Chapter 283 The choice of the Gould family, the largest taxpayer
Gould had his own understanding of business.
He informed Rurik of his opinion.
"All kinds of businessmen come to Rossburg to do business. In fact, everyone thinks that they bring goods from outside to the Ross people, and at the same time they can take away Rossburg's goods and sell them to distant places. This is what most businessmen think. If
Without businessmen, the Russians can only rely entirely on themselves. Therefore, many people feel that they are indebted to the Russians."
"That's it? It's really ridiculous." Rurik has been around for a long time. Could it be that this is the attitude of many visiting businessmen? Could it be that they think that if they don't come, the Russians will become poor?
Rurik said angrily: "In my opinion, they are obviously here to focus on our leather profits, including you. We gave the merchants the possibility of making profits, so how could it become that the merchants gave us unilateral
Convey benefits.”
Gould shrugged: "Perhaps, some people think this is mutually beneficial. Even so, the merchants and the Russians themselves do not owe each other anything."
Do they really owe each other nothing?
Rurik's attitude was naturally completely negative. He narrowed his eyes and declared that this matter was not simple.
He asked with seriousness in his calm voice: "Do you actually think that the tax plan I proposed is unreasonable and redundant? And it will also harm the interests of businessmen?"
Gould did not answer hastily, and this silence was understood by Rurik as acquiescence.
"Okay. In that case, why don't I organize a trade team myself? I can form a caravan that will take orders from me. Why do I have to rely on those traveling merchants? I can definitely be a merchant."
Even though he was a child, he had always shown strong action and perseverance over the past few years. Gould, who was originally silent, could not sit still at all. He spied Rurik's intention to abandon him.
No matter how ambitious Gould was, he still knew that his wealth came from the gift of this child. Although it was a bit exaggerated, it was true.
The old guy hurriedly straightened his back and ordered the servants waiting in the meeting hall to leave.
Gould hurriedly explained: "I support any decision you make. I am a Russian, so how can I not support the leader? I am your loyal servant. But I need to tell you that everyone generally thinks this way."
"I'm not targeting you." Rurik replied readily.
Hearing this, Gould let out a sigh of relief.
After all, Gould's words were not just random nonsense, so Rurik took this opportunity to feel good and think about it.
Indeed, if a country is determined to become strong, it will naturally find ways to attract investment for the sake of its own economy and strength. Businessmen are all profit-seeking, and collecting business taxes is also an important financial component for a country to maintain stable operations.
cornerstone.
Reducing taxes to zero within three to five years is the key to attracting businessmen to invest. As time passes, taxation is necessary, and with this very considerable taxation, a large fiscal surplus will appear, which a country can use
This money can be used to better build the national economy and people's livelihood according to one's own wishes.
Just now, Gould specifically mentioned that the powerful Melalen tribe also collects a fortune from all foreign merchants on a regular basis. Specifically, it is built by other tribes in the "core area" determined by that leader.
At the sales point, a tribute must be paid and delivered to the leader.
Gould called it tax; Rurik would more appropriately call it rent.
Rurik thought for a while and then explained: "Even so, I still have to collect taxes. I am completely different from those Melalen people! You have just explained that you are in the core territory of Melalen
To do business, you must pay tribute to the leader. However, if you manage an island on a lake, many merchants are doing the same thing, so you don't have to pay any tribute.
The tax you understand is not a tax at all, it is just rent.
You said that the Russian merchants do not owe each other or benefit from each other. In my opinion, as the leader, I can completely follow the methods of the Melalen people and collect their land rent.
We Russians have provided a stable business environment for foreign businessmen for many years. The businessmen built residential warehouses in my territory, completely occupying our own living space. Logically speaking, I should charge a sum of money to compensate my people.
But I won't take things too extreme. Gould, would you like to hear my in-depth thoughts?"
Gould's interest was completely aroused. He didn't expect that this child was actually full of witty words.
To be honest, this kid is already exercising the power of the leader. If he wants to get money, he can lead a group of warriors and force the merchants to bring money. It's not like the leader of the Melalen tribe has never done this before.
Gould, who was once young and weak, could never forget the experience of being raided by that leader.
"You tell me." Gould replied readily.
"Then listen up." Rurik raised his chest high: "I will persuade or order all the businessmen who are staying in my Roseburg to come up with a sum of money. Just before this year's trade season comes, I will
Business taxes in this area will definitely be collected. Gould, you are a big businessman and I need your support."
"Yes! My family will always pursue you."
Rurik shook his head with a tight mouth: "I need your real support, not verbal agreement. You must support my opinion and really help me do it."
"So, what should I do?"
"Do you know my dream? Yes, you do. I want my tribe to become unprecedentedly powerful. If you think that just having strong military strength and having thousands of warriors is considered powerful, you are totally wrong.
wrong.
