Chapter 2184
This time, Golden Shield dispatched almost all local field personnel on duty, and the team was personally led by the big boss Yuan Tao. The scale of the operation can be regarded as the largest since the establishment of the Zhoushan branch. There were also several active-duty soldiers pretending to be members to participate in the operation. This shows that Haihan attaches great importance to this.
Although Ma Zhengping was not satisfied with the number of personnel dispatched by Jindun, both Yuan Tao and Duan Tiancheng said that this was the upper limit of the support that the Zhoushan authorities could provide at present. If more personnel were added, it would probably make the Ming Dynasty officials feel uncomfortable with this. Feeling dissatisfied, it will not be the Zhoushan authorities that will be unlucky at that time, but Ma Zhengping and his group who are suspected of attracting wolves into the house.
Ma Zhengping also knew that this matter was indeed forced. The Yangzhou government would definitely have nothing to do with the Haihan people, but if the government found out about it, the Huizhou salt merchants would not be able to enjoy the same treatment. Nowadays, there are many people who are on the opposite side of the Yangzhou government, and if they are caught, they will definitely make a big fuss.
Fortunately, Ma Zhengping was also invited to check out the weapons and equipment brought by Golden Shield Transport. They were indeed all genuine muskets. Taking these guys to Yangzhou was definitely not for tourism. He knew that this was the Haihan people's reassurance for him, but even if the Haihan people did not take such measures to express their attitude, he could only choose to believe in the other party. After all, this was the only external support that the Huizhou salt merchants could get at present. If you don’t trust the Haihan people, who can you trust?
What Ma Zhengping can do now is to quickly build the business store in Zhoushan and start purchasing refined salt from Haihan to show his cooperative attitude to Haihan.
As for Haihan's request that Huizhou salt merchants must obey orders in the future, Ma Zhengping also explained it in the letter sent back to Yangzhou, and specifically emphasized the importance Haihan attached to this condition. Even he himself doesn't quite agree with this condition, but he hopes that other people in Yangzhou can put the overall situation first, at least at this stage, try their best to cooperate with the Haihan people's requirements and overcome the fatal difficulties.
Yuan Tao is no stranger to the waterway from Zhoushan to the mouth of the Yangtze River. When the Zhoushan branch opened its business in Songjiang Prefecture two years ago, it was Yuan Tao who personally led the team to determine this route.
However, Yuan Tao had mostly taken this direction before to complete ordinary escort tasks, but the tasks he wanted to complete on this trip to Yangzhou were actually somewhat special. After he was promoted to the semicolon shopkeeper, it has been a long time since he personally commanded the battle on the front line. This is not because he rarely goes out, but because there are really no thieves in Jiangsu and Zhejiang who dare to attack Jindun. When he sees Jindun's flag, he will It will stay far away on its own, and it is difficult for a real battle to occur.
This time the Golden Shield dispatched as usual, a flag depicting the huge Golden Shield logo was hung on the mast. Although the scope of activities of Jindun is generally only in the area south of the Yangtze River, the number of people who recognize their flag is far from limited to this. The name of Jindun is also famous in Yangzhou, Huai'an and other places north of the Yangtze River. Even the government knows about this special organization affiliated with Haihan.
When arriving in the waters of Suzhou Prefecture at the mouth of the Yangtze River, Jin Dun's two ships encountered a patrol ship from the local Zhenhai Guard. After identifying the identities of the two Golden Shield ships, the ship had no intention of approaching them for interrogation. Instead, it actively avoided the passage of the two ships and did not want to have anything to do with them. After all, they also know that Jin Dun is not easy to mess with. Last year, a major case involving hundreds of lives was committed in Yangzhou overnight. It is said that it was because the local salt merchant offended Jin Dun.
Fortunately, these people also know that Jindun generally does not take the initiative to cause trouble, so there is no need to worry about being attacked by the other party. As long as they keep a safe distance, there is no risk.
It was a smooth journey and we arrived at Guazhou, the entrance to the Yangzhou Canal. The river here narrowed, and ships entering and exiting the canal had to line up in single file. A small boat slowly approached Jindun's ship. Someone on the bow shouted, "But we are coming from Zhoushan." Friends? My master specially ordered me to come here to greet you!”
When Yuan Tao heard the shouting, he ordered the gangway to be lowered and let the man come up. Before setting off, Ma Zhengping told him that when Jin Dun's team arrived in Guazhou, someone would be there to pick them up and take them to the arranged place to stay. Ma Zhengping also specifically explained how to confirm the identity of the other party to prevent Jin Dun from being plotted when he first arrived in Yangzhou.
