"Will it be expanded?" Li Hong was surprised, "How is this possible? The court's money does not come from strong winds, so what are you doing with so many naval fleets?"
"Shock!"
"No need to intimidate, the Japanese pirates have already subdued."
"It's not just about deterring Japanese pirates, it's about deterring all countries overseas." Li Qing said, "To be precise, it's a deterrent of blackmail!"
"Ah?" Li Hong was confused, "Godfather, why is this...?"
"Because in the future, the Ming Dynasty will focus on commerce, to be precise, maritime commerce." Li Qing said.
Li Qing had nothing to hide from his godson, and as the leader of the navy, Li Hong was qualified and needed to know.
Li Qing sighed: "The climate is harsh and the Ming Dynasty has too many people. In the future, the problems that the Ming Dynasty will face can only be solved through commerce. In other words, the way out is maritime trade, do you understand?"
"I don't understand." Li Hong shook his head slightly, "Isn't maritime trade in full swing now?"
"...Let me ask you, are maritime profits gradually declining?"
"That's true." Li Hong nodded slowly, "What does godfather mean, that in the future he will be like the Japanese pirates, using navy to plunder?"
"Of course not, that is too low-level, too barbaric, and inconsistent with the demeanor of my heavenly kingdom." Li Qing shook his head and hummed: "I have already said that the way out is at sea, why don't you understand?"
Li Hong frowned and pondered for a while, then said: "Shock the navy, and then... buy and sell by force?"
"Hey, that's right." Li Qing chuckled, "You're not stupid enough."
"Dad, can this be done?" Li Hong was not very optimistic and said, "Ships can go to sea, but this also requires time and cost, and it costs a lot of money... It is true that Daming products are very popular, but... Not everyone can afford it. If you don’t have money in your pocket, no matter how hard you try to scare me, no money means no money.”
"You can get food even if you don't have money!" Li Qing said with a smile, "What I want to do in the next year is to find ways to reduce the cost of goods so that more people can afford them."
After a pause, "As for the cost of going to sea, it's not as big as you think. The last time I went to Jiaozhi, it was to establish a transit supply station. I made an agreement with the leader of Jiaozhi."
"Is it reliable?"
"Of course!" Li Qing said with a smile, "If he dares to be naughty, I will kill him."
Li Hong: "..."
"Dad, the profits of maritime business are decreasing year by year. If it decreases again, wouldn't it be too much of a loss?"
Li Qing smiled bitterly and said: "As you said, there are always a few rich people. This is why the Ming Dynasty's products are obviously gorgeous and exquisite, but business is becoming more and more difficult;
It’s not that people overseas don’t like it, it’s just that they can’t afford it. "
"That's true." Li Hong nodded, "It's just that the cost of goods is not easy to reduce. Take the silk that overseas barbarians are so frightened and crazy about. From planting mulberry seedlings to making silk, it takes several years. There are ten processes, and merchants are profit-seeking. If they don't make any money, even if the court intervenes, they will find ways to shirk the blame."
"Of course, let them make some money," Li Qing said. "I will find a way to solve what you said. However, I think you have still fallen into a misunderstanding. The Ming Dynasty not only has silk, but also cotton, porcelain, and pottery... …There are not only high-end products, but also things that ordinary people can afford.”
After a pause, "Cotton cloth and pottery cannot be sold at high prices, but the transportation costs are the same. This puts them in an embarrassing situation. They cannot succeed in high-end products and cannot make low-end products in low-end products. Therefore, they are abandoned by maritime merchants."
Li Qingdao: "I have calculated that if we adopt the strategy of small profits but quick turnover, we may make more."
"Uh... this kid doesn't understand much. If you wait for Wanqing to come, your godfather can discuss it with her," Li Hong said. "Wanqing is managing the family's industry. She knows a lot about maritime trade."
Li Hong poured another drink for his godfather and asked, "Is it true that the imperial court will not reduce naval expenditures?"
"Of course, the future will all depend on the navy."
"Did the godfather agree with the Supreme Emperor?" Li Hong asked.
"Yes." Li Qing took a sip of wine and said with a smile: "Don't worry, the current emperor is benevolent, filial and kind, and he will listen to the words of the overlord."
Li Hong muttered: "To be disrespectful, the Emperor is ill... Aren't you going to reveal your true identity to the Emperor?"
Li Qing shook his head: "The temptation of immortality is too great for the emperor, so it is better not to reveal it. In the future, I will be far better in the opposition than in the government."
After a pause, "Even if I need to enter the court, isn't there still Marquis Yongqing of Jinling?"
Li Hong was startled and said with a smile: "That's right. With my godfather's talent, he can win three yuan in a row even in the imperial examination."
"It's not as powerful as you think." Li Qing said with a smile, "I'm not very good at this aspect. It would be good if I can pass the exam."
"Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. It's rare to have some free time. Come on, let's drink."
"The child respects his godfather."
…
The weather is getting colder.
However, the wind and snow could not stop Wang Shouren's enthusiasm.
Ever since Li Hong gave him some advice, he became even more enthusiastic. If he hadn't made an agreement with his father, he would have even wanted to live in a small courtyard.
Early twelfth lunar month.
Zhu Wanqing is here.
Li Qing was in charge, and Li Hong was helping out, and cooked a table of delicious dishes, which moved Zhu Wanqing to death.
