"Yang Jingshi, the contract trading shop of the Datang Trading Center has added a rubber contract transaction."

In the Censor Taichung, Linghu Wujiang was obviously discussing the latest business trends of Chang'an City with Yang Benman again.

Following the sharp rise in the price of tin ingots, a new price surge in raw materials appeared in Chang'an City this year, which will definitely attract a lot of attention.

"This rubber is a new thing, which is brought back from the local area after the expedition fleet of Guanshishan Academy went to South America.

Logically speaking, this is just a kind of gum harvested from rubber trees, which is not essentially different from the gums like rosin we usually see.

It’s just that things are rare and expensive, so rubber seems to be of extraordinary price in the Tang Dynasty, and it is almost as valuable as copper coins.”

Yang Benman obviously has a little understanding of rubber.

However, in his heart, he still did not have a full understanding of such a kind of gum.

They probably could not imagine that such a kind of gum would become an indispensable and important material after the industrial production of Datang.

"In the past, this rubber was just used to process it into some sealing gaskets and used as a seal on a steam engine.

It is said that the steam engine of Guanshishan Academy Steam Engine Research Institute was able to be mass-produced smoothly, and this rubber has made considerable contributions.

However, the output of steam engines is relatively small after all, and the demand for rubber is not particularly strong.

Therefore, after rubber entered the Tang Dynasty, although the price was not cheap, there was no particularly large price fluctuation.

But now it’s different. Guanshishan Academy Rubber Research Institute successfully discovered that using rubber to make wheels, the shock absorption and cushioning effect is much better than the previous iron or wooden wheels.

Even if it is just wrapped with a layer of rubber on the original wheel, the effect is not bad.

In this way, the price of rubber changes immediately.”

As the helmsman of Linghu Investment Company, Linghu Wujiang is obviously very concerned about the various changes in the market.

Rubber, a dark horse that emerged from the army, is his focus.

"Yes, when I was out yesterday, I happened to meet the Yongping County Lord and his group of people riding permanent bicycles with rubber wheels passing by, which attracted a lot of attention.

It is said that many noble families are very interested in bicycles equipped with rubber wheels, and think this is a symbol of fashion."

Yang Benman said speechlessly.

Rubber wheels have nothing to do with beauty. Why does a bicycle equipped with rubber wheels become a symbol of fashion?

"Not only that, I heard that the Mercedes-Benz four-wheeled carriage over the Summer Palace is already using the luxury version of the rubber wheels launched by the King of Chu.

With His Majesty taking the lead, other nobles will definitely follow up. Anyway, the price has risen by dozens of cents, which is nothing to them. Comfort and fashion are the most important things."

Linghu Wujiang vaguely felt that he could do something on rubber.

Maybe Linghu Investment Company’s relationship with rubber will become closer and closer in the future.

"I heard that near Puluozhong, someone has already cultivated plantations and planted rubber seedlings. However, in a short time, there is definitely no way to harvest rubber.

So as long as the demand for rubber in Chang'an City is still rising, the price of rubber will continue to rise."

"The Wealth of Nations" has made it clear that the price changes caused by supply and demand are very clear.

Yang Benman, who read this book deeply, naturally has a very deep understanding of this theory.

"Now the price of a pound of rubber has exceeded 100 Tangyuan. Should we continue to rise? This is really exaggerated. Can't it really rise to the same value as copper coins?"

Linghu Wujiang also felt a little incredible when he heard Yang Benman’s judgment.

The price of rubber has been fluctuating for 30 to 40 cents before, and overall it is relatively stable.

But in just less than a month, it has risen by almost twice.

This is a very exaggerated increase.

In other words, rubber is not related to national economy and people's livelihood like food, otherwise the court would have taken action long ago.

"Why is it impossible?"

After Yang Benman asked this question, Linghu Wujiang had nothing to say.

yes.

Why is it impossible?

This kind of thing is entirely possible.

...

"Langjun, I see that the Mercedes-Benz four-wheeled carriage workshop and the permanent bicycle workshop used rubber wheels on their most luxurious carriages and bicycles. I think this change needs to be followed immediately."

At the carriage in the south of the city, the shopkeeper Wei reported the situation to Wei Siren with a serious expression.

For a long time, the carriages in the south of the city have been firmly ranked second in the Tang Dynasty's four-wheeled carriages.

But there are not other opponents behind them.

Once you miss a certain opportunity, it is very likely that this ten-year-old second place will not be saved.

"The price of that rubber is really outrageous now. A pound of rubber costs more than 100 Tangyuan. It is estimated that in a few days, after our rubber wheels are made, the price has reached two or three hundred Tangyuan per pound.

Even if the wealthy and wealthy businessmen are not short of money, they are not willing to spend so much money for a wheel, right?"

Wei Siren obviously felt that the price of rubber was a bit outrageous.

He didn't want to intervene in the production of rubber wheels at this time.

“We may not necessarily make much money by making this four-wheeled carriage with rubber wheels.

But for the horse and carriage shop in the city, we always follow the trend and always provide the most comprehensive choices for our guests. This is our unchanging original intention.

If a customer comes to our shop to ask if there is a carriage with rubber wheels installed, if we don’t have one, it will be a big blow to the reputation of the carriage shop in the south of the city.”

As the actual person in charge of the carriage shop in Chengnan, Manager Wei naturally hopes not to fall behind.

Otherwise, his status in the Wei family would not be preserved.

"This rubber is said to be not bought directly from a ship returned from South America and can be processed into wheels immediately. It also requires several processes such as vulcanization.

Even if we spend money on research now, we will not have any results in a while."

Wei Siren's attitude has changed a little.

"It doesn't matter. Guanshishan Academy Rubber Research Institute has now established a Michelin rubber workshop. According to their past situation, this Michelin rubber workshop is willing to cooperate with other workshops."

Although the professional division of labor was not thorough in the Tang Dynasty.

However, in the workshop city, this trend has become more obvious.

"Okay, since you feel it's necessary to follow up, then arrange a group of craftsmen to cooperate with Michelin rubber workshops to see when we can launch our own carriage with rubber wheels installed."
Chapter completed!