Chapter 1736
International Trade
Chapter 1736 International Trade
In fact, the position of diplomat stationed in Haihan may not be safe for anyone.Not only Daming, but also other countries must face Haihan's coercion and temptation from various aspects.For those who are not firm in their will and not loyal to the country, they will often lose in this kind of confrontation where no gunpowder can be seen.The troubles that Fei Cexian is facing now have actually been encountered by envoys from other countries more or less.
Of course, the situation in Daming is quite special, because Haihan established its own state power on the territory of Daming back then, and a large proportion of the population under its rule came from Daming, even if this country was split from Daming Not too much.And Daming would naturally not be reconciled to this situation where magpies' nests were occupied by doves. Most of the reasons for establishing diplomatic relations with Haihan were forced by the situation, not out of voluntary.If the Ming Dynasty's national situation improves in the future, and it can free up its hands in the military to refocus on the direction of the South China Sea, then Haihan may not be the one who took the initiative to tear up the peace agreement.
But today's Ming Dynasty is on the weak side in the relationship between the two countries, and can't bear the threat of war from Haihan at all. This is exactly what Fei Cexian has a headache about.He really wanted to be tough enough to face the threats raised by the Haihan people, but the current situation of Daming hardly gave him enough confidence. Not only could he not be too tough, but he had to try every means to persuade Haihan to give up his coveting heart towards Daming.Compared with the leisurely job he used to dawdle in the capital, this job is indeed a bit more difficult for Fei Cexian now.
Seeing that the sky was getting brighter, Fei Cexian did not feel sleepy at all, but it is said that there will be several international business fairs today, and he does not want to miss such events.
After staying in Sanya for so many months, one of Fei Cexian's deepest feelings is that Haihan has accumulated amazing wealth through international trade, and the costly Haihan army's combat operations in the open sea rely on these The wealth obtained from trade is used as military expenses, so that troops can be sent to expeditions thousands of miles away every year.
Of course, the actual situation is not as simple as Fei Cexian understands, and Haihan's rapid accumulation of wealth does not only come from import and export trade.It's just that from the outside world, Haihan people are good at running business, just like the Haihan army is good at fighting, it is one of the symbols of Haihan.
Moreover, the commercial ports operated by Haihan spread all over the South China Sea, which is the envy of every country engaged in maritime trade.In most cases, Haihan does not even need to rely on the ports of other countries, and can complete international shipping trade between various countries only by relying on the ports controlled by itself.
Daming's attitude towards maritime trade is undoubtedly very contradictory. On the one hand, the imperial court hopes to use strict control measures to prevent pirates and Japanese pirates from plundering the coastal areas, as well as the local smuggling trade that has been repeatedly banned. A country like Han makes a lot of money in cross-border maritime trade, but it is a bit sour and unbalanced psychologically.
But this kind of trade is not something you can do if you want to. Now Haihan controls almost all the commercial routes from the coast of Daming to Nanyang. If you want to enter this business, it will be very difficult without Haihan's nod.Even the global colonial maritime powers such as Portugal and the Netherlands have to register with Haihan first. After all, they each have only one operating port in the north of Hainan Island. The Dayuan Port operated by the Dutch is even separated from Daming. Along the Fujian Strait, to complete the trade with Ming Dynasty, it is often necessary to rely on the channel of Haihan.
Even if Da Ming doesn't take Hai Han seriously, based on what Fei Cexian saw in Sanya, as long as Hai Han speaks, no country will dare to openly receive the fleet from Da Ming.After all, compared with the Haihan Fleet that often flaunts its might in the South China Sea, the fleet representing the Ming Dynasty that sailed to the depths of the South China Sea dates back to Zheng He's seventh voyage to the West 200 years ago.These days how many people can still remember the power of the Daming Treasure Ship Fleet back then, naturally they are more afraid of the Haihan Fleet that is now invincible in the South China Sea.
Currently, Fei Cexian has no way to persuade the imperial court to start a formal official sea trade, nor can he get Haihan to give special consideration to Daming.All he can do now is to learn as much as possible about how Haihan manages cross-border trade and how he completes these lucrative businesses through shipping.
