He was so enthusiastic that Shen Yi didn't even have to take out Zhang Xiangguo's letter.
Mr. Shen rubbed his temples and tried to clear his mind. After he lowered his head and took a sip of tea, he forced a smile to Zhu Gui: "Zhongcheng, the imperial court wants to build the Guangzhou Shipping Division. The purpose is to To clarify the commercial tax, all merchant ships and goods in and out of Guangdong Province in the future must go through the Municipal Shipping Department. To achieve this, the local government must cooperate."
"But since Zhongcheng took the initiative to find Xiaguan, Xiaguan believes that Zhongcheng is sincere."
"It's natural."
Zhu Futai patted his chest and said: "The Shipping Department is responsible for everything under His Majesty's orders. Zhu is deeply favored by the Emperor, so he will naturally fully cooperate with Academician Shen."
He smiled at Master Shen and said: "Now, the anti-Japanese army under Master Shen's command has cleaned up the Japanese pirates in the coastal areas. I think the city's shipping department will be ready immediately. When Master Shen chooses the address, the governor's office will immediately He began to post notices to recruit craftsmen and civilians, and began to build a shipping department."
Zhu Futai clapped his fingers and said: "If we calculate the time, I estimate that it will be completed in October."
He looked at Shen Yi with a warm smile on his face: "What do you think, Bachelor Shen?"
Seeing the enthusiastic look of the governor of Guangdong, Shen Yi always felt that something was not right. After hesitating for a moment, he said: "Zhongcheng, the temporary commercial tax of this city's shipping company is one for ten taxes, which is one for each province of Guangdong. I’m afraid merchants may not necessarily be willing to enter and leave through the Municipal Shipping Department, and they will need help from the local government..."
"Zhu understands this."
Zhu Gui looked calm and said: "Don't worry, Academician Shen, I dare not say it to other places. This Guangdong territory must be my governor's Yamen's word. When the city shipping department is built, the governor's Yamen will immediately put up a notice to ensure that there is no Merchants dare to evade one tael of tax!"
At this time, Shen Yi actually saw some excitement in the eyes of the Guangdong governor.
This is very wrong.
Logically speaking, in this era, if local merchants want to expand their business, they will definitely collude with local officials, or at least find a backer for themselves.
In some cases, local officials are directly involved in business, or they support agents to do business.
So a sudden increase of 10% in commercial tax, even if it is only aimed at increasing the income of merchants going overseas, will inevitably harm the interests of these local officials. But now, as the first constitution of the entire Guangdong officialdom, Zhu Gui has shown a very serious attitude towards this matter. Great interest!
When something goes wrong, there must be a monster.
Shen Yi thought for a moment while he was drinking tea. Then he put down his teacup and said, "Zhongcheng, the shipping companies in Zhejiang and Fujian provinces are doing a great job..."
The reason why Shen Yi said this was because he suspected that Guangdong wanted to build a shipping department in public but did nothing secretly. In this way, within a few years, the shipping department would exist in name only.
Zhu Gui looked serious and said directly: "Sister Shen, don't worry, the income of the shipping companies in Guangdong will never be worse than that of the shipping companies in the other two provinces. If you are one or two cents less than them, Zhu will go directly to it in the future. Jiankang, please bear with me, Master Shen, and apologize!"
Because of his illness, Shen Yi couldn't keep up with his energy and concentration. Hearing this, he was already confused about what the governor of Guangdong was thinking. After hesitating for a moment, Mr. Shen took out Zhang Jing from his sleeve. The letter given to him was handed to Zhu Gui.
He took a deep breath and said: "Zhongcheng, this is the letter that Old Xiangguo Zhang asked me to bring to you. It has been with me for more than half a year. Old Xiangguo specifically asked me to deliver it to you in person."
After seeing this letter, Zhu Gui only glanced at the handwriting on it and then became serious. After listening to what Shen Yi said, he immediately stood up from his chair, first bowed to the letter, and then raised his hands Take this letter.
After receiving the letter, he did not rush to open it, but looked at Shen Yi and asked: "Who is Bachelor Shen and his mentor?"
Shen Yi thought for a while and said: "I have a good relationship with Zhang Yian, the grandson of the old prime minister. Brother Yi An is my elder brother."
After hearing these words, the false smile on Zhu Gui's face slowly faded, and his whole person became more serious.
At this time, Shen Yi felt that he was normal.
Because the enthusiasm of Zhu Futai just now was a little too fake.
As the dignified first constitution of a province, when facing an imperial envoy like Shen Yi, although he would not turn his nostrils upward, he would more or less show some airs, such as...
As a governor, he should have waited for Shen Yi to come to visit, rather than taking the initiative to come to Shen Yi.
