In fact, the glass industry itself has little to do with Zhu Yingzhen. His business in Satsuma Domain is concentrated on the camphor industry. In layman's terms, it means purchasing camphor from Satsuma and transporting it back to China for sale. In fact, the main transfer is to Jinghua, more specifically.
In other words, it was transferred to Jinghua Pharmaceutical.
Camphor has many uses in later generations, but in this era it is generally only used for medicinal purposes. Jinghua Pharmaceutical was established on the basis of the original Jinghua Pharmaceutical Company. Essentially, this action was to expand the industrial chain. For example, the original
Jinghua Pharmacy is mainly engaged in selling medicines and practicing medicine. It is not involved in the pharmaceutical field. Its main product is Liu's Baibao Pills (Yunnan Baiyao).
Later, because Li Shizhen joined the Department of Medicine of Jinghua Artisan School, he transferred the prescriptions in the "Compendium of Materia Medica" to Jinghua for free without any copyright awareness. Jinghua then began to produce some... well, they can be regarded as "Chinese patent medicines".
However, Gao Pragmatic, who got the news, later ordered that "1% of the net profit" of the "Materia Medica" series of proprietary Chinese medicines be used as exclusive royalties (there was no patent right at this time), and agreed to provide it to Li Shizhen and his descendants for 50 years in a row.
Years later, it will be regarded as unique to Jinghua after fifty years.
This incident caused a sensation in the "medical community" at the time, so that later on, famous folk doctors or others continued to send various prescriptions to Jinghua, hoping to imitate Li Shizhen's example in exchange for profits.
The most amazing thing is that not only the private sector, but also the imperial hospital had imperial doctors to "sell" prescriptions - anyway, the Ming Dynasty had no restrictions on this, and the imperial hospital in the Ming Dynasty itself did not only serve the palace.
Not only did the emperor ask the imperial hospital to send people for treatment when the capital officials were in need, but also when there was an epidemic in the capital, or there were mass casualties in the army, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty always directly dispatched the imperial hospital to help for free.
of.
Because of this, the Ming court or the royal family had very few personal restrictions on the imperial doctors. The rules of the imperial hospital were mainly concentrated in the palace. For example, as mentioned earlier in this book, "It is impossible for only one imperial doctor to treat the emperor."
, at least two or three people need to go together," and so on.
As more and more prescriptions are obtained, many of which require unique methods to be produced, and the diseases targeted are becoming more and more specific, Jinghua Pharmaceuticals has to increasingly invest in the pharmaceutical industry. In the end, Gao
The pragmatic decision was made to upgrade Jinghua Pharmaceutical, and thus the "one-stop medicine" Jinghua Pharmaceutical was established.
Here we need to explain why Zhu Yingzhen was so concerned about the task assigned to him by Gao Pragmatic against the Satsuma Domain.
Camphor is not the fruit of the camphor tree. It is actually a granular substance made by distillation and refinement of the roots, trunks, branches and leaves of the camphor tree. The camphor tree is widely distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou and Nanzhi during the Ming Dynasty.
There are many in Li, Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Huguang, Sichuan and other places, but Taiwan has the most and densest population.
Before the emergence of the pharmaceutical giant Jinghua Pharmaceutical in the Ming Dynasty, there were not many pharmaceutical factories and drugstores producing camphor in various places. The occasional production was in small batches and scattered very scattered. It was difficult to see it as a big industry. Almost all camphor was refined when there was demand.
Make some.
Since the establishment of Jinghua Pharmaceutical, the situation has changed. There is no need to elaborate on the advantages of large-scale production. High quality, large output, reduced costs, etc. are all part of the question.
As a result, large and small private pharmacies in various places discovered a reality: "Buying is worse than making", so they gave up making camphor themselves, and almost all chose to purchase it directly from Jinghua Pharmaceutical. As a result, Jinghua Pharmaceutical soon became an unconscious monopoly The camphor industry.
Since Jinghua Pharmaceutical has a monopoly on the camphor industry, Zhu Yingzhen, the "honorable merchant" who monopolized the purchase of camphor in Satsuma Domain (in fact, he purchased camphor on the entire Kyushu Island), has to be aware of the dangers.
What kind of sense of urgency? Two points: First, there are camphor trees everywhere in the south of the Ming Dynasty. Although they are scattered a bit, in theory, high pragmatism does not necessarily require the use of Japanese goods from his father-in-law; secondly, Taiwan is now developed by Jinghua
The key point, even with vigorous immigration, is that once Gao Pragmatic decides to develop camphor in large quantities in Taiwan in the future, Zhu Yingzhen's monopoly on Japanese camphor will be almost meaningless.
