Picturesque Rivers and Mountains in the Red Chamber

Chapter 231 4.27 Tea, iron products and salt products are the most profitable

Volume Four

4.27 Tea, iron products and salt products are the most profitable

The following days were uneventful, because it was finally decided to leave Beijing and take office in early August, and all the property in the capital had been arranged. Zhou Yang did not mess around anymore, but spent his time on packing his luggage and preparing for the road. , but didn’t expect to receive another post from Jia Zhen, who had basically lost contact with him, inviting him to drink at noon on the 28th.

Although he couldn't figure out this person's tricks, he couldn't deny it without losing face. At any rate, he still carries the "title" of "Rongguo Mansion's disciple", and although he has no deep friendship with Ningguo Mansion - of course, this point needs to be skipped by Qin Keqing. Even so - there was no contradiction. In line with the mentality of "the soldiers came to cover up the water and the earth came to cover it up", Zhou Yang still casually brought the Li brothers to the banquet.

Because of his different status, Zhou Yang no longer came to the door as early as before. He arrived at the gate of Rongguo Mansion at nearly noon. When the concierge rushed to report the news and Jia Zhen greeted him with a smile, he only looked at him with a "Hello brother" With his posture, Zhou Yang guessed that the head of the Jia family must have something to ask for.

"Brother Zhou, to tell you the truth, Brother Wei asked you to come here this time because he really wanted to ask you for help." Skip the meaningless greetings, after three rounds of wine and five flavors of food, Jia Zhen finally put down her glass , said the purpose with a smile on his face, "This mansion has a lot of business in Ping'an Prefecture, and it has indeed earned some money.

Today's Ping'an Prefecture Jiedushi Yunqi, his ancestor was a general in the government, and the friendship has not been broken over the years; as a brother, he can get more than three times the silver in exchange for just asking the servants at home to transport the goods, which is indispensable. The Yun family's care is just a business. You have to have goods to have money. I wonder if Brother Zhou is willing to make money together? "

"Brother Zhen is unreasonable!" After Qin Keqing's explanation a few days ago, Zhou Yang naturally knew that the money was in danger, "Let's not talk about the goods for now, but I know that all the adults in Jiubian Military Town follow the rules every day. When it comes to making money on the grassland, they are not the ones running a charity. They won't let outsiders earn money for no reason, right?

The younger brother of the Yun family has never heard of it, but the business between Pingan Prefecture and the Tatars on the grassland, the younger brother does not close the door and live alone, so he naturally knows what is inside; what's more, the Ningrong Second Mansion not only has friendship with the Yun family, if the younger brother I remember correctly, the person with the deepest friendship in the mansion should be Prince Beijing’s Pingbei Army, right? "

"Uh, hahaha!" Jia Zhen smiled awkwardly and picked up the wine glass in a disguised manner, only to find that the glass was empty. She immediately angrily kicked Jia Rong, who was accompanying the drink next to her, and his chair to the ground, "You useless beast. You can't even pour the wine well, why don't you get out - Brother Zhou, unless you are the elder brother, you are deliberately hiding it. The business between Jiubian and the grassland has always been something you can't say.

However, since we have talked about it today, I can’t tell lies with my eyes open. Yes, the mansion does have business with the Beijing Palace. In fact, it is the same, but the goods here need to be sent to Datong Palace; and As for Prince Dongping, you only need to send it to Shanhaiguan, and there will be arrangements for receiving it. "

"Can I ask, what kind of goods are needed?" Even though he had already guessed, Zhou Yang was still trapped by this huge "smuggling network". Obviously, the so-called "Four Kings and Eight Gongs" group no longer relied on The friendship between ancestors is a huge network of interests. In the court, they advance and retreat together to take care of each other. In the market, they help each other monopolize business.

"Anyway, it's just some tea, silk, porcelain and the like. With Xue Zihao's method, it won't be difficult, right?" Jia Zhen said with a smile.

"Brother Zhen, even at this time, you still don't tell the truth." Zhou Yang said angrily, "Although these things make money, they rely on large quantities of goods. I don't believe it. The two majestic princes and the The two major princes' offices are joining forces just to earn some hard-earned money - not to mention that the West House is not involved, so I don't need to say more to pardon my uncle's temper, right?"

"Hahaha, Mr. Zhou is really quick to talk!" Just when Jia Zhen was embarrassed, a laugh came from inside, and a middle-aged man who looked quite good-looking came out with a smile, "The prince said at the beginning, this point You can't hide your plan at all, but Uncle Zhen still wants to save some trouble, isn't this embarrassing?"

"Don't you dare to ask for advice?" Zhou Yang didn't even bother to stand up, and casually cupped his hands as a salute.

"Brother Zhou, let me introduce you to me. This is Mr. Xu, the envoy of the Prince of Beijing. I'm here to be a middleman today." Jia Zhen quickly stood up and explained, "In business, if you want more money, you have to take risks. , I wonder if Brother Zhou is willing to participate?"

"Master Zhou, I don't think you need to introduce the strength of the Beijing Palace and the Northern Army on the grassland, right?" Xu Changshi said lightly, clasping his fists, "The business route of Xuezi is well known in the world. If you and I join hands , the money in the hands of the Tatars will flow into our pockets like water."

"I know Brother Shui's handwriting. Commander Xu doesn't want to settle the matter with just a few words, right?" Zhou Yang's words made the commander's face darken.

