Xu Ruolin and Mrs. Xu went to Zuo Mengeng and told her about the leather shoes.
This made Zuo Mengeng quite happy. He didn't expect that Jiangnan people's business acumen was so sharp.
Of course he knew there would be a market for leather shoes.
After all, in later generations, leather shoes had a wide audience. Even though leather shoes cannot become mainstream nowadays, they will definitely win the favor of many people due to their exquisiteness and comfort.
"Since it was discussed by you sisters, then you can discuss it and get it done."
Zuo Mengeng became the hands-off shopkeeper and left this matter to Mrs. Xu herself.
Xu Ruolan didn't expect him to be so generous, but she admired his straightforwardness.
"Zhongheng trusts me, naturally, because we are all real relatives. Women of my generation don't have much knowledge, so I can manage these chores and make ends meet. It's just that we need to consult Zhongheng for some regulations."
Zuo Mengeng is happy to see the success of everything in the business field.
"If the eldest sister has any questions, the younger brother will tell you everything he knows."
Xu Ruolan mentioned a difficulty.
"When we were discussing just now, Ruolin insisted that the leather shoe workshop be located in Shandong. But everyone thinks that since Jiangnan is prosperous and business is easy, it is better to place it in Jiangnan. I wonder what Zhongheng means?"
Zuo Mengeng looked at Xu Ruolin, wanting to know her insistence intention.
Xu Ruolin was drinking tea by herself, as if the matter had nothing to do with her.
But her little actions still made Zuo Mengeng understand that this daughter-in-law was afraid that it would be difficult to control the property if it was far away. If you make a wedding dress for someone else, it won’t be beautiful.
Although Xu Ruolan and others are her biological sisters, the married girl throws water on her, and Xu Ruolin must consider the Zuo family no matter what in the future.
Understanding this intention, how could Zuo Mengeng not be moved?
However, he felt that the Xu women's ideas were a bit too simple.
"From a market point of view, it is the best choice to place the workshop in Jiangnan..."
Xu Ruolan and others looked happy, but then they were shocked by Zuo Mengeng's words.
"But I am a bit unclear, so I would like to ask my eldest sister to clarify my doubts. Is there enough supply of leather goods in Jiangnan?"
Well, Xu Ruolan and others have nothing to do.
In today's Ming Dynasty, cotton spinning, silk spinning, linen spinning and other crafts are very sophisticated and developed, but wool spinning and tanning are not.
The reason lies in the limitations of raw materials.
The Ming Dynasty prohibited the slaughter of farm cattle, and there were few large livestock such as cattle, horses, and sheep, and it was impossible to form an industry of sufficient scale.
Not to mention the land south of the Yangtze River, it is difficult to find a piece of leather.
Under such circumstances, placing a leather shoe workshop in the south of the Yangtze River would become a source of water.
Yu was puzzled and asked: "Zhongheng, if we put it in Shandong, will we have a supply of goods?"
Zuo Mengeng did not shy away and said: "Among the shareholders of Fuyao Group are Shanxi businessmen. They have connections outside the Great Wall and can provide sufficient supply of leather goods. The cost of transporting them to Shandong via the Yellow River is not high and it is very convenient for production."
Wang asked: "Why not transport the fur goods directly to the south of the Yangtze River?"
Zuo Mengeng was not needed this time, Xu Ruolin gave an explanation.
"Sister-in-law doesn't know. There are many checkpoints on the canal and frequent inspections. Transporting so many fur goods can easily cause trouble."
Everyone knows that leather goods are not produced in the Ming Dynasty, so once a large amount of leather goods is discovered, it will definitely cause a disturbance.
It is not difficult for Shanxi merchants to send goods to Shandong via the Yellow River or even by land, but if they want to send goods to the south of the Yangtze River, they must have good hands and eyes, and there will be no accidents on the way.
After understanding this, the Xu women stopped arguing.
"The workshop is far away in Shandong, and we are beyond our reach. I'm afraid I won't be able to take care of it."
Mr. Qiao was quite regretful and obviously felt that he had missed out on a big deal.
How could Zuo Mengeng give up the opportunity to win over allies?
"Sister-in-law, don't worry. Even if the workshop is in Shandong, you can go north to operate and manage it. In addition, most of the output of the workshop will be sold to Jiangnan. You still need to take care of it before it can be properly managed."
When they heard that they were going north to Shandong, the women of the Xu family looked at each other.
"It's really inconvenient for women like me to travel far away."
This is because they are afraid of causing gossip and fear of ethics.
Zuo Mengeng asked back: "You believe in God instead of Confucianism, why do you worry about these things? Presumably Lord Taishan and Taishui will not hinder this matter too much, right?"
he added.
"If you are worried about the danger of the journey, I can send capable troops here to protect you."
I don’t know how much money I can make from the leather shoe business, but it will definitely be a good business. For the sake of profit, Zuo Mengeng doesn't mind providing good protection to his big customers.
