The battleship Taishan's boiler was started, and it led the Royal Navy fleet of the Great China Empire to leave Jing'an Port with billowing black smoke.
The fleet continued south along the coast.
Su Shu had a bad relationship with King Cao Li Dazhuang because of his second brother Su Lei.
The Cao State launched the first war between vassal states, provoking the order maintained by the Great China Empire.
He and King Cao Li Dazhuang maintained superficial harmony for various reasons.
Su Shu only knew some of the superficial situation of Cao State. He wanted to know more deeply, which immediately aroused the displeasure of Cao King Li Dazhuang.
At this moment, news came that the fleet was under repair.
They took advantage of this step to leave Cao State and continue their journey south.
Su Shu looked at Staff Officer Lu Yuanqi who was wiping his sweat.
His mission just now was to command other warships in the army through semaphores and follow the battleship Taishan.
Su Shu looked at Staff Officer Lu Yuanqi and said with emotion: "The industrial level of the empire is really outstanding.
The fleet is on the sea and travels thousands of miles.
The battleship Taishan indicated that the propeller bearings were worn, and some cylinders and sealing valves of the steam engine were replaced.
The core power system of the battleship Taishan still remains intact, and there are no major problems.
The rest of the cruisers also had no major problems.
This is incredible, it means that as long as there is a war anywhere in the world, the Imperial Royal Navy can rush to the battlefield.
The empire's ability to control the world has been greatly enhanced by the emergence of the battleship Tarzan. "
When Staff Officer Lu Yuanqi heard Su Shu's emotion, he also looked proud.
As a member of the Imperial Royal Navy, he felt honored to see the Imperial Navy develop and grow.
Staff Officer Lu Yuanqi recalled the explanation given by Chief of Staff Cao Zhengyuan, and he asked: "Xiao Su, when we go south, we will encounter Lugang, the largest port in Cao State, whether we will stop there.
After crossing Lugang, you will enter the territory of Qi State, which has only one port on the west coast.
Then we will go around the southernmost tip of America and head to the west coast of America.
The east coast of America has only our Han influence, while the west coast of America is even more complicated.
Entering the west coast of the Americas, the fleet will also be more vigilant and will not be so arbitrary. "
Staff Officer Lu Yuanqi was testing Su Shu's thoughts and conveying the news to him at the same time.
Let Su and Shu be mentally prepared. They are likely to encounter war on the west coast of America.
Staff Officer Lu Yuanqi has seen people who boast before a war and then wet their pants when faced with a war.
He came into contact with Su Shu. Su Shu was not so timid, but it was still necessary to be mentally prepared for war.
When Su Shu heard the news, he said honestly: "We still have to visit the largest port in Cao State.
As for the subsequent arrangements for the fleet, I am a soldier. I always keep my identity in mind and follow military orders in everything. "
Su Shu was not in a complacent mood. He knew that he could only obtain the greatest benefits by integrating into the navy.
…………………………
Su Shu stood on the deck of the battleship Taishan, looking at the busy port ahead.
There is an endless stream of ships from all over the country, constantly coming in and out of the port.
The busy scene of this port is much busier than that of Golden Port.
No wonder there are not many ships coming and going from Jing'an Port. The size of Cao State is simply not enough to build two major ports.
After hearing the report from his subordinates, Chief of Staff Cao Zhengyuan said helplessly: "Lu Port is not a military port, but the most prosperous commercial terminal in Cao State.
This port cannot accommodate the fleet, so it can only stay in the open sea. We took a small boat to the dock. "
After hearing this, Su Shu said happily: "This is also a good opportunity. Even if we don't get off the warship, we can hide our identities and understand the true side of Cao State.
We hid our identities, put on regular clothes and headed to Lugang. "
Su Shu's proposal was approved by Chief of Staff Cao Zhengyuan.
The Imperial Navy fleet just wanted to replenish some fresh water and food at Port Lu.
Whatever Su Shu wanted to do, he would accompany him to the end.
After getting everyone's consent, Su Shu immediately expressed his thoughts and assigned everyone their respective identities.
He immediately returned to his dormitory, pulled out a box from under the bed, and rummaged through it to find a metal sign made of aluminum.
This is a specially made identity plate for the Nanyang Chamber of Commerce of the Great China Empire. Having this identity plate represents the Nanyang Chamber of Commerce.
Identity tags made of aluminum cannot be counterfeited and are highly confidential.
Su Shu put on a suit of silk and satin, and staff officer Lu Yuanqi was carrying a camera case beside him.
