With the authorization, Sean could do nothing but build an army on paper.
The safety tax will not be available until two months at the earliest. Although the three-level conference has clarified the scope and standards of collection, tax collection is not an easy task. It depends on the governor's methods.
Of course, at this time, Sean's past military experience came into play. On the night he stayed at Whale Castle, he wrote a sincere letter and sent it to Colonel Horns in the Northern Xinjiang Province, asking him to
Introduce some retired military officers yourself, and Genoa is willing to hire them with high salaries.
After only staying one night at Whale Castle, Sean left here early the next morning. He did not say goodbye to Viscount Brandon because the Viscount slept late studying the art of war last night and did not get up until midnight.
According to the viscount's eldest son, he was practicing swordsmanship and riding at this time in the past.
Sean did not return to Vichy, but went to Berne. Halfway there, Edward Davis brought his brother Daniel to welcome him.
When the old baron fell ill, it was difficult for Edward to support the family business alone, so he thought of setting up a textile factory, a modern factory-style textile factory powered by steam engines.
This was one of the special cases that Sean saw in the south that touched him deeply, and it was also the reason why he was able to "condescend" to come to Bern in person.
Southerners regard those roaring machines as monsters.
Edward is twenty-three years old and is considered tall among the short southerners. His face is slightly darker, and he has the kind of healthy complexion that people often travel around.
It is said that the old baron once searched for several girls through his eldest son, but they were all politely rejected because the family was too poor. Of course, the old baron would not let his eldest son marry the daughter of a commoner.
"Good afternoon, Lord Viscount!"
When Edward saw Sean's carriage approaching, he quickly stepped forward to say hello.
"Hello, Edward." Sean got off the carriage and pointed at the young man behind Edward, "Is this your brother? He looks a bit older than you."
"This is my brother Daniel. Above him, I have a sister." Edward explained, and he motioned his brother to step forward, "This is Viscount Connery."
"I know, you are a hero of the empire! A recipient of the Grand Dragon Medal! Can you tell me about your deeds on the battlefield?"
Daniel, 15, is clearly more interested in Sean's other title.
It must be said that this identity brings Sean many advantages - especially when talking to others about the logical relationship between paying taxes and patriotism.
"Haha, we can talk about this topic later. Daniel, you are welcome to visit my rose garden." Sean smiled.
Edward knew that his younger brother had always longed for the army, and Sean's deeds inspired him even more. It is true that his family's financial situation is not good, and joining the army is an option for his second son, but now is really not a good time to join the army.
Bernier is a small city located in the middle of Genoa. It is an important thoroughfare for east-west, north-south transportation, and its transit trade is relatively developed.
The Davis family has been living in a village in the western suburbs of Bernier. The family owns a small manor here and maintains the only dignity of a nobleman.
"Please allow me to pay my respects to the Baron." Sean took the initiative to mention. Edward looked embarrassed, probably because he had been bedridden all year round and the smell was not good:
"If there is anything unexpected, please forgive me."
Sure enough, as Edward said, although the baron's bedroom was very clean, an unpleasant smell lingered no matter what.
The old baron's symptoms were that of a stroke. He lived on liquid food and was still conscious, but he could not speak or move his limbs.
"Father, this is Viscount Connery."
The old baron blinked, but his eyes were a little confused, probably wondering where this young Viscount Connery came from. Isn't Viscount Connery an old playboy?
Sean turned back and took a porcelain jar filled with tea leaves from Nelson:
"This is a drink. You can make a cup of boiled water every day and give it to the Baron after it is warmed. A small amount of tea leaves can be brewed twice at most. It may relieve the symptoms of stroke. In addition, all tableware and utensils used by the Baron must be disinfected.
That is to say, boil it and keep it ventilated in the bedroom to prevent germs from growing. When the weather is nice, you should take it out to bask in the sun."
Sean didn't dare to say that tea could cure a disease, and it was such a serious disease that one was waiting for death.
Edward didn't expect the drink to have any effect, but he was touched by Sean's kindness - Sean never came empty-handed when visiting, he was just following the habits of his previous life - so this became a topic of discussion for him.
one.
Of course, as the inventor of Kang's disinfection method, Edward dare not not listen to Sean's words.
After meeting the baron, Sean visited his workshop under the guidance of Edward. There are twenty human-powered spinning wheels, which are pedal-type spinning wheels. They are already relatively advanced spinning wheels in the south.
Although the scale is small, although it can still make money, it can only be said to be hard-earned money.
