuaded the merchants of the Hanseatic League to come and help, and planned to build a-for-tat fortress at the end of the Gulf of Finland, opposite the Swedes Vyborg fortress, and recruit soldiers to defend it. My uncle had traveled there and accepted their employment. ”

With the help of family connections, he invited a group of engineers and veterans from Rome to choose a slightly better location and set up a camp. Through the sponsorship of merchants, many local people were hired to settle next to the camp, and while the construction was carried out, people were selected for training. He has a lot of experience and we should be of great help. ”

Sure enough, when it comes to the successful examples, everyone seems to be a lot more relieved. Moreover, Guo Kang's uncle is indeed very famous, and the sense of authority he brings can help Guo Kang solve many doubts. Bringing out his experience, the people present gradually changed their attitudes, from examining the feasibility to asking for advice on what to do.

"Can we directly adopt Guo Laocheng's current experience?"

"Did he leave more detailed records and documentation? Can we study and summarize it first? ”

"Childe, can you Guo come up with some more people with management experience to serve as the head manager? Our Chamber of Commerce must follow you! ”

Everyone was interested again, gossiping, and discussing.

"Those experiences are not difficult to understand in themselves." Guo Kang waved his hand and comforted everyone: "My uncle later concluded that their public works themselves are a very good means of training. The impact of this factor can be very important, even more than many other policies. ”

"You know, the people on their side are actually very mixed. There were the Romans who brought it over, there were the nomads recruited from the steppes, there were the local Rus', and there were various craftsmen hired from the German regions and attracted immigrants. Not only is there no solid organization, but there is no unity of language. ”

"But it was in this situation that they managed to hold the camp, repelling many enemy attacks, until the wooden stockade became a permanent fortress and gained a foothold in the area. Now, not only do they have the fortress itself, but they also have a large area of land next to it and use it for farming. Because of the port, fishing and commerce also developed. The prosperity of the city is no less than that of Novgorod. ”

"It all started with their action to build a fortress. They must complete this goal under constant harassment from the enemy in order to save their lives as much as possible and get paid. Their construction team also did not have a strict distinction between craftsmen and soldiers, because all of them had to strictly observe discipline and carry out organized labor and life according to the rules. ”

"Of course, a lot of people really can't adapt to this kind of demand. However, the natural environment is cold and harsh, and you have to face a variety of enemies. At that time, neither the Swedish nobles and missionaries, nor the local Karelian tribes, were very fond of them. People who are unwilling to follow the rules and like to act rashly and alone can easily disappear inexplicably, or be killed directly by the attacker. In this way, although a lot of manpower is lost every year, it also warns others with actual results. No matter where it comes from, it is necessary to unite and reduce unnecessary internal friction, which has become a consensus. This is how the social order and atmosphere there were formed and developed. ”

"So, if you want to learn from the experience, I think that in order to make the whole area work normally, it is better to start with a large project."

"The plan started from the south, where the environment should not be so bad, and the number of enemies and the intensity of the fighting will be much smaller." A businessman asked, "What kind of project should I use?" ”

"Open mines, control waters." Guo Kang replied bluntly.

"How much money do you think it will cost to start a project?" Can the Imperial Court allow us to invest? The merchant also asked bluntly.

"It's not something I can be sure of. But I don't think the court will object. The only question is whether you can afford it. Guo Kang said: "The cost of this kind of project will be very staggering, and most importantly, the income will be very slow." It may take ten or twenty years before it begins to pay off. ”

"Because what we're really looking at isn't the outcome of the project itself, it's how much of a long-term impact it can have. For example, in the case of mining, we are not in a hurry to produce it, but hope to cultivate a large number of talents with engineering experience through the operation of the mine, and at the same time establish settlement camps, roads and management institutions around several large mining areas. As for the benefits themselves, they didn't matter at first. To be able to maintain its own operation, it will be fine. ”

"Then ......," the merchant could not answer for a moment.

"If you just want to get a profit as soon as possible, then forget it, this project is really not suitable for direct investment, but you can pay attention to various ancillary industries, such as food procurement and so on. These should pay for themselves relatively quickly. Guo Kang said: "Of course, if you don't just focus on short-term business profits, you can cooperate." ”

As soon as he said this, several representatives of the Chamber of Commerce became even more hesitant. It was Sun 100,000 at the back of the crowd who hurriedly began to squeeze forward, and while braving the displeased eyes of everyone, he said: "We can, we can!" ”

Guo Kang looked at the other merchants again, and saw that they still didn't move. However, he didn't expect these people to make a decision immediately, so he didn't plan to care.

In his opinion, most of the businessmen present were just frightened by the current situation and wanted to make a statement. They are not like Sun Shiwan, who is here to establish long-term trade relations; Nor is there a desperate need for expansion of influence like Joanna. It is estimated that it will still need to be considered for a period of time, or even wait for the entire industry to initially stabilize before these businessmen flock to it.

After all, good vision and long-term planning ability are the qualities that only a very good businessman can have. The vast majority of businessmen probably just think they have what it takes. Otherwise, it will not be that only a few people can succeed in every business opportunity.

