The workers came like a tide, paying no attention to Li Luoyou and his party who were strutting in the middle of the road. The steward quickly led the group to the roadside and found a roadside tea stall to sit down first.
The stall owner and the manager knew each other well and hurriedly came over to say hello and offer tea.
"There's no need to pour the tea. Let's have a rest and leave in a while." The manager said, "There's no need to be busy."
I felt very unhappy when I saw this group of dirty workers walking past him without a care.
He remained silent and just sat there. After sitting for a while, the number of workers on the road gradually became less and less. Li Luoyou was about to get up when he saw the person in charge suddenly ran out in a hurry. He came back after a while.
"The third master has already hosted a banquet in the merchant house to welcome you."
That night, Liu San, together with personnel from the foreign affairs, commercial, and intelligence departments, arranged a banquet in the merchant's restaurant to entertain the shopkeeper Li.
Before entering the table, Liu San introduced Li Luoyou one by one.
The banquet was mainly attended by members of Liu's working group and the principals of relevant departments, and Li Mei was also among them - the reason why she was asked to intervene was firstly related to her department, and secondly, it was about the social skills at the banquet. Five hundred people attended the banquet.
There is no one more powerful than her.
Because the elders attended formal occasions, they all changed into formal attire and no longer used it as training uniforms. However, in Li Luoyou's opinion, this formal attire was not much better - it was indistinguishable from the fake ones under their command.
, but the materials are slightly better and cleaner. No wonder Australians don’t have any distinction between superior and inferior.
With a smile on his face, Li Luoyou couldn't help but say: "I've admired you for a long time." Looking at the monk-like men in short coats, he suddenly realized that they were all young, and all of them had smooth lips on their chins. He couldn't help but wonder, could it be that they were all young?
Are they all "father-in-law"? Now that I think about it, it's normal for them to talk. It shouldn't be the case.
Four people including Li Luoyou, including Quark, were invited to the table. Sao Ye and others were invited to another place to entertain them. Gu Baocheng originally did not dare to sit at the table. Li Luoyou saw that Australians did not pay much attention to the superiority and inferiority of superiors and inferiors, so he wanted to
I was afraid that people would laugh at me if I insisted on Ming's behavior, so I asked him to join the table.
Compared with the luxurious banquet hall, the banquet seemed very simple. The elders agreed that although it was a quasi-state banquet, it should be "frugal". So the banquet included fried tomatoes and fried eggs.
Vegetables such as broccoli, which did not exist in this time and space, were cooked beautifully, giving Li Luoyou a refreshing feeling. Only Quark's gluttony was unsatisfied - he hardly ate much meat.
Li Luoyou saw that the building interior of the merchant house was gorgeous and comfortable, but the banquet was extremely simple. Not only were the dishes mainly light and delicious, there was no such thing as a chef offering two or three presents for a reward, and there were no singers or young children singing.
Qu Youjiu thought they didn't care about luxury, but he admired them a bit.
The waiters at the banquet were all young women, each wearing a starched black dress with a straight waist and a high collar, and a white burqa with ruffles - it only covered the front, with only a pair of crossed suspenders at the back. The skirt was short.
The feet were exposed. Black shoes and socks were all visible, which made Gu Baocheng blush immediately after seeing it. His hair was not combed in any way, either short and hanging down the shoulders, or combed into a ponytail on the back of the head and tied with various ribbons. On the chest
There was a small shiny silver medal on it, and it took Li Luoyou a long time to figure out that it said "health care" on it.
The black and white dress looks clean and tidy, and has a different kind of beauty compared to the women of the Ming Dynasty.
But these young women dress up beautifully and do not accompany people with wine or sing songs. They only serve food and wine. Isn’t it unnecessary?
The drinks at the banquet were all Lanling wine and kvass, not including rum, which Quark loved, and not even several famous wines sold by Zichengji in Guangzhou. Except for Liu San’s speech at the beginning and the toast,
There will be no more encouragement to drink.
The atmosphere at the banquet was relaxed, and the conversation was all about gossip. Those present could at least understand Li Luoyu's Cantonese vernacular, and Li Luoyou could actually understand the "Australian dialect" they spoke.
