Kou Ji waved his hand and said with a smile: "After you bring the cotton back, we will also study how to weave it and how to plant it on a large scale. This will take a long time.
We can afford to wait, but the refugees cannot afford to wait.
Therefore, cotton textiles can only be used as a long-term solution, but cannot be used to change the current situation."
When Mu Chong and the other three heard this, their interest was much lessened.
It took more than a year at least for cotton to go from large-scale introduction, to large-scale planting, to large-scale textile.
In other words, it will take more than a year at least for them to use refugee women on a large scale.
Before that, they could only set up some hemp and woolen weaving workshops to make some small fuss.
It doesn't take too many people.
If we feed those refugees for a year in vain, the price will be too high.
When Kou Ji saw the expressions on the three of them, he knew what they were thinking.
After all, he was in control of the conversation between the four of them from the beginning.
Kou Ji stared at the three of them and said with a smile: "Then do you know about Bintie?"
When Mu Chong and the others heard Bintie, their eyes widened for a moment.
Salt and iron are all government-owned.
Ordinary people can't get involved.
Those who sold iron privately in the Song Dynasty had more or less official backgrounds.
Not to mention iron and steel.
Bin iron was an imported product. Once it arrived in the Song Dynasty, it was all controlled by the Song Dynasty court and used to forge weapons.
Not to mention ordinary people, even officials in the DPRK may not be able to control the iron and steel trade.
So when Kou Ji mentioned Bintie, the three people's hearts felt like they were being tugged.
Qian Leqiang swallowed his saliva and asked Kou Ji in a trembling voice, "Is there any way for the Kou Ministry of Industry to make me wait to sell iron?"
Selling iron is more than just making money.
If they can be sold to other countries, they can immediately become guests of other countries.
Kou Ji glanced at him and said dumbfounded: "What are you thinking! Salt and iron are both controlled by the court, not to mention iron. Even if I find a way to help you get the right to buy and sell iron, you dare to
Will the iron be sold?"
Mu Chong and the other three were stunned and shook their heads in embarrassment.
They wanted to tell Kou Ji loudly that they dared.
But due to Kou Ji's status, they did not dare to say such words in front of Kou Ji.
Kou Ji said in the awkward look of the three of them: "The reason why I mentioned the iron to you is not to let you sell the iron."
Qian Le smiled bitterly and said, "Then why did you mention it?"
Kou Ji said frankly: "You three know that our country does not produce iron ore. All iron ore in our country comes from the sea, so the price is extremely high. Except for the imperial court, ordinary people have no way to care about it."
Mu and Chong nodded.
All three of them knew what Kou Ji said.
But they didn't speak, because they knew that Kou Ji would definitely have something to say.
really.
Kou Ji then added: "Bin Iron is controlled by the imperial court, so naturally we cannot interfere. But the craftsmen in my house can use ordinary iron ore to cast iron that is better than Bin Iron. Do you know what this means?
"
Mu Chong and the other three people's eyes widened for a moment, with shocked expressions on their faces.
What does iron better than iron mean?
This means that the imperial court is likely to abandon iron in the future and use new iron to forge ordnance.
Seeing the shocked expressions on the three people's faces, Kou Ji said with a smile: "The cost is very low, a little more expensive than ordinary iron, but several times cheaper than iron."
The eyes of Mu Chong and the others were filled with fire, as if there were flames burning in their eyes.
Better than iron ore, cheaper than iron ore?
The imperial court would definitely use new iron to forge weapons.
From now on, wouldn’t more than half of the imperial court’s annual expenditure on forging ordnance fall into their pockets?
Qian Le stuttered and asked Kou Ji, "Really? Is this really possible?"
Kou Ji nodded slowly.
Mu and Chong looked at each other and looked firmly at Kou Ji.
Kou Ji smiled and said, "But forging new iron requires a lot of manpower."
The three of them, Mu Chong, bowed to Kou Ji and said, "All orders are from the Kou Ministry of Industry."
Kou Ji nodded with satisfaction.
With the support of the Mu, Qian, and Meng families, it will not be that difficult for him to deal with the problem of refugee resettlement.
These three companies have been in business for many years, and they not only have money, but also food, connections, and manpower.
These are all what Kou Ji needs.
"We still follow the old rules, each of your three families will get 20%, and I will get 10%."
Kou Ji said with a smile.
The three of them, Mu Chong, nodded without hesitation.
There was no need for Kou Ji to say anything about where the remaining 30% of the people had gone. They knew in their hearts.
What they are doing is an earth-shattering big business, and it is appropriate to teach them some protection fees.
After all, they alone cannot hold on to such an earth-shattering deal.