Sean had seen large-scale textile factories powered by steam engines in the north. Hundreds of spinning wheels worked day and night. The scale, cost and efficiency were far beyond what the small workshops in front of him could compare with, which mainly relied on manpower.
"I have also seen large textile factories in Gyeonggi, and even worked in a factory under a pseudonym." When Edward mentioned those factories, his eyes were bright and full of longing, "The factory in my dream is all powered by steam engines.
It can provide continuous power without getting tired, so I don’t need so many female workers and don’t need to struggle to manage them.”
"Two women are like two big white geese. It's a bit annoying, but it looks better, but when a group of women are together, they are like a group of ducks." Sean added, "Edward, you can't spread this word.
Otherwise I will become the public enemy of women."
"I will definitely keep it a secret." Edward smiled.
"You know my purpose of coming very well." Sean said seriously.
"Of course, Your Excellency!" Edward also said seriously.
"In fact, I have long wanted to start an industry. Compared with the steel industry and coal industry that invest huge amounts of money, the textile industry is a good industry, especially in our south. We are rich in silk here, but it still maintains the shape it had eight hundred years ago.
, hand-woven textiles from household to household. Silk is a best-seller, but in the north, more products are imported from Bactria. Do you know the reason?"
"Bactria is the origin of silk, so it has a natural advantage." Edward said, "Of course, what they sell is only slightly more expensive. Once the market is stabilized, it will be difficult to break."
"You're right, I think this is a brand advantage, just like cigars. I only like Duf brand, even if some people think there are better ones." Sean said.
"So I think that only large-scale products can defeat Daxia's foreign products, because this can reduce costs and make merchants profitable. In addition, they can also work on dyes, including patterns." Edward obviously has some research on this aspect.
"How much investment do you need?" Sean asked directly.
"About twenty thousand gold louis." Edward said, "I can let you take the majority."
In fact, he can't pay much money, and he can't come up with nothing, not to mention the investment risks.
Sean smiled and said: "I think this factory should be located in Vichy Town. The main reasons are as follows: First, there is a newly built port there. In the future, finished products can be shipped directly to the north, and the machines you want can also be shipped directly there. And
But the journey is tiring;
Second, I can get cheap land for you to open a factory there;
Third, there are still many disaster victims who need to support their families, and I cannot support them forever. This is a good labor force;
Fourth, the most important thing is that I can have independent taxation there, which is equivalent to a free trade port. There is no market tax, and the city government only collects 1/2 of the transaction tax. This was decided at the three-level meeting, and you also voted for it.
ticket."
Edward was in high spirits and said:
"In fact, I also thought of the fourth item, but I didn't think of the first three. Lord Viscount, you are so hard for me to refuse."
"I can fully bear the investment of 20,000 gold louis and give you 20% of the shares. I will not own all the remaining 80% of the shares. I will give some of them away, such as the maintenance of the land for sale."
For villagers, such as workers who maintain machines, you can only go to the north to find these skilled workers, and I have even identified the technical person in charge for you."
"I'm afraid I'm not worth the 20%." Edward couldn't believe it and was a little uneasy. His performance made Sean think he was right.
"Because based on the four points I listed above, as long as this factory can be opened, it will definitely make a profit. Why do I dare to give you 20%? I always believe that the money you spend truly belongs to you. You should not
By expecting me to manage a factory, you are making money for me." Sean said, "If you have no objection, we can find a lawyer to sign an agreement of intent now."
In fact, it's not that Sean is too generous, this is just buying horse bones for a thousand dollars, and it has a demonstration effect, because he has a huge plan to build Vichy Town into a free trade zone.
Build a nest to attract phoenixes.
At the Estates-General meeting, Sean was stimulated. Although the landowners from the countryside were not as high as him, they were all richer than him.
Having reached his intention, Edward was very excited. He did not take the possible risks into consideration at all. In this regard, he possessed the adventurous spirit that was rare among southerners.
Because Edward has nothing that Sean can like, if he doesn't work hard to make money, he may even lose his title, and he doesn't want to bow to those loan sharks.
The conditions offered by Sean were too tempting. If it were anyone else, they would think twice and think that Sean had some terrible conspiracy.
If the same thing had been done in the north, without Sean's promotion, countless factory owners or businessmen would have rushed to Vichy Town with their checks.
Therefore, Sean loves this era very much. Even taxation can be done independently, just like a country within a country.
Privilege is a fascinating thing. Once you fall in love with her, you won't give up easily.