"Uncle Li, Brother Hong, it's great to have you."
"Call godfather." Li Hong corrected.
Zhu Wanqing said with a smile: "I'm used to calling Uncle Li, let's talk about our own affairs."
Li Hong: "..."
Zhu Wanqing looked at Li Qing, "Uncle Li, this is the first time you've been so kind to me. Could it be that you want me to do something?"
"What? Uncle Li is so miserable in your heart?" Li Qing was unhappy.
"Just kidding, Uncle Li is so good. If it weren't for Uncle Li, how would I have my niece today? If the tree is not cultivated, it won't be straight. Uncle Li is doing it for my own good..." Zhu Wanqing flattered her again and again, thinking: I am not naughty. itch.
"That's pretty much it." Li Qing snorted, interrupted her chatter, and said, "However, Uncle Li does have something to tell you."
You know... Zhu Wanqing quickly put down her chopsticks and said, "Uncle Li, I haven't eaten a bite."
"I don't care whether you eat or not?" Li Qing sneered, "If you have the ability, leave now."
Zhu Wanqing: "..."
It was freezing cold and it was already the twelfth lunar month, so she wouldn't go back.
Besides, after finally getting together with my husband, how could we just leave like this?
Zhu Wanqing picked up her chopsticks, took a bite of food, and asked resignedly: "What does Uncle Li want his niece to do?"
"I don't want you to do anything. I just want to ask you some business matters."
"That's it?" Zhu Wanqing let out a long sigh of relief and said, "Uncle Li, just ask, my niece will tell you everything she knows."
After a pause, "Uncle Li is short of money and spent it?"
"I'm in the capital, do you think I'll be short of money?" Li Qing said, "About maritime trade."
"Well," Zhu Wanqing sighed, "Uncle Li, business has been difficult in the past two years, and the growth in wealth has not been great. It is incomparable to previous years."
Li Qing nodded to show that he knew all this, and asked: "Now how many taels of silver can a piece of silk be sold overseas?"
"About twelve taels."
"How much does it cost in Daming?"
"Six to seven taels." Zhu Wanqing said.
Li Qing was slightly surprised, "Is the gap so small?"
It seems like a double profit difference, but after excluding transportation costs and the risk of sea voyages, this price difference is no longer large.
"Sigh... there's nothing we can do." Zhu Wanqing said, "The competition is too fierce, and it's getting harder and harder to do business. But the price is still profitable, but it's just not as good as before."
Li Qing pondered for a while and asked, "Do we have cotton in our property?"
"Yes, but they are all sold in Ming Dynasty..." Zhu Wanqing understood instantly and said: "What godfather means is to get quantity based on price, small profits but quick turnover?"
Li Qing nodded, glared at Li Hong who was eating and drinking, and hummed, "Look how smart he is."
Li Hong's face heated up and he muttered: "There must be someone stupid in the family, right?"
"Hey~!"
"Haha, just kidding, godfather, please calm down." Li Hong quickly changed the subject and asked, "Wanqing, can godfather do this?"
"I have thought about this too, but..." Zhu Wanqing said, "Although cloth is not as good as silk, the transportation cost is the same. At this stage, a piece of silk sold overseas can earn about three to five dollars. If you want to maintain such a profit on cotton cloth, at the very least, you have to sell it for six taels of silver."
"Uncle Li, we only have silk in the Ming Dynasty, but not cloth." Zhu Wanqing said, "A piece of cloth sells for six taels of silver, so people might as well grit their teeth and buy silk."
"It makes sense." Li Hong puffed out his cheeks and added.
Li Qing stared, and he started eating Haisai again.
"You have taken over the business for so long, do you have a certain understanding of your peers?" Li Qing asked: "Have they ever sold cotton cloth overseas?"
"I understand," Zhu Wanqing nodded and said, "They are all good businessmen. They have also calculated this account and concluded that it is safe to return the silk."
After a pause, "those people have been doing business for several generations, and their eyelashes are all empty. No one is optimistic about cotton. It costs a lot to go to sea once, and it is necessary to catch the monsoon to go to sea, so we can only go to sea twice a year." Opportunity, the accounts have already been settled clearly."
"Is that so..." Li Qing frowned slightly, "Have you ever asked about the quality of overseas cloth?"
Zhu Wanqing thought for a while and said, "I haven't asked about this, but someone in the same field has done an investigation, and it is far less good than our Ming Dynasty."
"Hmm... what if we sell ready-made clothes?" Li Qing asked.
In this era, ready-made clothing stores have become very common.
At least that’s the case in Ming Dynasty!
"Ah? This..." Zhu Wanqing was stunned for a moment and said amusedly: "Xiao Hao also said this, but, I don't think it will work."
"Why?"
Zhu Wanqing said: "The soil and water support the people, and the customs are different in different places in the Ming Dynasty, let alone overseas? The dressing style must be different, and they will most likely not be able to accept it, and if the clothes are ready-made, people will try to buy them. Unable to sell in batches.”
"No, no, no," Li Qing disagreed, "I think there is a lot of potential in selling ready-made clothes."
"How do you say this?"
"Everyone has the mentality of admiring Qiang." Li Qing said, "They like Ming Dynasty products. In addition to the reasons for the products themselves, they must also have admiration. I think Hanyi will definitely become popular."
