Chapter 1892 Pattern

Seeing that Li Wei refused, You Yihan did not try to persuade him to accept his invitation. Li Wei did not visit the Guangzhou project in his itinerary, and You Yihan just made a temporary decision. If Li Wei really agreed casually, he would have to run around and arrange the itinerary, which would inevitably lead to a lot of troubles out of thin air. This was just so happy that he could save effort and worry.

In fact, although the island of Hong Kong is small, there are quite a few places where Li Li can visit and learn. In addition to official institutions such as ports and terminals and trading centers, many commercial banks in the island's commercial district are also a window to understand the Haihan trade system. The owners of these commercial banks are not only from the Ming Dynasty and Haihan, but also from many countries in the South China Sea also set up trade institutions here in accordance with the trend. Even Western countries such as Portugal and the Netherlands are no exception. After all, it is much more convenient to complete import and export trade with the Ming Dynasty through Hong Kong, a trading hub port, than to contact the source of goods, organize procurement and transportation, and complete the delivery of money and goods.

"Before we came here, the international trade related to the Ming Dynasty could be said to be in a state of disorderly chaos. No one could protect the interests of merchants, and the risks required for transnational trade were very great. But now it is different. In the areas we ruled, whether it is merchants or commercial institutions, as long as they operate in accordance with the law, their interests will be officially protected."

You Yihan said proudly: "The treatment they received in Hong Kong cannot be given to the Ming Dynasty! Only by cooperating with us is the wisest choice. That is why so many merchants from various countries gather here and use Hong Kong as their trading base. Not only can they make more money here, but they are also safer and more stable than the trade environment in the past. This is a paradise for merchants!"

It may be a little exaggerated to say that paradise is a little bit exaggerated, but the trade environment created by Haihan official here is indeed worthy of You Yihan's pride. Although it is not as complete as the several major ports on Hainan Island, and the development space is limited due to the limited geographical conditions, it is indeed an international trade hub that can radiate the entire Pearl River Basin. Although Guangzhou City is also very prosperous, if it is compared with international trade alone, it has been surpassed by Hong Kong.

Most of Li Li's exact understanding of commerce is due to this study abroad trip. With his limited knowledge base at present, it is difficult to fully understand where Hai Han's trade policies and systems are fundamentally different from the Ming Dynasty and where its advantages lies. Therefore, although You Yihan was so popular, Li Li was only interested in the scene he saw with his own eyes. After stopping the carriage, he walked into several shops at will to experience the real business atmosphere. The things he could get were more intuitive and reliable.

However, this shopping made Li Li visit some interesting things. After coming out of a shop that sells porcelain, Li Li found that the shop in front was a bit unique. Judging from the signs hanging at the door, it should be a shop selling cultural supplies.

"Nanhai Bookstore? How much money can you make in selling books? Open a store and sell books in this place where every inch of land is valuable. Wouldn't the store owners worry about losing money?" Li Xi asked curiously.

You Yihan replied with a smile: "The prince is thinking carefully, but this store doesn't have to worry about the loss. Can the prince think about the reason?"

It is actually not difficult for You Yihan to give this question. Li Wei's eyes rolled and he thought of the answer: "Is this bookstore an official property in your country?"

Seeing that Li Wei was keen in thinking, You Yihan couldn't help but give a thumbs up and praise: "The prince is so smart, and that's the answer."

Nanhai Bookstore is an institution jointly operated by the Haihan Cultural and Education Department and the Ministry of Commerce. It is one of the most authentic state-owned units. Its business direction is to target cultural exports from various countries, especially the Ming Dynasty, which has a culturally interconnected mind.

However, the printed materials sold by Nanhai Bookstore are not only content that promotes Haihan's political concepts. In fact, in order to win the favor of the Ming Dynasty literati and upper-class figures, Nanhai Bookstore printed a large number of classics, history, and literature collections for sale to the Ming Dynasty. Since the typesetting and printing technology adopted by Haihan are far superior to those of the contemporary competitors, and the cost of making books can be controlled to a relatively low level, the price of Haihan version of the book is at least 30% lower than that of the market version, and the paper is better and the printing effect is clearer, and it has entered the Ming Dynasty's cultural market without much effort.

