Lu Ming

It is nothing more than another way of expressing power. How could Crowley, who was born as an aristocrat, not understand: "This can quickly settle disputes and determine authority."

"One more glass with milk." Li Hao motioned to the maid, while pointing at Crowley: "Hehe, I knew you understood."

Soon, milk tea was served in front of Crowley.

The clear tea I tasted in the first round was a teacup the size of a walnut, and there wasn't much tea in it.This time, he picked up a large cup of black tea with milk and sugar, and Crowley finished it quickly.

"How does the milk tea taste?"

As far as Crowley himself feels, black tea with milk and sugar seems to be more suitable for his own taste.He raised his thumb: "It tastes very good! It's a magical drink, as good as coffee!"

"Crowley, you have overlooked one of the greatest advantages of tea."

At this time, Li Hao's expression suddenly became a little serious: "For the European nobles who mainly eat meat and still eat boiled fruits, tea is the best drink, because it can help digest meat. This, yes Only refreshing coffee can’t compare.”

"This unique function represents infinite wealth behind it!"

Seeing Crowley's expression suddenly dull, the next moment, the meat came.Li Hao leaned forward, crossed his hands, and stared closely at Crowley's eyes: "Then, my friend, would you like to promote black tea, a beautiful commodity, to the European continent?"

……

In fact, as early as 20 years before the appearance of the traveler, black tea had been distributed to Europe along with the merchant ships of the Dutch and the Frangians.

However, unlike porcelain, Europeans did not discover the beauty of the leaves of tea, a plant at first.So, along with other strange plants collected from all over the world, tea eventually appeared in Dutch pharmacies as a medicine.

This spontaneous slow spread of the market continued until decades later in 1662.

At that time, Princess Catherine of Portugal married King Charles II of England. Her dowry contained 221 pounds of Lapsang Souchong black tea and some exquisite Chinese tea sets.

After that, Catherine often held palace tea parties with noble women, and people finally realized the benefits of this magical plant.First, the aristocracy began to accept tea, and then the common people followed suit, and finally tea became popular throughout the European continent.

This trend lasted for a long time, and even continued to the Opium War hundreds of years later-tea became the fuse of the war.In the 5th century, British tea consumption accounted for [-]% of household income, and the Qing Dynasty had a large surplus in tea trade with Britain every year.

And in this plane, it is naturally impossible for the traverser to wait decades for Princess Catherine to get married.Travelers who have rich marketing experience in later generations have actually made various plans for the tea trade.

The main reason why the plan has not been launched is that no reliable dealer has been found.

Until half a year ago, Li Hao ran into Mr. Robert Crawley in Annan.So, the plan started slowly.

……

"Ah!" Although there was a faint guess before, Crowley was still caught off guard when Li Hao made it clear: "Of course not... Ah no, I mean, I am willing to act as an agent for any kind of you." Merchandise, nor... SORRY dear, forgive me for being a bit confused. Actually, I don't know much about tea as a commodity... Excuse me, I mean, it may take me a while to research the market and make some Prepare."

Crowley's cramped performance was normal in Li Hao's eyes.To this day, no businessman can remain calm in front of the special agent given by the Ministry of Commerce, because everyone knows that there are infinite gold coins behind it.

"OKOK, I understand how you feel."

Li Hao stretched out his hand to press down, and said slowly: "My friend, please remain calm. You don't need to think more now. You just need to answer me whether you are willing to be the general agent of Dongfang Black Tea in Europe."

With just a few words, Crowley had already figured it out: the problem didn't lie in what the product was.With the amount of capital he currently owns, whether Li Hao gave him the agency rights of black tea or iron nails, or even the agency rights of a pile of garbage in the corner, he has no room for bargaining at all.

Crowley, who understood instantly, blushed, couldn't hide the excitement in his eyes, and said without hesitation: "My friend, I am very happy to promote this great commodity like black tea to Europe."

"very good."

Li Hao nodded, stood up, picked up the agency bronze medal that had been prepared from the desk beside him, and solemnly handed it over: "Mr. Robert Crawley, after a long period of investigation and contact, my colleagues and I It is unanimously determined that you are the person we are looking for. Now, on behalf of the Ministry of Commerce, I officially designate you as the general agent of Chinese black tea in Europe."

