Chapter 300
The carriage drove leisurely on the streets of Fulangang. The skilled driver controlled the horses. The carriage drove very steadily with only a slight bump.
Bennett Todd sat in the carriage and closed his eyes to relax, secretly admiring in his heart that it was indeed a carriage produced by the Huxin Town Machinery Factory. After adding a wonderful shock-absorbing device, it was very comfortable and the buttocks were a little tighter. Not uncomfortable at all.
I heard that the shock-absorbing device was personally participated in the research and development by Guy Burns, the director of the machinery factory. After all, he was a senior weapon master poached from the capital Jingyao by the lord.
After experiencing the new car leisurely for a while, Bennett turned his thoughts to his recent business.
With the support of the Government Council's pro-industrial and commercial policies, Bennett did not impatiently invest in various emerging industries advocated by Count Paul Gleiman like other businessmen. Instead, he continued to manage his old business-the shipping industry.
No matter it is any industry, the things produced must be sold, and the Northwest Bay has always been poor. Although the lord is committed to improving people's livelihood, this is not a matter of one or two years. At this stage, Ordinary people do not have much spare money on hand to buy non-essential goods. Due to the numerous land transportation checkpoints in this era, sea transportation will become the only choice for long-distance and large-scale transportation. As long as you focus on your old business, you will not worry about making money. .
Sure enough, the Government Affairs Council soon announced that Fulangang Shipyard would launch a civilian-type sailboat, and the Todd family was overjoyed. Since he has already taken a trip south to Cape Bay from Quaker Shipyard, Bennett is still very confident about using a full-wind sailboat.
However, the prices given by the shipyard are also terrifyingly high. A single-masted ship costs 3,000 silver coins, and a ketch is as high as 5,000 silver coins. If you want to install an anti-piracy ballista, the price will be 3,000 silver coins. higher.
At that time, the stock exchange had not officially started construction, and it was very inconvenient to raise funds. Just when Mr. Todd was deterred by such a high price, under the care of Count Grainman, the shipyard provided funds for the cash-strapped company. Ship dealers have introduced convenient measures - installment payment.
You don’t need to pay the money all at once. After signing the contract, you can pay a down payment first and pay off the remaining money in several installments.
This measure was so convenient that Mr. Bennett regained hope, and the Todd family quickly raised a sum of money to place an order with the shipyard before other peers. The Todd family is the largest local ship dealer. With their family's leading role, other peers have followed suit.
In the first half of this year, Bennett finally got a sloop and a ketch and immediately got into his business. Civilian ships have increased cabin capacity and are slightly less flexible than warships, but are more suitable for carrying cargo (in Paul's eyes, this kind of ship is very similar to the Clark sailing ship in Earth's history). If Supervisor Rubin of the shipyard did not brag, a ketch could carry 60 to 70 tons.
Oh my God, this is incredible. Yes, some large galleys were better than these full-wind sailing ships, but they also had to be manned by hundreds or even hundreds of oarsmen, and the new ships needed only the wind to blow them.
The actual performance of these two boats in his own business proved that buying them was an absolute bargain. Bennett loved them so much that he even went there himself in the larger ketch. After a trip to Jiaowan, I witnessed the prosperity of the south with my own eyes. It was really a vast world that could only exist in imagination before.
Bennett also visited the Foster family with a letter of introduction issued by the Lord's Palace and confirmed the business partnership between the two parties, which was something he had never dared to think of before.
He has already planned to order more sailboats to replace the family's existing galleys.
"Master, we are here."
The coachman's words interrupted Bennett's beautiful thoughts about the future.
"So soon?" He opened his eyes, stepped out of the carriage, and told the driver, "I'm going down first, so you don't have to wait for me outside. Just come and pick me up at the agreed time. .”
What came into view was a tavern. After the coachman drove the carriage away, Bennett walked in.
Explaining his identity, he was led by the waiter to a room where many people were already sitting, including leading figures from all walks of life nearby, such as those who made paper, made porcelain, and produced cans. Yes, the one who knows me best is the salt merchant Godwin.
