After being questioned by the guard, the group was allowed to enter the industrial area.
Wu Zimian rode his horse and looked at the densely packed factory area here with interest. There were blast furnaces, coke ovens, steel rolling equipment, ore crushing and beneficiation equipment. There were busy workers everywhere, some were transporting, some were
They are picking ores and some are rolling steel.
The air here is very bad and the sky is filled with smoke.
Wu Zimian and his party walked through the factory area and the streets and came to a building in the center. This building is a rectangular modern architectural style. In front is a small square where you can park your horse. Behind it is the hotel's staff dormitory area. On the left and right are
There is a small garden.
"Zunhua Hotel, well, the name is quite interesting." Wu Zimian said while looking at the gold-lettered signboard.
He knew that here you can eat, stay, and have some entertainment facilities. It can be regarded as a combination of an inn and a restaurant.
Walking into the lobby, he was stunned for a moment. The five-story hollow hall had glass curtain walls at the front and back. A huge crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, illuminating the interior with brilliant lights.
The decoration of this hotel is a new Chinese style decoration, taking into account modern practicality and Ming Dynasty aesthetics. It looks very shocking and luxurious.
Wu Zimian was amazed along the way. He had never seen such a high-rise building before. The stone facade on the outside looked very high-end. The inside was decorated with precious nanmu and more than a century old elm, and the ground was paved with oak floors.
, the polished light can be used to identify people.
The hall is equipped with sofas, fountains, lounges, and many sculptures. There are many bronze artifacts and other objects on display. Although the five-story floor-to-ceiling glass windows have panes, they are also very beautiful.
The stairs are all inlaid with purple and milky white marble. This kind of stone is moderately soft and hard and is very comfortable to step on.
Wei Bancheng, his son and three big shopkeepers were already waiting for Wu Zimian in the hall.
Wei Bancheng had Yang Fan as his backer, so he was not too dissatisfied with the people in Jingying. However, he was too reasonable and agreed to meet. Such officials, especially those with five sense organs, would not do anything good if they went to these businessmen.
Everyone understands this tacitly.
Wei Bancheng directly took Wu Zimian and his party to the penthouse suite he had rented for a long time to talk.
Wei Bancheng set up a banquet in the sunroom of the flower hall of the penthouse suite to entertain Wu Zimian and his party. Mangui had been dealt with by Yang Fan before, and he no longer dared to hang around in front of Yang Fan's eyes. This time, he simply didn't
Come.
If he wanted to blackmail other businessmen, he would definitely come forward. However, he knew that Wei Bancheng's backer was Yang Fan, and he was not willing to get involved in this matter again.
"Wu Junmen has come to visit us. It's really a feast for the eyes. Let's prepare some wine and express our feelings." Wei Bancheng said politely. Then, with a wave of his hand, the butler Lao Wang presented a tray.
When these military leaders come to the door, they are basically trying to fight against the autumn wind. People like Wei Bancheng are all skilled and do things impeccably. They are very on the road.
Wu Zimian declined a few words, but under Wei Bancheng's sincerity, he accepted it half-heartedly and handed it to the leader of the soldiers. Looking at the red cloth covering it, he knew that these were ten gold bars. They were all five taels each.
That is fifty taels of gold.
According to the ratio of gold to silver at this time, it was about five hundred taels of silver.
Originally, the official exchange ratio of gold and silver in the Ming Dynasty was one to four. However, the influx of too much silver in recent years caused the silver price to drop, and the private price once fell to about one to seven. Later, Yang Fan began to purchase gold aggressively, causing the price of gold to rise.
.
Now, the gold and silver exchange ratio in the Ming Dynasty has been stable at one to ten for a long time.
This is similar to the gold and silver exchange ratio in Europe. In other words, it blocks the possibility of European merchants to transport gold back to Europe. Doing so will cost you money.
This also eliminated the possibility of Europe adopting a gold standard in the future. Now even Japan's gold has been speculated to this ratio by Yang Fan. Gold and silver exchange is no longer profitable for anyone.
Wei Bancheng originally thought that it would be enough to treat him to a meal and express his sincerity. The next step was for the host and guest to have a good time, and this time it was considered that both parties knew each other.
From now on, it would not be unfamiliar for Wei Bancheng to come to Wu Zimian if he had anything to do. Whatever he did, the amount of money he gave would be at the official price.
However, what Wu Zimian said next made Wei Bancheng's face suddenly darken.
"The army of slave builders has arrived outside the mouth and can break through the barrier at any time. I wonder what the factory owners in Zunhua think."
Wei Bancheng responded: "We are all business people. Although we have some servants and regiments, which are to prevent thieves, we can fight local bandits and mountain bandits. We can fight the slaves there. Naturally, we have to rely on the imperial army.
Already."
Wu Zimian clapped his hands and said happily: "I have long heard that Wei Dashan is well-informed and well-spoken. Now, the Beijing army is just outside the city, with 100,000 people. It is enough to protect everyone's property.
and safety.”
Wei Bancheng sneered in his heart: "Do you think I am a fool with no connections? Your Beijing camp was completely defeated outside the mouth, and only 40,000 to 50,000 people escaped, and you are still bragging to me here. There is something wrong with these defeated troops.
Fighting ability?"
But of course I couldn't say that because of my face, so I just smiled and didn't say anything.
If your own interests are not involved, there is no need to argue with others. Just say yes. I am just watching a joke. Anyway, it is not me who is embarrassed.
Seeing that Wei Bancheng didn't answer his question, Wu Zimian was a little unhappy, so he had to say: "However, the capital camp is not working well. If you want the capital camp to help defend Zunhua, please ask President Wei to come forward and report to the local government."
The business group raised a sum of food and salary to solve the urgent need first."
Wei Bancheng asked expressionlessly: "Wu Junmen, please tell me the number so that I can see if we have the ability to raise the funds."
Wei Bancheng's words were already a rejection. The hint was almost enough.
Wu Zimian also felt embarrassed in his heart, but in this situation, he had to get a sum of money to appease his subordinates. In order not to continue to collapse, he could move to a safe surrounding area to observe changes in the situation and make further plans.
"It takes five hundred thousand taels." Wu Zimian said with some embarrassment.
Wei Bancheng was stunned for a moment, then smiled.
He stood up and cupped his hands and said: "Fifty thousand taels is not a small amount. I am just the convener of various business groups and cannot make decisions for each owner. Let's hold a meeting to study it. Since this matter is urgent, I will
I'll excuse you. My lords, have a nice meal and a drink. I'll go discuss it with the proprietors first."
After saying that, Wei Bancheng didn't talk to them anymore. He turned around and left. The little fat man Wei Fugui looked at them with disdain and ran after his father.
Wu Zimian was a little stupid, but he didn't expect Wei Bancheng to leave without even talking to him.
He looked very embarrassed, but he didn't dare to break out here. This is the property of Marquis Dingyuan, and he is crazy to cause trouble here.
