Xin Ci clapped his hands and said, "The Marquis's move is really wonderful. The general has also been worried about how to re-open maritime trade. The Marquis' idea of setting up the Haibo Division is really brilliant." Then he frowned and said: "But the general is worried. This Haibo Division can be established, but it is not immediately possible to continue trade."
"What does General Xin mean?"
"Master Marquis, the imperial court's Northern Expedition is imminent, and everything else must take priority." Xin Ci whispered: "The weapons and silver captured this time will be sent to the capital and included in the national treasury. Even so, once the war breaks out, It is not as smooth as expected, and the current treasury cannot support it at all, so it is absolutely impossible for the court to allocate money to other places. When the Haibo Division is set up, it will naturally cost a lot of money to facilitate maritime trade, purchase goods, and go to sea. Supplies and sailors’ wages all require a lot of money, and the court is afraid that they won’t be able to allocate the money.”
"I have actually considered this." Qining said: "If we really want to open navigation as soon as possible, we must raise money. I have an idea here."
Xin Ci said with great interest: "I wonder what idea the Marquis has come up with?"
"As far as I know, when the Jiang family opened navigation, they did not have that much financial resources to open routes." Qining said: "The Jiang family united more than a dozen merchants of all sizes in the East China Sea and raised a large sum of money. , then a trading fleet was formed, and to this day these merchants still take a lot of dividends from maritime trade every year."
Xin Ci understood and whispered: "Is the Marquis also planning to...?"
Qi Ning smiled and said: "If the imperial court can't come up with money, it can raise money from merchants. General Xin, I can guarantee that as soon as the news gets out, there will be countless merchants who want to participate."
Xin Ci sighed: "Sea trade may require some money at the beginning, but once the trade goes smoothly, there will definitely be profits and no losses. Although the Jiang family has become the richest man in the East China Sea through maritime trade over the years, the merchants involved in it also They all make a lot of money." He pondered for a moment and then said with a little worry: "Master Marquis, you wrote to the court to establish the Haibo Division. The purpose is to transfer the rights of maritime trade from the local gentry to the hands of the court. If we continue to raise money from merchants this time, will we still follow the same old path?"
Qi Ning shook his head and said: "That's not possible. To raise silver taels in advance, I won't find people from merchants in the East China Sea. I plan to raise silver taels from other places after the establishment of Haibosi. As long as the merchants can get the silver, Although they will not be given dividends every year, within three years, the money will be repaid to them with interest, and they will become the permanent registered merchants of Haibosi. They will be given priority regardless of shipments or purchases, and they will be given a certain amount of money. share.”
Xin Ci said: "Since the Marquis has this idea, he can report the matter to the court in a note." He lowered his voice and said: "The general will also send another letter to the old Marquis, asking him to try his best to promote this matter. .”
Qi Ning smiled and said: "This is a good thing for the country and the people. If the old Marquis can help, the matter will be done twice the result with half the effort." After a pause, he said: "General Xin, you said earlier that the Black Tiger Shark gang I don’t think it’s appropriate for people to join the Navy. Do you think there will be any problems if they are allowed to be responsible for the transportation of maritime trade?”
Xin Ci was startled, never expecting that Qin Ning would have such an idea. He was silent for a while, then frowned and said softly: "Is the Marquis planning to subordinate these people to Haibosi?"
"Once maritime trade continues, a maritime merchant fleet will naturally be needed." Qining said: "The Jiang family's merchant fleet is already quite large, but in the future, Haibosi's fleet will be even larger than the Jiang family's fleet. , more sailors will be needed."
"Master Marquis, there are seven to eight hundred people under Black Tiger Shark. These people are extremely good at water skills, and many of them have navigation skills." Xin Ci said thoughtfully: "In the past, the fleets that went to Nanyang mainly had It is composed of two groups, one is the sailor responsible for sailing, and the other is the guard responsible for safety. The guards on each cargo ship of the Jiang family fleet are not even less than the sailors. As far as the general knows, the Jiang family every year A lot of money is spent on these guards.”
"Indeed."
"Although people like Black Tiger Shark are a mob, they are all desperadoes. They are bold and courageous, but they dare to risk their lives." Xin Ci said: "If it takes a month or two to train these people, their combat effectiveness will definitely be insufficient. Weak, in this way, they can be both sailors and guards, killing two birds with one stone, and the cost of trade will be greatly reduced."
Qi Ning clapped his hands and said with a smile: "General Xin hit the mark, that's exactly what I thought. If these hundreds of people are recruited into Haibosi and use the salary of the court to run errands for the court, not only can they save the time after returning home It brings uncertainty and trouble, and it can also serve the country, which can be regarded as killing two birds with one stone."
"Master Marquis, if these people are really willing to serve the imperial court, then of course they will get what they ask for." Xin Ci whispered: "But I am afraid that these people will not stop eating shit. If they cause trouble again, So...?"
Qi Ning nodded slightly and said: "General Xin's concerns are not unreasonable. I have thought about it carefully in the past two days. If they refuse to repent, they will indeed cause great trouble."
"Haiposi was established by the Marquis at the request of the court, and the Marquis recommended these people to join Haiposi. Once something happens, the Marquis will be involved." You need to think carefully and don’t leave any trouble for yourself.”
Qi Ning smiled slightly and said, "Thank you, General Xin, for reminding me. I will consider it carefully."
