The mayor of Port Flanders, Theodore, warmly entertained Quick and his party in the city hall. Apart from the crew on the South, the most active people at the banquet were the group of businessmen.
"The buildings there are tall and big, and even civilian houses are beautifully decorated."
"Businessmen are very respected there, and they can also have an influence on zhèngfǔ."
"People dress well, live well, and are willing to pay for things."
The crowd surrounded the four representatives who had visited Jiaowan, discussing urgently and enthusiastically what they had seen and heard in foreign countries.
Under the description of several representatives, Jiaowan has become a businessman's paradise full of gold in the hearts of everyone. Many people regret why they were not born there.
"I stayed at the pier for a full day, not for anything else, just to count the number of merchant ships that came in and out of the port all day. Guess what, there were fifty-five large merchant ships entering and leaving the port that day!"
"Oh~ God, what kind of scene should that be?"
Hearing what a representative said, Mr. Bennett, who made his fortune by shipping, expressed emotion. In comparison, there were not many merchant ships in the Port of Richland in a week. , this port is gradually gaining vitality, and I hope it can become as prosperous as Jiaowan.
"The market in Nessburg brings together goods from all over the world. Except for those special products that are not easy to store, any goods you can imagine can be bought there."
A factory owner who built a porcelain factory asked suspiciously: "Is there even porcelain? We haven't been producing porcelain here for a long time."
Another representative showed a resentful expression. He put his hand on his mouth and said in a low voice, "I'll tell you one thing."
Seeing that he was so careful, everyone moved their heads towards him.
The representative whispered: "Porcelain has already appeared in Jiaowan, and our lord has quietly started business with Jiaowan. The partner is the Foster family who occupies a seat in the Jiaowan Alliance Council."
"What, it turns out that Master Graveman has already connected with that side? He didn't even tell us."
"When I was in Lake Town, I saw a distinctive caravan. Their clothes were completely foreign-style, and they couldn't be the Foster family."
"Then they should have come from land. It's really far enough. It will take more than two months to go back and forth. They have to cross the rebel territory in the south."
"With the status and power of the Foster family, the royal families of all countries have to give some face. Presumably, Grand Duke Tanlang will not make things difficult for the caravan of the Foster family, unless he does not want to do business with his neighbors in the south."
The merchants talked a lot, and they were very surprised that there was already a trade connection between Arda and the Horn Bay.
The representative continued: "However, I have only seen decorative porcelain in the headquarters of a chamber of commerce. I have not seen porcelain for sale in the market. It must be that the land transport capacity is too small. Bay immediately sold out, and the supply exceeds demand. Besides, the output of Earl Greiman’s porcelain factory is not very large.”
The factory owner just now looked excited: "So if I can transport the goods to Jiaowan, I will definitely make a lot of money?"
"Of course, the wealth of the people of Jiaowan is not comparable to that of our poor ghosts here. Even the nobles in the northwest region are deprived to death. Oh! I mean the nobles except Mr. Greyman."
The representatives of the businessmen who went out for a stroll and met the world were a little outspoken, but these words aroused the infinite reverie of a group of businessmen, and many people had the idea of investing in the porcelain industry.
"Where's the salt?"
Salt merchant Godwin Toby visited several salt factories under the technical guidance of the Government Administration Council. He was most concerned about whether his salt could be sold at a good price in Jiaowan.
"The prospect of table salt is also very good. The salt there is boiled as before, and the price is as expensive as hell."
"Good! Excellent!"
Godwin's eyes were shining, as if countless gold coins were about to fall from the sky and hit him on the head.
After eagerly discussing the bright future, the businessmen invariably found that they had forgotten the most important issue—the issue of capacity.
"How to transport the goods?"
"Naturally, use the wind-powered ships invented by Earl Greyman, like the Hope and the South."
"Although Lord Graiman has said that he will sell this kind of ship to the private sector, it seems that the shipyard's production capacity is not very sufficient."
The transportation of goods is really a headache. Don't worry about the land route. They don't have the influence of the Foster family. If they go all the way, they will be blocked by checkpoints all the way.
So everyone came to the side of Rubin, the director of the shipyard, and surrounded him.
"Director Lubin, what is the current production plan of the shipyard? When will it be able to accept private orders?"
Although he knew that the merchants could not wait any longer, Rubin had no choice. He said helplessly, "Oh, this is really difficult. At present, we have to give priority to meeting the navy's warship needs."
Just when the merchants were disappointed, a voice sounded We can give up a dock to build civilian ships. "
When everyone looked back, it turned out to be the Admiral Austin.
The merchants were pleasantly surprised: "Really, Commander?"
"Of course it's true, but...cough!"
Austin coughed heavily.
"The navy intends to establish a school to teach sailing knowledge to train a large number of qualified sailors. Of course, it's not just for the army, students can also go to the civilians to find jobs."
"This is a good thing!" The merchants praised.
"It's just the school's venue and fees..."
"Leave it to us, Lord Austin, it's on us, isn't it just a school?"
Immediately, someone patted their chests and asked Austin to solve the problem, and other people who were half a beat behind also echoed.
"You guys are really warm-hearted. For the sake of your quickness, our navy—give up a dock for the construction of merchant ships."
The merchants smiled and toasted Austin one after another.
Rubin, the director of the shipyard at the side, took out his handkerchief to wipe his sweat. Earl Greiman had originally planned to allocate part of the production capacity of the shipyard to build private merchant ships, but the Commander asked him to cooperate in singing such a double reed.
Austin was delighted in his heart while exchanging glasses with the merchants.
He suggested to Paul the idea of building a maritime school, but at that time the Government Affairs Council couldn't allocate much money, so the two came up with this idea.
He decided to see if he could strike while the iron was hot.
"Gentlemen, maybe you can raise funds to establish a technical school to train craftsmen for shipbuilding!"
What makes Austin happy is that his proposal won the approval of everyone again.
Of course, Rubin, the shipyard director, was happier than he was.