Chapter 297：

The carriage drove unhurriedly on the streets of Port Fulan. The skilled coachman manipulated the horses, and the carriage drove very steadily, with only a little bump.

Bennett Todd sat in the carriage with his eyes closed and meditated, admiring secretly in his heart. It was indeed a carriage produced by the Huxin Town Machinery Factory. After the addition of a wonderful shock-absorbing device, it was comfortable, and his **** was not uncomfortable at all.

I heard that the shock absorbing device was developed by Mr. Guy Burns, the director of the machinery factory. After all, it was a senior artificer dug from King Capital Jingyao by Mr. Lord.

After taking a leisurely look at the new car for a while, Bennett turned his thoughts to his latest business.

With the support of the State Council's policy of supporting industry and commerce, Bennett did not invest in the various emerging industries advocated by Earl Paul Greyman like other businessmen, but still managed his old business-the shipping industry.

Regardless of any industry, the things produced must be sold, and the Northwest Gulf has always been poor. Although the lord is committed to improving people's livelihood, this is not a matter of one or two years. At this stage, the common people do not have much on hand. Spend spare money to buy non-essential items. Since there are many land transportation barriers in this era, sea transportation will become the best choice for long-distance large-scale transportation. As long as you focus on your old business, you don’t have to worry about making money.

Sure enough, the Government Affairs Council soon announced that the Fulan Harbor Shipyard would launch a sailing ship for civilian use, and the Todd family was overjoyed. Bennett is still very confident with the full-sail boat because of the Quaker shipyard trip to the south of the Cape Bay.

However, the price given by the shipyard is also frighteningly high. A single-masted ship costs 3000 silver coins, and a two-masted ship costs as much as 5000 silver coins.

At that time, the stock exchange had not officially started, and it was very inconvenient to raise funds. Just when Mr. Todd was discouraged by such a high price, under the care of Earl Greiman, the shipyard introduced a convenience package for the cash-strapped ship traders. Measures - payment in installments.

The money does not need to be paid in one lump sum. After signing the contract, you can pay a down payment first, and pay off the remaining money in several installments.

This measure was so convenient that Mr. Bennett rekindled hope, and the Todd family quickly raised a sum of money and placed an order with the shipyard before other counterparts. The Todd family is the largest ship merchant in the area. With their leading role, other colleagues have followed suit.

In the first half of this year, Bennett finally got a sloop and a ketch and immediately threw himself into his own business. Civilian ships have increased cabin capacity and are slightly less flexible than warships, but they are more suitable for carrying cargo (in Paul's eyes, such ships are very similar to the Clark sailing ships in Earth's history). A brig can carry 60 to 70 tons, if Rubin, the director of the shipyard, is not bragging.

Omg this is incredible. Yes, some of the larger galleys outperformed these full-sailers, but they also required hundreds or even hundreds of oarsmen, and the new ships needed to be blown by the wind.

The actual performance of these two ships in his own business proved that buying them was more than an absolute bargain. Seeing the prosperity of the south, there is really a vast world that could only exist in imagination before.

Bennett also visited the Foster family with a letter of introduction issued by the Lord's Mansion, and confirmed the business cooperation between the two parties, which was even unthinkable before.

He has planned to continue ordering more sailboats to replace the family's existing galleys.

"Sir, we've arrived."

A word from the coachman interrupted Bennett's beautiful vision of the future.

"So soon?" He opened his eyes, and while getting out of the carriage, he told the coachman, "I'm going down first, so you don't have to wait for me outside, just come and pick me up at the agreed time."

What came into view was a tavern, and Bennett walked in after the driver drove the carriage away.

Explaining my identity, I went to a room led by the waiter. There were already many people sitting in it. They were all prominent people from all walks of life nearby, including papermakers, porcelain burners, and canned food producers. The most familiar one is the salt merchant Godwin.

These people have one thing in common—the family property has been multiplied several times under the Government Council's policy of supporting industry and commerce and technology sharing. Well, actually Bennett himself is one of them.

