What Zhang Batian said was true. Any commodity was precious when it was rare. No matter how big the market was, there would be saturation. Once the market was saturated, it would be difficult to guarantee the price of the commodity. The profit of the businessman would be infinitely reduced, even to the point of no profit. This was a situation that no businessman wanted to see.
In the planned economy era of the later generations, bold people could sneak out to do business and earn more than half a year's worth of hard work. Going abroad to sell goods once could earn more than a lifetime's worth of earnings.
This was because ordinary people could not do business. No one could compete with these bold people, so the profit was naturally very high. Once a large number of ordinary people entered the ranks of business, it would become difficult to do business.
When the Hua Xia just began to open up the market, any business could earn a lot of money. Anyone who did business made a fortune. After a few decades, more and more businessmen did business, and the market was already saturated. Many new businessmen who joined were basically unprofitable and could only go bankrupt in the end.
With the saturation of the market, the ones who suffered the most were naturally the businessmen who did business. Ordinary people could take the opportunity to buy enough cheap goods, which was in their interests. However, businessmen were more concerned about their own interests. How could they consider the interests of ordinary people?
As businessmen, they were afraid that the market would be saturated and their income would be weakened. Therefore, they would try every means to prevent this from happening.
At this moment, what Zhang Batian did was to artificially control the saturation of the market, so that he could always make a lot of money from overseas trade and have endless descendants.
This was completely different from the commercial prosperity that Ang Lee pursued. Ang Lee knew that the current business of the Tang dynasty was still somewhat underdeveloped. Many necessities that ordinary people should have could not be supplied normally. This showed that the business still had great potential and was far from saturation. Moreover, the saturation of the market was not terrible. The market would actively adjust everything. After the saturation of the market, many people would naturally choose to give up, so that the business could reach a state of balance.
"This official understands that President Zhang hopes that his children and grandchildren can easily eat the bowl of overseas trade. However, this official's main purpose for coming here this time is to exterminate the pirates. After the pirates are completely exterminated, I estimate that President Zhang will no longer have much of an advantage in the future."
Ang Lee said coldly.
As long as he led the army to eliminate the pirates along the way, all the businessmen would be able to do business smoothly. In this way, the competitive pressure would be great. The price of goods would naturally be greatly reduced, and the profiteering overseas trade would return to rationality. Once the management was not good, it could lead to losses.
Zhang Batian didn't seem to be nervous. He calmly said, "Assistant Minister Li personally led the troops to exterminate the pirates. This is enough to show that the imperial court still cares about us merchants. However, in this old man's humble opinion, the imperial court must have expended a lot of resources to exterminate the pirates. Pirates, on the other hand, call the pirates home. They may disperse in a moment of defeat, but as soon as the imperial court's troops leave, they will gather again and rob passing merchant ships. In order to take revenge, they will rob even more ruthlessly.
. "Ang Lee certainly did not believe Zhang Batian's nonsense. This kind of person only cared about his own interests. How could he think so far ahead? Moreover, he misunderstood Ang Lee's intentions. Ang Lee wanted to maintain the army on the Silk Road on the sea for a long time, not to disperse the pirates and then withdraw.
"President Zhang, you worry too much. The imperial court is very determined. Not only does it want to completely eliminate the pirates, but it also wants to maintain a strong army in the places where the pirates used to appear. It will always keep the sea route safe. Therefore, the situation that President Zhang said will not happen. In the future, all the businessmen can go overseas to trade with confidence. The Tang dynasty's navy will protect your safety."
Ang Lee expressed his attitude with a straight face.
Zhang Batian's face turned slightly cold. He felt that Ang Lee in front of him was not easy to deal with. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Assistant Minister Li, if we maintain the army overseas all year round, the small number of soldiers will not be enough to deter the pirates. But the large number of soldiers will cost more. This will inevitably bring huge financial pressure to the imperial court! The financial resources that the imperial court will have to spend may far exceed the toll that we businessmen have to pay to the pirates. It seems that the gains do not make up for the losses. "
His persuasion failed, so Zhang Batian came up with another set of suggestions. However, Ang Lee was not swayed at all. This made Zhang Batian feel somewhat helpless.
