Chapter 246 Second Cooperation

"Yuan Heng, what's wrong with He Zhaoyi? How could it be killed? How did you save her? Also, Miss Minmin, what's wrong with the two living treasures, Xuanming and the two elders?

Returning to the council hall in the camp, Zhang Yang asked Bian Yuanheng.

"Brother, everything is just a coincidence." Bian Yuanheng said, "We tested the ship on Gaoyou Lake a few days ago and found that someone was fighting in the distance. It was very strange. When we got closer, we found that the pirates were robbing the ship. Gaoyou Lake was our territory. Of course, I couldn't stand idly by. When I went up and found that Miss He was on the ship robbed by the pirates, and we killed some of the pirates. I caught a few and let some go.

"How many have you caught?" Zhang Yang asked, "Have you been interrogated?"

"It has been interrogated. These pirates are all little ones. The pirate leader has been killed. Therefore, we don't know how the pirates knew that He Zhaoyi had arrived at Gaoyou Lake, and said that He Zhaoyi had brought a lot of silver taels. However, according to my estimation, there must be premeditated activities.

"Premeditated?"

"Yes, Gaoyou Lake has long been our sphere of influence. I have been patrolling here for a few months, but I haven't found any pirates coming to make trouble. Now, it happens that the pirates have come and robbed Miss He? There is definitely an inside story!" Bian Yuanheng said.

Zhang Yang nodded, "What's wrong with Mr. He and the eldest son of the He family? How did he get killed?

"I'm not sure about this. All I know is that the He family wanted to do business in most of them, and then they were robbed on the road. Mr. He and the eldest son of the He family were killed. It happened that a team of officers and soldiers passing by saved Miss He."

Two robberies, there must be something wrong with it, and it is likely that it was done by an acquaintance. Zhang Yang has begun to suspect that it was the second son of the He family, because if these people are killed, he will be the biggest winners. Family affection, in front of money, has been erased. Zhang Yang has seen too much of all this.

"And that Minmin, what's going on? Are you in the same boat with them?

"Brother, do you mean that princess?" Bian Yuanheng whispered that just now, he also heard the word princess.

"You must not spread this matter." Zhang Yang said. The princess is a Mongolian and a Mongolian nobleman. Now, here, it is simply a time bomb. Although he is opposed to the Yuan Dynasty and the tars, it has nothing to do with this Minmin. She is just a young lady and has not killed the Han people in person. If something happens to Minmin here, it will definitely be earth-shaking. At present, it's okay for my own forces to fight with the province, but I can't stand the crazy revenge of the millions of troops in the imperial court.

Moreover, another possibility is still suffering in Zhang Yang's heart. Zhao Min appeared, and Xuan Ming's two elders also appeared. What's going on? And the joking voice: Zhang Wuji.

"She was on another ship at that time and was also attacked by pirates. However, when the pirates saw that the situation was under control here, they slipped away. I only had one boat and didn't chase." Bian Yuanheng said.

That is to say, they are not together, but separate to the south?

Zhang Yang was confused. Although he knew that as long as he was willing to ask, He Zhaoyi would definitely answer, but he did not want to force others. These days, a lot of things must have happened to He Zhaoyi.

Forget it, don't think about it." Yuan Heng, has the warship been dispatched?

"No, today Li Youcai said that he would improve the water wheel and improve the speed." Bian Yuanheng said.

"Well, let's go and have a look together." Zhang Yang said.

When he was at the base, Zhang Yang had already seen a warship. Now it seems that it is still so powerful, especially those barrel, which are definitely water weapons.

Artillery combat, aiming is also a big problem. Zhang Yang is not very clear about the conclusions of using complex formulas, and he does not intend to let Jiao Yu engage in those theories, because there are not so many physical and mathematical foundations in this era. He just asked Jiao Yu to do something: how much the muzzle is raised, how far the shell can be hit, let everything start from experience, summarize the rules, and then use it.

Seeing Li Youcai and other skilled workers, Zhang Yang once again encouraged them to give full play to their advantages and upgrade the surname of the warship, and so on.

Although Zhang Yang's face has been smiling, he has always been lost. He knows why he has been distracted by things.

Suddenly, a familiar boat appeared on the lake in the distance. Bian Yuanheng said, "Brother, Shixin is back."