Zhu Gui first glanced at Shen Yi, then nodded slightly and said, "Scholar Shen, please wait a moment. Let me take a look at my mentor's letter."
Shen Yi nodded and drank tea by himself.
After a while, Zhu Gui read the letter, then silently folded it and stuffed it into his sleeve. When he looked up at Shen Yi, the expression on his face became much more sincere.
"It turns out he is one of our own."
He asked: "How is your teacher's health?"
"Old Xiangguo is in good health."
Zhu Futai nodded and said with a smile: "Since we are members of our own family, let's not talk about those lies. Brother Shen doesn't have to worry about this Guangzhou Ship Division. Brother Shen, you can rest in peace in Guangzhou Mansion for a few months. My brother will definitely do a great job for you."
Having said this, Zhu Futai touched his chin and said, "How about I give you 30% of the profits I get by then?"
Although Shen Yi was sick, he was not confused. Hearing this, he frowned subconsciously and then said, "Zhongcheng, may I ask what your income is?"
Zhu Gui said in surprise: "Of course it's the income of the Shipping Company."
Mr. Shen frowned and said, "Zhongcheng, the income of the Shibo Division is to be handed over to the imperial court and to support the Guangzhou Guards!"
"I know this."
Zhu Futai smiled and said: "Brother, don't worry, we are all our own people, and being an elder brother will not harm you."
"The tax that should be paid to the Shipping Department is one in ten, and it will not be less than one tael of silver."
It was only then that Shen Yi heard the plan behind the governor of Guangdong!
He wants to raise taxes!
Increase taxes in the name of the Shipping Company!
The tax rate of 1 out of 10 taxes in the Municipal Shipping Division is not too high. Those merchants who go to sea from the Municipal Shipping Division will be protected by the officers and soldiers of the Guangzhou Guard to ensure their safety in the offshore. This is a relatively healthy and virtuous cycle.
Because these merchants, after all, make money.
However, if the local government levies taxes under the guise of the Municipal Bureau of Shipping, and the tax rate is too high, and merchants' profitability is reduced or even negative income, then the policy of the Municipal Bureau of Shipping will become bad governance!
At that time, not only will the shipping company lose its income, but it will also be a blow to the business of the entire Guangdong province!
Shen Yi took a deep breath, looked up at Zhu Gui, and asked: "Zhongcheng wants to increase taxes? How much tax?"
Zhu Gui now completely regarded Shen Yi as one of his own, and he said with a smile.
"Brother Shen, you have been in the court for a long time and you don't know the profits of these merchants going overseas. Some businesses can even double their profits by going overseas."
"There is no business without treachery. One out of ten taxes is too cheap for them."
Zhu Gui said calmly: "In my opinion, it should be more appropriate to pay taxes of three out of ten or four out of ten."
Good guy!
What Zhu Futai meant was that the commercial taxes collected by local yamen were two or three times more than those collected by the imperial shipping department!
Seeing that Shen Yi didn't speak, Zhu Gui looked at Shen Yi and explained: "Brother Shen, Zhu is not doing this for his own profit. There are so many officials in Guangdong, and some of them have people who go overseas to do business. He wants to If you take food from their mouths, you have to subsidize and give them some benefits."
"In addition to giving the extra money to your brother, Brother Yu will use the rest to manage the joints up and down to ensure the smooth operation of the Shipping Company in Guangdong."
Mr. Shen did not speak.
He knew in his heart that Zhu Gui had probably thought about these things before he arrived in Guangdong.
Even if he had not taken out the letter, he would never have told him this. When the time came, he would have helped him to quickly build the Shipping Department, and then let him leave Guangdong without knowing it.
At that time, the shipping department he stayed in in Guangdong would become a tool for these local officials to make money.
Thinking of this, Shen Yi thought of several other shipping companies.
Will these shipping companies also have this kind of situation?
Mr. Shen closed his eyes and after being silent for a while, he said tiredly: "Zhongcheng, most merchant ships cannot double their profits."
He opened his eyes and looked at Zhu Gui, and said: "At that time, there will be fewer and fewer ships going to sea, and business will wither..."
"As long as it's not smuggled."
Zhu Futai smiled faintly at Shen Yi: "Besides, the situation that my dear brother mentioned may have happened a few years later."
Zhu Futai has been in Guangdong for four years, and he will leave office in two years.
As for Shen Yi, there is a high probability that he will return to Jiankang this year.
Zhu Futai took a sip of tea, looked at Shen Yi, who was still young, and smiled slightly.
"Brother Shen, this is how officialdom is. It is impossible to cover everything. You just need to do the things in front of you well. Brother Yu will handle the errands in Guangdong for you. When you return to the court this year, you can communicate with His Majesty..."
"What does the future of Guangdong have to do with you and me?"
