Chapter 589 A little effort

Hong Kong Island covers an area of ​​nearly 80 square kilometers. Although most areas are mountainous areas that are difficult to develop at this stage, its location guards the Pearl River Estuary. There are waterway barriers between it and the mainland, but the distance is close enough that it will not affect the relationship between the two places.

trade. With Hong Kong Island as a stronghold, it can reach Fuzhou and Guangzhou provinces when entering, and can defend the island fortress when retreating. It is indeed an advanced base with excellent conditions for Haihan.

Although the island looks small, in fact, the area in the north of the island, which is only separated from the mainland by a narrow waterway, still has a large area of ​​gentle terrain that can be developed, from Causeway Bay in later generations all the way west to Central, Sheung Wan, and Western Ring.

Such a large area can accommodate at least tens of thousands of people. According to the Executive Committee's plan for Hong Kong Island, this place will not set up large-scale production units. In terms of civil affairs, it will mainly undertake the tasks of sea trade freight and immigration transshipment.

, there will not be a large number of people resettled on the spot, so the developable area on the island should be sufficient for at least the next ten or twenty years. And by that time, it is obviously impossible for Haihan to worry about such a small land issue.

Troubled.

Of course, corresponding arrangements have been made in advance regarding the source of funds for the development of Hong Kong Island. Since the development of Zhennang Port the year before last, the Daming Investment Group, with many wealthy businessmen from Guangdong as the main body, has already boarded the "thief ship" of Haihan.

After the limited land in the southern region was divided up, the backstage bosses who had tasted the benefits of investment had been asking when Haihan would start moving north. The money in their pockets had already begun to leak out.

To be honest, the investment enthusiasm of Ming businessmen greatly exceeded the expectations of the Executive Committee. I originally thought that taking the Ming territory as their own would be difficult to get too much even if it was not openly resisted by the Ming people.

Support, but soon the time travelers discovered that even in this era, the weight of interests greatly exceeds etiquette. In the face of white money, things like integrity have long been forgotten.

After the annual meeting in April, the Haihan Ministry of Commerce announced the investment promotion plan for Hong Kong Island. Of course, this so-called foreign investment is actually more targeted. It is not just like posting a notice at the door, but will be done.

The objects that have trade relations with Haihan are classified into categories, and then the prepared investment promotion content is delivered to these merchants.

This approach is a bit similar to email marketing. Of course, Haihan is more fully prepared. Not only does it push targeted investment content for customers' business projects, but it also prepares various small cocktail parties, poetry parties, and tea parties.

, people from the Ministry of Commerce explain the details face-to-face to customers. For large merchants and senior partners like "Furuifeng", commissioners from the Ministry of Commerce even visit them to explain the general situation of this investment, and by the way

Find out how the business feels about this arrangement.

The information feedback received by the Ministry of Commerce is undoubtedly gratifying. Most businessmen of the Ming Dynasty believe that as long as the court does not legislate to explicitly prohibit it, then there is no reason not to do business that can make money steadily by following the Haihan people.

Of course, not all cats and dogs are eligible to participate in Haihan's development plan for Hong Kong Island. Those who can get the news are basically merchants who have close trade relations with Haihan. New players want to join this game, except

In addition to being recommended by reliable old players, you also need to deposit a certain amount of credit deposit in Haihan Bank.

Guangdong timber merchant Chen Lin received the news more than ten days later than others. This was not because he did not have the corresponding qualifications, but because he went to Fujian to do business in March and only recently returned to Guangdong. And this

At that time, the first batch of investor qualification registrations from the Ministry of Commerce had been completed. As soon as Chen Lin learned the news after returning from Fujian, he rushed to Zhennang Port to visit the senior officials of Haihan who were in charge of the local affairs.

On the day that Chen Yixin took over Xin'an Water Village in Shaujiwan, Chen Lin came to the Zhennangang Management Committee. He first handed in his name card according to the rules, registered his identity, and waited for the summons in the concierge. Today, Zhennangang has basically gone

It is formal, and all aspects are operating in accordance with the standard Haihan Port management system. Merchants only need to go to the corresponding department to handle the daily loading and unloading procedures for goods entering and leaving the port. Only a few merchants who have other important matters will specifically deliver the goods.

Post asking to see Haihan officials.