During his stay in Sanya, apart from the municipal library, one of the places Fei Cexian visited more often was the various trading markets in Sanya.The trading market in Sanya is basically operated by the government, where domestic and foreign businessmen who come and go to the local area publish supply and demand information, sign sales contracts, and complete the delivery of money and goods.With the continuous expansion of Sanya's trade scale, this kind of trading market is also gradually subdivided according to different commodities, and even many brokers who rely on news to make a living have emerged.
Even an official like Fei Cexian who doesn't know much about business has been in the trading market for a long time, and gradually learned some common sense in economics and trade.The strength of Haihan's official support for shipping and cross-border trade is simply incomparable to that of Ming Dynasty, especially the social status of merchants, which is even more disparity between the two countries.
Although rich merchants in Ming Dynasty could also live a luxurious life, they traditionally emphasized agriculture over merchants, and their social status was ranked according to the ranks of scholars, farmers, businessmen, and merchants, and merchants could only be at the bottom.The situation in Haihan is quite different. Rich and powerful businessmen even have considerable influence on the government, and their reputation in society will not be as low as that of Ming businessmen.Therefore, in recent years, many businessmen from the Ming Dynasty have begun to defect to Haihan with their families, or transfer their properties to the area under Haihan's jurisdiction.As far as Fei Cexian knows, the wealthiest private businessmen in Haihan are almost all from Daming.
It is impossible to count how many resources these businessmen took away from Daming, but there is no doubt that they have played a huge role in promoting Haihan's business development.If it weren't for the help of these merchants, Haihan's process of opening trade channels in Daming would definitely be much more troublesome than it is now.
According to the arrangements announced at the banquet yesterday, this afternoon there will be an official investment promotion event organized by Haihan and a trade fair attended by businessmen from many countries.Although Fei Cexian won't be directly involved in the trade, he must go and have a look in order to grasp Haihan's latest trends.And after the conversation last night, he had to be a little more vigilant. If Haihan continued to maintain frequent trade with Daming as usual, then what Ning Qi said might be true.If the trade volume decreases or even stops at some point in the future, it means that the relationship between the two countries is likely to become precarious, and an alarm signal must be sent back to the country.
Although Fei Cexian didn't feel sleepy, but in order not to delay the business, he finally forced himself to lie down on the bed, tossed and tossed and tossed for a while before finally falling asleep in a daze.
Compared with the distressed envoys of Ming Dynasty, the envoys from the neighboring Annan Kingdom slept very soundly that night.After the banquet ended and returned to the guest house, the little prince Zheng Zuo even had people go to the city to find two dancers from Persia to add to the fun. The envoy Li Xi and his old friend Xu Yuzhuo invited them to discuss whether it is possible to open a trade route connecting Annan and North Korea via Fujian in the future.
The Annan Zheng family not only has the Qing capital king Zheng Bing controlling the country's administrative power, but this family has also made full use of the power in its hands, almost monopolizing the profiteering industries such as salt and iron in Annan, and as the eldest son most trusted by Zheng Bing , Zheng Zuo is responsible for the foreign trade affairs of An Nanguo.
In the early years, An Nanguo ceded several natural ports on the coastline to Haihan in the form of concessions, as a reward for Haihan sending troops to help in the war. With the post-war reconstruction, these ports have also become Annan's window to connect with the world.Annan has made a lot of money from foreign trade by selling various local products and grains. Zheng Zuo's mind is getting bigger and bigger, and he has gradually begun to be dissatisfied with only trading with two or three limited countries such as Haihan. , and want to create some new trade channels that are completely under their own control.
In Zheng Zuo's view, countries outside the region like North Korea are excellent targets. Its location is far away from the South China Sea, and its products are also quite different from those of countries in the South China Sea. This provides the basic conditions for mutual exchange.And this country knows almost nothing about the situation in the South China Sea, which leaves more room for Annan to operate.
In addition, Li Xi's status as a member of the royal family also attracted Zheng Zuo's attention. He believed that since he could be sent by North Korea to Haihan as an ambassador, he should have a certain influence in North Korea. It would be helpful to win over Li Xi. Promote the establishment of trade relations between the two countries.
And Fujian is the object that Annan has always wanted to win over. An Nanguo even set up an office in Zhangzhou two years ago to deal with commercial affairs between Annan and Fujian.Of course, the establishment of this kind of organization was done with Haihan's acquiescence, otherwise even if there was such an organization, nothing would be possible.