Zhang Yang has also seen clearly that it is the ship that went out to sell salt.

Every time Shixin goes out, he will use Gaoyoufu as a temporary place to stop and rest. This time, he will come back from selling salt and take a break for a while, and then go back to the salt farm to load salt.

Soon, the ship landed, and Shixin jumped down first: "Brother, why are you still picking me up here? We don't have to be so polite between our brothers.

"I'm here to see the warship. I'm just picking you up on the way." Zhang Yang said.

Alas, big brother, even if it's the truth, don't tell the truth. It's too chilling for my brother. Shi's confidence said that he was poor-mouthed and did not dare to be too poor with his eldest brother.

Warship? Shi Xin looked at the warship parked next to him. He knew the cannon on it. What did the thick chimney do? Also, what are the big wheels on both sides? It's like a monster!

"Brother, why do those two wheels look like Nezha's hot wheels?" Shi Xin asked.

"Yes, it's the hot wheel!" Zhang Yang smiled and said, "With these two wheels, the warship can run as fast as Nezha."

"Brother, when will you equip us with this kind of ship," Shi Xin asked.

"Tw's talk about it later." Zhang Yang knew that Shi Xin had no shame and dared to ask for anything. This could not be given to him casually. This thing is the secret warship of the navy. If it sails everywhere, it will lose the sudden surname in the military operation.

"How about this business? Our refined salt is still selling well, right? Zhang Yang asked.

"Brother, I haven't stopped these days, and the ship has not sailed. I have opened up all parts of the province, and the monthly sales volume can be about 500 stones." Shi Xin said.

One hundred and twenty catties of salt per catty, 150 yuan per catty, and the monthly net income is about 7,000 taels. It was after the refined salt trade began again that Zhang Yang felt that he had money in his hand.

"Five hundred stones? Not bad." Zhang Yang said, "Have you encountered any unexpected situations in the process of selling salt?"

"Yes, but there is," Shi Xin said, "There are a group of salt dealers who want to rob us. In the end, we killed them all.

In order to protect the safety of the salt transportation process, Zhang Yang sent a hundred-person team to Shixin, all of whom were equipped with Tianque, not to mention private salt dealers. Even the tar cavalry, if there were not enough people, would not cause great harm to Shixin. Thousands of cavalry were used to recover private salt, which was a little useless.

"That's good. Is there anything else?"

"It's nothing, it's just a problem." Shi Xin said.

"What's the problem?"

"Our refined salt production is too much. I sell it hard, and the warehouse is still accumulating more and more." Shi Xin said.

Since several major salt farms have implemented seawater drying salt, while reducing labor, the output of salt has gradually increased, and Shide has also increased manpower. The daily output of refined salt is nearly 30 stones, plus the original inventory, so the accumulation of refined salt is more and more.

Reduce production? Let the workers take a break? This won't work. This is the main source of finance at present. In the last three years, it will also be the main source, because Zhang Yang has promised to exempt taxes for three years.

Then, we can only try to sell refined salt to more places.

However, selling it to other banks will not be as smooth as it is now. In order to sell salt, Zhang Yang relies on the force in his hand and appropriate bribes. The province has acquiesced in this kind of behavior, and the Lianghuai Salt Transportation Department has no choice. However, once it is sold to other banks, it will be a big deal. Other provinces will not take it for themselves. If they want to sell it, they can only sell private salt, so that the amount of sales will not be too large, unless it is the rich places in the south of the Yangtze River, the consumption in the north is not good.

"Shixin, use your brain more and think to expand the sales." Zhang Yang ordered.

"Yes, big brother." Shi Xin replied cheerfully, but he didn't think so. The market has expanded, and I have to follow him more, and I won't do it.

"Brother, this ship will be modified tomorrow. If you come this time, just stay for a few more days." Bian Yuanheng said, "While Shixin is here, let's have a few drinks in the evening."

I have to go back to Gaoyou Mansion, Zhang Yang thought to himself, but he didn't say it, "Okay, let's stay for a few more days and see the power of our warship."

The next day, the sky was clear and cloudless.

Zhang Yang pedaled on the warship and followed Bian Yuanheng, Li Youcai, and some personnel to drive the ship together.