Chief of Staff Cao Zhengyuan put on his official uniform. He showed a smooth smile and looked like a shrewd businessman.
Staff Officer Lu Yuanqi looked at the camera in his hand and said with envy: "This is a rare item, one costs tens of thousands of taels of silver coins.
Silk and satin are not a symbol of the rich. This is really a symbol of the rich. If you don't have money, let alone a camera, you can't even buy film. "
They put on this outfit, the guards acted as bodyguards, and entered Lugang on a cargo ship.
Their group entered the port separately from the Fleet Logistics Department ship, hiding their identities.
Cao Guolu Port is a developed trading port, and their identity verification is very loose.
As long as he pays taxes normally, anyone can complete transactions at the port, and no one will find out his identity.
Su Shu looked domineering. He walked on the street of the port and observed the situation in the port.
The situation in Lugang still retains the strict order of Cao State.
But there are merchants from all over the world here, and they don’t have to follow the laws of Cao State. It seems to be more free than other cities in Cao State.
Su Shu stopped from time to time and asked Lu Yuanqi to take out his camera and take pictures of himself.
This behavior directly caused a sensation.
Since its birth, cameras have gone through several generations of innovation and are now mass-produced.
But it is still a toy for the rich. Without a net worth of millions of silver coins, he cannot even afford a camera, let alone a camera.
Businessmen in Lugang come from all over the world. They may not be willing to buy cameras, but they have all seen cameras.
At least they had seen the photos taken by the camera in newspapers.
When I see a young man asking his subordinates to take pictures, I don't have to think carefully to know that this is the noble son having fun.
After Su Shu caused a sensation, he came to the real target, the branch set up here by the Nanyang Chamber of Commerce.
The group of them walked into the Nanyang Chamber of Commerce and were greeted by the guests who immediately bowed and saluted with great respect.
These people have been trained for a long time, and they can judge a person's approximate net worth just by looking at his temperament and clothing, let alone someone who caused a sensation in the port.
Su Shu directly took out the metal sign, slapped it on the front desk, and said in an extremely arrogant tone: "Do you know this thing? Call your shopkeeper over."
The steward at the front desk saw the metal sign Su Shu took out.
He was immediately shocked. Even in the Nanyang Chamber of Commerce, less than twenty of this metal plate were issued.
Every family that controls him has huge influence in the Nanyang Chamber of Commerce.
The steward handed back the metal plate with both hands, bowed and said in salute: "Sir, I will call the shopkeeper over immediately. Please wait in the private room for a moment."
The steward signaled the guests to take Su Shu and his party to the single room where the distinguished guests were received. He immediately went upstairs to see the shopkeeper.
As soon as Su Shu sat on the chair, he immediately heard the sound of someone running on the stairs.
Soon the door to the single room opened, and a middle-aged man with a solemn expression opened the door.
"The younger one's name is Du Fuling. Please, sir, let me take a look at my identity tag."
Du Fuling knew the importance of the identity card. He was afraid that the supervisor would misjudge him. Even if it offended someone, he had to confirm the authenticity of the identity card.
Su Shu casually threw the metal sign at Du Fuling.
Du Fuling used her flexibility far beyond her body to steadily take the metal plate and confirm its authenticity.
He returned the identity tag with both hands and saluted respectfully: "Young Master, I have offended you so much, please forgive me.
If you have any orders, please give them to me immediately. "
Su Shu waved his hands and said helplessly: "My grandfather insisted on opening up the American market.
I don't know much about the situation here in America. Could you please introduce it to me.
There is no need to introduce the public information. I want to hear some information that cannot be seen in newspapers. "
When Du Fuling heard that he was just asking for information, his nervous expression immediately relaxed.
He sat respectfully opposite Su Shu and told him the information he knew.
“Sir, if we businessmen want to do big business, we must pay close attention to the specialties of various countries.
You don’t look down on the small businesses of ordinary merchants either.
With the resources you have at your disposal, you can definitely do business directly with dignitaries from various countries.
Zhao's specialty is gold, and they are relatively short of food.
Exchanging grain for gold is a very affordable deal.
But food is not yet hard currency. Here in America, arms are.
If arms can be obtained, then there is no commodity that cannot be bought, no matter how precious it is.
Xiangguo's specialty is silver, and this channel has been monopolized.
There are many gold diggers in Zhao State, and you can exchange gold from gold diggers.
All the silver in Xiangguo is in the hands of the government, and it is difficult for ordinary businessmen to access it.
But in addition to the lack of arms, Xiangguo also lacked medicine.