Zheng Zuo has always admired Haihan's management methods in international trade, and he also intends to follow Haihan's methods to establish a foreign trade system for Annan.Whether it is the Fuguang area in the south of Ming Dynasty or the distant North Korea, in Zheng Zuo's eyes, they are all objects that can be used. If done properly, a trade channel from the Indo-China Peninsula to the Korean Peninsula via the coastline of Daming can be established.
Although this sea trade route only exists in Zheng Zuo's mind at present, he is very confident in the inspiration that just emerged at the banquet, and is optimistic that this route will benefit all three parties involved in this matter. bring very substantial profits.
However, Li Xi's mind was not completely focused on the bright future described by Zheng Zuo, he was still worried about the warnings given by senior officials of Shanghai Han at the banquet.If Haihan really declares war on Daming, what should North Korea do?
It is obviously impossible to send troops to help the battle. In this kind of occasion where gods fight, if North Korea, which lacks self-awareness, dares to send troops to participate, it will really be boring.Whichever side it joins, North Korea cannot afford the wrath of the other.But if we say that we stand on the sidelines and maintain neutrality, I am afraid that the two countries will not allow North Korea to watch the battle so leisurely.Before Haihan fought against Hou Jin in Liaodong, although he did not ask North Korea to send troops to participate in the war, he still proposed that North Korea send civilians to the theater to be responsible for logistics.
Li Xi was very worried that once the two countries really wanted to start a war, they would come to force North Korea to make a statement, and it was likely that it would not only be a verbal statement, but must show the chosen camp with practical actions.
Li Xi looked at the eloquent Zheng Zuo, but he didn't listen to what he said. He just thought that you An Nanguo and Haihan are hard-core allies, and you stand by Haihan's side with peace of mind. Naturally, you don't have to worry about being splinted. But my country, North Korea, is sandwiched between two big countries. When it comes to a situation where it is necessary to express its position, it is difficult to control people. How embarrassing is this situation.
"Master Li, after the opening of trade, our two countries will be able to achieve trade through sea routes, which will be of great benefit to each other. I wonder what Master Li wants?"
Zheng Zuo raised his voice and finally woke up Li Xi from his contemplation, but Li Xi didn't quite understand what Zheng Zuo wanted to do, so he didn't answer his question right away, but kicked the ball to the neighbor next to him. Xu Yuzhuo: "Then what is Master Xu's opinion?"
Xu Yuzhuo understood this very clearly, and he cupped his hands at Zheng Zuo and Li Xilue and said, "Both of them represent their respective countries, but Xu can only represent my Fujian Xu family, if there is something inappropriate , I hope you two don't blame me!"
Zheng Zuo replied: "Master Xu, but it's okay to say."
Xu Yuzhuo went on to say: "The little prince wants Annan's merchant fleet to pass through the Fujian Strait, or North Korea's merchant fleet to take over the south. It is easy to say, as long as the Haihan people nod. As for the Fujian Strait to stop at Zhangzhou and Quanzhou , or Haihan’s Penghu Port, that’s all up to you. There’s only one thing, if you haven’t greeted Haihan, don’t go to Dayuan Port controlled by the Dutch, Haihan is quite taboo about this.”
Zheng Zuo nodded and said, "Thank you for reminding me about the Netherlands. If you can't go to Dayuan Port, then you won't go."
Li Xi is not very clear about the grievances between Haihan and the Netherlands, but listening to the conversation between the two, it is obvious that Haihan deliberately "cares" for the Dutch colonial port in the Fujian Strait, and even intentionally prevents ships from other countries from going there In this place, it seems that the local Dutch will not have a good time.
However, most of North Korea's sea-going ships are small in size and are not suitable for long-distance shipping tasks.For example, when Li Xi went south to Sanya from North Korea, he changed to the boat provided by Haihan after arriving at Dinghai Port in Zhoushan, instead of taking the small sailboat of his own country.Most of the trade routes proposed by Zheng Zuo can only be dispatched by Annan, and the North Korean side has no corresponding conditions to organize such a trade fleet.
But Li Xi felt that it was a little embarrassing to say this situation. Compared with Fujian Xu and An Nanguo, North Korea's maritime transportation capacity was really shabby.
