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Chapter 250
Chapter 250 The 'wave' rises again
The 'woman' dressed up by the 'woman' is Qiu Lan, who has already married Hai Fu. The ones she calls the young master and the 'milk' are naturally Zhuang Xinyan and Qin Tian.
The little boy in their arms was Zhuang Shixiu, the three-year-old grandson of the Zhuang family.
Hearing that Jiang Zhifu was visiting at the 'door', Zhuang Xinyan and Qin Tian were surprised and looked at each other.
Is there anything that requires Jiang Zhifu to visit the 'door'?
Qin Tian 'handed over' Shi Xiu to Qiulan, and after the two returned to the yard and changed into decent clothes, they went to the hall to see Jiang Zhifu.
Since the prefect of Hu was dismissed and beheaded, this Jiang prefect has taken over the position of the prefect of Hu. Although the prefect of Jiang is not a down-to-earth official, it is fortunate that he will not deliberately embarrass the banker. Of course, this is the same as the banker. Generous filial piety at the festival is not unrelated.
The two parties met in the hall, and at Qin Tian's strong invitation, Jiang Zhifu took a seat in the hall. Qin Tian and Zhuang Xinyan live in the lower house.
Jiang Zhifu was in his 40s, with a clean face, elegant temperament, and a jinshi background. After he sat down, he watched Qin Tian and the two open the 'door' and said: "This official's visit to the 'door' is to discuss something with the precious number."
Qin Tian hurriedly said: "I don't know what the lord said?" Seeing Jiang Zhifu's serious expression, Qin Tian did not dare to "disorderly" agree.
Zhuang Xinyan didn't say a word, just stared at the two of them quietly.
Over the past few years, Zhuang Xinyan has been committed to learning to speak. Through his unremitting efforts, he is now able to speak some short sentences, but the conversation is not smooth, and there is still the defect of unclear articulation. Therefore, apart from 'communicating' a few sentences with his family, he is still unable to break through in the face of outsiders. mental disorder. Qin Tian couldn't bear to 'force' him, and let him go with the flow.
At present, the affairs of the tea shop are basically handled by brothers Zhuang Xinyan and Zhuang Xinzhong, and Qin Tian can spend a lot of time at home to take care of the children. When encountering occasions that Zhuang Xinzhong can't control, Qin Tiancai will act. However, in recent years, the tea trade has been developing smoothly, and nothing major has happened.
"Since the emperor ascended the throne, the closed-door policy of strictly restricting foreign trade has closed the customs of Su, Qing, and Yuan, leaving only the customs of Sui to do business. Now all of our 'transactions' with foreign businessmen are completed in Suizhou, and we are responsible for cooperating with Because of the sudden prosperity of trade, foreign trade guarantors have produced a series of 'chaos' and 'chaos'."
Jiang Zhifu looked at Qin Tian and said slowly.
"The people's wife is trying to report this situation to the prefect. We Shengshi have cooperated with the insurance business in Suizhou for several years, but since last year, the pricing there has been 'chaotic' and 'chaos', and they have also suppressed our business for no reason. The price, because our tea shop has no right to buy and sell directly with foreign businessmen, so we can only succumb to their pricing, which is very unfair for us tea shops," Qin Tian replied.
Jiang Zhifu put down the tea cup in his hand, looked at Qin Tian and said, "Yes, this is exactly what this official came here today."
Last year, during the funeral of Emperor Jingren, the posthumous photo indicated that the third prince would inherit the throne. On the other hand, Taifu Song asked himself to guard the mausoleum of Emperor Jingren, and since then, he has never appeared in the court.
After the new emperor, Emperor Ning, ascended the throne, he demoted the adult brothers around him in various names, and closed the gate. For a time, everyone in the court was in danger. But because of his diligence and love for the people, he won the support of the people.
Shengshi has been involved in overseas trade since three years ago. In recent years, due to the good harvest of the tea gardens they planted, in addition to supplying the desert market, the volume of 'transactions' with Suizhou Baoshang has increased year by year. increase. Profitable. But since last year, insurers began to lower prices for no reason, reducing Shengshi's profits all of a sudden. As for today's 'Spring' tea, it is even unprofitable. Prosperity is in a dilemma. If you don't "trade" it, this large amount of tea cannot be swallowed in the country. If you keep it for another year, it will also be a loss for new tea to become old tea. Let's trade, it's really not reconciled to be strangled like this.
The so-called Suizhou Baoshang used to be wealthy merchants in the coastal area. They often deal with foreign businessmen and are familiar with overseas trade. After the opening of the sea ban, because the court had no experience in foreign trade and had to guard against the invasion of foreigners, they accepted the order of these Yaxing merchants to specialize in "dealing" with foreign merchants. On the one hand, the merchants monopolized the import and export business of Suizhou. Imported goods are underwritten by it, and mainland export goods are purchased by it. They are also responsible for setting the price of import and export goods and guaranteeing the payment of import and export duties to the customs, which is the so-called "insured tax rate".
So these traders relied on the rights granted to them by the government and made huge profits for themselves. Especially after the closure of the other three major customs, this situation is more serious.
