Tibet

That night, several big families gathered in the back hall of Dugu Mansion. Dugu Lie was responsible for presiding over the discussion. Dugu Ming and his nephew Dugu Jinyang represented the Dugu family. The eldest grandson Nanfang and the third son eldest son Yao represented the eldest grandson family, Yuan Yuan and the eldest son Yuan Ce. Representing the Yuan family, Dou Xian and eldest grandson Dou Ying represent the Dou family.

In addition, there are more than a dozen families such as the Yu family, the Hou Mochen family, the Doulu family, the Zhao family, the Li family, and the Yuwen family. The Li family here refers to the descendants of Li Bi, and the Yuwen family is not of Yu Wenjing’s lineage. .

They have just received the approval for the island purchase application, and next they have to go to the Ministry of Household Affairs to go through the island purchase procedures.

Dugu Lie slowly said to the heads of more than a dozen families: "I was summoned today and specifically talked to me about building an island country. I want to tell you first that building an island is a very difficult matter and requires long-term and huge investment. It is very difficult. It may drain the entire family's wealth. I hope you will think carefully before buying an island, don't follow the trend, don't be hot-headed, and don't make this important decision in a hurry. "

Dugu Lie was telling the truth. They got an island the size of Guanzhong, with a large fertile plain in the middle. After their preliminary calculation, it would cost at least one million yuan to transport a large amount of materials to the island, and they also needed a large number of laborers to build it. The family has the financial resources, and several other large families also have the financial resources, but these small families may not have the financial resources.

Dugu Lie's words made everyone feel uncomfortable. The imperial court allowed independent establishment of a country overseas. Such a good thing has been hidden from them by the four major families.

Now that they have finally applied, seeing that their family's century-old dream is about to come true, Dugu Lie is here to pour cold water on them and tell them not to participate? What do you mean, only the four major families can establish the country, and other families are not allowed to participate?

After a long while, Hou Mochen said coldly: "Thank you, Dugu family head, for reminding me that our Hou Mochen family is not very ambitious. It doesn't cost much to buy an island with a few acres of land, but it can be regarded as the founding of a country and an explanation to our ancestors." ”

Dugu Lie sighed in his heart. He actually reminded him kindly, since these guys didn't appreciate it, why did he care so much?

"The emperor came to me today. He actually wanted us to speed up the progress. To this end, the emperor promised to give us 20,000 Tianzhu prisoners of war. In addition, we can buy some Yunnan elephants."

This sentence immediately livened up the atmosphere in the lobby. Yuan Ce smiled and said: "The reason why we haven't started yet is because of the labor issue. With Tianzhu labor, construction will naturally start."

Changsun Nanfang asked: "Prisoners of war are managed by the Ministry of War, right? Brother Dugu should know their situation very well."

Dugu Lie nodded, "These 70,000 Tianzhu prisoners of war are currently building a city on Changjian Island. There are more than 300 craftsmen and more than 20 officials there. The city building has been completed. Now they are building warehouses, dormitories and government offices, as well as the city. There are drainage channels and freshwater lakes nearby, which need to be introduced into the city. They will be completely completed next month. According to the plan, these 70,000 prisoners of war will be transferred to Lugong Island, where forests will be cut down and farmland will be opened. 20,000 prisoners of war will be transferred to us. In a few days we will discuss a plan to see how to distribute it reasonably, but I want to make it clear to you. The emperor specially told me that they are prisoners of war, not slaves. They are guaranteed food, accommodation and a salary of ten cents a day. In five years, they will be If they are released and returned to their hometown, if they don’t want to go back to their hometown, they will have to become civilians overseas in the Tang Dynasty and find some women from Tianzhu and nearby islands to marry them.”

At this time, Hou Mo Chen Qing said: "Thanks to Brother Dugu for your efforts, we would like to know what we should do after the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Affairs buys the island?"

Next to him, Chang Sun Nanfang smiled and said: "Let my grandson talk about this! He has been doing this all the time and has experience."

Changsun Yao stood up and bowed to everyone: "I have some experience, I am willing to share it with you. After buying the island, we must first build a business in Quanzhou, including warehouses, dock rentals, ships, restaurants, inns, etc., for In the future, people and materials will go to the island to make logistical preparations, and then go out to see the island and roughly understand the location, area, route, etc. of the island. The third step is to explore the island. We used to see the island and explore the island separately, but now they can be combined Together, find some professional craftsmen to search for water sources on the island. This is the most important thing. If no river or lake is found on the island, you can apply to the court to change the island. You must also look for a natural harbor and see if there is a city built around it. We also need to look for plains to see what the soil quality is like, but the first step of the logistics base must be done well.”

At this time, Zhao Neng, the third person in the Zhao family, raised his hand and asked: "Does it have to be in Quanzhou? I think Guangzhou is closer?"

