Since the establishment of Jiangnan Shipyard, sea-going ships have been continuously built.
The size of this shipyard is more than three times that of ordinary shipyards, and it only builds large sea-going ships.
According to the special order issued by His Highness Taisun, each ship can be equipped with twenty artillery pieces.
Theoretically speaking, artillery is prohibited from being used by civilians. Zhu Ying naturally would not say that he would set this precedent, but Zhu Ying specifically allowed it. As long as he is a shareholder of Jiangnan Shipyard, he can lease seagoing ships within a certain period of time.
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There is no need to pay a deposit for leasing, as long as the shareholders guarantee it in the name of their own shares.
The gunpowder required for the artillery must be purchased separately.
If a ship is destroyed at sea, then you have to bear the corresponding compensation. As long as the shareholders are there, it doesn't matter even if the ship is destroyed and people are killed.
This can also be regarded as an incentive to encourage maritime merchants.
To put it simply, you provide manpower, material resources, and financial resources, and I will provide you with policies. The taxes you should pay cannot be less, and the money you should share as profit cannot be less.
At the same time, there is also a need to crack down on illegal smuggling merchants.
Of course, the emerging maritime merchant families will definitely spare no effort in combating illegal smuggling.
After all, in terms of maritime trade, if there are more wolves dividing the meat, there will naturally be less meat in the mouth. If you don't take this opportunity to eradicate dissidents, you will really be a living Bodhisattva.
Haijiang Pier.
This is the latest dock built on the edge of the Yangtze River.
Less than five miles up the road is the Jiangnan Shipyard.
There are not many shipyards in Daming, but they are still inferior to Jiangnan Shipyards.
Because it was solely for the purpose of building ships at sea, and there were as many as twenty Jiangnan wealthy families as shareholders, this also led to many excellent craftsmen and some extremely inherited crafts being brought into the shipyard.
The large ship built must be extremely strong and luxurious.
It is said that the wood of the big ship was specially contributed by some big families. The bottom of the ship alone is worth hundreds of thousands of gold coins. It is all high-quality old ship wood.
Today there is a lively crowd at the pier.
Of course, these are not ordinary people. If you look closely, you will find that the crowd on the shore is divided into about twenty small groups, and each group has people wearing luxurious clothes.
They are not lowly businessmen. According to the court's regulations, businessmen are not allowed to wear silk and satin.
But these people are engaged in business, and in fact, each of them has a reputation, and the worst is the reputation of a scholar.
One by one, they are the bosses behind the scenes.
Regardless of whether it is Jiangnan Shipyard or the money and expenses in the factory, including the lumber on the big ships, these people came together to make it.
In other words, the current Jiangnan Shipyard belongs to the imperial court in name, but in fact all the expenses, even for the craftsmen, are borne by these families.
Now, one by one, they stretched their necks and looked at the river in the distance.
Chen family.
One can be considered a wealthy family in Jiangnan.
However, because the population is not considered prosperous, it can only be regarded as average.
Chen Dalin is the head of the Chen family and is just over forty years old.
"Father, we are almost emptied of all our family funds this time. Can we really run our business with this ship?"
"If we encounter any failure, it will be a huge blow to our Chen family."
"It is said that sea trade makes money, but the risks at sea are also extremely high. The government does not care about any unexpected events. They only care about their own ships."
Chen Dalin's eldest son, Chen Qizhi, frowned and said.
There was a bit of worry in his tone, as if he didn't like maritime trade very much.
Previously, Chen Qizhi wanted to participate in this business, but Chen Qizhi refused in his heart. However, even though he is the eldest son, already in his twenties, his father has the final say in matters in the family.
And this does not mean that only the father contributed money, but that the entire Chen family contributed their family foundation.
Chen Qizhi obviously still wanted to be more stable and didn't want to go to such a high level.
"Qi Zhi, regarding sea trade, there are risks, but for the profits gained, it is not worth mentioning at all."
"It's said to be a gamble, but in fact it's extremely guaranteed."
