"As for the question that Sir Alex said before about whether it is worthwhile to equip every merchant ship with a compass, I think it is very worthwhile."
In the main hall of Li Mansion, Wang Renbiao picked up the teacup, took two sips of tea and continued:
"The number of ships going south this time is conservatively estimated to be in the thousands. Once there is a big storm at sea, many ships will definitely break away from the main fleet. At this time, a compass can increase the survival rate of stray merchant ships by 20 to 30%. Probability, if this probability can be superimposed, I would be very happy to equip each ship with a few more compasses. Because a compass only costs five guan, and the value of a merchant ship and its crew is far greater than this amount of money!"
Li Zexuan smiled when he heard this and said: "Haha, not bad, not bad. I didn't expect Renbiao to see the problem so thoroughly!"
Then he thought for a while and said: "As for the fifty compasses Renbiao wants, I will ask the people in the workshop to deliver them to you in the next two days, but I also need Renbiao's help with something."
"Sir, just say it!"
Wang Renbiao said quickly.
"This time when the Wang fleet goes south, I would like to ask you to bring something for me. I think this thing is rubber."
"What is rubber?"
Wang Renbiao said puzzledly. He was considered very knowledgeable, but he had never heard of rubber.
Li Zexuan considered the language and described:
"It is the sap produced by a tree. After you arrive in the Southeast Asian countries, you can send people to search for rubber trees. The rubber tree is an evergreen tree with a tap root system, three compound leaves, leathery entire edges, and panicles. The fruit is a capsule. , the seeds are oval and have milky sap, and this sap is rubber. Usually, you only need to make a cut in the bark of the tree, and then put a jar under the cut, and a lot of rubber will be collected."
Wang Renbiao and Leng Yuyao's eyes widened when they heard this. This was the first time they had heard of this magical tree. Why did it sound like a fantasy
"Is there such a tree in the world? It's so amazing!"
Wang Renbiao was stunned for a long time, and finally sighed.
Li Zexuan smiled and said: "Well, this rubber tree is indeed somewhat magical. It also has another name, which is the weeping tree. When you cut its bark with a knife, a lot of white sap will flow out. It looks like It hurts so much that it’s like crying!”
What Li Zexuan said is not nonsense. The word rubber tree originally came from the Indian word cau-uchu, which means "tree that sheds tears."
Wang Renbiao exclaimed: "It's interesting, it's so interesting! After hearing what Sir Alex said, if my family allows me, I would like to go south to see it myself."
Leng Yuyao couldn't help frowning and said: "Why do you have to cut off the bark of a good rubber tree? You are so cruel!"
Li Zexuan rolled his eyes. Sister, you carry a sword every day and kill people you don't like. Do you still have the nerve to call others cruel
Leng Yuyao instantly understood the expression on Li Zexuan's face. She blushed, looked away quickly, and said no more, as if the words just now were not hers.
"I need this kind of rubber very much. Renbiao, you can bring back as much as you find this time. I want them all. Don't worry about the price. I will definitely satisfy you! It's best to bring back some rubber seeds, but be careful. , its seeds and leaves are poisonous, so don’t let people eat it by mistake!”
Li Zexuan saw that this cold-faced girl was quite sensible, so he stopped being as knowledgeable as her. He later told Wang Renbiao.
There are many industrial products that are inseparable from rubber, and Li Zexuan really wants this stuff. Although rubber was originally produced in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest and had not yet been introduced to Asia at this time, Southeast Asia has a hot climate, abundant sunlight and rain, and has the same climatic conditions as the Amazon rainforest. It is difficult to guarantee that there will be no wild primitive rubber trees. If you find it, you will make a profit. Especially Malaysia, this place is a famous rubber kingdom in modern times, with the annual rubber output ranking first in the world.
People at this time must not have realized the value of rubber. The first people to use rubber were the Indians, the oldest residents in the Americas.
In 1493, Columbus sailed to the American island of Haiti for the second time. He saw the happy games of the Indians: they stood in a circle, singing songs and tossing a ball back and forth happily in time with the rhythm. When the ball hits the ground, it bounces high. Columbus was greatly surprised. After careful inquiry, he learned that the balls were made of something he had never known - rubber.
Later, when Columbus returned from America, he brought rubber back to Europe. However, no one in Europe at that time knew what use this wonderful thing could be used for besides playing games. Therefore, it was sent to the museum and displayed in a display case for people to view as a "novelty brought back by Columbus".
It was not until 1770, when Priestley, a British chemist and discoverer of oxygen, discovered that rubber could erase pencil writing that rubber was officially put to use.
Um, there is actually another joke about rubber. Now the English word "rubber" is also used to describe eraser. But what's interesting is that Americans nowadays are used to calling eraser "eraser", but "rubber" is used to describe condoms... ... ... ...
inside the house.
Wang Renbiao thought seriously for a while and then said: "Since the Lord needs it, I will definitely instruct the people below to search for this so-called rubber tree. In addition, I will also apply to the clan to send twenty more The merchant ship is specially loaded with rubber for Sir Alex. How about four hundred guan for a ship of rubber? Of course, if it is not full of rubber, we will also bring some goods back from there. But in this case, Sir Alex will have to Sold us twenty more compasses!”
Li Zexuan felt happy, Wang Renbiao was opening a back door for him! Because if you haul a ship of silk and porcelain, transport it to Nanyang, and exchange it for some spices and grains, the profit you get will definitely be more than 400 guan. A conservative estimate is at least two to three thousand guan. This is not an exaggeration at all. Ocean trade is such a huge profit!
"Haha, the compass is not a problem. Our workshop will give priority to the compass that the Wang family needs this time and supply it for free. Don't worry, Renbiao! If your fleet can really find rubber trees in Nanyang, then I, Li Zexuan, will owe you this time. You, the Wang family, are just a favor!”
Li Zexuan returned the favor to Li Dao. He was someone who always respected others as much as he respected him.
Wang Renbiao was taken aback, and he took this matter more seriously. He quickly raised his hands and said, "Don't worry, Sir, as long as there are rubber trees in the Southeast Asian countries, our Wang family's fleet will definitely be able to find them this time!"
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .
There is another update, probably after 12 o'clock. Guys, don't stay up late. Let's watch it tomorrow! Staying up late is harmful!
Thank you Destiny Luck and Shuaishuaizhi for the reward!
Thank you Lin Yuanyuan for your monthly ticket! Thanks for the recommendation votes, fellow veterans!
(End of chapter)