Merchant Victorino asked, "Sir Xiao Chen, what should we merchants who are not nobles do? What will you do with our properties, such as trading companies, workshops, or properties like caravans, mercenary groups, and slave camps?"
"The purpose of redemption... in our words, is to liberate productivity. What we want to see is that a trading company or workshop can produce better and more goods after our reorganization. Our country's history tells us that not all industries are suitable to be run by the state." Xiao Chen said.
"But if we run the business ourselves, under your guidance, we can also do these things little by little. Whether it's changing the production technology or expanding the scale of production. There is no need to do it in the state-owned way, right?" Victorino said.
This statement obviously touched the hearts of the businessmen below, and many of them nodded secretly.
Xiao Chen said: "There are two reasons. First, these technologies and methods are ours. What reason do you have to expect us to help you for free? Second, there is not enough time. The mainland is about to undergo a huge change. We will all face a huge threat. We don't have time to wait for you to develop slowly by taking a detour."
"Great changes on the continent?" The people in Suero obviously didn't understand what Xiao Chen was referring to. Some people speculated that this was just an excuse from Xiao Chen.
However, Xiao Chen did not intend to explain this. He said, "You will eventually find that you don't have even half of the industries that interest us. We will only buy out those that are crucial, have advantages after forming a scale, and are in urgent need of upgrading. We will redeem the shares so that the state holds the majority. We will support those that need to improve their production methods, and merge those that are more dispersed. Also within ten years, we will distribute dividends based on the shares you hold.
On the other hand, if you are already involved in the operation and have outstanding performance, we also welcome you to participate in the subsequent industrial operation. At that time, you will participate in the labor as an employee of the company, and you will naturally receive a corresponding reward for your labor. "
Since there was no way to resist the proposal proposed by Xiao Chen, the atmosphere in the meeting hall became more lively. Although these people had been frightened before, after all, it was related to their own interests. Many people began to show their business nature and began to ask questions and discuss from all aspects, hoping to argue with reason and retain more interests. Xiao Chen spent three hours explaining the details of the redemption policy to everyone in detail.
Xiao Chen finally reminded, "Of course, all of this has a prerequisite, that is, you must realize that you have joined China and cannot act in a way that harms our interests. For example, providing intelligence to the kingdom or empire, selling them prohibited items such as weapons, and destroying our property and military operations will all be regarded as betrayal. We will arrest and try you for your crimes, and we will also confiscate your property in the country. There will be no redemption dividends to talk about."
While everyone was still secretly calculating the gains and losses, a voice came from below.
"In fact, I think Mr. Xiao Chen has not said something important." Baron Carvalho stood up and said, "Don't just look at what we lost in the redemption, but also look at what we gained. In my opinion, the most valuable thing we have gained is our Chinese identity.
Everyone must remember what Suero or the entire kingdom was like two years ago. But how many things have changed since the Chinese came? Windows are equipped with glass, umbrellas are put up when it rains, crystal lights are used at night, and there are so many more goods in the market. You have made a lot more money from these goods than before, right
In this case, don't you think that when we join China, there will be more opportunities like this? Compared with such business opportunities, a few pieces of land for food are nothing? I believe that if we free up money from these places and invest it in new things invented by the Chinese, it may be more promising. "
"Mr. Xiao Chen, I am very clear about your arrangements." Baron Carvalho turned to the podium and said, "Our Bacchus family has been cooperating with you for almost two years. I know that the Chinese will consider their partners carefully in business, and I also know that you always keep your words. So this time, our family will do its best to cooperate with you in the redemption."
He looked at the others present and said, "We, the Bacchus family, are willing to give up the baronial title and join the Tower of China. We will hand over all the land deeds and details of the family's assets. As long as the Tower of China needs something, we can participate in the redemption plan. Not only that, we are going to donate a sum of money to the government to repair the parts of Suero that were damaged in the war."
"Thank you for your trust." Xiao Chen said, "Mr. Carvalho's words make sense. We have indeed developed many new products and projects. If you are interested in investing, you can consult our relevant departments. We are also preparing to set up a sum of money to establish a Suero Commercial Bank in Suero. Because during the entire Suero industrial transformation process, it is very likely that everyone's business will need to be adjusted and developed. This bank can provide loans to those who do not have enough funds to help everyone tide over the difficulties."
At noon, the interim government prepared a working lunch for the participants, but most of them had no appetite. They had a heated discussion in the cafeteria, especially Baron Carvalho, who was asked many questions by everyone. However, he was well prepared and performed well. In the eyes of Xiao Chen, who was observing through the Mage's Eye, he had the momentum to debate with a group of scholars.
In the afternoon, when Xiao Chen arranged staff to question the heads of various families one by one, the number of people who agreed to join the redemption plan was much greater than the provisional government had expected. There were not only "stooges" like Baron Carvalho who had long been informed, but also Viscount Yosa and Victorino who were ready to follow in his footsteps, as well as Baron Favres and Portinas, and several other heads of families who were left outside the city by Shi Hao.
In the following days, other family heads also gradually agreed to the plan, especially after the nobles and merchants who committed serious crimes were publicly tried and executed, the last few people gave up their insistence. However, there were nobles who gave up their property in Suero. Their main wealth was often not in the local area, but in their own territory. Wang Jiyuan still released them, and these people left Suero with mixed feelings.