"As for Lord Jue's question about whether it's worth it to equip every merchant ship with a compass, this one thinks that it's very worth it."
In the main hall of the Li Residence, Wang Renbiao picked up his teacup and took two sips before continuing,
"A conservative estimate of the number of ships heading south this time is at least a thousand. Once there's a big storm at sea, many ships will definitely be separated from the main fleet. At this time, a compass can increase the chances of survival of a lost merchant ship by twenty to thirty percent. If this probability can be stacked, this one is very willing to equip every ship with a few more compasses. Because a compass is only five strings of money, and the value of a merchant ship and its crew is far more than that! "
Li Zexuan smiled and said, "Hehe, not bad, not bad. I didn't expect Renbiao to see the problem so clearly!"
Then he thought for a moment and said, "As for the fifty compasses that Renbiao wants, I'll have the workshop hand them over to you in two days, but I also have something that I need Renbiao's help with."
"Please speak, Lord Jue!"
Wang Renbiao hurriedly said.
"The Wang Family's fleet is heading south this time, I want to ask you to help me bring something. I don't care if this thing is rubber."
"What's rubber?"
Wang Renbiao was puzzled. He was considered knowledgeable, but he had never heard of rubber before.
Li Zexuan deliberated over his words and described:
"It's the sap produced by a kind of tree. After you reach the Nanyang countries, you can send people to search for rubber trees. The rubber tree is an evergreen tree with a straight root system, three compound leaves, complete leathery, and panicle flowers. The fruit is a capsule, the seed is oval, and the juice is milky. This juice is rubber. Usually, all you need to do is cut a hole in the bark and put a jar under the hole. Then, you can collect a lot of rubber. "
Wang Renbiao and Leng Yuyao's eyes widened. This was the first time they heard of such a magical tree. Why did it sound like a fantasy story?
"There's actually such a tree in the world? It's amazing! "
Wang Renbiao was stunned for a while before he finally sighed.
Li Zexuan smiled and said, "Hmm, this rubber tree is indeed a bit magical. It has another name, the Weeping Tree. When you cut its bark with a knife, a lot of white juice will flow out. It looks like it's crying because of pain!"
What Li Zexuan said was not nonsense. The word rubber tree originally came from the Indian word cau-uchu, which meant "tree that weeps."
Wang Renbiao exclaimed, "Interesting, this is really interesting! After hearing what Lord Jue said, if it weren't for the fact that my family didn't allow it, I would have personally gone south to take a look. "
Leng Yuyao couldn't help but frown. "It's a good rubber tree, why do you have to cut its bark? You are so cruel! "
Li Zexuan rolled his eyes. Big sister, you carry a sword every day and kill anyone you don't like. You still have the face to say that others are cruel?
Leng Yuyao instantly understood the expression on Li Zexuan's face. She blushed and quickly looked away, no longer saying a word. It was as if she didn't say those words just now.
"I need this rubber very much. Renbiao, bring back as much as you find this time. I want all of it. Don't worry about the price, it will definitely satisfy you! It's best if you can bring back some rubber seeds, but be careful, its seeds and leaves are poisonous. Don't let people eat it by mistake! "
Li Zexuan saw that this cold-faced girl was tactful, so he didn't lower himself to her level. He turned his head and said to Wang Renbiao.
There were many industrial products that couldn't be separated from rubber. Li Zexuan really wanted this thing. Although rubber was originally produced in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest and had not been introduced to Asia at this time, the climate in Southeast Asia was hot, and there was plenty of sunlight and rain. It had the same climate as the Amazon rainforest, so it was hard to guarantee that there weren't wild and primitive rubber trees. If they found one, wouldn't it be a profit? Especially in Malaysia, this place was a famous rubber kingdom in modern times. The annual production of rubber was the first in the world. Maybe they could really find it.
At this time, people certainly didn't realize the value of rubber. The first people to use rubber were the Indians, the oldest inhabitants of America.
In 1493, Columbus sailed to Haitian Island in America for the second time. He saw the merry games of the Indians: they were singing songs in a circle, and tossing a ball to and fro merrily in tune with the rhythm of the song. When the ball fell to the ground, it actually bounced high. Columbus was surprised. After careful inquiry, he found out that the ball was made of something he had never known before – rubber.
Later, when Columbus returned from America, he brought rubber back to Europe. However, at that time, no one in Europe knew what this wonderful thing could be used for besides making games. So, it was sent to the museum and displayed in the exhibition cabinet for people to see as "a novelty brought back by Columbus".
It wasn't until 1770, when the British chemist and discoverer of oxygen, Priestley, discovered that rubber could erase pencil writing, that rubber officially came into use.
Err, about eraser, there's actually another joke. Nowadays, rubber is also used to describe erasers in English. But interestingly, Americans are used to calling erasers erasers, while rubber is used to describe condoms …
Inside the room.
Wang Renbiao thought seriously for a while, then said: "Since Lord Jue needs it, then I will definitely order my subordinates to do their best to find this so-called rubber tree. In addition, I will also apply to the family to send an additional twenty merchant ships to specially load rubber for Lord Jue. How about a ship of rubber at the price of 400 strings of coins? Of course, if it's not enough, we will also bring some goods back from there. But in this way, Lord Jue will have to sell us twenty more compasses! "
Li Zexuan was happy in his heart. Wang Renbiao was opening a back door for him! Because if he transported a ship of silk and porcelain to Nanyang in exchange for some spices and food, the profit would definitely be more than 400 strings of coins. A conservative estimate would be at least two to three thousand strings of coins. This was not an exaggeration at all. That was how profitable ocean trading was!
"Haha, compasses are not a problem. This time, the compasses that the Wang family needs, our workshop will give priority and provide them for free. Don't worry, Renbiao! If your family's fleet can really find rubber trees in Nanyang, then this time, I, Li Zexuan, will owe your Wang family a favor! "
Li Zexuan returned the favor. He was the kind of person who would return the favor ten times over if someone gave him a foot of respect.
Wang Renbiao was shocked, and the importance of this matter instantly increased. He quickly cupped his hands and said: "Don't worry, Lord Jue. As long as there are rubber trees in Nanyang, our Wang family's fleet will definitely find them this time!"
.....
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