I walked around the market today. Let Liu Xin see that the Western Regions have an urgent demand for goods from Dahan. He must seize this opportunity. Let the countries of the Western Regions see that reopening trade routes can bring them huge benefits. therefore. Liu Xin asked Jia Xu to write a letter to Jushou. Informed him that he did not have to wait for the reconstruction of the Western Regions to organize a caravan. At the same time, cancel the order that silk and white porcelain can only be monopolized by the government.
Because silk was exported to the West through the folks in the past. Liu Xin has decided to abandon the wrong approach of competing with the people for profit. Not only that. He also intends to further benefit the people. In the letter. He ordered the research institute to selectively teach some of the techniques of making porcelain to ordinary people who are interested. Let these people burn some low-end porcelain products. such. The porcelain produced by the research institute is equivalent to the official kilns of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The common people fired them in folk kilns.
Today in Tubro's shop. Liu Xin found out. Various low-priced pottery utensils are still quite marketable in the city. And in many ways. Porcelain is definitely more practical than pottery. The official kiln white porcelain produced by the research institute is certainly exquisite. But the cost is also relatively high. And it is impossible to mass produce. Can only take the high-end route. If the technology of firing porcelain is extended to the folks. It is equivalent to opening up many new kilns everywhere. Naturally, output can increase exponentially. Of course, civil kiln products cannot be as perfect as official kiln products. But it is cheap and practical. It can fully meet the daily needs of ordinary people. This will become another major product of the caravan.
Although the restrictions on the private business of silk and porcelain were relaxed. But Liu Xin listed some core technologies in the letter. Require Ju to give orders to local governments to bring back control. No one can divulge these technologies. These core technologies not only involve porcelain making, paper making, and printing. It is also closely related to the production of silk and tea.
Liu Xin remembered clearly. In later life. The leak of rice paper is often mentioned as a classic case. But in his memory. There is another thing that impressed him. And that matter is related to silk.
Legend has it a long time ago. Only Han people can raise silkworms and reel silk. So all the dynasties. In the East-West trade. Silk has always been a major product of the Han people. However, some Western countries do not only buy silk fabrics. Sometimes they buy a lot of raw silk. Then weave it yourself. One country even regards this as its own country’s pillar industry. later. Because the Silk Road is intermittent. They cannot get enough raw silk. A large number of weavers have nothing to do. Gradually fell into poverty. At last. The king of this country was helpless. Had to send people to go to the east through hardships. Stole the methods of raising silkworms and reeling silk. And brought back silkworm eggs. Since then. Although silk is still the main traded commodity in the East. But prices can never be as firm as before. Which country did this story take place in? Liu Xin can't remember clearly. But he could not forget the profound lesson.
The same thing happened later in tea production. The British used missionaries to steal tea planting and processing technology from China. In one fell swoop, China's monopoly on tea production was broken. And created its own tea brand.
Liu Xin is not an international fighter. As long as foreign technology can be learned. He wants to learn. Just like those farm tools, weapons, and armors that people see in Tubro's shop. He will get them all back and study them carefully. And for the technology mastered by the Chinese. Even if it's just a very inconsequential thing. He would hold it tightly like a treasure. Never let a foreigner steal it.
The techniques of porcelain firing, papermaking, and printing are relatively easy to keep secret. Just control those workshops and skilled craftsmen. The more difficult thing is how to keep the secrets of mulberry and silkworm breeding and tea cultivation. but. These issues need not be considered by Liu Xin himself. He assigned this task to Jushou in the letter. Let Jushou enact strict laws and regulations to try to solve it.
When Jia Xu wrote a letter. Liu Xin was not idle. He also personally wrote a letter to Ma Yun. In a letter to Ma Yun. Of course, Liu Xin wanted to talk about her longing. Such a letter is naturally inconvenient to ask Jia Xu to do it for him. Liu Xin had to do it herself. Fortunately, he followed Cai Yong to practice calligraphy for a long time. But the calligraphy with a brush makes sense. Although Liu Xin can easily understand classical Chinese. I can't write it myself. This letter had to be written in modern vernacular. but. Liu Xin is not worried about this letter being seen by others. Because he wrote it in simplified characters. Even if others see it. I don’t know what these words mean.
Liu Xin wrote this letter specifically to Ma Yun. Of course not just to tell her. I miss her. Liu Xin has more important things to ask Ma Yun. That is about the situation in ancient Rome. Although Liu Xin is not clear about the situation in Rome in this era. But he believed Ma Yun must know.
