When the food and wine were served, the two of them naturally started eating and drinking by changing glasses. The conversation naturally turned to the battle on the border patrol. Liu Haojia didn't hide anything, and made it clear about the tactics he used and the situation at the time.
After hearing this, Zhang Jingping said with emotion: "I only know that firearms are sharp, but I didn't expect that I have already built them to such an extent! If the border troops can use such firearms, their chances of winning when fighting with the Japanese will increase. a bit!"
Liu Haojia himself had the idea of selling firearms to them, so he nodded and said, "That's true! These guns and artillery are all produced by ourselves, and they are really convenient to use! If Mr. Zhang wants to buy them, he can do it now. Sell a batch to adults at a low price!"
Zhang Jingping raised his eyebrows in interest and said, "Oh, I wonder how much silver a fire gun costs?"
Liu Haojia didn't lie, and directly quoted him a price that was not very profitable, saying: "A fire gun, including the bayonet, costs eighteen taels of silver!"
Zhang Jingping frowned slightly when he heard this! Upon seeing this, Liu Haojia hurriedly explained to him the casting and manufacturing process of the fire gun and the use of raw materials. Finally, he said: "The price is not high anymore, so you just need to know the price and don't spread it to the outside world!"
Zhang Jingping is also a veteran military leader, so he naturally knows the price of weapons well. After hearing what Liu Haojia said, he naturally knew that the price was indeed a very favorable price. Although it is more expensive than the fire blunderbuss made by the imperial court, it is completely worth the money, even great value! So he nodded and said, "This price is very reasonable!"
But then he changed the subject and never mentioned the purchase of firearms again. Liu Haojia sighed inwardly when he saw this, knowing that Zhang Jingping had completely lost his enterprising spirit, so he stopped mentioning firearms.
When both of them were feeling a little excited, Zhang Jingping said: "I heard that this time we returned with a great victory and brought back many heads, and also gave my useless nephew twenty heads?"
Liu Haojia said: "It's true! Brother Zhang and I hit it off and helped me purchase a lot of supplies, so I gave some as gifts."
Zhang Jingping smiled and said, "That's a sign of your gratitude! But I have something to discuss with Mr. Marquis. I just want to buy a batch of heads from You."
After finishing speaking, Zhang Jingping raised his glass and toasted with emotion and said with emotion: "The Marquis also started his career with bare hands, and he also knows how difficult it is for me and other warriors to get a title! But now the border is getting more and more peaceful, and occasionally some Mongolians cross the border to fight Grass Valley is also difficult to capture, so he has no military merit! But I always want to pass on this title. Unfortunately, this title is a title, not a Spyker, so I put my idea to the Marquis. Please forgive me!"
Liu Haojia waved his hand and said: "We are all nobles, so naturally we should work together to help each other! So what do you mean, you want to get a batch of heads to report your merits?"
Zhang Jingping nodded and said: "That's true! But don't worry, I will definitely pay a good price for these first-level heads! How about this, I will give fifty taels for each head domino, and I want three hundred!"
Liu Haojia was silent after hearing this. But he knew that the price was already quite expensive! Under normal circumstances, the price of a head sold at the border is around 35 taels. If there are dominoes, they can be sold for about forty taels. Zhang Jingping gave fifty taels, which is already very impressive!
Zhang Jingping felt a little anxious when he saw Liu Haojia not speaking for a long time, and said, "Also, I wonder if this is feasible? If you think the money is not enough, I can add more!"
Liu Haojia waved his hand and said: "You misunderstood this matter. You have already paid enough money. What I really want is another thing!"
Zhang Jingping was a little unhappy after hearing this! I'm here to talk to you about such a serious matter, but you're distracted! But when he asked Liu Haojia for help, he could only remain silent.
Of course Liu Haojia could tell that he was unhappy, so he hurriedly picked up his glass and toasted him and said, "Actually, although I was thinking about another thing, it is also related to this matter."
Zhang Jingping felt much better after hearing this. He put down his glass and said, "Oh, I'd like to hear the details!"
Liu Haojia also put down his glass and said seriously: "Zhang
Sir, if you want three hundred dominoes, that's fine. I won't charge you a penny and I'll give them all to you! In addition, I also want to start a business with you! You don't have to pay any capital, as long as you can maintain the safety of the store and be able to buy and sell equally. As for dividing the accounts, I’ll give you two! "
Zhang Jingping felt very happy when he heard that the matter of the first level could be implemented. In addition, Liu Haojia also talked about doing business, which made him even more energetic! He immediately twirled his beard and said with a smile: "You are still looking down on others! My Zhang family has built up some foundation over the years, and we also have some connections in the northwest! I just don't know what kind of business I want to do?"
Liu Haojia rubbed the wine glass with his hand and said two words: "Food!"
Zhang Jingping was stunned when he heard this, and then he frowned! Because he knows that other businesses may be easy to talk about, but there are two businesses in the northwest that are really difficult to get involved in! One is business on the grassland, and the other is food!
Needless to say, business outside the border wall, those who dare to do this kind of business are people with a great background! There are often several powerful families behind a caravan, and he is just guarding the gate to collect some filial money.
Another piece of grain would be even more extraordinary, and it was no longer something that small forces could mix with! The people standing behind the grain merchants are all from aristocratic families!
As for whether Jiubian is short of food? Of course there is a shortage of food! Now the price of grain in the northwest is more than three times higher than that in the capital. It is still cheap and has no market! The soldiers themselves don't have much pay, and it would be even better if they fall into their hands after being deducted at all levels. They can barely keep the family fed and clothed! Only those who guard special positions can receive tribute from the caravan, and the lives of the soldiers below will be easier. But even so, few people dare to get involved in the food business!
Thinking of this, Zhang Jingping hesitated for a moment and then received: "Master Hou, doing the grain business requires a lot of capital! And there must be enough sources of grain. These cannot be planned in a moment! And you are involved in Jiubian The court may not agree to the food supply!"
Liu Haojia received it directly: "Don't be afraid, there is actually a precedent to follow, it is the opening method!"
To put it simply, the so-called Kaizhong method means that merchants send grain to the border and return to the Central Plains in exchange for a certain amount of salt based on the amount of grain sent. Then he sold the salt for silver.