(End of this chapter)
In fact, the position of diplomat stationed in Haihan may not be safe for anyone.Not only Daming, but also other countries must face Haihan's coercion and temptation from various aspects.For those who are not firm in their will and not loyal to the country, they will often lose in this kind of confrontation where no gunpowder can be seen.The troubles that Fei Cexian is facing now have actually been encountered by envoys from other countries more or less.
Of course, the situation in Daming is quite special, because Haihan established its own state power on the territory of Daming back then, and a large proportion of the population under its rule came from Daming, even if this country was split from Daming Not too much.And Daming would naturally not be reconciled to this situation where magpies' nests were occupied by doves. Most of the reasons for establishing diplomatic relations with Haihan were forced by the situation, not out of voluntary.If the Ming Dynasty's national situation improves in the future, and it can free up its hands in the military to refocus on the direction of the South China Sea, then Haihan may not be the one who took the initiative to tear up the peace agreement.
But today's Ming Dynasty is on the weak side in the relationship between the two countries, and can't bear the threat of war from Haihan at all. This is exactly what Fei Cexian has a headache about.He really wanted to be tough enough to face the threats raised by the Haihan people, but the current situation of Daming hardly gave him enough confidence. Not only could he not be too tough, but he had to try every means to persuade Haihan to give up his coveting heart towards Daming.Compared with the leisurely job he used to dawdle in the capital, this job is indeed a bit more difficult for Fei Cexian now.
Seeing that the sky was getting brighter, Fei Cexian did not feel sleepy at all, but it is said that there will be several international business fairs today, and he does not want to miss such events.
After staying in Sanya for so many months, one of Fei Cexian's deepest feelings is that Haihan has accumulated amazing wealth through international trade, and the costly Haihan army's combat operations in the open sea rely on these The wealth obtained from trade is used as military expenses, so that troops can be sent to expeditions thousands of miles away every year.
Of course, the actual situation is not as simple as Fei Cexian understands, and Haihan's rapid accumulation of wealth does not only come from import and export trade.It's just that from the outside world, Haihan people are good at running business, just like the Haihan army is good at fighting, it is one of the symbols of Haihan.
Moreover, the commercial ports operated by Haihan spread all over the South China Sea, which is the envy of every country engaged in maritime trade.In most cases, Haihan does not even need to rely on the ports of other countries, and can complete international shipping trade between various countries only by relying on the ports controlled by itself.
Daming's attitude towards maritime trade is undoubtedly very contradictory. On the one hand, the imperial court hopes to use strict control measures to prevent pirates and Japanese pirates from plundering the coastal areas, as well as the local smuggling trade that has been repeatedly banned. A country like Han makes a lot of money in cross-border maritime trade, but it is a bit sour and unbalanced psychologically.
But this kind of trade is not something you can do if you want to. Now Haihan controls almost all the commercial routes from the coast of Daming to Nanyang. If you want to enter this business, it will be very difficult without Haihan's nod.Even the global colonial maritime powers such as Portugal and the Netherlands have to register with Haihan first. After all, they each have only one operating port in the north of Hainan Island. The Dayuan Port operated by the Dutch is even separated from Daming. Along the Fujian Strait, to complete the trade with Ming Dynasty, it is often necessary to rely on the channel of Haihan.
Even if Da Ming doesn't take Hai Han seriously, based on what Fei Cexian saw in Sanya, as long as Hai Han speaks, no country will dare to openly receive the fleet from Da Ming.After all, compared with the Haihan Fleet that often flaunts its might in the South China Sea, the fleet representing the Ming Dynasty that sailed to the depths of the South China Sea dates back to Zheng He's seventh voyage to the West 200 years ago.These days how many people can still remember the power of the Daming Treasure Ship Fleet back then, naturally they are more afraid of the Haihan Fleet that is now invincible in the South China Sea.
Currently, Fei Cexian has no way to persuade the imperial court to start a formal official sea trade, nor can he get Haihan to give special consideration to Daming.All he can do now is to learn as much as possible about how Haihan manages cross-border trade and how he completes these lucrative businesses through shipping.
