No matter how troubled Ming was, Zhou Zheng proceeded with his plan in an orderly manner.
Shangguanxun, who had gone to the south, finally returned and brought Zhou Zheng a large order.
In Zhou Zheng's study, there were only two of them.
Shangguanxun handed over an account book and said, "My lord, those Xiyi people really want to do business with me, but they have been kept out by me. I heard that we can give them the goods they want, and they came all at once. An order of nearly two hundred thousand taels of silver."
Zhou Zheng has been waiting for Shangguanxun, looking at this order, tea is the top spot, followed by silk, porcelain, and various products of Zhou Ji, with a full deal of 198 thousand taels!
This is a very good start!
Zhou Zheng knows that Western Europe has already begun a great voyage, merchant ships are spread all over the world, and the land is rich in resources, and the commercial potential is huge.
Daming, continue overseas blood transfusion!
Zhou Zheng was so excited that he watched for a long time and said, "Well, good, well done. By the way, tell them, have you received the goods at Yongping Mansion?"
Shangguan Xun said: "By the way, they seem to be worried about being caught by the government and want to go by sea. We have agreed to pick up the goods at our designated Haikou in February next year."
Zhou Zheng closed the account book and said, "This is the first business. It must be done well, and it must be hidden from other people."
The imperial court strictly forbids Ming people to have contacts with overseas, especially commercial contacts.
Shangguanxun knew the importance and said, "My lord, don't worry. I have discussed with the shopkeeper Cheng. I will soon establish a chamber of commerce in Yongping Mansion, especially Xinqiao Haikou, and use the Escort as a cover. Someone will find out."
Zhou Zheng sighed and said, "You plan for me, and I will also let Yongping Mansion take a cover here. In addition, we need to expand our contacts with overseas and find ways to expand our exports through these people..."
Shangguanxun listened carefully and said, "Yes. I also contacted many businessmen in Guangdong and Fujian, especially some people going to sea, to find a way to broaden our sales channels..."
Zhou Zheng was very satisfied with Shangguanxun's deeds, saying: "We will leave it to the Xiyi people for the time being, but we can't keep doing this. We set up a shipping line under the firm, starting with neighboring North Korea and Wa, we control these routes ourselves... "
Daming and North Korea, the Japanese country still has maritime trade, but it is in the hands of the pirates.
Shangguan Xun said: "Yes, after I go back, I negotiated with the shopkeeper Cheng to set a charter and report it to the adults."
Zhou Zheng glanced outside and whispered to Shangguan Xun: "The artillery of the Xiyi people is still good. You can find a few people with good skills and send them to the Military Bureau."
Shangguan Xun was slightly startled, and said, "My lord?"
Zhou Zheng smiled and calmly said: "It's okay, I have arranged everything. I have my staff in the Armament Bureau, so there will be no accidents, just study first."
Shangguanxun understood, and said, "Yes, I will make arrangements when I go back."
Zhou Zheng nodded, sat back, and said, "There is nothing wrong with the salt merchant, right?"
Shangguanxun laughed this time, and said, "There are a few restless people who were copied to three by Wei Gongzi through the castration case. Then no one dared to make trouble, and the others were very obedient."
Zhou Zheng knew about it before, and when he heard Shangguanxun's words, he pondered for a moment, and said: "Okay. I will leave the business to you. According to my business plan, you can adjust the details. If you have any questions, please write to me. "
"It's an adult." Shangguan Xun said.
Zhou Zheng picked up a teacup and drank tea. He wanted to build a business district in Xinqiao Town, but reality does not allow it.
…
It's the end of the year, and all departments of Yongping Prefecture are busy settling accounts. In summary, no one is idle.
Zhang Heyi came the most. He stood in front of Zhou Zheng’s desk with a thick account book in his hand, and said with joy: "My lord, we have collected 80,000 shi for food tax this year, which is nearly 60,000 shi more than last year. Commercial taxes and other miscellaneous taxes have also been collected nearly one hundred thousand taels... This is still the first year. If it continues, within three to five years, we will receive nearly three hundred thousand taels every year, which is comparable to a middle-level government..."