"Wow!" The whistle sounded and rushed straight to the sky, announcing the status of the hegemony of the warship on the water.

Looking at the vast Gaoyou Lake, although it is not as magnificent as the sea, it can also make people feel a broad mind. Zhang Yang's mood became calm, and his thinking gradually became clear. When He Zhaoyi came back, he didn't have to deliberately avoid it at all. Everything was natural, which was the most correct choice. Since He Zhaoyi got on the princess's line, why not take a ride by himself? The more refined salt you sell, the less salt tax the court will collect, which is also a blow to the tars from another aspect!

In the evening, the glow is shining. After a day of experiments, the goal has been basically achieved: to replace it with a new, larger water wheel, and the speed of the ship has increased by one-tenth.

The smoky warship, carrying a crowd of joy, returned to the dock.

"Brother, Miss He is looking for you." As soon as he got off the ship, the left-behind guard said.

Oh? Zhang Yang asked, "What's the matter with me?"

"No, but Miss He went to the boat to find a boatman. I'm afraid she's leaving!" The guard said.

"You go back first, and I'll find Miss He." Zhang Yang, Bian Yuanheng and others said.

"Yes, big brother." Bian Yuanheng replied. Last time I followed the eldest brother, but the eldest brother made a fool of himself and bumped into the door. This time he didn't go. Maybe the eldest brother has something to say and wants to talk to others.

"Are you there?" When he arrived at the door, Zhang Yang shouted.

"Is it Brother Shicheng? Come in!" He Zhaoyi replied in it.

Zhang Yang pushed the door and walked in. He Zhaoyi had got out of bed, washed up, and sat on a chair. His face had recovered.

Seeing Zhang Yang coming in, He Zhaoyi stood up and stepped forward: "Brother Shicheng, please sit down!"

Zhang Yang looked at He Zhaoyi, and his steps were still a little staggering. He hurriedly said, "Zhaoyi, you should sit down quickly. You're welcome. If you have anything, just say it."

"I've been here for a few days. Zhaoyi has already felt that she has recovered and wants to go back and bury her father and eldest brother as soon as possible. Today, I want to leave, but Brother Shicheng has gone out and left without saying goodbye. I'm a little sorry. Therefore, I've been waiting for Brother Shicheng. It's getting late today, so tomorrow morning, Zhaoyi will be Say goodbye." He Zhaoyi said.

I really want to go. Let's take a look at the bed. Everything has been packed, but I didn't leave today, and I have to spread it out again.

"Jiyi, where is this? As long as you like it, you can treat this place as your own home and live as long as you want." Zhang Yang said, "However, the remains of Master He and the eldest son must be buried as soon as possible. The weather is getting hotter and hotter. I'm afraid it's not appropriate to drag it off.

Speaking of the two deceased, He Zhaoyi's eyes dimmed again.

"Thaoyi, what are your plans after burying them?" Zhang Yang asked.

"My He family is based on business. Although my father and eldest brother are not here, the He family will not fall." He Zhaoyi said.

Oh? Does this Miss He still want to enter the business? He remembered the young master who bought it at the expense of losing money for salt in Yangzhou last time. If he hadn't exchanged refined salt for coarse salt, the young master would not have made money, but also would have lost nothing.

"I don't know what Miss He wants to do?" Zhang Yang asked.

"The population of most of the capital is large, but the grain output in the north is very low, and the grain output in the south is very high, especially Pingjiang, which is simply a granary in the world. I think I can definitely make high profits by selling grain in most of the capitals." He Zhaoyi said that she didn't know why she said this to Zhang Yang. She was just talking.

After listening to this, Zhang Yang frowned deeper and deeper. This Miss He was really whimsical. Did she sell grain to most of the capitals? Has she investigated the market here? What is the price of rice here? When you get to the capital, how much profit will there be? It's not the grain harvest season yet. Where do you go to harvest grain? Moreover, even if she takes the waterway along the way, without sufficient force, does she think the waterway is safe? Can the navy of the imperial court protect the waterway? After all, you have to pass through the war zone of the Red Turban Army, such as Gaoyou Mansion. As long as you give your own order, the cargo ship in the south will not be able to pass.

