"The waves and the bumping of the boat have made me exhausted and sleepy. Why don't I take a rest? Is it difficult to adapt to the bed here?" Zhang Yinian said in a gentle tone. He was quite satisfied with Zhang Chaoguang, a descendant of the clan. , not too impetuous, and respectful enough to him.
"Thank you for your concern, second uncle!" Zhang Chaoguang said with a smile: "My nephew is young, so this storm is not worth mentioning. Besides, he has rested for more than two hours, and the soft couch in the house is very comfortable. However, my nephew has a whim and constant thoughts. I can't sleep, and I want to delay my second uncle for a while to solve my doubts!"
"Family, there's no need to be so polite! Your father left you in my care, so I have to take good care of you!" Zhang Yinian responded, clapped his hands outside and said, "Come here, bring some wine and some food!"
Not long after waiting, two maids came in with wine and wine vessels to wait on them. The uncle and nephew changed positions and sat across from each other. Zhang Yinian said: "Try the local coconut wine to relieve fatigue. It has a unique flavor!"
Zhang Chaoguang immediately became interested and said with a smile: "You're welcome, nephew. If you please, second uncle, I'll give you a toast!"
Probably because he thought it tasted good, he drank one cup and asked the maid to fill it up. After drinking another cup, Zhang Chaoguang let out a sigh of relief. Seeing this, Zhang Yinian waved his hand: "You guys, step back, there is no need to wait here!"
The two maids bent down and slowly retreated, leaving room for the two of them to talk.
Facing Zhang Yinian's gaze, Zhang Chaoguang thought for a while and said: "Second uncle, I went to sea this time to have a career, run some industries, and make some money. Along the way, I have really gained a lot of experience and learned a lot. Many. However, my nephew is a little confused as to how to start and what kind of business he should engage in. I would like to ask my second uncle for advice!"
"I'm worried!" Zhang Yinian smiled and said: "When I first went to sea, I only built two boats, recruited some villagers and sailors, sold some porcelain, silk, and tea from the south of the Yangtze River, and exchanged them for To obtain their gold, silver, copper and iron, they first went to Annan, then Champa, Chenla, and gradually went south. Later, spices became popular, so they naturally participated. Today, thousands of sails are racing on the Nanyang route, and commodity trade is still the mainstream. Heavy profits!
However, traveling on the sea is hard work and dangerous, so it is not suitable for you, but you can participate in the spice trade. In order to make a living, I can introduce you to a few spice dealers, and work with them to purchase Nanyang spices and transport them back to China for sale."
"Spice is indeed a good business, but there are too many people engaged in it now!" Zhang Chaoguang thought for a while and said, "Besides, any of the second uncle's subordinates can do such a thing."
Hearing this, Zhang Yinian smiled and said: "The competition for spices is indeed becoming more and more intense. Most of the spices in Southeast Asia are monopolized by a few big families. My Zhang family is one of them. Most people just share some soups and water. For you, there really isn’t much of a challenge!”
After a pause, Zhang Yinian asked again: "Are you interested in the timber business?"
"Wood?" Zhang Chaoguang was stunned for a moment and asked doubtfully: "The Han Dynasty has a vast land and abundant resources, so there is still a shortage of wood? What's more, transporting wood all the way from Southeast Asia to the country, can it be profitable?"
"If it's unprofitable, how can I mention it?" Zhang Yinian said lightly: "Of course what I'm talking about is not ordinary wood, but ship wood. In this treasure land of Nanyang, wood that has been matured for hundreds of years can be found everywhere, like ironwood and teak. , of high quality, are excellent shipbuilding raw materials, and are also favored by large and small shipyards in China. Do you know why I can buy the Haifeng for only 20,000 yuan? In addition to money, I also gave 5 yuan to Runzhou Shipyard. Hundreds of eight-hundred-year-old ironwood trees!”
Speaking of this, Zhang Yinian couldn't help showing a bit of pride: "Not everyone can buy the treasure ship built by Runzhou Chang, and not everyone is qualified to spend the 20,000 yuan!"
Looking at Zhang Chaoguang thoughtfully, Zhang Yinian pointed to the big project in the house and said: "It's still those nanmu and sandalwood, which are not common even in China. They are precious wood and can be sold to those furniture factories, and they are happy to do so. Buy at a great price!
