"How much concession do you think they can accept?" Ye Yongjia was flipping through the official documents sent by the Ministry of Education at his desk. He suddenly looked up at Wu Sixing, and then at Cai Xianqing who was standing aside.
"What do you dare to care about now?" Wu Sixing lowered his hands, looking pitiful, "It is a great gift that Niu Fengxiang allowed them to go ashore to set up a factory."
"Bishop Wu is just a person who works for them, but he seems to be so caring. He really values love and justice." Cai Xianqing sarcastically said.
"Oh, Mr. Cai..." Ye Yongjia hurriedly grabbed his arm.
Wu Sijing refused to defend himself, and still kept his head down and said: "I was entrusted by my old friend, so I worked tirelessly to help Mr. Ye. How dare I have other intentions? Besides, all the businessmen in Beitang are eagerly looking forward to each other. If they come back empty-handed, No one will trust me in the future. These words are spoken from the bottom of my heart. Mr. Cai will listen if he wants to, but Wu has a clear conscience anyway."
Seeing that he spoke clearly and sincerely, Cai Xianqing was speechless.
"Really...don't you have any demands?" Seeing that the argument was over, Ye Yongjia continued to ask.
"Well..." Bishop Wu pondered for a long time and smacked his lips, "Forget it. Please write out the content of the article first, and then give it to me to read."
"Okay, sir, wait for me." Ye Yongjia agreed readily, took a pen from the pen holder, spread out the white paper, and wrote quickly. It seemed that the omission had been written before half an hour had passed.
"I hope Mr. Ye can give me some advice." Ye Yongjia stood up and pulled the chair to make room for him. However, the latter showed humility and just borrowed a pair of glasses, supported the table with both hands, and lowered his head to look.
"Mostly good," he took off his glasses and put them back on the bookcase, "but there are still some areas worth discussing. For example, the section on transporting raw materials needs to be explained in detail."
"Can't they bear the cost?" Ye Yongjia asked.
"I talked with them the night before departure. Those four hope that the court can help a little and put in less effort, otherwise it will be difficult to do business."
Ye Yongjia and Cai Xianqing looked at each other in confusion and replied: "This should be possible. The imperial court can rent several Fuguang merchant ships and transport them by sea."
"It's best to write down the specific amount, so that they don't take advantage of the opportunity to extort money from the court."
"Also," Wu Sijing continued, "there is no regulation on how much power these merchants can exercise in the mainland. Your Excellency should also take this opportunity to ask the court's attitude."
Ye Yongjia could only nod his head frequently at this time, appreciating his opinions: "Sir, you have arranged everything so carefully. As a court official, I am ashamed of myself!"
Wu Sijing smiled politely and said "How dare you".
"Sir, do you have anything else to say?"
"No..." Before the words could be fully uttered, he suddenly rolled his eyes, moved his eyebrows, and immediately changed his words, "Yes, yes! The place where this gun factory will be opened has not yet been selected. Your Excellency should consider this carefully."
"Bishop, you are too impatient," Cai Xianqing replied before Ye Yongjia could. "The Ministry of Education has not approved the creation of a special case, let alone this matter? It is too early to talk about the site selection now."
Wu Sijing did not expect that this scheming guy had been paying attention to their conversation. He extremely regretted the negligence he had committed. At the same time, his hatred for Cai Xianqing deepened again. He could not even hide the expression on his face. He looked at his enemy as if he were an enemy. Staring at the Minister of War.
Fortunately, Ye Yongjia was impressed by his plan and was not a little wary. He immediately said: "The so-called preparation for a rainy day is what is most needed for the implementation of state affairs. Planning in advance is always a good thing. The bishop has this What do you think?"
Wu Sijing lowered his hands and bowed deeply: "Master Ye's plan is like a god. I am just adding color to it. How can I arbitrarily discuss state affairs! This matter needs to be discussed in detail with several merchants and the court. I came to Beijing in the name of an envoy. It will be inconvenient. Word."
"If the bishop is not tired, he can go back to Beitang and discuss the matter with Fan Shang. I will petition here to request an injunction. I will take care of both sides and settle the matter early to buy time for Suidi."
Wu Sijing said sternly: "With your instructions, how can Wu have a word of tiredness in his heart! I will set off immediately."
Ye Yongjia was greatly moved and bowed to him respectfully: "Then... Mr. Lao." After saying that, he sent two clerks to escort Wu Sixing out of the palace.
"Tinglong," Cai Xianqing sighed behind him, "Wu Sijing is very deceitful. He had the intention to kill you last time. This time he suddenly mentioned the site selection, it is clear that he wants to profit for himself. If he is allowed to go back, he will definitely encourage him. Fanshang, make them collude!"
"Then where do you think he will choose?"
"Does that need to be said? Of course it's Beitang! That place has almost become his territory. Setting up a firearms factory there might cause some trouble!" Cai Xianqing saw that he still didn't take it seriously and was quite angry.
"We don't need to mention this yet," Ye Yongjia waved his hand with a wry smile, "I also want to ask you why you came back from Suidi."
"You haven't returned to town for several days in a row. Governor Du knew that things were complicated and said that you couldn't live without me as your right and left arm, so he finally persuaded me to come back."
"So I didn't listen to Mr. Cai, his right-hand man, so I got so angry?" Ye Yongjia said with a smile.
"You still don't take my words seriously," Cai Xianqing became a little angry, "Do you dare to make a bet?"
"What bet?" Ye Yongjia asked blankly.
"Just bet on me!" Cai Xianqing slapped his chest, "If Wu Sijing doesn't set up his factory in Beitang, I will take off my military skin and go back to Qinhuai to work as an actor!"
The next day, Ye Yongjia finally revised the memorial, and according to Wu Sijing's requirements, he wrote everything he could on the paper. Niu Yuan was very satisfied and asked Ye Yongjia to go to Zhongshu Province to answer questions.
"Your memorial is comprehensive. You can copy down the important contents and make a note with the people." Niu Yuan looked at the memorial with a smile on his face. "As for the site selection you mentioned at the end, I will do it myself." I will send someone to argue with them. Is that Wu Sijing gone?"
"He left, but he completely agreed with the official's opinion and said that I could sign on his behalf."
"Okay, if this thing is done, it will be a great achievement for you," Niu Yuanxuan pressed the memorial on the table, "Sign it."
"Does everyone in Zhongshu Province agree?" Ye Yongjia actually felt that it was too smooth.
"It doesn't matter, these merchants can't change the world. I will bear the guilt." After Niu Yuan said lightly, he motioned for him to sign quickly.
Ye Yongjia no longer hesitated and wrote a few neat calligraphy characters in the blank spaces of the document - these few strokes represented the true beginning of the New Deal.
