Chapter 372. The direction of cooperation (below).
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"I just said before that there is no possibility of cooperation between you and me regarding the Sichuan Salt matter, but if it is about other matters, I think the cooperation between us may still be great.●⌒,."
Zhao Junchen's words showed that there seemed to be room for cooperation between the two parties. However, the reaction of Lin Yunpu and others was not very enthusiastic, and there was a trace of hesitation and caution in their expressions.
Because they couldn't figure out what other projects they could cooperate with between the Huizhou-Zhejiang Merchant Gang and Zhao Junchen besides the Sichuan Salt rectification matter.
Moreover, judging from Zhao Junchen's attitude, it was obvious that he was unwilling to become the spokesperson of the Hui-Zhe merchant gang in the court. He was quite respectful of the Hui-Zhe merchant gang, for fear that he would be involved and arouse the suspicion of Emperor Deqing.
Based on usual experience, the so-called "cooperative relationship" between court officials and Huizhou and Zhejiang merchant gangs usually involves court officials giving certain conveniences to Huizhou and Zhejiang merchant gangs, and then spending a few thousand taels of silver to "purchase" them from them.
"They hold a large number of shares, and then receive dozens of times the amount of money in dividends every year. But at the same time, if the trend of the court changes and there is a crisis in the Anhui and Zhejiang merchant gangs, these court officials will get rid of themselves in the shortest possible time.
In the relationship with the Huizhou-Zhejiang Business Gang, there will never be any idea of "sharing weal and woe". It is called "cooperation" in the name of it, but in fact it is just using power for personal gain and using power to suppress others. In such a cooperative state, the Hui-Zhejiang Business Gang
Although we will reap many benefits, we will also lose a lot of benefits, and we have no long-term sense of security. We can only take one step at a time.
Is it possible that Zhao Junchen also wants such "cooperation"?
If this is the case, Lin Yunpu and others will naturally not be happy. After all, the Hui-Zhejiang Merchant Gang has already unblocked all the joints that need to be unblocked. Even if they get Zhao Junchen's line again, it will just be the icing on the cake and will not benefit them much.
However, Zhao Junchen has to be given a lot of benefits, which is not a worthwhile deal.
The Hui-Zhe Merchant Gang really wanted to establish a cooperative relationship with Zhao Junchen. But this cooperative relationship was closer than the former. Zhao Junchen became the spokesperson of the Hui-Zhe Merchant Gang in the court, fighting for the interests of the Hui-Zhe Merchant Gang in the temple center, and the Hui-Zhe Merchant Gang
The Merchant Gang provides Zhao Junchen with assistance in all aspects. Both parties benefit from each other and become a community of interests. They can share wealth and adversity, instead of the Hui-Zhejiang Merchant Gang becoming Zhao Junchen's daily cash machine. Once out of the
The situation requires the Hui-Zhe Business Group to undertake similar cooperation alone, which is enough for the Hui-Zhe Business Group.
Precisely because of this suspicion that Zhao Junchen just wanted to forcefully buy the stocks in their trading firm, when Lin Yunpu and others heard Zhao Junchen's words, not only were they not excited and eager, but they were somewhat reluctant and hesitant.
However, with Zhao Junchen's current power and influence, if he really wanted to forcefully buy the stocks in their firm, Lin Yunpu and others would not be able to refuse, so they could only reluctantly cut off the flesh.
Therefore, while hesitating and being cautious, Lin Yunpu tried to say: "I don't know how you want to cooperate with us, sir? My business has made money in these years. If you want to invest in it, I can give you some money."
Your certain discounts and annual routine dividends will definitely make you satisfied."
After hearing Lin Yunpu's test, Zhao Junchen shook his head and said with a smile: "Boss Lin misunderstood. It's not that I want to forcefully buy the shares of your firm and take advantage of you... Well, it's because I didn't explain it clearly. To be precise,
, It’s not that I personally want to cooperate with you, but the Ministry of Household Affairs that I represent wants to cooperate with your Huizhou-Zhejiang Business Group.”
