Zhu Biao pondered for a while and said in disbelief: "According to your opinion, doesn't that mean that the imperial court's waste in transporting food is much greater than that of merchants?"
Han Du nodded, "Isn't this an obvious thing? Your Highness sees that every time those merchants go out to do business, no matter where they go, one of them returns empty-handed after buying the goods? Which one of them will not
When the goods are sold out, the goods are purchased from the local area and then transported back to the place of departure to sell?"
"And after the imperial court transported the grain, which time did it not come back empty-handed? Could it be that the civilian officials came back from the border and ate the horse's chews without spending money? This coming and going is equivalent to those businessmen getting twice the result with half the effort.
, but the imperial court did twice the result with half the result."
Zhu Biao understood instantly. He originally thought that merchants were unprofitable. After listening to Han Du's explanation, Zhu Biao suddenly realized that it was not unprofitable. There was simply huge profit in it. Take grain transportation as an example.
The imperial court spent 5 million guan on transportation alone, but this was actually the total cost of going back and forth. If only counted, it would only be 2.5 million guan.
Transporting 5 million shi of grain from 10 million guan will result in a net profit of at least 2.5 million guan. This is simply a very rare big business. No wonder Han Du said there is no need to worry that no businessman is willing to take over this business.
"In this way, for the court, the money spent is the same, but a lot of effort is saved." Han Du said with a smile.
Seeing that Zhu Biao didn't speak, Han Du simply gave an example: "Your Highness, do you still remember the time when I was in charge of the Baochao Collection Department and there was an urgent shortage of cotton?"
Zhu Biao suddenly reacted, pointed at Han Du and blurted out, "Remember, why don't I remember that time? You couldn't find enough cotton on the market, so you more than doubled the price, causing a lot of trouble. But this method of yours
It's indeed good. I remember that time, except for spending a little more money, you didn't have any other trouble, and you easily got tens of thousands of kilograms of cotton."
"Yeah, that time really solved my urgent need." Thinking about it now, Han Du felt as if it happened yesterday. "That time, if I hadn't raised the price of cotton, it would have caused the merchants to go out and collect cotton. If it were changed,
If I go and buy it myself, does Your Highness think I can easily buy enough cotton?"
"How is this possible?" Zhu Biao shook his head without hesitation, "Back when the economy was in recession, all the vendors in the capital would have sold out last year's cotton in order to buy the new cotton that was about to be launched. If it hadn't been for your method
, even the gods can’t get the cotton together for you.”
"So, Your Highness, you see, this is the role of businessmen, they are not doing nothing.
Production, but has unknown merits." Han Du spread his hands and said with a smile: "If there are no merchants in the world, then the food grown by farmers can only be eaten by themselves, and the food that cannot be eaten will rot.
They cannot exchange for diesel, salt, sauce, vinegar, tea and gold and silver headdresses. And those who make a living by growing tea have no way to satisfy their hunger with tea and can only starve to death."
Zhu Biao clapped his hands happily when he heard this, "That's right. In the past, people often said that scholars, farmers, and merchants were not involved in production and were listed under the Four People. But now it seems that the world has too much misunderstanding of merchants."
It was difficult for Han Du to answer this. The person who had the deepest misunderstanding about businessmen was none other than Lao Zhu. There are rumors that the reason why Lao Zhu's family could not survive back then was because of businessmen, and he was also bullied by businessmen when he was down.
So after the founding of the country, Lao Zhu began to suppress businessmen.
In fact, whether in the former Yuan or the former Song Dynasty, the status of merchants was not low. Especially in the former Song Dynasty, when commerce was the most developed, the status of merchants was not inferior to that of officials.
But in the hands of Lao Zhu, the merchants were directly demoted to the bottom of the four peoples, and they were not even allowed to wear silk and satin.
No matter what Han Du thought, he couldn't help but shake his head: Lao Zhu's revenge on the merchants was too serious. Fortunately, Zhu Biao was kind-hearted by nature, and the merchants still had hope.
It is precisely because of this that Fu Yong and others will not hesitate to take risks themselves, but also follow His Highness the Crown Prince to the Western Ocean thousands of miles away. They are gambling with their own wealth and life, and they are betting that they can stay in front of His Highness the Crown Prince.
With a good impression, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will ascend the throne in the future, which can change the current problem of low status of businessmen.
What Fu Yong said just now was not only gossip on the tea table, but also the truth from their hearts.
Zhu Biao did not know how many times he had experienced this kind of situation. Faced with the promises made by Fu Yong and others, he casually said a few words of comfort and completely brought Fu Yong and others under his command.
As the chat became more and more lively, a group of people came running from a distance. Han Du and others, who were sitting on the hillside, could see clearly.
Han Du immediately stood up, approached Zhu Biao and whispered: "They are the people I sent out to explore the road. How come they came back so soon?"
