Zhu Nao

In the early morning of the second day after the Chengdu government officials left, the farmers came out of the house carrying farm tools and were about to go to work in the fields when they suddenly saw the officials posting notices at the entrance of the village.

Everyone hurriedly gathered around to watch.

"What did you write? Read it for those who can read."

"Yo, it's a reward notice."

"Ah?? Why is there another reward?? Is there another bandit??"

"No, no, let me finish watching later..."

"Call for methods to improve land production, regardless of seed selection, seedling raising, agricultural tools, water conservancy...any improvement method can be reported to the state government. Once adopted...wow! You will be exempted from taxation and corvee for one year!"

The content of the announcement was spread among the farmers, and everyone immediately whispered to each other.

"As long as it can increase the field production, any method will do?"

"It can only be a method? Can you raise any opinions? I think the water conservancy in our village is not well repaired. If it can be renovated, it will definitely increase production."

"By the way, the plow tool that my elder brother modified himself last time, isn't it plowing faster after using it? Can this be reported to the state government?"

"Don't talk about it, go quickly. If you let someone else take the lead, the chance of tax exemption will be gone!"

After reading the announcement, the common people hurried home to discuss with their families.

……

In the morning, Yu Changming was called by Zhu Nao.

After entering the room, Yu Changming pulled up a stool and sat down opposite Zhu Nao, and said, "I saw your notice posted by someone. It is indeed time to start supervising farmers and persuading Sang."

The Bandit Rebellion has been quelled and the people have returned to the land. Of course, the next step is to find a way to make the people rich.When the people are rich, people's livelihood will be stable, and the state capital will be rich.Otherwise, blindly extorting and extorting money is just fishing for money.What's more, the fish will jump up and rebel before the water is exhausted.

Moreover, in matters of farming and mulberry, sometimes officials intervene too much, which will only backfire.The common people farm the land every day, of course they have more whimsy and secret tricks than the officials sitting in the government.It's just that the common people sometimes hide their private interests, and sometimes they are unable to make it bigger. At this time, the government can come forward to collect and promote it, which can play a role in fueling the flames.

Zhu Nao said: "Didn't you also grow land and tea in the mountains for several years? Have you come up with any tricks to increase your income?"

Yu Changming thought for a while and said, "It's a little bit. I'll sort it out later and hand it over to you."

Junao nodded: "Okay."

Yu Changming said: "By the way, why did you come to me?"

Junao then took out a map and handed it to him.Yu Changming took it and looked at it, only to see dots and pictures on the map, but he didn't quite understand: "What is this?"

Zhu Nao pointed to several drawn lines on the map: "These marks are the veins." Then he pointed to several painted points, "These are places suitable for digging salt wells."

Yu Changming immediately understood: "You asked me to take someone to open the salt well."

"Well. You have experience, and it is most appropriate for you to take charge of this matter."

After Zhu Nao took office, he immediately recruited capable people to investigate all the veins in the state.After a few months, he had already figured out the location of the whole prefecture's veins, and he had selected where suitable for opening salt wells. Next, he waited for Yu Changming to lead someone to dig.

Yu Changming held the map and looked at it for a while, then asked, "Are you in a hurry?"

"Urgent. This is the most urgent thing." Zhu Nao shook his head and sighed, "Oh, I'm short of money!"

Yu Changming was startled, then laughed, and rolled up the map.Knowing Jun Nao for so long, it was the first time he heard the word "lack of money" from Jun Nao.It seems that even Zhu Nao has difficulties in supporting such a large state.

He picked up the rolled-up map and shook it: "Okay, I see, I will take someone to look at it today. After I am optimistic, I will start work as soon as possible."

Zhu Nao nodded: "Go. Come to me if you need anything."

Yu Changming put the map in his sleeve, turned around and left.

=====

At noon two days later, wealthy merchants in Langzhou City gathered at Jifulou.

Everyone had arrived, but before Zhu Nao came, people began to chat in twos and threes.

