Guide to traveling through the Northern Song Dynasty

Later urban areas of Zhuhai and Zhongshan were located on the same offshore island. The urban area of ​​Panyu in later generations was located on another outlying island. The urban area of ​​Jiangmen is directly on the seaside, and the area in Shunde is full of large and small sandbar islands.

Panyu County Government Office is located in Dongcheng, Guangzhou, and Nanhai County Government Office is located in Xicheng City, Guangzhou.

As Guangzhou's maritime trade became increasingly prosperous, the largest outlying island was rebuilt into Guangzhou Outer Harbor. Berths are designated along the northern coast of the island, and there are many official offices and warehouses on the island.

Sea-going ships could only reach the outer port of Guangzhou (later the urban areas of Zhuhai and Zhongshan, as well as the large area between the two cities).

This island is Xiangshan County, including Macau and other surrounding islands, all of which fall under the jurisdiction of Xiangshan County.

Overseas goods are sold in Xiangshan County, and most of them are transshipped to Guangzhou by offshore ships. Some are transshipped to Dongguan in the northeast, and some are transshipped to Xinhui in the west.

Guangzhou, Dongguan, and Xinhui are all connected by rivers, which can radiate to inland areas.

Goods from the inland are naturally transported to these three places, and then transferred to Xiangshan County by offshore ships for export to the sea. (In fact, there is Foshan Town in the northwest, which is also a transportation hub and is currently designated as a deputy county level.)

As an outer port of Guangzhou, Xiangshan Port has many pilot ships.

Sea-going ships that have a seagoing license and paid taxes can be taken to the open sea by a pilot ship. Foreign ships must also be taken by the pilot ship to pay port tax.

Any vessel or fleet without a pilot boat is considered a smuggling vessel. Once the target is discovered, the navy near Macau will be dispatched immediately!

Guangzhou Shipping Division, Guangzhou Exchange and other institutions have all moved to Xiangshan Port.

Baoquan Bureau has also set up a branch in Xiangshan County, which has currency storage and exchange businesses. Overseas gold and silver entering Hong Kong must be converted into currency at the Baoquan Branch. Copper ingots entering Hong Kong must also be reported to the Baoquan Branch.

In late summer and early autumn, a fleet came to Xiangshan Port.

They came from Australia and stopped at Coconut City on Java Island for supplies. They bought a lot of spices, pearls, furs and other goods on the way back north.

There is no exchange in Yecheng, but there is private futures trading.

Some Ming Dynasty businessmen with strong capital have long-term cooperation with Sunda dignitaries. They build warehouses, stockpile goods, and pre-sell the goods half a year or a year in advance. When the time comes to pick up the goods, they trade them at the contract price. This kind of contract can be resold freely before picking up the goods.

Wang Chongdu does not speculate in futures contracts. He always picks up the goods directly in Yecheng and returns home.

The fleet was taken to the unloading area by the pilot ship to dock, and the dock was a busy scene.

Countless coolies were moving goods back and forth, and there were also human-powered cranes. Those goods that are not afraid of being broken are bundled into a big pile on the deck and can be brought to the shore with a human crane.

After the goods landed, officials conducted random inspections, registered basic information, and immediately transferred them to the tax declaration area.

There are many tracks on the wharf, and the carriages are pulled by mules and horses. After loading the goods, they run to the tax declaration area. Naturally, the cargo owner also followed and received a more detailed inspection in the tax declaration area.

"On the exchange or privately?" asked the tax collector.

Wang Chongdu's goods have been piled up, and it is impossible to inspect them in detail. When they get here, they are also randomly inspected: "The buyer has been contacted, and the transaction will be conducted privately, without going to the exchange."

The tax collector asked again: "Do you want to rent the official warehouse?"

"Rent the warehouse for five days." Several of Wang Chongdu's buyers are located in Fucheng, Guangzhou. Five days is enough time to transport all the goods.

The sales contract was also signed long ago, and Wang Chongdu paid for everything from tax filing to warehouse entry. If the goods are not picked up after the five-day lease period, the subsequent warehouse usage fees must be paid by the buyer. These are clearly stated in the contract.

If the buyer fails to pick up the goods after the contract period, it will be regarded as a breach of contract by the buyer. Wang Chongdu can eat the other party's advance payment and find another buyer to sell the related goods.

"What are those bags? Open them and take a look," said the tax collector.

Wang Chongdu said: "Gold."

There are big and small bags, one bag contains dog-head gold, one bag contains fish-scale gold flakes, one bag contains granular gold beans, and the rest is just some gold dust.

When Wang Chongdu returned home, most of the gold diggers were willing to sell their gold to him in exchange for equivalent silver and copper coins.

In addition to the nugget gold premium, Wang Chongdu's gold purchase price was slightly lower than the official price in Guangzhou, and he was able to make a fortune from it.

