Cao Xueqin described Jia Baoyu, "I hate iron for not becoming steel!"
Although it was used to describe people, it still showed the importance of iron and steel in the minds of the ancient people.
Especially in the Tang dynasty, the annual output of iron was extremely limited, and steel was even rarer. Its price was usually five times that of iron, and it was usually supplied directly to the military, so there was no market for it.
Therefore, when the Mo Family's four-wheeled carriage, which was made of special steel parts, appeared in Chang 'an, it caused such a craze of sales.
As long as the villagers pointed out that the shock absorbers of the four-wheeled carriage and the wheels of the four-wheeled truck were made of stainless steel, the business was almost done.
It should be known that in the Tang dynasty, which monopolized steel in this country, the price of the four-wheeled carriage with steel parts was doubled, just like gold and silver in the future.
When the four-wheeled carriage of the Mo family became popular in Chang 'an, the news that the Mo family had the secret method of making steel had spread all over Chang' an.
"Boss! The steward of the Zhangsun family wants to see you! "In the Mo family, Xu Jie reported.
"The Zhangsun family? Are you sure? " Meton asked doubtfully. It should be known that the relationship between Meton and Zhangsun Chong was not good. Zhangsun Chong fanned the flames and acted as a go-between for the Mo family twice in a row.
"Replying to Boss, I have done business with the steward of the Zhangsun Family before, so I naturally recognize the steward." Xu Jie confirmed. Besides, he was not only the steward of the Zhangsun family, but also the steward in charge of the external affairs of the Zhangsun family. He controlled a large number of shops and businesses of the Zhangsun family, and a large amount of iron materials bought and sold by the Mo family were from this steward.
Meton thought for a while, but did not know why the Zhangsun family came at this time. He nodded and said, "Let him in."
"Zhangsun Quan pays his respects to Marquis Merton!"
Under Xu Jie's lead, a middle-aged man in embroidered clothes of about forty years of age walked in, and bowed when he saw Moton.
"Steward Zhangsun, you may rise!" Merton was a seventh-grade official, but Meton did not need to pay too much attention to him at all.
"I come here today to do business with Marquis Merton." Zhangsun Quan said.
"Business? The business of the Mo family has always been in charge of Manager Xu. If you have any business with him, you can just ask him! "Meton said doubtfully.
Xu Jie also felt a burst of discomfort. Zhangsun Quan was truly condescending, actually bypassing him and directly doing business with the boss.
Zhangsun Quan shook his head and said, "I'm afraid that I can't make the decision."
"I wonder what kind of business Manager Sun is talking about?" Xu Jie said unhappily.
"The secret art of steel making!" Zhangsun Quan said solemnly.
Zhangsun Quan, Mo, Zhangsun, Mo, Mo's, Zhangsun was, Mo, Mo was the foundation of the Mo family...
"The Zhangsun family wants the secret method of making steel?"
Meton narrowed his eyes and stared at the external steward of the Zhangsun family in front of him. Obviously, the secret method of making steel was what the Zhangsun family wanted.
Zhangsun Quan said proudly, "We don't want it, but we want to cooperate. The Zhangsun family controls the largest ironware trade in the Tang dynasty, and the Mo family has the secret method of making steel. Our cooperation is a match made in heaven."
Xu Jie was tempted by Zhangsun Quan's proposal. From a business point of view, it was a win-win situation.
"As far as I know, for the Zhangsun family, making steel isn't a difficult task. If Manager Zhangsun doesn't understand, I can teach you the method of making steel one by one. Whether it's hundred tempered steel, stir-frying steel, or even the method of pouring steel, I will teach you everything," Moton said.
The method of making steel had existed since ancient times. It was impossible for the Zhangsun family not to know these methods.
Zhangsun Quan shook his head and said, "Marquis Merton, you don't have to play dumb. These methods of making steel are not secrets for the Zhangsun family. What the Zhangsun family wants is the latest secret method of making steel of the Mo family, which is the tall round furnace in the Village of the Mo family."
Morton's heart skipped a beat as he stared sharply at Zhangsun Quan. This blast furnace had been modified by Morton based on the indigenous steel-making methods of the later generations. Although the quality of steel produced by the indigenous steel-making methods of the later generations was not high, that was only because they were eager for quick success.
The blast furnace modified by the Mo family had already overcome these shortcomings, and it was much more advanced than the most advanced method of pouring steel in this era. What's more, it saved time and effort, and the yield of steel was doubled. It was the biggest secret of the Village of the Mo family.
Ordinary people only knew that the Village of the Mo family had the secret method of making steel, but the Zhangsun family could clearly describe the shape of the blast furnace. Obviously, the Zhangsun family had spies in the Village of the Mo family.
"The Zhangsun family knows a lot, doesn't it?" Meton snorted coldly.
Zhangsun Quan was not ashamed, but felt proud and said, "In Chang 'an City, there are not many things that the Zhangsun family doesn't know."