Therefore, Zhu Yingzhen felt that it was necessary to increase his weight in Gao Pragmatic's mind. He could not just rely on the reputation of Duke Cheng and think that Gao Pragmatic would always give him face - the Xinzheng Gao family was a family of civil servants. In theory,
I don't need much help from you at all, but I can cause trouble for you at any time. It's obvious who needs who.
Therefore, in Zhu Yingzhen's view, it is necessary to take advantage of this opportunity to help Gao Jingshi handle the Satsuma Domain affairs, not to mention that he made other discoveries during this process.
After listening to Gao Pragmatic's words, Zhu Yingzhen immediately said that he had understood it, and then added: "Rixin, I think that during the time when the Shimadzu family was exploring the crystal glass grinding technology, we can't just be idle. Some things are actually...
You can take care of it first."
Gao Pingshi didn't expect that Zhu Yingzhen, who he thought could do nothing but make money, would actually start to have his own ideas in his spare time. He couldn't help but ask with interest: "What did the Duke say?"
"That's right, I think it is necessary for us to open the market for selling glass in Japan in advance." Zhu Yingzhen said: "Now Jinghua has two major types of glass, one is ordinary glass and the other is crystal glass. I think the processing of ordinary glass adds value.
It doesn't make much sense, but seems fine for daily use.
Just like after the completion of the Nissin Building, because all the windows were made of glass, the wealthy households in the capital have now started a window replacement craze. Everyone thinks that these almost transparent windows (at this time, due to technical limitations, ordinary glass cannot be fully transparent) symbolize status.
and rich people began to think of ways to replace the paper windows.
This is a big deal, Nissin! I think this can be done in Japan as well. I have already thought of the method, so I will build a building in Japan. This building must have more windows and all use glass windows, so that all Japanese
The great names and family elders are proud to use glass.”
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Gao Pragmatic was really surprised now. He didn't expect that one of his usual tricks was now learned by Zhu Yingzhen.
However, this does not matter, it is even a good thing. So Gao Pragmatic asked with great interest: "What the Duke said is very reasonable, but has the Duke ever thought about where this building should be built?"
Zhu Yingzhen said: "I think there are two options. One is to build it in Kyoto (where the emperor is), and the other is to build it in Fushimi (where Hideyoshi is). These two places are the places that the Japanese pay the most attention to, and they are conducive to attracting the whole of Japan. Attention."
Gao Jingshi pondered and did not speak immediately. Liu Xin, who was next to him, smiled and said, "The Duke's idea is a good one, but I think there is another point that can be considered."
Zhu Yingzhen already knew that she had a special status in front of Gao Pragmatic. He was not angry when he heard this. Instead, he said politely: "Miss Liu has high opinions, so please come quickly."
"Don't dare to speak highly of me." Liu Xin said: "Kyoto and Fushimi are the most eye-catching places in Japan, but they are also the core of Hideyoshi's rule. Although we have business dealings with Hideyoshi, these dealings are not direct. Most of them are Through some wealthy merchants, or at most through his generals and ministers, it is difficult for us to know how Hideyoshi would react to such a move of ours."
She paused for a moment, as if waiting for Zhu Yingzhen to think about the meaning, and then continued: "Secondly, our purpose of assisting the Shimazu clan's Satsuma clan is not only to obtain some benefits through the Shimadzu clan. More importantly, it is to support the island. The Jin clan allowed them to become stronger quickly and became the second among Japanese daimyo.
In other words, the Shimazu clan's rapid growth is just a means for us to make more daimyo tend to us. In this case, we should strengthen this influence in all aspects. The Nu family believes that this will The effect would be better if the building was built in the Shimadzu's territory, such as Kagoshima Castle or its surroundings."
Zhu Yingzhen thought for a while and asked: "Miss Liu's statement is indeed reasonable, but there is a problem: Satsuma Domain is regarded as a countryside by Japan, and most Japanese people neither understand nor care about the situation here. If we This building is built in Kagoshima Castle, so it may be difficult to arouse the interest of other daimyo and make them pay attention to glass. I wonder if Ms. Liu has a solution to this problem?"
Liu Xin glanced at Gao Pingshi and saw him slightly nodding at her, then smiled and said: "There is a way."
Zhu Yingzhen was a little surprised, but he immediately asked: "Oh? Please give me some advice from Miss Liu."
"Don't dare." Liu Xin said: "First of all, we must first estimate the construction period of this building and ensure that there will be no shortage of construction period; secondly, we must vigorously publicize the preparation or preparation of this building in the process of trade with various parts of Japan. It doesn't matter if the 'Crystal Building' under construction is so hyped; finally, we would like to announce that on the occasion of the completion of this 'Crystal Building', the Beiyang Maritime Trade Alliance will invite Japanese celebrities and wealthy businessmen to gather together in the 'Crystal Building' 'Hold a large-scale business negotiation meeting."