The grand and significant agency ceremony was completed in the handover.Mr. Crawley, the lucky guy who was hit on the head by a pie, could not have imagined at this moment that this seemingly inconspicuous commodity he represented would generate huge profits in the future, which would benefit himself and his family What an honor to bring.

Of course, tall buildings rise from the ground.It is only the first step for Mr. Crowley to obtain the qualification of black tea agent today.In this transaction, the only thing that the traverser is interested in is Mr. Crowley's aristocratic background and aristocratic cultivation - these basic abilities will help Mr. Crowley quickly break into the European high society in his black tea promotion career.

That is to say, Mr. Crowley is actually not a qualified agent now, at least not a qualified agent with future generations ability in the eyes of time travelers: Mr. Crowley lacks funds, lacks marketing experience and ideas, and most importantly Yes, he lacks relevant knowledge.

Then the next step, first of all, is the agent training provided by the manufacturer.

Chapter 612 Crowley's Fantasy Journey ([-])

"Here we have to have a clear understanding: poor digestion of the human body can lead to various diseases. This is especially important for nobles who eat a lot of meat!"

"Tea can aid in digestion, which means that it can indirectly treat some common digestive diseases... Yes, although we mainly focus on the refreshing and digestive functions of tea in the publicity, but at the same time, we can add some 'unremarkable' The medicinal effect. I have a copy of the tea indication materials here, and you will learn it after you go down."

In the small conference room of the Ministry of Commerce with circular tabletops, Mr. Crowley and his team are listening to the teacher's lecture attentively.

It has been more than a week since he became the Chinese black tea agent designated by the Ministry of Commerce.

During this time, Crowley had his hands full.

First of all, he needs to go to the department to register a formal foreign trade company and go through other procedures to connect with the import and export company under the Ministry of Commerce.Acting as an agent for tea sales is a business-to-business matter, and Crowley cannot deal with Chinese companies in his personal capacity.

Therefore, under the Special Affairs Office of the Ministry of Commerce, the registration of "Downton Foods Co., Ltd." and Downton's proprietary tea brand "Downton" was completed in just one week.

Regarding this brand name, there is no doubt that it is the "personal suggestion" of Li Hao, the boss of the Ministry of Commerce.As for Crowley's idea...he didn't know the cultural background.Doesn't matter if it's called Lipton or Downton.

After the establishment of Downton Company, which has the general tea agency right in Europe, the second step is to set up the company's entrepreneurial team.

Naturally, such an important and large-scale business activity cannot be handled by the British guy alone.Regarding this point, since Mr. Crowley does not have any business connections or subordinates in East Asia at the moment, after consultations between the two parties, the Ministry of Commerce will do it for him and equip him with a simple entrepreneurial team.

The team consists of several individuals from various backgrounds.The first of them was a young man in his 20s with a heroic face named Sima Jishi.

Sima Jishi is a native of Fuzhou, Fujian. He was born in a middle-class family. He was well-nourished and tall. He belonged to the business elite recruited and trained by the Ministry of Commerce.If this kind of baby pimple hadn't been of great significance for the export of tea, it would not have been released urgently to work.

Sima Jishi had chosen French before, so he could communicate with Crowley in French—French was the lingua franca of Europe in the [-]th century, and English was really only used by a dick.

The 25-year-old Sima Jishi joined Mr. Crawley's entrepreneurial team this time, which is a multi-tasking job.He will not only serve as a translator, but also as the team's deputy manager.In addition, he actually represents the will of the Earl of the East and is an authorized official figure.

In addition to Sima Jishi, there is also a middle-aged shopkeeper in the team.Although this unremarkable and exquisite figure was also sent by the Ministry of Commerce, his real background was the intelligence department.

There is no way, the intelligence department is a fortress, and the Ministry of Commerce can't stop it.

In addition to these two core deputy managers, there are also the two Portuguese girls who know how to make tea in the team.

The girl was originally trained by the Ministry of Commerce, not a simple maid.They not only know tea art, but also know all kinds of Eastern and Western court etiquette.In addition, they also got some teaching about the concept of marketing.

When they go back to Europe, they will be Downton's socialites and representatives of high-end drinks.

This location is also important.The market at the beginning must be opened from the upper class. According to historical laws, the market for high-level women in the harem of European royal families is the top priority.

Under such circumstances, it would be inconvenient for the man Crowley to appear at the afternoon tea party where the royal women gather, so the company must have a female shopping guide.