It was not difficult to communicate. Li Mei was a master at banquets and had a good way of adjusting the atmosphere. The atmosphere soon became cordial and friendly. As the banquet progressed, Li Luoyou once again confirmed that this group of people was right.
The Australian dialect has a bit of a Liaodong military accent, which makes me feel even more strange.
Li Luoyou is considered very knowledgeable among the natives of this time and space. When he talked about his several trips to Southeast Asia and India, everyone listened very carefully, and some people asked questions from time to time. But when Li Luoyou mentioned Australia, everyone present
The faces of several elders are not very lively.
Except for some explanations in a prisoner manual, no one knows what the so-called "homeland" of Australia looks like. Is it based on the 21st century or the 19th century?
Seeing their hesitant expressions, Li Luoyou seemed to have something to hide, so he became more convinced of the rumor: this group of Australians failed in the struggle in the palace of their mother country, and had no choice but to escape to the Ming Dynasty in an iron boat.
I also heard that most of the Australians in Laigao are single, and most of them are young men. Judging from this, it is possible that the fathers of this group of people failed in their rebellion and were about to be destroyed, so they were sent overseas to seek refuge overseas to find other jobs.
I came to the Ming Dynasty probably because of the "same culture and the same race" - it has long been said outside that Australians are descendants of the Song people in Yashan.
Thinking of this, I reminded myself not to ask any more questions about Australia, so as not to embarrass them, and to avoid arousing their sadness. However, since many of these men are single, they have the need to start a family. Li Luoyu is not very
He believes in the rumors that Australians are making trouble for women. In his opinion, if Australians just want to find a woman to warm their beds, wash clothes and cook, it is not difficult to buy them with money or force them with guns and knives.
The so-called Australians are short of women, just because they are short of women worthy of their status. Li Luoyu thought that many of these Australians must be the children of high-ranking officials in Australia, and they probably have a high regard for concubines.
The request. In a remote and remote place like Lingao, how can the daughter of a small rural landowner like him?
Thinking of this, he was already thinking about how to find his way in this regard.
After dinner, Liu San invited them to move to the lounge. This lounge was similar to the banquet place. It was tall and bright, with crystal glass chandeliers hanging on it. Large paintings were hung on the surrounding walls - they were landscapes, flowers and birds, not
Landscapes, flowers and birds, Western oil paintings are not like oil paintings. They seem to be both. The paintings are either mountains and rivers or proud cedars and plum blossoms. The one facing the screen has a myriad of scenes; a big river rushes through the mountains shrouded in clouds and mist.
Rolling into the sea, a red sun has just risen on the sea. The glow is brilliant, but in the center of the glow is a boat. If you look closely, it is the big iron boat of the Australians. On the painting are four large ink characters horizontally inscribed: "Splendid
Mountains and rivers".
This painting is so powerful! Li Luoyou suddenly became alert.
There was a large Persian carpet laid on the blue brick floor. Li Luoyou felt distressed after just one look at this carpet. It was the highest-grade Persian product. When buying and selling, it was not based on width but on wheel size. Now it was extremely dirty.
Said, there are many scattered burnt marks on it,
As for the seats, I don’t know where they were stolen from. Not only are they not in sets, but they are also arranged very strangely. They are arranged in a semicircular shape. Behind the tables and chairs is a beautifully carved thirteen-leaf rosewood wooden mother-of-pearl gilded and silver frame.
The inlaid screen is very large. Logically speaking, such a large-sized screen should be placed in a larger hall. If placed in a room like the Australian one, it would feel like it was shoehorned in.
In fact, this house was modeled after the layout of Ziguang Pavilion in Zhongnanhai when Dugu proposed. It was just that the rooms in the commercial building were not suitable for such a layout, which led to such a strange appearance. Although it was decorated according to the state guesthouse, there was no "state guest" at the beginning.
"The people from the Dongmen City Management Office often used this room as a lounge and smoking room, and a fine Persian carpet was completely ruined.
There was a name tag inserted on each chair, and everyone sat down with their name tags, without the red tape of saying seats and declining.