If you can get medicines like penicillin and artemisinin, you can definitely get a lot of silver in Xiangguo. "
When Su Shu heard this, he asked in surprise: "Every country in the Americas is short of arms, I have heard this too.
Without a gun in your hand, you can't sleep peacefully.
I have heard people in Cao say that if my neighbor collects grain, I will collect guns, and my neighbor is my granary.
From the fact that they fired the first shot to seize Xiang Guo's territory, we can also see that Cao Guo's martial virtue is abundant.
But only Xiangguo lacks medicines. I don’t understand this situation. Could it be that Xiangguo has too many patients. "
Su Shu also knew something about the system of exporting medicines in the Great China Empire.
The empire only keeps the drug production technology absolutely confidential, and the drugs have always been exported normally.
Not to mention being a vassal country, these medicines were exported directly to Europe and became treasures that European nobles were eager to grab.
Du Fuling's expression changed and she whispered: "Little ancestor! Be careful.
You are in Cao State now, so you can't just talk nonsense.
We are just businessmen. Even if we donate our titles, we will not be favored by the officials.
You must know that trouble comes from the mouth. As long as you are locked in a prison, how much money can be extorted. "
Du Fuling just gave a brief warning. If anything happens under his nose, it has nothing to do with him.
He continued to answer: "The empire exports very few drugs, and there is a certain fixed amount based on the population every year.
It's barely enough for personal use, but who doesn't know that Xiangguo is a big sieve, where smuggling by nobles is rampant.
Not to mention medicines, they even dared to sell steam engines and firearms to Westerners. "
When Su Shu heard this, he immediately stood up with a cold expression.
"Shopkeeper Du, what you said is true."
He didn't expect those insects in Xiang State to be so bold and dare to sell out the skills they need to survive.
Du Fuling said mockingly: "This matter is an open secret in the business circle.
Not to mention these technologies in Xiangguo, some people dared to directly sell the artillery in the army.
Everyone is rumoring that the King of Xiang, Su Li, is dying, and while the country of Xiang is still alive, he will use his power to make a fortune. "
When Su Shu heard this situation, he was helpless.
This is a sign of national destruction. Countries in all dynasties will be destroyed, and the officials and dignitaries who hold power all have this face.
He must report this situation to his father. Once it is confirmed to be true, the empire must intervene in Xiangguo's situation.
Su Shu waved his hand feebly, indicating to Shopkeeper Du to continue.
Du Fuling wiped the sweat from her forehead, this young man had too strong aura.
“The specialty of Cao State is the fish outside Lugang.
This may be a chosen place. There are indescribably many fish on the sea not far from the port.
Lugang can also dry salt here, and you can directly pickle the fish you catch.
The salted fish specialty of Cao State is cheap, only slightly more expensive than the same weight of salt. The salted fish is also very delicious.
Our chamber of commerce opened a cannery in Lugang, specializing in canned fish and meat.
The fish sold by Cao State can bring a huge income to Cao State.
Cao State also sells some minerals, which is not something ordinary people can mix with.
The specialties of Qi State are more precious, but ordinary people cannot buy them.
Qi State discovered a huge saltpeter mine. It was said that it was so huge that it supplied the empire, and the minerals were more than enough.
The price of saltpeter has remained high. It is the raw material for various gunpowders and fertilizers.
Just this industry can make Qi State have no worries about food and drink.
I think the young master would never have thought of the specialties of the Wei State.
It is rumored outside that they are all grain and wood, but these raw materials are far from being called specialties. Its specialty is actually steel. "
Su Shu's eyes widened and he couldn't believe it.
"How is this possible? A country's specialties must be irreplaceable.
The empire's iron smelting industry was so developed, how could Wei's steel become a specialty. "
Du Fuling saw Su Shu's shocked performance and said: "I just got the news and I was very shocked.
But the fact is that it is the same iron smelting technology.
The quality of the steel produced by Wei is better than that of the empire.
The steel produced in Wei has excellent toughness and hardness.
The empire is now good at various powerful alloys, but the quality of steel feels inferior to that of Wei.
What is the specific reason? As a businessman like me, I don’t know the inside story.
But Wei's steel is very popular here in the Americas, directly beating down the soaring iron prices. "
Su Shu left the Chamber of Commerce after learning about some conditions on the American continent from a businessman's perspective.
He had a hunch that the situation of Cao Guo's steam engine was related to Wei Guo Iron and Steel. This was the only thing that surprised him.
Cao Guo's affairs have not come to light, and Su Shu has many more doubts in his heart.
The fleet will arrive in Wei soon. When they meet Uncle Su Hu, they should get the answer. (End of chapter)
