Zu Siming approached the caravan lobby with his hands behind his back and a newspaper.
He saw the brothers scratching their heads and scratching their clothes and looking sad.
They understood the content of the imperial edict and showed joy on their faces.
As his mind calmed down, even an illiterate man had several questions in his mind.
Where to go? How to go? Can it be successful?
They are blind to the situation in overseas areas and have no idea where to fight.
It doesn't even have a target, it's all brute force, and it has no effect.
Even if they choose a target, the place they want to go to is without exception overseas.
Ferry tickets to these areas are not cheap at all.
Each of these people had to pay at least a dozen taels of silver coins for the shipping fee.
As the initiator and the leader of the group, Zu Siming could not let his brothers pay for it.
Even if the brothers want to take out this money, those who can take it out will only be able to save one out of ten.
But he also had empty sleeves and had silver coins in his pocket, so why go to the hotel to buy wine on credit? He couldn't even afford the shipping fare for his brothers.
Zu Siming believes that living people will not suffocate to death, and as long as they think carefully, they can always find a solution.
He has made preparations to continue running the caravan to make money, and when they save enough money, they can go overseas to fight.
Just doing this made Zu Siming very unwilling.
Only those who succeed in the early stages and stay ahead will have the opportunity to truly change their destiny.
Those who miss this opportunity will never be able to catch up no matter how hard they try.
During this period of time, Zu Siming no longer even had the interest to drink.
It wasn't until he saw some important news in the newspaper that he became excited and informed his brothers of the good news.
Zu Siming slapped the newspaper on the table and shouted loudly: "Brothers, we can go overseas to fight for wealth."
"Brother, have you thought about it?" Song Xuewen asked in surprise.
As the accountant of the caravan, he was one of the few literate people in the caravan. He knew that it would be very difficult to go overseas.
"Boss, do we have money?"
"Big shopkeeper, can you please take care of your family?"
I want to follow the big boss, but I am the only strong worker in my family. Without me, the whole family will have to live on boiled sweet potatoes and steamed cornstarch."
Some people in the caravan who had some prestige followed Song Xuewen closely and asked about the situation they were most concerned about.
Zu Siming pointed to the newspaper he had slapped on the table just now.
"My methods are all in these newspapers. I will answer them for you one by one."
Zu Siming picked up the Yanhuang Daily and said happily: "Do you know what this is?
This was the first newspaper run by Emperor Su, and it was the most authoritative newspaper in the empire.
This newspaper explains where overseas we people can survive better.
The two most important conditions are that there are abundant resources and there are no strong forces nearby.
Everyone knows that there are abundant resources. At least they can grow food there to keep them alive.
Antarctica, at the southern tip of South America, has snow all year round, and the temperature there is much colder than Liaodong.
Such a large area of land has become barren.
In northern Africa, next to Fujian, there is an endless desert with not even a river in it.
We really chose to be in the desert. Let alone growing food, lack of water would make people die of thirst.
Even if we get kicked in the head by a donkey, we can't go to these places.
Not only should the place you choose be like spring all year round, it should also be like Liaodong, where food can be grown in spring and autumn.
The most important point is that there are no large forces nearby.
If people like us really compete for territory with big forces, we really can't do it.
"Yanhuang Daily" takes into consideration various situations and gives scores to various places.
The one with the highest score is North America, which far exceeds other places.
North America has fertile land and abundant water resources.
Zhao State is also famous for its gold mines. If we find a gold mine, we will not have to worry about it for the rest of our lives.
The most critical point is that there are only two slightly larger forces in North America, the Zhao Kingdom and the British colonists.
These two forces are still in a state of hostility and cannot be distracted.
They are not the overlords of a region and are hostile to each other. These two forces will basically not take the initiative to attack us who have just landed in North America."
Zu Siming read the contents of the newspaper, and most people, including Song Xuewen, kept nodding.
Although they are illiterate, they have gained a broad knowledge due to their travels.
They all agreed that what was in the newspaper was indeed true.
Seeing such a scene, Zu Siming became more confident.
"This newspaper, Hualian News Agency, is the newspaper with the most complete information.
Our caravan usually refers to the contents of this newspaper when accepting jobs.
This newspaper specifically mentioned that many businessmen purchased large quantities of items and traveled to North America and other places.
They specialize in selling products to small pioneering groups like us.
Some large chambers of commerce even allow credit.
We are successful and don't care about this small amount of money.