Although the big man and Rome are thousands of miles away. With the level of traffic in this era. Except for occasional caravans and missions between the two countries. No matter how you look at it. It's not like any intersection will happen. And so far. The so-called Great Qin Empire also seemed to be very friendly to the great Han in the East. But Liu Xin is a very cautious person. Learn more about Rome. It's not a bad thing anyway. Besides, knowing better. It is also good for the mission that is about to be dispatched.
In addition to inquire about the situation of ancient Rome. Liu Xin also asked Ma Yun. Is it possible to open the Dahan Bank to the Western Regions? Of course. Liu Xin also briefly introduced the situation in the Western Regions. Including the rampant horse bandits. Dilapidated city wall. A weak and incompetent local army.
Finished writing these two letters. Liu Xin let out a long sigh of relief. Said: "Wenhe. It's too early. How about you and I go to the city together."
Jia Xu certainly doesn't have any opinions. Repeatedly replied: "Subordinates comply with the order."
Actually some time ago. Jia Xu has traveled all over the Western Regions. But all he visited were princes and ministers from various countries. Did not pay attention to the lives of these ordinary people. Not to mention going deep into the market. And Liu Xin's understanding of the situation today opened his eyes. And Liu Xin immediately made a very targeted adjustment to his original strategies. The ability to deal with problems is evident. Jia Xu was very impressed. He also learned a lot from it. So Jia Xu is now willing to follow Liu Xin again.
The City of People is to the west of the Tuburo shop. The barracks are in the eastern part of the city. Liu Xin and Jia Xu went to Renshi. Inevitably pass Tubro's shop again. I saw that the shop that had just returned the house was busy now. Crowded.
Liu Xin couldn't help but stop and watch. I saw the pair of exquisite plum bottles that he used to advertise was in the middle of the store. Surrounded by a circle of Hu stools. Everyone who came in and out of the shop was surprised when they saw this pair of vases. Few people coming out of the shop are empty-handed. It's not a large piece of silk. Just holding a few pieces of porcelain carefully. Those lazy buddies just now. Now one by one is as excited as a chicken blood.
Tubro was overjoyed from ear to ear. Business continues to boom like this. It won't take a day. He can pay off all the money owed to Liu Xin. Business people are always very sharp-eyed. Tubro was thinking about paying off his debts. At a glance, he saw Liu Xin standing across the street. Hurriedly ran out. Shili said: "Master Liu. Don't worry. Those weapons and armors are already packed. You can take them away only when your people come over. Would you like to sit in the shop again?"
Just after Liu Xin and the others left. Tuburo quickly sent a buddy to the palace to inquire about the situation of the Han army that entered the city yesterday. In this mud city. As long as there is money. There is nothing impossible. A string of copper coins was handed over to the guard of the palace. Several guards rushed to confess what they knew. right now. Know the true identity of Liu Xin. Tubro was extremely enthusiastic.
Liu Xin waved her hand. Said: "Stop sitting. Liu wants to go to the city. Passing by. Take a look. But. Tuburo. Your business is very good."
Tuburo chuckled and said, "That's not your blessing, Master Liu. Master Liu is going to the People's City. It's better for Xiaomin to accompany the adults."
A shrewd businessman will naturally not let go of any opportunity to get close to a big man like Liu Xin. Tuburo naturally asked to accompany Liu Xin to the city.
There is a local as a guide. Of course Liu Xin couldn't ask for it. but. Looking at the busy scene in Tuburo's shop. Liu Xin hesitated again: "You have left. Then, who doesn't take care of the business in your shop."
Tubro said nonchalantly: "My lord, don't worry. Those guys are very skilled. And I bought these guys from the People's Market. There is nothing wrong with them watching."
original. These guys in Tubro's shop are not his employees. All are his slaves. Actually. Whether it is the countries of the Western Regions or Dawan and Wusun who claim to be separated from the Western Regions. As well as the countries around the Western Regions, such as Shentou and Guishuang. They are still in a slavery society. Slaves are not only without status. And there are strict registrations in the government. If you betray the owner. There is no second ending except death. No one even wants to be a horse bandit. Since these guys are all slaves. Everything about them belongs to Tuburo. There is no need for them to fill their pockets. Naturally, Tuburo was relieved to hand over the management of the shop to them.
Although Liu Xin still doesn't quite understand the truth in it. But he was very satisfied with Tubro's enthusiasm. So he nodded. Said: "Since you have this heart. Then Liu will no longer refuse. Please lead the way."