These people have one thing in common - they have multiplied their family property several times under the Government Council's policy of supporting industry, commerce and technology sharing. Well, actually Bennett himself counts as one of them.
"Ha, Bennett, you are finally here, everyone is waiting for you!"
Godwin stood up and welcomed him to the table.
Bennett showed an apologetic expression, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, my ship just returned from Cape Bay with a batch of oriental spices. I have to go and check it out in person."
Damn, oriental spices! Everyone's heart was filled with acid, and invisible pretense was the most deadly.
After everyone exchanged pleasantries, they finally got to the topic of the gathering—discussing the war bonds issued by the Government Affairs Council.
Godwin raised his voice and asked: "Do you have any ideas about war bonds?"
"This..." No one responded directly, they just discussed in twos and threes, and the crowd gradually divided into There are two factions, one prefers to buy bonds - within their means, of course - and the other thinks it's best to stay out of the business.
An older businessman twirled his white beard, shook his head and said: "Logically speaking, it is the obligation of our people to help the lord solve the predicament, but...but..."
A person next to him continued, "But we are also small and profit-making, and we are really motivated but powerless."
The words of the two resonated with many people: "Yes, we How can a mere businessman participate in the disputes between noble men?"
Their views were immediately rebutted, "Humph, you are so ungrateful."
"What? How can you say that."
"Think about the life you lived before, and look at it now, sitting in luxurious carriages, wearing fine clothes. A small profit? I'm afraid not. It makes people laugh out loud, who doesn’t know that we have made a fortune with the favor of the count.”
The two factions held their own opinions and argued endlessly. Why do we need to meet to discuss this matter?
Many people who are opposed to buying bonds think this way: What if the count loses after buying the bonds? Isn't it true that the money spent will be wasted, but it is more stable to do business honestly. But if I didn't buy it and someone else did, the count would only give me small shoes, and it would be best if no one bought them.
People who support the purchase of bonds think this way: If the count loses, I cannot let my money go down the drain. It is best for everyone to lose money.
In short, most people persuaded each other with the idea that under extreme circumstances, I cannot let myself be unlucky alone.
"Ahem, everyone!" Godwin stood up and spoke.
He is inclined to buy bonds, "Everyone should take a longer-term view."
Everyone is looking at him.
“Looking at the northwest bay, which noble territory is as friendly to merchants as Arda.”
This is true, everyone nodded secretly, not only the northwest bay, but also the merchants of the Aldo Kingdom were the fat sheep in the eyes of those in power.
“What if the Earl loses—may God forgive me for being so disrespectful—and the Kent family gains power, will we still be able to live the good life we have now?”
Everyone’s hearts surged. A chill, Maltz Kent is a master of pulling out skin and muscles.
“If Earl Grayman can keep his territory, it’s okay. We are just sharing some war compensation. But if the worst happens and the Earl’s territory is taken away and a new lord is replaced, what will you do? Do you want to go back to the days when exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes could not be paid in full, and the sun never came to an end? "
A blow from the soul, many people here have begun to shake their heads subconsciously. After Paul Graiman succeeded to the throne, he successively canceled all kinds of messy taxes and assessments, and lived a comfortable life for more than a year, as if he felt that life should be like this. In fact, if compared vertically, everyone pays more taxes than before, but the prerequisite is that they also earn more.
Bennett looked at Godwin who was trying his best to persuade everyone without saying a word. He was very surprised that his old friend had always been a quiet person. How could he become so active today?
Thinking about it, an idea flashed in Bennett's head, and he thought of some possibility.
Haha, it seems that someone has beaten me to it, so I have to act quickly.
Besides, he also thinks Godwin’s words are very reasonable. Since his personal trip to Cape Bay, Bennett's horizons have broadened a lot. While he admires the wealth in the south, he always has a sense of inferiority lingering in his heart. But he believes that he can also achieve the same achievements as those of the giants in the corner, but this requires the right environment.
Saplings can grow into big trees only in a suitable environment, and we cannot let this environment be destroyed.
Bennett made up his mind and stood up.
"Everyone! Please listen to what I have to say!"
......
(End of this chapter)