"Your Majesty has summoned me, what are your orders?" Han Du lowered his head and asked.
Lao Zhu pondered for a moment and then said: "Yesterday you said that there are already businessmen who dare to go overseas to do business?"
"Yes, I saw some businessmen on the road this time, so I escorted them for a ride."
Lao Zhu was silent. If he had heard that someone dared to go to sea for trade before the sea ban, Lao Zhu would have arrested these people and executed them on the spot without saying a word. But now that the sea ban has been lifted, if he wanted to arrest those people again
I'm afraid it would be inappropriate to arrest him.
However, Lao Zhu would not be willing to let these people go so easily.
"Do you know my original intention of banning the sea?"
Han Du nodded, "I know something."
The forbidden sea is not a one-sided seclusion, but to maintain the tribute system of the Ming Dynasty. No matter where the Ming Dynasty's goods go in the world, they are good things that are scrambled for. After the forbidden sea, other countries want
To purchase goods from the Ming Dynasty, there was only one way to pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty. Paying tribute was in disguise equivalent to the trade carried out between the Ming Dynasty and other countries.
In this way, the Ming Dynasty could not only monopolize overseas trade profits, but also force more and more countries to pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty.
As mentioned before, Ming Dynasty took over the baton from Dayuan, the common master of the world. With Lao Zhu's arrogant heart, he naturally did not dare to show weakness and wanted to prove to the world that Ming Dynasty was also the master of all nations.
"Your Majesty, although paying tribute can bring a lot of profits to the court, the amount of tribute is too small. It is different to allow merchants to participate in maritime trade. Merchants pursue profits. With the huge profits of maritime trade, countless merchants will definitely be attracted by the time.
This trend is like a duck. Maritime trade is getting bigger and bigger. Even if the court only extracts a small amount of tax revenue, the harvest it can get is far greater than the tribute income."
When Lao Zhu heard this, he couldn't help but snorted and said: "Then those businessmen who follow you, will they pay taxes?"
"Yes." Han Du said without hesitation: "Actually, I forgot to report one thing to the Emperor yesterday, that is, those businessmen are willing to take the initiative to pay taxes to the Emperor, just waiting for the Emperor's decision."
"Really?" Lao Zhu didn't believe it. Businessmen pursue profits. I have only heard of businessmen resisting taxes. I have never heard of businessmen wanting to pay taxes on their own initiative.
"It's absolutely true. Perhaps the emperor also remembers that the leading businessman was Fu Yong who donated food to the court during the great disaster in Henan."
"So it's him." Lao Zhu nodded, "I remembered it. So, he is actually a righteous businessman."
After Fu Yong and others donated food, Lao Zhu summoned them in person to express his gratitude. Now that Han Du mentioned it, he thought of Fu Yong, who was the first to donate food.
Since it was Fu Yong, Lao Zhu believed it, and then asked: "Then how do you think this sea trade should be taxed, or should it be based on commercial tax of 1/30?"
One out of thirty? Lao Zhu, you are so generous. Han Du couldn't help but secretly complained in his heart. Well, a tax rate of 3.3%. For businessmen, such a tax rate is almost nothing.
"Your Majesty, isn't one in thirty too low?" Han Du said tentatively.
"Is it too low?" Lao Zhu frowned slightly and asked, "Then how much do you think is appropriate?"
"I think that one out of ten
It’s more appropriate.”
"One out of ten? Is it too high?" Lao Zhu looked hesitant, "What if it is too high and no merchants are willing to go to sea? You also said that the purpose of collecting taxes is to receive more than tribute.
More profits. If no businessmen are willing to go overseas, how can there be tax revenue?"
"Your Majesty, sea trade is different from ordinary business. In addition to the taxes paid to the court, ordinary businesses also have various checkpoints to collect money from merchants. This means that although merchants pay taxes based on thirty,
In fact, they paid much more than that."
"Sea trade is different. Apart from paying taxes to the court, sea trade does not have any checkpoints. In other words, 10 percent is similar to what ordinary merchants pay, or even lower."
Lao Zhu pondered for a long time, just when Han Du thought he still thought the taxes were too high.
But suddenly I heard Lao Zhu's hesitant voice, "In that case, how about adding more?"
My special meow, Lao Zhu! Where do you love the people like your own children?
Seeing Han Du's speechless expression, Lao Zhu sighed and said, "Okay, that's it, one out of ten."