"Brother Liu, is the business going well recently? Did you sell the shop that you sold last year, did it come back last month?"

"Hey, don't talk about me. Brother Wang, are you doing well recently? I heard that you signed a big deal in Yuzhou."

"Haha, each other."

In the past few months, the business of these merchants has improved a lot.The reason is also very simple.Firstly, the bandits were wiped out, and all the mountain roads that were originally blocking traffic were opened up. They no longer needed to pay high tolls to the bandits, which greatly saved costs and increased the efficiency of transporting goods; secondly, due to With the tax reduction order promulgated this year, the people of Langzhou have spare money and surplus food in their hands. If they have money to buy goods, the merchants will naturally make money.It can be said that the improvement of their business is all thanks to Zhu Nao.

Some people also whispered about the envoys from the Chengdu government a few days ago.

"Hey, by the way, did the people from Chengdu Mansion look for you last time?"

"I found it. I slapped him a few times, and let them get away with it. I don't want them to take Junao away."

"Of course, who wants that? If Zhu Nao leaves, will the new state shepherd accept our previous agreement?"

"Of course not. Maybe we won't even pay back the money we borrowed!"

Before they lent money to the state government, they became grasshoppers on the same rope with Zhu Nao.It's not just about money anymore, because they borrowed money, Junao promised them some policy benefits.Once Zhu Nao is gone, the new officials will definitely not recognize these benefits, and they may even give them small shoes because they funded the former state pastor.Just because of this, they have to share the same hatred with Jun Nao.

Today, several dandies in the city were also among the invited ones.At this moment, several dandies also gathered together to discuss Zhu Nao's recent political achievements.

"Don't tell me, we really misjudged before. Who would have thought that Zhu Nao was so capable and managed Langzhou so well? My cousin came to Langzhou two days ago, and he couldn't believe it was Langzhou when he came. He thought he was dreaming! He even wanted to sell his business in Yuzhou and come here to join me." said a playboy.They used to talk badly about Junao when they got together, but now that Junao no longer competes with them, they finally face Junao's ability squarely.

"Hey, you guys are mistaken, don't take me with you." Zhang Xiang couldn't wait to get rid of the relationship, "I knew from the beginning that Zhu Nao was powerful. But he is so powerful that it is a bit beyond my expectation."

Several people booed him.Zhang Xiang is indeed the one among them who most recognizes Zhu Nao's ability, but before when everyone got together, he would say bad things about Zhu Nao.

Li Shen snorted and said, "Zhu Nao, he's really capable. But isn't it too much for you to brag about him?"

Everyone looked back at Li Shen, and joked, "Where did it go? Even if you don't speak ill of him, isn't he good enough?"

Li Shen said embarrassingly: "Stop coming!"

Everyone laughed.

Li Shen has also been quite elated recently, wearing the colorful robes on his body again, and his back is straight again, obviously he has made a lot of money.In addition to the same reasons as other merchants, he also has a special reason: he was originally in the medicinal material business like Jun Nao. It's all taken care of by others, and the business is naturally not as good as before.His business was bad, and Li Shen's business improved a lot, and he made back all the money he lost on the straw.

Not long after, Junao finally arrived.

As soon as he appeared, the merchants who had been whispering to each other hurriedly stood up to greet him, all of them smiling and enthusiastic.

"Participate in Zhuzhou Mu."

"Zhu Zhoumu, why have you lost so much weight these days? It must be because you have worked hard for the people. Admiration, admiration!"

"I brought a few ginseng plants, and Zhuzhou Mu will take them back later to make up for them. Only when Zhuzhou Mu takes good care of himself will the people of Langzhou be blessed!"

Everyone was flattering loudly, and Zhu Nao said with a smile: "Everyone, you are welcome. Is your business doing well recently?"

"Thanks to Zhuzhou Mu, it's very good."

