He was proficient in five characters of eight-part essay, which really hit Zhang Chen's weakness. He didn't know how well Zhu Er learned martial arts from the martial arts instructor appointed by the emperor. He only knew that he studied every day in Banshan Hall.
He felt relatively relaxed and at ease, but once every three days, the old Hanlin gave him special training in eight-legged essay in the evening, and he wanted to die!
Now he doesn't want to touch any topic anymore, so let's get started... He just wants to get rid of the standard article! Princess Yongping is so beautiful, why does she prefer eight-legged essays to poems and poems? Obviously poetry.
The songs are catchy. At least it is much easier to memorize a poem and a song than to memorize an eight-legged essay! His temper is too weird!
"Little sir, can you not mention this?" If we don't mention the eight-part essay, we are still teachers and students...
When Zhang Shou saw Zhang Chen complaining, he returned to his original position and sat down. He smiled and said: "Actually, I'm not worried about the group of people from Jiuzhangtang who went to Xuanda University, because Wang Dayin is a strong man with outstanding abilities.
The most important thing is that he is responsible, so others just need to follow suit. But going to Xingtai to promote new textile machinery is probably a thankless job to be honest."
"It's difficult because the eldest prince is in Cangzhou. It can be said that people who go to Xingtai will always be compared between the two sides. However, the identities of Zhang Wu and Zhang Lu are very different from the eldest prince. The disadvantages are too great.
The support and resources we have received are incomparable. As for being unflattering, I mean those people in Xingtai who rely on textiles for a living are likely to be hostile to you."
"Why is this?" This time, Zhang Lu couldn't help but asked in disbelief, "With the new spinning machine, they can spin several times more yarn every day. Wouldn't this income increase a lot? Why did they do it instead?"
Are you hostile to us?"
Zhang Shou glanced at the others and saw that Zhang Wu also had an expression of approval for Zhang Lu. Zhu Er was also nodding his head. Zhang Chen frowned and obviously couldn't think clearly. Qi Liang frowned and thought hard. Only Lu Sanlang
He looked as if he had gained something, but he seemed unable to express it.
At that moment, he said bluntly: "A few days ago, I remember telling you about Wang Anshi's reform in Banshan Hall. He was obviously dedicated to serving the public good. I have also explained why these new laws that looked good failed.
. Think about it, are there any similarities between the Qingmiao Law and the current emperor asking you to promote new textile machinery?"
"You know, the plan I first mentioned to you was just to rent the new spinning machines to the spinners on loan, and let them use part of the yarn they produce every day to pay off the rent." Zhang
Shou intended to make some suggestions, but he didn't mention it at all. He already had a very detailed plan for the emperor.
As soon as these words came out, Lu Sanlang immediately clapped his hands hard: "I understand what you mean, young gentleman. The Green Crops Law originally meant that the court used money to lend money to the poor who had no money to buy green crop land. But the poor were illiterate. Those application documents
I had to have petty officials write for me, and after going through layers of exploitation by the yamen, not only did I get less money, but my interest increased dozens of times!"
"And the same is true for those spinners. Those who can afford a spinning machine only have such a spinning machine and cannot afford to buy a new one. And before they come into contact with the new spinning machine, it is likely that there are already those big households that use spinning machines.
The excuse of greatly increased efficiency has driven down the price of yarn, and at the same time, it has been promoted that the imperial court promotes new spinning machines to make profits, and so on!"
"So, even if the imperial court sends people down to propose such a plan as the young gentleman mentioned, the spinners who are incited will definitely be suspicious, uncooperative or even hostile!"
As soon as he finished his analysis, he saw Zhang Wu and Zhang Lu looking at him in surprise, especially Zhu Er, whose eyes were full of surprise and doubt. Only Zhang Chen snorted and deliberately looked away from him. Lu Xiao The fat man felt proud and decided not to argue with Zhang Chen. And Zhang Shou's affirmation made him even more proud:
"Yes, Lu Sanlang has hit the point. After all, even if you go to Xingtai with a large group of people, the strong dragons will not suppress the local snakes. Many things still have to rely on the cooperation of local officials and even big households. Once they are because of their own If we slander you for our own interests, it will be difficult for you to gain the trust of the people."
"The method I mentioned before was to start among the spinners near the capital. And here, the emperor is the biggest, and there is Wang Dayin in Shuntian Mansion. Such a simple and crude plan is enough."
"But since the Emperor is focusing on promoting cotton cultivation, spinning, and weaving from Xingtai and Cangzhou, where the most developed areas are, I think the methods you used in Xingtai should be adjusted. Let me tell you my opinion first. You listened. After that, we’ll discuss it.”
