Chapter 49: A Free Gift?

  Zhang Yuanlong also fell silent at this point, the same logic as doing business. What can you use to exchange for shares? Money? Although Yin Zhen is short of money, but once the shares are transferred out, it's just money, and using money doesn't make sense. But apart from money, what else can he come up with? His daughter? He quickly stopped this thought, using his daughter to coerce Yin Zhen would be no different from seeking death. His daughter would also hate him to death. Apart from these two things, what else could he come up with?

  Seeing Zhang Yuanlong's worried expression, Zhang Mengjiao sighed and said, "I didn't expect Father to be even worse than Zheng Shichang."

  "Si Da Heng's Zheng Shichang?" Zhang Yuanlong was taken aback, hesitating before saying: "You want Father to invest in the Zhang family's shipping fleet with a 10% stake?"

  "Heh heh, just our Zhang family's sixty or so ships, at most it would be five hundred thousand taels, one percent?" Zhang Mengjiao however, raised an eyebrow, "Father, your calculations are too precise, not even a single fen is left over."

  One minute? Zhang Yuanlong was about to lose his temper, but unexpectedly Zhang Mengjiao continued: "Our Zhang family can also afford to take out this 500,000. Since it's a gift, why not give more generously and just give it away for free."

  What a giveaway! Zhang Yuanlong's heart skipped a beat, almost losing his breath. This dead girl, even if she's outgoing, doesn't have such a generous attitude, opening her mouth and giving away 500,000 yuan just like that. How many 500,000 yuan does he have?

  "Does Father not trust his daughter's judgment again?" Zhang Mengjiao said lightly: "Since the Fourteenth Master wants to integrate the maritime trade fleet, he must have ships in his hands. However, his shipyard is still on paper at present, and what he needs most urgently now is a fleet of ships. Because he needs a shell to integrate the maritime trade fleet, Father, don't blame me for not reminding you, if we miss this opportunity, there will be no next chance, and someone else will take it first. In the future, we won't even have any soup to drink."

  Zhang Yuanlong also became anxious, "What benefits will my Zhang family get from sending out this fleet of ships?"

  "What's the benefit?" Zhang Mengjiao replied bluntly; "None."

  No! Giving away 500,000 for nothing? I have so much money that I'm worried about burning it? Zhang Yuanlong was about to curse, but suddenly turned around. With such a big favor and his daughter by his side, how could there be no benefit? This precious daughter is reminding herself not to take the initiative to ask for benefits, the more she doesn't want benefits, the bigger the benefits will be.

  Can't help but say that the Haishang merchants are indeed all-knowing and well-informed, and in less than half a day, a long queue was formed at the gate of Liuchun Garden. Not only did the prominent Haishang ship owners from Shanghai County come, but also Haishang ship owners from Zhenjiang Prefecture and Suzhou Prefecture rushed over.

  When Zhang Yuanlong arrived at Liuchun Garden with his daughter, there were already more than 20 people waiting at the gate. He was also a frequent traveler for business and was surprised to see familiar faces from Zhenjiang and Suzhou inside. He felt a pang of disappointment in his heart, realizing that his own news had fallen far behind theirs. The Zhang family was slowly fading out of the core circle of sea merchants. Fortunately, he had a precious daughter, and this opportunity must be seized no matter what.

  After a brief greeting with the boat owners, Zhang Yuanlong and his daughter headed straight for the main gate. The guards had already received orders from Yongzheng and welcomed Zhang Mengjiao, leading them into Liuchun Garden.

  At that time, the numerous merchant ship owners outside stretched their necks. We came so early and were still waiting at the door, but Zhang Yuanlong was led in as soon as he arrived? In an instant, several people started whispering, "Isn't this old Zhang just trying to curry favor with the Governor of Two Rivers? How did he suddenly get connected with the 14th Master's line? Haven't you seen his little daughter come too? Bah, it's just his daughter, a complete wild girl. Can the 14th Master really take a liking to her? Ah, the Zhang family is going to rise again soon."

  As soon as they entered the living room, Zhang Yuanlong knelt down and paid his respects, "Humble commoner Zhang Yuanlong pays homage to the Fourteenth Prince." Zhang Mengjiao followed with a gloomy face and also paid her respects, "Commoner's daughter greets the Fourteenth Imperial Son, may the Fourteenth Prince be safe and sound."

  He glanced at Zhang Mengjiao and stretched out his hand, smiling faintly as he supported her. "No need for excessive courtesy." He then instructed, "Have a seat, I'll have tea served."

  Yin Zhen's attitude was warm and friendly, and with his daughter present, Zhang Yuanlong's courage grew. He knew that Yin Zhen's time was precious, so he didn't waste any time on small talk. As soon as they sat down, he got straight to the point: "The 14th prince's presence in Shanghai is a great blessing for us Shanghai people. In just two months, you have laid a solid foundation for Shanghai's prosperity and development. As a humble citizen of Shanghai, I am willing to offer the Zhang family's fleet of over 60 ships to contribute to Shanghai's construction."

  Yin Zhen heard the snicker, and the gift was given with such grandeur, no wonder he's a wealthy merchant. This fleet is exactly what he needs right now. He glanced at Zhang Mengjiao, this idea must have come from this little girl. It's not surprising that Zhang Mengjiao can see what he urgently needs, but it's rare that she has the heart to do so. However, he had already planned this out, a fleet of this scale, he hadn't taken seriously yet, but he had to acknowledge the favor, and also give benefits in return.

  "Zhang Yuanwai's generous gift, Yin Zhen feels ashamed to accept it." Yin Zhen smiled and said: "However, since you have this intention, I won't reject your kindness. I heard that you plan to build 100 ocean-going ships. How about this? Let them all join my 'Great Qing Ocean Trading Fleet'. According to the regulations, private individuals are only allowed to build two-masted ships, but two-masted ships are too small and not suitable for long-distance navigation. Since you have invested in the 'Great Qing Ocean Trading Fleet', you can be exempt from this rule. Let's build those 100 ships with three masts, half of them 1500-liang and half 2000-liang. As for shares, I can only give you 5%."

  Zhang Yuanlong was stunned by Yin Zhen's few words. One hundred 1500-ton and 2000-ton three-masted sea ships, how much silver would that cost? I also want to build them, but even if I spend all my family's wealth, I'm afraid it won't be enough for so many ships. And they only gave me a 50% share! What kind of fleet is this? This couple shouldn't be plotting against me, should they? Their appetites are bigger than mine!

  "Ahem." Zhang Mengjiao coughed lightly twice, also shocked by the extravagance of Yi Zheng's appetite. Seeing her father being misled, she had to speak up and explain: "Fourteenth Master, from the founding of our great Qing dynasty to the successful recovery of Taiwan, more than 20 years have passed with constant naval battles, greatly depleting the giant timber along the rivers and coastlines. After opening up the seas, there was a surge in shipbuilding, but now, shipbuilding materials are extremely scarce. To build a giant ship of over a thousand tons, these materials are especially hard to find, and must be transported from Southeast Asia or Kwantung. Moreover, for nearly 20 years, the imperial court has not allowed the construction of large ships, resulting in very few craftsmen capable of building such vessels today. This makes the price of giant ships extremely shocking - a hundred ships of over 1,500 tons would require at least 8 million taels of silver, an amount that our Zhang family simply cannot afford."

  Alas, even chrysanthemum is exploded!! Friends, rise up!!!!!