Although the agreement between the Huizhou salt merchants and the Zhoushan authorities was highly confidential, Jin Dun's sending people to Hangzhou was an open action. Ma Zhengping had sent people back to Yangzhou to report in advance, so that they could prepare for the placement of Jin Dun's troops in advance, but He was not sure whether this news would reach his opponent's ears and cause his opponent to have any evil thoughts, so he was extra cautious and specially arranged for someone to go to Guazhou to support him.
After the man got on the ship, he took the initiative to produce a piece of paper, and the crew member presented it to Yuan Tao. Yuan Tao took a look at the content. It was actually a note with no practical meaning written by Ma Zhengping in front of him when he was in Zhoushan. He agreed to use it to confirm his identity and then sent someone back to Yangzhou in advance.
The content of this note did not involve Jindun, and even if someone intercepted it, they would not know its meaning. Therefore, when Yuan Tao saw that it was indeed the content written by Ma Zhengping before, he immediately confirmed that the identity of the caller was reliable.
"The villain is Dai An, Dai Yingda's subordinate, and I'm here to welcome Shopkeeper Yuan and all the other gentlemen!" After the visitor saw Yuan Tao, he immediately announced his identity.
Yuan Tao knew Dai Yingda's name. Before departure, Ji Yuanqing specially provided him with relevant information about Yangzhou salt merchants, including information on the seven surnames of Huizhou salt merchants. And this Dai Yingda was the figure who made the decision in the alliance formed by these big salt merchants. It should be his decision to let Ma Zhengping go to Zhoushan to seek help from Haihan.
However, none of the seven family heads showed up in Guazhou, and only the Dai family sent one of their men to serve as a representative. This arrangement also made Yuan Tao a little dissatisfied, thinking that the other party did not seem to pay much attention to the arrival of Jin Dun.
Yuan Tao said: "Then shall we continue to Yangzhou City now, or what?"
Diane responded: "My master has prepared a residence for you on the south bank of the canal. Please sail north along the canal first. The villain will remind you to dock when you reach the place."
Before setting off, Yuan Tao had studied the Yangzhou map provided by the Military Intelligence Bureau and knew that Yangzhou City was located to the north of the canal, while the south of the canal was relatively less prosperous. Yuan Tao thought that we were going to be arranged outside the city. He didn't know what kind of medicine Huli, a salt merchant from Huizhou, was selling. He could only wait until we got to the place and then adapt to the situation.
Jindun's two ships sailed north along the canal for another forty miles. After passing Wenfeng Pagoda, Diane signaled them to dock. From this position, you can already vaguely see the outline of the Yangzhou City Wall on the north bank. Within the city wall is one of the most extravagant flower worlds in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
Yuan Tao did not come on this mission to experience this gold-selling cave, but he knew that almost all the leading figures in Shanxi and Shaanxi salt merchants lived on the north bank of the canal, and some of them lived in Yangzhou City. He believed that the Huizhou salt merchants must have a lot of real estate in the city. If they want to relocate the people of Jindun to the city, they should not be unable to find a suitable place. However, the other party did not make such an arrangement. Yuan Tao believed that this was probably because the Huizhou salt merchants did not want Jindun to appear in Yangzhou City in a high-profile manner.
The place where Golden Shield's two ships dock is a small pier. However, although the pier is small, the infrastructure is very good. Not only is there a tower crane specially used for lifting cargo, but there is an open and flat road leading to the pier. inland. Judging from the more than twenty carriages waiting at the dock, the traffic conditions of this road should be no less than the official road.
"Is the place you arranged far from here? Do you still need to transfer to a carriage?" Yuan Tao asked Diane when he saw the many carriages parked at the pier. Dai An responded: "Shopkeeper Yuan has misunderstood. These carriages are not used to carry Jindun's men and horses, but to pull goods. Use these carriages to transport the various materials you bring that need to be brought ashore. As for the accommodation, The place is very close to the dock, so there is no need to transfer to a carriage.”
After speaking, Dai An pointed to the distance. Yuan Tao looked in the direction he pointed. About half a mile away there was a large manor, all with green tiles and white walls. The appearance was very regular. It should be where Dai An was. That's the place to say it.
"That's your master's property?" Yuan Tao asked while mentally estimating the area of the manor. Not to mention the more than 100 people who came this time, it is estimated that many times more people could live in it. .
Dai An smiled and responded with some show off: "Not only the manor, but also the pier and the surrounding land are all the property of my master. The place that Shopkeeper Yuan saw is called the Dai Family Zhuang.”