If we really fail, the worst thing we can do is work in vain for these chambers of commerce.
At least I won’t have to worry about food and drink, and maybe my life will be better than now.”
After Zu Siming finished speaking, he shouted loudly: "If you win, you will have a beautiful wife and concubine, if you lose, you will work hard.
We already have nothing, what can we lose?
I have consulted the Liaodong Chamber of Commerce, which allows credit accounts.
Brothers who want to create glory with me, we will set off in three days.
We were the only ones who set out, leaving our families behind in the empire.
The operation of the caravan requires a certain amount of funds. Even in the most difficult times, I did not touch this money.
Now I will use this money as settlement expenses for my brothers.
As long as we can make a fortune in North America, sooner or later we can bring our relatives and friends to North America to enjoy the blessings."
Zu Siming saw clearly that he led his brothers to North America to compete with indigenous and other pioneering groups.
This is a deadly business, how can you bring your family there?
Once the lair is taken over and the family members are taken hostage by the other party, how can the brothers have fighting power?
When the brothers in the caravan heard that their eldest brother had given him a living allowance, they were all enthusiastic and agreed to his arrangement.
Zu Siming asked everyone in the caravan to go home and prepare. Three days later, they would meet at the caravan station and take a cargo ship from the Liaodong Chamber of Commerce to America.
When he was leaving, he stopped Song Xuewen and Du Guangyou.
When Zu Siming was stunned by the two of them, he first looked at Du Guangyou and asked: "Old Du, I remember that your family is from a craftsman's family.
At that time, in Liaodong, we specialized in making firecrackers."
Du Guangyou said helplessly: "Brother, how can you talk about this old Huangli now?
When I was young, my father actually forced me to learn how to make firecrackers.
At that time, I was afraid that something might happen to the family's army, and I, the male, would need to take care of it.
But who still uses firecrackers now? This kind of outdated weapon has long been eliminated."
Zu Siming quickly waved his hand and said: "An old matchlock gun like a fire gun is indeed worthless in the empire.
Lao Du, if you know this craft, why don't you just follow me as a caravan?
But in North America, this is an incredible craft.
We, the pioneering team, have channels to purchase firearms and bullets.
But such firearms and bullets are bound to be extremely expensive goods.
Once we have a bad relationship with some pioneering groups and our purchasing channels are cut off, we cannot fight with swords and spears.
Our initial opponents should be the local indigenous tribes.
These indigenous people also carried broadswords, spears, and a small number of matchlocks, which were only a small amount of equipment for large indigenous tribes.
Our opponents are not the heavily armed imperial royal troops, but the natives wearing animal skin skirts and feather crowns.
Fireguns are also classified as firearms, so there is no problem in dealing with these natives."
When Du Guangyou heard Zu Siming's words, he felt that his importance had increased sharply, and he immediately said excitedly: "Brother, if my craftsmanship has not changed, leave the firecrackers to me.
This mature matchlock gun also has black powder. As long as the raw materials are sufficient, I can make as much as my brother needs."
When Zu Siming heard Du Guangyou's words, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Du Guangyou is the most critical link, which marks that this small group can produce its own muskets.
This will give them an advantage when competing with other forces.
Accumulate small victories into big ones, and as long as they keep moving forward, they can realize their dreams.
Zu Siming looked at Song Xuewen and ordered: "Old Song, give Lao Du more money and let him buy some machines that are necessary for making firecrackers."
He looked at Song Xuewen and nodded, then looked at Du Guangyou and ordered: "Old Du, you select a few smart people from among the young men to become your apprentices.
When the time comes, you will be in charge and manage them."
Du Guangyou heard that he could become the steward and immediately agreed to the matter.
He has no idea of clinging to technology. Any worker who has attended elementary school will understand the technology of making muskets better than he does.
Zu Siming and Song Xuewen began to go door to door to distribute settlement allowances to their brothers.
Most brothers have made a commitment and they are ready to leave home.
Only a few brothers who had other ideas chose to go back on their word.
Zu Siming didn't say anything. He didn't dare to take such a capricious person to America. If he was taken away by force, he would be easily shot on the battlefield.
During these three days, Zu Siming contacted some close friends.
He already has a core team of caravans and is contacting some friends through friendships, in-laws and other relationships.
These are teams of as few as two or three people, and as many as ten or twenty people.
These people wanted to respond to the development order, but they did not have the ability to organize more manpower.
Zu Siming took a fancy to this situation and recruited a large number of these small groups.