I want to make the tribe truly powerful, so I need a lot of money.
I have no intention of just caring about my own enjoyment. After all, my money is for the entire tribe.
My father Otto is getting older. He is now more willing to chat with the uncles and indulge in wine. He asks me to do many things and promises that he will ratify my actions. I am now the leader of the tribe! Even if there is no
Experienced the last rites.
Do you know my dream?
I hope that in my tribe, all the boys and girls of Rus will not starve or freeze to death. All men can marry at least one wife, and all women can be protected by their husbands. All families
They will all have enough food and clothing, and they will not maliciously abandon their daughters to raise their sons.
The Russians will continue to conquer. Those who surrender to me, I will let them have enough food and clothes, and I will let them live a quiet life so that they will not rebel.
If the Russians want to continue their revenge, I need more excellent weapons, more warriors, and better ships.
In order to realize my dream, I need a lot of money and a lot of materials!"
Although Rurik talked endlessly, his childish voice could be described as pure, but these words were really shocking.
Gould marveled at Rurik's dream, and Jevro couldn't believe that a Russian could say such a thing.
Because of his surprise, Gould was breaking out in cold sweat. He was quiet for a while before slowly responding: "Your words reminded me of the goddess Freya. She is the most benevolent goddess and the mother of all people. It is the embodiment of love and care.”
"You... mean I'm like Freya? I'm a man."
Gould shook his head and put on a smile, making the serious atmosphere more relaxed: "But you can't deny that before you grew a beard, you were a very beautiful boy. Listen, since you can get Odin's blessing, you can How can I be sure that I have not received Freya's blessing?
Your great ideal is like the ideal of a goddess.
No! I even think that you may also have been blessed by Frey. I am sure that you have already been blessed by Thor."
What is flattery? This is flattery!
The Russians believe in a wide variety of gods. Most men believe in Odin, and most women find it beneficial to believe in goddesses like Freya and Frigga.
Gould chuckled: "Rurik, if you put on the priest's plain white gown, spread your hair and put on a flower crown, and you stand in the altar, no one will think you are a boy.
But you are indeed a boy, a kind, great, brave boy who is loved by the entire Asgardian gods. Yes, you will become a very good leader, but your dream does require a lot of money to support it. ."
"I don't want to listen to your flattery." Rurik, who was in a good mood, continued: "I am just trying to earn wealth. Rather than earning silver coins, I hope to get a lot of grain, leather, linen and iron ore. When I earn silver coins, I don't melt them down to make tableware. Silver coins are useless when I'm extremely hungry. I earn silver coins in exchange for more supplies to make my people stronger and live a better life. Therefore, merchants must take money. Come!"
"Then do it! This is my sincere words. I will do my best to help you realize your dream. Maybe only in this way, my soul can get closer to God. So let us discuss a reality, how much do you have to charge? Taxes? I have to say something ugly up front, if businessmen feel that most of the money they earn is taxed, they will not come to Roseburg again. If the taxes are too small, I think you will not be satisfied either."
Rurik replied readily: "You don't need to worry about this. I have already thought of it. Each of those merchants has to pay me fifty silver coins. I think this tax is appropriate."
Gould was stunned for a moment. He actually wanted to say that this was a bit more than taxes. After all, a large number of businessmen were operating on a small scale. They had been following the big businessmen for so many years and eating scraps. How much profit could those people earn?
Rurik also paused and emphasized: "Only you! Gould, you have to pay a tax of 10,000 silver coins this year."
"Ah?!" Gould was really shocked: "So many? Am I your sheep?! You..."
Rurik turned his face on the spot and put on a threatening look: "Too much? You are a Russian, and you must listen to me, the leader. You should understand that you are a different person! We Russians already lack professional businessmen. , Now, you are a big businessman that I trust. Compared with those traveling businessmen, it is like you are a warrior wearing chain mail, and those people are just fools with only a fig leaf."
Gould began to hesitate. No one knew what he was talking about. Rurik knew that this guy must be unhappy.
Yes, if a big businessman is asked to pay a heavy tax, how can the businessman be willing to do so? What's more, some will rebel, and even more will just pack up and run away.
Rurik then pointed out the pros and cons: "Listen, is it possible that the huge wealth you are earning now and becoming a rich man are all due to your personal ability? Don't be stupid! You are relying on me to become rich without us. Ross tribe, how much more can you do?!
I need you very much now, and I will always need the obedient Gould family."
Now, Gould's forehead was sweating again. This time he was no longer surprised, but through Rurik's eyes, Gould saw a fierce look. Those were murderous eyes, those who had experienced battle. A look that only a human being can have.
Two meanings perceived by Gould.
If he refuses or hesitates to cooperate, he will no longer be reused, and Rurik will immediately support new merchants to replace him as a dealer of various commodities.
