"What's happened to the Ming army these days? Why do they come to fire cannons every day? Why don't they fire? They just fire cannons indiscriminately."
"Who says it isn't? That cannon is so terrifying. If this continues, the city wall will collapse."
"Do you think we can beat the Ming army? Look at their cannons and the warships at the harbor last time. You didn't go there at the time. It was too scary, especially the fastest one, which was black and had a golden dragon painted on it.
Wen's warship, with its seven or eight cannon muzzles, was bombarding the shore indiscriminately. If it hadn't been for running fast, I'd probably have stayed there with its life."
"Do you think we have a chance to win this battle?"
The Le Dynasty rebel soldiers guarding the city in Thanh Hoa sighed as they watched the Ming army slowly retreating on the somewhat broken city wall.
Ever since Zhu Zhanzhen arrived, he has been using this kind of firepower coverage style. There is no direct contact with you at all. If you want to counterattack, you must first go through the firepower network woven by more than a dozen cannons.
Moreover, once the rebels want to fight you at all costs, the Ming army will retreat, and the rebels will not dare to pursue you for fear of a trap.
In the past few days, the Ming army lost artillery and ammunition, but there were almost no casualties, but some people died on the rebel side.
But does the Ming army care about this ammunition and artillery?
The weapons workshop of the Guangdong vassal has been put into production, and it can fire thirty or forty cannons continuously every day, and there will be no problem if it continues for several years.
We fight for supplies, which cannot be spent without the support of strong national power.
The current defender of Thanh Hoa City is Le Li’s clan brother: Le Hung.
This was a man who was not tall but had fierce eyes. At this time, he was scratching his head. Facing the Ming army's offensive mode, he scratched his head and sighed that there was nothing he could do. The strength in Qinghua City was not enough to organize a counterattack.
The battle at the port a few days ago cost him hundreds more people, and now he had no choice but to hold on.
"Damn the Ming army." Li Hung cursed. He was still waiting for Li Li's reinforcements to launch a counterattack against the Ming army when the reinforcements arrived.
The rebels in Cochin have been fighting back and forth for almost a year now. The people of Cochin are suffering terribly, and conflicts occur frequently in various places. It is certain that they will not be able to send a large number of troops for reinforcements for a while.
At this time, his younger brother Li Youmin walked up to him with a smile: "Fifth brother, the Guangdong family that used to trade with our Li family has sent someone again."
"Why can we send someone here now?" Li Xuan was extremely surprised.
"The Nan family is very capable in the Guangdong vassal. It's not easy to think about it." Li Youmin and others didn't know that Guangdong had changed.
The two countries were at war, and Zhu Zhanzhen strictly controlled smuggling in Guangdong, so they had no channel to learn about these things.
Li Hungry laughed evilly: "We have been disconnected for so long, why are we in touch now?"
"People from the original small port came to report that the Nan family had landed and brought us food."
When I heard about the food shortage, my eyes lit up. Because of the war, the farmers could not grow food well, and because there was basically no shortage of food in Jiaozhi, the people did not have the habit of hoarding food. It only took a year for them to grow food well.
Cochin has actually fallen into a certain food crisis.
In addition, due to the war this year, Le Li had no choice but to collect excessively, which made the people unwilling to hand over their food to the rebels.
Large grain-producing countries are now experiencing internal food crises.
The Nan family suddenly appeared and brought food, which was an unexpected surprise for them.
In the past, Li Youmin and the Nan family had done a lot of smuggling trade and made a lot of money every time. Their appearance now solved an urgent need.
Li Hung's originally happy face suddenly flashed with gloom: "Send them away. The two countries are at war, and collaborating with the enemy is a serious crime."
"Brother, we now have enough food to sell to the people in the city, and we can make a lot of money."
Li Xuan, who frowned slightly, waved his hand: "No, not now."
He and Li Youmin often talked about these things in the past. Li Youmin was smart and had many ways. He still followed Li Youmin back then. However, after the rebels rebelled, Li Youmin's character could not lead the army. On the contrary, Li Youmin was good, so Li Li put him in the position.
.
"Youmin, we are no longer small businessmen, we are rebels. In the future, if we defeat the Ming Dynasty, we will become relatives of the emperor. We can no longer be tempted by such petty profits."
"How could the Ming army retreat immediately?"
