"I second the proposal!" Li Loushang, the left minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, also immediately came out, "No matter which dynasty or generation it is, it will not mention the opening of maritime trade. The disadvantages far outweigh the benefits."
"I second the proposal!" Liu Shuyun, the Minister of Rites, came forward, "If there are officials or merchants in this dynasty who collude with foreign powers, it will seriously affect the safety of the country and the country."
"I second the proposal!" Dong Jiannian, Minister of the Ministry of Justice, also hurriedly came forward, "I heard that other countries are rich in minerals, among which silver and copper resources are very abundant. If they flow into this dynasty, it will have an immeasurable impact on the currency of this dynasty."
"I second the proposal!"
"I second the proposal!"
None of the ministers supported it. Judging from their analysis, it would indeed do more harm than good.
Otherwise, why has the imperial court not opened the sea market for so many years? This is the reason.
Su Jinxun felt like his eyes were wet with sweat. This guy couldn't stop talking without surprising anything. He really spoke freely? Do you have any ideas that you won't discuss in the house?
The emperor glanced at Su Yizhao, who was silent, and felt a little disappointed when he saw that she was not in a hurry to refute.
"Zhuangyuanlang, what do you think?" The emperor's tone was no longer as kind as before, but more majestic.
Su Yijue and Meng Lingxi couldn't help but sweat for Su Yizhao. I have to say that Su Yizhao is indeed brave, but is he too honest?
If you can fool me by making some innocuous suggestions, I believe the emperor won't embarrass you too much, right? Today is the grand ceremony after all!
What I said before was not very good, so why bother bringing up the mirage later?
"Your Majesty! In ancient times, many problems encountered during the reform were solved one by one. In the process of reform and reform, it is inevitable that you will encounter difficulties. Only by solving problems when you encounter them can you make progress."
Su Yizhao heard a heavy cough from the front and glanced to the left, only to see Su Jinxun winking at her.
She ignored it and instead bowed her hand to the emperor.
"What you all said makes sense!"
When Su Jinxun heard this, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Those who know the current affairs are heroes! It is not shameful to bow your head now!
"Because these are all difficult problems that need to be solved, I will summarize the three most important points based on your Lordships."
Su Yizhao's words almost made Su Jinxun angry. My child! Stop talking.
"Firstly, opening a sea market is not conducive to the control of merchants; secondly, some people will cheat and take risks for profit; thirdly, it is detrimental to currency circulation and risks inflation."
"Inflation?" The emperor murmured, and the word used had some meaning.
"You are right, but how should you solve these problems?" The emperor became somewhat interested. Could it be that Su Yizhao had a back-up plan?
"For your Majesty, let me first say one thing: Governing and controlling merchants has been a difficult problem for all dynasties. Not to mention the distant ones, such as salt gangs, tea merchants, etc., those people have repeatedly committed dangers and are not afraid of the law at all. This is because
Profit comes from it.”
"Oh! What can you do?"
As soon as the emperor said this, Su Yizhao wanted to laugh.
Your Majesty? You are a professional admonisher, right?
"These are things for later. They cannot be solved in a few words. Let's go back to Haishi first."
Su Yizhao's words made everyone roll their eyes. Didn't you mention this first?
How could Su Yizhao say so much right now? Then she had to take her time, otherwise how could she get promoted?
"If you open the sea market, you can set up the Imperial Sea Trade Chamber of Commerce nearby and send heavy troops to guard it. The merchant ships passing by will be taxed at 10% of the assets on board."
10% tax? Some officials are already calculating in their minds, is this too little?
"Businessmen entering and leaving must become members of the Chamber of Commerce and strictly abide by the Chamber of Commerce system. They must be registered in any country they go to and pay taxes in addition. They are not allowed to enter countries other than those registered."
At this point, Zhu Hongchang already had objections.
He couldn't wait to ask: "But after leaving the sea, how do we know which country he went to?"
"There is a customs clearance document! This is about the early preparations."
Su Yizhao said confidently: "Before this, establish a chamber of commerce as soon as possible, and send chamber of commerce officials to other countries to negotiate and establish friendly relations with other countries. As long as you board the dock of their country, you must be registered."
"Officials of the DPRK can also be dispatched to stay at the docks of other countries. If the customs clearance document does not have the seal and signature of the DPRK, they will not be allowed to enter the customs."
What Su Yizhao said is actually similar to those embassies in previous lives. Of course, the responsibilities are not that many, and they only need to control the shipping of the dynasty.
"There is also the most effective way. After you go out, you must bring some treasures from other countries when you come back. For example, jewelry, porcelain, etc. No matter which country it is from, it will have obvious characteristics and marks. Anyway, it is the most effective way to check the goods after you come back.
The basics can be found out just by looking them up.”
"Since the establishment of a chamber of commerce, it is certain to ensure the safety of merchants abroad. If other countries violate the agreement, the transaction will be terminated. This not only protects the merchants, but also increases the tax revenue of the national treasury, which will be mutually beneficial."
There was silence in the main hall, everyone was thinking about the feasibility.
Even Su Jinxun no longer wiped his sweat, but looked thoughtful.
"Businessmen value profits. Although the regulations are very strict, it is profitable for them, so of course they flock to it."
Su Yizhao's words were confusing. The emperor touched the dragon chair and suddenly felt a little excited. Why?
"Secondly, if the officials of the DPRK who are stationed in other countries can control it well, for example, merchants selling and buying goods must be registered there. Record the backgrounds of sellers and buyers in detail, who they have contacted, and strictly control them.
It’s a good time limit, I think there’s nothing to worry about.”
Su Yizhao pondered, and then did not add: "It's just a currency transaction. Except for envoys and merchants, no one else is allowed to enter the customs."
While talking and sorting out his thoughts, Su Yizhao raised a third point.
"As for the final impact on currency, as long as the court strictly controls it, strict proportions must be established for any gold and silver utensils or jewelry entering and exiting the customs. In fact, it is bartering, and no gold or silver currency is allowed to be traded. If that's the case,
, the impact shouldn’t be big.”
The hall was quiet for a while, and several ministers who had strongly opposed it had already begun to calculate how much profit those trades would bring.
"Of course, the most important point is that the purity of gold, silver and other ores in this country must be improved. As long as the purity is higher than that of other countries, it is only circulated in this country and cannot be used for external currency transactions, then inflation can be eliminated
.”
This analysis aroused the emperor's excitement. If the sea market is really opened, the national treasury will be filled quickly.
Nothing can bring in money as quickly as the sea market and the border trade. If he can make money like this, why should he be frugal?