When Zhang Shou saw several people sitting up straight and concentrating abnormally, he said slowly: "First, in addition to the one hundred textile machines sold to the eldest prince, I asked Blacksmith Zhang and Carpenter Sun to work with them in Rongshui Village. An additional workshop has been set up, and so far, dozens of textile machines should have been manufactured. However, transporting these things to Xingtai is a long, inconvenient and costly journey."
Zhang Lu didn't want to let Lu Sanlang take the lead, so he immediately asked: "Does that young gentleman mean to let A Wu and I take these craftsmen to Xingtai together?"
"That's right." Zhang Shou smiled and nodded, "You know, recruiting local craftsmen for those of you who are unfamiliar with the place is a very troublesome and easy thing to do. People like Blacksmith Zhang and Carpenter Sun The top craftsmen are all in the capital these days, and those working in the workshops are their disciples and grandchildren. As for how you purchase wood locally to make components, I won't say much."
Seeing Zhang Wu and Zhang Lu nodding, Zhang Shou said calmly: "Secondly, when you arrive in Xingtai, you don't need to be busy promoting it first. Instead, you first find a place and open a workshop to build ten and eight spinning machines." Just like when we were in the capital, we recruited spinners to test the machine and promised to return 50% of their daily income. In other words, as long as they get used to the machine, they will immediately be able to work harder and get more."
"Of course, they don't need to provide any production materials, but they can get 50% of the output as wages. This ratio is indeed too high, so high that the workshop loses money. But it is just like Shang Yang's standing timber, it is an attractive Strategy."
When Zhang Shou said this, he remembered that the four words "means of production" are a new term for people nowadays. He had to explain in detail that the means of production include labor tools and labor objects. What are labor tools and labor objects? What……
Realizing that if he continued to talk like this, it would be serious Marxist political economics, he coughed quickly.
At this time, Zhang Chen, who had been deliberately showing no interest just now, suddenly stood up and said: "I heard that in addition to those spinners who have their own spinning machines, many textile workshops now also recruit people to work, and they pay good wages. It’s extremely meager, barely enough for the workers to make ends meet. Moreover, those who own textile machines often find it difficult to survive because of price manipulation by workshops and merchants!”
"Oh, I didn't expect Zhang Chen, the son of Duke Qin, to actually know about workshops and spinners?"
Lu Sanlang smiled coldly and interjected. When Zhang Chen realized that he had made a mistake, he snorted and sat down. He winked at Zhang Shou with a smile: "Sir, look at Zhang Chen.
He has obviously gone to understand the current cotton textile industry, but he still pretends to give up and ignore it, which is obviously not what he means!"
"Zhang Chen indeed understands it very carefully." Zhang Shou ignored Lu Sanlang's teasing and said in an approving tone, "And Zhang Chen is also right. Those workshops deduct workers' wages to maximize profits. Businessmen pursue profits.
, this is originally true, but if the pursuit of profit goes too far, it will be harmful to the people."
Seeing that Zhang Chen suddenly felt a little embarrassed, he continued: "But no matter what, as long as Zhang Wu and Zhang Lu behave like Shang Yang standing on a tree in Xingtai, those workshop owners and machine owners will naturally become restless."
"At this time, you can rent the spinning machine to interested spinners, and then agree to pay 60% of the daily yarn as rent. Of course, the rent is not permanent. You can set it for three months or six months depending on the situation.
Months serve as the deadline. Of course, if those spinners don’t want to take risks, they can continue to spin yarn in the workshop and receive 30% of the daily output as compensation.”
Hearing this, Qi Liang suddenly beamed with joy: "If we use these two methods in parallel, we will definitely have good results!"
Zhu Er looked at the other people who were thinking hard, and suddenly felt that he, who had no ideas, looked like the salted fish that Zhang Shou once said. He rolled his eyes, and suddenly said angrily: "It's not that easy, those interests are damaged
How can such a guy be willing to do this! Just like the loopholes that Yingying found out before, although they drove away a group of managers, the remaining people will still find other ways to make money."
"How can those greedy guys give up so easily! As the saying goes, money can make all the difference!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Zhang Shou looking at him with a half-smile but not a smile, and so did the others. Among them, Zhang Chen had a look of contempt on his face, but Lu Sanlang had a bad smile on his face. He couldn't help shouting dissatisfied: "What?
Am I wrong? You have a plan, and I have a countermeasure. No matter how good you come up with, others will have a countermeasure, and it’s not that easy!"
"Zhu Er is right. Even if the two methods I mentioned seem very attractive, and you choose the most honest and upright people to implement them, there will probably be links that cannot be monitored. What's more, others
There is indeed a trump card.”
Zhang Shou paused, but did not mention the source of cotton that he told everyone last time: "For example, colluding with the merchants who originally purchased cotton yarn to lower the price, or even not accepting the yarn from the spinners at all.
