The invention of paper can be said to be one of the greatest inventions in the history of human civilization, which has greatly promoted the inheritance and continuation of human civilization.

The merchants in the audience could see that the quality of this batch of paper was much better than the best paper on the market. Not only was the surface smooth and easy to write on, it was also very thick and tough and not easily damaged.

Yuan Shu provides millions of pieces every month, and the wholesale price is ten guan per piece. This is the real huge profit, tens of millions of guan a month, and the supply exceeds the demand.

The businessmen in the audience were much more interested in this than the previous wine and salt. A million pieces of paper seemed like a lot, but after a rush of buying, they were quickly divided up.

Yuan Shu did not intend to popularize paper at this time. Because the common people in this era could not even afford to eat, even if paper were popularized, it would only benefit the aristocratic families. It would be better to make a fortune from the aristocratic families to support people's livelihood.

Nowadays, academies in various counties in Jiangdong have begun to be initially established, and some scholars from poor families with average talents are responsible for teaching.

Yuan Shu asked his scholars to compile some reading materials suitable for enlightenment, such as the Three Character Classic and the Hundred Family Surnames. These articles and the Four Books and Five Classics were mass-produced into books using woodblock printing, and every student in the academy had a copy.

Although the academy has no restrictions on recruiting students and does not require tuition fees, basic living expenses still have to be charged. After all, if you can't even afford basic living expenses, it will be difficult to persist in studying.

And if you study here and succeed in the future, you must work in Jiangdong. After all, Yuan Shu can't work so hard to cultivate a group of basic talents, only to use them to support his enemies.

These academies mainly serve the purpose of enlightenment and recruit children from common people who have some savings.

These people are not like those children from aristocratic families or poor scholars. If it were not for Yuan Shu, they would not have the opportunity to study in their lives, and in the end they would have to live with the fields for the rest of their lives. Yuan Shu did not go too far at all, and they could not even shed tears of gratitude.

As for other poor scholars, Yuan Shu plans to open another academy in Jinling. Different from the Enlightenment Academy, this is a real academy for further education, prepared to cultivate intermediate and high-level talents in the future.

However, due to the current lack of a great scholar who can control the situation, Yuan Shu's plan can only be put on hold temporarily.

In this auction, all three lots were sold smoothly. Yuan Shu, relying on his share of the supply of wine and paper, earned more than 30 million yuan.

And relying on these three industries, Yuan Shu can still earn a stable income of 12 million yuan every month. Among them, wine and salt account for 1 million each, and paper accounts for 10 million.

The items were sold out, but the auction was not over yet. Yuan Shu called this group of people here not only to sell these items.

Thinking about what to do next, Mrs. Zhang took a deep breath and said: "Next, I want to announce something to everyone. Our Jiangdong Chamber of Commerce is now officially established. I hope you will join us enthusiastically."

Everyone in the audience stared at each other, wondering what kind of medicine Zhang's gourd was selling and what the Jiangdong Chamber of Commerce was.

Mrs. Zhang suddenly burst out with a surge of momentum, and her eyes were like lightning, sweeping over the people in the audience.

"Everyone, as businessmen, we have been at the bottom of society since ancient times and are considered humble people."

"In the eyes of the world, we are opportunistic and useless people. Scholars, farmers, industry and merchants, let alone the scholars look down on us, even the farmers and craftsmen think they are superior to us. We work hard and risk all kinds of risks to sell goods and win.

By making profits and distributing materials, you have also made your own contribution to the world. You have a fortune, but in the end you are still a humble person. Are you willing to do so?"

The businessmen in the audience were hurt, and their expressions were either ferocious or gloomy.

"Of course we are not willing to give in! But what's the use of not being willing to give in? The world still belongs to the aristocratic family, and we can only rely on others."

"Scientists, farmers, industry and commerce have been like this since ancient times. What else can we do?"

Seeing these people's indignation and resentment, Mrs. Zhang sighed in her heart.

Wasn't this the case with my husband? Even though he was the most wealthy businessman in the Han Dynasty, he was despised by others. He was worth hundreds of millions but still had no status at all.

Thinking about her current situation, Mrs. Zhang felt extremely emotional. Perhaps the Jiangdong Zhen family and her current situation were what her husband had dreamed of. She had fulfilled her husband's last wish and was worthy of him.

"Everyone must know how difficult and painful it is for us as businessmen. We work hard, but we are just the cash machines of aristocratic families. When we encounter war, it is time for us businessmen to donate for free. No matter how hard we work, we are at the bottom of the entire society.

You will never be able to stand up again."

"But, now there is an opportunity in front of you, Jiangdong Chamber of Commerce."

Zhang's eyes were intentionally or unintentionally looking at the looming figure at the rear right.

"I, Yuan Zhoumu of Yangzhou, are well aware of the important role and difficulties of merchants, so I have established the Jiangdong Chamber of Commerce in the hope of supporting merchants and improving their status."

"Those who join the Jiangdong Chamber of Commerce will be cared for by the government in Jiangdong. No one will dare to bully them. Their status is the same as that of farmers and craftsmen. In addition, members of the Chamber of Commerce can also purchase their own products from among themselves at lower prices.

Necessary goods.”

"With power, there are naturally obligations. Members of the Chamber of Commerce must sell the goods they want to sell at 90% of the market price according to the quota stipulated by the Chamber of Commerce. They must not intentionally harm the interests of the Jiangdong Chamber of Commerce under any circumstances. Once discovered, they will be kicked out immediately.

The Chamber of Commerce will never accept it again. If there is any loss due to this, the Chamber of Commerce will make certain compensation after review."

When the businessmen in the audience heard this, they immediately said excitedly: "I wonder how to join the Jiangdong Chamber of Commerce?"

After hearing these words, these businessmen immediately realized what the Jiangdong Chamber of Commerce meant.

It is an interest group formed by using the Yangzhou government as the backend to combine the power of all internal businessmen.

If you join it, you can get the goods at a price that is 10% cheaper than others. Even if you are the seller, you will not lose money. Although the selling price is lower, the quantity will definitely increase a lot, no matter what

It won't be a loss at all.

The most important thing is that you can have a certain status and security in Yangzhou.

Zhang naturally knew that these people would definitely discover the key, and said without surprise: "Anyone who joins our Jiangdong Chamber of Commerce must declare their wealth and financial resources, as well as the products and regions they operate to facilitate control. Moreover, they also need to

At least one-third of my savings, other than working capital and real estate, are deposited in Yangzhou Bank."

"Don't worry, everyone, Mr. Zhou Mu promises in the name of the Yangzhou government that he will not embezzle any of your money. Moreover, everyone should be able to see Yangzhou's current strength and situation. It will never collapse in a short time in the future."

"Lord Zhou Mu has given us a platform to get rid of the control of aristocratic families and compete on an equal footing. He has also given us a hope to get rid of our lowly status. Instead of just sitting around and waiting for death, why not take a chance and hope that we can turn around! Let the world see us businessmen.
Chapter completed!