When Zuo Menggen showed Huang Zongxi his family background, Huang Zongxi was frightened on the spot.
He has lived in Zuofu these days and has a good understanding of the Zuo family's situation.
After Zuo Menggeng proposed to form an army of three thousand and handed over the military resources belonging to the rear camp to Liu Yuanqing, Huang Zongxi was very worried about how to solve the problem of military expenditures.
At any time, the army is a gold-swallowing beast.
Without money, it is impossible to form an army.
As a result, Zuo Mengeng gave him a surprise.
More than three hundred thousand taels of silver, as well as so much gold, silver and jewelry, are more than enough to support an army of three thousand people.
But Huang Zongxi's happiness only lasted for a moment, and he immediately reminded: "Qianzuo, although this money is a lot, once it is spent, it will not last for many days. If we want to support the army, we must have financial resources."
This is a wise saying, and Zuo Mengeng agrees with it very much.
"Leave it to me to create financial resources."
Huang Zongxi thought he was trying to hold on, so he thought for a while and said, "If it doesn't work out, I still have some land in my hometown in Zhejiang. Why don't I write a letter back and ask someone to help sell it, which will also be a source of wealth."
Huang Zunsu has been an official for many years. Even though he is clean and honest, he has accumulated a good fortune.
After Huang Zunsu's death, Huang Zongxi was alone and did not want to return to Zhejiang. There would be no use in leaving his family property there.
Besides, they have big plans. Maybe one day the matter will be revealed and their house will be confiscated by the court.
Rather than keeping it and not being able to protect it in the future, it would be better to exchange it for money.
Zuo Mengeng did not stop him, but said: "It's okay to sell it. When you exchange it for money, I will give you a bigger source of wealth."
Huang Zongxi was left to sort out the finances. Zuo Mengeng came outside and saw Zhang Haogu standing quietly in the open space. His hands were clasped behind his back, his long hair was blowing in the wind, and his face was calm, as if he were a peerless expert.
"What are you doing here?"
Zhang Haogu did not turn his head, and his tone conveyed insight into the vicissitudes of world affairs.
"Brother, I know that you have arranged official positions for them all, but you have not arranged them for me, which is actually very meaningful. You know my talent, but you are afraid that I can't be accommodated here, right?"
The corners of Zuo Mengeng's mouth twitched, and he really wanted to say that you are overthinking.
I won't arrange it for you simply because you are trash.
But at least we, two brothers, couldn't break his heart.
Zuo Mengeng thought about it carefully, Zhang Haogu had nothing but a lot of money left. It would be better to make the best use of it to avoid him being sad.
"Speaking of which, there is indeed something extremely important here that requires your action."
Zhang Haogu then turned his head with a satisfied smile on his face.
"Tell me, I can do some little things and I can solve your troubles."
Zuo Mengeng had to look into the distance, fearing that he would be beaten.
"I have a big business here. If it is completed, it will be easy to make a fortune every day. But I need a start-up capital. Brother Zhang, are you willing to help me?"
Zhang Haogu still has no troubles in his ancient well.
"That's it? How much?"
It seems that he is really rich, and Zuo Mengeng is not polite.
"You don't need too much, ten thousand taels is enough."
Zhang Haogu turned his head and drifted away.
"I still have something to do."
Zuo Menggeng is a master in grappling and never misses.
"You promised."
Zhang Haogu burst into tears.
"Brother, I have saved a total of five thousand taels of private money all my life. Second person from the left, you open your mouth and ask for ten thousand taels. You...why don't you go and grab it?"
The Zhang family is rich, but Zhang Haogu is a playboy and relies entirely on the family's money for expenses.
Zhang Zonghuan is not a doting child, so it is impossible to give him too much. In addition, he spends money lavishly and has no idea at all.
It is already very difficult to still have five thousand taels in storage.
Five thousand taels is definitely not enough.
Regarding financial resources, Zuo Mengeng did not intend to spend a penny of his own money.
There is no need to worry about no one willing to invest money in a business that is guaranteed to make money.
He traveled around to find Liu Yiyuan, and even found Geng Zhangguang.
Since Geng Zhangguang is here, naturally Wang Weiran is also here.
Although he was wary of Shanxi merchants, but now he had no strength to deal with them, Zuo Mengeng had to keep it in his heart for the time being and leave it to the future.
"Brother Zuo's invitation has neither a banquet nor a beautiful lady, so there is no sincerity!"
Looking at the bare rooms around him and the only cup of tea in his hand, Geng Zhangguang couldn't help but laugh.
