Zhang Anshi summoned people and only briefly explained the relief matters.
Regarding this matter, he actually has nothing to care about, or in other words, he doesn't feel that it needs special attention.
The food reserves in Taiping Mansion are sufficient. Even if they are insufficient, there are other ways to solve the problem.
As for Zhili, there is no problem with transportation at all, especially after the laying of the railway, the dispatch of food can almost be completely guaranteed.
As for the officials who are like a spider web from top to bottom, most of them were trained by Taiping Mansion. They are more able to obey the law and obey the law. At least even if there are some dirty things, they are hidden and tucked away, unlike other high-ranking emperors.
The place is simply open to the public without any shame.
So this is just a matter of issuing an order. After issuing the order, let Chang Shifu and Gao Xiang preside over the discussion, which county is the most severely affected, how much food is needed, how to transport it, how much manpower needs to be allocated, and what about other counties.
Helping with resettlement and such things are not what Zhang Anshi is good at.
So after giving everyone a shot of chicken blood, Zhang Anshi went to the small hall of the palace, and then began to summon other people.
Hold small meetings for big things.
It is obvious that Zhang Anshi wants to do big things now.
Among the people who came were Yang Pu, the minister of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Chen Li, the commander of the Jinyi Guards, Tongzhi Chen Li, and Zhu Jin, the general manager of the trading house. In addition, there were actually some big businessmen.
One of them was actually Ma Yu, the original number one scholar.
Ma Yu's trading company has become larger and larger now. His main business is shipping. In addition, he also operates many overseas industries.
Everyone in the market is speculating that his net worth is at least two million taels.
This is already within the limit of personal assets.
As the scale grows, you will inevitably need to deal with the government. You have to deal with more people, and occasionally you have some relationships with people like Zhu Jin.
This time, Zhang Anshi asked Zhu Jin to find some merchants. Zhu Jin selected some from the people around him, including Ma Yu.
Because according to Zhang Anshi's instructions, these people must at least have enough brains and enough wealth. It is best to focus on shipping and foreign trade.
Zhang Anshi did not choose a person who must be reliable.
Because reliability is too subjective, there is no such thing as absolute reliability among merchants.
But a clear mind is very important, because only a sober person will not be blinded by greed, offend the county prince's palace, and betray Zhang Anshi in order to seek small profits in front of him.
Everyone gathered together and drank tea, but at this time they had different thoughts.
For Chen Li and others, His Highness must have something important to discuss, but they don't know what it is.
For Ma Yu and others, the sudden summons by His Highness the Prince of Wuhu County really made them feel honored. What's more, the people who came were all well-known big shots, which made it even more special that they were valued by His Highness.
However, they were also a little worried. By being invited here like this, could it be that His Highness was short of money and wanted to get some extra money from them for spending money?
Their worries are not unreasonable. After all, such things often happen outside Zhili.
At this time, Zhang Anshi smiled and said: "Everyone is here today. It's rare to get together, especially Mr. Ma and others. It's really annoying that they can find time to come here despite their busy schedule."
This is very polite.
Ma Yu and others feel chilled. This dignified prince has come to say such polite words to you for no reason. Do you still need to guess? He is either thinking about your life or your money.
At that moment, Ma Yu immediately said: "The grassroots people have relied on Your Highness for many years. Without His Highness's care, how could the grassroots people be where they are today. Since His Highness took charge of Taiping Mansion, he has given many supports to merchants, officials, and the grassroots people.
We are also kind to each other, and everyone says that this Taiping Mansion is worthy of the word Taiping, and it is truly a peaceful world."
His reaction was quick, first modestly, and then quickly gave Zhang Anshi a high hat.
His Highness takes care of everyone on weekdays, and everyone is grateful. Please don't kill us today.
Zhang Anshi smiled again, and Ma Yu didn't know if Zhang Anshi understood these words.
But Zhang Anshi nodded and said: "I am doing good to you. This is the truth. Supporting me is an exaggeration. I just did some things that were within my scope."