The management committee is located in a traditional style house with three courtyards. It used to be the residence of the only large landowner in the local area. However, after the Haihan people arrived here, they acquired the house and used it as the residence of the management committee. Chapter 2

The first step into the courtyard is where various daily affairs are handled, but the people working here are basically naturalized personnel. The second step into the courtyard is an exclusive office space for Haihan people, and outsiders must first register and apply before they can visit.

The last courtyard you enter is the residence of several local Haihan officials, which is a place that ordinary people cannot go to.

Chen Lin waited for about half an hour before a staff member came to invite him in. After entering the wing with the sign "Office of the Director of the Administrative Committee", Chen Lin bowed deeply and said: "Little man Chen Lin, see you

Visit Director!"

"Boss Chen, we are all acquaintances, so there is no need to be so polite!" The current manager of Zhennang Port is You Yihan. He was transferred from the Guangdong Office in Guangdong Province by the Executive Committee to serve as the interim leader at the beginning of the establishment of Zhennang Port.

Because the local development process was relatively smooth, You Yihan naturally stayed and became the local leader because of his meritorious leadership.

Although Zhennangang is not a big place and its permanent population is very limited, being a leader here seems to be inferior to that of other states and counties. However, only those who live here know that Zhennangang is small, but its living conditions are not bad. First of all,

All necessary living facilities, such as bathroom equipment, solar power generation devices, communication systems, etc., are also fully equipped according to the standards of the base camp. Secondly, although there are not many high-end dining places in this place, there are constant merchant ships coming and going from north to south.

, the convenience of obtaining ingredients is much better than that of Hainan Island. The menu of Xiaozao of the Management Committee is even richer than that of the Guangdong Office. You Yihan has been a leader here for more than a year and has gained weight compared to when he was in Guangzhou.

Quite a few.

The most important thing is that there are a lot of floating people coming and going here, and whether they are big bosses or ordinary sailors, almost all of them have spare money on hand, and their spending power is far better than that of ordinary fishing port towns. Therefore, Zhennan Port is a small place with all kinds of fun.

You can find them all. There are several brothels in the town that have been licensed by Haihan. They regularly send some fresh goods from Guangzhou and other places. The business is also quite good. Several travelers, including You Yihan, come here from time to time.

I will also visit and take care of my physiological needs.

Of course, in front of ambitious travelers, the quality of living conditions is still a secondary issue. The prospect of future career is what every expatriate really cares about. You Yihan sees his situation very clearly. Although Zhennan Port is a

It is a small place, but its role cannot be replaced by Lijiazhuang and Wanshan Port, which are both located at the Pearl River Estuary. Moreover, after Hong Kong Island is captured, as Haihan's influence continues to expand northward, the local maritime trade volume is expected to increase

Several times, when the executive committee decides who will manage and operate this port area, You Yihan, who has worked in Guangdong for several years and has a thorough understanding of the local conditions, will undoubtedly have a great advantage.

But before that, You Yihan must first handle the work at hand, especially the investment promotion and operation work of the Haihan Department of Commerce in the northern part of Hong Kong Island. As the local leader, he also has responsibilities.

Chen Lin is indeed not a new face to You Yihan. After all, the two parties have dealt with each other eight times instead of ten times in the past two years. The first time the two met can be traced back to when Zhennan Port just started operating. Chen Lin

As a lobbyist sent by Xin'an Water Village, Lin tried to persuade the Haihan side to give up stationing armed personnel and ships on the island. However, Chen Yixin came forward to express his position at that time, but did not save any face for the Ming army, and directly gave some harsh remarks.

This condition limited the navy's activities to the north of Hong Kong Island and did not allow them to interfere with Haihan's affairs.

However, after that experience, Chen Lin also realized the gap in strength between the two sides. It happened that Haihan needed a lot of wood for his large-scale construction project. Chen Lin seized this opportunity and started a wood business with Haihan.

After a year or two, I made a lot of money. I even invested money to rent a piece of land in Zhennan Port and built a warehouse to store the goods for transshipment here.

After doing business with the Haihan people for a long time, Chen Lin naturally gradually came to know how terrifying this group of people is. What Haihan possesses is not just the exposed muskets, artillery and warships. Chen Lin believes that they

The all-pervasive commercial system is equally powerful. At least in the counties under Guangzhou, no magistrate dares to seize the goods of the Haihan people in their own area. This is not because they are afraid of the revenge of the Haihan people, but because the owners of these goods often tell the government

They are inextricably linked, and in some places it is directly officials who are behind the scenes to make money from business.