"Who is Your Highness Taisun? The Qunying Chamber of Commerce was founded by His Highness alone. The current business has reached an outrageous level."
"As long as we closely follow His Highness Taisun's path, we will definitely make a fortune."
"Don't worry, my father has already thought everything about this. This is the biggest hope for our Chen family at the moment."
Chen Dalin said in a deep voice.
Chen Qizhi was obviously still a little reluctant, and he muttered, "His Royal Highness Taisun really made a good move."
"It doesn't matter if he doesn't pay a penny, the shipyard becomes his. Even the sea-going ships built have nothing to do with us. We have to spend additional money to lease them."
"This is so...beautiful."
When Chen Dalin heard his son's complaint, he was staring at the river ahead, so he turned around and said, "His Royal Highness is willing to share this profit with everyone. That is already very good."
"It's great luck for us to get this opportunity."
"There are countless families who are willing to spend money to embark on this path. If it weren't for some special reasons, it is unknown whether our Chen family would be here today."
"No matter how much you spend, it's worth it."
Chen Qizhi also knew that it would be difficult to convince his father on this point, so he could only say instead: "We can't do what other families do and just look at the signs first."
"madness!"
Chen Qizhi wanted to say more, but was interrupted by Chen Dalin's scolding.
"Do you know how difficult it would be if my son-in-law chooses to enter at this time and adds more information later when there is specific information?"
"You think everyone is trying to be clever like you."
"Did you know that each large ship is equipped with twenty-eight cannons, and these cannons are allowed to be used after leaving the Ming Dynasty."
"This means that we have the ability to use firearms outside."
"My father has already applied for twelve new matchlocks and firecrackers. At that time, you can bring more than 20 members of the family who are about the same age as you to give to our Chen family and go out to make a name for themselves.
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Chen Dalin was convinced in his heart that the direction designated by His Highness the Grand Sun would definitely lead to a fortune.
As a family from Jiangnan, since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, it has suffered a lot of suppression from the capital, and heavy taxes have made the entire Chen family somewhat breathless.
Many times, we have to rely on the foundation left by our ancestors to support us.
Nowadays, let alone expansion, it is already very rare to be able to maintain the current family business and land.
Of course, this kind of situation does not only happen to the Chen family, but also to other families in Jiangnan. It is generally the same.
Regardless of the fact that taxes seem to have finally fallen on the people, it seems that these big families can still live freely, but the general environment has changed, and there are no eggs left unbroken after the nest is overturned.
Whether it is a family or a country, the people are the foundation here.
When taxes become higher, there are only two choices for aristocratic families, either to exploit the people more fiercely, or to collect less rent from the people.
In fact, everyone knows in their hearts that exploiting the people is like a slow stream. If you kill the goose to get the eggs at this time, it will be your own family that will suffer the final misfortune.
Most families have implemented reductions and exemptions for their tenants since the Hongwu Year.
People are fundamental, and in order to preserve enough tenants, there is no other way.
There were also families who exploited them ruthlessly, but the resulting refugees were quickly investigated by the government, and they themselves suffered the consequences.
In the twenty-six years since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the foundation of the Jiangnan gentry has been continuously depleted, and some of them can no longer maintain their semblance of glory.
Now that His Highness Taisun has given a way out, everyone naturally tries their best to seize it.
Chen Dalin undoubtedly trusted His Highness Taisun very much.
Other nobles were waiting and watching, but Chen Dalin would take the gamble and do his best to cooperate with His Highness Taisun's order.
This time when he went to sea, he asked his eldest son to go directly in order to truly open up a tributary for the Chen family overseas.
On Chen Qizhi's side, he felt a little guilty when he heard that his father had even prepared firearms.
He whispered, "Father, I have always learned the teachings of Confucius and Mencius. We go to business and carry firearms. Isn't this a bit excessive?"
"Why do I feel that this time my child goes to sea, he is no different from a bandit?"