Or, he might be imprisoned or eliminated by the Russians, and all his wealth would be destroyed.
Gould could only think about the worst possibility first. He weighed it and decided to fully agree.
"Okay! Ten thousand silver coins, I will take them out."
Rurik could clearly detect the sigh of this old guy, and presumably, if a big businessman suddenly spit out 10,000 silver coins, how could the businessman laugh?
"Don't be sad. Don't you think you have lost a lot? I think now you will not worry about gains and losses because of ten thousand silver coins. You will get more support from me because of your active cooperation."
Gould reluctantly begged for mercy; "Yes, my family is your loyal servant."
"Very good. Today I want you to come up with 10,000 silver coins. Or, you can pay directly with grain. I know you still have a lot of grain on hand that has not been sold. You don't need to continue to try to raise prices. The price of grain is still based on the normal market price, one silver coin is exchanged for ten pounds. You prepare one hundred thousand pounds for me now, and I forbid you to sell this grain to anyone."
Gould knew that Rurik also had a large amount of food on hand. What was very amazing was that the child controlled the food on hand and distributed it to his men for consumption. I am afraid that this child had no intention of selling food for profit. It feels really strange.
Based on this, Gould thought that the purpose of Rurik's hoarding of grains was to feed his men. On the one hand, this was to ensure high-calorie grains to sustain the daily caloric consumption of the children and mercenaries, and on the other hand, it was also This was used as a temptation, forcing them to rely more and more on the leader's support. In order to have enough to eat every day, they would remain loyal.
There is also a very special point. In exchange for a bag of dry grains as labor remuneration, Rurik gave the tribesmen work in logging, construction and even tailoring, and they were extremely motivated.
After all, according to Rurik's consumption method, the grains he had on hand would not last until the beginning of May. Therefore, during this period, the proportion of fish and seal meat in the children's diet became larger and larger.
Gould had less than 100,000 pounds of grain on hand. Since Rurik made the request, he had to immediately hand over all his inventory, leaving only his family's rations.
Gould made a promise to hand over the tax immediately, and Rurik immediately gave an encouraging response.
"I very much need your cooperation. I very much need you, the top businessman, to take the lead in setting an example! When I start to collect taxes comprehensively, I will announce it to the small businessmen. You! Gould! Your family will take the lead."
The largest amount of tax was paid, so other businessmen had no reason to refuse to pay taxes.
As a feedback to you, I will find more profit space for you. Even if you can only get a modest profit in the future, you can still make a fortune.
Listen, you are just a big businessman, and you are a big businessman who relied on my merits. You have too much money now, but your family is destined to be dependent on me. You can just be a wealthy person with peace of mind.
Your family has been living in happiness and prosperity, don't think about anything else. Your family is fully protected by me, and I will bear all risks."
Gould realized that Rurik had let something slip. It was obvious that Rurik was collecting business taxes. The kid had come up with a novel idea, but he couldn't get the amount of tax right.
This kid will definitely have to take half of his profits for tax purposes in the future.
"Okay! If my family's net profit is 100,000 silver coins a year, I'll give half of it. No! It's not a bad idea to give 67,000 to pay taxes. At least the Russians are more reasonable than the Melalen people.
.Since I pay a lot of taxes, they will no longer be like the Onkras tribe and the Melalen tribe, who always covet my wealth."
Of course Gould knew that as a leader, Rurik could act unreasonably. Obviously, this kid's behavior has always been about contract.
No, Rurik immediately proposed a brand new benefit plan.
"I have some business matters to discuss with you. I want to recruit a group of shipbuilding professionals, experts with the ability to build your large cargo ships! I also hope that you can find a way to bring in that Fodegen who is good at making leather products.
The family is invited to Roseburg. Because of these actions, you will receive further preferential treatment from me. You must arrange for your sons to do these things. From now on, the outstanding ones among your sons will be forever valued by my family."
"You...you want to make a large number of transport ships? Shouldn't there be warships?" Gould asked inexplicably.
"I want a transport ship! I want a transport ship that relies entirely on sails. We Russians have expanded a large territory. I need time to digest these results. I want to use the resources of the newly conquered territory immediately. Those transport ships,
It is used to transport a whole mountain of iron ore, which is the most important result of our northern hunting. It is the best ore our blacksmith has ever seen. The transport ship is also used to load huge quantities of Eastern furs.
, Oriental salmon, and other goodies.
I don’t trust other big businessmen, but I trust you. Who should I rely on to sell those brand-new iron tools and furs?”
The shy and paunchy Gould smiled, clearly looking like a 200-pound fool.
He felt that there was no better word to describe the profit margin here. In comparison, the so-called business tax might be insignificant.
As a big businessman, Gould has no obligation to care about the life and death of small businessmen. He only needs to serve Party A's father. What's more, Party A is still his real leader?