"Uncle Zhao Shi is a good question, because Quanzhou is the seat of the Overseas Affairs Office of the imperial court and the base for overseas management of the imperial court. We put the logistics here, but we can get a lot of convenience and get a lot of important information, such as pirate information. , The arrival information of various important materials from the imperial court is very important to overseas islands. Sometimes there is no news of going to sea in Guangzhou for the first half of a month and half a year, but there may be news of going to sea in Quanzhou on the same day. "

Everyone nodded, and they all felt that they should build a trading house in Quanzhou and follow the imperial court.

Dugu Lie said to everyone again: "I invite everyone here today just to discuss the general direction. We will start discussing the specific steps tomorrow. It may not necessarily be in Dugu Mansion. We will notify you in advance. Everyone should keep in touch."

Changsun Nanfang smiled and said: "Let me inform you first! We will start discussing the arrangements at Quanzhou Commercial Bank tomorrow morning. Everyone should come to Changsun Mansion early! It is best to come at dawn and have breakfast at Changsun Mansion."

Everyone left. In the study, Dugu Ming took a sip of tea and said to his brother: "The words my brother said today were not unintentional, right?"

Dugulie said coldly: "They are not qualified to found a country. In fact, they have no ability. I don't know about the Hou Mochen family's foundation. There is also the Yu family. Buying an island will almost empty the family. They still have What funds are available for subsequent construction?”

Dugu Ming nodded, "Actually, the founding of the island nation is a conspiracy of the emperor. Just like the favor order, we are willing to swallow this bait. The Guanlong nobles of the past two hundred years have perished in the Tang Dynasty."

Dugu Lie sighed and said: "You are right. In fact, everyone understands it, but they can't help but swallow this bait. In the words of the emperor, this is called a win-win situation. The imperial court has eliminated the largest Guanlong force, and we have achieved it. The wishes of our ancestors established the Dugu Kingdom.”

Dugu Ming was silent for a moment and said: "I think it should be my eldest brother who should be the first king of Dugu Kingdom, not Dugu Jun."

Dugu Lie frowned, "He is only responsible for building the island, not that he should be the king."

Dugu Ming shook his head, "That's not what he thinks. Once he gains power, his ambitions will grow. Big brother should also know his character."

Dugu Lie was a little embarrassed, "I've asked him to go to Quanzhou, what should I do?"

Dugu Ming smiled lightly and said: "It's very simple. Find something that Dugujun is willing to do. Naturally, he will have no interest in overseas construction."

Dugu Lie sighed: "What he wants to do most is to be an official!"

"Then find a way to make him an official. Last time we donated Baoji Cabinet, didn't the emperor promise to give us a quota as the governor of Shangzhou? As for Ding You, the eldest brother has become a minister, but the second brother has always been unconvinced. "

Dugu Lie nodded, "Okay! I'll talk to the emperor later."

At this time, Dugu Jinyang, who had been sitting silently next to him, said: "Father, let the child take full responsibility for the construction of the island!"

"If your second uncle doesn't care, then of course you are responsible!"

Dugu Jinyang said again: "My child has one more thing to remind his father!"

"What?"

"It's about the 20,000 Tianzhu laborers. The child remembers his father saying that of the 70,000 laborers who built the city on Changjian Island, less than ten people died. What if the 20,000 laborers were in the hands of other families and a large number of deaths occurred?

The emperor gave 20,000 laborers to the Dugu family. If a large number of deaths occurred, how could the father explain to the emperor? "

Dugu Ming nodded, "Jin Yang is right. Once a small family loses its financial resources, it will definitely exploit its workers cruelly, and a large number of deaths will inevitably occur. They are not responsible, the responsibility lies with the Dugu family!"

Dugu Lie pondered for a moment and said: "You are right, I did not consider this? What should I do?"

Dugu Jinyang hurriedly said: "Father, I have a plan to draw out the firewood from under the cauldron!"

"Tell me in detail!"

Dugu Jinyang said calmly: "We will first internally discuss the allocation quota of 20,000 people. For example, if the Dugu family is allocated 5,000 people, we will first sign a loan agreement with the Ministry of Household Affairs, which clearly states that the labor will be guaranteed to be ten cents per day. For wages, we are guaranteed to work for six hours a day, and we guarantee that workers will be given one pound of grain and one fish every day. Then we will implement a deposit system. Each Tianzhu worker will pay a safety deposit of 20 guan to the Ministry of Household Affairs. Once we have this model, the Ministry of Household Affairs will I will definitely sign contracts with other families like this, and I believe many small families will give up."

Dugu Ming gave a thumbs up and said, "Jinyang has a great trick to remove the firepower from under the cauldron!"

Dugu Lie also said: "The emperor also asked me to discuss the details with the Ministry of Household Affairs. I might as well finalize these terms with the Ministry of Household Affairs and sign a general contract. Each of the following families will sign individually under this general contract. There will be no blame for other families. It's over my head."