Before dusk, the three folds had been written. After Xin Ci drafted the folds, he sent them to Qining for review. Qining glanced at them casually and didn't say much. Over there, Chen Ting also sent the folds over. Qining Seeing that the contents of Chen Ting's excerpt were not much different from what had been discussed before, and Chen Ting was a scholar, the words were naturally very gorgeous. The three excerpts were immediately sent to Beijing on Pegasus.
After Zhezi was sent away, Xin Ci bid farewell to Qin Ning and returned to the navy camp. Qi Ning then ordered Chen Ting to collect chariots and horses in the East China Sea, ready to transport weapons and cargo on the warships to the capital at any time.
The quantity of materials was too huge, and a huge number of carriages and horses were needed to transport them to the capital. Chen Ting received Qi Ning's instructions, so he naturally did not dare to neglect, and immediately mobilized carriages and horses from inside and outside Gulin City to deliver them to the water. In addition, Qi Ning asked Chen Ting to send all the accounts collected from the Jiang family to the post house. When Chen Ting arrested the Jiang family's family members, he naturally had to take advantage of the situation and ransack the Jiang family. Secrets Naturally, the letters and evidence of rebellion could not be found, but when it came to the Jiang family's trade accounts, two large boxes were found.
Since Qi Ning had given the order, Chen Ting naturally did not dare to delay and immediately sent people to send all the accounts from the confiscated items to the post house.
Qining did not return to the post house immediately, but took the time to visit Qin Yuege. Qin Yuege went to Jiangjia Pier almost alone that day. Jiang Mantian, who had been tensed up, knew that something was wrong when he saw Qin Yuege. , sent people to kill Qin Yuege and buy some time for the Jiang family's fleet to escape. However, Qin Yuege desperately escaped and brought back the news in time, but he was also seriously injured. His subsequent actions , Qin Yuege really couldn't participate in it.
Fortunately, Qin Yuege was good at martial arts and had a strong body. He was sent to the city for treatment. He had recovered a lot in the past few days. Qin Ning visited him in person, but Qin Yuege was also grateful.
Qi Ning comforted him with a few words. Seeing that Qin Yuege was still recovering, he didn't stay much. Before dark, he returned to the post house. As soon as he entered the house, Mrs. Tian came up to him and said, "Master Hou, someone just sent two It’s a big box, and it’s said that the accounts were sent here by the Marquis.” Pointing to the corner, he said, “The box is locked, and they left the key here.” He took the key and handed it to Qining, who took it and smiled. Said: "Didn't you take a peek?"
Tian Xuerong said angrily: "This is the account sent by the Marquis. How dare I peek at it? If you don't believe me, see for yourself whether it has been touched."
Qi Ning smiled and said: "Actually, these accounts are sent here for you to look at." While walking towards the two big boxes: "These are all bills collected from the Jiang family. The Jiang family has been conducting maritime trade for so many years. All of them The essence is contained in these accounts.”
Tian Xuerong was a merchant. When he heard what Qi Ning said, he was immediately interested. He twisted his waist and walked over. Qi Ning had already opened the box and the lamp was lit in the room. Qi Ning motioned to Tian Xuerong who had just walked over to pick up the oil lamp. Come over, Tian Xuerong obediently went over to get the oil lamp, held it in her hand and walked to the box. She saw that the box was full of ledgers. The two large boxes added up to hundreds of books at least. This also shows that the relationship surrounding maritime trade was formed. The stakes are really huge.
Tian Xuerong couldn't help but ask: "Master Hou, you...are you trying to find out the Jiang family's accomplices from the accounts?"
Qi Ning was startled, then looked at Tian Xuerong, half-smiling but not smiling: "What do you think?"
"This...!" Tian Xuerong said with some worry: "Master Hou, in this account, I'm afraid... I'm afraid that the Tian Family Medicine Store is also in it...!"
Qining said "Oh" before Tian Xuerong whispered: "The Jiang family brought back many goods from Nanyang, some of which are medicinal materials. Those medicinal materials are only found in Nanyang. If added to the prescription, many difficult diseases can be cured. Treatment, so... so many medicine shops in the capital will purchase a batch of goods from the Jiang family, and we... our Tian family medicine shop is no exception."
Qi Ning frowned and said, "This is not good. It turns out that the Tian family medicine shop and the Jiang family are also involved."
"Master Hou, we only have medicinal materials business dealings with the Jiang family, and... Moreover, the Tian family medicine store does not receive a large share from the Jiang family every year, and the total amount is only about ten kilograms...!" Tian Xuerong explained hurriedly: "Other than that Other than that, I really... really have no other contacts, and I have never even met Jiang Mantian before."
Qining sighed, leaned close to his wife's ear and whispered: "We really need to investigate, but no one cares whether you are innocent or not. Later I will cross out the accounts between you and their family. How can you thank me?" ?”
Seeing the smile in Qi Ning's eyes, Tian Xuerong didn't understand what Qi Ning meant. She bit her lip and whispered: "I... everything is yours, you... you can do whatever you want...!"
Qining laughed loudly, patted Tian Xuerong's plump buttocks, and said with a chuckle: "Don't worry, this account is not to track down the remaining party, but a gift brought back to you. Since you like doing business, I will let you become Da Chu... no, let you become the best merchant in the world!"