Chapter 1761: The Way to Make Money

"Tossing about on the waves all the way here, I've grown quite weary and drowsy—why not rest a while? Could it be you can't get used to the beds here?" Zhang Yinian said in a gentle tone. Toward Zhang Chaoguang, this scion of the main branch, he was still fairly satisfied—the young man showed little restlessness and treated him with ample respect.

"Thank you for your concern, Second Uncle!" Zhang Chaoguang smiled. "Your nephew is young; this bit of wind and wave is nothing worth mentioning. Besides, I've already rested for over two hours, and the soft couch in your residence is quite comfortable. It's just that your nephew had a sudden whim, thoughts churning without cease, and found it hard to sleep. I hoped to borrow a moment of Second Uncle's time to seek your guidance!"

"We're family—no need for such courtesy! Your father entrusted you to me, so of course I must look after you well!" Zhang Yinian replied, clapping his hands toward the outside. "Someone, bring some wine, and prepare a few dishes!"

It wasn't long before two maidservants entered with wine and drinking vessels to attend them. The uncle and nephew shifted positions to sit facing each other, and Zhang Yinian said, "Try this local coconut wine—it'll ease your fatigue. It has a flavor all its own!"

Zhang Chaoguang's interest was immediately piqued. He smiled and said, "Then your nephew won't stand on ceremony. Second Uncle, please—allow me to toast you!"

Finding the taste quite agreeable, he drained one cup, had the maidservant refill it, and drank another before letting out a breath. Seeing this, Zhang Yinian waved a hand: "You may withdraw—no need to attend us here!"

The two maidservants bent gracefully and retreated slowly, leaving the two men room to talk.

Meeting Zhang Yinian's gaze, Zhang Chaoguang mulled it over briefly, then said, "Second Uncle, when I set out to sea this time, it was to make my way in the world, build up some enterprises, and earn some money. Traveling together along the way, I've truly broadened my horizons and learned a great deal. It's just that your nephew feels somewhat lost—how exactly should I begin, and which line of business should I pursue? I beg Second Uncle to enlighten me!"

"You're getting anxious!" Zhang Yinian chuckled. "When I first went to sea back then, I only had two ships, recruited some fellow villagers and sailors, and shipped porcelain, silk, and tea from Jiangnan, trading them in the South Seas for their gold, silver, copper, and iron. First I ran to Annam, then Champa and Chenla, gradually pushing southward. Later, when spices became all the rage, I naturally joined in. Now, on the South Seas shipping routes, a thousand sails race abreast—commodity trade remains the mainstream and can yield heavy profits!

"However, toiling at sea is grueling and fraught with danger—not quite suitable for you. But this spice trade, you can certainly take part in it. Since you wish to make your way in the world, I can introduce you to a few spice merchants. You can buy South Seas spices together with them and ship them back home to sell."

"Spices are indeed a good business, but too many people are in it now!" Zhang Chaoguang thought for a moment, then said, "Besides, any steward under Second Uncle's command could handle such a matter."

Hearing this, Zhang Yinian smiled knowingly and said, "Competition in spices has indeed grown ever fiercer. The lion's share of all South Seas spices is monopolized by a few great families—my Zhang family being one of them. Ordinary folk only get a few scraps of soup. For you, there's truly not much challenge in it!"

After a pause, Zhang Yinian added, "Would you have any interest in the timber business?"

"Timber?" Zhang Chaoguang was taken aback, puzzled. "The Great Han has vast territory and abundant resources—how could it lack timber? Besides, shipping timber all the way from the South Seas back home—where's the profit in that?"

"If there were no profit to be had, why would I bring it up?" Zhang Yinian said calmly. "What I speak of is naturally not ordinary timber, but ship timber. In this treasure land of the South Seas, trees several hundred years old are everywhere. Ironwood and teak, top-grade in quality, are excellent shipbuilding materials and are favored by shipyards large and small back home. Do you know why I was able to acquire the Haifeng for a mere twenty thousand strings of cash? Besides money, I also gifted five hundred eight-hundred-year-old ironwood trees to the Runzhou shipyard!"

At this point, Zhang Yinian couldn't help showing a hint of pride: "The treasure ships built at the Runzhou yard aren't something just anyone can buy, nor does just anyone have the qualification to spend those twenty thousand strings!"

Seeing Zhang Chaoguang lost in thought, Zhang Yinian pointed at the large table in the room and said, "Then there are those namnu and sandalwood—rare even back home. They're all precious woods that can be sold to furniture workshops, and they're happy to pay high prices for them!

