The two old men were the most shocked. They never thought that Zhang Xiaobao could play so well, especially that white ball. It seemed to be spinning non-stop. Every time it stopped, it was just right for him to comfortably hit a ball.
This made the two old men really unwilling to accept, so they proposed to continue the game. This time, it was similar to the last time. Although they didn't clear the table in one shot, the two old men also didn't get any balls in. After playing two more games, the two old men finally gave up.
"Xiao Bao, how do you play this ball? Can you teach us? It looks like you poked it once, but why did the ball come back one moment and then run to another place the next? We must learn this skill so that we can bully others. "
Old Man Pi was interested in this matter. He could not do anything else now. If he could learn this thing called billiards well, then it would be good to find a few more old men to compete with.
Old Man Chang and the others who thought it was good nodded. Zhang Xiaobao naturally would not refuse. He planned to do so. Although elephant tusks were valuable now, there were many of them. When the time came, he would let people raise more elephants. He did not have to use wild elephant tusks.
Moreover, the rules of billiards were in his hands. He at least knew what kind of cue and table were better. When the time came, there would be another business.
Besides this business of making billiards, more importantly, he could also hold some competitions. No one else could grasp the rules better than him, so naturally, he would be the one to hold the competition. Then, there would be a referee. Even if someone else held the competition, they would have to get his approval first. Then, they would be able to collect more fees.
If he held competitions in various places, he could sell some things on the spot. He could also continue to make money through advertising. As long as it was an entertainment competition, he would usually earn a lot of advertising fees.
Then, Zhang Xiaobao began to teach a few simple methods. He did not say anything too complicated. Even if he taught them, they would not be able to learn it in a short time. This thing required talent and practice. He played thousands of set pieces a day. When the time came, he might make a mistake because of nervousness. He was in good condition today.
Wang Juan saw Zhang Xiaobao teaching others and knew what he was thinking. When he was almost done teaching, the two of them let the old men practice by themselves. They were ready to leave.
When they were already at the gate of the courtyard, Zhang Xiaobao patted his forehead and turned back. He said to Old Man Pi, "Grandpa Bi, I almost forgot about the important thing. Grandpa Bi, we want to set up an academy here. We need your help with this matter. What do you think?"
Old Man Pi thought that Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan were just here to play for a while. He did not expect that they would ask for an academy. He also knew that if they wanted to set up an academy, money was not a problem. The most important thing was the teachers. After thinking for a while, he said, "We can find people, but it seems that you can't hold any competitions here, right? People from other places are too far away. It is impossible for them to come here. Otherwise, we can do a lot of things with the delay along the way. "
"Grandpa Bi, it's fine as long as we can find people. We don't have to make a lot of money by setting up an academy. When the time comes, we can find more students and make more billiards. It can be their daily entertainment. If a student is not good at studying but is good at billiards, then we can give him a salary and let him develop in this area."
Zhang Xiaobao said that he did not expect to make money at first, but as he spoke, his purpose was exposed. Old Man Pi really did not know what to say. He nodded and agreed to help find teachers. Then he said to Zhang Xiaobao, "How do you make money from billiards? Tell Grandpa. "
"Of course, it's to be a billiards teacher and partner, or to play in a competition. Billiards are not something that ordinary people can play. It just so happens that there are many playboys. Let them play. After they are addicted to billiards, they will buy billiards. When they play, they will think of ways to learn more. I plan to set up a billiards class in the future.
When the time comes, we will let these people teach those playboys. As for the fees, we will charge them less. Those who are willing to learn can learn, and those who are not can just wait to lose. I think they will want to learn something from this billiards class. What do you think, Grandpa Bi? "
Zhang Xiaobao did not hide anything and said his thoughts.
After Old Man Pi heard this, he did not say anything. He really admired the Zhang family's ability to make money. They could even think of this. Ordinary people only knew how to make money by selling billiards. Now, many people knew how to make money by advertising during a competition. But this time, the Zhang family was setting up a class to teach billiards.
Of course, he would not ask. If they taught others, then the class would not be able to continue. In that case, he knew that the more people who knew how to play, the more competitions there would be, and the number of people who played would also increase.