Although there is not much profit for this business after actively lowering the price, Haihan's main purpose of running this business is not for money, but to gradually erode the book publishing market of the Ming Dynasty. With this grand goal, the national financial subsidies that Nanhai Bookstore can enjoy are also quite generous, with selling books as its top priority. As for making money, you can go a little further.

Of course, in addition to orthodox reading materials such as the Four Books and Five Classics, Nanhai Bookstore will also publish some miscellaneous books, such as various chapter novels that have changed from the history of foreign wars in the Hai Han over the years. The sales in the Ming Dynasty have always been quite good and are very popular among middle-aged and young readers.

As soon as Li Xi entered the door, he was attracted by a book called "Rise of the South China Sea" that was placed in a prominent position. The cover of this book is a Hai Han warship with a very easy-to-recognize appearance. Coupled with the deliberately depicted background of stormy waves, a large number of books were piled up into a pyramid shape. As long as people entering the store were unable to take their eyes away from the book.

"The content of this book tells the history of our country's success after coming to the South China Sea, and is also one of the auxiliary books for our country to educate school-age children." You Yihan noticed Li Wei's expression and immediately introduced the origin of the book to him: "My country and the Ming Dynasty have established diplomatic relations. We believe that mutual understanding and trust will help the development of the relationship between the two countries, so we also sold this book publicly to the Ming Dynasty, hoping to use this to let the people of the Ming Dynasty have more understanding and understanding of our country."

Li Wei picked up a book on his face and saw a slightly smaller word "一" under the title of the book. He immediately asked: "There is more than one book?"

You Yihan nodded and said, "Ten volumes have been published so far, which can be regarded as a chronicle of our country in some ways."

Li Xi was immediately interested when he heard this: "Would you please ask Lord You to buy a set? This should be a very interesting historical book."

You Yihan said: "There may not be a complete set here. Since the prince is interested, I will notify the Nanhai Bookstore in Sanya to prepare one. When the prince arrives, he will send it to your embassy. It is better to treat it as a small gift."

Li Xi knew that these high-ranking officials of Hai Han have always been generous and would not care about this little money, so he did not refuse at the moment, so he quickly thanked You Yihan for his kindness.

The interior space of this Nanhai Bookstore is really not small. Li Wei estimated that this was much larger than the bedroom he lived in Jingfu Palace. In addition to the display stand for the key promotion of books in the middle, there are also tall bookshelfs placed against the walls on all sides. The upper floor is at least ten feet high, and it is densely packed with books. You have to step on the stairs prepared in the store to get the above.

North Korea has always used Confucianism as a strategy to govern the country. Li Shi grew up in the palace and the books he read were mainly based on the Four Books and Five Classics introduced by China. He is considered a cultural person. However, he did not need to consider passing the imperial examination to get an opportunity to enter the officialdom, so reading for him is not as hard as an ordinary scholar. Moreover, as Li Shi personally, compared to the proverb invented by Li Shi, the king of Sejong, his country, he still prefers to read more noble and orthodox Chinese characters. However, in Korea, except for Confucian works and some collections of poetry, he rarely sees other Chinese characters, let alone exist like the Nanhai Bookstore.

In fact, Li Li vaguely felt that he had seen the Nanhai Bookstore when he was in Zhoushan, but it seemed that he was in a carriage at that time, so he couldn't get off the car and find out. Fortunately, he was lucky in Hong Kong this time, so he got off and walked around here. Seeing the shop full of various books, Li Li had the idea of ​​"wanting to stay here for a few more days" during this trip for the first time.

However, he immediately found that his idea was a bit funny. Since the Nanhai Bookstore is a chain organization, Sanya also has stores, and it is likely to be a larger-scale store with more books, why should he stay in the Hong Kong store for too long? Just wait until Sanya has a good time to visit.