Ma Yu smiled and said: "But I don't know what your highness has to teach you?"
"It's not like giving advice, it's just that there are some big things that require everyone's collective efforts." Zhang Anshi got straight to the point.
He had already guessed the thoughts of people like Ma Yu. These guys had too many minds and were all very sophisticated. Instead of going around in circles, it would be better to simply state their intentions.
So he continued: "The thing is like this. There are major disasters all over the world. The imperial court has also ordered Wenyuange Hu Gongqin to order relief. Such a huge famine is unprecedented, but I am quite worried about it. The so-called prevention
Yu Weiran. So... I have to ask the boss
Help me, think of ways to get more food. I have thought about it. If I want to open up new food, first of all, it must rely on sea transportation. Now... we have many sea ships. If it is a shipping ship, it can be transported on the return trip.
, all loaded with food for the return journey, then... this will solve a big problem."
Ma Yu and others were a little surprised. It was not impossible to transport grain by sea, but the profit was too low. It was far less profitable than bringing special products from the West on the return trip.
However, they breathed a sigh of relief, because after all, Zhang Anshi only asked them to help, and this favor was only to earn less money. After all, he hadn't robbed them yet, which was a good result.
It's just that at this time, Ma Yu and others refused to relax, because although this matter would cause losses to themselves, it was just a matter of making more or less, which was relatively easy to do.
Only then did His Highness the County Prince realize that these people had spent a lot of money to help.
It's like doing a business. The other party has set a price. If you agree too easily, the other party will not only not be happy, but will also doubt whether your price is too low.
Zhang Anshi immediately smiled and said: "Of course, there are benefits. No matter how much grain your ships bring back, the customs will temporarily exempt them from customs duties. Your grain will be converted into... um... points. Then we will pay for it.
Based on the points, we will give you an appropriate tax-free limit. In short, we will not make you suffer any loss."
As soon as this statement came out, Ma Yu and others were greatly excited.
If this is the case, it means that... their losses can be greatly reduced. After all, they are doing long-term business. They can take this opportunity to do a favor to the county and prince's palace without causing big losses. Of course, such a thing is
Can't get it.
Many times, for big businessmen like Ma Yu, favors are better than straightforward gold and silver.
"Your Highness has mentioned this. How dare the common people not do their best? Your Highness, please rest assured that the common people will definitely try their best to deliver food. It's just how much food your Highness needs."
Zhang Anshi said: "As much as you want, you just have to worry about luck, don't worry about the rest."
Ma Yuren and others didn't ask any more questions and agreed: "If His Highness says so, then it's up to us."
Zhang Anshi said with satisfaction: "The king will wait and see."
Ma Yu and others left with satisfaction. They were all shrewd people and knew that this was an opportunity. Without suffering much loss, the better they performed in front of the prince, the better for their future in Taiping Mansion.
Business is more beneficial.
Although there is not much discrimination among merchants in Taiping Prefecture, unlike other prefectures where people are treated as slaves and others are treated as fish and meat, they do not have many privileges and are still subject to the local government, even if it is only this time that they can establish friendship with the county prince's government.
The opportunity is also extremely precious to them.
Since we want to get things done, we must immediately formulate a complete set of shipping methods. How to take advantage of the monsoon and the good time for sailing to immediately release a large number of ships, and how to quickly communicate with Luzon, Annan, Java, and Malacca.
Wait for the grain producing area to contact you early, so that the other party's grain can be stored at the port early so that it can be loaded at any time and returned to the ship quickly, and strive to transport more than one trip.
In addition...the ship needs to expand its loading capacity, and there is also the issue of food preservation, so preparations need to be made.
All in all, this must be done beautifully.
Even major shipping companies may have some hidden competition. If others do better than themselves, on the one hand, they will inevitably be looked down upon by their peers. On the other hand, if they have more luck, from His Highness's point of view, he may also feel that he is in trouble.
