Chapter 2283
From an objective point of view, the Danzhou government has indeed provided many conveniences to Furifeng's local business activities, ensuring that Furifeng's industries here can make good profits. Because of this, Zhang Xin believes that he can ask Furifeng to invest in infrastructure projects to improve Danzhou's business environment in exchange for preferential conditions in the future, which can be regarded as a win-win situation.
Of course, from Li Nai's point of view, there are actually some doubts about this. He does not doubt whether the conditions promised by Zhang Xin will be fulfilled, but whether the various preferential conditions given to Furifeng can have a long enough implementation period. It probably depends on how long Zhang Xin can be in charge of Danzhou. If Haihan changes officials to take over Danzhou in a few years, it's hard to say whether the conditions given by Zhang Xin can be continued.
Most of these preferential conditions were Zhang Xin's verbal promises, which were inconvenient to be written down in black and white. If there were any disagreements when there was a change of people, Furifeng would not be able to provide even the slightest proof.
However, Li Nai couldn't say these things directly in front of Zhang Jinbao, an outsider. He could only skip this section for now and planned to discuss these things face to face with Zhang Xin when he went out for inspection in the next two days. How to properly solve the problem.
Zhang Xin and Li Nai were having a lively conversation, but Zhang Jinbao's mind was no longer at the wine table. Since he was going to Guangzhou for inspection next, he had to implement his plan for the branch as soon as possible. What majors are to be established in the branch, how to allocate existing teaching staff, preliminary start-up funds and preparations for enrollment promotion work have all begun to enter the implementation stage.
After returning to the academy after the banquet that day, Zhang Jinbao summoned his key staff overnight and announced to them the preparations for opening the Guangzhou branch.
For Qiongxi Academy, this is probably the top priority since its establishment. After all, no matter how much the academy expands its scale locally or how great its reputation is, it is still just a local educational institution. But if it opens a branch abroad, the academy's business level will immediately rise to a big level.
Although the academy currently has some students from other countries, being able to open branches abroad is what Zhang Jinbao believes is the true realization of "internationalization." The benefits that this change will bring to Qiongxi College may change the college's current single business model and allow the college to have considerable influence in more fields.
"Everyone, the brand name of Qiongxi Academy will definitely be mentioned and respected in more and more places in the future, and our branch will also appear in foreign countries as our country continues to expand overseas and become a An important part of Haihan culture! I want to remind everyone present that when the Guangzhou branch is completed, a suitable branch president must be selected from among you, so I hope you will have this awareness from now on. , actively participate in the preparation work of the branch. This title is vacant, and it will be filled by those who are capable. Please work hard! ”
When Zhang Jinbao talked about the great significance of establishing overseas branches, he also did not forget to draw a big picture for his key staff and reminded them to pay attention to the immediate benefits that opening branches will bring. If they have the opportunity to stand alone, most people will definitely try their best. This cake should also stimulate their subordinates to prepare for related matters.
Of course, for Zhang Jinbao himself, this is also a great opportunity to enhance his personal reputation. He is no longer satisfied with the title of "civilian educator". If possible, he also wants to try to go to a higher place. Walk.
Zhang Jinbao is now one of the members of the Danzhou Local Council. Although this council, which is dependent on the official government, does not have any actual power. At most, it can only give feedback to Mayor Zhang Xin on public sentiment and make suggestions, but it can Being one of them is a status symbol in itself.
Above this level of parliament, it is said that a national parliament will be established next year at the latest, and these senior members will also be selected from local parliaments. If he can improve his personal reputation by opening the Guangzhou branch before then, Zhang Jinbao thinks that he may also have the opportunity to qualify for the first batch of senior members, and then he can truly step into the upper class society.
As for what benefits he will get from it after reaching that height, Zhang Jinbao still doesn't have a clear idea, but based on his current experience as a legislator in Danzhou, it is definitely beneficial and harmless.
"Within two days, please prepare all the things just requested. If there is anyone who is willing to work in the Guangzhou branch, please let me know within these two days. In a few days, I will meet with Li San from Fulifeng. The young master will go to Guangzhou to inspect the school and will bring others with him. Everyone, that’s it. Let’s go separately.”
