How important is iron ore to an industry?
In fact, for most industries, it is not important.
When most business owners face this problem, they will probably sneer at it and not care much about it.
However, for Gu Beichuan, this is indeed a thorny issue.
Otherwise, Feihong is different from other companies.
He is a company named for innovative technology!
In Daqian, which is generally in the agricultural era, the best innovation is undoubtedly industrial innovation.
There are many examples like this, the most typical ones are the bicycles ridden by Feihong’s delivery boys, and the looms and steam engines in Shenji Cloth Shop.
In order to maintain the supply of these things, Feihong is undoubtedly a big spender!
However, according to Daqian regulations, private ownership of important materials such as salt and iron is prohibited.
Every purchase and sale needs to be registered with the officials and even explained. After all, the officials don't know what bicycles and steam engines are.
Therefore, the step process can be described as very cumbersome.
In addition, even if official permission is obtained, finding the source of goods is still a big problem.
Most of them use official channels to make appointments with merchants who happen to have mineral veins to sell, and meet and negotiate.
Just like the Fuyang merchant who made a big mistake.
But even so, obtaining iron ore is still a rare trouble for Feihong.
After all, it is not every day that a businessman happens to have iron ore for sale.
"Where are those merchants I introduced to you last time? No more mines in their hands?" Gu Beichuan asked with a frown.
"Big Boss, the mineral veins in the hands of those merchants are pitifully small. Even if they were added together, they wouldn't be enough for us Feihong to use for a month."
"The fact that it has lasted so long is the result of our forging department sparing its use."
Hearing this, all the shareholders frowned.
Many of their departments cooperate with the forging department. On weekdays, many equipment go directly to the forging department to pick up the goods.
If the Forging Department collapses, their business will inevitably be affected.
This is indeed a big problem. In comparison, some of their problems seem insignificant.
"How about going to the county governor's house and asking if there are merchants who are eager to sell the mineral veins recently." Zhou Huai suggested tentatively.
Gu Beichuan shook his head and said helplessly: "If I remember correctly, I have been there five times this month. The Sheriff's Mansion is not our home, so how can we go there every day."
"Hey, the big boss said it wrong, it's only five times, not much."
"Today is only the fifth..." Gu Beichuan said with the corner of his mouth twitching.
As soon as these words came out, the entire box fell into silence.
All the shareholders are inevitably a little embarrassed. There are five times in five days, so let’s just go every day.
You really regard the county magistrate's mansion as your own home. No wonder the county magistrate is frightened now when he hears our Feihong's name. He is really frightening others.
"The iron ore issue is of great importance, so it's better to find a safer solution." Gu Beichuan said.
The main reason is that he is going to Qiandu soon. If this problem is not solved now, it will not be solved in the future when he is gone.
The three melons and two dates found by the county magistrate's office are of no use at all and cannot fundamentally solve the problem.
What Gu Beichuan wanted was a once and for all solution.
"Who still has mineral vein channels? At this time, don't hide your secrets. If you have any, just tell me."
Hearing this, all the shareholders changed their expressions.
Someone smiled helplessly and said: "Big boss, let's see what you said, what is our hidden iron mine for? We can't make any money. If there is any, we must take it out first and use it for Feihong."
"On weekdays, I do know some businessmen who sell Teng Teng Iron Ore, but I have already recommended them to Minister Sun, but now I really don't have them anymore."
"In my area, within a radius of ten miles, there is not even half an iron ore merchant."
Listening to these words, the atmosphere in the box fell into awkwardness for a moment.
The main reason is that Feihong consumes ore too quickly, and ordinary ore veins cannot really afford it.
As for the big mines, you really can’t find them just by looking for them.
At this time, someone suggested: "Our Daqian is located in the southeast, with many plains and fertile soil, but there are indeed few mineral veins."
"But whether it's Beiyan or Xiliang, there are many mountainous areas in the territory, and there must be a lot of mineral veins."
"Since we can't do it at home, we can do it abroad!"
As soon as this statement came out, the eyes of all shareholders lit up.
"Okay! What a great idea!"
"Yes, we can go abroad to find a larger ore vein as a stable source of ore."
Obviously, everyone is very supportive of this idea.
But Gu Beichuan's words made the situation awkward again.
"Where to look for it? And who should look for it?"
In recent years, there have been constant frictions between Daqian and Beiyan. Recently, they have even started to prepare for war.
At this time, I went to Beiyan to look for mineral veins. Not to mention whether I could find it or not, even if I did find it, how could I bring it back?
Can you rely on Lin Changgong?
He can still escort goods in the three-thirds of an acre of Dagan, but if he goes out of Dagan, especially on the border, no one will sell him the reputation of the Fire Dragon Spear.
As for Xiliang, there have been occasional conflicts with Daqian in recent years. As the war between Beiyan and Daqian is about to begin, they are also sharpening their swords and trying to be the fishermen who can make a profit.
But it is safer than going to Beiyan.
But...how to cross the dangerous Canglan River?
You can't just fly there.
If you want to cross the river, you have to build a ship. And if you want to cross the Canglan River and transport goods, it must be a big ship, a heavy ship!
If you want to build such a heavy ship, let alone funds, Feihong has plenty of money.
The most important thing is the shipbuilding technology!
This is a rare item, and I'm afraid it may not only be in the hands of people like Tianji Shenjiang.
No matter how you say it, both roads are difficult.
"The direction is right, but the approach needs to be considered." Gu Beichuan made concluding remarks.
"Think about it, if you can find a group of people to do this kind of thing for us."
"This group of people should preferably not be big gang members, but should be able to travel freely between countries and have sufficient financial resources and capabilities."
As Gu Beichuan blurted out his words, the shareholders couldn't help but look surprised.
Shen Gui even jumped up and suddenly said: "Isn't this the Wanbao Society?"
"Wanbao Society? What is Wanbao Society?" Gu Beichuan looked confused, obviously not knowing much about this organization.
"You don't know something, Dadong. The Wanbao Guild is the number one chamber of commerce in the world today. Whether it's the Emperor's Kingdom Wei, the five major vassal states, or even the Northern Yuan Dynasty, they all have their industries."
"They have great skills, complete goods, and strong relationships. Don't they meet all the characteristics you mentioned?"
Hearing this, Gu Beichuan couldn't help but get excited and said, "How can I get in touch with this Wanbao Society?"
When everyone heard this, they were surprised again.
Someone said: "No need to get in touch, they will come looking for us."
