The largest restaurant in Fanjiazhuang, "Juxian Tower", was full of guests that day.
Hua Kefang, the largest agricultural machinery manufacturer in Fanjiazhuang, stood at the door of the restaurant, wearing a decent Lu silk round collar, welcoming businessmen who came to the banquet one by one. Hua Kefang was very charming and knew almost every businessman who came to the banquet.
, always smiles when talking to everyone.
"Boss Yuan, you're welcome! Please come inside! Please come inside!"
"Shopkeeper Duan, I haven't seen you for a long time. How is the cotton market recently?"
"You Yuanwai, it is indeed You Yuanwai. I just saw you from a distance. Is Yuanwai's son's typhoid fever better?"
"Okay? I knew Yu Yuanwai would definitely turn the danger into good luck!"
As businessmen arrived one by one, Juxian Tower gradually filled up. The guests in the restaurant were all a little excited today. They sat at the banquet and talked a lot, with a look of anticipation in their brows and eyes.
The people who came to the banquet were all big businessmen from Fanjiazhuang, and all of them were wealthy. The banquet was filled with sumptuous food and drinks such as shark fins, abalones, etc. The banquet started soon, and Hua Kefang went to propose a toast one by one. Everywhere he went
, all elicited cheering responses from the entire table.
After the toasts were finished, the banquet got down to business.
Hua Kefang stood in the middle of the banquet hall, raised his wine glass and said, "Everyone! Everyone, be quiet!"
When everyone heard this, they all stopped the banquet and looked up at Hua Kefang.
This Hua Kefang is a capable man. Not only is he good at running businesses, he also founded the "Hua's Agricultural Machinery Factory", the largest enterprise in one town and nine provinces, employing more than 3,000 workers. He is good at dancing and is a recognized leader among the businessmen of Fanjiazhuang.
The establishment of the Fanjiazhuang General Chamber of Commerce was initiated and planned by him.
Hua Kefang said: "Everyone, today is the day when our Fanjiazhuang General Chamber of Commerce is established. Those attending the meeting are all our Fanjiazhuang businesses and factories!"
"To put it bluntly, there are 700,000 people in Fanjiazhuang and Tianjin Acropolis combined, and at least 150,000 people depend on us for food."
Hearing Hua Kefang's words, the businessmen below laughed proudly.
Hua Kefang is right. This room can be said to have gathered the most successful businessmen in Fanjiazhuang. The more than 300 people who came to the banquet represented more than 300 factories and businesses. These private enterprises are located in Fanjiazhuang and Tianjin Aicheng.
A large number of workers are employed. There are at least 70,000 to 80,000 people directly employed by these factories and companies. And there are about 70,000 to 80,000 service personnel of companies that indirectly rely on these factories and companies. It is said that 150,000 people rely on these companies to make a living.
, is not an exaggeration at all.
Not only are there a lot of people, but the production capacity and profitability of these companies are also terrible.
Under the initiative of Li Zhi, these enterprises generally used steam engines as power and extensive use of assembly line operations. In this era of the mid-17th century, the production efficiency of such factories was dozens of times that of handicraft workers. These private entrepreneurs employed seven
, 80,000 people, and its production capacity even exceeds that of millions of traditional craftsmen.
Thanks to such high-efficiency productivity, the profitability of these enterprises is extraordinary. In addition to turning over a small amount of profits to Li Zhi as royalties, most of the income from increased efficiency entered the personal accounts of the business owners in the form of profits. These three hundred
Together, the profitability of many people even exceeds that of Li Zhi's state-owned industry.
Hua Kefang said: "The production capacity managed by us in this room is probably greater than that of all the handicraft craftsmen in Beizhili, Shanxi, and Shaanxi provinces managed by the emperor combined!"
The businessmen in the banquet hall laughed and looked at Hua Kefang expectantly.
Hua Kefang nodded and said loudly: "Indeed, our success today is entirely due to the business environment provided by the prince. Without the courts to maintain a fair and just environment in society, our company would not be able to grow at all. Whatever
A local rogue can make things difficult for us!"
"Although it is impossible for the prince to come to the banquet of our Chamber of Commerce, we should drink water and think about our origins to express our gratitude for the prince's kindness."
"So I, Hua Kefang, propose that today, on the day when our Fanjiazhuang General Chamber of Commerce is established, we must first stand up to pay respect to His Highness the King and give him a drink."
When everyone heard this, they stood up suddenly. Everyone held the wine glass, raised it in the direction of the palace in the west, and then drank the Jinhua wine in one gulp.
After everyone finished drinking, Hua Kefang said again: "However, at this point, I, Hua Kefang, have to say that the prince has somewhat neglected us factory owners and big businessmen."
When the businessmen below heard this, they held their breath and listened to Hua Kefang's words.
Hua Kefang said: "In the prince's state-owned factory, the general managers and chief managers who manage the state-owned enterprises are all officials! They all have their own ranks. Today, you are in charge of workers in the factory, and tomorrow you may be transferred to another place to be a county magistrate.
Prefect. Some general managers of state-owned enterprises are even military attachés in the prince’s system, and they are often ranked fifth, fourth, even third or second grade!”
"Wherever these state-owned enterprise owners go, they are cheered and respected by everyone. When people talk to these officials, they must bow and salute with respect."
"In comparison, private business owners like us are just like gray sparrows and no one cares about us."
"I, Hua Kefang, employ more than 3,000 people of all kinds. The factory in the eastern suburbs of Fanjiazhuang is like a small town. There are hundreds of restaurants and shops outside the factory. According to my scale, it can be placed in the prince's state-owned factory.
At least he is a third-grade general manager!"
"But what about reality?"
"The actual situation is that private business owners like us are not even a seventh-grade hundred household. When an 18-year-old tax collector came to the prince's government to inspect taxes, I, Hua Kefang, was so nervous that I went to receive him in person.
Turn over the account books in the accounting room and let him check them at will."
When everyone heard this, they couldn't help but sigh.
Hua Kefang spoke out about the injustices in the hearts of businessmen.
In one town and nine provinces, although there is a perfect legal system and a friendly business environment, talented people can get rich quickly. However, in Fanjiazhuang, the wealthy businessmen and entrepreneurs do not have the social status to match them.
The officials in one town and nine provinces were clean and honest, and Li Zhi was very strict. It was impossible to obtain privileges by bribing officials. Private businessmen in Fanjiazhuang were subject to the same legal constraints as ordinary people. Although the businessmen controlled huge economic resources, they
You cannot gain corresponding power because of this resource.
Hua Kefang said loudly: "Of course the prosperity of one town and nine provinces was established by the prince. But let's get to the bottom of it, we who are doing business and doing business have hired so many workers to help us, and we pay so much every month."
Monthly money, doesn’t it mean there is no contribution?”
"I think the prince has ignored us businessmen!"
"His Majesty did not expect us. We have to remind His Majesty. We established the Fanjiazhuang General Chamber of Commerce today just to fight for our companies and firms and to cry out for the status of factory owners and firm owners."
Before Hua Kefang finished speaking, there was a huge cheer from below.
The businessmen all stood up one by one and applauded violently, as if they had finally found a leader.