Here in the south of the Yangtze River, the culture of literati is strong, so everyone does not practice martial arts very much.
As for bringing guards and firearms, it was clear that he had to fight hard when he went out. This undoubtedly made Chen Qizhi feel nervous and a little bit weak.
When Chen Dalin saw this, he was not angry at all. He also knew very well that it was unrealistic for his eldest son to change from the elegant and easy-going person to a vicious one all of a sudden.
But the words need to be said first.
"Do you know the difference between overseas and our country in Ming Dynasty?"
Chen Qizhi hesitated and replied: "Our Ming Dynasty is richer and more powerful. I heard that there are some barren lands overseas, but they also have their rare goods."
When Chen Dalin heard this, he shook his head and said: "These are all superficial. For us, overseas is barren on the one hand. After all, we sell our goods and expect these barbarians to make money."
"The most important thing is that outside the Ming Dynasty, there is no Ming Dynasty law."
"This also means that if you kill someone, you only need to pay a little money and you can spend it as you like. In some places, even if you rob someone else's things, as long as you have enough people, you can only admit it."
"The same principle applies to you. You carry a large amount of valuable goods. If someone robs your goods, do you have to return to Ming Dynasty to report to the official?"
"Overseas, nothing is the way to survive. The only way to survive is to have people in your hands, weapons and weapons."
"The law of the jungle is the real overseas world."
"Those who can do business with you must have someone in their hands. They will have some scruples, so we can do fair business."
"Also, the price of this product does not mean that it is the same everywhere. If it should be expensive, you have to pay it. In some places, the price cannot be higher. The principle behind this is that after you get to the place, you will slowly
You will understand."
Chen Qizhi was thoughtful, as if he had figured something out.
Seeing this, Chen Dalin nodded slightly in his heart.
But the next sentence almost made Chen Dalin furious.
I saw Chen Qizhi asking: "Dad, if I remember correctly, it seems that dad has never been overseas. Are these truths that dad said just heard from hearsay?"
Veins popped up on Chen Dalin's forehead, and he hit Chen Qizhi directly on the head.
"It's an insult to politeness, it's an insult to politeness..."
"You're such an evil son, you still dare to doubt your father's words. Remember it clearly for me. Just do what I say. Do you understand?"
After Chen Qizhi took a beating, he suddenly became much more honest.
Although I'm still a little unclear in my heart, I understand the general opposite.
Seeing his son's appearance, Chen Dalin also knew that some things should not be rushed. After experiencing it, he would naturally understand.
However, what should be prepared must still be prepared.
For example, say hello to the bow of the ship and do some simple drills for the guards.
Especially firearms.
This is a good thing that Chen Dalin spent a lot of money to get.
This was not bought, but borrowed.
Not only do you have to pay a deposit, but you also have to pay rent every month.
Although the price is high, after this batch of firearms arrived, Chen Dalin experienced it personally.
The power of the matchlock gun is really not small, and ordinary crossbows may not be able to compare with it.
Of course he doesn't know.
Because the Gunpowder Department continues to invest in research, matchlock guns are updated very quickly.
The difference here lies in the maturity of a series of technologies such as fire bombs, match ropes, gunpowder, and gunpowder chambers.
This has also led to many versions of matchlocks, and the versions equipped in the military are naturally the ones with the latest and most mature technology.
Because there are now more and more factories in the Gunpowder Department, the production speed is naturally faster. This also leads to a large number of matchlock guns being produced before the emergence of new technologies.
It would be too wasteful to destroy these matchlock guns that could not keep up with the times. Zhu Ying simply made them available for lease for civilian use with a stroke of his pen.
Specially granted to maritime merchants.
Anyway, as long as they are not used within the Ming Dynasty, it is enough. For this purpose, some special firearm quotas can be sold, as well as the rental fees for matchlock guns, which can undoubtedly be used to fill the Gunpowder Department.
As for maritime merchants who have firearms, it is conceivable that they will become even more arrogant after traveling to various places.