Li Mu seemed to know what he was worried about and said to him: "Don't worry about anything else. Just focus on building the ship. Nothing will happen to you."
"Young man understands." Shopkeeper Xiao knew that Li Mu was already a little unhappy, so he quickly pulled back his words and said: "Master Marquis, please rest assured that our craftsmen are all trained according to the requirements of Wanshi Ship. To build Thousand Stone Ship, our
The advantage is very great, I guarantee that Mr. Zhun will not be disappointed.”
"Oh, what are your advantages?" Li Mu asked with a smile.
"Back to Lord Marquis, our advantages are in all aspects." Shopkeeper Xiao boasted: "First of all, the Qianshi Ship is not a very big ship in the south of the Yangtze River. Our original craftsmen have rich experience in building Qianshi Ships and are absolutely efficient.
It is the tallest in the world."
"Then, we already have the shipyard for building Thousand Stone Ships. If the Marquis is in urgent need, the Xiao family can use their connections in Jiangnan to mobilize all the shipyards to build them together. It is conservatively estimated that building dozens of ships at the same time will not be a problem!"
"Furthermore, the technical level of building a Thousand Stone Ship is not on the same level as that of a Thousand Stone Ship. Let's put it this way, maybe a craftsman is not qualified to make wooden wedges on the Thousand Stone Ship, but on the Thousand Stone Ship, he may be the leader.
The Xiao family has a thousand craftsmen who have been engaged in shipbuilding for generations. If necessary, they can recruit a thousand more craftsmen from various families in the south of the Yangtze River. Two thousand craftsmen will go into battle together. The number required by the Marquis is not a problem.
Come on!" Shopkeeper Xiao spat.
"Oh?" Li Mu was quite surprised. It seems that no one should be underestimated. Although the Xiao family is not one of the five surnames and seven sects, the background behind it cannot be underestimated!
Li Mu raised his eyebrows: "Do you dare to issue a military order?"
"This..." Shopkeeper Xiao suddenly choked like a duck being pinched by the neck. "The villain is talking about hiring another thousand craftsmen, and these craftsmen only build thousand-stone ships, but now we are not the main focus.
Are they placed on the Wanshi Ship, so... there is still a slight difference."
"You just recruit, and they say money is no longer an issue." Li Mu said calmly, with an expression that said he was not short of money.
"Then... the new craftsmen have to be led by their master. As long as there is no delay in the Wanshi ship, there should be no problem with fifty ships in the first year." Once the military order is about to be issued, Shopkeeper Xiao
I started to be cautious.
"Eighty ships." Li Mu said solemnly: "If you can't build it, then don't do it."
"Hey, the villain is capable and can do it well." Shopkeeper Xiao said hurriedly. He has the status he has today entirely because he is responsible for the Wanshi Ship. If Li Mu takes over, he will turn back to his original self.
If an ordinary shopkeeper runs away from Xidian, it will be even more uncomfortable than killing him.
"How much does a ship cost?" Li Mu then asked the price. Seeing that shopkeeper Xiao was a little afraid to speak, he added: "In the market economy, I am not bullying others. Didn't you say that your Xiao family has a business in Jiangnan?"
The shipyards that build ships usually charge the same price as you do to the outside world."
"Young man, I understand." Shopkeeper Xiao heard the words, thought about it, and said: "If you want to return to the Marquis, if it is for external parties, there are two situations. One is to contract the work and materials, and each thousand-stone ship will get 600 taels.
Shopkeeper Xiao cautiously replied: "The price quoted for an ordinary shipyard is at least fifty guan more expensive. The advantage of the Xiao family is that in the Nanliang Dynasty, the Xiao family had a lacquer garden that lasted for two hundred years, a tung garden and a palm garden, and planted tens of thousands of trees."
, accumulated over the years, there are savings. Therefore, there is no need to outsource tung oil, palm cables and other auxiliary materials used in shipbuilding, which can save a lot of money."
Li Mu naturally knew the price before doing anything. There were seven or eight shipyards in the Tang Dynasty that could build thousand-stone ships, and the quotations were indeed around seven or eight hundred guan... Of course, these were quotations for a single ship. If hundreds of ships were ordered at one time
If so, there will definitely be a discount. But if you want to get it as low as 600, I'm afraid it's impossible.
From this detail, we can see that Shopkeeper Xiao’s quotation is quite generous.
"Is there another one?" Li Mu asked calmly.
"The other is to only contract the work but not the materials, so each ship costs...two hundred guan." Shopkeeper Xiao gritted his teeth and said, "Of course the wood needed will have to be bought by Zhang Luo. This is purely handmade money."