"Thanks to Zhuzhou Mu for pacifying the bandits, Zhuzhou Mu is really our reborn parent!"

"Zhuzhou Mu, come to my store when you have time. I have this year's new Longjing, which is very fragrant."

The merchants seemed to have smeared honey on their lips, and they even praised Zhu Nao as their parents.When Zhu Nao took care of them borrowing money before, they were full of wariness, but now that Zhu Nao's butt is firmly seated, their attitude is naturally completely different.

Zhu Nao raised his hand and stopped everyone from complimenting him: "Okay, I'll sit down when I have time. Let's talk about business today. I invite you here because I have something important to discuss with you."

Everyone stopped talking and waited for him to speak.

Zhu Nao said, "I want to do business with you guys, and open food business."

"Food?" Everyone was stunned, looking at each other.

All the people present here are rich merchants in Langzhou City, from all walks of life, some run medicine shops, some run tea houses, some are in the jewelry and spice business, and most of them have nothing to do with food.There are those who are actually in the grain business, and they get nervous after hearing this.What's the meaning?Is Junao trying to steal business from him?

Zheng Tian, ​​who opened the grain shop, was the first to speak: "Zhuzhou Mu, what does this mean?"

Zhu Nao said with a smile: "Boss Zheng, don't worry, I'm not trying to steal your business, but to expand your business. And I hope everyone can participate together. Only in this way can our business grow bigger."

No one in the room spoke.They all looked dumbfounded.

It was Zheng Tian who bit the bullet and continued to ask: "I don't understand what Zhu Zhoumu means. How do you call it to participate together? How to make it big?"

Zhu Nao said leisurely: "It means literally. You have been in business for many years, and you have accumulated a lot. You have your own caravans, well-traveled trade routes, shops in various places, and government officials in various states. You are only one person. After all, the power is limited. If we can work together, we will be able to expand our business to the entire eight prefectures of Chengdu and establish the largest large-scale grain store in Sichuan.”

Everyone looked at Zhu Nao in disbelief, trying to determine whether he was serious or joking.However, he said it so formally that it didn't make sense to call everyone together as a joke, obviously he was serious.

This made everyone a little overwhelmed.We all know that Zhu Nao is an absurd person, but this is too thoughtful, right? !

Someone couldn't help but said: "Zhu Zhoumu, are you joking?"

Junao cast his eyes on him: "Of course."

The man gritted his teeth for a while: "This... this is... it's a bit of a joke. Although we have accumulated, we also have our own business to operate. Our caravans want to take our own goods, and our shops need our own goods. Selling our own goods, our funds are also turned around in our own business. We can do our best, but I am afraid there is a limit to what we can do. Zhuzhou Mu will never ask us to sell our good business and go to the food business Bar?"

If Zhu Nao really dared to make such a request, it would be too offensive, and everyone would definitely not agree.

Immediately someone echoed: "That's right. I heard Zhuzhou Mu meant that he wanted to go to the whole of Sichuan to open grain? But there are businessmen from every state in every state, and we are all from Langzhou. Even if we have some influence in other states, we can Most of the forces are still in Langzhou. The so-called strong dragon does not overwhelm the local snake, even if we are willing to contribute, we may not really have the ability to do business everywhere, right?"

"That's right. Does Zhuzhou Mu have to think again?"

Everyone expressed concern and incomprehension one after another, and almost no one agreed with Zhu Nao's proposal.Zhu Nao didn't rush, and waited until everyone had finished speaking before opening his mouth slowly.

"I really want to push the business to the prefectures of Chengdu. But this matter is difficult to achieve in one step. I don't force you to participate with all your strength. I just hope that you can contribute as much as you can. As for the original grain merchants in other states...as far as I know , in the whole Chengdu mansion, the food business are all small traders, right?"

No one refuted.

