Gu Jiu did not deceive anyone.
Wealthy merchants from other places did come to Beijing in groups and sent her visiting cards.
Among them, the wealthy merchants in Jiangnan were the most generous.
He directly promised to purchase 5 million taels of Sihai bonds, on the condition that he help them build two cement roads heading south, with construction to begin by next spring at the latest.
The wealthy merchants in the southwest had similar ideas: one was to build roads, and the other was to discuss cooperation.
Gu Jiu bent his fingers and tapped the table lightly.
She said bluntly, "There are many mountains and rivers in the south, so the cost of building bridges and roads is much higher than in the vast north."
"We can raise funds," the Jiangnan businessman said straightforwardly. "We can build it like the cement road from Beijing to Luozhou, with toll booths and rest stops. We hope the rest stops can also have a stake. We don't need two heads for one thing. The cement road will still be built and managed by Sihai. We only provide the money and won't interfere with the details."
The cement roads in the north were coveted by the wealthy merchants in the south of the Yangtze River. However, they knew they could not compete with the powerful merchants in the north.
Just settle for the second best, build a new road, and find new opportunities for yourself.
Jiangnan is a prosperous place, so it should also have a cement road.
One is not enough, at least two are needed.
This will greatly reduce transportation costs and time, and strengthen the connection between the capital and Jiangnan.
The wealthy merchants in the south of the Yangtze River can use this opportunity to dump more goods into the north.
When it comes to doing business, people from Jiangnan are better.
The southwest also has many mountains and rivers, making road construction even more difficult.
Fortunately, there is a ready-made official road, and all that needs to be done is to pave it with cement on the original site.
It would be even better if the road could be widened appropriately, more bridges could be built, and there were fewer detours around mountains.
The wealthy merchants are rich, so can't they pay for the road construction themselves?
Why do you have to go to Gu Jiu for help?
This brings us to the issue of geographical restrictions.
Wealthy businessmen can use their own money to build bridges and roads in their hometowns.
But it’s only limited to my hometown.
You, a native of Huzhou, came to Chuzhou to build a road, and even wanted to connect the official roads of the two places. What's your intention? Are you trying to win the hearts of the people?
Want to raise funds to build a cement road from Beijing to Jiangnan?
Tell me! What is your purpose?
Could it be that he wants to rebel?
It is impossible to build a road on one's own without the leadership of the government and the permission of the court.
If the wealthy merchants in Jiangnan wanted to build a road, the most convenient way was to ask Gu Jiu to come forward.
As long as Gu Jiu agrees to build the road, all problems will be solved.
The Sihai Trading Company was able to build the road with the permission of His Majesty, which was equivalent to obtaining a license from the imperial court.
This is much better than spending money to use connections everywhere.
Instead of spending money to find ten or twenty people to help, they may not be able to help.
It would be better to concentrate financial and material resources and ask Gu Jiu to come forward.
She alone could accomplish what twenty other court officials could only accomplish.
Gu Jiu looked at the wealthy merchants with a smile, "Building a road is not something that can be done overnight, and His Majesty may not agree."
"If someone else were to come forward, His Majesty might object. But with Madam coming forward, I believe the road construction will proceed smoothly."
The wealthy businessmen talked a lot and praised Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu smiled but said nothing. After everyone finished speaking and the hall was quiet, she said again, "To be honest, there is not much benefit for me in helping you build the road."
"I am willing to underwrite 200,000 pieces of cotton cloth."
"I can help promote the popularization of honeycomb coal in the south, and Sihai can take a proportional share of the profits."
“I’d like to be a water truck distributor.”
"I wish..."
Everyone rushed to express their willingness to cooperate with Sihai in business, and the conditions were very favorable.
Gu Jiu knocked on the table. "I have seen your sincerity. Thank you all for your trust in Sihai and me. Sihai bonds..."
"We buy. We buy as much as we can."
"Everyone is so sincere, and I'm not someone who doesn't know how to handle things. Regarding the road construction, please go back and wait for news. There will be a result before the end of the year."
this……
There is still some time until the end of the year.
If there are any variables...
Gu Jiu smiled, "If you don't trust me, then just pretend we haven't met today. Please go back."