If it were anyone else, I would be ashamed. But Zuo Menggeng would not. He is a soldier and is more direct in doing things.
The interests are present, as long as he shows them, these people will not care about false courtesy.
"Everyone has made friends here. Now I have a business that I want to talk to you about."
As soon as he heard that it was a business, Wang Weiran's expression changed.
He is worthy of being a Shanxi merchant.
"Brother Zuo also knows how to be a merchant?"
Zuo Menggeng said with a smile: "Of course I don't understand the ways of merchants. But if I know how to make something, I think it can make you smile."
Zhang Haogu was impatient to hear this.
"Just tell me what kind of business you want to do?"
Before Zuo Menggen spoke, he first observed the attire of several people.
"Everyone, I don't know what to do with tortoiseshell, medicinal jade and other things?"
As soon as these words came out, several people's expressions became exciting.
Zhang Haogu was not so thoughtful, he grabbed the medicine jade at his waist and swung it back and forth.
"Of course this thing is good, it's comparable to gold and stone. Just like mine, it cost me more than a hundred taels of silver."
The piece of medicinal jade worn by Zhang Haogu is full of green, warm and smooth. It is also carved to look like the God of Wealth sending blessings, which is very eye-catching.
Wang Weiran also has a piece of medicinal jade, which is milky white in color, thick at both ends and thin in the middle, like a gourd.
"My piece of fairy gourd medicine jade also cost more than seventy tons of silver."
Several of us here actually have tortoiseshell and medicinal jade accessories, and they are all of high quality.
"Brother Zuo knows how to make this medicinal jade?"
Wang Weiran was the first to wake up, with subtle eyes.
This is not the time to be modest.
“Not only do you understand it, but you can also do it the most unparalleled in the world.”
He added: "You must have seen glasses, right?"
Several people nodded, and Wang Weiran added: "My great-grandfather used glasses in his later years, and they are still kept in his hometown in Puzhou. Those glasses were as bright as nothing, and they could enlarge the fonts on the book, which really helped my great-grandfather a lot."
."
He then asked: "Do you know how much that pair of glasses costs?"
Everyone shook their heads, it was impossible to guess.
Given the wealth of the Wang family, Wang Weiran even showed a pained expression.
"It cost a full 1,500 taels of silver to buy it from the Folangji merchant."
Glasses have been around for a long time, and they were most widely used in the Ming Dynasty. However, they were expensive and ordinary people couldn't afford them.
Even the cheapest glasses cost the price of a horse.
The one used by Wang Chonggu must be a high-quality product imported from the West. It is not surprising that it is worth more than a thousand taels of silver.
People in the Ming Dynasty can also make glasses, most of which are made of natural crystal. Of course, the accuracy and comfort are somewhat worse.
And there are still some differences from the glasses of later generations.
The pair of glasses worn by Xu Jie in "The Ming Dynasty" are through-the-lens lenses, while the ones worn by Yan Song, which are hung on the ears with ropes, are what the glasses looked like in this era.
Zuo Mengeng smiled and said: "If I say that I can make glasses, tortoiseshell, and medicinal jade that cost only one tael, I wonder if this business can be done?"
The thunder on the ground is not enough to describe the appearance of everyone.
Geng Zhangguang staggered and almost fell down.
"How can it be?"
Wang Weiran broke his voice directly.
"Brother Zuo, could you be tricking me?"
Tortoiseshell, medicinal jade, and glasses are all glass products, but some are made of artificial glass and some are natural crystal. But no matter which one, they are all valuable.
If the prices of these items could be lowered that much, the market would be cornered in no time.
There are so many benefits in this, everyone here is not stupid, they figured it out immediately.
Zuo Mengeng was extremely confident.
"Words are unfounded, seeing is believing. I will try it out soon, and I will tell you all about it then."
What he said actually dispelled everyone's doubts.
If he was lying, he would definitely say such things that he would want everyone to pay immediately.
But since I said I would use actual items to convince everyone, it shows that I am very confident.
However, these are all human beings who have been nurtured by their family. They will not let go of a hawk until they see a rabbit.
Geng Zhangguang expressed his position on behalf of everyone.
"Okay, I'll wait and see."
If Zuo Mengeng really makes glass, it will be a very considerable business. When the time comes, everyone will invest money in it without any delay.
If he can't do it, no one loses anything.
"I wonder when Brother Zuo will start trial production? How can I help?"
To deal with this group of smart people, you must be smart. Otherwise, you will still be helping count money after being sold.
"Be patient, it won't take too long. Brothers, just wait for the news."
How could I ask them to help me and learn how to make glass? Isn't that just making wedding dresses for others?