Hundreds of households in Liaodong, covering the light with one hand

In September of the first year of the Chinese Era, Shandong Dengzhou capital.

Under the scorching sun, the dock was still bustling with people, and the entire harbor was almost crowded with cargo ships coming and going.

Cargo ships flying the "Zheng" flag were especially busy, with three giant cargo ships crowding out almost half of the dock. Moreover, most of the porters and boatmen in Ma Tou are employed by the Zheng family.

The boatmen in blue shirts stepped barefoot on the sampan, carrying nearly a hundred kilograms of goods on their backs. They carried nearly a hundred steps from the dock directly to the cabin, almost without stopping. Looking from the restaurant in the distance, Those boatmen were like ants, tireless. The long team stretched and shrank under the scorching sun. And at a glance, no one among these people was lazy. They all risked their lives to transport goods to the ship.

There were a few small cargo ships scattered around, and only a few boatmen were carrying goods on the sampan, and their faces were still full of reluctance. From time to time, they turned their heads to the cargo ship with the "Zheng" flag hanging on the side and cast a vote. To the longing gaze.

Naturally, there were diners at the restaurant not far from the dock who saw this scene.

"This Zheng Daguan is really kind-hearted. I heard that the workers who work on his cargo ship not only provide enough steamed buns and side dishes, but also serve iced watermelon and cold porridge at noon every day. Such means and righteous deeds are really admirable! "

"You don't know!" Hearing this, his companion chuckled softly, and then said, "The reason why this official Zheng's handiwork is so extravagant is because there is a parliament standing behind it!"

"Parliament? Is Zheng Yiguan related to the Jinan Prefecture Council? Or is he a relative of the chairman of the Dengzhou Prefecture Council?"

"What is Dengzhou Prefecture, and what is Jinan Prefecture?" The companion sneered at the two councils, as if he were Zheng Yiguan: "So that you know, when Zheng Yiguan came to Dengzhou, the chairman of the Jinan Prefecture Council came in person When we were greeted at the pier, the president of the Dengzhou Prefectural Council was far away in the crowd, and he was not even qualified to say hello!"

"There is such a thing! Then what is Zheng Yiguan's background?"

Seeing that his appetite had been whetted, his companion said, "Behind Zheng Yiguan, standing is the Great Council of the Capital City, and the real owner behind Huayuan Trading Company is the Consul!"

"hiss!!!"

"I heard that Zheng Yiguan was originally a small boatman in Fujian. How did he get such a background? He can be the agent of the consul!"

“It’s like reaching heaven in one step!”

"Listen to me and tell you the reason. It turns out that the consul has a younger brother."

In the city of Dengzhou Prefecture, there is a luxurious private garden covering a large area.

"After the three cargo ships are loaded, they can go to sea and arrive at the Hirado Domain in Japan in up to seven days." Zheng Yiguan and Qiu Tong sat opposite each other, and their maids served them fresh seasonal fruits, and pastry.

"The Matsuura family's trading president has been visiting for three days in a row. The three shipments of goods must be shipped as soon as possible." Over more than a year, Qiu Tong's figure has become increasingly rounded, and he looks like a rich man. He is no longer as dark as before. Wei's splendid appearance in brocade clothes.

"One of the ships is actually the goods of the Tokugawa family. This time I go to Japan, I want to completely open Japan's door and have a showdown with the Tokugawa family." Zheng Yiguan just picked up the peeled lychees on hand and added He put it down gently, with an anxious look on his face: "Japan's war in Korea has been completely defeated. General Cao has returned to Liaoning half a month ago. The Tokugawa family no longer has any leverage to negotiate with me!" "Well, Tokugawa The family is the real power in the Japanese shogunate. As for the ruling adults, the Matsuura family has always had a clear attitude towards the Hirado clan. If they can really leverage the Tokugawa family and completely open up the Japanese market, it will be a great achievement! "Qiu Tong nodded after hearing this, and after thinking for a while he asked: "What do you think about the Hirado clan wanting to send workers to work in the country?"

Half a month ago, Koji Matsuura of the Hirado Domain wrote a letter, saying that he would like to send 3,000 Japanese female workers and 10,000 Japanese male workers to the Chinese factories to learn from the experience and work in the Chinese factories during the next navigation, so as to develop their own domestic economy.

Not only Japan and North Korea, but also Jiaozhi, Vietnam, India and other places in the south have also begun to trade with China.

On the other hand, as private factories sprouted all over China's Liaodong, Shandong and Nanjing provinces, there was a massive labor shortage. Therefore, factories significantly increased the hiring costs of workers to attract workers.

Factory owners are also happy to hire foreign workers who are cheap and have few personal rights - after all, Chinese laws protect Han people. For foreign workers, parliamentary regulations have not been promulgated for the time being.

"Japan's land is small, and its people have always had a strong sense of worry. Now that our Han people are making progress and developing very quickly, it's okay if other countries want to learn a thing or two." Zheng Yiguan didn't care about these Japanese workers. When they arrived on the border of China, they wanted to Whatever you do must be done with your own consent, so there will be no threat in the short term.

"However, as time goes by, conflicts will arise!" Qiu Tong is a member of the parliament after all. He is relatively sensitive to such matters. He suddenly attracted the foreign worker who was called in. In the long run, it caused a backlog of conflicts between Han Chinese and foreign workers. This is also a kind of Hidden danger: "I will write a secret letter to the ruling lord to express my feelings about this matter."

"The Archon now probably has one head and two heads!" Zheng Yiguan said, showing a wicked smile: "Speaking of which, the Archon married Princess Ningde last month, which can be regarded as a tribute to the old nobles of the previous dynasty. Can you appease me? There used to be a prairie pearl in the house, and now the former princess is added to the family. This feeling should be unpleasant!"

"The power of the previous dynasty was not visible. Although it has gradually become dormant under the high pressure of the ruling lord, its power cannot be underestimated. Many people still miss the previous dynasty in their hearts, so the ruling lord's move is also to stabilize people's hearts. "Qiu Tongtong took a cantaloupe with a silver fork and stuffed it into his mouth. It was extremely sweet.

"Where's the one in the palace?" Zheng Yiguan chuckled.

It is now widely rumored that the former empress dowager, Zhang Yan, who is now the honorary vice-chairman of the Beijing Parliament, frequently appears in the parliament and seems to be a restless master.

"The Queen Mother Zhang is admirable, but a female prostitute will never succeed. Speaking of which, Zhu Youjian is too disappointed! Now it seems that she is not even as good as a woman!"

Qiu Tong put down his fork and clapped his hands: "I should go to the government office to deal with it. The latest shipment progress will be reported to me tomorrow, and then I will set off back to Beijing. If you go to sea in three days, I won't send it."

"Excuse me, Brother Qiu!" Zheng Yiguan stood up and handed over his hands: "When I see the consul, please give me a gift."

"Oh?" Qiu Tong blinked.

"This thing is called a flying shuttle." Zheng Yiguan took a box from the waiter: "It was made by a craftsman in a weaving workshop in Nanyang. It is actually a shuttle with a small wheel installed in the chute. Spring is installed at both ends of the slot so that the shuttle can travel back and forth extremely quickly. This can greatly improve the weaving efficiency."

"Shuttle?" Qiu Tong took the box and solemnly said, "I will hand it over to the ruler." (End of Chapter)