Zhang Jinbao said this, anyone who is not a fool should be able to understand that the person he will bring with him to Guangzhou for this inspection is likely to be the candidate for the future dean of the Guangzhou branch. As for who can win Zhang Jinbao's favor, it probably depends on who has made the most preparations.
The next day, Li Nai was invited to go with Zhang Xin to inspect infrastructure projects in various places in Danzhou, while Zhang Jinbao continued to stay in the academy and began intensive planning to open a branch.
Two days later, Li Nai visited the academy again and said that the matters in Danzhou had been dealt with and he planned to return to Guangzhou the next day. Of course, Zhang Jinbao's preparations have not yet been completed, but he is also eager to finalize the matter in Guangzhou as soon as possible. It takes several days to take a boat from Danzhou to Guangzhou, so he can slowly discuss the establishment of the school on the way.
After setting off from Danzhou, Li Nai told Zhang Jinbao that they would stop at Haikou Port and meet up with Annan Zheng Zao before heading to Guangzhou together.
Zhang Jinbao didn't know Zheng Zhuo's intention of going to Guangzhou, but he was a political figure in a country, and he didn't dare to talk about it behind his back. But since it was an appointment, he naturally wouldn't object.
Zheng Zhu arrived at Haikou Port one day earlier than the agreed rendezvous time, but he did not arrange any social activities here. For convenience, Zheng Zha will not reveal his identity during this trip to Guangzhou.
At this stage, the diplomatic relations between the Ming Dynasty and Annan are very delicate. Since the Annan King Mo Dengyong asked for surrender to the Ming Dynasty during the Jiajing period, Annan is actually a territory of the Ming Dynasty in name, and the administrative level is only the Annan Metropolitan Commander-in-Chief. However, with the end of the Annan Civil War, its domestic military and political power has been concentrated in the hands of the Qing Dynasty King Zheng Jie. Annan also regards itself as an independent country and is not willing to continue its past subordinate relationship with the Ming Dynasty.
After Zheng Jie came to power, he drove back all the envoys and officials of the Ming Dynasty. At the same time, he canceled the Thirteen Provincial Offices and various official positions set up by the Ming Dynasty in Annan, and established diplomatic relations with the outside world in the name of Annan State, as if he had separated from the Ming Dynasty. 's chief.
In recent years, the Ming Dynasty has been too busy to take care of itself and does not want to pursue Annan's transgressions. What's more, behind the Annan Kingdom, there is a Haihan Kingdom that the Ming Dynasty does not want to provoke. It can only pretend to be deaf to what it does. dumb. Therefore, Annan is still a territory of the Ming Dynasty in name, but in fact, the Ming Dynasty no longer regards the Ming Dynasty as the suzerain state.
As Zheng Zha, if he wants to move around the Ming Dynasty, he must first seek instructions from the Ming Dynasty according to normal procedures. At the same time, he must be accompanied by a Ming Dynasty official of the same rank throughout the process. As for the establishment of an embassy-type institution, it would require a memorial to the currently reigning Emperor Chongzhen to apply. Zheng Zha obviously didn't want to cause so much trouble, so he hoped to go to Guangzhou quietly to finalize the matter without disturbing the Ming Dynasty. When the time comes, the institution in Guangzhou will be built in the name of the guild hall, rather than under the official banner. This will avoid uninformed people in Guangzhou from finding fault with the construction procedures of the guild hall.
So when Zheng Zha left Sanya, he only informed a few senior officials of the executive committee, and then quietly arrived at Haikou Port to wait for Li Nai.
The two groups of people successfully met at Haikou Port. After a short supply of supplies, they set off together towards the Pearl River Estuary in the northeast direction. The voyage from Haikou Port to the Pearl River Estuary is more than 800 miles, and a normal voyage takes about three days, which allows them to slowly discuss related cooperation matters on the ship.
In order to facilitate communication on the way, Zheng Zha boarded Li Nai's ship at Haikou Port. Zheng Zha's ship is also an expedition-class sailboat customized from Haihan, but the various facilities on the ship are not as exquisite as Li Nai's. After touring the various facilities on the ship, he couldn't help but admire that this was indeed one of the most comfortable ships he had ever sailed on.