In addition to the above 4 core staff, Crowley also temporarily hired 2 entourages as his own private team.

Two attendants, one of whom was a young accountant on the Lady Jacob, Englishman.For the sake of being a fellow countryman and knowing how to count, Crowley offered him a decent salary and hired him.

As for the second follower, it was Crowley's boy servant in the shop.

Today, Mr. Crawley is already a successful businessman, so it is natural to have a long-term follower and companion by his side.This is still in the east, and when he returns to Europe, even if it is for the company's image, there will be more personal followers around him.

The above is the entrepreneurial team of Downton Company.Although simple, it is full of vitality. I believe it will definitely set off a bloodbath in Europe in the future.

Of course, before this, entrepreneurs have to go through the standard process of large companies: systematic training.

For this reason, the Ministry of Commerce specially set aside a small meeting room as a classroom, and sent teachers in turn to teach the entrepreneurial team.

Those who come to do the training are basically those who can speak English.There are teachers from all walks of life, most of whom are invited to come here, take a little time to give lectures and disappear.

But these are enough.Anyway, there is a training program from the Ministry of Commerce, so I am not afraid of the teachers talking nonsense - the business rules of the seventeenth century are still very different from those of later generations.

Today is more important, because the lecturer is none other than Li Hao, who single-handedly promoted the export of black tea.

Li Hao managed to find time to train the staff of Downton Company, so he did not talk about it in detail. At the end, he also assigned an after-school homework on the indications of tea and asked the students to study hard.

After assigning homework, today's training is over.Students of different ages, nationalities and skin colors got up one after another, packed up their things and left.

But everyone knows that today's real homework begins: every time Li Hao visits, Crowley will definitely have a private conversation with the deputy minister who is always busy.

Crowley himself was eagerly awaiting the opportunity.

After so many days of preparations, the British guy is now very aware of the great responsibility on his shoulders.

This includes not only the huge investment of the Ministry of Commerce.Even the tedious and meticulous preparations in the early stage made the British guy feel great pressure after being shocked.

In comparison, Crowley's own investment and his own career ambitions seem a bit insignificant.

Crowley realized he had boarded a heavy tank in motion, and there was no turning back.Either succeed, or be smashed to pieces.

All this made him stressed.

So now he will seize every opportunity to communicate with Li Hao.Crowley is very clear that only Li Hao can really help him now, he and Li Hao have been deeply bound together, the success of the tea business will have a huge impact on the future of the two.

So, when the others walked out of the conference room, Crowley, who stayed behind, immediately asked eagerly: "Dear Li, I think it's a bit too hasty about the 'rapidly opening up markets in various countries' that teachers have emphasized many times before. Yes. After all, I am only the second son of a country baron, and it will take a lot of time and money to enter the garden of the duke and the royal family."

Li Hao was not very surprised when he heard Crowley's straightforward question.

He didn't answer Crowley's question, but flipped through the handout first, and then said: "Well, according to the outline, basically the early marketing training is over today."

"You are very smart, and you have already realized the key to the problem." Li Hao put away the handout, and patted Crowley on the shoulder skillfully: "Come with me, it's time to take you to solve some real problems."

Taking the British guy along, Li Hao left the Ministry of Commerce all the way, got in a gorgeous four-wheeled official carriage, and went straight to the First Hospital of the New District.

In the vast First Hospital, Crowley was eventually taken to the "special medicine warehouse" guarded by guards.In a room here, Crowley saw some medicines that Li Hao had already prepared.

"For a nobleman at the lowest level to get into the upper class, under normal circumstances, it takes years of hard work and networking. If this process is to be accelerated, the traditional way can only be to throw money... that is, nouveau riche."

"But if you rely on gold coins to open the way to sell tea, not only is it not in line with our original intention, but it is also easy to be regarded as a 'champion'. This situation is very dangerous. Not only will you not be respected, you will even attract many people. See the greedy eyes on the gold coins in your pocket."

"I have already prepared for this."

When Li Hao said this, he pinched a glass medicine bottle on the table with his thumb and index finger: "Crowley, do you know what this is?"

Crowley's eyes were already excited, and he anticipated what the other party would say next: "Is this the legendary cure for beriberi?"

"The king and queen don't go on long voyages, why do they need vitamin pills?"

Li Hao "cut": "This is the smallpox vaccine!"

"Ah! my God, is this the magic potion I thought it was?"

"YES!"

