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"I just said before that there is no possibility of cooperation between me and you regarding the Sichuan Salt matter, but if it is about other matters, I think the cooperation between us may still be great."
Zhao Junchen's words showed that there seemed to be room for cooperation between the two parties. However, the reaction of Lin Yunpu and others was not very enthusiastic, and there was a trace of hesitation and caution in their expressions.
Because they couldn't figure out what other projects they could cooperate with between the Huizhe Merchant Gang and Zhao Junchen besides the Sichuan Salt rectification matter.
Moreover, judging from Zhao Junchen's attitude, he was obviously unwilling to become the spokesperson of the Hui-Zhe merchant gang in the court. He was somewhat respectful of the Hui-Zhe merchant gang, for fear that he would be involved and arouse the suspicion of Emperor Deqing.
Based on usual experience, the so-called "cooperative relationship" between court officials and Huizhou-Zhejiang merchant gangs usually involves court officials giving certain conveniences to Huizhou-Zhejiang merchant gangs and then spending a few thousand taels of silver to "purchase" them from them. "A large number of shares are invested, and then they receive dozens of times the amount of money in dividends every year. But at the same time, if the trend of the court changes and there is a crisis in the Anhui and Zhejiang merchant gangs, these court officials will distance themselves from themselves in the shortest possible time. In the relationship with the Huizhou-Zhejiang Business Gang, there will never be any idea of "sharing weal and woe". It is called "cooperation", but in fact it is just using power for personal gain and using power to oppress others. In such a cooperative state, the Hui-Zhejiang Business Gang Although we will reap many benefits, we will also lose a lot of benefits, and we have no long-term sense of security. We can only take one step at a time.
Is it possible that Zhao Junchen also wants such "cooperation"?
If this is the case, Lin Yunpu and others will naturally not be happy. After all, the Hui-Zhejiang Merchant Gang has already unblocked all the joints that should be unblocked. Even if they get Zhao Junchen's help, it will be just the icing on the cake. It will not benefit them much, but it will give Zhao Junchen many benefits. It is a deal that is not cost-effective.
The Huizhe Business Gang really wants to establish a cooperative relationship with Zhao Junchen. But this cooperative relationship is closer than the former - Zhao Junchen became the spokesperson of the Hui-Zhe merchant gang in the court, fighting for the interests of the Hui-Zhe merchant gang in the temple center, and the Hui-Zhe merchant gang provided Zhao Junchen with all kinds of help. The two parties are mutually beneficial and win-win, and become a community of interests. They can share wealth and adversity, instead of the Hui-Zhejiang merchant gang becoming Zhao Junchen's daily cash machine. Once something goes wrong, the Huizhou-Zhejiang Merchant Gang will have to bear it alone - similar cooperation is enough for the Hui-Zhejiang Merchant Gang.
Precisely because of this suspicion that Zhao Junchen just wanted to forcefully buy the stocks in their firm, Lin Yunpu and others were not only not excited nor eager after hearing Zhao Junchen's words. Instead, there was some reluctance and hesitation.
However, with Zhao Junchen's current power and influence, if he really wanted to forcefully buy the stocks in their firm, Lin Yunpu and others would not be able to refuse, so they could only reluctantly cut off the flesh.
Therefore, while hesitating and being cautious, Lin Yunpu tried to say: "But I don't know how you want to cooperate with us, sir? My business has made money in these years. If you, sir, want to take a share, I can give you something. Your certain discounts and annual routine dividends will definitely make you satisfied."
After hearing Lin Yunpu's temptation. Zhao Junchen shook his head and laughed: "Boss Lin misunderstood, it's not that I want to forcefully buy the shares of your firm and take advantage of you... Well, but I didn't make it clear. To be precise, it's not that I personally want to To cooperate with you, it is the Ministry of Household Affairs that I represent that wants to cooperate with your Hui-Zhejiang Merchant Gang."