"Hmm." Li Mu nodded noncommittally and asked, "Which method do you usually prefer?"
"This... half and half." Shopkeeper Xiao hesitated: "Of course we hope to contract the work and materials, so that we can make more money. But for eighty ships, we also have to take care of the ten thousand stone ships, which requires too much wood.
It’s too stressful for us to prepare materials alone…”
"What good material is there? Isn't it just wood?" Li Tailai, who had been listening for a long time, said in disbelief: "There are already trees, right? Just find a forest and chop it down!"
"Your Majesty, I don't know..." Shopkeeper Xiao wiped his sweat and said, "Newly cut wood cannot be used to build ships. From cutting to using, the wood has to go through many processes. One less process is missing.
The ship will only have its appearance, and it will break apart later."
"So that's it." Li Tai smiled awkwardly and said, "I understand, I made a mistake."
After dealing with Li Tai, shopkeeper Xiao expressed his position to Li Mu again: "Master Hou, please rest assured, I will go all out to build the ship you need as quickly as possible!"
"Quality is more important than speed." Li Mu said calmly: "And the ordering of these ships is not in my name. It is a business relationship between the company and the company. It should not be blamed on me. The specific contract will be finalized in two weeks.
Someone will come to talk to you someday. You can decide how much you want to quote. However, since I am the one who built the bridge, I will also strive for some benefits for you. In addition to the selling price of each boat, I will give you another one hundred and fifty.
A consistent warranty deposit.”
"Warranty deposit?" Shopkeeper Xiao had never heard of this term before, so he couldn't react.
"It's just extra money to buy a guarantee. This money will not be given to you right away." Li Mu said solemnly: "But I will give you fifty coins every year, so if you want to get the full guarantee money, at least give it to me
Guaranteed no problems for three years!”
Li Mu had done his homework before. He asked the Qiu Beard customer about the new ship. The Qiu Bearded customer told him that generally the quality problems of the new ship will be exposed one after another two years before it is launched. As long as there are no problems in the first two years, basically there will be no problems.
There will be problems again. Li Mu was cautious and added another one-year warranty period.
"Ah, that's it..." Shopkeeper Xiao finally understood what was going on. He was immediately elated and looked at Li Mu as if he was the God of Wealth.
If this is really implemented, building a ship will double the profit. This is really pie in the sky!
"Do you have any confidence?!"
"Yes, that's great!" Shopkeeper Xiao nodded quickly and said: "No matter how many stones it is, the boats built by our craftsmen are all good boats with thick boards, tight nails, and strict regulations. They can normally be used for thirty years."
There will be almost no problems for years, so I will take care of the warranty deposit!"
"That's the best." Li Mu nodded slightly with satisfaction. He didn't expect it in thirty years, but ten years would be enough. If it was built every ten years, the financial pressure would be negligible.
…
Li Mu will only talk about the general direction today. The specific contract will have to wait a few days, because the 'business-to-business' he mentioned cannot be done yet, and the companies on both sides have not yet opened.
Li Mu has also recently been reflecting on whether he is a little too ahead of his time in doing things. However, time is tight and the tasks are heavy. If he had not been a little ahead of himself, he would have been overwhelmed by the pile of things.
After visiting the pond, it was already getting late, so Li Mu and Li Tai left the dock.
Shopkeeper Xiao sent Li Mu and Li Tai to the door and hurried back. Although there was still some time before the contract was signed and construction officially started, preparations must start now. And he still had to continue with the Wanshi Ship matter.
If Li Mu hadn't come in person, he wouldn't have had time to entertain the guests.
…
When Li Mu and Li Tai returned to the city, it was already dark. They saw bright lights in the market ahead, making it a lively scene.
Arriving in front of Nanshikoufang Gate, the two got off the sedan and walked along the lively street.
On the issue of night markets, Luoyang City once again took the lead. Li Mu had already ordered that the curfew be lifted on Luoyang City's markets, and stalls and trade could be set up freely at night.
But this was Li Mu's first time visiting the night market. Looking at the rows of shops, the vendors hawking along the streets, and the bustling crowds, he couldn't help but be secretly proud...
This is all my handiwork, hahaha, I am such a genius! The simplest truth is that as long as the shop is open, there will definitely be revenue. In the past, there was no income at night, but now that there is, isn't it increased? Not to mention increase.
Doubling it is still an increase!
Li Tai couldn't help but sigh with emotion: "Brother really has the Midas touch to turn stone into gold. Looking at this scene, those who didn't know would have thought it was Pingkangli."
