At this moment, Zhang Chengtian has almost become the mouthpiece between Zhang Ximeng and Zhu Yuanzhang. If these two people want to discuss important national affairs, either Zhang Ximeng will go to the palace, or Lao Zhu will come to the Zhang family.
When nothing happens, Zhang Ximeng will study at home and take care of his children, while Lao Zhu will farm outside the city and take care of his grandchildren.
At this time, Zhang Chengtian needs to shuttle back and forth to deliver news. For example, when expanding overseas, he must first plant sugar cane and squeeze sugar. This is Zhang Ximeng's idea.
Let me tell you a joke... Foreign colonization will also lose money.
Yes, you think that attacking foreign countries, expanding territories, and forcing others to work for you is a very profitable business, but it is not.
First of all, organizing production is a very costly matter.
After production, it also needs to be stored, transported, and sold... Every link consumes huge wealth.
Take Zhu Di for example, why does he owe so much money?
It’s not all about the upfront investment!
Farming, logging, sheep raising, woolen fabrics... these very profitable industries are not enough to make up for the shortfall. If the Ming Dynasty really lacked these things and could not develop them, Zhu Di would have lost all his pants.
And these industries that seem very profitable are not enough to fill the shortfall. So what else can really make money by expanding outward?
Robbery?
Maybe, but robbery also requires luck. The other party must not resist too much, and they must have real money. Otherwise, if you go to rob, they will be so pitiful, with snot and tears, and in the end you will throw ingots to others. That would be a loss.
Big.
Fortunately, in this world, there is an industry that is better than robbery, and it is absolutely huge profits.
That’s sugar extraction!
In later generations, people may think that sugar is nothing, costing only a few dollars a pound and being everywhere. People even think that sugar is unhealthy, and everything they eat and drink must be advertised as sugar-free.
But now, sugar is different.
In places like the Central Plains, the people are quite smart and can tinker with maltose and make snacks to meet their needs.
But looking at the world, in most places, it is true that only nobles and nobles can occasionally eat a little honey.
They even regard sugar as a universal treasure. If you feel uncomfortable or have a stomachache, they will give you a bowl of sugar water. When drinking afternoon tea, if others put one spoonful of sugar in the bowl, you can put three spoons... No doubt, you
Even the nobles among the nobles, the nobles with the square Union Jack flag in old London, the white flag in old Paris, and the black flag in old Berlin, will kneel at your feet and call you big brother.
Of course, places like Dashi and Persia are not much better. Just look at how much sugar they use in their snacks.
Generally speaking, it is really the land of the Central Plains, where things are prosperous and the people are prosperous, and the treatment of sugar is not so crazy.
But that's all.
By pressing sugar in Lingnan, Zhu Ying not only supported the imperial court with millions of military expenditures, but also successfully captured Yunnan, expanding his territory and almost catching up with Zhu Di. The biggest financial source behind him was also cane sugar.
So to sum it up, sugar is almost the most favorite place for people to spend money after they are full... Firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, tea, the eighth necessity is definitely sugar!
Another point is that most people in the Ming Dynasty can grow food... As for salt, because it is a necessity, without salt, people will have no strength and their bodies will have problems.
Therefore, neither of these two things should pursue profits too much. We should ensure that everyone has enough to eat and can afford salt.
But when it comes to sucrose, I'm sorry. If you can't afford it, then don't eat it. If you can't afford it, don't buy it.
Anyway, if you don't eat sugar, nothing will happen.
As for those who can afford it, just contribute taxes to Ming Dynasty.
"To sum it up, the demand for sugar is huge, the market is vast, and the profits are huge... In addition to gold and silver, sugar is almost the first choice for external development. It is difficult to have a more profitable business."
Zhang Ximeng explained to Zhang Chengtian, "If your Majesty can start with sucrose, it will indeed be a good choice."
Zhang Chengtian lowered his head, thought for a while, and said in confusion: "Father, you talk so much about sugar, Uncle Zhu Ying does make money there, but it is far from the level you said, what's going on?"
Zhang Ximeng snorted, "What else can happen! Although sugar is good, sugar extraction is too bitter and requires a lot of labor. Moreover, the climate in Lingnan is not completely suitable for growing sugar cane. It is better than Lingnan, and
Quite a few.”
Zhang Chengtian became interested, "Dad, what place do you think is most suitable for growing sugar cane?"
Zhang Ximeng said with a smile: "This place obviously cannot be too big, it is best to be an island... because the island is easy to control, and if you throw the labor in, they can't escape. Also, this place needs to be hot and humid, with suitable climate conditions to facilitate the growth of sucrose."
...If we can find such a suitable place, a mere island can match the output of several provinces. It will be a complete treasure island and the apple of the eye of the Emperor of Heaven!"
After Zhang Chengtian listened carefully, he finally understood what his father meant.
"This is a matter of great lack of virtue. Zhu Di should do it. I won't touch it. I have to find a more profitable business!"
Zhang Ximeng rolled his eyes, "Can you find a more profitable business?"
Zhang Chengtian smiled, "It all depends on people... Dad, do you think there will be any reward for you if the child is found?"
"Reward? I'll reward you for harvesting sugar cane!" Zhang Ximeng said rudely: "You guys should do something serious. Don't think that just because you got first place in the exam, you can slack off. Do you understand?"