"The battle between the two armies must not damage our ambition."
Li Youmin and Li Xing broke up unhappy and walked to the door and spat: "Bah, isn't he just the son of a domestic slave? He dares to point fingers at me because he is older. Do you really think he can defeat the Ming army?"
There are many people in the rebel army who have the same ideas as Li Youmin. It is the same in any country. There will always be some doves, some hawks, some optimists, and some pessimists. In fact, these categories have no essence.
You just have to make the right choice at the right time.
When it's time to fight, it's time to make peace.
Li Youmin took his two followers and rushed to the small port that night. He didn't care about the money, he would definitely make the money.
In the dark port, the boat was swaying in the waves. The wind and waves were a bit strong tonight. Shopkeeper Li of the Nan family was waiting a little anxiously by the small port.
A fire flickered not far away, and Li Youmin came with people.
The two met with great enthusiasm: "Shopkeeper Li, I haven't seen you for a long time. I thought you wouldn't come to do business anymore."
"How could it be possible? How could it be possible? My father died of illness some time ago. The family was busy with this matter, and everything else was delayed. Why didn't the new head of the family ask me to come as soon as he took office?"
"Oh, that's it, but it seems that other businesses in Guangdong haven't come here for a long time."
"Isn't this also a war? I'm afraid, I'm the only one who's brave." Shopkeeper Li chuckled.
Li Youmin put his arm around his shoulders and said, "Only those who are brave can make a lot of money. Those who are timid will starve to death. It's good to be bold. I like you to be bold."
The two exchanged some pleasantries: "Brother Youmin, I originally planned to come over and buy some food from you, but I didn't expect that as soon as I landed, I heard the contact person say that you don't have enough food now, so I thought no matter what
I have to bring you some, so I went back to the big ship and brought some grain to you."
"Thank you, thank you so much. A friend in need is a friend indeed. Our relationship is definitely better than that of real brothers."
Shopkeeper Li continued: "By the way, I forgot to tell you. Now that the Ming Dynasty has imposed a sea ban, our Nan family no longer has to smuggle secretly. We came here in a fair and just way on merchant ships, but the merchant ships are too conspicuous. After all, Jiaozhi and Ming Dynasty
The war is still going on, so I don’t dare to go to the shore. If someone finds out, I can’t explain how to report it to the government.”
"Did the Ming Dynasty impose a sea ban?" Li Youmin looked in disbelief. If a sea ban was imposed, trade would be much more convenient.
Although Jiaozhi was a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty, it turned out that the Ming Dynasty's taxes on Jiaozhi were much stricter than other places, and maritime trade was not allowed, so it could only go inland.
"Yes, I plan to go to Palembang this time. I have transported a lot of silk and ceramics, and I will definitely be able to sell them at a good price." Shopkeeper Li smiled so happily that he couldn't be more happy.
"It's a pity that Jiaozhi and Ming Dynasty are still at war, and normal trade cannot be carried out. Otherwise, if this east wind takes advantage of it, Brother Youmin will definitely make a lot of money based on your connections and the port."
Li Youmin became interested immediately. He took shopkeeper Li's hand and said, "Well, you can go to sea at any time now. How about you bring some grain to me and I'll buy it from you?"
"Oh, it's not that I won't transport it to you, brother. My voyage has been decided. What if I turn around now? I can't just take it back without selling it. Then I will be punished to death.
Yes, these grains were cobbled together by my brother because I heard that you don’t have enough grain here, so you don’t have to give me money, just use it as my support for you.”
Li Youmin first ordered his men to move the grain. As much grain as a small boat could carry, it only amounted to about ten dan, which was not enough.
Li Youmin fell into deep thought. Since the Ming Dynasty imposed a sea ban, this route must be taken up. If he didn't take it up, someone else would take him up, and he would regret it.
"Shopkeeper Li, please send someone back here. I need a lot of food and iron ore to make swords. I can pay you to buy them. I will never treat you badly."
"This...this..." If you don't say that a good businessman must be an actor, Shopkeeper Li's awkward and hesitant look was really real.
"This, this, this, our relationship, can we still trick you?"
"That's definitely not the case. I'm not worried about you cheating me. It's just that I can't decide on this matter. I have to go back and ask my boss. The boss is on the big ship. You allow me to go back and ask him what he means."