"Ha, Bennett, you are finally here, everyone is waiting for you!"

Godwin stood up to welcome him to the table.

Bennet showed an apologetic expression, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, my family's boat has just brought back a batch of oriental spices from Jiaowan, so I have to check it myself."

Damn, oriental spices! Everyone sprayed acid water in their hearts, and the invisible pretense was the deadliest.

After exchanging pleasantries, everyone finally entered the theme of this gathering - discussing the war bonds issued by the Government Affairs Council.

Godwin raised his voice and asked, "Do you all have any thoughts on war bonds?"

"This…"

No one responded positively, just discussing in twos and threes. The people at the party gradually divided into two factions. One group tended to buy bonds-of course, do what they can, and the other group thought it would be best not to get involved in this matter.

An older businessman twirled his gray beard, shook his head and said, "It stands to reason that it is the duty of our subjects to help the lord solve the predicament, but... but..."

A person next to him continued to speak for him, "But we also have small profits and small profits. We really have intentions but are powerless."

The words of the two resonated with many people: "Yes, we are just a mere businessman, how can we participate in the disputes between the nobles and gentlemen."

Their point of view was immediately refuted, "Hmph, you are really ungrateful."

"What? How can you say that."

"Think about what kind of life you lived before, and look at the present, all of you are sitting in luxurious carriages, dressed in exquisite materials. Small profits and small profits? I'm afraid it will make people laugh out loud. Who doesn't know that we are under the grace of the count made a fortune."

The two factions held their own opinions and argued endlessly. Why meet to discuss this matter?

Many people who oppose the purchase of bonds think this way: What if the earl loses after buying bonds? Wouldn't the money spent be in vain, or do business honestly and securely. But if I didn't buy them and someone else bought them, the earl would just give me small shoes, and it would be best if everyone didn't buy them.

Those who are in favor of buying bonds think this way: If the earl loses, I can't let my money go to waste. It's better for everyone to lose money.

In short, most people are convincing each other with the idea that I can't let me be unlucky alone under extreme circumstances.

"Ahem, everyone!" Godwin stood up and spoke.

He is inclined to buy bonds, "Everyone should take a long-term view."

Everyone turned their eyes to him.

"Looking at the northwest bay, which noble territory is as friendly to merchants as Arda."

This is true, everyone nodded secretly, not only the Northwest Gulf, but also the merchants of the Aldo Kingdom are fat sheep in the eyes of those in power In case the Earl loses—may God forgive me for being so disrespectful — Let the Kent family gain power, and we still have a good life now? "

There was a chill in everyone's hearts, Maltz Kent was a master of cramps.

"If Earl Greiman can keep his territory, it's okay. We are nothing more than sharing some war reparations. But in the worst case, the earl's territory is deprived and a new lord is replaced. You still want to go back to the past. Is there a day when the exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes can't be paid, and the sky can't end?"

A blow from the soul, many people present have begun to shake their heads subconsciously. After Paul Greiman succeeded to the throne, he canceled all kinds of messy taxes and assessments one after another, and lived a comfortable and good life for more than a year, as if he felt that life should be like this. In fact, if we compare vertically, everyone pays more taxes than before, but the premise is that they earn more.

Bennett looked at Godwin who was trying to persuade everyone without saying a word, he was very surprised, his old friend has always been a character who never gets ahead, how could he become so active today?

After thinking about it, Bennett had a flash of inspiration in his head and thought of a certain possibility.

Hehe, it seems that someone has preempted him, so he has to act quickly.

Besides, he also thought that Godwin's words were very reasonable. Since the trip to Cape Bay in person, Bennett's vision has broadened a lot. While envious of the prosperity of the South, he always has a sense of inferiority in his heart. But he thinks he can achieve the same achievements as those horned giants, but it needs the right environment.

Seedlings can grow into big trees only in a suitable environment, and this environment cannot be destroyed.

Bennett made up his mind and stood up.

"Everyone! Please listen to me!"

…