Meton and Xu Jie suddenly became embarrassed. The Zhangsun family's spying behavior was really impolite.
"Marquis Merton, don't be angry. The Mo family has the best secret method of making steel, which is not a secret in Chang 'an City." Zhangsun Quan said evasively.
Meton took a deep breath, knowing that it was inevitable. Since the Village of the Mo family recruited outsiders, some secrets could not be hidden.
But fortunately, the blast furnace was in the center of the Village of the Mo family. Even if outsiders saw the shape, they could not restore the method of making steel. The real core technology was in the hands of the core disciples of the Village of the Mo family.
"Manager Zhangsun, you may have misunderstood. Now that the Mo family has the secret method, they will not keep it to themselves. When the right time comes, the Village of the Mo family will definitely publicize it, just like the secret method of Living Fish." Meton said.
Of course, it was impossible to publicize it for free. The secret method of making steel was related to the foundation of the country. When the Village of the Mo family had a better secret method of making steel, they would certainly spread the low-level secret method of making steel. They would also be selective and would make a lot of money from the Village of the Mo family. Of course, these words would not be said to Zhangsun Quan now.
"I think Marquis Merton misunderstood! If Marquis Merton spreads the secret method of making steel, the price of steel will not be much higher than that of iron. "Zhangsun Quan shook his head and said.
The rarer something was, the more expensive it was. When all the blacksmiths in the Tang dynasty knew the secret method of making steel, the price of steel would definitely drop. How could there be any profit at that time?
"That's what the Zhangsun family wants!" Meton was confused.
The Zhangsun family wants to cooperate with the Mo family at this moment. If Marquis Merton agrees, the secret method of making steel in the Village of the Mo family can be preserved forever. Marquis Merton, think about it. In the whole Tang dynasty, only the two of us have steel. How much profit will it be? " Zhangsun Quan described a fascinating scene. As the top family in the Tang dynasty, the Zhangsun family wanted to seize a monopoly of high profits.
"Manager Zhangsun, what you said is wrong. Keeping the secret method of making steel is not in line with the idea of the Mo family." Meton shook his head and said.
"Marquis Merton, please think about it carefully. If this is done, the Mo family will get the friendship of the Zhangsun family. Even the conflicts between the Mo family and the Gongshu family and the Wang family can be mediated by the Zhangsun family." Zhangsun Quan said.
Hearing this, Meton smiled and said, "It seems that you can't do this kind of thing."
Zhangsun Quan smiled and said without embarrassment, "As long as Marquis Merton agrees, there will be someone important enough to talk with Marquis Merton."
Only Zhangsun Wuji and Zhangsun Chong could be important enough in front of Meton. Of course, Zhangsun Wuji could not do this kind of thing, so only Zhangsun Chong could do it.
"What a pity. It's the Mo family's honor to make friends with the Zhangsun family. The Mo family's policy has been set, and it is impossible to change it." Meton sighed and said.
There were no eternal friends in the world, only eternal interests. In the face of the high profits of steel, even the Zhangsun family could not help but be tempted.
Meton did not expect that Zhangsun Chong would support the Gongshu family on one hand, and on the other hand, he even wanted to make steel. His appetite was too big.
Zhangsun Quan persuaded again and again, but Meton shook his head firmly and refused.
"In that case, is it possible for the Zhangsun family to buy a batch of steel from the Mo family's village?" Zhangsun Quan asked for the second best.
"Of course, as long as the Zhangsun family does not sell or use the steel to the competitors of the Mo family's village." Meton said meaningfully.
The only competitor of the Mo family's village was the Gongshu family. Now, the Gongshu family was imitating the iron pots and four-wheeled carriages on a large scale, and what they lacked was suitable steel.
Especially all the steel of the shock absorber, which was the best technology of the Mo family's village, the combination of hardness and flexibility.
Hearing this, Zhangsun Quan was stunned. He immediately knew that the Mo family had found out the intention of the Zhangsun family. He said angrily, "Does the Mo family want to take all the profits?"
As expected, the Zhangsun family wanted the secret steel-making technique for the four-wheeled carriages. The Mo family's four-wheeled carriages could make 100,000 strings of cash in half a month, which was so amazing that even Zhangsun Chong could not help but be tempted.
Hearing this, Meton sneered, "The Mo family developed the secret steel-making technique, so it is natural for them to take all the profits. It is also not a good habit for the Zhangsun family to reap without sowing!"
Zhangsun Quan sneered, "Although steel is good, it is also made of iron. Since the Mo family wants to take all the profits, then don't blame the Zhangsun family for returning the favor."
"Manager Zhangsun, don't be impulsive. The Mo family has become the biggest customer of the Zhangsun family. When the time comes, the Mo family will not be the only one to suffer losses." Xu Jie said anxiously.
"Manager Xu, you are wrong. The Zhangsun family has never worried about the iron materials." Zhangsun Quan sneered.
