Twenty days later, Zhang Yi led a larger caravan to Jiyuan City.
Accompanying him were Xiao Han, Niu Ben, Shi Gandang, Qiao Dayou and Song Shan, as well as 30 Ministry of Commerce personnel, 50 service personnel, and 100 cavalry soldiers.
More than a dozen two-horse carts were filled with goods. In addition to paper, books, telescopes and compasses, glass and plastic products were added, as well as mineral water.
All goods are labeled with a unified label: Zhonghua Brand.
This time, Zhang Yi wanted to completely open up the western trade routes.
…
Xiaolong was left to guard Mopan City.
The armed forces of each village have been reorganized, with a standing army of 2,000 people to maintain the stability of the entire region.
A large number of young and middle-aged people have invested in road construction, land reclamation, mining and other undertakings. To develop, roads must be built first, and smooth roads must be established between villages to facilitate the rapid transportation of various resources.
The intelligence department was established, and Zhang Yi summoned the village leaders to emphasize that no one should disclose information to the outside world without authorization.
In fact, the surrounding three countries know very little about the development of the Mopan City area.
It turned out that most of the villagers who had a connection with Liu Kai fell out with Wang Zheng, the Jiyuan general in charge of the matter, because of the problem of money and food supplies. They were not in the mood to sit down and tell him about the situation in Mopan City.
Therefore, the outside world only knows that General Cao died and it was Zhang Yi who did it, but they don’t know more about the situation.
The Three Kingdoms did not want to see the rise of a unified new force. Zhang Yi knew that the news would spread sooner or later, but he hoped that the outside world would know as late as possible.
Use this time to do a lot of things and put down roots.
…
Zhang Yi led the team and hurried on calmly.
It is 150 miles from Songjiazhai to Jiyuan City, with two post stations set up in the middle. Zhang Yi appointed two post masters and organized local villagers to build hotels, restaurants, stables and warehouses on the roadside to create a better environment for caravans to travel. condition.
One of the inns was 50 miles away from Jiyuan City, which was on the edge of Liu Kai's power. Zhang Yi left most of the people and goods here.
He only took a few dozen people and five carts of goods to Jiyuan City.
The scale should not be too large at once, as this would arouse the vigilance of the Kingdom of China. Goods should flow in like a stream, not a torrent.
As soon as Zhang Yi and others reached the gate of the city, they saw Captain Wang Kang coming up to them with a smile on his face.
"Brother Xiao Zhang, why are you here?"
"Hello, Brother Wang, hahaha," Zhang Yi quickly jumped off his horse and stepped forward to shake hands, "I've wanted to come see you for a long time, but it takes time to make things."
The two of them started chatting and talking at the gate of the city. When Zhang Yi was not paying attention, he gave Wang Kang a heavy bag of golden beans.
Wang Kang is an old man. He put it in his pocket without changing his expression and his heartbeat was steady. His smile became even more enthusiastic. Only then did Xiao Han come up to say hello and introduce Qiao Dayou and Song Shan. From now on, this is the main thing they will deal with. Two people.
Similarly, Zhang Yi also sent a bag of golden beans to the clerk, who was responsible for registering the number of personnel and types of goods.
"Okay, okay, I've added glass and mineral water this time," the clerk said happily, "Brother Xiao Zhang's business is getting bigger and bigger. I think Brother Xiao Zhang is going to make a fortune!"
"Let's all make a fortune together, hahaha." Zhang Yi said.
Wang Kang, Wen Wen and others laughed together.
Xiao Han, Qiao Dayou and Song Shan dispersed to give gifts. Without exception, the soldiers guarding the gate received a few golden beans, and everyone smiled happily.
With personal feelings in place, the city gate is useless to Zhang Yi. He thought to himself that everyone in this country is corrupt and will perish sooner or later.
The caravan entered the city smoothly.
Niu Ben and Shi Gandang acted as mutes, mixed in among the handymen, and no one paid attention. At most, someone called them "fatty" a few times. Jiyuan City is a trading border town, and there are many fatties among the merchants who come and go. It is also common.
…
When the market supervisor arranged for his men to count the quantity of goods, Zhang Yi asked him where it would be better to open a shop.
The market supervisor, who had received the heavy gift, was particularly enthusiastic and told Zhang Yi about the situation of the market. Those who can afford to open shops are all big shots with stable supply of goods and wealth. However, it doesn't matter if you have goods or money. It must be able to stand up and must be recognized by the business gang.
The business gangs in Jiyuan City include six major gangs: salt gang, horse gang, tea gang, grain gang, sugar gang and cloth gang, which monopolize the entire market. Businessmen not only have to pay taxes to the government, but also pay management fees to the merchant gangs in order to be able to Normal operations.
"Master Supervisor, the goods we deal in are things that no one else has," Zhang Yi said with a smile, "We have formed a new business gang of our own, called the Department Store Gang. What do you think?"
"I think it works, hahahaha." The market supervisor nodded and laughed. Other business gangs were established early and he couldn't get involved, but the newly established department store gang could handle it and profit from it.
The two hit it off immediately.
Zhang Yi lamented that it is not easy to achieve great things. People often say that the shopping mall is like a battlefield, and this is true. Fortunately, he is not engaged in traditional business, otherwise he would not be able to enter the market at all.
Then there is the location selection.
The good locations are all occupied by the six major business gangs, but it doesn't matter. Good wine doesn't have to be in deep alleys. A more remote place is actually better and the rental fee is lower.
I found a good place with a facade house and a large yard, and rented it. The carriage and other vehicles were parked directly in the yard, and the row of houses behind it could be used for accommodation and cooking. It was very suitable.
Everyone started cleaning up together and worked until midnight.
Early the next morning, hang up the wooden sign prepared in advance.
Chinese business name.
It has a bookstore, paper shop, telescope shop, glass shop, department store, etc., each with its own small signboard.
Post couplets and Chinese characters "福" outside the door, and the atmosphere will immediately rise.
The Lord Supervisor came to see it and couldn't help but admire it.
"It's true. Young people are bold and quick in doing things. Brother Xiao Zhang, the establishment of the Department Store Gang is a big event. In my opinion, if you want to hold a grand opening ceremony, it would be best to invite General Wang."
"You are right, I will go to see General Wang. However, before the official opening, I plan to do a trial operation for a few days to get a feel for the business. I will ask you to take care of me more in the future." Zhang Yi nodded and smiled.
"It's easy to talk about, it's easy to talk about, hahahaha." The city superintendent agreed immediately and walked to other places to inspect.
The location of Zhonghua Company was a bit remote. There were not many pedestrians coming and going at the door, and they were all laborers. There were not many merchants or customers. Zhang Yi asked Qiao Dayou and others to go to the busy place to attract some customers.
The young men from the business department dispersed, shouting everywhere.
Niu Ben and Shi Gandang were both a little nervous, fearing that the goods would not be sold. They looked forward to it and wished they could go and get everyone here.
"Don't panic," Zhang Yi smiled and comforted the two brothers. They were new to the place and had no idea. "Besides, don't be anxious. I will take you to a restaurant for dinner when I have time."
"Hey, what are we going to eat, brother?" Shi Gandang said. In the city, the word "righteousness" must be removed. "We are here to do big things, and so many people are counting on us!"
"Yeah, what are we going to eat? What if we can't sell it? I'm so worried!" Niu Ben was running around in circles.
Zhang Yi and Xiao Han looked at each other and smiled.
Xiao Han pointed forward and said, "Look, isn't that someone coming?"