Chapter 177: The Temptation of Celadon

Half a month ago, Xinyu Ling Shu Zhongying came to Gao Chong excitedly that the technical difficulties of firing celadon have been overcome, and the damage rate of hundreds of objects was controlled to be around twenty pieces. This is an amazing achievement, which means that mass production has finally become possible.

Gao Chong clearly remembered that the last time he saw Shu Zhongying was half a year ago. At that time, Shu Zhongying held ten pieces of porcelain that he had finally made to burn, but he did not want to be collected, sent and distributed by Gao Chong. Finally, he sent a arduous task to continue developing the porcelain burning process without saying anything.

In the past six months, Shu Zhongying's life may be mixed and joyful. The bitterness is that he has to discuss the reasons for his failure with the craftsmen every day, and the joy is that he has made little progress. As for the affairs in the county, the county magistrate usually handles the matter, and the important ones are brought to the firing site for handling.

Not only Shu Zhongying's happiness, Gao Chong's heart was also turbulent when he heard this good news, and it was difficult to calm down. Jiangdong's technological level has always been in a relatively backward situation compared with the Central Plains. The refugees who moved south brought advanced farming technology, giving Jiangdong the opportunity to learn and catch up. Now, after Gao Chong's nearly three years of governance in Jiangdong, Jiangnan's economic level has finally shown signs that it has begun to overtake the Central Plains.

The first thing that shows superiority is technological inventions. The difficulty of porcelain has made mass production possible, and at the same time, it will also cause tremendous changes in people's daily life.

Gao Chong believed that when he touched the smooth and cool celadon container, no one would be able to control his favorite mood, because compared with the heavy and opaque pottery, this type of celadon was simply a gift from God to the mortal world.

To this end, Gao Chong gave three orders in a row.

"All craftsmen move to hidden places, including their families!" Once everyone realizes the importance of technological innovation, the competition will follow.

"At the same time, those who have rewarded meritorious people and those who have made outstanding contributions should not be punished and promoted." Technology is the first element, and Gao Chong is clear and clear about this.

"I hope that these exquisite celadons can quickly occupy the market and form a trend of pursuit. One day, the high-ranking officials and nobles across the country will be honored to obtain a celadon object."

Merchants always seek profit and avoid harm. After learning that there is an opportunity to make money, these merchants will try their best to transport the porcelain they have obtained to various places. This is their opportunity and also a chance for high pets. Blockades and levels can block the light, but cannot block the dark. Merchants can survive, so naturally they have their own way of survival.

The scenic spots of Qinhuai in ten miles are all the pleasure boats and railings.

Wherever there is water, it can always hold up the tenderness buried deep in people's hearts. When the iron-blooded soldiers come back here, they yearn for the warm beds and mellow wine, and the intoxicating embrace of women. In addition to them, students who came from various counties and counties to study for fame and fortune, officials who received orders to be promoted to the emperor, hope that they could make money and make money, and northern refugees who fled thousands of miles to survive, also came here with their own purposes and longings. Together with everyone living in this city, they formed a unique and beautiful scenery in the city of Jiangnan.

In fact, the name Jinling alone is enough to make people think of it. While winning steadily on the battlefield of Gao Chong, the city, which has always been the seven county seat of Yangzhou, has also flourished.

The size of Jinling City has been several times larger in recent years. Even Hengjiang and Danglikou, these two battlefields of the past, have become today's busy ferry crossings. Merchants from all over the country, arrived at Jinling through here, and then rushed from Jinling to various places.

At dusk, there is always a refreshing atmosphere in the air after a snowfall. On the road, about twenty porters on the road were driving more than ten carrying mules. They had just got off the ferry. There was a willow forest in front of them. The tender green between the branches was tightly hidden in the withered and yellow skin. Only by breaking them and looking at them can people know that although the spring is still chilly, the rejuvenation of the earth will eventually come.

The mist of the forest is hidden in several thatched huts. Just between the willow forests next to the road, a wine shop shows a corner of the wine flag to attract guests. Zhou Ji. In the small river beside the shop, a thin ice surface was broken out of a waterway. On one side of the river, a small boat leaned quietly against the river bank, and it was obvious that this was the tool for the owner of the wine shop to transport goods.

