the next morning.
Zhu Xuan went to Xu Qi again and gave Xu Qi the new crop planting methods he had sorted out, and asked him to arrange for farmers to plant them. In addition, seeds such as rubber trees and oil palms are special and closely related to industry, so they need special arrangements.
Zhu Xuan found another place and planted a batch in Guangzhou, and then asked Guo Ze to take a batch back to Annan for planting to see which of the two places had a more suitable climate.
As long as it is successfully planted, it will bring a lot of convenience and benefits to industrial development in the future.
There are also water control and water conservancy projects, and the plans were also given to Xu Qi.
In addition to water conservancy projects, it is also necessary to choose a suitable place to build a water plant. Try to ensure that every village has at least one water pipe that can ensure that local people can meet their daily water needs.
The amount of these projects is huge, but Zhu Xuan has a lot of money and can mobilize the enthusiasm of the people.
When new crops like potatoes are popularized and chemical fertilizers are rationally used, there will be more food and more idle working people, so they will be recruited to build other infrastructure.
It is also possible to develop business within a reasonable range and with sufficient population.
These plans must be implemented gradually before we can truly govern a region. Only after three years can we produce political achievements that satisfy the emperor.
After leaving the government office, Zhu Xuan went out of the city and went to Panyu Trading Port to consider how to develop the trading port next.
"Your Highness, Wu Yongfeng, Cen Jing and others are just outside the trading port, asking to see Your Highness."
At this time, Hou Xian came in and said.
Zhu Xuan was about to find them, but he came at the right time and said, "Bring them in."
After a while, they came in.
"Your Highness, I'm here to pay the membership fee."
Wu Yongfeng had someone carry one hundred thousand taels of silver in.
Although the Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes are still in circulation, they have depreciated extremely much. Lao Zhu probably just printed as many as he wanted, without considering the gold standard, silver standard, etc. at all.
Therefore, many merchants in the Ming Dynasty would basically not use Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes when conducting large-value transactions, because they could not afford to lose money and would lose blood.
But without the Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes, the one hundred thousand taels of silver and several heavy boxes seemed exaggerated.
"We, the Cen family, also want to join the Daming Chamber of Commerce. We have already brought the money. Please approve it."
Cen Lei recently came to Panyu again, and this time he was in charge of talking and joining the association.
Cen Jing has experienced a trip to the sea. She has matured a lot and has a different vision, but relatively speaking, she is still relatively young.
They, Cen, felt that such a major decision must be negotiated by Cen Lei, an old man, and the final signature was signed by Cen Jing, so that it would be stable.
Cen's one hundred thousand taels of silver were also brought in.
Zhu Xuan originally planned that the 100,000 taels would only be a discount for Wu Yongfeng, and the others would directly charge 500,000 taels as membership fees, but considering that he had a good relationship with Cen, he didn't care about that much.
They had experienced the resources and benefits of the Panyu Chamber of Commerce when they were on the ship.
Especially Wu Yongfeng, if all the goods in his warehouse are cleared, the Wu family can come back to life.
"Hou Xian, take it!"
Zhu Xuan did not refuse Mr. Cen, and added: "In two days, I will give you a form, fill in the information, sign it, and officially join the membership. Our Panyu Chamber of Commerce will not treat any member badly."
They said in unison: "Thank you, Your Highness!"
Zhu Xuan said: "In addition, you can help me spread the news that our Panyu Chamber of Commerce has begun to recruit members. The membership fee is 500,000 taels, and then properly publicize the benefits of our chamber of commerce."
"Fifty thousand taels?"
Cen Jing exclaimed that the membership fee was so high. Fortunately, Cen joined the membership in time, but asked worriedly: "The membership fee is so high, is there anyone willing to join?"
They already think that one hundred thousand taels is very high. If it is five hundred thousand taels, it will be difficult for anyone to join.
Zhu Xuan said confidently: "If no one is willing to join now, there will only be a few of us as members for now, but in the near future, other businessmen will compete for those who are willing."
He represents the Ming Dynasty official, who has certain power and military strength.
A lot can be done with this.
"Does His Highness want to continue what he said before? All foreign merchants who want to trade in Guangdong must come to our trading port, and they must do it at the trading port, and they have to pay taxes?"
Wu Yongfeng thought about this.
If all foreign businessmen are guided to the trade port, those merchants will have no choice but to run to the trade port. They may indeed want to join the association. After all, joining the Panyu Chamber of Commerce will give you more advantages in trading.
"That's right!"
Zhu Xuan said: "I have already set the tax rate, and I am just waiting for the promotion and introduction of foreign businessmen. The foreign businessmen from the west are all attracted by the three people from Adelaide. As for the foreign businessmen from Nanyang, Ceylon, Tianfang and other regions..."
Zhu Xuan knew not many businessmen in those areas.
When I went there, although there was a round of publicity.
But on the way back, he did not stop and invited them back to Ming Dynasty, and said: "Wu Yongfeng, you used to go to sea often, and you should know many overseas businessmen. It is up to you to introduce them. I can temporarily lend you the Panyu ship." .”
Three warships, the Hongwu ship was used by Guo Ze to transport various parts and components back to Yingtian.
The Yingtian ship was refitted, maintained and repaired in Annan, preparing to sail to Europe again.
According to Guo Ze's work report yesterday, the fourth warship has entered the final stage.
After a while, another big ship will be able to go to sea.
In the future, when the Suez Canal is dug, it will be more convenient for Western merchants to come to Ming Dynasty, and it will be easier to bring them in. Zhu Xuan is not worried at all about Western merchants.
The current focus is how to attract foreign businessmen such as Nanyang who are relatively close to them.
"But Your Highness, this is a bit inappropriate."
Wu Yongfeng reminded.
Zhu Xuan asked: "What's wrong?"
Wu Yongfeng explained from the perspective of merchants: "The way of trade is controlled by the court, which will inevitably lead to low efficiency, serious smuggling and corruption. Official interference in business and forced increase of taxes can easily lead to civil dissatisfaction, smuggling is prevalent, and local officials accept bribes. Indulging businessmen in smuggling can lead to corruption."
Zhu Xuan has not considered this angle yet.
But thinking about it more deeply, Wu Yongfeng's concerns are justified.
In the past, when the sea ban was still there, they were used to smuggling. There were no miscellaneous taxes on smuggling, and there were no people or regulations to restrict them. They could do whatever they wanted.
Officials are also susceptible to corruption, which is difficult to avoid.
As soon as Zhu Xuan came, he brought many restrictions to them.
Malacca's tax collection has made many businessmen dissatisfied.
If the trading port imposes further compulsory restrictions, those merchants may go to Beijing to file a petition.
Business regulations and rules hundreds of years later do not seem to apply to the present Ming Dynasty.
Wu Yongfeng's reminder is not unreasonable.