Chengdu Mansion has been a land of abundance since ancient times, with abundant grain, most of the people are self-sufficient and do not need to rely on merchants to transfer and trade. Therefore, there is indeed not a single large-scale grain shop in the entire Shu territory, and all grain merchants are small traders of their own.That is to say, in the past few years, with frequent natural disasters, corrupt officials, and exiles everywhere, there has been a shortage of food in many places in central Sichuan.

Zheng Tiandao: "Even if there is no big name, they have been in business for many years and have a deep foundation. How can we seize their business?"

Zhu Nao said: "We are cheap and good. Before we enter the states, we check the prices of grain in various places. Our prices are all half to [-]% lower than theirs. In addition, all grains must be carefully selected before sale. Trendy, moldy, and Inferior products must not be mixed with it, we only sell good products."

As soon as this remark came out, the merchants immediately exploded.

"The price is low, and we have to choose carefully, so where does our profit come from?"

"Come on, if you do business like this, there is no profit at all, you have to pay for it!"

"Zhu Zhoumu, I don't understand this. Do you want to do business, or do you want to gain reputation? If it's the latter, although we don't object, it's difficult to participate. We are businessmen after all, and we can't do business at a loss."

"Yeah yeah!"

Facing everyone's questioning, Zhu Nao shook his head, picked up his teacup and drank it slowly. He put down the teacup after everyone's excitement calmed down, and said calmly: "Everyone who has been in business for many years should have a business mind and vision. If so If things can be done, we can monopolize the grain business in the whole of Shu, so are you afraid that there will be no profit?"

The whole audience was stunned, and there was an uproar again!

Monopolize the grain business in Shu? ?Zhu Nao has such great ambitions! ! !

Immediately someone said: "This... how is this possible!"

Someone thought about it, and trembled: "If we can really monopolize...even if we lose some money in the early stage, there will be huge profits in the future!"

Someone asked more bluntly: "Zhu Zhoumu, how confident are you when you speak so loudly?"

Zhu Nao said firmly: "Of course I have certainty. As I said just now, the grain dealers in the prefectures are all stragglers and small traders. With the strength of one or two of us, it may be difficult to annex them. But if we work together, I don't understand, what's the problem with this?"

Everyone was dumbfounded.In theory, that is indeed true.

Another person said: "Zhuzhou Mu, why do you have to do grain and grass business? The price of rice is cheap, and the profit is low. If we really need to work together, maybe we can do a better business..."

However, Zhu Nao said: "If you want to make money, take the valley. The valley is necessary for the people's life. Although the profit is low, you can win more, and there is no possibility of slow sales. There is no better management than this."

The man wanted to say something, but Zhu Nao said: "I have decided on this matter, there is no need to discuss it. If you have other ideas, you can talk about it."

Seeing that his tone was firm, the man stopped speaking.

The lobby was noisy for a while, and then gradually quieted down.

If those words of monopoly and big characters just now were spoken by others, people would definitely sneer at him, thinking that he was talking nonsense.But this is Junao!For a shocking event, Zhu Nao said it so calmly, as if it was as simple as dusting off his body, but maybe Jun Nao really has the ability to do things as easily as dusting off his clothes?

After the merchants have passed the stage of resistance, they are all ready to move.

Zhu Nao saw that the voice of opposition was gradually weakening, and many people showed interest, so he couldn't help smiling, and said: "If you think highly of me, you can give it a try with me. Go back and sort it out, and write a copy to publish it. Give me the information about the funds, the business routes that can be opened up, the manpower and shops that can be mobilized, and I will also issue a detailed plan to you. I will not let you take too much risk. We can test the water from neighboring states first. If it works, you can increase your investment as appropriate. If it doesn’t work, just stop the loss in time. Naturally, if someone doesn’t want to participate, I won’t force it.”

Everyone looked at each other silently.If you want to push the business to the whole Sichuan immediately, you are indeed a bit rash.First test the water in one or two states, everyone has limited investment, does not affect the original business, and can share the risk.And once it does, the prospects are astounding.No matter how you think about it, it's worth a try...