Li Youmin was an impatient man, and he trusted Shopkeeper Li very much, so he said, "Well, I'll go with you to your merchant ship, and I'll also meet your boss."
Shopkeeper Li naturally couldn't "decline", so he had to take Li Youmin on a small boat in the direction of the steam warship.
On the steam warship, Zhu Zhanzhen looked at the dark sea. Xiaosheng asked curiously: "Your Highness, will that Li Youmin come?"
Zhu Zhanzhen shook his head: "I don't know either. I have never met him. I only heard about this person from shopkeeper Li. If he is described by shopkeeper Li, then he is greedy and obsessed with money. Then he will definitely come."
I won’t miss this opportunity.”
"If he comes, we can try the strategy. If he doesn't come, we won't try it. We will continue to land on the south bank of Jiaozhi as planned and attack from both ends."
While he was talking, a small boat came in front of him, lowered the ladder and picked him up.
Zhu Zhanzhen gave Nan Zhanzhi a look: "According to the instructions." He hid his figure.
After shopkeeper Li climbed up the ladder, he reached out and pulled Li Youmin up.
Li Youmin looked at the merchant ship curiously. Only two cannons were left on the warship, and the others were temporarily pushed into the cabin, making it look more like a merchant ship.
"Your Nan family's merchant ships are really impressive." Li Youmin sighed that the Ming Dynasty deserved to have a rich country and a strong people.
Nan Zhi walked out in a graceful manner, holding a fan in his hand and pretending to be cool. It was a very cool and suave look for a teenager.
"Tsk, tsk, you really know how to put on a show." Zhu Zhanchen sighed from behind.
Xiaosheng said in a low voice: "Your Highness, you have to put on a show, and don't be too casual."
"Why?"
"People depend on their clothes. People in the world always like to be more elegant. Others will respect you more when they see you."
"But I'm more handsome than him."
"If His Highness wants to say so, it is true."
…
When Li Youmin saw such a young Nan Zhi, he felt that young people must be easy to fool, let alone such a young man who looked like a scholar.
According to his experience, most young scholars are not good at being businessmen. They are self-proclaimed and full of literary talent. They are not capable of the intrigues and intrigues in the business world, and they are not willing to bow down for a few taels of silver.
Li Youmin smiled with a smile on his face: "I have been doing business with the Nan family for so long. This is the first time I have met the head of the Nan family. I didn't expect him to be such a handsome young man. It was really unexpected. Li Youmin, I'm glad to meet you.
Nice to meet you." Most of the officials or businessmen in Jiaozhi can speak Da Ming dialect and use Da Ming characters.
"This is Young Master Li of Li Youmin, the true direct descendant of the Li family in Qinghua. For a long time, our Nan family's business has been able to reach Jiaozhi only because of Young Master Li's support."
"I've heard about your name earlier. I'm glad to meet you." Nan Zhi was a little embarrassed. He didn't often do business and had little experience, but this sense of embarrassment was real.
Shopkeeper Li and Li Youmin talked about what they had discussed before, and then Li Youmin said: "Master Nan, there is a shortage of many things in Cochin right now, such as food, weapons, iron ore, etc. As long as you can supply it, we can buy it with money."
Nan Zhizhi looked embarrassed: "It's just that the two countries are at war now, and smuggling things over is a serious crime of beheading. You have a good relationship with our family, so it's okay for me to support you with some food for free, but let's forget about large-scale trade."
When talking about business, you have to be like a scumbag. Relying on your excellent conditions, you will welcome when you refuse, and suppress when you want to promote. Sometimes in the middle of the process, you have to stop and say that what you are doing is wrong, and then have a profound discussion.
Introspection, and with the urging and comfort of the other party, continue.
You have to act and stand up.
Li Youmin persuaded: "No one else will know about the exchanges between you and me. Nowadays, goods are scarce in various places in Cochin. As long as we can let the goods in, I have a way, and I will start a separate business in the future. This can make a lot of money."
Zhu Zhanzhen listened to Li Youmin's words from behind and was very satisfied with him. He was a treacherous villain who only had interests in his head and was only interested in profit.