"The transport problem is easy to solve; the difficulty lies only in logging. But in the South Seas, natives are everywhere—using these barbarians to do the logging costs next to nothing. The Zhang family has several cooperative native tribes in the country of Borneo to the east. Buying fine timber from their hands is even more convenient!"

Hearing Zhang Yinian's words, Zhang Chaoguang was somewhat tempted, but after thinking it over, he said, "Is there any other business?"

At this, Zhang Yinian still wore a composed expression and said, "Naturally there is. Every year, large numbers of Arab and Indian merchants come to Liangping Island, often bringing goods from the West—many things that are quite popular back home as well. Quite a few of them stop at Liangping Island, and you can trade with them. This matter is likewise not difficult."

Of course, Zhang Yinian's "not difficult" was only said from the perspective of a great family like theirs. After a pause, he added, "There are also local pearls, agate, hawksbill turtle shell, and even exotic animals—all can be sold back home. Even sea salt—that country of Borneo is skilled at boiling sea salt. Though the quality is mediocre, you surely understand the profits in salt!"

"Salt!" Zhang Chaoguang's eyes lit up, but he quickly showed a hint of hesitation: "Second Uncle, although the court has relaxed the transport and sale of salt, the major salt works are still government-run and strictly controlled! Shipping foreign salt into the country—the risk involved..."

"It's good that you can recognize this point!" Zhang Yinian smiled slightly, approvingly. "Our Zhang family naturally can't act like those salt smugglers. We can cooperate with the domestic salt works—I've long had this intention but haven't yet set it in motion. If you're interested, you could give it a try. I estimate that no small number of people have already set their eyes on this business!"

Zhang Chaoguang nodded and sank into thought. Seeing this, Zhang Yinian continued to pull the "goods" from his belly, speaking slowly: "At the very least, you could follow the example of some others—enclosing land on the various islands, hiring hands, and reclaiming fields to grow grain. You must have heard something of the land and climate conditions in the South Seas. Over this past year, grain prices in the Great Han have been climbing steadily. Though it's far away, there's still profit to be made. Besides, grain is the foundation of the people—even if this business yields less profit, its value is special!"

After a moment of silence, Zhang Chaoguang knitted his brows, looked at Zhang Yinian, and gritted his teeth: "May I ask, Second Uncle—in South Seas trade, what yields the highest profit?"

At the question, Zhang Yinian smiled faintly: "If you're not afraid of danger, you could take some men and go mining! Gold mines, silver mines—when it comes to profit, I fear nothing can surpass this! But finding ore is no easy task, and it's full of danger. Not to mention the harsh environments—deep mountains and old forests, snakes and insects, rats and ants—any of it can cost you your life at a moment's notice.

"Moreover, the mines may well be located deep in the hinterlands, surrounded by barbarians, with the constant risk of attack. Even among our own country's gold panners, attacks on one another are commonplace. Those who come to the South Seas to pan for gold are all desperadoes—they won't care what status you hold or what family you come from."

Zhang Yinian had just finished speaking and was raising his cup to his lips when he saw Zhang Chaoguang say with a face full of determination: "Second Uncle, I'm willing to go pan for gold. I beg your support!"

Seeing his declaration, Zhang Yinian couldn't help but be surprised: "Are you certain?"

Zhang Chaoguang nodded solemnly: "Since I've come down to the South Seas, naturally I must do business that yields tenfold, hundredfold profits!"

Zhang Yinian, however, hesitated. After thinking it over, he said, "Actually, if you still have any interest in an official career, you could find a way out here overseas. Look at Liangping County—even a mere collateral branch of the Liu family can sit in the county magistrate's seat. If you wanted to..."

Before Zhang Yinian could finish, Zhang Chaoguang said, "Second Uncle, I've made up my mind!"

Seeing he couldn't dissuade him, Zhang Yinian could only sigh: "I never imagined you would choose this path. The end of the gold-panning road may be brilliant and glorious, but along the way, thorns cover the ground and bones litter the fields... Still, since your resolve is firm, I will naturally support you with all my might!"

"Thank you, Second Uncle!" Zhang Chaoguang rose and gave a solemn bow.

"One more thing you must understand!" Zhang Yinian nodded, turning somewhat grave: "Why are so many noble families eagerly heading south? It's not just that the South Seas can provide them wealth—it's more that in this wild, uncivilized land overseas, everything grows wild and untamed, without so many rules and restrictions as back home. Means that cannot be used in the homeland are completely unrestricted overseas. What would be a capital crime at home can bring promotion and riches abroad—that is the true charm of the South Seas."