"Master Qin should know that tea accounts for the largest proportion of all our exports. However, due to the 'chaotic' and 'chaotic' management of the business, many tea merchants are shoddy and bought from foreign merchants, causing their Losses, many foreign businessmen complained to our government about this, claiming that if this matter is not handled properly, they will no longer have business dealings with our Daqi.”
Jiang Zhifu took a sip of tea, moistened his throat and continued: "Originally, the imperial court wanted to severely punish those traders, but some officials suggested that if the management system is not perfected, all the suppression will only treat the symptoms rather than the root causes. Therefore, the imperial court prepared to punish the merchants in Suizhou. Establish a public bank to jointly manage all the merchants, and for tea, the largest export commodity, the court is even more prepared to choose an experienced and wealthy tea company to join the Gongxing to check the export of tea..."
Having said this, Jiang Zhifu looked at Qin Tian and smiled: "Shengshi is now our largest tea shop in Daqi, no one can compare with Shengshi in terms of scale and experience. Shengshi opened a branch in Suizhou and joined the public bank, which is not only conducive to the stability of Suizhou's trade, but also a great good thing for Shengshi itself, what do you think of the virtuous couple?"
Qin Tian and Zhuang Xinyan looked at each other, and their faces changed slightly.
Although the monopoly business is easy to do, it is restricted by the government everywhere, and don't know if it is a blessing or a curse. Qin Tian couldn't help but think of the Guangzhou Thirteen Lines in his previous life, and the decline of Guangzhou Thirteen Lines was not unrelated to the heavy pressure of the government.
However, Jiang Zhifu has already come to the 'door', saying that it is the intention of the imperial court. In this era of supremacy of power, do they still have room for opposition?
After sending Jiang Zhifu away, Qin Tian and Zhuang Xinyan came to Qingyin Academy to talk to the eldest wife about it.
"Our business has grown bigger and bigger in the past few years, and it will definitely attract a lot of wind." The eldest wife sighed, "However, as we become one of the insurance businessmen, we have the right to set prices for the tea, and the tea businessmen will be able to suffer less losses in the future. , and there will be no such thing as fake tea. After a few years and everything is stable, we will find a way to withdraw from the public business." Qin Tiandao: "Jiang Zhifu asked us to act as soon as possible, after we discussed with Xinyan. Decided to leave for Suizhou next month to prepare everything."
The eldest wife was stunned: "Next month so fast? Then what about Shixiu?"
When he mentioned his son, Qin Tian remembered the white and tender smiling face, and felt distressed for a while, "There are a lot of things to prepare for when I first arrived in Suizhou, and I may not be able to care about him, so I can only leave Shixiu at home and ask my mother to take care of him. ."
"Don't worry..." The eldest wife said, "Now, my eyes are much better. Not only can I take care of Shixiu and tea, but I can also help Nobu Zhong to take care of one or two, you just have to rest assured. already."
That night, Qin Tian hugged her son until he fell asleep and refused to let go. She looked at Shi Xiu and saw that he was sleeping soundly, his mouth was slightly open, and a saliva bubble appeared. He didn't know what he was dreaming about. , suddenly laughed twice, and there were two small dimples exactly like hers, which were not cute. Qin Tian couldn't help hugging him tightly, kissing him several times on the face, tears fell unconsciously.
When Zhuang Xinyan saw it, he went to her side, squatted down, and wiped her tears with his hands, "Why are you crying..."
Qin Tian choked and said: "Shi Xiu is so old, he has never left me half a step, this time I will leave him and go to Suizhou so far away, I don't know when I will be able to see him, if he If you can't see me, you will definitely cry."
When he thought of how he was crying and calling his mother, Qin Tian felt his heart shrink into a ball. But taking him to a place where she was unfamiliar, she couldn't stay by his side all the time, and she was afraid of any accident. What a dilemma.
Zhuang Xinyan took the child from her hand, put it back on the 'bed', walked to her side, put her in his arms, comforted her softly, and wrote: "We will wait until we settle down and look at the situation. He's ready to take it."
Qin Tian nodded and snuggled into his arms. Suddenly, a childish call came from behind: "Mother."
Qin Tian turned his head and saw Shixiu woke up and 'rubbed' his eyes.
Seeing his son, Qin Tian felt soft in his heart. He walked over quickly, hugged his son and said, "Can Xiu'er sleep with mother at night?"
Shi Xiu yawned, his face bulging, he stretched out his chubby hand to hug his mother, and said, "Xiu'er wants to sleep with her mother and father."
Qin Tian gestured to Zhuang Xinyan, looked at his son and smiled: "Okay, okay, Xiu'er sleeps with his parents."
No matter how reluctant he was, Qin Tian still moved with Zhuang Xinyan. Qin Tian wanted to hide from his son, but Zhuang Xinyan insisted on telling Shixiu. He said to Qin Tian, "He is a boy, he shouldn't be so weak." He understands that he will not be able to see his parents for a while, but it does not mean that his parents will miss him very much, and they will buy him interesting gifts. In the end, Shixiu nodded and agreed. However, when Qin Tian and Zhuang Xinyan left, Shixiu couldn't help crying. Qin Tian almost changed his mind, but he finally held back. Later, when Shixiu slowly stopped crying under the coaxing of his grandmother, he felt relieved.