Perfunctory.
People who do business know best that in many cases, what they do in business is not just a small profit, but a matter of attitude. Some businessmen clearly know that their goods are high-quality and cheap, but they have a bad attitude, which makes people feel bad.
A bad impression of bad goodwill.
Especially since the object of this transaction is His Highness the Prince of Wuhu County, who can manipulate them and even decide their life or death.
Only by trying their best and thinking of every way to transport more food can they show that they have broken their hearts for His Highness's affairs. In the long run, they can gain the greatest benefit.
…………
Ma Yu and others left. At this time, only his own people were left in the palace.
But the scene suddenly became unusually quiet.
Zhang Anshi stood up, put his hands behind his back, and pursed his lips tightly, but his attitude was not as cheerful and humble as he was towards Ma Yu and others.
But he had a cold face and looked unhappy.
Yang Pu, Chen Li, Zhu Jin and others have been following Zhang Anshi for many days. Seeing Zhang Anshi acting like this, they naturally know that His Highness the County Prince must have something on his mind.
After all, the friendly attitude toward outsiders is only for the outside world. Now behind closed doors and putting on a bad face, this is when one of your own has something to discuss.
Zhu Jinqian laughed and said first: "Your Highness, the grains in the various prefectures and counties of Zhili should be enough to cope with the current disaster in Zhili. Why does Your Highness spend so much effort on teaching people to transport grain?"
Zhang Anshi, on the other hand, looked up and glanced at them with a sullen face, and answered the question in a nonchalant manner: "What do you think of Mr. Hu?"
This question is sudden and a bit difficult to answer.
The three of them looked at each other, and they all saw surprise in the eyes of the other two.
Of course, Yang Pu was cautious and did not speak.
After all, Zhu Jin was a businessman, so he could not comment on the superior Hu Gong.
On the other hand, the commander of Jinyiwei, Tongzhi Chen Li, thought for a while and said: "Based on a lot of information, he should be a really honest person."
He bites the word "true" very hard.
Jinyiwei has a Qianhu Institute that specializes in intelligence research. It will make a clearer judgment about a certain person through countless things that have happened.
Zhang Anshi suddenly smiled, but the smile obviously did not reach his eyes, and said: "Are you worried that such an honest person goes to provide relief?"
"This... is hard to say." Yang Pu thought for a moment and said, "After all, Mr. Hu has a huge reputation, not to mention..."
Zhang Anshi waved his hand and interrupted Yang Pu: "Let's not take chances. Once we take chances, then maybe... things will develop in the worst direction."
"Now that the New Deal has come, it no longer allows us to...continue to focus only on a corner like Taiping Mansion or Zhili. It's time to look further. Besides, such a major disaster has too much to do with it.
The Tao is that if a person has no long-term worries, he must always be prepared for the worst."
Yang Pu frowned and said: "Even if I encountered a disaster in the past, I could deal with it. This time..."
Zhang Anshi shook his head and said: "Today is different from the past. Have you forgotten that over the past few years, a large amount of Taiping Prefecture goods have hit the countryside of all prefectures and counties across the country, coupled with the large number of strong people fleeing into exile, which has destroyed the original ecology of all prefectures and counties all over the world."
, has it changed? This kind of change... In my opinion, it will make the gentry even more degraded. That is, the worse the environment becomes, the last bit of courtesy, justice and humility will also disappear."
Zhang Anshi was a man who knew this situation very well. The deterioration of country gentry and gentry was almost the most important feature at the end of every dynasty.
When the countryside begins to wither due to frequent disasters, lack of manpower, bandits or other reasons, almost all gentry and country gentry will choose to do whatever it takes to ensure that their own interests are not violated.
Of course, there are also some people who are unwilling to join in the trend, and what awaits them may be bankruptcy.
Although it is not the end of the dynasty, the impact of the New Deal on all prefectures and counties in the world is actually no less than the various disasters at the end of the dynasty. Judging from some reports brought by Jin Yiwei, this situation has already begun.
