In Tianjin, Liu Jin is also always paying attention to the situation in the capital. Every day, there are two special carriages from here to bring Liu Jin the latest information in the capital.
"Only fifty-four ministers were arrested?"
"They are still just some kittens and puppies. None of the real bosses have been caught. It seems that these bosses are very cautious in doing things. With the ability of the factory guards, they can't find it for a while."
."
Liu Jin couldn't help but frown when he looked at the latest information sent from the capital.
He could not believe that only fifty-four ministers were involved. The Jiangnan scholars accounted for almost half of the Ming Dynasty scholars. There were too many officials in the imperial court who were from the Jiangnan region.
From the cabinet ministers to the ministers of the six ministries, to the seventh-rank sesame officials, officials from Jiangnan were everywhere throughout the Ming Dynasty. The fifty-four people arrested here were basically people from the Jiangnan area.
"Hu Wanan is from the Hu family, the leader of Huizhou merchants, Sun Wentang is from a large salt merchant and grain merchant family in Jianghuai, and He Jingnian is from another Huizhou merchant family..."
After Liu Jin finished analyzing the arrested officials, he also began to analyze the profiteers arrested this time. They were all big businessmen and big families from the Jiangnan area. They all had strong financial resources and were as rich as the country.
"This time, Emperor Hongzhi is taking advantage of him. After checking these big families, it is estimated that Emperor Hongzhi's pockets will explode. But if we kill this group, there will be new ones coming out. This salt introduction system, food system
If there is no change, these Huizhou merchants and the big families in Jiangnan will be like a spark of fire."
After reading it carefully from beginning to end, Liu Jin couldn't help but sigh slightly.
"During the Ming Dynasty, there were clearly buds of capitalism, but this bud of capitalism could not be transformed into a powerful force to promote the progress of the entire society like in the West."
"I always didn't understand it before, but now I understand it more or less."
"These so-called grain merchants and salt merchants cannot be regarded as the buds of capitalism. They just emerged by relying on special policies. As long as the salt introduction system remains, there will be batches of various businessmen emerging, and
Their existence has seriously hindered the sprouting of capitalism."
Thinking of this, Liu Jin also shook his head slightly.
"Smelly boy, stinky boy~"
Just as Liu Jin was deep in thought, a cheerful voice came from outside, and before Liu Jin could go out to greet him, the British Duke Zhang Mao walked in happily.
"Mr. Zhang~"
As soon as he saw Zhang Mao, Liu Jin quickly stood up and paid tribute.
"Haha, I didn't expect that I would come here again so soon. How about it? Have you caught anything rare recently? I came here on an empty stomach today. If I don't have a good meal, I will just stay here."
Zhang Mao waved to Liu Jin, indicating that there was no need to be polite, and then sat on the chair very familiarly.
"Mr. Zhang, are you afraid that there will be no delicious food in Tianjin?"
Liu Jin smiled and said, and at the same time, he was thinking rapidly in his mind. The British Duke Zhang Mao must have something to do with him.
"With your words, I feel relieved. I'll hurry up and get people ready to go. I'm very hungry right now."
Zhang Mao nodded with satisfaction, and then said: "You are still pleasing to the eye, and I am shameless enough to scout out ladies for you here in the capital."
"...Thank you Mr. Zhang."
Liu Jin was speechless again. Zhang Mao had not introduced him to a partner until now, but he seemed to owe him a favor.
"Thank you now. Your Majesty has agreed to your proposal and is planning to announce the method of making this cement to the world. By then, the whole world will know the method and function of this cement."
"So this time I came here to see you. How about we build a cement factory together?"
Zhang Mao looked at Liu Jin, very satisfied, and then said with a smile.
"A cement factory?"
Liu Jin was slightly surprised. He didn't expect that Zhang Mao came here because of the cement factory, and he didn't expect that Emperor Hongzhi would actually be willing to announce the cement manufacturing method to the world.
"Yes, I want to set up a cement factory. I have seen the method of making cement. Although it is relatively simple, not everyone can run it. It still requires a certain amount of capital to operate it."
"Cement is an artifact and an indispensable building material. As more and more people know about it, its demand will become stronger and stronger. There is definitely money to be made in setting up a cement factory."
At this time, Zhang Maoran still seemed not to be the Duke of the Ming Dynasty, but a shrewd businessman. When it came to making money, he was very energetic.