As long as he controls the core team, he doesn't have to worry about rebellion by these small groups.
At the same time, it is precisely because of the competition among these small groups that the core team does not dare to have dissent.
Three days passed by in a flash, and Zu Siming rushed to Jinzhou with more than 800 people. They would board the cargo ship of the Liaodong Chamber of Commerce at the seaside and head to the north of Zhao State.
These days, he also buys some newspapers and listens to some important news transmitted by telegraph in the telegraph room.
It is precisely because of the propaganda of the two top newspapers, "Yanhuang Daily" and "Hualian News".
For most pioneering groups, the location they choose is North America.
But North America is too huge, and 90% of the pioneering groups chose the vast unowned area between Zhao and Xiang.
This area is closer to the south of the empire, where the climate is mild and food production is abundant.
According to the situation of Zhao and Xiang, the number of gold and silver mines will not be small.
Zu Siming, who received support from the Liaodong Chamber of Commerce, did not choose this area.
He rejected all opinions and chose the vast land north of Zhao State.
The climate here is severely cold, but it is similar to the climate in Northeast China, and everyone can get used to the climate here.
Zu Siming believes that the most critical point is that if Zhao chooses to send troops to one place, he will never choose the barren land in the north.
I will definitely choose the sacred land in the south.
Zu Siming has always believed that it is difficult to take advantage of advantages. It seems that he has found an advantage, but in fact, the price of this advantage has already been secretly marked.
When these pioneering groups fell into the attack of Zhao and Xiang, they attracted their attention.
However, Zu Siming can silently increase his strength. When he actually takes action, he will definitely shock the world.
They boarded a wooden-hulled paddle steamer passenger ship, which was the ship the Liaodong Chamber of Commerce was preparing to head to America.
"Mr. Ancestor, this is the passenger ship used by our Liaodong Chamber of Commerce to run routes to India.
Its speed is a bit slow, but just enough to keep up with the freight fleet.
The experience of this boat is great and will definitely leave an unforgettable memory for my ancestors.”
Zu Siming smiled and passed. He did not complain about the Liaodong Chamber of Commerce for providing them with a slow and noisy paddle steamer.
This is a boat provided by the Liaodong Chamber of Commerce for free, and he has nothing to fault.
All members of the pioneering team prepared by Zu Siming boarded the ship.
He looked at the people carrying rifles that had been eliminated by the Imperial Royal Army, and the stewards also had pistols on their waists.
These tough guys were ready, and the local natives who were about to kill them were howling and screaming.
Zu Siming stood on the bow of the boat, raised his head and shouted: "This huge wealth is falling on my head. I must seize this opportunity to stand out and completely change my destiny."
…………………………
Li Yaoguang, the eldest son of the Nanyang Li family, is organizing a huge fleet, and the ships are ready to leave the port.
Wang Zhonghua passed by Temasek Port to supply supplies, and he saw the preparations of his close friend Lee Yao-kwong.
He took a small boat and walked to the flagship of the Li family fleet.
Wang Zhonghua stood on the boat and shouted: "Brother Li, looking at the size of your fleet, it doesn't look like you are going to Europe for trade.
Could it be that your Li family has also formed a pioneering team and is preparing to go to North America to get a share of the pie?"
Li Yaoguang shook his head and said: "The pioneering team is not something that ordinary people can form. It is a business that licks blood with the tip of a knife, and they may die suddenly in a hail of bullets at any time.
Our Li family is about to transform from the home of merchants to the home of nobles.
I don't have any need to take risks. A rich man wouldn't stand behind a dangerous wall.
Where these pioneering groups were in America, they had to eat, drink, eat, drink, and sleep. They were indispensable for human needs.
Materials in America are extremely scarce, which is an opportunity for us businessmen to show off.
You must know that knowledge is prevalent in Nanyang gold mines. The people who make big money are not the miners who dig gold mines, but the businessmen who sell various materials.
We are just businessmen. If we really compete, how can we defeat those monsters?
But when we do our job well as businessmen, we not only make a lot of money, but also make a wide network of contacts."
After Wang Zhonghua listened, he gave a thumbs up and praised: "Brother Li, I really admire you. Your Li family's way of doing things is worth learning from all of us."
After he finished his compliments, he immediately ordered the telegraph operator to send the information he learned via telegram.
This experience of the Li family is also very useful to the Wang family.
The Wang family has been a step too late and must try their best to make up for it.