"Is there such a good thing?" Gu Dadong couldn't believe it. He hadn't even said that anyone was willing to share the money they earned with others.

In theory, the donation of 500,000 taels should be directly included in the income of Jiangnan Company.

But Master Zhao wanted them to consider it as an investment, so that everyone could make money. This kind of good thing is hard to find even with a lantern.

"What's that?" Zhao Hao said calmly, "Whether it's Xishan Company or Jiangnan Company, I have the same idea. It's really good for everyone. If one person eats alone, it won't last long."

"Good!" Gu Dadong slapped his thigh heavily and praised: "Just for what you said, I will definitely be your brother!"

"Don't get excited yet, listen to me tell you about the specific plan." Zhao Hao waved his hand with a wry smile. These gentry didn't look like they were discussing business seriously.

"We all form a partnership to set up a Kunshan Development Company. Jiangnan Company will provide all the cement and stone materials, as well as food for relief. A 50% stake is not too much, right?"

“Not much.” Gu Dadong shook his head and said, “Aren’t these three the main things? With these three, we can start working right away.”

"Without the help of local gentry, we will still encounter a lot of trouble." Zhao Hao said with a smile:

"So you invest 500,000 taels and take a quarter of the shares, how about that?"

"How can we not agree? Whatever you say, we'll do it!" Gu Dadong said excitedly: "It doesn't matter if I pay a little more!"

"No need, five hundred thousand taels is enough." Zhao Hao shook his head and said, "It's enough for us to complete the third phase of the project."

"The third phase of the project?" Gu Dadong was stunned. It turned out that it was not just about building a north dike.

"Let's not talk about this for now." Zhao Hao waved his hand, signaling him not to go off topic, and then said: "There is still a quarter of the shares to be given to the county."

"Oh, the county also wants a share?" Gu Dadong didn't understand.

"Of course." Zhao Hao said calmly: "First of all, Kunshan Development Company is not a one-time deal, but we want to take root in Kunshan, build Kunshan, completely get rid of the label of beggar Kunshan, and make Kunshan the number one county in the country. How can we succeed without ten or twenty years? If the county has no shares, how can we guarantee that the county magistrate will still support us in the future?"

"Wow..." Gu Dadong was stunned. He didn't expect Zhao Hao's goal to be so ambitious that it was unbelievable.

"Secondly, if we want the county to share in the future profits of Kunkai, it can also reduce the burden on the people." Zhao Hao only mentioned the second point lightly and did not elaborate on it. He then asked, "If you have different opinions, just say it."

"No problem, no problem." Gu Dadong said with a smile, "Young Master, you have considered everything. It is necessary to give the county shares."

For him, everything was free, so there was no need to object. Besides, the magistrate was Mr. Zhao's father, so wouldn't he be asking for trouble if he said no?

"So you agree, brother?" Zhao Hao asked with a smile.

"I agree." Gu Dadong nodded heavily and said, "Don't worry, sir. I will convince the rest of them. You don't have to worry about it."

"Okay." Zhao Hao stood up and said, "Tomorrow the county will hold a ceremony to establish the Kunkai Company. Hurry up, you can even show your face on the stage."

"Okay, then I'll hurry up." Gu Dadong was full of energy. He asked Zhao Hao to stay and went back happily.

~~

After seeing Gu Dadong off, Zhao Hao stretched himself and turned around to see Zhang Jian with an indignant look on his face.

"What's wrong?" asked Teacher Zhao.

"Nothing." Zhang Jian lowered his head and whispered, "I just think these gentry are taking advantage too much. They benefit the most from the construction of the stone pond, and the master will give them shares in the Kunshan Development Company."

"Maybe this is life." Zhao Hao sighed and patted the sixth disciple on the shoulder.

"Ninety percent of the county's land is in their hands, and the common people are either their tenants or their hired workers. If we don't keep them stable, nothing can be accomplished."

"Yes, Master, I was too extreme." Zhang Jian hurriedly listened to his advice.

"How could that be? If you think all this is okay, then you are not worthy of being my student." Zhao Hao smiled and said to him:

"Everything we do is to change this situation. And our goal is not just as simple as letting everyone have a house and farmland. We want ordinary people in the Ming Dynasty to live a prosperous and dignified life."

"Master, will there really be such a day?" Zhang Jian couldn't believe it. He was born in the northwest and was used to extreme poverty. Even in Beijing and Jiangnan, weren't there only a few rich people living side by side, and countless poor people with no place to live?

The Gini coefficient is so high that there is no hope for change.

"Yes, there will definitely be a day." Zhao Hao looked at the vast sky and said with a firm expression: "What we do will bear fruit sooner or later. By then, everything will change."

"If my generation isn't capable of doing it, there's still your generation. That's why I want to recruit many disciples." Master Zhao said, turning back to look at his disciples, his eyes full of hope.

"Yes, Master." Zhang Jian nodded heavily, his heart filled with hope and endless motivation.

"Master, I want to go to Xishan to help!"

"Okay." Zhao Hao nodded with a smile.

~~

The master and the disciple were having a heart-to-heart talk when they saw Liu Zhengqi going up the embankment.

"Good day, young master." Mr. Liu had a flattering smile on his face, and his tall body was hunched like a shrimp.

"Oh, you're still in Kunshan?" Zhao Hao was secretly depressed. This nap was completely ruined. "Are you still busy?"

"I've finished my work a long time ago. The grain has been stored in the warehouse, and I've signed an agreement with Mr. Wu and the Kunshan rice merchants." Liu Zhengqi said with a smile, "But I didn't ask for your permission, so how dare I leave without saying goodbye."

"So good?" Zhao Hao stretched out his hand, and Liu Zhengqi quickly bent down slightly to let him pat his shoulder. "Are you afraid of me or the Xu family?"

"I now have nothing but warm respect and love for you, young master." Mr. Liu quickly expressed his feelings: "As for the Xu family..."

He smiled awkwardly and said, "It would be a lie to say I'm not afraid."

"Hahaha, don't worry." Zhao Hao patted Mr. Liu's shoulder again. "The Xu family will seek peace soon."

"Oh, you are so confident, sir?" Liu Zhengqi couldn't help but be pleasantly surprised. He quickly waved his hand and said, "I'm not doubting you, sir. I'm just curious."

"Isn't it obvious?" Zhao Hao sneered and said, "The Suzhou and Songshan inspectors obviously won't get involved, and the Suzhou prefect has also driven the Xu family out of the government office. There is no obstacle in the way. The case of Xu Kun and the reserve warehouse arson case will be reported to Lin Zhongcheng in no time."

"What I'm worried about is Lin Zhongcheng." Liu Zhengqi whispered, "I heard that he is a key figure in Xu's party. Will the Xu family take advantage of this relationship and act recklessly?"

"Hahaha, no. Lin Zhongcheng is impartial and fair. When the matter comes to him, he will definitely handle it impartially." Zhao Hao shook his head decisively and laughed loudly, "The Xu family also knows this. If you are really worried, just stay in Kunshan for a few more days. Maybe you can see someone from the Xu family."

"Since you said so, I will shamelessly stay for a few more days." Unfortunately, Liu Zhengqi didn't understand the magic of Mr. Zhao's prophecy, and he just smiled and said, "Otherwise, I will be worried when I go home."

"You can live wherever you want." Zhao Hao naturally didn't care. He wanted to set him up with Jiang Xueying to talk about the futures market, but seeing that he looked distracted, he could only talk about it later.

ps. Ask for monthly tickets and recommendation tickets~~~