With the armed forces of the New Army here, I don't believe that any blind person would dare to do anything random.
Seeing that he had done this, Xu's women were all moved.
"Let me discuss it with my family before I give you an answer, okay?"
Xu Ruolin smiled calmly.
"What did the eldest sister say? Either we don't do this business, or if we do it, it belongs to our sisters. No outsiders can get involved. If you don't do it, the little sister would rather put it aside than be alone and lonely."
These words were so heartwarming that the women of the Xu family were so moved that they gathered around Xu Ruolin and had a lot of fun.
After Xu Ruolan and others were sent away, Xu Ruolin immediately regained her composure.
"It depends on what Sister and the others want. Once this business is completed, it will be very promising. If it doesn't work, let's do it ourselves first."
Zuo Mengeng laughed loudly and couldn't help but scratch her pink nose.
"Who made the vows and the deep love between sisters just now? Why did you turn around and become a tiger protecting food?"
Xu Ruolin was very angry.
"Isn't it just for you that I'm doing this? I know you use your money in many ways. Even if it makes the sisters sad, there's nothing I can do about it."
Zuo Mengeng stretched out his hand to hold her in his arms and said softly: "There's no need for this."
When Xu Ruolin looked at it, Professor Zuo Menggeng said: "Money is important, but for us, structure is king. Through this and that kind of business, more and more people are attracted to us and become our Allies. Only in this way can we be in an invincible position. Compared with this, mere money is secondary."
The women of the Xu family, whether they are married daughters or married daughters-in-law, are all backed by well-established families in Songjiang Mansion and other places.
One or two of these big families may be ordinary, but when added together, the energy is too great.
To put it bluntly, without the support of these families, the Songjiang prefect would not be able to secure his position.
Zuo Mengeng always kept that famous saying in mind.
"Make friends a lot, and make enemies a few."
In this way, the situation of victory and defeat will inevitably reverse.
Especially if you want to develop a new class in the late Ming Dynasty to fight against the stubborn and conservative landlord class, the cultivation of interests is very important.
When the new classes gain enough benefits and come to the forefront of the confrontation with the old forces, these new classes will naturally push him to transform the world without Zuo Menggeng's painstaking efforts to win them over.
In Songjiang Mansion, besides Mrs. Xu, there are others who are more eager to discuss business with Zuo Mengeng.
Xu's in-laws and local businessmen from Songjiang came to visit Zuo Mengeng together.
Xu Erjue's father-in-law Yu Ting'e, Xu Erjue's father-in-law Qiao Wei, Xu Erdou's uncle Sun Heding, Xu Ermo's father-in-law Huang Zhen, Ai Tinghuai, Xu Yuandu, and Pan Xiaona's father Pan Yunlong.
Why is Xu Erdou's wife's surname Wang, but his brother-in-law's surname is Sun?
Because Wang is the adopted daughter of Sun Yuanhua.
Yes, Sun Heding is Sun Yuanhua's eldest son.
Sun Yuanhua has three sons, all of whom are studying at home.
In addition to these relatives of the Xu family, there are also big local businessmen.
"This is Zhang Qi, Mr. Zhangwang Shuigong. He has traveled all over the world and gained countless experiences."
"This is Duke Li Wancai of Qinglong Town."
"This is Duke Qin Zhiwen of Shagang Town."
"This is Mr. Cai Changshang of Wunijing."
"This is Duke Bai Sixu of Fengjing Town."
"This is Chen Meigong of Zhujing Town."
"This is Duke Kangxi Lin of Qianmentang."
"This is Lord Shen Youtian of Zhujie Pavilion."
"This is Qu Yequ Mansong from Loutang Town."
"This is Nanqiao Town House Master Gong Gong."
After hearing Xu Ji's introduction one by one, Zuo Mengeng realized that his understanding of ancient Shanghai was somewhat biased.
He always believed that the rise of Shanghai was caused by the opening of the port after the Opium War.
It turns out that at the end of the Ming Dynasty, Shanghai's urban layout had basically been formed.
"There are so many traders coming and going, and I am still known as Xiao Linqing. I am a native of Zhujing Town, and I feel very kind to General Zuo when he sees that he is a real Linqing native."
Chen Meigong is Chen Jiru, a famous painter.
This old man is from Zhujing Town. He is not here today to study knowledge or paintings.
Pan Yunlong asked on behalf of everyone: "Zhongheng, it is said that you are responsible for putting down the bandits in Shandong, but you don't know when you will stop?"
Zuo Mengeng was a little strange.
Why are the people in Songjiang Prefecture so concerned about the war in Shandong?
"May I ask my uncle, what's the point?"
Pan Yunlong paused, his face full of sadness.
"You are one of our own, and there is no need to hide it from you. Due to the chaos in Shandong, our Songjiang Prefecture has no cotton to use. The workshops and households no longer have any income. I am afraid that people will starve to death."