Old Man Chang was also calculating how much money he could make in the future. This kind of billiards game was very interesting. After playing back and forth, he could distinguish between the winners and losers. After Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan left, he asked Old Man Pi,
"Old Man Bi, don't you think there are other things like creating a competition when there's nothing to do? For example, a competition between craftsmen, or a competition between chefs. Not only can those who win get more glory, it can also increase the income of some shops, and it can also earn advertising fees from it.
Especially an official competition like this, wouldn't it be able to get more benefits? If this thing works, not only can it let people get benefits, but it can also let some craftsmen work hard to improve their skills. "
"That's right. Why didn't I think of this? We should talk to the people in the imperial court about this. We can't directly talk about money, or people will jump out to oppose. We should talk about how it can improve craftsmen's skills and make better things."
The moment Old Man Bi heard this, he knew the benefits of it. He was very excited. Humans loved to compare themselves with others, no matter what it was. Those who won would study hard in order to consolidate their position. Those who lost would also study hard in order to ascend to that glorious position.
Most importantly, in the process of the competition, one could see how others were doing, and what their own weaknesses and strengths were. Some skills could be passed down. If ordinary craftsmen were to compete like this, then after improving, it would be more convenient for ordinary people to use all kinds of tools.
If it was a competition between places like the Military Weapons Bureau and the Agriculture Temple, then it would be even more amazing if they could communicate with the craftsmen outside.
As Old Man Bi thought about these things, he said, "Let's have a competition between all the professions. When the time comes, we can let them compete to see who can create new things and who can create better things. That way, they can earn more glory. Do you understand?"
"Of course. How can I not understand? Isn't the curved plough made by the Zhang family? If it was a competition, it would be a great achievement if only one of the 100 new things was useful. Perhaps many people in the imperial court would look down on such a thing. They were all stupid from studying, but the Emperor and some ministers would know the benefits of doing so.
Yes, there must be a competition. The local competition will be a small one, and then the winners will be sent to the provincial middle school to continue the competition. Finally, they will go to the capital to compete. Level by level, level by level. When these people go back after the competition, they can continue to pass on what they have learned through the competition.
However, if they let these craftsmen compete in a small place and they won, what should they do about the travel expenses? They will naturally rely on their craftsmanship to make money in that place, but once they go out, what will they do with their families? "
Old Man Chang had the same idea as Old Man Pi and added some benefits. But in the end, he thought of the most important problem.
Old Man Bi was not anxious at all. He smiled and said, "This is simple. Of course, we have to give the winner something. Why don't we just give the money directly? As long as the winner gets this money, not only will it be enough for his family's living expenses, it will also be enough for his travel expenses.
Are you going to ask who will pay for this? You don't need to pay for it, just those advertisements will be enough. And if they really make something new, it can be sold for money. Just like the Zhang family, they gave the technology to Zhou Xihu. In the end, Zhou Xihu made it first and sold it for a lot of money.
Although others will learn from them, they can still make money in the early stages. This matter is decided. You and I will write a letter in a while. I will send the letter to Beijing. You can give this to your father. "
Old Man Pi was now clear about some of the Zhang family's tricks. He explained it to Old Man Chang. After Old Man Chang heard it, he thought it through. Although there were some benefits to doing this and some people would criticize it, so what? As long as it could improve the country's strength and make the people's lives better, those people were willing to say it.
After the two finished discussing, they were no longer in the mood to play billiards and went back. Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan returned home, only then did they remember that they had not eaten with their two grandfathers. They were thinking too much and forgot about it.
The two of them hurriedly ate some food and began to study the billiards. Neither of them looked down on this matter. Although it was just for entertainment, it was the most profitable. Moreover, the capital invested was not that much, and the speed of getting back the capital was very fast.
"During this time, let's start thinking about how to make billiards. And that ivory, what should we use to replace it? Are we close to the place where there are a lot of elephants? If there are no people from the protection association looking for trouble, let's get people to take a boat close to the seaside and get the ivory there. "
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan rested for a while after eating and then began to discuss this matter. This was another business, and a big one.