"Hubu?" Lin Yunpu was stunned for a moment. Then he vaguely felt that the Master of Hubu in front of him seemed to be making some big move. So Lin Yunpu's expression became serious and he said: "I am stupid and don't understand the deep meaning of your lord.
, I hope your lord can explain it in detail."
Zhao Junchen nodded and said: "This is just an immature idea of mine, but if nothing else happens, this idea should be supported by His Majesty... That is, the Ministry of Household Affairs will come forward to form a group with court background.
The cargo shipping company is responsible for the shipping business of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. Since the national treasury is not very rich, the cargo ships, manpower, funds, etc. in this shipping company are all provided by your Hui-Zhe merchants gang, and the household department is responsible for providing them.
Some preferential policies and the dispatch of supervisors to ensure the normal operation of this shipping company. 40% of the shares of this shipping company will be accounted for by the household department, and the remaining shares will be distributed internally by the Huizhou-Zhejiang Merchant Gang... What do you think?"
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Lin Yunpu and others subconsciously frowned, feeling that Zhao Junchen's proposal was of no benefit to the Huizhou-Zhejiang merchant gang.
First of all, according to Zhao Junchen's idea, the Huizhou-Zhejiang merchant gang was responsible for providing the cargo ships, manpower, and funds for this shipping company. It can be said that the Hui-Zhejiang merchant gang provided everything, and the court did not pay anything, but only gave
Just to get some preferential policies, it will take up 40% of the shares. This account is not worthwhile no matter how you calculate it.
Secondly, the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal was the most important shipping route and economic artery in the Ming Dynasty, and it was also the most prosperous. It can be imagined that there were countless shipping companies and cargo ships that relied on this canal to make profits, and there was competition pressure among the shipping companies.
It is very large, and the profit margin has been compressed to the extreme. It is not difficult to make money in this business, but it is absolutely impossible to make big money. The investment is large and the income is low, so it is not a good choice.
Finally, and most importantly, most of the Anhui and Zhejiang merchant gangs make profits through smuggling and private salt, and most of these businesses are conducted through the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. Therefore, once this shipping company is established, there will also be personnel stationed by the Ministry of Household Affairs.
The inspectors will bring great inconvenience to the Hui-Zhe merchant gang’s smuggling and private salt business. In this way, the Hui-Zhe merchant gang will not only be unable to gain much benefit, but will also affect its own business. Naturally,
Extreme loss.
Lin Yunpu, Bai Mingyu, and Dai Fengfu were all shrewd and sophisticated businessmen, so they quickly understood the pros and cons, but felt that Zhao Junchen's proposal was whimsical and did not take into account the interests of their Huizhou and Zhejiang merchants at all.
Therefore, Bai Mingyu, the youngest and most energetic among the three, was the first to speak up and reject Zhao Junchen's proposal on behalf of the Hui-Zhejiang Merchant Gang.
However, before Bai Mingyu could speak, Lin Yunpu reached out to stop him.
Lin Yunpu keenly felt that the focus and core of Zhao Junchen's proposal should be the "preferential policy" provided by the imperial court. Before asking what this "preferential policy" actually was, Lin Yunpu did not intend to reject Zhao Junchen in a hurry
proposal.
What's more, according to Lin Yunpu's observation, Zhao Junchen's every move, word and deed has profound meaning, and he should never be a whimsical, self-righteous mediocre person.
So, after stopping Bai Mingyu, Lin Yunpu asked cautiously: "I hope you can tell me, sir, what kind of preferential policies can the court provide once this shipping company is established?"
Seeing that Lin Yunpu finally understood his point, Zhao Junchen's eyes flashed with appreciation and he slowly replied: "The establishment of this shipping company has three purposes. One is to monopolize the shipping business of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal and thereby increase the revenue of the treasury.
, The second is to suppress the smuggling phenomenon that has been repeatedly banned in the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal and increase tax revenue for the court. The third is to reduce and reduce the phenomenon of arbitrary tax collection along the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal to provide convenience for merchants and people... Therefore, the court provided for this shipping company.