The reasons are all ready-made. The weavers on the market simply can’t digest so much yarn, so the price should naturally be reduced. Or maybe they have already collected enough, so they won’t accept it anymore.”
When Qi Liang heard this inference, he immediately nodded: "If this is the case, no matter how much yarn the spinners get, their income may be even meager than before, and it may even be difficult for them to make ends meet. In this way, the new spinning machine will be very important to them.
Not only is it not a life-saving straw, but it is a life-saving steel knife. They dare not resent the court. Aren't Zhang Wu and Zhang Lu unlucky?"
Seeing that the ambitious Zhang Wu and Zhang Lu suddenly felt troubled, Zhang Shou did not propose a solution, but said lightly: "Just like Xiao Qi said, this is a problem you are likely to encounter. Now we are facing a problem.
Before leaving, I hope you will work together, rack your brains to think about various situations that you may encounter, and then make corresponding plans. This is your first time going out to do something, so be prepared!"
Zhang Wu and Zhang Lu agreed with lingering fear. They glanced at Lu Sanlang and Zhu Er. Zhang Lu, who had always been smooth, stood up and bowed with a smile on his face: "Brother Lu, Er brother Zhu, Xiao Wu and I are both capable."
It’s limited, so you must help us.”
As he spoke, he raised his hand to Qi Liang: "Senior Brother Qi has always been a warm-hearted person and knows much more about folk activities than the two of us. I would also like to ask you to give us some advice and guidance for our two fledgling juniors."
Zhang Wu also quickly stood up and bowed. Just as the two brothers were asking for help, they suddenly heard a loud cough. When they turned around, they saw Zhang Chen sitting there with a blue face, obviously angry.
.
They knew that Zhang Chen was easy to get along with most of the time, but he cared about face issues, so they immediately screamed inwardly. But when they wanted to apologize, they couldn't find an excuse to explain the behavior of ignoring Zhang Chen just now.
It rose brightly.
Just when they were embarrassed and frightened, Zhang Shou smiled and said: "You are building the plank road openly, Zhang Chen is crossing Chencang secretly, he still has his mission. Zhang Chen, come here, let them discuss by themselves, let's go elsewhere
say!"
He never mentioned that the goal this time was not to compete with those workshops and big players, but to force both parties to compromise and set a bottom line for wages and yarn prices. This, as well as the various response plans, are just
It depends on whether he, the cobbler, is gone, and whether the remaining cobblers can deduce it through discussion.
Zhang Chen glared at Zhang Wu and Zhang Lu angrily. Seeing Zhang Shou wrap up his cloak and walk out, he raised his eyebrows and glanced at Lu Sanlang and Zhu Er, but in the end he still nodded to Qi Liang relatively politely, and then shouted loudly.
He followed Zhang Shou step by step.
As soon as he saw him leaving, Zhu Er was so angry that he cursed: "Why are you so proud? You gave birth to a good child but you still have a dark face every day, as if someone owes you five hundred taels. It means that my brother-in-law is generous because of his tolerance, otherwise he will be fine."
Just because you covet Yingying, he can make you unable to cry!"
After all, Zhang Wu had been taken care of by Zhang Chen for so many years. At this moment, he couldn't help but sneered: "What kind of skill is it to curse people behind their backs? If you have the ability, you can say this in front of Brother Chen and Mr. Chen!"
Zhu Erdeng was furious: "Hey, who called Brother Zhu just now, you want me to help you with advice! How much benefit have you gained from following Zhang Chen all day long? If it weren't for my brother-in-law, you two would be a consort.
As a guest of honor, can I get the important task of going to Xingtai this time? I am already a person who can stand on my own, and I still cling to Zhang Chen's thigh. Do I have any ambition?"
Zhang Lu's eyes flashed, and he was about to speak, but Zhang Wu unexpectedly pulled him behind him: "This is not a question of whether you have ambition, but a question of whether you can forget your roots!"
Seeing that Zhu Er was stunned, Zhang Wu said word by word: "You and others probably think that when you look at Brother Chen, he has a bad temper and often makes hurtful remarks, but it is thanks to him that Al Lu and I are able to
Wait until you meet the little gentleman!"
"I know that others laugh at us for being such cowards, but the well-behaved Young Master of the Hou Mansion follows Brother Chen around. But he is truly a righteous person! At least when he helped us, he might not have thought about what we were doing at home, but he never thought about what we were doing at home.
This is not the tone of charity!"
Zhang Lu didn't expect that Zhang Wu would speak for Zhang Chen so clearly. After being silent for a while, he couldn't help but smile bitterly and said: "It's hard to find someone as capable and kind-hearted as Mr. Xiao, but we were able to meet Chen back then.
People like Brother Chen are already lucky. If Ah Wu and I have a good marriage and a good teacher, then it would be really heartless to abandon Brother Chen!"