"This old man is very touched that the imperial court is willing to pay any price to uphold justice for us businessmen. Although this old man knows the pirates, this old man is also very dissatisfied with the pirates' trickery. If Assistant Minister Li can eliminate the pirates in one fell swoop, this old man will be happy to see it happen."
Zhang Batian had no choice but to say so.
"Haha! I am deeply gratified that President Zhang can understand the imperial court's painstaking efforts. However, this time, this official will not only eliminate the pirates, but also those who have colluded with the pirates and done bad things. I hope that President Zhang can go back and tell other businessmen that if anyone colludes with the pirates, they must immediately come forward and ask for punishment. If they tell me about the pirates, this official will give them a lighter punishment. Otherwise, when this official finds out, this official will not let them off lightly. "
Ang Lee loudly said as he looked at Zhang Batian's expression.
Zhang Batian was not nervous at all. He bowed and said, "This old man will definitely pass on Assistant Minister Li's words. However, the businessmen of this old man's Chamber of Commerce are all honest businessmen. We do not collude with the pirates. We only exchange a few words with the pirates when we pay the toll. There is no deeper level of communication."
Ang Lee smiled and nodded. "That's good. This official also hopes so."
"This old man will take his leave."
Zhang Batian returned in defeat, his expression somewhat displeased.
"Big Brother, I keep feeling that this Zhang Batian is not a good person."
Li Feiyu suddenly walked out from behind the screen and looked at Zhang Batian's back.
"I can also see that this fellow is very scheming. He seems like a good person on the surface, but it's all just a disguise."
Ang Lee gave his evaluation and ordered, "Fei Yu, find several reliable people to keep an eye on this Zhang Batian and the merchants of his Chamber of Commerce. If they really are colluding with the pirates, they will definitely take action."
"Yes, Big Brother. I know what to do."
Ang Lee nodded and led a group of guards to observe the soldiers' training. The southern expedition was imminent, and the better the soldiers were trained, the easier it would be to open the Silk Road.
After returning to his residence, Zhang Batian's face was rather gloomy, and he knocked over a cup of tea that a servant had brought up.
"Alang, the secret chamber."
A servant warned.
Zhang Batian understood what this meant and walked into the secret chamber.
"Elder Zhang, what is the situation? What is Assistant Minister Li's attitude? "
A young merchant anxiously asked.
Zhang Batian sighed and said, "The situation is worse than we thought. This Assistant Minister Li is like a tortoise eating a scale. He is determined to eliminate all the pirates along the way. Moreover, he wants to station the Tang dynasty's troops at all the important places along the way so that the pirates will never be able to rise again."
"What? He's so ruthless? If we really let him achieve this goal, we will have a hard time in the future."
"That's right! Maritime trade is our exclusive business. How can we let others take a share? "
"If all the merchants can travel freely on the sea, it will be difficult for us to do business in the future."
"What nonsense are you talking about? Are these important issues? Money is nothing. If we leave something with the pirates, we will be accused of colluding with the pirates. This is the most fatal thing. "
"That's right! If we are accused of colluding with the pirates and framing our peers, even ten heads won't be enough for us to chop off. "
The merchants suddenly became nervous.
Zhang Batian helplessly shook his head and said, "I was going to persuade Assistant Minister Li to give up on opening the Maritime Silk Road. Even if I couldn't persuade him, I could let Black and White Kings hide for a while. But I didn't expect that Assistant Minister Li is so ruthless. He wants to station the Tang dynasty's troops along the way and completely cut off the pirates' plans. This move is too ruthless, too ruthless!"
At the thought of Ang Lee's confident expression, Zhang Batian felt completely disheartened. Ang Lee's plan was to completely cut off his exclusive business and force him to compete with other merchants. In this way, his exclusive advantage would be gone.
"Elder Zhang, what should we do now? Should we immediately inform Black and White Kings so that they can prepare? "
A young merchant hurriedly said.