"Of course I know that there is money to be made in running a cement plant. Otherwise, why would I keep expanding the scale of the cement plant and increasing its output in Tianjin?"
Liu Jin smiled and nodded. He had to say that Zhang Mao was definitely a qualified businessman. He would intervene in all kinds of profitable transactions immediately.
From briquettes to fishing boats, and then to overseas business, now I am interested in the cement factory business. I still have a good vision. The key is my mobility. If I dare to invest, I can always find the right person.
"But you also know that I have partnered with His Highness the Prince now, and you also have the method of making cement, so there is no need to cooperate with me anymore, right?"
"Of course it is necessary. We are also making briquettes. The Xishan Coal Industry has the same number of people, and its output and profit are more than ten times that of our Sangong Coal Industry. You must have some special method. If I don't pull you on board,
, I’m not worried.”
Zhang Mao smiled and said, from the sale of briquettes, not only Zhang Mao, Zhang brothers, Zhou family, Sihai Coal Industry, etc., everyone is studying Xishan Coal Industry and want to know why so many
Number of people, the briquette output of Xishan Coal Industry is higher and the profit is higher. The key is that the quality of the briquettes and coal stoves is better than everyone else's, and the common people recognize it more.
However, everyone studied and studied, and although there were some discoveries and gains, they never got the essence. So this time to build a cement plant, Zhang Mao made up his mind to recruit Liu Jin to join him.
"Mr. Zhang, what can I do? I don't know any magical skills. We all don't see everything. I'll just leave this cement factory alone. If there's any good business next time, let's do it together.
"
Liu Jin smiled and shook his head. He really couldn't separate himself. Everyone in Tianjin was already busy, so he couldn't do business in partnership with Zhang Mao.
"No, no, you're the one who decided to take over this pirate ship."
"Let me tell you, this time my Zhang family, the Zhu family, and the Xu family, who were here last time, all know that they are planning to put together one hundred thousand taels of silver to buy half of the cement factory. What about this stock?
The three of us each hold 30%, and the remaining 10% belongs to you, you brat. You don’t have to pay any money, and you only get 10% of the shares for free. Isn’t that the head office?”
When Zhang Mao heard this, he shook his head repeatedly, and then told his plan. The conditions were obviously very good for Liu Jin.
Instead of using Liu Jin's money, he could take 10% of the shares for nothing. It was simply a gift of money to Liu Jin.
When Liu Jin heard this, he was slightly dumbfounded. He didn't expect that something was really falling out in this world, and 10% of the shares were given to him for free.
"Mr. Zhang, this is no reward for no merit, I think it's better to forget it."
After thinking about it, Liu Jin still believed in the old saying, there is no such thing as a free lunch, and there will be no pie, not to mention that it is so easy to take advantage of these three princes?
"Why are you so long-winded? You're not happy at all. You don't even want to give me free money. Do you still want me to be your matchmaker?"
When Zhang Mao heard this, he immediately said anxiously.
"..."
Liu Jin was speechless again, then thought about it carefully and said, "Well, let me pay 10,000 taels of silver for 10% of the shares, otherwise I really won't agree."
"Well, you kid, you won't take advantage of the free gift. In fact, we brought you into the team to make more money. You kid will definitely have your own unique secret recipe. We will definitely not lose money by joining you in the team."
Seeing Liu Jin agreeing, Zhang Mao immediately laughed happily. He was very shrewd. How could he do a loss-making business and let others take advantage of him? In fact, he also took a fancy to Liu Jin's ability.
"Well, I don't have the habit of taking advantage of others~"
Liu Jin had to give Zhang Mao a thumbs up for his intelligence. He was really talented. Whether it was a cement factory or a coal industry, the production method was simple, but he was very knowledgeable in management. Whether the management was good or not was related to a person.
The success or failure of a business.
"You brat, I, Zhang Mao, don't have the habit of taking advantage of others."
"Don't worry. When you return to the capital, I will definitely introduce you to a beautiful lady from a famous family, and I will ensure your satisfaction."
Zhang Mao looked at Liu Jin, he liked Liu Jin more and more.
"..."
Liu Jin was speechless again. He was also helpless at Zhang Mao's shamelessness. You should introduce me to someone. I am already married now. It's time to start a family and start a business. I also need a warm bed when I sleep at night.
An intimate person.
You've been there for three rounds, but you haven't taken any actual action. Your pie-making skills have reached full level. I'm glad I didn't expect you to be a beauty, otherwise I'd really be worried to death.