After sitting down for a while, the maids presented a fine porcelain coffee set. This is high-grade bone china fired by Director Xiao Bailang. The Foshan porcelain workers recruited used it according to the process given by him, selected the best kaolin, screened it, and added
The ashes are added and finally burned in a gas kiln at extremely high temperatures. The shapes and patterns are imitated according to modern time and space, and they are exactly the same.
Very little of this kind of bone china is currently fired. Except for a small amount being sent to Guangzhou for Ziminglou to look for opportunities to develop the domestic high-end porcelain market, the rest is kept in Lingao for its own use.
Coffee is hand-roasted from the first batch of coffee beans collected in Wu Nanhai's tropical crop garden. It has a fragrant smell. Wu Nanhai named it "Golden Nanhai".
Quark and Loyou Lee had seen this kind of drink from Arab and Indian merchants, and they didn't think it was strange. Instead, it was the porcelain that caught their attention. Quark couldn't put it down, and Loyou Lee felt that the porcelain was exquisite in appearance and texture.
It doesn't look like it was made in the Ming Dynasty. Could it be that Australians also made porcelain? Considering that they are from the Song Dynasty in Yashan, it is not surprising that there are several porcelain craftsmen among them.
After drinking coffee, the conversation between the two parties got to the point.
Before the negotiation, Liu San had already determined several basic points of the negotiation at Liu's working meeting, and submitted the agreement to the Executive Committee and the Standing Committee of the Senate.
1. Li Luoyou transports and sells goods for the Cross Travel Group.
Second, Li Luoyou must assist Chuan Chuan Group in opening a local brand, and if necessary, can open a joint-venture brand.
Third, Li Luoyou purchased various goods designated by Chuanchuan Group. The price of the goods will be negotiated once a year based on bulk purchases. Lingao has the right to choose to pay with goods or coins.
Fourth, Li Luo provided acceptance business for Delong bills through branches in mainland China and overseas.
But before making requests, everyone wants to hear what the big shopkeeper wants from Lingao.
Li Luoyou made no secret of his purpose. He complimented the Cross-Travel Group for its "strong ships and powerful guns" and "rare in the world" and then directly requested to purchase arms from the Cross-Travel Group.
The quantity purchased was not large, and even the specific types were simply artillery, guns, and short muskets.
Liu San hesitated for a moment. He did not expect that Li Luoyou's real purpose in becoming Lingao was this. Of course he came to seek trade opportunities, but the objects of trade were actually arms and weapons? This is no better than selling paper and matches. Arms not only consume
A large amount of strategic materials is also a high-consumption item in terms of industrial production capacity.
Moreover, arms are very sensitive strategic materials and will greatly affect the balance of power on the mainland. Issues involving the foreign policy of the Cross-Travel Group are not something that Liu San and others can decide.
Unexpectedly, Li Luoyou raised a question that was beyond Liu San's authority as soon as he came on the stage. The elders present looked at each other, not knowing what to do.
Li Luoyou, a person like him, saw the embarrassment on their faces and knew that this matter was difficult to handle. However, this was probably the reason why he came to Gao Lai, and he was unwilling to end it here, so he said:
"If you have any difficulty, just tell me."
Liu San composed himself: "This matter is not within our scope of authority. We can only make a decision after consulting the higher authorities."
Li Luoyou nodded to express his understanding: "How long will it take?"
"It will take three to five days to get results."
"Okay, if it's inconvenient to sell guns directly, can you arrange a gun factory on your behalf?" Li Luoyou made a second request - in fact, this is his real purpose: since selling weapons is a big deal, help build guns.
I'm afraid it will have to be decided "from above".
"I will submit your request together." Liu San said with a wry smile, "This matter is related to military affairs. I hope Dongzhu Li will forgive me."
"Save it, save it."
Then came Li Luoyou's request for trade privileges. Lingao has free trade. Currently, import taxes are fully exempted and exports are partially tax-free. It is not a problem for anyone to trade. Li Luoyou is not a small businessman who comes by boat.
It is big and powerful and requires trade privileges.
Specifically, it is the exclusive right to export "Australian goods". Mainly Australian glass mirrors. Li Luoyou plans to ship them to Southeast Asia and India for sale. And for the latter, he also plans to sell them to Europe through the window of Goa.