Wang Juan thought for a while and said, "These things should be easy to get, or rhino horn or something. When the time comes, if we can find a substitute, it will be cheap. Do you think it can be made with isinglass and some stone powder? When the time comes, we can try it. That way, it can be popularized to the whole people. Those who are willing to play can play with a little money."
Wang Juan actually did not agree to let everyone play billiards. After all, once there was such a game format, then naturally, it would become a gambling game. Some people would gamble less, and some would gamble more.
Zhang Xiaobao had already discussed this issue with Wang Juan. It was impossible to not let people not gamble, unless it could really scare them. But even then, as long as there were benefits, then there would be people who would hide and gamble.
Since this matter could not be put to an end, then let nature take its course. When Zhang Xiaobao heard that isinglass and other things were used to make the ball, he felt that it seemed to be feasible. Even if the craftsmanship was not good, it would not be a big deal. At most, it would break down quickly.
After all, things like ivory were too expensive. Ordinary people could not afford it, so they could only go for the high-end.
"Then find someone to try it. In addition to the things we mentioned, let them think about how to make such a ball. It doesn't need to be so crystal clear, as long as it can be used for collision, it will be fine. I will definitely make some billiard halls in every place in the country.
Don't underestimate this kind of place. It is really profitable. If it is done well, it will be more profitable than some big business. Didn't you see what those billiard halls were like in the past? If it was not profitable, would those people fight for the position? "
Zhang Xiaobao began to prepare to set up a stall, but Wang Juan disagreed. "No, we can't set up so many billiard halls. We won't be the ones doing it. Do you really think you're the savior of the world? As long as there were benefits, there would be conflicts in every place from small to large.
Various forces, and some local people who want to get benefits from it, do you think they can be dealt with? Let them open it themselves. Let them open it wherever they think it is. We just need to make more things and wait for the time to sell it.
Let's do it this way. Even if other people can copy it, we don't have to be afraid. When they're almost done copying, we'll have earned enough money. Yes, there's no such thing as a brand among ordinary people. If anyone can do it, they can play as long as they make it. "
Seeing Wang Juan's opposition, Zhang Xiaobao felt that it was true. In fact, he was preparing to cooperate with some local interests, but this stall was too big, and it was not easy to do. It was better to make and sell it honestly.
However, he was not ready to let those who wanted to copy take advantage of it immediately. He said, "Then form a big factory and try to reduce the cost. Use the cheapest things to make those cases and balls. In the beginning, others don't have it, so it will be more expensive. During this process, we can research some medium things.
When someone makes a copy, we will immediately lower the price of the bad ones and push up the price of the medium ones. As long as we are familiar with the production, we can buy raw materials in large quantities, and the cost will be reduced again and again. We can even control the origin of some raw materials. In this way, we are not afraid of the price of raw materials rising. "
"Okay, then let's do it. Let's go out for a walk and come back to sleep. If there is nothing else tomorrow, we will continue to study."
As soon as Wang Juan heard Zhang Xiaobao's words, she understood what he meant. As long as those people imitated, the price of the raw materials would increase. When the time came, they could even make use of these imitations to earn a sum of money. And from the looks of it, Zhang Xiaobao was prepared to give up on the low-end market and let those imitators compete.
*****
On Lu Zhou's side, it was peaceful. Those who were supposed to do things were busy with their work. The construction of the infrastructure was still going on as usual. The fleet was still out fishing, and there was still the processing of mountain vegetables.
Even Cao Herui and the other two began to think of doing something after they paid back the money. When they contacted Zhang Zhong, they did not talk too much. After all, the estrangement between them could not be removed so easily.
They also didn't want to see Zhang Zhong too much. Right now, they only had an official position, but they didn't need to care about anything. This was good, as long as they had an official position, they would always have a salary. Right now, they could rely on their family members to do things outside to earn money, and also their own salary.
Their days were pretty good. Although it was a bit dull, the three of them started to hate Liu Shaoqing. Who told Liu Shaoqing to speak about their matters? Of course, they also knew that they couldn't completely blame Liu Shaoqing. When they left, they didn't say goodbye to Liu Shaoqing. If they were in Liu Shaoqing's shoes, they wouldn't be reconciled either.