"Lord Zhou is really careful." Changshi Xu snorted, took out two pages of letter paper and handed it to Zhou Yang, "The prince has said it a long time ago, but I have underestimated him." "Since it was Brother Shui who spoke, little brother Naturally, no more nonsense." After Zhou Yang confirmed the handwriting, he threw the letter into a soup basin, not forgetting to stir it up thoroughly with chopsticks. Anyway, the letter contained daily greetings and memories of friendship, with nothing practical. " Even so, Xue Zihao has always been in contact with the Jia family, but it is inconvenient to trouble Brother Shui."

"What do you mean, Lord Zhou?" Xu Changzhi asked with a cold face.

"There are also shops in Ningguo Mansion, and it is normal to purchase goods from Xue Zihao." Zhou Yang said lightly, "No matter what kind of goods it is, you only need Brother Zhen to write a note, and someone from below will arrange it, and the price will be arranged according to the market price; all The goods will be stored safely at the Xuezihao Branch in Tongzhou, and Brother Zhen will just send someone over to hand over them."

"Master Zhou is indeed worthy of his reputation!" Xu Changzhi nodded with satisfaction, clasped his fists in a salute and walked out of the room, apparently going back to report.

"Well." Jia Zhen smiled awkwardly, "Being a brother is not intentional."

"It doesn't matter, Brother Zhen will just arrange it." Zhou Yang smiled and was too lazy to talk nonsense with this big hollow carrot. "No matter what kind of goods it is, as long as the money arrives, Xue Zihao will arrange it. Brother Zhen, don't worry."

"But in terms of goods, I have to trouble Brother Zhou." Jia Zhen said with a sigh of relief, "You must also know that tea, iron products and salt products have always been the most profitable business in Jiubian. I wonder where you can Is it convenient?"

"Tea is easy to talk about, but it's not like salt traders can't find a way." Zhou Yang frowned and said in a dilemma, "Anyway, the second uncle of the Xue family travels around Nanyang, Korea and Dongyang all the year round, and the salt fields there are bigger than those in the Zhou Dynasty. It’s much easier to serve, and it’s not difficult to transport it directly to Jinmen or even Tongzhou; but it’s really difficult for me to arrange this iron cargo here!”

"Brother Zhou, you have to understand that this iron goods business is not just about money. As long as you can do it, both the Pingbei Army and the Zhendong Army will never forget the brotherhood." Jia Zhen became rarely serious, " Because it’s not just the Tatars on the steppe who need iron goods.”

"Well, Brother Zhen has already said this. If I still dare not to agree, I would be disrespectful." After "considering it over and over," Zhou Yang said helplessly, "The iron guy over there in Korea. Although the quality is a bit worse and the price is a bit more expensive, it’s not difficult to get as many as you want if you have enough money.”

"Hahaha, Brother Zhou is open!" Jia Zhen nodded with satisfaction, "I believe that with Xue Zihao's method, everyone will be satisfied; as for the money, even if Brother Zhou opens his mouth, he will never bargain for the sake of his brother, as long as it is If the goods are in stock, everything else is easy to talk about. Just ask the slaves below to transport it!

Moreover, Brother Zhou does not need to work hard for this transportation. As long as he arrives at Jinmen, he can contact Uncle Ma (Ma Shang, the inheritor of the Zhiguo Palace and the chief soldier of Jinmen Town). Brother Zhou will make arrangements in advance and will never let him go. Brother Zhou is in a dilemma; also, although the grassland is a little barren, there are still many specialties. I wonder what Brother Zhou needs? "

"Fur and medicinal materials." Zhou Yang thought for a while and chose the most reliable method. Needless to say medicinal materials, Xue brand can be sold anyway; fur can not only be used to make money, but is also indispensable in the military. Although because of Because of firearms, leather armor, armor and even plate armor will lose their meaning, but leather products are still indispensable.

"Okay, brother Zhou, I have a toast for you!" Jia Zhen was even more satisfied. Apparently she thought Zhou Yang knew the truth and didn't dare to participate in the war horse business. "For you and my brother to make a lot of money in the future, let's take one!"

"Do it!" Zhou Yang smiled and took a sip of his wine glass, "However, I also have a merciless request. I heard that the most precious goods on this grassland are war horses. I also gave them to people who were sent to thousands of families. In the future I definitely need some, and I don’t dare to mention anything cheap. As long as Brother Zhen can help me get it, the price is easy to negotiate!”

"Brother Zhou, don't worry. As long as the goods we just discussed are in place, just send someone to Shanhaiguan and contact the manpower arranged by the Dongping Palace. They will help take care of it." Jia Zhen made a promise happily. Sand and grass are just the things these beasts can run around with, so of course you are indispensable!"

"In that case, I would like to thank Brother Zhen in advance for taking care of me!" Zhou Yang filled another cup for himself and drank it down happily. "In this army, the most important cavalry is the most important. Although I only have a thousand households, I still have to do it anyway." If you create a hundred cavalry families, if there is a war, you will always have a reliable one by your side, right?"

"Hahaha——"*2.

After talking about the business, naturally the next step was to drink and drink, and the banquet lasted for half an hour. It was considered a feast for the guests and the host, but
"Oh, you are happy to have earned money, but what about the slave family?" A familiar voice came from outside the door, and Jia Rong, with a timid look on his face, took the lead, followed by a beautiful young woman with gorgeous clothes and high spirits behind her. , if not Wang Xifeng, who is it?
(End of this chapter)