European Venetian glass mirrors are world-famous. Not only are their prices extremely high, but their output is limited. There seems to be an endless supply of Australian glass mirrors sold here in Lingao, and they are much cheaper than Venetian glass mirrors, especially since Lingao has recently passed through Guangzhou.
Channels began to sell cheap glass mirror powder boxes of various materials on a large scale, which are more lethal in terms of price.
This kind of powder box is small in size and light in weight. A sea ship can transport a large amount of goods. Even if the cost of long-distance freight is added, the profit can be more than 100% when sold in Europe.
Such small, high-priced goods can earn huge profits without even being shipped to Europe. Sea ships can exchange them for other goods at various trading ports along the way to Europe. In fact, Li Luoyu never thought of shipping them directly.
To be shipped to Europe, his plan is to sell part of these Australian goods to Goa, and then transport them to India, the Red Sea coast, and the Eastern Mediterranean region by Portuguese merchants. Some of them will be given to Quark, who will transport them to Surat and resell them directly to the locals.
A British businessman. Of course, this secret cannot be told.
"I am willing to sell 100,000 pieces every year, including 50,000 pieces of porcelain, 30,000 pieces of lacquerware, and 20,000 others." Li Luoyou said, "The price is 50% off your retail price in Guangzhou."
"It's too cheap..." Li Mei shook her head directly. Of course Li Mei couldn't agree - the current purchase price given by Zichengji to Gaoji is 40% off the retail price. If Li Luoyou is given a 50% discount, he will invest in the domestic market.
This business could bring Gao Li's business to a complete failure. What Li Mei hated and feared the most when doing business was "cross-selling". Dealers took advantage of regional price differences to dump goods, and in the end the prices were reduced to a pulp, and no one made any money.
"To open up channels in Europe, the 50% discount is not an exaggeration. Besides, I have to ship to Portugal, which is thousands of miles away and full of dangers."
"Your ship doesn't need to go to Europe," Li Mei almost said, "In fact, you have never been to Portugal." But then she thought about it and decided to forget it, to save face. "As long as it is shipped to Goa or Surat
You can get rid of it."
Li Luoyou's smile was a little dull. There were almost no people in Goa or Surat in the Ming Dynasty. There were many maritime merchants in the Ming Dynasty, but they either went to Japan or to Southeast Asia. They were interested in places like Manila and Batavia.
Very familiar with it, but know nothing about Indian routes.
"Besides, we already have a trade agreement on the Goa route." Li Mei still remembered the Lingao-Goa route monopoly agreement signed with Li Huamei last year. This agreement will not expire in a few months, and
The general opinion of the commercial sector is to no longer grant trade monopoly rights, but to adopt a free trade policy. However, this monopoly argument can be used to increase its own price.
The two parties launched lengthy negotiations on this issue. Finally, a trade agreement was reached with Li Luoyou. Li Luoyou can transport and sell all products on the catalog of goods that the group allows export to areas other than Southern Zhili and Guangdong and Guangxi, including
Liaodong; the discounts on these items are consistent with the discounts given to Gao Li.
"In this case, my cost will be much higher than that of Gao Li." Li Luoyou was dissatisfied with this condition, "My expenses on roads are much greater than his."
"If he wants to transport the goods to Liaodong or the capital for sale, he will still have to pay the transportation cost. Your conditions are the same on this point." Li Mei said, "Distance is profit, distance is price. You and all businessmen know that
.”
For goods sold to Surat and Goa, Crossing Group will give an additional 0.5 discount. This discount adopts a rebate model. That is, Li Luoyou pays the full price at the time of purchase, and the discount will be used after the end of a financial year.
Return it to Li Luoyou. As for the use of the goods, it is up to you to use cash or negotiable certificates.
For goods exported to Surat and Goa, a trade agreement for the second year must be signed in November of the previous year, specifying the order quantity and type, and the Crossing Group will give it a 10% floating limit. If the order amount exceeds the floating limit
If the limit is exceeded, the rebate discount will be cancelled.
At the same time, it was stipulated that goods sold domestically should be settled in three sections in accordance with Ming Dynasty's business practices. Goods sold overseas should be settled in cash.