There are clues.
It's like eating chicken, and the poisonous circle is constantly shrinking... At this time, the original local customs or morals alone can no longer restrain these people who already hold power in the local area.
Thinking of this, Zhang Anshi's face became more and more gloomy, and he said in a deep voice: "So I need food now, as much as I can. Not only do I need to transport food, but we also need to get food from other places. The situation of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Navy
How about, convey the order, suspend the drill, everyone... take large and small ships and go to the sea to catch marine fish."
After a pause, he seemed to suddenly think of something again, and said: "Oh, yes, in addition, in the areas of Jiangsu and Zhejiang that were not affected by the disaster, we also found ways to purchase some grain. In short, under the banner of our Zhili relief
In the name of the people, give me as much food as you can get, no matter what the cost."
Zhu Jin immediately showed a look of pain.
Zhang Anshi glanced at Zhu Jin and said with a smile: "Don't feel bad. As long as there is food, in the future... we will be able to earn back double whatever we spend, and we won't be able to bear our losses."
"Of course...if Mr. Hu is really capable, and the parents, officials and gentry everywhere still have some conscience, that would be fine. Maybe this is just my worries, and we may have to suffer a little loss. But if these people,
If they really dare to do this, then they are unkind, so don’t blame us for being unjust. When the time comes, we will teach them to die without a burial place.”
When he said the last words, Zhang Anshi had a bit of a ruthless look on his face.
Having already said this, how dare anyone say anything more?
It has always been Zhang Anshi, the Prince of the County, who had the idea, and naturally no one dared to question it.
Everyone said one after another: "Yes."
Zhang Anshi's expression became a little more relaxed, and he said again: "Navy Commander, ask him to come to me from Songjiang Water Village as soon as possible. I have something to explain."
…
The Navy under the Ministry of Maritime Affairs was transformed from the former Waterway Inspection Department.
Of course, the personnel were greatly replenished, and the ships were also greatly increased.
However, the current navy commander actually became a monk halfway. In his early years, he went out to the model camp, made meritorious service, and was sent to the Waterway Inspection Department as an inspection officer.
Now, a group of retired cadres from the model camp have been recruited and have undergone some naval training, which can be considered as building up this framework.
Everything in this navy is a scratch, and everything is difficult at the beginning. However, at this time, the navy does not have a strong opponent, which gives them enough time to slowly establish a navy system.
The commander was named Lu Qian. After receiving Zhang Anshi's order, Lu Qian rushed to the prince's mansion.
Zhang Anshi received him politely. It was noon at this time, and Zhang Anshi set up a sumptuous table of wine and food in the small hall.
Zhang Anshi sat down first, and then greeted Lu Qian with some kindness: "Come, sit down and talk."
Although Zhang Anshi looked very easy-going, Lu Qian still did not dare to be presumptuous and said stiffly: "Yes."
Lu Qian was actually a little at a loss. He leaned over and sat down, sitting upright and unable to move the bowl quickly.
Zhang Anshi said: "When did you set off?"
Lu Qian hurriedly said: "Last night, I heard His Highness summoned me and rushed here."
Zhang Anshi seemed not to notice Lu Qian's discomfort and remained friendly. He picked up the fish fillet and ate it, saying, "It must be very hard work. Come on, you're welcome. Let's fill our stomachs first."
Lu Qian responded, then picked up the kuaizi, mechanically picked up a piece of meat and put it into his mouth.
Zhang Anshi said casually: "How is the situation over there in the water village?"
Lu Qian hurriedly swallowed the mouthful of meat and said: "Now there are 2,795 personnel and 143 large and small ships, but I am not proficient in this... yet, so...
…Hire some people who have sailed to the Western Ocean as naval instructors. The rest, as long as they are not going to sea for training, will practice in the water stronghold according to the rules of the model camp. I think that no matter the others, they will always be well-trained.