After it's agreed upon.
Kou Ji then ordered the three of them: "The court will naturally handle the food needed to resettle the refugees. What we need to handle now are medicinal materials, lime, wood, craftsmen, stones and other supplies."
"Give me the herbs and lime."
Mu Chong took the initiative to ask for help.
Qian Le said with a smile: "Then I will be responsible for the wood?"
Meng Weizhong glared at the two of them and sighed: "Then I will be responsible for the craftsmen and stone materials."
Obviously, the craftsmen and stones were the most difficult things to prepare for the three of them.
Mu Chong and Qian Le took the lead and grabbed the easiest thing.
Meng Weizhong could only chew hard bones.
"The speed must be fast... I want to see the first batch of things when the refugees flock to Bianjing City."
Kou Ji spoke up and warned.
The three of them, Mu Chong, smiled knowingly.
"Don't worry, the Ministry of Industry and Communications, the three of us still have some prestige among businessmen. If we want anything, others won't dare not give it to us."
After a pause, Mu Chong added: "For official matters, there is the Ministry of Labor and Industry."
Kou Ji nodded and said: "You can rest assured that the imperial court has handed over this matter to our Ministry of Industry. You can also tell other merchants when you go out that you are cooperating with the Ministry of Industry."
When Mu Chong and the other three heard this, the smiles on their faces became even brighter.
Cooperation with Kou Ji can only be regarded as a private official-business cooperation.
But working with the Ministry of Industry is different.
That means they are doing things for the court.
By helping the imperial court, they can enjoy convenience in many aspects.
Such as tariffs.
"Be fast!"
Before leaving, Kou Ji reminded him again.
The three of them, Mu Chong, repeatedly promised that they would prepare what Kou Ji needed when he needed it.
Kou Ji said goodbye to Mu Chong and the others, and comforted Lu Ming with a few words, who was still worried about him.
After returning to the house, they saw Xiang Yan and the servants moving money out.
Kou Ji was slightly startled when he saw this scene.
He stepped forward, walked to Xiang Yan's side, and asked, "Yan'er, why did you move the money from the house?"
Kou Ji told Xiang Yan to go back and send the copper coins from his house to the mint workshop in Jiangling.
But now the flood outside the city has just receded, and there is mud everywhere, making it impossible to transport the money out.
Faced with Kou Ji's question, Xiang Yan put down the account book in her hand and said seriously: "Of course I will spend money to eliminate the disaster and help my husband keep your official position."
Kou Ji was stunned for a moment, and said with a mixture of laughter and tears: "Do you think I want to use the money from my family to help the refugees?"
Xiang Yan said matter-of-factly: "If my husband doesn't plan to use his family's money to help the refugees, then why did he agree to help build houses for the refugees?"
Kou Jixiao asked: "Are you willing?"
Xiang Yan's expression darkened, she turned back and glanced at the money piled up in the yard, gritted her teeth and said, "Of course I won't let you go...but compared to your official position, my husband, these money are nothing."
Kou Ji laughed loudly and said, "If you have a wife like this, what else can a husband ask for?"
Xiang Yan said seriously: "I am different from those shallow-sighted people in my mother's family. I know that your official position is the foundation of your husband. If you don't have your official position, no matter how much money our family has, we will not be able to keep it."
.”
Kou Ji smiled and nodded.
Xiang Yan glared at Kou Ji complainingly, "Mr. sir, please don't be so impulsive again. If you are so impulsive again, from now on, we, husband and wife, and my grandfather will have no choice but to eat glutinous rice with you."
"
Kou Ji smiled and said, "Don't worry. This disaster relief probably won't use the family's money. Even if it does, it won't be too much."
Xiang Yan was stunned, then pulled Kou Ji and reminded her nervously: "Ms., disaster relief is not a trivial matter. If you agree to the refugees, you must find a way to do it. Otherwise, if those refugees are incited by others, they will probably
riot.
At that time, you will be said to be the culprit of the refugee riots.
Although with your official position, you will not be beheaded.
But dismissal from office is inevitable.
If you are dismissed from office and live a hard life, I can stay with you.
But those officials who don't like you will definitely take the opportunity to take advantage of you.
It doesn't matter if I accompany you through hardships, but I don't want to see you suffer."
Xiang Yan talked nonchalantly.
Kou Ji opened his arms, took Xiang Yan into his arms, and hugged her tightly.
Xiang Yan was stunned.
Kou Ji whispered: "I made you worry..."
Xiang Yan trembled all over and tears fell down instantly.
Ever since Kou Ji left Kou Mansion that day, she has never let go of it.