Seeing this, these extremely tired porters, each of whom was shiny in his eyes, turned their longing eyes to the two employers riding donkeys following him.

For these merchants and walkers who are rushing around, every place is just a temporary resting restaurant. For some reason, the wine shop in the willow forest in front of you gives people an indelible feeling of returning home, which makes you have the idea of ​​going in and resting for a while.

"Brother, it's dawn. There's a restaurant in front of us. Why not take a rest for a night and go to the city tomorrow!" The younger man on the right pursed his dry lips and fucked a strong voice unique to Bashu.

"Okay, after you settle down, you ask the porter to move all the brocade into our room. As long as we spend tonight safely, our trip will not be in vain!" The person who answered was an old businessman over 50 years old, shrewd and capable, and cautious, which was the guarantee for them to survive in troubled times.

Brocade, also known as Shu brocade, is a unique trading product in the Bashu area. During the Yanhuang period, Shushan clan, which gathered in the river valley of the Minshui River, knew how to raise silkworms. During the Warring States Period, Shu brocade was transported by horse gangs through ancient roads to the southern barbarians and Buddhist kingdoms farther away. Therefore, in a sense, the importance of Shu brocade is as important as silk in the north.

The gorgeous and exquisiteness of Shu brocade also made the always picky Jiangdong people highly appreciate it. With the expansion of demand, transactions also expanded. For the same reason, the peaceful and prosperous Jiangnan is also the place that all merchants are most willing to go to. These merchants from Shu are just one or two of those gold diggers.

The lobby of the restaurant was full of guests, and the business was quite prosperous. The proprietress was a young woman with a charming and beautiful figure. She skillfully shuttled between the Duoba guests, with a charming smile on her face and a fragrant wine glass in her hand. This glass was crystal clear, smooth and attractive.

"Pretty lady, I, Tian Shao from Liaodong, came and went back and forth in your restaurant. Why have you never seen you use such a delicate drinking utensil?" In the seat, a strong man with a big belly with a big belly asked loudly.

The beautiful girl smiled slightly and said, "Oh, isn't this Master Tian here to get this treasure? Why did you ask me knowingly? I only have this one here. You can see, I want to ask too much. I will go to the city to go to the prefecture's office tomorrow morning to apply for the bidding qualification!"

As soon as this sentence came out, it immediately aroused discussion among the seats. Most of the guests here were merchants, and they arrived at Jinling at the same time for celadon.

The Bashu guest who had just sat down chose a corner to sit down. Then the young man couldn't help but ask in a low voice: "Brother, do you think the chances of winning are great when we come to Jiangdong this time?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a middle-aged businessman with a trivial face sitting next to them sneered: "How can you merchants from Shu have the chance? The distribution rights of celadon objects this time must belong to our Hanzhong!"

"How can I tell?" The young Bashu businessman who went on a trip for the first time said dissatisfied.

"Hmph, does this need an explanation? How important is our location in Hanzhong now? We are the key link between Jingyang and Xiliang. Without us, Jiangdong is just a piece of grain, and no one can transport it to Liangzhou. Who do you think this distribution right belongs to us?" The middle-aged businessman replied proudly.

"Don't say too much, this guy. You Hanzhong has an advantage. Is there no more in our grand Central Plains? We Xudu is the richest city under the feet of the emperor. Last time, the coach gave us ten treasures?" A businessman in his thirty years old who showed a very rich appearance retorted disdainfully.

"Hmph, Xu Du——, the businessman from Xu Du may be favored. Don't you know that the relationship between the coach and the Prime Minister is quite tense now?"

"What can I do if I'm nervous? What does this have to do with us those who do business?"

The debate is getting more and more intense. For these merchants who come and go, the pressure of competition is always there. Tomorrow is the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, and it is also the day for public bidding for celadon distribution rights. Until the last moment, no one can predict who is the winner.