Han Du then put his mind at ease, fearing that Lao Zhu would cause trouble again, and said quickly: "Your Majesty, since taxes have been collected, the interests of merchants should be protected. Only in this way can they continue to provide taxes to the Ming Dynasty.
"
Lao Zhu had no objection to this and nodded in agreement.
"I believe that the Ming Dynasty could set up ports along the sea route from Anping in Annan to Champa, Shuizhenla, Managa, Sumatra and the old port to provide convenience for merchants. Once in the old port, merchants can come to the west
For merchants to trade, they can also go east to Java, or of course they can cross the strait and continue west, but if they continue west, there will be no ports in the Ming Dynasty. The journey is not that convenient, and I am afraid not many merchants are willing to go that far."
"How come Manlajiazhen has ever heard of this country in Nanyang?" Lao Zhu asked in confusion.
Han Du explained to Lao Zhu about Manlajia.
After listening to this, Lao Zhu asked Han Du to point out the location of Malaka on the map. After looking at it for a while, he said: "You did a good job. If Manrak is annexed by Siam, then Siam will inevitably
It will grow bigger based on this, and it may threaten Yunnan of the Ming Dynasty in the future."
It's still the same principle. How can one allow others to sleep soundly on the side of the couch? Since Siam's growth may threaten the Ming Dynasty's borders, it would be better to strangle it in its infancy before it can grow up.
"But if you set up ports all the way, it will cost a lot of money." Lao Zhu slid his finger down the map.
Han Du shook his head and explained: "Your Majesty, there are ready-made ports in these places. They only need simple repairs before they can be used."
"Since there is a port, why does it need to be repaired?" Lao Zhu gave Han Du a strange look.
Han Du laughed twice and explained: "Several ports were bombarded with cannons. But the emperor can rest assured that ports in places like Old Port, Java and other places are all intact."
"How many times?" Lao Zhu's eyes widened and he suddenly asked: "By the way, I haven't asked you yet. You brought a lot of gunpowder when you went to sea this time. How much do you have left now?"
"Of course, there is still some gunpowder left." Han Du's tone was erratic, and he answered Lao Zhu intermittently. "The emperor has summoned me, what are your orders?" Han Du lowered his head and asked.
Lao Zhu pondered for a moment and then said: "Yesterday you said that there are already businessmen who dare to go overseas to do business?"
"Yes, I saw some businessmen on the road this time, so I escorted them for a ride."
Lao Zhu was silent. If he had heard that someone dared to go to sea for trade before the sea ban, Lao Zhu would have arrested these people and executed them on the spot without saying a word. But now that the sea ban has been lifted, if he wants to arrest people again
I'm afraid it would be inappropriate to arrest him. .??.
However, Lao Zhu would not be willing to let these people go so easily.
"Do you know my original intention of banning the sea?"
Han Du nodded, "I know something."
The forbidden sea is not a one-sided seclusion, but to maintain the tribute system of the Ming Dynasty. No matter where the Ming Dynasty's goods go in the world, they are good things that are scrambled for. After the forbidden sea, other countries want
To purchase goods from the Ming Dynasty, there was only one way to pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty. Paying tribute was in disguise equivalent to the trade carried out between the Ming Dynasty and other countries.
In this way, the Ming Dynasty could not only monopolize overseas trade profits, but also force more and more countries to pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty.
As mentioned before, Ming Dynasty took over the baton from Dayuan, the common master of the world. With Lao Zhu's arrogant heart, he naturally did not dare to show weakness and wanted to prove to the world that Ming Dynasty was also the master of all nations.
"Your Majesty, although paying tribute can bring a lot of profits to the court, the amount of tribute is too small. It is different to allow merchants to participate in maritime trade. Merchants pursue profits. With the huge profits of maritime trade, countless merchants will definitely be attracted by the time.
This trend is like a duck. Maritime trade is getting bigger and bigger. Even if the court only extracts a small amount of tax revenue, the harvest it can get is far greater than the tribute income."
When Lao Zhu heard this, he couldn't help but snorted and said: "Then those businessmen who follow you, will they pay taxes?"
"Yes." Han Du said without hesitation: "Actually, I forgot to report one thing to the Emperor yesterday, that is, those businessmen are willing to take the initiative to pay taxes to the Emperor, just waiting for the Emperor's decision."