Even though Kou Ji sent someone back to her home to spread the message, she still couldn't let go.
It wasn't until she saw Kou Ji again that she felt relieved.
But still worried about Kou Ji.
He was worried that if Kou Ji could not handle the refugee problem well, he would be dismissed from office, ridiculed, and wronged.
It wasn't until Kou Ji took her in his arms and said a word of comfort that she felt completely relieved.
"You've been working hard for a few days. Go back and rest. Just leave the rest to me."
Kou Ji patted Xiang Yan on the shoulder and said softly.
Xiang Yan stopped crying and nodded heavily.
After Kou Ji sent Xiang Yan back to Sijun Garden to rest, he reappeared in the yard full of money and ordered Kou Zhong to move the money back to the treasury.
Then he put on some clothes, took a few followers with him, and left the house. PC::/
As soon as he left the house, he bumped into Liu Heng and Cao Yi.
Behind Liu Heng and Cao Yi, there were many people following, a dark group of people, roughly estimated to be several hundred people.
Liu Heng saw Kou Ji and shouted: "Fourth brother, I heard that you took on a troublesome errand. I brought some people over to help you. If it's not enough, I will send some people from the Fengzhuangku and the Imperial City Department to help you."
People also called over."
Cao Ji hugged Kou Ji and said, "Fourth brother, the number of people I can dispatch is less than two hundred. Now I will leave them all to you and listen to your orders."
Kou Ji stepped forward, patted the two of them on the shoulders, and said with emotion: "Good brothers..."
Liu Heng and Cao Yi nodded heavily.
"Good brother..."
Kou Ji ordered: "Let your people go back to their homes first. When needed later, I will call them over. You two accompany me for a walk."
Liu Heng and Cao Yi looked at each other and nodded.
They sent those who came with them back home first.
Then they each brought a few guards and followed them.
The three of them walked together outside Bianjing City.
Along the way.
Liu Heng and Cao Yi worriedly asked Kou Ji why he took this job.
Kou Ji said with a smile: "Because it is profitable..."
"Profitable?" Mobile version::
Liu Heng and Cao Yi looked at Kou Ji in astonishment.
Liu Heng said with a bitter face: "Fourth brother, please don't lie to me. Arrangement of refugees has always been a troublesome matter. So what benefits can we seek? If it is spring, summer, or early autumn, we can still find ways to arrange for these refugees.
Work-for-relief.
But now it is the transition between autumn and winter, and winter will begin soon.
It is impossible to find a way to arrange for these refugees to work for relief.
Is there any benefit to be gained?"
Kou Ji glanced at him and said with a smile: "If everyone can see the benefits of this, how can I show that I am smart?"
When Liu Heng and Cao Yi heard this, they looked shocked at first.
Then they curled their lips one after another.
Obviously he didn't believe what Kou Ji said.
Kou Ji smiled and said, "It doesn't matter if you don't believe it now. You will know after the refugees flock to Bianjing City."
Liu Heng didn't believe what Kou Ji said, but since Kou Ji had made a decision, he naturally wanted to support it.
He said to Kou Ji: "If there is anything that Fourth Brother needs help with, just ask."
Kou Ji smiled and said: "You two, each of you will send some people over to help me clean up those people who secretly make trouble among the refugees."
In addition to controlling the sealing warehouse, Liu Heng also served in the Imperial City Department. There were not only a large number of spies in the Imperial City Department, but also many law enforcers with vicious eyes.
Cao Yi was in the Ministry of Justice, and he also had a group of law enforcers with vicious eyes.
It would be perfect to borrow manpower from the two of them to deal with those people who secretly make trouble among the refugees.
Liu Heng and Cao Yi heard Kou Ji's request and agreed.
Although it was inappropriate for the two of them to agree to bring people from the Yamen out to help Kou Ji without receiving any documents from the inner court.
But their superiors would not embarrass them.
Liu Heng seconded people from the Imperial City Division, and the chief officer of the Imperial City Division was his father Liu Mei.
It was impossible for Liu Mei to embarrass him on such a matter.
Cao Ji seconded people from the Ministry of Punishment, and Wang Zeng still serves as Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment.
Cao Yi didn't have much friendship with Wang Zeng, but Kou Ji had a good friendship with Wang Zeng.
Even if Cao Ji brought people out to help Kou Ji, Wang Zeng would not say anything.
Not only won't he say anything, but he might even help him cover up something.
While talking, the three people had already reached the city gate.
Although the floods have receded, the city gates are still closed.
After Kou Ji showed his waist card, the gatekeeper opened the door and let the three of them out of Bianjing City.
As soon as they left the city, the three of them were stunned.