Zhang Yang has long found that those big grain merchants have low income at the time of grain harvest, and then deposit it in the granary. When the green and yellow do not pick it up, they will be shipped to the north, so that the profit will be the largest. If He Zhaoyi wants to enter this industry, I'm afraid she has to pay a lot of tuition fees.

Doing business, only by doing the business you are most familiar with can you make money.

"Brother Shicheng, why don't you talk?" He Zhaoyi asked.

Zhang Yang doesn't know what to say. If the He family is rich, let He Zhaoyi pay the tuition fee first, and he will slowly get started in the future? However, with his relationship with He Zhaoyi, if He Zhaoyi was hit too hard, he would feel sorry.

After thinking about it, Zhang Yang said, "Zhaoyi, any business has its own way to enter the industry rashly. I'm afraid there are some risks. You'd better be more stable. You'd better do some preliminary market research first."

"So, Brother Shicheng is not optimistic about me?" He Zhaoyi asked with a straight face.

It's really a young lady's temper. Just say it. Since you said it, I'm not afraid that you're unhappy. Zhang Yang nodded: "Zhaoyi, it's not easy to do business. I don't want to see you suffer losses."

He Zhaoyi suddenly smiled again. Brother Shicheng was still the same brother. She didn't see the wrong person.

"Brother Shicheng, you're right. In fact, most of the grain sales are just a cover."? Zhang Yang doesn't understand. What does this Miss He want to do?

"I have done an investigation. Now I sell grain to the capital, and the profits have been taken by others. I can get very little myself. However, in the capital, I found that the demand for refined salt is very large. In the past few months in the capital, I have made preliminary negotiations with various major merchants and am willing to ask me for 200 yuan per catty. Refined salt, as long as I can provide it.

Halfway through, Zhang Yang understood. This Miss He was not as weak as she seemed. She had paved the road in Dadu, so she came back to prepare to sell refined salt. To the outside world, she claimed to transport grain to Dadu. In fact, she secretly transported refined salt to Dadu.

The strategy is good, but does she know the consequences of doing so? Most of them are not as good as other places. What if they are investigated?

"Tshao Yi, are you sure to do this?" Zhang Yang asked.

"It depends on whether anyone provides me with refined salt and how high the price is." He Zhaoyi said.

"I mean, aren't you afraid of the government's investigation? What if something goes wrong? Zhang Yang asked.

"Minmin heard that I want to sell grain. She is very interested and wants to do business with me. Her family is relatively powerful in Dadu. If something happens, she will help me solve it." He Zhaoyi said.

Minmin? Zhang Yang was relieved. With this princess's in it, he was naturally not afraid of anything.

"Good, if so, I would like to provide you with refined salt, and you will only be charged the lowest price of 100 cents per catty of salt." Zhang Yang agreed.

He Zhaoyi looked happy. He could get refined salt from here at a reserve price of 100 yuan per catty. As long as he was trafficked, he could make double the profit, which was definitely a huge profit.

"However, after the last incident, do you think you have the ability to transport grain and refined salt to Dadu through the canal?" Zhang Yang said, "There are a lot of hungry people along the way."

He Zhaoyi calmed down. Yes, now there are red scarf soldiers everywhere, and there are chaos. It's smooth to bring two coffins like this. If they are all grain ships, I'm afraid there will be a lot of people along the way. Even under the banner of the princess, those hungry and anxious chaos. I'm afraid it may also take risks.

"So what do you think I should do?"

"I have enough force. You can hire my men as bodyguards." Zhang Yang said, "When you don't have the ability to protect the safety along the way, I won't rest assured to give you the refined salt."

"Okay, I'll pay the commission." He Zhaoyi said.

"I don't care about the commission, but my people will help you escort the goods. You have to find a foothold for them, right? As long as you can help them find a place to settle down and have an identity in Dadu, it will be fine. Zhang Yang said.

"Is it that simple?"

"It's that simple." Zhang Yang said, "I'm all for the sake of my salt."

"Okay, then let's make a deal. After returning to Yangzhou tomorrow to settle the remains of my father and eldest brother, I will go everywhere to buy food."

" OK, but I hope you can hire my person as a bodyguard now."

"Why?"

"If you go to Yangzhou here, I'm afraid you will be in danger again."

He Zhaoyi's face changed: "Brother Shicheng, what do you mean by this?"

(to be continued)