"Madam, you have misunderstood. We have absolutely no such intention."
"Yes, we have absolutely no such intention."
Gu Jiu smiled but said nothing.
The wealthy merchants from Jiangnan exchanged glances with each other and reached a tacit understanding.
He immediately decided to buy Sihai bonds.
It’s not a waste of money anyway.
The annual interest rate is 10%, which is also an income.
Gu Jiu laughed and said, "Thank you all for your generosity. If you have any questions, please ask the steward. I have other things to do, so I'll take my leave now."
Gu Jiu stood up and left, asking the manager below to greet these wealthy merchants.
She went straight up to the second floor.
Bai Zhong went upstairs to report the situation.
"We've sold all of the 40% stake in each of the two cement roads. We've also sold nearly three million taels of silver in bonds."
Bai Zhong placed the account book on the table for Gu Jiu to review.
Gu Jiu flipped through the account book and asked, "Is there any trouble? What are people talking about?"
"People are still skeptical about the bonds, curious about why we're issuing so many. They keep asking if Sihai has any major projects underway. If so, don't forget to invite them."
Gu Jiu laughed, "Didn't you say Sihai was bankrupt?"
Bai Zhong shook his head. "At first, some people speculated whether Sihai was going bankrupt. But when they heard that a group of wealthy merchants had come to Beijing to meet the lady, such speculation died down."
Gu Jiu hummed, "I'm going to send you to Jiangling Prefecture, are you willing?"
Bai Zhong hesitated for a moment, then nodded heavily, "This old slave is willing."
He has been working in the capital for so many years, it's time to leave the capital and go out to work hard.
Gu Jiu continued, "In the next few years, the Northwest will become increasingly important. Deng Cunli, along with Ma Xiaoliu, will continue to operate in the Northwest. I plan to hand over the capital to Zhao Minfa. Before you go to Jiangling, take Zhao Minfa with you and get him up to speed as soon as possible. The capital's only business now is real estate development and iron and steel smelting."
Iron and steelmaking is of paramount importance, so make sure you have it all planned before you leave. Jiangling will be the future center of gravity. From the proceeds from this bond issuance, keep one-third of the money raised, and take the rest to Jiangling. If you have any questions when you arrive in Jiangling, write back and let me know. Jiangling has great potential, so feel free to pursue it."
"I understand. Thank you, Madam, for your trust in me. Honestly, I'm a little nervous about having to carry so much money to Jiangling."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Don't be afraid! You can handle such a huge capital city. Jiangling Prefecture is even easier for you to handle. Jiangling will be our rear base, connecting the north, south, east and west, and rich in resources. Make good use of your strengths and go for it."
"I listen to my wife."
"The official roads and rivers from Jiangling Prefecture to the northwest must be cleared as soon as possible. From now on, all supplies shipped to the northwest will no longer go through the capital, but will go directly north through Jiangling."
Using cement roads as bait, Sihai Trading Company issued 10 million taels of bonds, which was not going too smoothly.
In just two or three hours, they were all sold out.
Those who bought bonds carried them close to their bodies. It was all money!
One ticket costs ten thousand taels.
It’s too expensive.
However, the production is really exquisite and realistic, comparable to the illustrations in the collectible edition of the storybook by Wenqing Bookstore.
If you squeeze the paper, it seems to be waterproof. I don't know how it is made.
Apparently, it cannot be imitated.
Sihai's printing technology is really mouth-watering.
I heard that all the bills of Shaofu Money House are now printed by the printing workshop under Wenqing Bookstore.
I wonder if I can dig out a master from there, that would be great.
Many people have similar dreams.
Wenqing Bookstore lets the world know that one can make a lot of money by printing and publishing.
And it is a constant flow of large amounts of money, enough to last a lifetime.
However, Wenqing Bookstore does not raise funds from outside, does not issue bonds, and does not sell shares.
There is nothing I can do.
If Wenqing Bookstore is willing to issue shares, even if it is only 10% of the shares, I am afraid that all the rich and powerful people from all over the country will block the door of Wenqing Bookstore, waving silver bills and rushing to buy them.
These days, it’s not easy to find a profitable business.