Whether it was the status of Zhangsun Wuji or the monopoly of the Zhangsun family's iron industry in Guanzhong, the business of the Zhangsun Iron Industry had never been worried. Without the Mo family, there was still the Gongshu family.
"Does the Zhangsun family want to be like the Taiyuan Wang family, and cut off the iron supply of the Mo family's village?" Meton snorted coldly. These aristocratic families were used to robbing and using the power in their hands for their own personal gain.
"It is not that the Zhangsun family is not benevolent, but the Mo family's village continues to buy iron materials on a large scale. The amount is shocking. Iron is a national treasure. The Zhangsun family is indebted to the Emperor, and naturally has to share the burden of the Emperor," Zhangsun Quan said proudly.
Xu Jie's expression was also ugly. He thought of the scene where his Xu's Trading Company could not fight back in this kind of power. He could not help but clench his hands tightly.
Meton could not help but feel embarrassed. He was not an ordinary ignorant youth. The iron that the Mo family's village recently bought was more than enough to make 10,000 weapons. Zhangsun Quan used this as an excuse to cut off the Mo family's iron supply. Even if the matter went to Taiji Palace, he would not be afraid.
"I hope Marquis Merton will consider it carefully. It is not easy for the Mo family's village to develop like this. Don't delay the bright future. If Marquis Merton agrees, the Zhangsun family will guarantee the Mo family's iron supply." Zhangsun Quan said with a faint smile.
Zhangsun Quan's meaning was very obvious. If the Mo family agreed to cooperate with the Zhangsun family, naturally, these things would not be an obstacle. If the Mo family's village did not agree, for the safety of the country, they could only cut off the iron supply of the Mo family's village.
"The iron supply of the Mo family's village and the sale of the steel are all recorded. We are not afraid of anyone's investigation." Xu Jie angrily rebuked.
"Whether you are afraid or not is your business. The Zhangsun family only needs to consider." Zhangsun Quan smiled slightly.
Xu Jie immediately looked at Meton. Unconsciously, Xu Jie had already recognized Meton and regarded him as the backbone of the family.
"There is no need to consider, and the Mo family will never break the promise." Meton said firmly.
"I hope Marquis Merton won't regret it." Zhangsun Quan took a deep look at Meton, cupped his hands and turned to leave.
"Young master!" Xu Jie's face was pale. He knew that the most important selling point of the four-wheeled carriage business of the Mo family was the steel. If there was no iron supply, the four-wheeled carriage business would be closed.
"Different situations call for different measures. Take this opportunity to use the previous contacts to buy more iron for backup." Meton waved his hand and said.
"Even if it is a little expensive, it doesn't matter. The priority is to guarantee the supply of four-wheeled carriages." Meton added.
"Yes, young master!" Xu Jie replied.
In the Zhangsun family's house.
Zhangsun Quan stood in front of Zhangsun Chong respectfully and told him what happened in the Mo family's house.
"Mo Jiazi?" Zhangsun Chong snorted coldly.
Zhangsun Chong was different from Wang Zhe. He was proud, but he would not ignore the interests for the sake of face. And he was more ambitious. He wanted not only the four-wheeled carriage business, but also the steel business.
"Young Master, not only did the son of the Mo Family refuse to cooperate with the two families, but he also wants the Zhangsun Family to reap without sowing. He is really arrogant." Zhangsun Quan said hatefully.
"Reap without sowing?" Zhangsun Chong was embarrassed.
Zhangsun Chong was the top playboy in Chang 'an City, but no one dared to talk to him like this.
"The Mo family has the best secret steel-making skill. Should we use the people in the imperial court to force Mo Jiazi to hand over the secret steel-making skill?" Zhangsun Quan said insidiously. As long as the Mo family handed over the secret steel-making skill, the Zhangsun family was sure to get it.
Zhangsun Chong shook his head and said, "How can we use the same trick twice? Not to mention that Mo Jiazi has a good relationship with the military. Just like the secret steel-making skill, once it is announced, no one can copy the miracle of the Mo family's village.
Once the secret steel-making skill is revealed, the Zhangsun family can get it, so can other people. At that time, it will be like the secret steel-making skill, which is known to everyone. It will be impossible to make a huge profit with steel. At most, we can make some hard-earned money.
"Reap the benefits alone? I'll show you what it means to reap the benefits alone! Send my order that the Mo family has reached the limit of iron materials. Without finding out the direction of the iron materials, the Zhangsun family will not sell to the Mo family any more. At the same time, tell the other families. I believe they will know what to do. "Zhangsun Chong snorted coldly.
The Zhangsun family was the noblest family in Chang 'an City, and the Zhangsun Family owned 70% of the shares in Chang' an City. The other families all depended on the Zhangsun family. What's more, the Zhangsun family had accused the Mo family of many things, so they would not disobey the Zhangsun family at this time.
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