But the gold diggers are still quite satisfied with this, because if they come to the government to exchange their money, they are very likely to be maliciously lowered by the officials looking for excuses. Might as well sell it to Wang Chongdu!

"Is this... so big?" The tax collector's eyes widened when he saw the gold nugget.

Wang Chongdu chuckled.

This thing is not under the control of the Shipping Department. People from the Baoquan Bureau will take over.

Due to the current shortage of precious metals, the imperial court encourages the inflow of overseas precious metals, and major ports exempt gold, silver, and copper from tariffs. But it must be sent to the local Baoquan Bureau, the gold and silver should be exchanged into legal tender, and the copper ingots should be reported and the buyer clearly stated.

Wang Chongdu said to several followers: "Show it out and open everyone's eyes."

There were many merchants filing taxes nearby. When the entourage raised the largest nugget, it instantly caused a commotion.

The businessmen didn't even bother to file tax returns. They left their goods to their cronies to look at, and swarmed over to ask questions.

Wang Chongdu pushed out the honest gold digger: "You tell me!"

The gold digger was a little scared: "I picked it up in the river. I thought it was a stone, but I didn't expect it to be a piece of gold."

Wang Chongdu said loudly: "More than 24 jin (30 jin), more than 24 jin! This brother is from Guangdong. His family is very poor, but he dared to go to sea with me to pan for gold. He only panned for 18 days and found this nugget. His family will have no worries about food and drink for several generations. I am not convenient to tell his name and hometown, so as not to be targeted by bad guys."

A businessman obviously knew Wang Chongdu and asked hurriedly: "Mr. Wang, is it the Australia you mentioned last time?"

Wang Chongdu nodded and said: "Yes, it is Australia. The Australian Gold Mountain was named by His Majesty himself. After winter, I plan to recruit another group of gold diggers. There is so much gold there that it can't be mined. You see, in addition to this 24-jin piece, there are many nugget gold weighing several kilograms or half a kilogram."

The attendant carried a bag of nugget gold, opened the bag and walked in the crowd, attracting bursts of exclamations.

"There are also fish scale gold and gold beans. Give them all to open their eyes!" Wang Chongdu laughed.

Another businessman asked: "There are many people mining gold in Australia. Can we transport goods there?"

Wang Chongdu said: "Yes, go ahead and open a shop there to do business. But you have to pay taxes to me. His Majesty said that within five years, I will be in charge of that place, and the court will send officials there after five years."

Five years of exclusive management rights?

Many businessmen were jealous and wanted to take over.

Wang Chongdu smiled and said: "His Majesty asked me to tell you that whoever goes out to sea to explore similar places will be given five years of management rights by the court. If you can't resist the natives, you can also apply for the court to send troops for protection. But if the court sends troops, you will definitely not get so many benefits." The merchants kept asking about the details of Australia.

When they heard that Australia was particularly large, many people had already started to think about it. They planned to transport a few daily necessities first, gather information on the Australian coast, and then recruit people to occupy a piece of land.

Or, organize a prospecting team to land and explore, maybe they can find gold mines.

After a long time of struggling in the customs declaration area, which seriously affected the customs work, the tax collector had to come and let them disperse.

Some merchants actually surrounded Wang Chongdu and went to the Baoquan Bureau next door to see him exchange a pile of gold for currency.

Wang Chongdu's own gold was exchanged for Ming Dynasty treasure notes, and only a small part was exchanged for silver and copper coins.

The guy who picked up the biggest dog head gold only wanted metal currency, and then stood there holding a pile of gold, silver and copper coins. It was too heavy, and he couldn't move it at all, so he could only exchange part of it for paper money.

He was carrying too much money, so he didn't dare to leave the Baoquan Bureau...

Wang Chongdu took the opportunity to say: "I organized you to go to sea to pan for gold, so I'll send you home with a musket and help you buy a house and land. I'll also spread the word in your hometown that anyone who dares to take your property will be against me, Wang Chongdu!"

Then he said to everyone: "As long as you make a lot of money at sea, I can send someone to send you home. If you want to go to Australia with me, don't be afraid of anything! Even if you die in a foreign land, I will bring back your ashes. This time I brought back the ashes of more than ten brothers!"

"Mr. Wang is kind and righteous!" Everyone praised.

Wang Chongdu said: "I will rent a house outside Guangzhou City and hang the words "Australia Gold Panning Registration Office" at the door. Those who want to pan for gold can sign up, and merchants who want to go to sea together can also come to register. There is money for everyone to make, and I will never eat alone!"

Within five years, the more people who were fooled to go to Australia, the more profits Wang Chongdu could make.

Two days later, Li Bin led a group of armed men and rented an inland boat to escort the rich man home.

He even put a big red flower on his chest.

This man was called Zhang Guan. He had been farming for generations. The closer he was to his hometown, the more afraid he was.