"Really?" Lao Zhu didn't believe it. Businessmen pursue profits. I have only heard of businessmen resisting taxes. I have never heard of businessmen wanting to pay taxes on their own initiative.
"It's absolutely true. Perhaps the emperor also remembers that the leading businessman was Fu Yong who donated food to the court during the great disaster in Henan."
"So it's him." Lao Zhu nodded, "I remembered it. So, he is actually a righteous businessman."
After Fu Yong and others donated food, Lao Zhu summoned them in person to express his gratitude. Now that Han Du mentioned it, he thought of Fu Yong, who was the first to donate food.
Since it was Fu Yong, Lao Zhu believed it, and then asked: "Then how do you think this sea trade should be taxed, or should it be based on commercial tax of 1/30?"
One out of thirty? Lao Zhu, you are so generous. Han Du couldn't help but secretly complained in his heart. Well, a tax rate of 3.3%. For businessmen, such a tax rate is almost nothing.
"Your Majesty, isn't one in thirty too low?" Han Du said tentatively.
"Is it too low?" Lao Zhu frowned slightly and asked, "Then how much do you think is appropriate?"
"I think that one out of ten
It’s more appropriate.”
"One out of ten? Is it too high?" Lao Zhu looked hesitant, "What if it is too high and no merchants are willing to go to sea? You also said that the purpose of collecting taxes is to receive more than tribute.
More profits. If no businessmen are willing to go overseas, how can there be tax revenue?"
"Your Majesty, sea trade is different from ordinary business. In addition to the taxes paid to the court, ordinary businesses also have various checkpoints to collect money from merchants. This means that although merchants pay taxes based on thirty,
In fact, they paid much more than that."
"Sea trade is different. Apart from paying taxes to the court, sea trade does not have any checkpoints. In other words, 10 percent is similar to what ordinary merchants pay, or even lower."
Lao Zhu pondered for a long time, just when Han Du thought he still thought the taxes were too high.
But suddenly I heard Lao Zhu's hesitant voice, "In that case, how about adding more?"
My special meow, Lao Zhu! Where do you love the people like your own children?
Seeing Han Du's speechless expression, Lao Zhu sighed and said, "Okay, that's it, one out of ten."
Han Du then put his mind at ease, fearing that Lao Zhu would cause trouble again, and said quickly: "Your Majesty, since taxes have been collected, the interests of merchants should be protected. Only in this way can they continue to provide taxes to the Ming Dynasty.
"
Lao Zhu had no objection to this and nodded in agreement.
"I believe that the Ming Dynasty could set up ports along the sea route from Anping in Annan to Champa, Shuizhenla, Managa, Sumatra and the old port to provide convenience for merchants. Once in the old port, merchants can come to the west
For merchants to trade, they can also go east to Java, or of course they can cross the strait and continue west, but if they continue west, there will be no ports in the Ming Dynasty. The journey is not that convenient, and I am afraid not many merchants are willing to go that far."
"How come Manlajiazhen has ever heard of this country in Nanyang?" Lao Zhu asked in confusion.
Han Du explained to Lao Zhu about Manlajia.
After listening to this, Lao Zhu asked Han Du to point out the location of Malaka on the map. After looking at it for a while, he said: "You did a good job. If Manrak is annexed by Siam, then Siam will inevitably
It will grow bigger based on this, and it may threaten Yunnan of the Ming Dynasty in the future."
It's still the same principle. How can one allow others to sleep soundly on the side of the couch? Since Siam's growth may threaten the Ming Dynasty's borders, it would be better to strangle it in its infancy before it can grow up.
"But if you set up ports all the way, it will cost a lot of money." Lao Zhu slid his finger down the map.
Han Du shook his head and explained: "Your Majesty, there are ready-made ports in these places. They only need simple repairs before they can be used."
"Since there is a port, why does it need to be repaired?" Lao Zhu gave Han Du a strange look.
Han Du laughed twice and explained: "Several ports were bombarded with cannons. But the emperor can rest assured that ports in places like Old Port, Java and other places are all intact."
"How many times?" Lao Zhu's eyes widened and he suddenly asked: "By the way, I haven't asked you yet. You brought a lot of gunpowder when you went to sea this time. How much do you have left now?"
"Of course, there is still some gunpowder left." Han Du answered Lao Zhu intermittently in an erratic tone.