Chapter 89: Interest Groups

At the city gate, a large banner was raised, bearing the five large characters “Zhang Family Village Militia,” which was like a golden signboard. Chen Xie didn’t even need to show up; Wang Qian, leading a squad of trainees, stood at the gate, not carrying muskets but each with a knife at their waist, exuding a formidable presence. The guards at the gate were overjoyed. The last time, it took three days to recruit 120 people, and everyone got to eat meat buns for three days. Helping with errands, maintaining order, and boiling water—were these small matters? But people would still give you fifty coins a day for it.

The recruitment of the militia was quite a spectacle, and this time, they were recruiting 700 people. Even if it was a bit taboo, Chen Xie had to form a battalion. Of course, he had smoothed things over beforehand. Everyone knew the reason for the doctor setting up a militia: so many workshops and the wharf for goods from the sea all needed to be watched. Otherwise, if real bandits came, there would be no place to cry.

Wang Qian’s recruitment at the city gate alarmed the entire Dengzhou camp. General Yang Guodong, having received 500 taels of silver from Mr. Liu, knew that the person was just looking for people to guard his home and wouldn’t cause trouble. He called Vice-General Zhang Keda to check the situation and then went to report to Governor Sun Guozhen.

Sun Guozhen received even more silver, 1000 taels of pure silver, just to make things easier. Of course, when Chen Xie visited last night, his reasons were also compelling. Opening iron workshops, kiln workshops, and the wharf all required manpower. The militia didn’t even have armor; how could they dare to challenge the soldiers of the Dengzhou camp?

Sun Guozhen told Yang Guodong that he knew, and a local militia wasn’t worth making a fuss over. The series of officials who had also received silver, including Wang Tingshi, turned a blind eye. Was this even a matter?

Zhang Keda was still highly vigilant about Chen Xie, especially after seeing the trainees. They might not be armored, but they were all good soldiers. This wasn’t something he could be fooled about. But Zhang Keda had no temper. After his concubine Chen twisted her waist and made him feel half-paralyzed, his superior didn’t say anything, so why should he worry? Would Chen Xie rebel? Who would believe that?

He went through the motions, had the soldiers maintain order, and then returned to report.

While it was bustling outside the city gate, Chen Xie was also busy in Zhang Family Village. A group of partners had come, and the local landlords and gentry from nearby villages were all invited to a gathering, held in the school.

In a large classroom, it was a buffet style. Cold dishes were on the tables, and hot food was on the coal stoves. Everyone sat at the eight-person tables, helping themselves. The scene was lively, and after Chen Xie chatted and toasted with everyone, he walked to the center and cleared his throat.

“Gentlemen and virtuous ones, first of all, I thank you for your presence.” He raised his wine glass, and everyone followed suit, waiting for him to continue.

“Everyone knows that I have made some money from a few workshops, but I am not at ease. Moreover, one person’s abilities are limited, and each workshop is now facing some problems. Insufficient manpower, space, and capital.” Chen Xie’s words brought smiles to everyone’s faces. Many envied Chen Xie’s wealth, and this was no secret. Inviting everyone was like the agent system of a joint-stock company, to partner in the workshops, to make money together.

“This is a draft of the rules, everyone please take a look.” He distributed a document to each person, all handwritten.

After a brief silence, Chen Xie continued when everyone looked up: “Have you all read it? A carriage workshop, a cement workshop, and a glass workshop, all the most profitable workshops I have. These three workshops are new and unrelated to the original ones. The carriage workshop has 1,000 shares, and I will offer 600 shares, each priced at 50 taels. The cement workshop follows the same example, each share at 30 taels, and the glass workshop at 200 taels per share. Those who wish to join are welcome. However, it should be clear that the shares will be evenly distributed among those who wish to invest. Gentlemen, I should clarify that I will hold only 30% of the shares, with 10% reserved for other uses. Whether to invest or not is entirely voluntary.”

As soon as he finished speaking, someone raised their hand and said, “Don’t be voluntary, only a fool would refuse.” Everyone burst into laughter, showing their enthusiasm. Chen Xie smiled slightly and said, “If so, there’s nothing more to say. I’ll be straightforward: the existing workshops will not expand, and any future workshops will follow this model.”

China is a society of personal connections, where relationships play a role everywhere. However, this bond is very fragile and cannot withstand the test of interests. This is why Chen Xie chose this method to bind the interests of the majority, forming a large group of landlords and gentry.