"You must have spent a lot of money on the decoration of this boat, Third Young Master, right?" Zheng Zha sighed: "I also spent a lot of money on my own boat, but compared to the furnishings on your boat, it seems to be really It’s down a notch!”
Li Nai said modestly: "The decoration on this ship is just a matter of personal preference, and it doesn't necessarily require spending too much money to achieve the desired effect. Because I need to go to sea frequently and travel to various places, I spend a lot of time on the ship, so I I spent a little more energy to make myself more comfortable at sea... It cost about 100,000 yuan! ”
Zhang Jinbao almost choked on his tea when he heard this number. Li Nai's cost of decorating the ship was much higher than the cost of buying the ship itself. This is probably the lifestyle of the rich. Bar!
Zheng Zha was very calm about this figure: "I just saw that all the supplies in the cabin are customized, so the cost will definitely not be cheap. The third young master's quotation really verified my guess."
Li Nai smiled and said: "I have also heard that the young prince's ship costs a lot. It would be great if you are lucky enough to be able to board the ship and visit it."
Zheng Zhu said: "What's the problem? When we get to Hong Kong, I will invite you two to come to my boat for a look. However, although my boat costs a lot of money, it is indeed not as comfortable as the Third Young Master's boat, because the money spent on that boat Most of the money on the ship was used to purchase various weapons.”
In order to be used as a flagship in wartime, Zheng Zha originally customized a warship model instead of Li Nai's civilian model. According to his customized plan, the changes to the hull structure were limited. Most of the area on the second deck where the artillery was arranged was retained, and only the middle and rear parts were used as his personal cabin.
In order to be able to equip the ship with larger caliber and more powerful artillery, more reinforcement measures were taken inside the hull, and space was left for water soldiers to live. Therefore, the space inside the ship is also narrower, which can be used to improve comfort. There is not much space left. Even if Zheng Zha was not short of money, he would not be able to put all kinds of furniture in the cabin like Li Nai did, just like living in a luxurious guest room on land.
The firepower of Zheng Zha's ship is enough to deal with ordinary armed merchant ships, and its speed is also relatively fast. Therefore, when Zheng Zha crosses the sea to visit Haihan, it usually has a configuration of one ship and one supply ship, and does not need to carry any additional escort forces. .
For Li Nai, comfort is undoubtedly the first priority, and he is not worried about safety issues. His approach was different from Zheng Zao's. Zheng Zao's concept was based on naval battles between ships. However, because Li Nai's ship was not equipped with so many heavy artillery, its load was much lighter, and few civilian ships could catch it. Naturally, there is no need to consider naval battles when boarding his clipper ship.
The issue of safety and defense was left to the more than ten dead soldiers on board. These people have served in Haihan's army for a period of time through special channels, have certain practical experience, and have received special training from Haihan. They are equipped with close-combat muskets provided by Haihan, and they can serve as guards.
However, Li Nai did not have the habit of showing off his force in front of the guests. He was more willing to show them the various appliances he had brought on board in order to pursue the comfort of life.
"Even if you go to sea, you have to enjoy the best treatment. This is my creed." Li Nai picked up a glass from the tray held by the servant and gestured: "You two can have a taste, this is fresh ice. Coconut juice.”
Zheng Zha greatly praised this: "The third young master really knows how to enjoy it. I have learned something!"
Zhang Jinbao also praised unabashedly: "I have taken a boat out to sea no less than a hundred times, and this is the first time I saw ice-cold drinks on a boat. The third young master really opened my eyes!"
The trip between the three of them was like a trip to the mountains and rivers. They would bask in the sun on the deck every day, chat about common topics of mutual concern, and then enjoy a delicious meal cooked by the chef on the ship, drink a little wine by the way, and live a very happy life. .
Even Zhang Jinbao, who has never been greedy for pleasure, couldn't help but secretly sigh that it is great to have money. Taking such a ship to travel between Guangzhou and Haihan can be regarded as a special enjoyment.
Three days later, the group arrived at the mouth of the Pearl River. Li Nai had something to stop here for a while, and Zheng Zao, who came to see the world, naturally didn't want to miss this opportunity to visit Hong Kong Island. So the three of them went ashore together to visit the port city run by Haihan.
(End of chapter)