He was not only afraid of being targeted by criminals, but also afraid that relatives and neighbors would come to borrow money. Once he lent it out, he would definitely not be able to get it back.

When the boat arrived in Heyuan County, Zhang Guan finally couldn't help asking: "Master Li, you are knowledgeable, can you give me an idea?"

Li Bin smiled and said: "Are you willing to spend money?"

"Pay money to hire a guard?" With Zhang Guan's knowledge, he could only think of this.

"You suddenly became rich, and the guard you hired is not reliable," Li Bin said, "After returning home, you take out a hundred strings of money, the more ragged the clothes, the better, your face and hands are dirty, and take this money to donate to the county school. Just say that you have never been to school, admire those scholars, and hope that there will be more talents in your hometown."

"Donate a hundred strings of money?" Zhang Guan subconsciously protected his money.

It is impossible to trade such a large piece of nugget gold at the normal gold price. Even the Baoquan Bureau bought it at an 8% premium - it is really evil.

With the influx of a large amount of overseas silver and copper, and the acquisition of copper mines in Yunnan, the current Ming Dynasty has more silver and copper than gold, and the gold-silver price ratio has risen to 1:9.

Zhang Guan's nugget gold was sold at a high price of 3,600 guan at the Baoquan Bureau!

Li Bin said: "Donating to the school is just the first step. I will make the connection and let the school professor take you to see the county magistrate, and you will donate another 200 guan to the county government. Privately, you can pay some more money to give tea to the clerks. The county magistrate will send clerks to escort you home and give you a sign of "helping students and righteous people."

Zhang Guan was puzzled and said: "Will the county magistrate give a sign?"

Li Bin said: "I will help you make connections. His Majesty encourages overseas development, and you are a model of development. You also donate money to the government and schools. How could the county magistrate not give you a righteous citizen card? Not only will he give you a card, he will also help you buy land. After you return home, give some money to the head of the baojia, treat the villagers to a meal, and pay to build a small bridge or pave a section of road. By the way, you also have to donate money to the village school, and you must have a good relationship with the village teacher."

"How much money will that cost!" Zhang Guan's heart was bleeding.

Li Bin said, "You have to pay out at least 800 of your 3,600-plus guan."

Zhang Guan said bitterly, "Too much."

"There's no other way. You can't hide so much money without showing it off," Li Bin said, "Since you've already shown it off, just make a big show. From now on, tell everyone you meet that you have friendships with the county magistrate, the chief clerk, the professor, the bailiff, and the head of the baojia, and give gifts to the village school teacher from time to time. In addition, when building bridges and paving roads, who would not think twice before trying to take advantage of you?"

Zhang Guan muttered, "The bad guys don't care about that."

Li Bin said, "What about us? I'll take people to your village and fire a few guns into the air, and say that you are one of ours, and we are His Majesty's people. Whoever dares to rob you of your money is not giving His Majesty face! By the way, do you have any sons?"

"I have three," Zhang Guan replied.

"Have you ever been to school?" Li Bin asked.

Zhang Guan shook his head: "I have never been to school."

Li Bin said: "Choose the smartest one and send him to the county primary school to study as a foreign student (self-funded official student). With the county magistrate and professor, you can donate to the county primary school and they will definitely accept your son. The rest will go to the village school and give more tuition to the village teacher."

"Is that all right?" Zhang Guan was still worried.

Li Bin said helplessly: "If you are afraid, just take your whole family to Australia. Naturally, no one will dare to touch you there."

Zhang Guan thought about it and suddenly gritted his teeth and said: "I will take my family to Australia!"

Li Bin was startled, and then laughed.

Li Bin patted Zhang Guan on the shoulder: "Then there is no need to hide it. You wear the big red flower, and I will protect you to go around the county and the surrounding villages. When you arrive in Australia, I will sell you the land and shops. If you have any difficulties, come to me at any time!"

Zhang Guan actually got some ideas. He gritted his teeth and took out a hundred-guan banknote and said: "Please take care of me in the future, Li Bozhu."

Li Bin readily put away the banknotes: "I am not taking this hundred guan for myself, but also for my brothers to have a drink. After the ship stops, I will introduce those brothers to you. If you encounter trouble in the future, you can find any one of them."

Seeing Li Bin accept the money and make a promise, Zhang Guan instantly felt relieved.

The situation of returning to his hometown to settle down is too complicated, and he can't handle it at all. Moreover, he is not only afraid of robbery by criminals and oppression by officials, but also afraid that neighbors or relatives will come to borrow money. If they borrow once, they will borrow twice. If they don't borrow money, they will definitely make a scene. There is no way to have a peaceful life.

It's better to move to Australia.

He could even trick some fellow villagers into going over there. When they arrive in Australia, they will definitely ask him for help, and they can then take care of each other.