Zhenguan Xiaoxian Wang Li Shen Li Shimin

Li Shen was not idle. He changed his clothes and got into the carriage and went straight to Zhao Guogong's mansion.

In fact, Li Shen has obtained the salt and iron franchise license and can produce it by himself. However, water from afar cannot quench the thirst of nearby people, and there is not enough time.

Moreover, all the large iron mines in the country were occupied by this group of noble families, and there was no place for Li Shen.

Due to technological limitations in the Tang Dynasty, the annual output of iron was only more than 10 million kilograms. Therefore, the price is several times that of later dynasties.

Li Shen had no choice but to go to Changsun Wuji. His small steel factory had no problem being used in the guard camp.

But if it is used in such large-scale production, it will be somewhat stretched.

And his small iron mine has been almost mined by him.

When Li Shen arrived at Zhao Guogong's mansion, his eldest son, Sun Wuji, came back from the court.

Hearing from his subordinates that King Ji Li Shen was here, Changsun Wuji was a little puzzled. Could it be that he was here to see Princess Changle?

No matter what, Changsun Wuji personally opened the middle door to greet King Ji, let Li Shen sit down in the front hall, and ordered his servants to serve tea. Changsun Wuji asked:

"I wonder if His Highness Prince Ji came here today for something?"

"Haha, uncle, can't I just come and sit with you if you have nothing to do? What you said makes us both angry." Li Shen laughed.

"Haha, of course. If Prince Ji is willing, he can come to my residence at any time, and I will sweep the bed to welcome him." Changsun Wuji also smiled.

"Then I will have to disturb my uncle from now on. But I do have something to do when I come here today." Li Shen said politely and immediately got back to business.

He didn't want to compete with these old foxes, and he was no match, so it was best to just go straight.

"Please speak, Your Highness."

"That's right, uncle should know that I want to build the Chiling fortress. Building the fortress requires a lot of steel.

My uncle's steel business is the largest in the Tang Dynasty, so I came here today to cooperate with my uncle and purchase a batch of steel products and tools.

I wonder what my uncle thinks? "Li Shen said directly.

"Oh? Of course it's good to buy steel. Then I would also like to thank the prince for taking care of the business of my Duke Zhao." Changsun Wuji said happily.

"Then I don't know what the price is. Uncle, I need a larger quantity, so can the price be cheaper?"

The amount of steel bars used for the entire fence was astronomical. He didn't study infrastructure, so he didn't know how much was needed.

They can only buy them in batches. If there are too many in the end, his blacksmith workshop can also use them, so that doesn't matter.

"Don't worry, Your Highness. We can easily negotiate the price. Someone comes and calls for the manager." Changsun Wuji ordered.

Soon one of Zhao Guogong's stewards came in a hurry.

"I've met King Ji and the head of the family."

"Tell His Highness Prince Ji the price of our steel." Zhao Guogong said to the person in charge.

"Yes, head of the family, our workshop produces pig iron for sixty cents per catty, wrought iron for ninety cents per catty, refined iron for two hundred cents per catty, ten-fire steel for three hundred cents per catty, and 100-melted steel for three hundred cents per catty. , no matter how good the stainless steel is, it needs to be booked in advance.”

"So expensive?" Li Shen said in surprise.

The palace has never bought steel in these years, and even if it did, it would be in small quantities. Wang Hongfu would buy it.

Little did he know that iron was so expensive.

Pig iron costs sixty cents a pound, wrought iron ninety cents, and a hoe costs more than a hundred cents?

"Um...uncle, are you kidding me? Is steel so expensive now?"

Li Shen asked uncertainly.

"Haha, my lord, you don't know something. This includes labor costs and carbon prices.

In fact, the main reason is that labor and carbon are expensive, and there is too much loss of wrought iron and refined iron.

A pound of pig iron can only yield 70% wrought iron, which can barely be used to make farm tools.

But if it is to be used for military purposes, it requires refined iron level. Only 20% to 30% of a pound of pig iron can be left. If it is made into refined steel, five pounds of wrought iron can barely make one pound of steel.

If it is a hundred refinements, there will be more, so the price will be higher. " Changsun Wuji explained to Li Shen.

But I was slandering in my heart, you have your own workshop, how can you not know the price? The armors of the guards of Prince Ji's Mansion add up to more than a hundred pieces of armor, and they are all made of high-quality steel.

Li Shen also understood what Changsun Wuji said, but he didn't expect it to be so expensive.

"Uncle, the quantity I need is huge. I wonder if it can be cheaper. You also know that I have no money in my house.

I just borrowed one million yuan from Aye not long ago. "

Li Shen could only negotiate the price first. The quantity he needed was more than one million catties.

"Then which one does His Highness Prince Ji need?" Changsun Wuji asked with a smile.

Li Shen thought for a while, and wrought iron bars would be fine. Fine iron was too expensive, and he couldn't afford it.

Now he is determined to use wood as the material.

"Uncle, I only want iron bars made of wrought iron. Prepare two million kilograms first."

"Let's do this. I'll give the prince eighty cents per catty. I don't know what your highness wants."

Changsun Wuji thought for a while and said:

Eighty cents per catty, two million catties is equivalent to 160,000 guan, plus the transportation cost is about 180,000 guan, this is still acceptable.

Li Shen thought about it in his mind and then nodded and said:

"Okay, thank you uncle. I wonder how long it will take for uncle to complete it?"

Changsun Wuji glanced at the steward, who stepped forward knowingly and said:

"Your Majesty, Prince Ji, now we have the iron bars in stock. It only takes one month to make the iron bars. We will ask the craftsmen in the workshop to step up production and will not delay Prince Ji's affairs."

"Okay, uncle, I will have the money sent over when the time comes, but it will definitely not be enough.

I wonder how much inventory my uncle has, and whether it can supply the needs of the important city of Chiling? "

Li Shen asked, he was afraid that Changsun Wuji would be doomed if he didn't have much inventory.

"Back to His Highness Prince Ji, we now have five million kilograms of inventory. If the Prince still needs it later, we will find a way to help His Highness Prince Ji purchase some." The manager continued.

"That's good. After the first batch of two million kilograms of iron bars is produced, don't stop asking for more." Li Shen stood up.

"Uncle, that's what we have agreed. The money will be sent to uncle soon, and I hope he will ship the goods soon.

I will take my leave first. "

Changsun Wuji quickly stood up and said:

"Don't worry, Your Majesty, there is no need to rush to send the money. I will urge them to build it as soon as possible."

"Uncle Lao then. Farewell." Li Shen left the Duke of Zhao's mansion after saying this.

After sending Li Shen away, Changsun Wuji came back and asked the steward:

"We clearly have more than 8 million jins of inventory in our warehouse, why do you say there are only 5 million jins?"

"Master, the price you gave is already very low. People say that Prince Ji's mansion is as rich as any other country.

With such a good opportunity, I think we should make more money. When the time comes, we will take out the rest and say that we bought it from other aristocratic families.

We added ten and twenty coins and sold it to King Ji at the cost, so King Ji wouldn't doubt it.

After all, the annual output is just this, and the court has records. "

The manager carefully explained that he just wanted to make more money from Li Shen.