In the huge hall, rows of chairs were filled with people. Everyone had steaming tea in front of them, and the entire hall was filled with a refreshing aroma.
However, everyone looked at the three people at the top with expressionless faces, and their minds were not focused on the fragrance of tea at all.
Han Du sat in the middle, rubbing his chin with his right finger, looking at the dozen or so big businessmen opposite.
He took a deep breath, put his hands on the armrests of the chair, and sat upright.
Showing his usual deceptive smile, he said, "Ahem... I'm very happy that you all can come here to show me your face today. I would like to thank you all for your support."
As he spoke, Han Du raised his hands and greeted everyone.
The originally cold scene suddenly became lively and warm under Han Du's words.
These big merchants quickly responded.
"You're welcome, sir..."
"My father-in-law made a serious statement..."
"I believe you, and that's why I came here today. But please explain to me why the Chief Assistant Wang is here? I hope you will forgive me for offending me, but if you don't ask clearly, what will happen in your heart..." ???????????????There is really no bottom!" A businessman said a little aggressively.
This sentence instantly resonated with all the merchants, and they all started whispering.
Han Du glanced at this person and was not angry because of his tone.
He laughed loudly: "The worries outside the child staff must also be the worries of everyone here, right?"
Seeing that Han Du was not angry, Tong Ling felt relieved. He quickly bowed his hands and said, "I don't dare to call you a member of the public as a master. I just call you Tong Ling."
Tong Ling was older than Han Du, but he did not show any confidence in front of Han Du, and even called him "dare not worthy" of even the slightest title.
Han Du waved his hand to signal him not to care, then looked at the crowd and said, "The imperial court wants to borrow money from you. I know you are worried, and you are afraid that the money you borrowed will be in vain..."
"Master, can you please interrupt me?" Tong Ling saw that Han Du's words scratched an itch in his heart, and he immediately felt unhappiness and hurriedly spoke out.
Han Du nodded happily, "Just tell me."
"Yes." Tong Ling returned the gift first, then sat up straight and said: "Master, if the bamboo basket is empty, it will be empty. Let's just throw the money into the water and hear a sound! The court has Difficulties arise, and as a citizen of the Ming Dynasty, it is only natural for me to give generously."
"But the court wanted to borrow money and pay interest to us, which scared us." Tong Ling said, and turned around and yelled at other merchants, "Isn't that right, everyone? "
"Yeah, it's just a little money, it's not like we can't afford it."
"Since the imperial court is short of money to repair the railway tracks, we should support it. If you ask how much the imperial court still lacks, we can just chip in. As for the interest, let's forget it..."
...Wang Yuanji was stunned when he heard what these merchants meant. Not only did they not want interest, they even didn't want their capital.
Just give it away for free?
Then why are they running away in a panic?
Han Du is not as honest as Wang Yuanji. Although these businessmen talk very beautifully, why are they willing to give money directly instead of borrowing money? It is their instinct formed by years of doing business to make their words nicer. If you really believe what they say, ask them for money. Han Du can guarantee that these people will run faster than when they fled the capital!
Who can become a big businessman but loses his wealth as much as his life?
Han Du waved his hand gently, and the scene that was noisy just now suddenly became audible.
He smiled and said in a gentle tone: "You have such a heart, and I would like to thank you on behalf of Mr. Wang. But one is one, and two is two. When it comes to financial matters, it is better to keep clear accounts."
The merchants headed by Tong Ling suddenly laughed. It can be seen from their expressions that they were just talking nonsense. But it's not without its benefits, that is, after Han Du finished speaking, everyone's tense expressions softened significantly.
Han Du didn't care and nodded accordingly: "I've called you all here today to raise money for the imperial court to build railway tracks. I don't need to explain the situation. The railway tracks from Beijing to Xuzhou cost about seven million. The imperial court has borrowed three million guan from the Royal Bank, and there is still a shortfall of 4 million guan. The interest of 15% per year will be repaid with the profits of the railway tracks in the future. It will definitely be impossible to repay it in the first three or four years, but it will be The interest will be calculated for you and will be repaid together in the future. Of course, compounding interest is impossible."
When Han Du mentioned interest, some businessmen immediately thought of interest compounding. But before they could interrupt, Han Du stopped them with an understatement.
The scene became cold again. All the merchants folded their hands, lowered their eyes and sat on their chairs without saying a word!
Their reaction was not beyond Han Du's expectation. He paused and smiled and joked: "You are all rich people. These four million yuan are not a problem for you, right? How much should you each claim? Please take the initiative to claim it!"
Still no one said anything!