This time it was the same, even if he made it almost straightforward that the investment was not only about commercial profits, but also about political gains, most people were still not interested. Of course, it's not entirely bad, if you have to. Not to mention, how many merchant families have the ability of Medici? Don't blindly get involved in these things, but be cautious and do some stable business, maybe you can last longer.

And for him, it is actually enough to be able to create a momentum and get everyone to support it verbally. What he hopes more is to be able to obtain "people" through the channels of these businessmen, rather than money. Because of the official government of the Purple Horde, the manpower that can be dispatched at present is still very tight. Therefore, he also hopes to bring in talents from other places, as before.

Therefore, seeing Sun Shiwan taking the initiative to stand up, Guo Kang also hurriedly said: "Thank you Sun Yuanwai for supporting us." I hope that in the future, we will not only cooperate in terms of funds, but also in fields such as technology. ”

"Of course, that's of course." Sun Shiwan said happily: "You say minerals, we are interested in the Java Chamber of Commerce." ”

"I definitely didn't have that much cash I brought this time. However, we can exchange the right to purchase goods in the future. He promised: "To tell you the truth, this time, we are also for the benefit of non-business." So, we actually have more room to work together. ”

"What do you want?" Guo Kang was also a little curious.

"We actually need iron over there. Of course, you won't have to travel so far to buy it. Sun 100,000 thought about it and said, "It is estimated that most of the iron produced by you will have to be used by yourself." When it comes to reclaiming wasteland and building water conservancy, the consumption of iron tools is a bottomless pit - we have some experience in this area. So, just keep these things for yourselves. ”

Guo Kang nodded thoughtfully.

The first step in his plan is to mine iron ore and establish a smelting center. Thanks to the blast furnace technology brought from the East, the level of iron smelting and the efficiency of iron production in the Purple Horde are not lagging behind. On the European side, it can even be regarded as very advanced.

However, because most of the control areas were in a very bad state, many places did not even have much iron farming tools, but they were very consumed. Therefore, the demand for all kinds of iron tools can be called terrifying, and even far exceeds the needs of the army. Almost all the government-run workshops have gone to fill this hole. Until now, it has been in a situation where it is necessary to import high-quality iron.

"What about the iron in the Ross region, I haven't investigated, it's really not very clear. As far as I know, though. The best iron in the world actually comes from Tianzhu. Sun 100,000 introduced.

Everyone listened to it and was very interested. A few knowledgeable people followed the head. Seeing this, Sun Shiwan continued: "Tianzhu's iron is so good that it doesn't need special treatment. The locals dig a pit and set up a stove like a pot to make iron. These iron ingots are sold all over the world, and it is said that the best mines are now almost exhausted, but even so, the iron from other mines is still popular with all buyers. ”

In those years, Timur hired a large number of skilled swordsmiths from Damascus and provided them with iron ingots from India as raw materials to forge swords in Khorasan. This industry is still in operation today, and the swords produced each year are not only left by the court of their khanate for collection and gifting, but also sold in large quantities through caravans. On our side, there are also people who are interested in buying. ”

"It is said that the best Persian sword they ever made could split the helmet of a Frankish knight with a single blow, but it did not curl the blade itself. Throw the Persian dancer's light veil into the air, and the knife falls, and it can be directly cut in two. We are reluctant to try the former, as for the latter, when I was buying swords before, the Persian merchant demonstrated it in front of me, and it was really amazing that I could really do it. ”

"It is said that the Persians also used their own iron to create similar products, but they did not have such good results. It can be seen how superior the materials there are. I have heard that when Emperor Zhaolie raised his army, a merchant sponsored a batch of iron. The glaive knife in Guan Gong's hand was made from this. In the Central Plains, they can have such a reputation, which shows that it is not in vain. ”

He talked so eloquently that everyone was very interested. Guo Kang also nodded, and said helplessly: "That's true." Iron ore ...... in the Central Plains Hey, compared to others, it's really sad......"

"yes." After Sun Shiwan finished speaking, he took the opportunity to say: "Now Tianzhu is in chaos. The regime in Delhi was hit hard by the Timurid forces, and their channels for buying Turkic slaves were cut off, and now they are gradually losing control of the region. Moreover, in the south and east of Tianzhu, many of the territories of the Tuwang were originally independent, and their forces were very scattered. ”

"We now have a plan to send troops to Tianzhu. They are too rich in resources, but they can't use them, this is giving up the opportunity given by God! In that case, wouldn't it be better for us to use it? ”

"In the past few years, the Ming Dynasty has made more and more moves, and it may have to fight again. But we explored the South and the East, but we found nothing new. In this way, it is necessary to quickly find a way to provide sufficient rear support for the next war. At present, it seems that Tianzhu is the safest. ”

"Guo Gongzi, look, our situation is actually similar." He said happily: "Your country wants to make Rome strong again, and our wish is nothing more than to revitalize the Great Yuan again." If we can really make good use of Tianzhu's manpower and material resources, we will be one step closer to this dream. The Rus region may be to you what Tianzhu is to us. You see, no matter what, we should learn from each other and help each other! ”

(End of chapter)