The transportation problem is easy to solve. The only difficulty is logging. However, in Southeast Asia, where natives are everywhere, the cost of logging with these barbarians is very low. The Zhang family has several cooperating indigenous tribes in Boni Country to the east. It is more convenient to buy good wood from them! "
Hearing what Zhang Yinian said, Zhang Chaoguang was moved, but after thinking about it, he said, "I wonder if there is any other business?"
Hearing this, Zhang Yinian still looked calm and said: "Of course there is. A large number of big food and Tianzhu merchants come to Liangping Island every year, and they often bring Western goods. Many of them are popular even in China. Welcome. Many of them go to Liangping Island, and you can trade with them. This matter is also not difficult."
Of course, what Zhang Yinian said was not difficult was only for a big family like theirs. After a pause, he added: "There are also local pearls, agates, tortoise shells, and even some novel animals, which can be sold to the country. Even sea salt, the Bo Ni country is good at boiling sea salt. Although the quality is average, the benefits of salt are , I think you know it too!"
"Salt!" Zhang Chaoguang's eyes lit up, but he soon showed a hint of hesitation: "Second uncle, although the transshipment and sale of salt has been liberalized in China, the major salt farms are still government-run and strictly controlled! There are risks involved in exporting salt from overseas to the country. .”
"It's good that you realize this!" Zhang Yinian smiled slightly and praised: "Our Zhang family, of course, cannot be like those salt lords. We can cooperate with domestic salt farms. I have always had this intention, but it has not been launched yet. If you If you are interested, you can give it a try. I estimate that there are not a few people who are eyeing this business!"
Zhang Chaoguang nodded and fell into thought. Seeing this, Zhang Yinian continued to take out the "goods" in his stomach, and said slowly: "At the worst, you can also follow the example of some people and enclose some land in the islands, hire some people, and cultivate and grow food. The land and climate conditions in Nanyang , I think you have heard about it. Over the past year, the price of food in Han Dynasty has been gradually rising. Although it is far away, it is still profitable. What's more, food is the foundation of the people. This business, even if the profit is less, is of special value. !”
After a moment of silence, Zhang Chaoguang frowned, looked at Zhang Yinian, and gritted his teeth and said, "I dare to ask my second uncle, who is the most profitable person in Nanyang trade?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yinian smiled faintly: "If you are not afraid of danger, you can bring some people to mine! Gold mines, silver mines, in terms of benefits, I am afraid there is no one that can exceed this! However, prospecting is not an easy task. It is full of Danger, not to mention the harsh environment, deep in the mountains and old forests, snakes, insects, rats and ants, which can kill people at every turn.
In addition, the mine is likely to be located deep in the territory, surrounded by barbarians, and there is always the risk of being attacked. It is even common for gold prospectors in the country to attack each other. Those who come to Nanyang to hunt for gold are all outlaws, and they don’t care who you are or what family you are from.”
As soon as Zhang Yinian finished speaking and the wine glass was put to his mouth, Zhang Chaoguang said firmly: "Second uncle, I am willing to go gold mining, please support me!"
Seeing his statement, Zhang Yinian was surprised: "Confirm it!"
Zhang Chaoguang nodded solemnly: "Since we are going to Nanyang, we will naturally do business with ten or a hundred times the profit!"
Zhang Yinian hesitated, thought for a while, and said: "Actually, if you still want to have an official career, you can think of a way overseas. Look at Liangping County, even a mere branch of the Liu family can be ranked as a county official. You If you want"
Before Zhang Yinian could finish speaking, Zhang Chaoguang said: "Second uncle, I have decided!"
Seeing that he could not be persuaded, Zhang Yinian could only sigh with emotion: "I never thought that you would choose this road. The end of the gold mining road may be brilliant and glorious, but along the way, there are thorns and bones everywhere. However, since you If you are determined, I will naturally give you my full support!”
"Thank you, second uncle!" Zhang Chaoguang stood up and bowed solemnly.
"One more thing, you have to understand!" Zhang Yinian nodded and said solemnly: "Why so many noble families are eager to go south? It's not just that Nanyang can provide them with wealth, but also because, in this wild overseas land, everything is It grows barbarically, and there are not so many rules and regulations at home. The methods that cannot be used at home have no restrictions overseas. Beheading is a capital offense at home, but you can get promoted and make a fortune overseas. This is the charm of Nanyang."
(End of chapter)