Yuan Tao couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth. He knew that these big salt merchants in Yangzhou were very rich. It was probably not an exaggeration to say that they were as rich as the enemy. But when the huge wealth was really displayed in front of him so intuitively, Emotions will still be affected.
"It looks good!" Yuan Tao didn't know how to express his feelings, so he could only respond stiffly.
"Shopkeeper Yuan, please?" Seeing that the springboard had been set up, Dai An asked Yuan Tao to go ashore first.
After Yuan Tao came ashore, several people waiting on the shore immediately came to greet him. Dai An introduced in the middle: "Shopkeeper Yuan, this is my master, this is Master Ji Qing, this is Master Yang Chengye..."
Although Dai Yingda did not rush to Guazhou to greet him, it was considered sincere to greet him here. Moreover, there were several other family heads of the seven surnames with him, which finally resolved Yuan Tao's previous dissatisfaction. Most of it.
"The distinguished guest has arrived, and I hope you won't be offended to welcome me from afar. I hope Shopkeeper Yuan won't take offense! I really have something important to do today, and none of us can leave. I'm sorry!" Dai Yingda was very direct. He talked to Yuan Tao first when he arrived. Apologizing makes it easier for Yuan Tao to get angry even if he has any dissatisfaction.
Yuan Tao could only say that he did not blame his master at this time, but he was actually a little curious about what prevented these salt merchants, who were making a lot of money every day, from going to Guazhou to greet him. Of course, this does not rule out that this is just Dai Yingda's kind words, and they have no intention of receiving them with such high standards.
Dai Yingda said: "Shop Manager Yuan has been working hard all the way. I have prepared a reception banquet to entertain the brothers of Jindun. As for the residence, it has been prepared after receiving the news from Master Ma. Shopkeeper Yuan can check it out in person later. ”
Yuan Tao said a few polite words, thinking that this was a bit of a gesture of hospitality. If these salt merchants put on airs in front of him, they will suffer a lot from them later. Fortunately, judging from the current attitude shown by Dai Yingda and others, Yuan Tao felt that they should be very concerned about the military assistance provided by Haihan this time.
There was a lot of equipment and supplies shipped from Zhoushan this time, and it would take a while to unload them all. Dai Yingda invited Yuan Tao to go to the manor first to check the environment, and then hold a banquet to entertain the Golden Shield men later.
"My generation is the fourth generation of the Dai family in Yangzhou. The Dai family's property has been slowly accumulated from generation to generation. However, most of the area around here is farmland, which is far inferior to that on the other side of the river. Yangzhou City is so prosperous that it makes Shopkeeper Yuan laugh!"
Dai Yingda took Yuan Tao all the way to the manor on foot, introducing him to the general situation of Daijiazhuang while walking. While Yuan Tao was listening, he was thinking, if the land for several miles beside the canal was owned by the Dai family, then this land alone would probably be worth hundreds of thousands of taels of silver. However, it seems that Dai Yingda lacks targeted management methods on how to turn these fields into commercial real estate, otherwise the value of these lands will be even higher.
This road, which is more than ten feet wide, is mostly lined with farmland. It is the summer harvest season at this time, and there are many farmers in the field bending down to harvest crops. Seeing Dai Yingda and others, most of these farmers would temporarily stop what they were doing, bow deeply to show respect, and then resume their work.
"Daijiazhuang supports about 2,000 tenant farmers. The local grain output not only meets the needs of Daijiazhuang, but also produces a slight surplus. So in addition to the salt industry, my Dai family also runs a rice business. ”
Yuan Tao thought that if there was only a "slight surplus", it would certainly not be enough to open a rice store specifically for this purpose. It seemed that Daijiazhuang had quite a lot of land under his name. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why Dai Yingda allowed these lands to remain farmland. After all, as long as they are cultivated, they can have stable income, and if they are to be developed into commercial real estate, the initial investment will not be small. As far as Yuan Tao knows, Zhoushan is determined to In the early stages of seaport development, Haihan official investment in local infrastructure was astronomical.
Even if these salt merchants have enough funds, they may not be willing to spend it on projects with uncertain prospects. Compared with real estate development with huge investments, farming farmland is probably the lowest-risk business method.
Of course, from another perspective, salt merchants make most of their profits from salt industry operations, so there is no need to run other risky projects. Buying land to grow grain to protect your income is the most common way for wealthy people in this era to increase the value of their property. Yuan Tao felt that if he had so much wealth, he would probably be like these salt merchants, desperately buying land to grow grain and become a big landlord.
(End of chapter)