During his stay in Sanya, apart from the municipal library, one of the places Fei Cexian visited more often was the various trading markets in Sanya.The trading market in Sanya is basically operated by the government, where domestic and foreign businessmen who come and go to the local area publish supply and demand information, sign sales contracts, and complete the delivery of money and goods.With the continuous expansion of Sanya's trade scale, this kind of trading market is also gradually subdivided according to different commodities, and even many brokers who rely on news to make a living have emerged.
Even an official like Fei Cexian who doesn't know much about business has been in the trading market for a long time, and gradually learned some common sense in economics and trade.The strength of Haihan's official support for shipping and cross-border trade is simply incomparable to that of Ming Dynasty, especially the social status of merchants, which is even more disparity between the two countries.
Although rich merchants in Ming Dynasty could also live a luxurious life, they traditionally emphasized agriculture over merchants, and their social status was ranked according to the ranks of scholars, farmers, businessmen, and merchants, and merchants could only be at the bottom.The situation in Haihan is quite different. Rich and powerful businessmen even have considerable influence on the government, and their reputation in society will not be as low as that of Ming businessmen.Therefore, in recent years, many businessmen from the Ming Dynasty have begun to defect to Haihan with their families, or transfer their properties to the area under Haihan's jurisdiction.As far as Fei Cexian knows, the wealthiest private businessmen in Haihan are almost all from Daming.
It is impossible to count how many resources these businessmen took away from Daming, but there is no doubt that they have played a huge role in promoting Haihan's business development.If it weren't for the help of these merchants, Haihan's process of opening trade channels in Daming would definitely be much more troublesome than it is now.
According to the arrangements announced at the banquet yesterday, this afternoon there will be an official investment promotion event organized by Haihan and a trade fair attended by businessmen from many countries.Although Fei Cexian won't be directly involved in the trade, he must go and have a look in order to grasp Haihan's latest trends.And after the conversation last night, he had to be a little more vigilant. If Haihan continued to maintain frequent trade with Daming as usual, then what Ning Qi said might be true.If the trade volume decreases or even stops at some point in the future, it means that the relationship between the two countries is likely to become precarious, and an alarm signal must be sent back to the country.
Although Fei Cexian didn't feel sleepy, but in order not to delay the business, he finally forced himself to lie down on the bed, tossed and tossed and tossed for a while before finally falling asleep in a daze.
Compared with the distressed envoys of Ming Dynasty, the envoys from the neighboring Annan Kingdom slept very soundly that night.After the banquet ended and returned to the guest house, the little prince Zheng Zuo even had people go to the city to find two dancers from Persia to add to the fun. The envoy Li Xi and his old friend Xu Yuzhuo invited them to discuss whether it is possible to open a trade route connecting Annan and North Korea via Fujian in the future.
The Annan Zheng family not only has the Qing capital king Zheng Bing controlling the country's administrative power, but this family has also made full use of the power in its hands, almost monopolizing the profiteering industries such as salt and iron in Annan, and as the eldest son most trusted by Zheng Bing , Zheng Zuo is responsible for the foreign trade affairs of An Nanguo.
In the early years, An Nanguo ceded several natural ports on the coastline to Haihan in the form of concessions, as a reward for Haihan sending troops to help in the war. With the post-war reconstruction, these ports have also become Annan's window to connect with the world.Annan has made a lot of money from foreign trade by selling various local products and grains. Zheng Zuo's mind is getting bigger and bigger, and he has gradually begun to be dissatisfied with only trading with two or three limited countries such as Haihan. , and want to create some new trade channels that are completely under their own control.
In Zheng Zuo's view, countries outside the region like North Korea are excellent targets. Its location is far away from the South China Sea, and its products are also quite different from those of countries in the South China Sea. This provides the basic conditions for mutual exchange.And this country knows almost nothing about the situation in the South China Sea, which leaves more room for Annan to operate.
In addition, Li Xi's status as a member of the royal family also attracted Zheng Zuo's attention. He believed that since he could be sent by North Korea to Haihan as an ambassador, he should have a certain influence in North Korea. It would be helpful to win over Li Xi. Promote the establishment of trade relations between the two countries.
And Fujian is the object that Annan has always wanted to win over. An Nanguo even set up an office in Zhangzhou two years ago to deal with commercial affairs between Annan and Fujian.Of course, the establishment of this kind of organization was done with Haihan's acquiescence, otherwise even if there was such an organization, nothing would be possible.