Privately, the two of them often talk about each other as brothers.
At this time, Li Mu's face didn't show any trace of pride, and he said hypocritically and modestly: "It's mainly the people of Luoyang City. The people are rich and need a place to consume. The night market came into being. If it were elsewhere, it would be
Not so lucky."
"Someone has to do it!" No matter how Li Mu explained it, Li Tai believed that it was his contribution and said that he would talk about it in detail when he wrote the memorial next time.
Li Mu tried hard to persuade him to no avail, so he had no choice but to let him go.
While talking, the two of them left Nanshi and came to a lakeside. This place is called "Weiwangti" in Luoyang City. As the name suggests, this is Li Tai's personal property.
Li Taifei had to settle down in Luoyang and open a literary museum. Li Shimin doted on his son and gave Li Tai a plot of land in Luoyang, the eastern capital. In addition to the mansion given to him before, Li Tai's own territory was almost two south.
The city is so big. In the middle of such a large area, there is a swamp of hundreds of acres. Li Tai built a dam here as a pond. Over time, the water was stored and it became an 'artificial lake'. The Literature Museum is next to it.
After the establishment of the Literature Museum, the "supporting facilities" for literati and poets also came. Li Tai didn't understand it at first, so he didn't ban it. When he wanted to ban it, he found that he couldn't ban it anymore, which would easily arouse public outrage, and also
It can only be that new households are not allowed to come in, and the existing ones are like that.
At this time, the remaining lotuses stand in the lake, the red building is reflected, the lanterns reflect the water, and the painted boats ripple. Listening to the laughter of silk and bamboo coming from the restaurants by the lake and the painted boats on the lake, one feels as if one is in Agarwood Street by the Qinhuai River.
"What a wonderful place." Li Mu sat on a rock and couldn't help but sigh again: "It's really hard to compare people to death, and it's so hard to compare goods. Your father has so many sons, but the one he loves the most is you. It's so good.
I gave this place to you as promised, but do you know how much it will be worth in the future?"
"Alas..." Li Tai sighed and said: "Brother, I actually understand that my father felt that I didn't inherit the throne, so he wanted to compensate me in some way. In fact, I don't value these things.
You know what I value if you don't bring it with you or take it with you. In my eyes, these things are not as good as a good map or a good poem."
Li Mu believed what Li Tai said. At least at this age, Li Tai really had no interest in the throne.
Suddenly, Li Mu saw a plaque not far away with the words "Sihai Gambling House" written on it. He couldn't help being stunned, and then said angrily: "You are really brave, how dare someone copy my shop——
"Halfway through the scolding, I suddenly remembered something and said, "Ah...branch, how did you end up here!"
Li Tai snickered, but did not dare to laugh for fear that Li Mu would kick him.
"Now that we're at the door, let's go in and take a look." Li Mu stood up and pulled Li Tai over, mainly because he was a little hungry after walking for a while and wanted to go in for some food and drink.
The big restaurant is brightly lit, and in terms of luxurious decoration and extravagance, it is far inferior to the main store in Chang'an City. Perhaps it is to resemble the atmosphere of a literature museum? The decoration here is very elegant, quiet and refined.
There are neither single rooms nor seats in the lobby on the first floor, and you can't even see the counter. Instead, there are small bridges and flowing water, green bamboos, rockery winding paths, flowers and birdsong. In the rockery pavilion, there is a graceful female actor singing.
, and the melodious ruanqin and flute welcome guests, making people feel like they are in a fairyland. It is more like a unique Jiangnan garden than a gambling house.
"It's done well. It's different from the main store." Li Mu praised Ergou with satisfaction. Who would have thought that a street gangster would have such taste...
Ergou learned the news at this time and trotted over. Hearing Li Mu's praise for his life, he felt relieved.
Although the Marquis' family has a great business, he has almost forgotten about this gambling house and completely delegated power to him to take care of it. But if he really can't get into the eyes of the Marquis, or if something makes him dissatisfied, he won't be able to live with it.
.
"Master Hou..."
"Here we come." Li Mu gave Ergou a rare smile and said, "Get a private room and get some food. Do you know what I like to eat?"
"We've got it, make arrangements immediately!" Ergou responded. A group of guys and maids followed behind him and they all got busy. Ergou personally led the way and led Li Mu to the second floor.
"The second floor is divided into four halls, corresponding to spring, summer, autumn and winter, and a total of twelve private rooms, corresponding to the twelve months. There is a special private room in the middle that is not open to the public and is specially prepared for the Marquis." Ergou introduced flatteringly.
He said, helping Li Mu open the door of the Supreme Private Room.