Zhang Chengtian was startled and quickly agreed. He was very happy. In fact, his father also cared about his grades.
Don't worry, since you took the exam once, there will be a second time. If the things in our Zhang family's hands are in my hands, I will not let them go out no matter what.
Don't worry about this.
As for the next things, especially making money, I will definitely find a way to make money and make my father stunned. Just look at it, I, Zhang Chengtian, will definitely be better than my predecessor!
This kid took advantage of his vacation and walked around the streets, not letting go of any clues.
Zhang Chengtian was in Yingtian City, looking for opportunities to make a fortune everywhere.
As for Zhu Yuanzhang, he couldn't wait any longer.
Zhu Yuanzhang issued an edict and called all the Mongolian princes over.
There were more than twenty people, including Mongolian princes and nobles, who were so frightened that they didn't even have the courage to look up.
Zhu Yuanzhang said calmly: "We already know that it was indeed because Wang Baobao was coercing us that we had to go against the Ming Dynasty. It's not easy for you!"
Mahamu quickly took the lead, knelt on the ground, and cried bitterly.
"Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty, long live my emperor!"
He changed his tune quite quickly. Lao Zhu chuckled and said, "You were wronged and you had to do it as a last resort. Now you are here to plead guilty to me. Do you think we should be granted an official title and a reward? Can this make you feel at ease?"
Everyone was startled. They did think so, but facing Zhu Yuanzhang at this moment, they really didn't dare to talk nonsense.
Mahamu was the best at speaking Chinese. He was stunned, and kowtowed hurriedly: "Thunder, rain, and dew, could it be God's grace!"
Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help laughing, "Well said! But whoever gets the rain and dew will be happy, whoever gets the thunder will be dissatisfied, and even go back to lead the rebellion. Are we right?"
Lao Zhu waved his hand, "No, we don't like to talk in circles, let's go straight to the point! We can give you a chance and allow you to join the Ming Dynasty without being punished, but you must also show the attitude of being a courtier. Every tribe
, those with more than 100,000 people must give us 5,000 young men, and the rest must hand over 3,000, ranging from 1,000 to 1,000. If we want these people to do things, you must give them! You can’t give them up!"
Lao Zhu is so domineering that there is no doubt about it.
Among the crowd, Mahamu was born in Wala and was very powerful. If calculated based on the number of men under his command, he must have had 5,000 men.
It really hurts!
Moreover, if so many people are used, the combat power will be weakened, and the surrounding tribes may join forces to kill them. This is definitely not a careless thing.
"Foreign minister, I dare to ask, what will your Majesty use these people for?" Mahamu asked boldly.
"What are you doing? Of course, you are growing sugar cane and pressing sugar!" Lao Zhu said with a smile.
It took a long time for the princes present to figure out what was going on... Immediately, several people became furious! What a great Ming emperor, we came to surrender, but you used us as coolies.
If we had known this, we wouldn't have come.
Do you really think you are invincible tomorrow?
If you don’t accept it, let’s fight!
In the midst of the rage, Mahamu looked to both sides, knelt down again, and said proactively: "The foreign minister is willing to donate five thousand young men for your Majesty's command!"
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him and suddenly smiled: "You have given us so many people, aren't you afraid that the surrounding tribes will unite to attack you and destroy you? Also, don't you feel sad?"
Mahamu gritted his teeth and said, "In reply to Your Majesty, the Foreign Minister thinks that being able to serve Your Majesty is a blessing for the Foreign Minister. As for whether there will be siege, the Foreign Minister thinks that the country will not let the ministers who sincerely surrender suffer!"
Lao Zhu looked at this young man with a smile on his face. Sure enough, he knew the current affairs and it would be inevitable in the future.
"You are very smart! We might as well tell you that we want five thousand of you, not as coolies, but to let these people manage the natives and let the natives grow sugar cane and squeeze sugar!"
Lao Zhu revealed the answer to the mystery, Mahamu's eyes widened in horror, and the other princes were also shocked!
How did you say this?
Not to be a coolie, but to take care of people!
Not only do you care about people, but you also want to extract sugar!
Why is something wrong?
Sure enough, Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and said: "Mahamu, you have so many people, we will not give you a penny of military pay. We will give you candy, three stones of candy for one person per year, do you think it is enough?"
Mahamu was dumbfounded and gave three stones of candy to each one!
Still three stones a year!
I want to have three stones of sugar, take it to the river, take it to Persia, and I can exchange it for ten slaves!
And if you master sugar, you are sitting on a golden mountain.
"Long live my emperor! Long live my emperor!"
Mahamu kowtowed from the bottom of his heart, but Zhu Yuanzhang was still smiling, "Beyond the Western Regions, we will also leave the sugar business of the Silk Road to you. Remember, as long as you are loyal to the Ming Dynasty, we will not treat you badly.
.”
Mahamu kowtowed frantically until his forehead bled. Even if Mahamu called Zhu Yuanzhang dad at this moment, there would be no problem.
But on the other side, Zhang Chengtian was holding a petition and patted it in front of Zhang Ximeng.
"Dad, what do you think of this thing selling for a hundred dollars?" the little fat man said proudly.
Zhang Ximeng was startled for a moment, and when he took it over, he saw that it was a confession signed by South Korean Gong Li Shanchang, from the prefect. After thinking about it for a moment, Zhang Ximeng's face turned dark...
(End of chapter)
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