For example, in Panyu County where Lijiazhuang is located, the Haihan people can almost walk around the area. Sixty-seven out of ten locals are working for the Haihan people - this number even includes most of the people in Panyu County who are eating from the government.

.Compared with those terrifying weapons, Chen Lin believed that silver was the most irresistible offensive in Haihan's hands. Of course, Chen Lin himself was one of them, otherwise he wouldn't have had to rush over from other places.

"Director You, I'm here to bother you today because I really want to ask for something!" Chen Lin's attitude was still very upright. Although You Yihan greeted him warmly, he knew his role very well and had no intention of really doing it.

Put yourself on an equal footing with the other person.

"Oh? What's the matter?" You Yihan asked casually.

"I heard that the investment registration for the development of the northern part of Hong Kong Island has been going on for many days. Is it true?" Chen Lin quickly asked the question he was concerned about.

You Yihan nodded and responded: "Yes, the news announced by the Executive Committee about twenty days ago received a very enthusiastic response. As far as I know, more than twenty merchants have signed up. By the way, the Ministry of Commerce should have also signed up at that time.

Did you send the information to Boss Chen?"

"It was sent, but the villain was in Fujian at the time and couldn't receive it!" Chen Lin said anxiously: "The villain rushed back as soon as he got the news, but it is said that the registration has ended. What should I do?

"

"So that's what happened..." You Yihan said, "So Boss Chen also has plans to invest money in the north?"

"Of course there is!" Chen Lin quickly responded: "If it weren't for the fact that there is no better open space in Zhennan Port, I would have wanted to build a larger timber warehouse here. Now that you are going to start building

When the land in the north is enclosed for development, the villain naturally wants to grab a piece of land as soon as possible."

"Originally, this matter is led by the Ministry of Commerce. As the director of the management committee, it is not easy for me to intervene..." Seeing Chen Lin's ugly face, You Yihan coughed dryly and turned the conversation back: "But Boss Chen is also our long-term cooperation.

Friends, we will never forget our friends when good things happen. I think this matter can be handled specially. I will write you a note. You can take it to the office of the Ministry of Commerce and ask their people to help you register it first.

The formalities have been completed. As for the location selection arrangements, we will inform you in a few days."

Chen Lin was overjoyed and quickly stood up and thanked: "Thank you, Director You, for taking care of me!" As he said this, he took out a cowhide envelope from his sleeve and handed it to You Yihan's desk.

You Yihan almost laughed out loud: "Boss Chen, put it away. What is the use of this Haihan Bank banknote? This is what we issued in the first place."

Chen Lin smiled awkwardly, took back the banknote, and apologized repeatedly: "It's because I didn't think well. Don't blame me, Director You. I just wanted to express my gratitude."

You Yihan said: "This is just a piece of cake, don't worry too much. By the way, I would like to ask, since Boss Chen just came back from Fujian, what is the current situation in Fujian like?"

Chen Lin didn't know what he meant for a moment, so he asked: "The situation Director You mentioned is..."

"I heard that the pirates in Fujian were very troubled in the past two years. How are they doing recently?" You Yihan had to ask more clearly.

Chen Lin suddenly realized: "Director You is talking about Shibazhi's group, right?"

"Yes, I just wanted to know if they are still harassing the Fujian coast." You Yihan nodded.

Chen Lin replied: "In the early years, these people did a lot of trouble, but after Liu Xiang and his group were driven away from the Pearl River Estuary by the Guifang Militia Army in the past two years, the movement of Shibazhi became much smaller. However, the current Fujian President

Lord Bing Xu led his troops to win consecutive battles. It is said that Shibazhi has retreated to Penghu in the past year and no longer dares to easily attack the coast of Fujian. This time the villain went to Fujian to do business. He came and went very safely and did not encounter pirates.

.”

"Master Xu drove Shibazhi to Penghu and stopped taking the initiative?" You Yihan asked.

"No, I heard that the two sides have already negotiated a peace..." Chen Lin continued, unaware of the change in You Yihan's expression.
Chapter completed!