"Hubu?" Lin Yunpu was slightly startled. Then I felt vaguely that the Minister of Revenue in front of me seemed to be making some big move. Then Lin Yunpu's expression became serious and he said: "I am stupid. I don't understand your meaning. I hope you can explain it in detail."
Zhao Junchen nodded and said: "This is just an immature idea of mine, but if nothing else happens, this idea should be supported by His Majesty... That is, the Ministry of Household Affairs will come forward to form a group with court background. The cargo shipping company is responsible for the shipping business of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. Since the national treasury is not very rich, the cargo ships, manpower, funds, etc. in this shipping company are all provided by your Hui-Zhejiang Merchant Gang, and the Ministry of Accounts is responsible for providing them. We will provide some preferential policies and dispatch supervisors to ensure the normal operation of this shipping company. 40% of the shares of this shipping company will be held by the household department, and the remaining shares will be allocated internally by the Huizhou-Zhejiang Merchant Gang... What do you think?"
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Lin Yunpu and others subconsciously frowned, feeling that Zhao Junchen's proposal was of no benefit to the Huizhou-Zhejiang merchant gang.
First of all, according to Zhao Junchen’s idea, the Hui-Zhe merchants’ gang provided all the cargo ships, manpower, and funds for this shipping company. It can be said that the Hui-Zhe merchants provided everything, and the court did not pay anything, but only gave Just to get some preferential policies, it will take up 40% of the shares. This account is not worthwhile no matter how you calculate it.
Secondly, the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal was the most important shipping route and economic artery in the Ming Dynasty, and it was also the most prosperous. It can be imagined that there were countless shipping companies and cargo ships that relied on this canal to make profits, and there was competition pressure among the shipping companies. It is very large, and the profit margin has been compressed to the extreme. It is not difficult to make money in this business, but it is absolutely impossible to make big money. With large investment and low income, it is not a good choice.
Finally, and most importantly, most of the Anhui and Zhejiang merchant gangs make profits through smuggling and private salt, and most of these businesses are conducted through the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. Therefore, once this shipping company is established and there are inspectors stationed by the Ministry of Household Affairs, it will bring great inconvenience to the Hui-Zhe merchant gang’s smuggling and private salt business. As a result, the Hui-Zhe merchant gang will not only be unable to obtain If the benefits are too great, it will affect your original business, which will naturally lead to extreme losses.
Lin Yunpu, Bai Mingyu, and Dai Fengfu were all shrewd and experienced businessmen, so they quickly understood the pros and cons, but felt that Zhao Junchen's proposal was whimsical and did not take into account the interests of their Huizhou and Zhejiang merchants at all.
Therefore, Bai Mingyu, the youngest and most energetic among the three, had to speak first and reject Zhao Junchen's proposal on behalf of the Hui-Zhejiang Merchant Gang.
However, before Bai Mingyu could speak, Lin Yunpu reached out to stop him.
Lin Yunpu keenly felt that the focus and core of Zhao Junchen's proposal should be the "preferential policy" provided by the court. Before asking what this "preferential policy" was, Lin Yunpu did not intend to reject Zhao Junchen in a hurry. proposal.
What's more, according to Lin Yunpu's observation, Zhao Junchen's every move, word and deed has profound meaning, and he should never be a whimsical, self-righteous mediocre person.
So, after stopping Bai Mingyu, Lin Yunpu asked cautiously: "I hope you can tell me, sir, what kind of preferential policies can the court provide once this shipping company is established?"
Seeing that Lin Yunpu finally understood his point, Zhao Junchen's eyes flashed with appreciation and he slowly replied: "The establishment of this shipping company has three purposes. One is to monopolize the shipping business of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal and thereby increase the revenue of the treasury. , the second is to suppress the smuggling phenomenon that has been repeatedly banned in the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal, and increase tax revenue for the court. The third is to reduce and reduce the phenomenon of arbitrary tax collection along the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, providing convenience for merchants and people... Therefore, the court provided this shipping company with The preferential policy is... tax-free!"
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…(To be continued)