Wang Yuanji was so angry that he cursed his mother. What these guys just said was so beautiful, he almost believed it! Now that they are actually asked to pay, they are pretending to be clay statues of Bodhisattvas one by one.
Facing Han Du's continuous questioning, those merchants knew that it would be impossible to escape without speaking.
So, they all started to complain!
"My father-in-law, although I have a small family fortune, most of them are homesteads and shops, and I really don't have much cash in hand. And there is no way to cash out the homes and shops at the moment..."
"Yes, father-in-law. I just bought a batch of goods and filled in all my wealth. Now I really can't get the money out..."
"My lord, it's even more difficult for the young ones. I just got the news that the cargo ship out to sea encountered wind and waves. All three large ships capsized. I lost all my money... I lost all my money..."
All the merchants are racking their brains to figure out what reasons they should use to convince the father-in-law. Moreover, this reason cannot be repeated with the previous people, which is also very difficult!
...
Every word you say to me makes the whole hall instantly feel like I'm in a vegetable market.
"That's enough." Han Du said two words calmly.
All the merchants fell silent for an instant, and lowered their heads in embarrassment, not daring to look into Han Du's eyes. They knew that these reasons could not deceive the father-in-law, but compared with paying money, they were more willing to believe that these damn reasons could deceive Han Du.
Han Du glanced at all the merchants and suddenly laughed at himself: "I gave you the opportunity to make money, but you resisted. You are really ignorant!"
Hearing this, Tong Ling quickly raised his head, with a look of horror on his face, eager to explain: "Master, little one..."
Han Du waved his hand again, blocking his words.
Then he said angrily and funnyly: "You yourself know how profitable the railway tracks are, so you don't have to worry about not getting back the money you borrowed."
The merchants listened, lowered their heads and looked quietly at the people around them.
Of course they know that railway tracks make money, but they are not worried that railway tracks will not make money. They are worried that even if they make money, they will not be able to get their money back.
To put it bluntly, they just couldn't trust the court officials.
Seeing that everyone was pretending to be a fool in front of him, Han Du couldn't help but sigh and said: "To be honest, I originally wanted to build this railway track. But..."
After a pause, Han Du felt that there was no need to explain so much to them, so he skipped the topic and continued: "In short, if it is possible, I will pay for these four million yuan myself, so why do you need to pick up the money?"
Many people were moved after hearing this and raised their heads.
Tong Ling said with sincerity: "Master, please let me say a word."
Han Du nodded slightly, "You say."
Tong Ling bowed her hands and said loudly: "Master, if this railway track was built by you. Let alone four million rails, even if it is seven million rails, we can raise it for the master. And, don't do it." My father-in-law makes money every penny."
As soon as Tong Ling finished speaking, someone echoed: "Yes, we can still trust you, sir. As for the court... alas..."
Seeing this situation, Han Du frowned slightly.
Before Han Du could say anything, Wang Yuanji said in a serious tone: "So, you can't trust the imperial court or me?"
"The common people don't dare!" Tong Ling quickly replied with his hands in hand.
Seeing Wang Yuanji looking at him, Tong Ling smiled and explained: "Of course we can trust Wang Shoufu's character."
"Then why are you unwilling to borrow money?" Wang Yuanji's tone was obviously filled with doubts and confusion.
Tong Ling shrugged his shoulders, shook his head and sighed in a low voice: "It takes too long to build the railway tracks. It will take three to five years just to build it, and it will take another several years to make enough money. These two items combined, it will take ten years." It’s over.”
"Of course, if Mr. Wang can always be the chief assistant, then we can lend the money to the court now without saying a word. But does Mr. Wang think you will always be the chief assistant? If one day during this period, you will no longer be the chief assistant. , then who can we get our money from?”
Tong Ling's words are reasonable and well-founded. The death of people and the decline of political power are still a common problem in the Ming Dynasty. If the position of chief minister is changed in a few years, and a "new official ignores the old accounts" comes, then who will businessmen like them go to for money?
After hearing this, Wang Yuanji couldn't help but lower his head and frowned deeply. Because this is indeed a problem, and even he himself has no way to guarantee it.
Seeing Wang Yuanji in a dilemma, Han Du said quietly: "The Royal Bank also borrowed three million yuan. It is not worried. What do you have to worry about?"
Tong Ling laughed dryly when he heard this, and couldn't help but say one more thing, "Master, everyone knows that the Royal Bank belongs to the emperor. To put it bluntly, the imperial court also belongs to the emperor. The Royal Bank lends money to the imperial court. This has nothing to do with the left hand. What difference does it make to the right hand? In my opinion, even if the imperial court cannot raise the money, the Royal Bank will probably directly give the imperial court 7 million yuan."