After a few days of boat rides and a few more days of road trips, we finally arrived at the southern coastal town of Suizhou.
When they go there, people from the government will greet them, take them to the inn, and send a special "door" to follow them and assist them in all matters.
With the help of the government, everything is easy to do, find a shop, build a branch, and the stewards are all transferred from Yangcheng. Only half a month before and after. Then he received a photo posted by the ya'men' and officially became one of the merchants.
On this day, the prefect of Suizhou, Mr. Li, held a banquet at Qingfeng Building, the largest restaurant in Suizhou. First, to celebrate the prosperity of the world as a businessman, to provide an opportunity for them to meet with the other fifteen businessmen, and to discuss the establishment of the public business. thing.
Suizhou is more prosperous and lively than Yangcheng, and foreign businessmen in different costumes can be seen everywhere on the streets. The 'women' walk is also more carefree than other places, and the folk customs are more open.
Qin Tian and Zhuang Xinyan came to Qingfeng Building in a canopy car, and followed Xiao Er to the largest private room upstairs.
There were two tables in the private room, surrounded by men of various ages and richly dressed, and two officials in official uniforms.
Seeing the two come in, the people inside stood up one after another, greeted each other, and said polite words such as "goodbye, long-awaited". One of the two officials was Li Zhifu. He introduced the rest to the two of them. First, he pointed to the tall, slender-looking official in his thirties and said, "This is Sui Customs. Zhu Guanchang, Lord Zhu"
Qin Tian and Zhuang Xinyan hurried forward to greet him, and Lord Zhu said with a smile, "I have heard the names of the virtuous couple long ago, and Mr. Zhuang is the maker of the late emperor's favorite tribute tea, Biluo 'Chun', especially the head of Qin. She is a heroic woman, and an odd 'woman' son."
Qin Tian hurriedly said modestly: "Master Zhu has won the prize."
"Master Qin doesn't need to be humble. Shengshi was recommended by Governor Xie, Lord Xie, to the emperor. If Shengshi didn't have this strength, how could he be favored by Lord Xie." After speaking, Lord Zhu looked at Sizuo and smiled: "Everyone said Is it or isn't it?"
The merchants all laughed and said yes.
"Thank you, sir?" Qin Tian asked curiously.
Master Zhu said: "It's not surprising that the head of Qin doesn't know about Master Xie. Master Xie only arrived at the beginning of the month, and Master Xie will also come later. Master Xie is the most popular person around the emperor, and he has the grace of recommending you in the prosperous world. , Master Qin and Young Master Zhuang need to thank Sir Xie well later."
"Yes, yes" Qin Tian promised on the surface, but he hated in his heart: Mr. Xie, who is so talkative, who asked you to recommend us? I wish you had your tongue pulled out in hell when you died
Seeing that the two adults were so enthusiastic about the prosperous world, the rest of the businessmen exchanged glances with each other, but the smiles on their faces could not hide the dark tide surging between them.
Zhuang Xinyan looked at everyone's face in his eyes, and said nothing.
Here, Mr. Li introduced the merchants to them. Among the dozen or so merchants, Mr. Li mostly mentioned one sentence. Only when he introduced the two heads of Fenghexing and Qingbaoxing, he said a few more words.
It turned out that these two firms were the strongest among the fifteen firms. Qin Tian looked at the two bosses carefully. Boss Pan from Fenghexing was in his fifties. He was short and thin, but his eyes were bright and his face was shrewd. Boss Liang of Qingbaohang is a little taller, with a thin body, pointed cheeks, and slender eyes, but because of his gentle eyes and constant smile, he gives people a sense of intimacy.
"Fortunate to meet, fortunate to meet, with Shengshi joining, I think it will be beneficial to the development of our company. In the future, please take care of Qin's family." Boss Liang said with a smile.
Someone joked: "Liang Guan, you laugh at everyone, and win over everyone. Are you canvassing for the position of general merchant?"
Because the merchants are the 'nature' of the official merchants, all the bosses of the merchants will have an official character after the surname.
Liang Guan turned back, still smiling: "Liu Guan is too right, I'm just canvassing votes, Liu Guan can do this even if he can't see it, I will never laugh at you"
The person known as Liu Guan laughed dryly and remained silent.
Qin Tian understands that the general merchant in their mouth is the first 'top' position after the establishment of the public bank, and it will be generated from the sixteen merchants. Every merchant wants to get this position, and the competition is fierce. .
Seeing that the two of them were talking about the general merchant in front of the officials, it could be seen that the battle for one of the general merchants had reached a fever pitch.
But the two officials seemed to have taken it easy, and ignored the dispute between the two.
At this time, Master Li laughed and said: "There is another businessman, this official has to recommend it to the Qin family, because she is like the Qin family, and she is also a 'female' son, an amazing 'female' son. "
As soon as the words fell, a charming voice sounded behind Qin Tian: "The 'woman' whom Master Li admires so much doesn't mean the people's 'woman', right?"
Hearing this voice, Qin Tian's heart was shocked, and she turned around in disbelief.