Zhu Yingzhen was stunned: "Business meeting? What are you talking about?"
"We can discuss what we want to discuss specifically later." Liu Xin said seriously: "The important thing is to invite Japanese celebrities and wealthy businessmen. Of course, at the same time, the Sea Trade Alliance should spread the word and make the possible achievements of this business negotiation The huge scale of the event was vigorously promoted, and the conference was cleverly linked to the influence of the participants in Japan."
Gao Pragmatic added lightly at this time: "In short, in Japan's political and business circles, only those with enough influence will be invited."
"Oh...that's what it means." Zhu Yingzhen suddenly realized, and then his eyes lit up: "I can almost imagine that by then, many people in Japan will even try their best to get our invitation!"
Liu Xin smiled and added: "Yes, with the influence that the Maritime Trade Alliance has established in Japan's political and business circles over the years, there is almost no doubt about this."
Of course, since the establishment of the Beiyang Maritime Trade Alliance, it has so far controlled more than 70% of Japan's foreign trade share. In addition, the only ones that can talk about scale are the Ming Dynasty Jiangnan Business Gang, Portugal and North Korea, and even
North Korea’s share continues to shrink.
The shrinkage of trade between North Korea and Japan is not that the absolute volume of trade between North Korea and Japan is shrinking, but that North Korea's local merchant ships are gradually being replaced by the Sea Trade Alliance - because the Sea Trade Alliance is larger in scale and can achieve lower transportation costs, this is a purely commercial
replacement of sex.
However, North Korea did not dare to reject the Beiyang Maritime Trade Alliance, which was backed by the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, it could only watch its own private merchant shipowners lose money, lose their business, and eventually change careers to survive.
This is the dilemma of small countries, especially small countries that are not on the rise. Think about the period when Goryeo became North Korea. Although North Korea was deceived by Zhu Yuanzhang at that time (not granting canonization, and technology and raw materials were blocked),
But he still dared to take advantage of the Jingnan period, the Five Expeditions on Mobei and other periods to secretly steal and encroach on the territory of Liaodong. It was not until Chengzu issued an order to define the boundary that he basically became honest.
Compared with that time, North Korea really has no "enterprising spirit". Not only does it obediently pay tribute, but it is often blackmailed by some people in Liaodong when paying tribute. The current situation is that one person in Liaodong controls the capital.
Dare to blackmail the North Korean envoys, let alone the Beiyang Maritime Trade Alliance, a super group composed of top civil servants and top nobles, the North Korean king simply does not have the courage to resist.
As for Japan, geographical factors have determined that its main trading partner during this period could only be the Ming Dynasty. Although the Portuguese opened up Japanese trade routes, because Taiwan was gradually controlled by Jinghua, the Portuguese now have to pay a fee to Jinghua when they go to Japan.
Tolls and therefore trade volume are also on a downward trend.
This toll is called security deposit. Jinghua’s statement is similar to Zheng Zhilong’s. However, there is a difference, that is, Jinghua deliberately only collects it from Portuguese ships going to Japan, and does not charge it if it is trading with the Ming Dynasty.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Portugal has no reason to explain this matter, because Jinghua not only blames pirates, but also said that this action is the same as Denmark's collection of Oresund tolls, which is completely reasonable - Denmark charges this
There are also many objections in Europe about whether the money is reasonable, but the subtext is the same: If you are not satisfied, go to war with my navy.
Well, the Hanseatic League did this back then, losing first and then winning, and achieved trade hegemony for a period of time. Unfortunately, times have changed, and now the Oresund Strait is once again controlled by Denmark. As for Portugal, it wants to compete with Beijing for the waterway from Nanyang to Japan.
...just wash up and go to sleep.
The failure of the Spanish fleet in the Philippine waters has shown that Jinghua's position as the maritime hegemon of the South China Sea is unshakable. Instead of dreaming about competing for sea control in the South China Sea, the Portuguese might as well worry about when the ownership of Malacca will change hands.
The issue of the Satsuma Domain was basically finished at this point. The three of them discussed a few more details, and the topic quickly turned to the changes in Japanese government.
However, the topic Zhu Yingzhen reported stunned Gao Pragmatic as soon as he opened it.
"What? Toyotomi Hideyoshi wants to buy a ship from us?" Gao Pragmatic looked surprised and confused in his heart. He said to himself: This is wrong. It was only 1588 in the 16th year of Wanli. It is impossible for Toyotomi Hideyoshi to prepare an attack so early.
North Korea.
But Zhu Yingzhen smiled and nodded: "That's right - eh, there's no need to worry about Rixin. His envoy said that they didn't plan to buy an armed transport ship carrying guns. They only wanted a gunless version, saying it was only for transportation.
.”
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