The owner of the restaurant retreated behind the counter at this time. Her eyes were blurred and uncertain, as if she accidentally passed the faces of the merchants. Beside her, a five- or six-year-old boy holding a wooden sword and staring at her alert eyes to protect her mother.

"Chu'er, go back to your room and fall asleep!"

"I don't, my mother doesn't sleep, I don't sleep either!" the child replied stubbornly.

"Okay, you heard that you stay here and don't move. When the guests are about to leave, I will call you again!"

"Well, mom, that fat man looks at you with a disgusting look. I'm going to dig his eyes as a ball!" The child's voice was sharp and spread throughout the hall. It was Tian Shao who was called the fat man. After hearing this, his face turned red and white. He wanted to turn against him, but when he thought that the other party was just a five- or six-year-old child. If he could hold it back, how could he be angry?

"Come on earth, be presumptuous! Go to the back hall to help my mother get the wine!" The young woman cursed while using excuses to send the child away who had caused trouble without realizing it.

The mother and the two were the orphans of Zhou Feng who died in the entrance of Jizhou. One day after Gao Chong took them in and raised them two years ago, the stubborn Mrs. Zhou took Zhou Chu, who had just turned two, and left the residence specially placed for them in Yuzhang. After they walked along, they came to Danglikou and built this tavern.

When I met them again half a year ago, Gao Chong's gaze turned from pity to admiration. In this chaotic world, a woman had the courage to give up a comfortable life and rely on labor and hands to support herself and her children is undoubtedly the most respectable.

Then, with Gao Chong's tacit consent and care, the tavern became a window for inquiries and collecting information. Therefore, the words and actions of these guests will be summarized tomorrow morning on the Lu Su case, who is responsible for Jiangdong government affairs.

On the 16th day of the first lunar month of the seventh year of Jian'an, a conference to compete for the distribution rights of celadon was held as scheduled. The result was beyond the expectations of most merchants. Under the auspices of Lu Su, the distribution rights of celadon were divided into local agency. For example, the merchants in Hanzhong obtained the exclusive distribution rights of Hanzhong, and the merchants in Bashu obtained the agency rights of Yizhou. The situation in Zhongyuan and Liaodong was also the same.

Of course, sometimes several merchants compete for business rights in a place. If nothing unexpected happens, a strong businessman wins the competition, and a weaker businessman can only find a big businessman who obtains agency rights to transfer a smaller agency distribution right.

This method is a plan drawn by Gao Chong and Lu Su after many discussions. Under the separatist situation of the princes, it is a safe way to grant merchants from different regions to distribute. These merchants are familiar with the situation in the region and are easier to get through the joints. At the same time, even if there is a problem with merchants in a place, the impact on the overall situation will not be too great.

The failure of the Haiyan horse replacement strategy last year made Gao Chong more sober. Jiangdong still had too few things to rely on. Haiyan was once a powerful tool, but when Cao Cao also obtained the same salt field, Gao Chong's advantage no longer exists. This time, porcelain research and development technology will become the highest level of secret, and it was Gao Chong's first battle to fight for economic dominance.

In addition to the battlefield of war, economic warfare is also equally important. In the battle with Cao Cao, Gao Chong was behind at the beginning. Although Jiangdong's economy has developed greatly in the past two years, it is still a little different from the deep foundation of the Central Plains. However, Gao Chong has begun to catch up now and he is full of confidence in the future.

Pang Tong is also confident.

In February 19th year of Jian'an, he led the second group of soldiers entering Liang to join Zhao Yun. At this time, Ma Teng's army had already captured Han Sui's nest, Jincheng. The cunning Han Sui fled in a panic on the eve of breaking the city.

The great situation made the Ma family very excited. Even the general Ma Teng, who had never had great ambitions, became a little proud. When Yang Qiu, Cheng Yi, Li Kan, Zhang Heng and other separatist envoys came to discuss the alliance, Ma Teng's attitude was quite arrogant, which was not a good sign. The danger was approaching unknowingly. If the separatist forces in Xiliang united, the isolated Ma Teng's forces were besieged.
Chapter completed!