Undoubtedly, this was a powerful local force. As long as they didn’t rebel, no one would dare to touch this force lightly. The most significant feature of this force was that it primarily profited from industry and commerce. This was a method Chen Xie had racked his brains to devise, using it to subtly influence these people and gradually accept his ideas.

“Gentlemen, when business grows, there will be envious eyes. Everyone agrees, right?” Chen Xie continued, and everyone, with thick skins, calmly agreed.

“That’s why I want to form a militia. This militia is not just for my family; even if it was before, it won’t be in the future. Of course, if anyone is unwilling to contribute money or grain, I have no objections. But if something happens in the future, don’t blame me for not lending a hand.”

With a common interest as the prerequisite, other matters became simple. In fact, he didn’t ask anyone to contribute money or grain, just clearly stated that one-tenth of the profits from the three major workshops would be used for the militia.

Again, everything was voluntary, and those who didn’t want to participate could leave after eating and drinking their fill.

“Hehe, Old Qian isn’t stupid. It’s just about maintaining a few hundred militia members. This amount of silver is nothing compared to the benefits.” Qian Buduo, who was actually Chen Xie’s biggest partner, played the role of a natural supporter again.

In the early winter of the first year of the Chongzhen era, under the jurisdiction of the Dengzhou governor, the largest local interest group quietly took shape.

After everyone dispersed, Qian Buduo, Li Heng, and Wang Chulong stayed behind. They were considered more perceptive and had a clear purpose: to understand one issue.

“Brother Si Hua, what do you think about the bank?”

On the table was a hot pot, steaming. Chen Xie slowly added various ingredients and then pointed to the hot pot with his chopsticks: “Please look at this hot pot. With just the broth, the taste is quite ordinary. Suppose Dengzhou is this pot, and all of you are the ingredients. How does it taste?”

They were all smart people, and Wang Chulong spoke first: “I understand what Si Hua means. The pot needs to be heated, and I think the goods from America are the charcoal.”

Li Heng pointed to the various ingredients in the pot with his chopsticks: “There’s less than a month until the New Year, and have you noticed that many more ships have come to Dengzhou this year, at least 30% more? Last month, I saw a 500-ton cargo ship from Jiangnan, carrying a load of tiles and 100 toilets. Si Hua, ask Wen Bajin if his craftsmen have decreased.”

Chen Xie said calmly, “A few less people? It’s just digging a septic tank, not a high-tech job. Without cement and flush toilets, he can’t do it.” Li Heng gave a thumbs up: “Impressive!”

Qian Buduo slapped the table: “When the people from Jiangnan and Minyue can’t do without Dengzhou’s goods, the bank will naturally be established. Brilliant! Truly brilliant!”

This line made Chen Xie feel annoyed. Damn, I’m not a Japanese, and you don’t live in Gaojiazhuang or Majiahe.

“Everyone understands that the bank can’t be rushed. The world is not peaceful, with bandits everywhere. Business people fear instability. Why else would I form a militia? Isn’t it to protect our assets? Another thing, in the future, we will focus on sea routes. Even if we don’t trade directly with the Westerners in the South Seas, we need our own ships and can’t rely on others, or they might...” He made a gesture of choking, and Chen Xie smiled meaningfully.

“Gentlemen, how about I set up a shipyard in Dengzhou, and everyone can invest?”

Li Heng said, “Good idea! Count me in.”

“Once the land and sea routes are connected, the bank can be established. Jiangnan is relatively stable, and business is frequent. It will naturally happen.” Qian Buduo’s words made everyone nod in agreement. This was Chen Xie’s most impressive aspect.

Time passed quickly, and half a month went by. The greenhouses in Zhang Family Village were quickly set up, and various vegetables were planted, including cucumbers, eggplants, leeks, and beans. Only the two greenhouses personally cared for by Master Chen were a mystery. Many people asked, but Chen Xie just smiled and didn’t answer, leaving everyone to wait.

Everything was developing in a positive direction. The seeds in the greenhouses sprouted, and the old and young in Zhang Family Village had more to look forward to. The busy time passed quickly, and the weather got colder. The sky in the first year of the Chongzhen era was not kind, and the northern provinces received little rain. The new Zhang Family Village showed a different prosperity.

Winter was not idle, and the roads were filled with villagers. People from nearby villages also came to build roads! With poor harvests, everyone needed a place to eat. A road in the shape of an “L” was being built from the “smuggling” wharf to Zhang Family Village and then to Dengzhou City.

Page flip AD starts

Page flip AD ends