Zhou Zheng looked at his happy expression and waited for a while before saying, "What are you going to do?"
Zhang Heyi was stunned, looking at Zhou Zheng with some unknown reason, and then suddenly realized, he tightened her brows and said, "My lord, are you talking about the court?"
Local taxes must be paid to the court in accordance with a certain proportion.
Zhou Zheng did not speak, and Zhang Heyi's brows tightened, and she muttered to herself: "My lord, tax collection everywhere is not ideal now. If we send too much at once, I'm afraid it will cause public outrage... My lord, or we Shouldn't it be the same as last year's payment?"
Zhou Zheng just hummed, and said, "That's it."
Rather than corrupt and waste those people, it is better to stay in his hands and do something practical.
Only then did Zhang Heyi understand what Zhou Zheng meant, and said quickly: "Yes, let's make arrangements for the next official."
As soon as Zhang Heyi left, Yao Tongshun came in.
Zhou Zhengdao: "At the end of the year, the evaluation of officials at all levels must be released as soon as possible. Those who should be punished must be severe and will not be merciless; those who should be rewarded should be rewarded heavily. You draw a specific list of rewards and punishments for me.
Yao Tongshun looked at Zhou Zheng and said tentatively, "Yes. My lord, the new prefect will arrive next year, the three prefectures..."
Yongping Mansion governed three counties: Lulong County, Changli County, and Funing County. The three magistrates were all partisans of Zhang Yonglian, who were captured by Zhou Zheng and given to the court.
Now, the three prefects are still vacant for nearly a year, which is also the result of Zhou Zheng's deliberate obstruction by the court.
Zhou Zhengdao: "Don't worry, do our business first."
Yao Tong didn't say anything by the way.
Zhou Zheng has too many things to be busy with. After this period of work, he still has to go home for the New Year. His sister-in-law has given birth to a pair of twins, and he has urged Zhou Zheng to go back as soon as possible.
It was not until the second year of Chongzhen, the fourth day of the first lunar month, that Zhou Zheng and others were busy.
"Go, go back to Beijing."
Zhou Zheng got up from his chair, looked at a group of people and smiled.
Everyone raised their hands together, and said with smiles: "Thank you, Lord!"
Everyone had packed their bags long ago, and there were several carriages parked at the gate of the mansion. It didn't take long for them to leave Yongping Mansion and return to the capital.
Three days later, as soon as Zhou Zheng arrived at the gate of Zhou's mansion, Uncle Fu greeted him and said with a loud laugh: "Second Young Master, you are back..."
Zhou Zheng had a big bag in his hand, and a group of guards behind him, smiling and saying: "Father, eldest brother and sister-in-law are at home?"
Uncle Fu put Zhou Zheng in the door, and laughed again and again: "They are all there, they have been talking about when the second young master will come back..."
Zhou Zheng walked straight to the backyard in the wind and dust.
Zhou Qingli is now on a day off, drinking tea in the back room, listening to Zhou Zheng's return, there is no movement.
Zhou Zheng came in, brought a gift, raised his hand and said, "Father, I'm back."
Zhou Qingli glanced at Zhou Zheng and paused for a while before saying: "Well, take a break and go see your elder brother and sister-in-law, nephew and niece."
Zhou Zheng looked at Zhou Qingli's thinner face than last year, as well as a look much more majestic. He handed out a gift and said, "Father, this is for you."
Zhou Qingli gave a hum, there is nothing more.
Zhou Zheng put down the gift and said a few more words before turning around to go to his elder brother Zhou Fangna.
Zhou Qingli watched Zhou Zheng go, then glanced at the gift Zhou Zheng put on the table, stood up, and reached out to take the gift.
As soon as Uncle Fu came up to speak, Zhou Qingli said: "Say later." Before the voice fell, he went straight back to his bedroom. (End of this chapter)