“Uncle, long time no see, how have you been?”
“You’re back already?”
At the Maritime Trade Office, Han Zhao was pleasantly surprised to see Zhe Yanbin.
Han Mo had already briefed him on the East India Company’s affairs. He had originally thought they wouldn’t return until after the New Year, but they had come back so quickly.
“We made a little fortune. Sir asked me to send the goods back first. Also, before my brother-in-law left, he sent someone with a letter for Sir, asking me to return to Mingzhou to handle the matter of the major families investing!”
Zhe Yanbin hid nothing from Han Zhao and spoke directly without hesitation.
“Made a little fortune? How many ships did you bring back this time?”
Hearing this, Han Zhao’s interest was immediately piqued.
Since taking over the Maritime Trade Office, he had only dealt with trivial matters. The major families were currently undergoing adjustments, and the remaining small sea merchants’ businesses were simply not up to his standards.
With the government offices about to go on holiday, he truly wished for a significant deal to conclude his year perfectly.
“It’s not much, really. A total of 15 ships returned!”
“What’s on the ships? Spices?”
Han Zhao’s eyes immediately lit up at his words.
If there were 15 ships laden with spices, it would still be a substantial business, as spices were nearly as valuable as gold in this era.
“There are spices, but not many, perhaps only two ships’ worth.”
“Then what are the rest of your ships carrying?”
They had gone to Jiaozhi. Although Han Zhao knew they were after grain, he still held a sliver of hope.
“Actually, nothing too novel. Just some pearls, agate, jade, gold, silver, and jewels?”
“I see…”
“No, what did you just say?”
Listening to his indifferent tone, Han Zhao felt a bit disappointed and was about to respond, but halfway through his sentence, he suddenly realized something.
Pearls, agate, jade, gold, silver, jewels?
Damn it!
Thirteen large ships laden with gold, silver, and jewels?
And this was considered ordinary cargo?
“Didn’t I tell you before? We made a little fortune this time!”
Zhe Yanbin said, winking excitedly at Han Zhao.
My god!
Han Zhao suddenly felt an urge to slap the man. Over ten ships!
It must be understood that whether it was pearls, agate, jade, or gold and silver jewelry, these items, despite their small size, were incomparably more valuable than copper coins!
Even the most common agate or jade, a palm-sized piece, was worth over a hundred guan!
With over a dozen ships filled entirely with such items, the value must be in the millions of guan!
“What did Sir say? How should these goods be handled?”
After swallowing hard with difficulty, Han Zhao immediately lowered his voice and asked.
“Sir’s intention is to keep all the easily sellable, high-quality items and hand them over to you for disposal. As for the remaining, about sixty percent, the Maritime Trade Office will sell them and convert them into copper coins!”
“Gulp—”
Hearing this, Han Zhao couldn’t help but swallow hard.
Even with only sixty percent of it, the commission for the Maritime Trade Office would likely be hundreds of thousands of guan!
He hadn’t expected such a massive business so close to the New Year. After completing this transaction, they could legitimately have a prosperous new year!
“Someone, immediately gather people and come with me to the wharf!”
After receiving this crucial piece of information, Han Zhao had no patience to wait any longer and directly summoned his men to head to the wharf.
Knowing it was one thing, but upon actually seeing the ships laden with gold, silver, and jewels, Han Zhao couldn’t help but twitch his mouth madly.
This was simply too much!
“Are you guys looting a city? This is too much, how much is this worth?”
After taking several deep breaths, Han Zhao finally managed to calm himself down, muttering to himself.
“Damn, who leaked the news?”
Hearing him say that, Zhe Yanbin subconsciously glanced at the soldiers behind him.
“I, this was really looted?”
Seeing his murderous demeanor, Han Zhao’s mouth began to twitch uncontrollably.
“Don’t worry, sir, the job was done cleanly, and those people were not good people!”
Listening to Zhe Yanbin’s words, Han Zhao suddenly felt an urge to resign. The money was being made too easily!
After just a trip with these living bandits, how much money had they raked in?
These ten-plus large ships alone were nearly equivalent to the entire Song Dynasty’s annual revenue!
“Someone, go to Quanzhou Navy and borrow a battalion of soldiers. Everyone, tie up your sleeves and boots securely. Anyone who dares to touch these things will have me, Han Zhao, to deal with ruthlessly!”
After letting out a long sigh, Han Zhao finally managed to cast aside the tempting thought.
However, upon remembering that the East India Company still had a ten percent stake held by the Han family, his heart immediately felt much better.
“What are you all standing around for, come and help?”
Seeing that the Maritime Trade Office had already begun to act, Zhe Yanbin also immediately ordered the sailors on the ships to come and help.
Even with nearly a thousand people working together, it still took nearly three days to complete the inventory.
After loading the goods prepared to be taken back to Mingzhou onto the ships and receiving a document issued by the Quanzhou Maritime Trade Office, Zhe Yanbin then set sail for Mingzhou again with five ships loaded with cargo.
“Madam, Yanbin is back!”
Three days later, as Zhe Yourong and Liang Hongyu were chatting quietly, a guard from the Zhe family rushed over and whispered to Zhe Yourong.
“Where is he now?”
Hearing the guard’s words, Zhe Yourong’s face immediately lit up with joy.
“He’s at the wharf waiting now, they say the ships are carrying some valuables!”
“Hongyu, why don’t we both go to the wharf to take a look? It’s almost New Year’s Day, let’s see what good things they brought back. You can pick out more later, consider it a New Year’s gift from me, your sister-in-law!”
Although she didn’t know why Han Mo valued Han Shizhong and Liang Hongyu so much, Zhe Yourong unhesitatingly chose to trust Han Mo’s judgment. Even if Han Mo wasn’t around, she would spare no effort in helping Han Mo win over Liang Hongyu.
“Thank you, sister-in-law! I’ve also prepared a gift for you, I’ll have them send it to your residence later!”