But Li Li's idea was somewhat different. Nanhai Bookstore is indeed a well-official organization operated by Haihan. Its main store and printing center are not in Sanya, but in Danzhou, a traditional cultural center on Hainan Island. The shops in Sanya are just one of the branches. Of course, in addition to Nanhai Bookstore, Sanya actually has another municipal library with a larger collection of books, which is enough to satisfy Li Li's desire for knowledge.

Although he had figured out the truth, Li Qi still couldn't move his legs when he stared at the books in the room. Looking at his expression, You Yihan knew that this person was afraid he would stay here for a while. He immediately called the shopkeeper over and told him to serve this distinguished guest well, and then told Li Qi that he was going to handle the business and see him again at lunch time. Li Qi was also happy and could read books here with peace of mind.

The shopkeeper did not know Li Li's true identity, but since You Yihan came with him and said hello specifically, he naturally did not dare to be negligent. He first invited Li Li to the elegant seat in the back hall, served hot tea and pastries, and then asked Li Li what books he wanted to read, and immediately ordered someone to pick it up.

Li Qi responded without thinking: "I just came in and saw the book "Rise of the South China Sea" and I have some time to read it."

The shopkeeper immediately asked someone to take it, but it was indeed not complete, with only the first five volumes. When the shopkeeper saw Li Xi, he immediately started to look through it, and he said consciously: "I'm waiting outside. If this lord has any instructions, call it."

When Li Xi opened the first volume, he saw not a description of the text, but a map that was reduced in proportion. He had seen more large sea charts in the Haihan Army more than once before, so the map that could be seen included a vast area from Liaodong to the South China Sea, and even the shape of the curved coastline of the Ming Dynasty could roughly judge the several places he visited during the way south.

Before this journey, Hai Han's many overseas colonies were just a bunch of place names to him, with inconspicuous small dots on a large scale map. But after actually walking through these places and looking back and forth at this map that was not specially marked by even the Ming and Hai Han, he had a completely different feeling.

Li Li's reading was frozen on this map, and he had not turned to the next page for a long time. Because he suddenly realized how Hai Han brought the coastline of the Ming Dynasty under his control through these overseas colonies and trading ports one by one.

Since the occupation of Hainan Island and gradually advancing to the north, Haihan's expansion methods were not hidden. As far as Li Xi knew, there were at least four or five wars. However, Haihan still seized control of these estuaries and key waterways from the Ming Dynasty, and successfully suppressed the possibility of the Ming Dynasty's full-scale war.

Li Xi knew that Hai Han had many overseas colonies in the South China Sea area, and how many countries were suppressed by it like the Ming Dynasty? How many countries like North Korea chose to cooperate with it honestly? He didn't know or imagined it. As for a country with such a scattered territory, how did Hai Han achieve solid rule while continuing to expand its control area? What maintained the foundation of the country's ruling?

Li Xi only knew that Hai Han did not advocate governing the country with Confucianism, nor did he have a king or an emperor, but this made him even more confused - how did such a country that seemed deviant and despicable become stronger at a speed that ordinary people could not understand?

Li Wei looked down at the book in his hand again. Can he find the answers to the many questions about Hai Han in his heart?

You Yihan, who left Nanhai Bookstore, actually had no urgent government affairs to deal with. He just didn't want to spend time with this young Korean aristocrat in the bookstore. However, this does not mean that he has any disgust towards Li Yi. On the contrary, he is actually optimistic about this young man with quick thinking. Although his knowledge is limited, his strong curiosity and curiosity are the type of overseas students Hai Han likes the most.

So You Yihan felt that he should give this young man some space to let him get in touch with Hai Han's culture on his own, which may be much better than forcing ideology into him by himself.

You Yihan sat in a teahouse not far from Nanhai Bookstore, so that he could understand what kind of books Li Li was more interested in.

Soon after, someone came to the teahouse and reported to him several books that Li Xi had sent to the shopkeeper to browse in the Nanhai Bookstore. Li Xi's choice was not beyond You Yihan's expectations. He knew that the North Korean prince would probably not have the patience to wait until he went to Sanya to start reading that set of books. As expected, the other party confirmed his judgment so quickly.

(End of this chapter)
Chapter completed!