"Our Nan family is doing business, so we naturally understand the reason. The imperial court has clearly ordered us not to trade with Jiaozhi. Guangdong's smuggling inspections are very strict, and the two sides are at war. If one is not good, let alone business, even the Nan family will
We took a ride in." Nan Zhizhi answered according to what Zhu Zhanchen told him before.
Now it is Li Youmin who wants to trade with the Nan family, but the Nan family seems not to want to do it.
Li Youmin persuaded him earnestly, but Shopkeeper Li and Nan Zhizhi were pretending to be bad and the other was bad. Shopkeeper Li was also on the same front as Li Youmin.
"Boss, Brother Youmin used to be the most supportive of our Nan family's business. I think Brother Youmin has something to ask for now. We can give him some of it no matter what. At worst, it will be like this now. I will take a small boat to send it over."
The small boat had a limited carrying capacity, and Li Youmin didn't want to make just a small amount of money, but shopkeeper Li was speaking for him, so he said: "I can guarantee the safety of Nan's merchant ships. There will be no problem with the big ships docking."
Nan Zhizhi looked embarrassed and couldn't think of what to say for a moment. This was about to reveal his secret.
But his awkward hesitation was interpreted differently in Li Youmin's eyes.
"Are Mr. Nan worried about us Cochin people? Are you worried about the safety of your merchant ships? Are you worried that I will cross the river and burn the bridge?"
Shopkeeper Li hurriedly said: "This is not the intention at all. Brother Youmin can definitely trust you. Our head of the family is just worried that there will be big problems if he is discovered like this."
Li Youmin scratched his head: "Mr. Nan, I, Li Youmin, am a rough man, and I don't do things in many twists and turns. If you think I can be trusted and this matter is the beginning, what do you think can be done? Just tell me, I can do it."
It will never be postponed.”
Shopkeeper Li took the opportunity to remind Nan Zhi: "Master, I think brother Youmin is sincere. If you have concerns, let me tell you if there is a way."
"you say."
"Brothers, please find a port where large merchant ships like ours can stop, but it must be far away from your Lili leader. It is said that he is a selfless man. We who are small businessmen dare not provoke us. Then this port allows us
Come and manage it. Just tell us what you need, and I will deliver it to you regularly. Of course, we will pay for the port, which is considered a lease by us. What do you think?"
Li Youmin thought that he could still make a fortune by renting a port. There were too many ports in Cochin. This thing was worthless, so why not rent it?
"Also, brother Youmin, you have to ensure the safety of our fleet at the port. It's best not to let others know. Just send a few people to do business with us."
Li Youmin thought about it and looked at Nan Zhizhi: "What do you think, Mr. Nan?"
"I...I..."
"Master, please agree to this matter. It will not only help our brothers Youmin, but also provide another way for the Nan family."
Under Shopkeeper Li's constant persuasion, Nan Zhizhi sighed and said, "Shopkeeper Li, I'm not very familiar with maritime trade. Please help me keep a closer eye on it. Just do this first, but you must be careful before doing it."
careful."
Nan Zhidao showed the indecisiveness and helplessness expected of a young family head, and handed the matter over to shopkeeper Li, which was regarded as accepting the matter.
Several people discussed it again, and Li Youmin asked Nan Wanwan to wait for him for a day and come back tomorrow night to tell him where the port for handover would be.
Then we got off the boat and returned to the shore with Shopkeeper Li.
The two of them looked at each other under the dim candlelight and smiled evilly: "The little head of your family is inexperienced, and shopkeeper Li will have to take charge of it in the future. What should I say this time?"
Shopkeeper Li smiled evilly in response: "How can I say that when doing business with Brother Youmin, a sensible person can speak openly and happily? Let's have six-four, you have six and I have four?"
"Shopkeeper Li is greedy. In the past, it was always 82%."
"Brother Youmin, the risks are greater now than before. I have to spend a lot of effort to convince our little family leader. There are a lot of joints that need to be taken care of. And if you follow this path and make more progress, the two of us will be in the middle.
People take more commissions, so small profits but quick turnover?" Shopkeeper Li raised his eyebrows.
Li Youmin smiled and pointed at Shopkeeper Li with his finger: "You, you, it's a pleasure to do business with you. Okay, let's open June 4th. Once this is done, everyone will make money."
"That's it, it's settled, wait for my news tomorrow."
…
After shopkeeper Li came back, Zhu Zhanzhen was already waiting.