Zhu Biao stood on the hillside, stared at the naval officers who were getting closer, and said in a deep voice: "Their formation is scattered, and they don't look like they are retreating calmly.
On the contrary, some of them seemed to have fled back in a panic. Could it be that someone is chasing them?"
Zhu Biao turned his head and looked at Han Du.
Han Du's tone was stagnant. He didn't know how to answer, so he had to change the topic, "It does seem like someone is chasing them, but where did their horses come from? Could it be that they stole other people's horses and were chased and killed?
Already?"
Tang Ding said decisively: "Your Highness, no matter what is going on with them, I think it is better to be on guard in advance. In addition, I will go and ask them what is going on."
Zhu Biao nodded and immediately gave the order: "Instruct the navy to be on guard against possible pursuers. In addition, Tang Ding, you immediately take someone down to meet them and ask what is going on."
"Follow the order." Tang Ding immediately waved his hand and ordered the navy to be on alert, and immediately led the men down the hillside.
Han Du stood on the hillside and saw a black line appearing in the distance just as Tang Ding and the people from the pathfinding team came into contact. He immediately took out his telescope and looked, and saw a large group of cavalry rushing towards here.
These people wear cloth hats or cloth scarves on their heads, dark brown shawls on their shoulders and backs, and white clothes underneath. The horses sitting down are either white or brown, and are unusually strong. There are a handful tied to each side of the horses.
The scimitar kept shaking and bouncing as the horses ran rapidly.
Han Du only saw scimitars, not bows and arrows, but he was not sure that these people did not have bows and arrows.
Sweeping the telescope slightly, Han Du took a look at the opponent's troops.
Putting down the telescope, he said to Zhu Biao: "The cavalry coming is about two thousand."
This small number of men and horses is nothing to the navy, but to the soldiers exploring the road, even if they have sharp firearms, it is difficult for them to resist.
Zhu Biao nodded when he heard the words, "Let people be on guard. The cavalry is at a disadvantage when going uphill. Don't worry about them, just be on guard. In addition, ask Tang Ding to bring those people up quickly and ask what is going on."
"
Han Du nodded and immediately glanced at the soldiers behind him, "Immediately go and pass His Highness's order to Marquis Su Yi."
Soon, Tang Dingben led the group of soldiers to the hillside.
"Meet your Highness~" Tang Ding and his soldiers bowed to Zhu Biao.
Zhu Biao's eyes fell on the people behind Tang Ding, and he frowned suddenly. The condition of these people was not very good. Although their clothes were relatively neat, they all had more or less.
Injured, even mentally exhausted.
"No courtesy, please get up. What's going on with you? Are you fighting with each other?"
Tang Ding saw that the captain behind him lowered his head and did not dare to answer, so he immediately reprimanded loudly, "Your Highness asked you something, are you mute?"
The captain quickly clasped his fists and replied without daring to raise his head: "General Jiang Cong, please speak to His Highness. The general was ordered to go north to inquire about the situation, and within thirty miles he saw people."
Hearing this, Han Du frowned and said, "Since you saw someone, why didn't you turn back and report it immediately?"
Jiang Cong smiled coquettishly, and under Han Du's compelling eyes, he replied honestly: "I heard from the Marquis that there is a sea three to four hundred miles away, and I want to see it."
Jiang thought it was only three to four hundred miles away, so he thought about waiting a few days before coming back to report."
Jiang Cong also followed Han Du to Liaodong and went deep into the grasslands. For him, three or four hundred miles was indeed just a few days' journey.
But this kind of habit of making opinions cannot be used. Han Du glared at him and said with gritted teeth: "I will get thirty military sticks later!"
When Jiang Cong heard that he was about to receive thirty military sticks, his expression suddenly changed.
The navy's law enforcement officers are very powerful. Thirty military sticks are enough to keep him out of bed for several days, allowing him to have a good memory.
"Thank you, Lord Marquis, for your kindness." Jiang Cong bowed gratefully with clasped fists.
Han Du got angry when he looked at Jiang Cong. Now that he has discovered something, even if you don't come back, you should send someone back with the news, right? If he had known that there was someone nearby, the navy wouldn't have delayed here for a long time.
sky.
"If it weren't for the fact that you brought so many people back, do you think I would be merciful!" Han Du glared at Jiang Cong angrily, making him want to turn around and run away.
Then Han Du nodded slightly and said, "Continue, what happened to you? Also, where did you horses come from?"
Han Du's eyes fell on the horses behind a few people, and he couldn't help but smile on his face. These horses were not very tall and strong, but they gave people a light and vigorous feeling. Han Du could see clearly through the telescope just now
Chu, when these horses run, they seem to be suspended in the air. Moreover, judging from the condition of the horses behind Jiang Cong, these horses have been running for who knows how long, but there is no sign of violent breathing. Obviously these horses