"Inform my ass, idiot."
Zhang Batian glared at the young merchant and reprimanded, "Black and White Kings are very shrewd. Do you think they don't have hidden sentries in Guangzhou? You think those fishermen fishing in the sea are pure and honest people, but you're wrong. At least dozens of fishing boats docked in the harbor belong to Black and White Kings. "
"What? If that's the case, Black and White Kings know all about us. We can't lie to them."
"I see. Last time, I concealed my goods to pay a little less toll, but I was almost robbed."
"As expected of a pirate. How cunning!"
A few young businessmen suddenly realized something.
"Elder Zhang, what should we do now? Just wait and see? "
A merchant asked.
The corner of Zhang Batian's mouth twitched. "If I'm not wrong, the people from the imperial court have already set their eyes on us. We can't act rashly in case they discover us. The only thing we can do now is to stay still."
"Then do we still do business? Do we need to stop for a while? "
A merchant asked.
"No need. Do what you need to do to make money. Act as if Assistant Minister Li and the others never came. You can all go back! When I need you, I'll send someone to find you. "
Zhang Batian said coldly.
"Brother Zhang, don't you have any plans?"
After most of the people left, an old man stayed behind. He was the same age as Zhang Batian. They were already together when they were still fishing. Zhang Batian was more capable and had always been in a leadership position. This old man had always been very obedient and listened to everything Zhang Batian said. That was how they had obtained the privilege of doing business together. Although they were business partners, they looked more like servants to outsiders.
"Sun Liu, we're now fish on the chopping board. One wrong move and we'll lose everything. We can only wait and see. We don't need to do anything."
Zhang Batian said helplessly.
"Are we just going to wait?"
Sun Liu said.
"Don't worry! White King will soon get the news. With his violent temper, he won't sit still. He'll send someone to Guangzhou to stir up trouble. We'll just watch. "
Zhang Batian planned to watch from the sidelines.
"Brother Zhang, how can White King be a match for Assistant Minister Li? I'm just worried that once the Imperial Court's troops capture White King's lair, our letters will fall into the hands of Assistant Minister Li. In that case, we'll be completely finished."
Zhang Batian sneered and said coldly, "If it's a blessing, it's not a curse. If it's a curse, we can't avoid it. White King and the others have planted their own people under our noses. I'm not a fool. Don't you think I won't plant spies in his lair?"
"Brother Zhang, you have spies in their lair. When did this happen? Why did you hide it from me?"
Sun Liu was a little shocked. He had followed Zhang Batian for so many years, almost inseparable, but he had no idea that Zhang Batian had spies in the pirate lair.
"For this kind of confidential matter, the fewer people who know, the better. I didn't deliberately hide it from you, but I was afraid that you'd get drunk and say it. In that case, my spies will be in danger."
Zhang Batian patted Sun Liu's shoulder and continued, "Once the pirate lair is attacked, it's bound to fall into chaos. My spies will immediately find the letters and burn them all. I believe that in that kind of chaotic situation, no one will be in the mood to care about these things."
"Brother Zhang, if the spies don't find the letters and let them fall into the hands of the Imperial Court, what should we do?"
Sun Liu was still a little worried.
"Then there's only the last of the 36 stratagems left. The best strategy is to leave. We have so many ships. We can take our families and valuables to Nanyang to develop. Maybe we can come back in the future? I have some businesses in Ma Country and Shan Country in Southeast Asia. It's to prepare for a backup plan.
Zhang Batian said cunningly.
"A cunning rabbit has three burrows. Brother Zhang, I, Sun Liu, am completely convinced. For so many years, we've earned enough. If there's no other way, we can just go to Nanyang. With the wealth we have now, our family won't be able to spend it all in several lifetimes."
Sun Liu's face was full of excitement and admiration for Zhang Batian.
People like Zhang Batian were the smartest people. They knew how to plan ahead. Since he decided to collude with the pirates to seek wealth for himself, he had been prepared to be exposed at any time. He had prepared many businesses overseas in advance so that he could evacuate Guangzhou and hide overseas at any time.
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