"How's it going? Did you take the bait?"
Shopkeeper Li said respectfully: "Yes, Your Highness, he felt that the profit he got from it was very big, so he discussed with me a six-four ratio, and he had six and I had four."
Shopkeeper Li revealed this matter, indicating that he was not hiding anything. Nan Zhizhi immediately jumped out and said, "What's going on in the middle?"
Shopkeeper Li, who looked embarrassed, said: "They will have two prices, one is the transaction price of public procurement, and the other is the price he negotiated with us. The middle price is the oil and water he pumped. In the past, it was 82 cents."
, He has eight and I have two, of course my two cents will be handed over to the Nan family, and the head of the family will often reward me with part of it..."
"How dare you take commissions from business transactions?" Nan Zhizhi was a little angry. After all, he felt that his family's interests had been violated.
But this is almost an agreed-upon situation. Zhu Zhanchen waved his hand: "It's good that you can negotiate a 60-40 share this time, and your bargaining will make him feel that you are more credible. In this way, 10% of the 40% has full power."
It’s yours, just do your work seriously.”
Zhu Zhanchang felt that Shopkeeper Li could still be used. He was a low-level person in the business field who was shrewd and sophisticated and proficient in various ways.
"Your Highness, ordinary people don't dare. The ordinary people are extremely grateful to do something for Your Highness."
"As long as you work with me seriously and are willing to endure hardships, I won't be able to treat you badly. You can keep 10% of your work."
In the eyes of Nan Zhizhi, Zhu Zhanzhen's behavior was undesirable. It encouraged the shopkeepers in his family to dare to take kickbacks, but they dared not speak out.
Doesn't Zhu Zhanzhen know the good and bad of it? But this has nothing to do with me, the Prince of Zhujiang County, it's just your Nan family's business.
…
Li Youmin quickly found Li Xuan: "Brother, I persuaded the Nan family to send us food. It can be delivered in the long run."
"What? You were not allowed to contact me, so why did you go anyway? What if you are a spy?" Li Xuan looked surprised.
Li Youmin told everything about today, then he patted his chest and said confidently: "They don't dare to do business with us. I negotiated it with my sharp tongue. Shopkeeper Li has been doing business with us for so many years."
, I absolutely believe that the little head of the Nan family doesn’t understand anything, and he can kill them severely this time.”
"Is it really what you said?"
"Brother, there is no need to doubt that I can still lie to you? It won't be a matter of a day or two for the Nan family to do business with us. Moreover, all kinds of materials in the country are scarce now. We can ask them to bring them everything except food. When the time comes, we will
In addition to tapping, you can also make a lot of money.”
Li Hung used to do a lot of smuggling business. Although he is now engaged in rebellion, he is not determined enough. He is afraid that the rebellion will fail and he will lose all his money and his life. He also wants to make a profit from him. This is
Pie in the sky thing.
Li Xian paced back and forth and asked repeatedly: "Are you sure there is nothing wrong?"
"Absolutely no problem, Shopkeeper Li and I are brothers."
"No, it still won't work." Li Xian was in trouble again.
"Brother, if we don't get this batch of food, we won't be able to survive in Thanh Hoa for a few more days. The food from the south cannot be delivered for the time being. Isn't this just waiting to die? At least this batch of food should come in first. What will this do to us?
The downside? With food, we can live longer."
Li Xuan rubbed his head. The current food shortage has appeared. At least this batch of food can meet the urgent need. Moreover, the price of food is high now, so he can indeed make a lot of money.
"You find a remote port, trade with them, bring only a small number of people, but don't rent the port."
"If my brother doesn't rent the port, the Nan family won't look down on such a small business, and the money from renting the port will be in vain."
"Hey, okay, okay, let's solve the current problem first."
"Okay, I'll go and say it right now. It's estimated that a large amount of food will arrive in a few days, as well as iron ore. People like clan brothers are willing to sell anything as long as they make money in business. By then we will have food and knives, and we can still
I'm afraid they won't succeed in the Ming army." Li Youmin said enthusiastically.
But is the food sent by the Nan family enough for so many people? It is obviously not enough, and it will only push up food prices.
Many things cannot be stopped once they are started. Interests will drive you forward, and money will pave the way for you to go into an abyss with no bottom.