Now, Liu Shaoqing used them to climb up the ranks. He had a job in the yamen, and those debts were erased. In terms of official position, the three of them were more powerful than Liu Shaoqing. But in terms of real power, Liu Shaoqing was much more powerful than them.
"Do we need to look for Liu Shaoqing again? No matter what, we have to ask him why he betrayed us, right? " Cao Herui felt that he could not take this lying down, even though he knew clearly that it was them who wanted to throw Liu Shaoqing away.
Fan Jianxi also thought about this. When he heard Cao Herui's words, he said, "Forget it. In the future, the three of us will be one. Don't worry about him. If we provoke him now, it is very likely that he will not be kind to us. After all, he has a job now. This is an official position. It is better than idling around like us.
And what if he asks us why we did not take him with us when we left? What should we say? If we can't find an excuse, we can just give him a random reason. Then he can just say that he drank too much and accidentally said it. Or that Zhang Zhong wanted to torture him. What can we do? "
When he said this, Cao Herui was silent. After thinking for a while, he suddenly laughed and said, "In fact, we are really lucky. We met the Tang Dynasty Governor Ning and solved the problem. Liu Shaoqing betrayed us. The problem is also solved. Don't you think the four of us are very interesting?"
"I don't think we are better than Liu Shaoqing. At least he can go back to work again. Going back to work is different from staying here. Zhang Zhong always gives some good things for the people in the yamen to take back home to enjoy. Some are food and some are tools. In this year, how many things have we lost?
The most important thing is that Zhang Zhong seems to have let us go temporarily. Who knows if he will do something else? Remember, if someone comes to work with us in the future, no matter where they are, don't worry about them first. I am afraid that they will pretend to be outsiders and accidentally fall into the trap again.
Let's just stay here for now. After this is over, we'll see if we can do some business again. Don't do business in Lu Zhou and avoid the Zhang Family. This way, if Zhang Zhong makes a move again, at least we can maintain our business. "
Jiang Huanshi sipped his tea and said to the two people. This time, he was much more stable. He did not think about revenge, at least not for now. The only thing he wanted to do was to stay idle and see what Zhang Zhong was going to do. When the time came, he would write down these things and send them to the Tang Dynasty Governor Ning in Qinzhou.
When the other two people heard this, they nodded. Cao Herui poured away the rest of the tea leaves and put in some new tea. He said, "Then, should we also make some shrimp sauce? I see that they are all making it. This time, we should do it well and not buy those expensive shrimp from outside. If the Zhang family makes a lot of money with this shrimp sauce, we can't just sit around and wait, right?"
When Jiang Huanshi heard this, he put down the tea bowl and suggested, "Then, let's make less shrimp sauce. Each of us can make 50 jars of it. Even if we can't sell it, we can keep it for ourselves. As long as it is salty, it can be kept for a longer time. I see that they have a lot of wild vegetables. Why don't we learn from them? When the time comes, no matter how the Zhang family does it, we can just follow and pick the wild vegetables ourselves. It won't cost us money."
The three of them discussed some more details before they returned to their respective homes to rest. After this dangerous trip, the three of them were much more mature than before. Whether it was when they were bullied or when they encountered the strong wind, they had changed a lot.
They were fine now, but Zhang Zhong was in trouble. More than 50 boatmen were detained by the mountain villagers. Jiang Huanshi and the other two people concealed some of the details and asked Zhang Zhong to help them think of a solution. The three of them could fork out some money, but they would never go there again.
Zhang Zhong had no choice but to start making arrangements. He felt that this was an opportunity for the mountain villagers to come down the mountain and do something. There were more than 500 mountain villagers there. If these people came down, Lu Zhou's construction work would be slightly faster. After all, 20,000 people were only 40 times more than 500 people.
If these people really came down, they could form a team to do other things. With that in mind, Zhang Zhong began to give orders. First, he asked someone to bring some things to the mountain villagers. Among the things he brought, there were cloth and some food that the mountain villagers had never eaten before.
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