"It turns out that the legend among the merchants is true, and none of your children will get sick! Oh, my God!"

"Okay, don't call God. In the East, God has the final say."

"Dear Lee, I think, with this drug, I can go. I am now confident about the future."

Seeing that Mr. Crowley, who was originally preoccupied, would be as proud as a chicken blood, Li Hao knew that the British guy wanted to understand the value of medicine: "Yes, there is nothing more important than life. I will provide you with A batch of medicines, which not only include smallpox vaccines, but also cure willows... Well, I know that European aristocratic circles have always been chaotic, and multi-person motion sickness is very common... Do you understand what I mean? There are specific medicines."

"Crowley assures you that they will be put to good use."

Li Hao nodded, and finally added: "Next, I will arrange someone to train you individually, so that you can learn the usage skills and taboos of these drugs. Note that you are not allowed to spread this knowledge to anyone without my permission. Otherwise, what awaits you will be destruction! Don’t think I can’t find you because you’re in England.”

Crowley bent down sincerely: "I swear on the glory of the Crowley family that all the knowledge I have learned here will not be passed on to anyone!"

Seeing the Englishman on the road, Li Hao finally nodded: "After mastering the method of using the medicine, you can go back to sea. In addition, I personally suggest that you should start from Spain as the first stop to explore the market... Aspen Prince Turias is only three years old this year and has always been weak and sick. If you can prevent the sole heir of the Kingdom of Spain from smallpox, imagine what Philip IV will reward you!"

"Dear Lee, the Crowley family will forever remember your generosity and kindness!"

Chapter 613 Early morning in Guangzhou

One early morning in late October 1632, the Lady Jacob was ready to sail.

At that time, the sky was not clear, and it was the darkest moment before dawn.However, with the help of advanced industrial gas lighting equipment on the pier in the new area, the sailors on the merchant ship were ready to set sail during the night shift.

Now it's time for the big guy to get on board.

Saying goodbye to friends on the pier are Mr. Robert Crawley, the general agent of European black tea selected by the crossing forces, and Old William, the manager of the Dutch area.

As for the sender off, it was naturally related personnel from the Ministry of Commerce headed by Li Hao.

"Lee, believe me, our business will surely prosper, as long as I can return to England this time."

After getting along for such a long time, Crowley has already regarded Li Hao as his good brother.At this moment, under the flickering lights of the pier, Crowley's blue eyes seemed to have a little moisture.

However, despite the ups and downs in his mood, Crowley still maintained the demeanor that a nobleman should have. He stood up straight, held Li Hao's hand tightly and shook it twice.

Li Hao's eyes were equally bright in the night, and his tone was gentle but firm: "Be careful on the road, safety always comes first, take care!"

After a brief farewell ceremony, the passengers turned and stepped onto the gangplank.However, in the end, Mr. Crowley still couldn't hold back the gratitude in his heart, turned around and hugged Li Hao gently.

Old William, who had already boarded the boat, saw this scene, took a sip of the rum in the silver jug, and murmured: "The boy favored by God."

As a participant and witness of the whole incident, Old William can only attribute everything to the favor of God.

You must know that there are not only tea and other ancillary goods stored in the cabin of Mrs. Jacob, but also many "gifts" that "manufacturers" give dealers to "open up the market".

These so-called gifts, in the long memory of old William, Western businessmen usually need to pay gold coins, despicableness, and even artillery and blood to get them... For example, a lot of fine pearls, a set of gold-painted porcelain, a large barrel of kerosene glass kerosene lamps, The fine chiffon silk for the palace, and sterling silver lighters are small and exquisite gifts.

The above-mentioned so-called "gifts" are worth far more than Crowley's entire net worth.Old William once felt unacceptable to this: Western businessmen have always been deceived by local businessmen in the Ming Dynasty, but this time it was reversed. The ordinary small businessman Crowley got the right to use such a huge amount of wealth without paying anything. .

All this puzzled old William.

Of course, due to his education level and vision, Old William did not realize the importance of Mr. Crawley to the traversers.This cannot be blamed on him. After all, Old William is just an illiterate old mercenary. Comrade Old William really doesn't understand the business proposition of "how to choose the right person to open up the black tea market in the upper class in the West".

Not long after, when the first morning light rose from the sky, the fully loaded Lady Jacob raised its sails at the same time, and slowly sailed away from the pier in the new area under the strong north wind.