Zheng Zuo has always admired Haihan's management methods in international trade, and he also intends to follow Haihan's methods to establish a foreign trade system for Annan.Whether it is the Fuguang area in the south of Ming Dynasty or the distant North Korea, in Zheng Zuo's eyes, they are all objects that can be used. If done properly, a trade channel from the Indo-China Peninsula to the Korean Peninsula via the coastline of Daming can be established.
Although this sea trade route only exists in Zheng Zuo's mind at present, he is very confident in the inspiration that just emerged at the banquet, and is optimistic that this route will benefit all three parties involved in this matter. bring very substantial profits.
However, Li Xi's mind was not completely focused on the bright future described by Zheng Zuo, he was still worried about the warnings given by senior officials of Shanghai Han at the banquet.If Haihan really declares war on Daming, what should North Korea do?
It is obviously impossible to send troops to help the battle. In this kind of occasion where gods fight, if North Korea, which lacks self-awareness, dares to send troops to participate, it will really be boring.Whichever side it joins, North Korea cannot afford the wrath of the other.But if we say that we stand on the sidelines and maintain neutrality, I am afraid that the two countries will not allow North Korea to watch the battle so leisurely.Before Haihan fought against Hou Jin in Liaodong, although he did not ask North Korea to send troops to participate in the war, he still proposed that North Korea send civilians to the theater to be responsible for logistics.
Li Xi was very worried that once the two countries really wanted to start a war, they would come to force North Korea to make a statement, and it was likely that it would not only be a verbal statement, but must show the chosen camp with practical actions.
Li Xi looked at the eloquent Zheng Zuo, but he didn't listen to what he said. He just thought that you An Nanguo and Haihan are hard-core allies, and you stand by Haihan's side with peace of mind. Naturally, you don't have to worry about being splinted. But my country, North Korea, is sandwiched between two big countries. When it comes to a situation where it is necessary to express its position, it is difficult to control people. How embarrassing is this situation.
"Master Li, after the opening of trade, our two countries will be able to achieve trade through sea routes, which will be of great benefit to each other. I wonder what Master Li wants?"
Zheng Zuo raised his voice and finally woke up Li Xi from his contemplation, but Li Xi didn't quite understand what Zheng Zuo wanted to do, so he didn't answer his question right away, but kicked the ball to the neighbor next to him. Xu Yuzhuo: "Then what is Master Xu's opinion?"
Xu Yuzhuo understood this very clearly, and he cupped his hands at Zheng Zuo and Li Xilue and said, "Both of them represent their respective countries, but Xu can only represent my Fujian Xu family, if there is something inappropriate , I hope you two don't blame me!"
Zheng Zuo replied: "Master Xu, but it's okay to say."
Xu Yuzhuo went on to say: "The little prince wants Annan's merchant fleet to pass through the Fujian Strait, or North Korea's merchant fleet to take over the south. It is easy to say, as long as the Haihan people nod. As for the Fujian Strait to stop at Zhangzhou and Quanzhou , or Haihan’s Penghu Port, that’s all up to you. There’s only one thing, if you haven’t greeted Haihan, don’t go to Dayuan Port controlled by the Dutch, Haihan is quite taboo about this.”
Zheng Zuo nodded and said, "Thank you for reminding me about the Netherlands. If you can't go to Dayuan Port, then you won't go."
Li Xi is not very clear about the grievances between Haihan and the Netherlands, but listening to the conversation between the two, it is obvious that Haihan deliberately "cares" for the Dutch colonial port in the Fujian Strait, and even intentionally prevents ships from other countries from going there In this place, it seems that the local Dutch will not have a good time.
However, most of North Korea's sea-going ships are small in size and are not suitable for long-distance shipping tasks.For example, when Li Xi went south to Sanya from North Korea, he changed to the boat provided by Haihan after arriving at Dinghai Port in Zhoushan, instead of taking the small sailboat of his own country.Most of the trade routes proposed by Zheng Zuo can only be dispatched by Annan, and the North Korean side has no corresponding conditions to organize such a trade fleet.
But Li Xi felt that it was a little embarrassing to say this situation. Compared with Fujian Xu and An Nanguo, North Korea's maritime transportation capacity was really shabby.
(End of this chapter)