How many people beat their chests and stamped their feet, missing the construction of houses in Xinmin County, missing the Xinmin County market, missing the cement road from Beijing to Luozhou, missing the Wenqing Bookstore...
Now, we must not miss any project of Sihai Trading Company.
The four seas are the hen that lays golden eggs, so you must hold on to them tightly.
Even if you can't hold it tightly, you should still follow closely.
Everyone held the bonds close to their bodies tightly.
Is this considered as a token of allegiance that everyone has given to the world?
They were the first to buy Sihai bonds.
When Sihai has new projects in the future, shouldn’t we give them priority?
But they didn't think about the fact that when these bonds were redeemed, Sihai would have to pay a generous interest.
Essentially, this is a business.
No matter, no matter.
Even if a turtle recites scriptures, he won’t listen.
Anyone who sold bonds was convinced that they were special in the eyes of the world and would be given priority to buy shares next time.
…
Gu Rui was invited to the second floor.
"Brother Gu Rui is here, please take a seat." Gu Jiu stood up and greeted Gu Rui.
"Thank you for your hard work, Sister Xiaojiu. You're welcome."
The maid Aqing made some new tea, brought it up, and placed it on both sides of the table.
Gu Jiu was the first to speak: "I looked through the account books and found that my eldest cousin also subscribed to shares in the cement road from Beijing to the northwest."
Gu Rui put down his teacup. "This was your sister-in-law's idea. I always listen to her. I came here today not only to buy shares in Cement Road, but also for another matter."
"But what about the old marquis's investments in Sihai? Have you made a decision?"
Gu Rui nodded, "Exactly!"
"I'd like to hear more about it."
Gu Rui said, "The rights holders have been changed to my father, second uncle, and third uncle. The previous investment remains unchanged and will continue to operate. The Marquisate does not intend to withdraw the principal."
Gu Jiu raised his eyebrows.
This means that the first, second, and third wives in the marquis's mansion all became the rights holders.
She whispered, "I thought it would be registered under the old lady's name."
Gu Rui shook his head. "Everyone thought so at first. It would be most appropriate to register the old marquis's private property under the old lady's name. But the old lady disagreed. She said she was old and didn't have the energy to manage these properties. So the old marquis's private property was divided into two parts. One part was placed under the name of the marquis' mansion, becoming public property. The other part was placed under the names of my father, second uncle, and third uncle. Here is the document."
Gu Rui put a stack of documents on the table and asked Gu Jiu to take a look.
Gu Ji flipped through the documents, which contained not only the old lady's seal and the marquis's seal, but also the seals of the second and third wives, as well as the government office seal.
Just waiting for Gu Jiu to change the name of the rights holder.
Gu Jiu accepted the document and said, "I will send someone to the government office as soon as possible to handle the change of ownership. The Marquis' Mansion has dealt with the old Marquis's property. Didn't the uncles from the same family make a fuss?"
"It's no use making a fuss! The old lady is a first-class marquis' wife and also the legitimate mother. Since the old lady has given orders, the uncles born out of wedlock can only endure it. However, the old lady is kind-hearted and has promised that the Marquisate will provide each family with 500 taels of silver every year. The Marquisate will also provide corresponding silver subsidies for their children's education and their daughters' marriages."
Gu Jiu said, "The old lady is very sharp and cuts the Gordian knot. She subdued the troublemakers with just a few moves. Tomorrow when I have time, I will go and pay my respects to the old lady."
"The old lady has been looking forward to seeing Sister Xiaojiu."
Gu Jiu promised to go and pay his respects when he has time.
After Gu Rui finished his work, he stood up and left.
When he reached the door, he turned back and said, "Recently, I have been training with a few brothers and the guards in the mansion every day, and I have gained a lot of insights."
Gu Jiu's face lit up with joy, "No wonder I felt that Brother Gu Rui was much more energetic, he should practice more."
Gu Rui smiled for the first time today, "Thank you, Xiaojiu sister. When you have time, let your sister-in-law treat you to tea, if you don't mind."
"Brother Gu Rui is so polite, how could I despise it? The Marquis' Mansion is in mourning, and others may think it's unlucky, but I definitely won't despise it. As long as you post the invitation, I will definitely go."
"Sister Xiaojiu is thoughtful."
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