Zhu Biao looked at the list of goods sent by the merchant gang, which was the theme of this ocean trade. There were blue bowls, blue and white porcelain bowls, silk, damask, musk, flower silk, copper coins, cloth, colored silk, and burnt beads.
, camphor, Jinqi, etc.
Mainly silk and porcelain, plus gold, silver and copper coins. Other places are unknown, but Jinghai Marquis Wu Zhen reported that many Western countries use copper coins as currency.
It is expected that the same is true for the countries along the way. The caravan has prepared these, so that both barter and currency transactions can be smooth. It can be seen that they are well prepared.
Also, there were precedents in the Song and Yuan Dynasties, and there are still many maritime merchant families that have been handed down to this day. They have their own set of experiences passed down from their ancestors. Zhu Biao nodded happily. As long as there is no irresistible natural disaster, then this trip will definitely be a success.
There was also a list at the end. Zhu Biao glanced at it and then put it aside. It contained some rare treasures, which were the goods at the bottom of the box and were to be traded to the royal families of the countries along the way.
Showing these things to him first was undoubtedly a sign of loyalty and a kind of bribe to please him. As long as Zhu Biao was willing, he could keep whatever he liked without paying any price.
Seeing His Highness the Crown Prince's lack of reaction, the people below felt a little regretful. Sometimes they feel proud when someone accepts your things, but it's a pity that they don't have the decency to do so.
"Your Highness, this business tax..."
Zhu Biao frowned slightly and waved his hands and said: "There is no rule without rules, and the tax and ship tax set by the Ministry of Household Affairs are not strict. You should know that a strong country will make the people rich. Otherwise, how can duckweeds without roots be able to withstand the rough waves?
The pirates along the coast alone are enough to make you lose all your money."
The man made a grievance and begged for mercy: "It's not me who is stingy.
Being stingy is really a small profit but a big risk. Can we follow the precedent of the Song and Yuan Dynasties first?"
"I know better than you how big the profits from sea trade are. Not to mention the tax rate set now, even if it is several times more stringent, you will still make some money. It's just the difference between making more money and making more money.
"
At this point, the people below did not dare to say anything more. They, the merchant families, had gathered together and had some power. Not to mention the place, there were even second- and third-grade officials in the capital court who could help them say a few words.
.
When necessary, it is not impossible to even pull the skins of several princes, so many things can go smoothly. If they don't have this ability, they will not be able to save the capital to build cargo ships and go to sea for trade.
But with these things to rely on, when you come in front of the Crown Prince, you can only bow your head and make a submissive statement. In this way, there will be no room for bargaining.
Nowadays, there is a tax, that is, a deposit. Only with a tax can we prepare to ship goods to sea for trade. It is not expensive, ranging from a few taels to dozens of taels. The main reason is that it is easy to register and manage.
Then there is the ship tax. As the name suggests, it is an export tax levied according to the size of the hull. For ships going to sea, if the ship is less than sixteen feet wide, five taels of silver will be levied. If it exceeds sixteen feet, five taels of silver will be added for each additional foot. If it is a grain ship,
It can be reduced or reduced.
There is also price tax, which is an ad valorem tax levied according to the value of the goods, that is, import tax. After the goods arrive at the port, they are taxed according to the value of the goods.
There are mainly three types, and the other is the tax on returning empty ships. In some places, there are no goods worth shipping back to the country for sale, so merchants often return empty ships, and they also have to pay part of the tax.
….
It’s okay to see His Highness
Liu Jin lured the people out, and when he came back, there were already a thousand taels of silver notes in his sleeves, as well as the land deeds for a hundred acres of fertile land outside Hangzhou. These alone are enough for most sixth- and seventh-grade officials in their lifetime.
I can’t even save enough money to save my family fortune.
Liu Jin didn't say anything when he came back. He just carefully put the receipts in a brocade box. It was almost full. It could be seen that this was not the first time, but he would send these to the Crown Princess.
Most eunuchs like to save money, either to support their family members outside the palace, to provide for themselves when they are old and frail in the future, or to find a career for themselves.
But he was different. All his family members had died long ago. Although he still had a few distant relatives, they had never had any contact with each other, and he did not expect his adopted son to offer incense.
My grandfather is a nostalgic person. He will definitely arrange for someone to take care of him when he gets old, and he will probably even allow it a hundred years later.
He was buried in the mausoleum, and he had no worries before and after his death. How can money and land deeds be of any use?
As for Bentou, although he is physically disabled, he has been blessed by God to serve His Highness the Crown Prince. His Highness is the most noble, the direct eldest son of the founder of the country, and the future Emperor Taizong.
As a personal eunuch, he has a great chance of being remembered in history. His bloodline cannot be passed down, but his name and deeds can last forever. For example, Gao Lishi, the most virtuous eunuch in the history of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty.
In the early years, before His Royal Highness the Crown Prince took charge of the government, a large main hall was set up in the palace to store various ancient and modern books. Famous Confucian scholars took turns giving lectures and teachings to the Crown Prince. Fortunately, he had a photographic memory, which was not true.
I learned a lot secretly.
Among the virtuous officials of the past dynasties, Cai Lun, Gao Lishi, Yang Fuguang, and Qin Han are all role models. We should work hard and become stronger if we have this ambition.
Xiang, what's the point of deeding land in money?
Half an hour later, Liu Jin reported: "Sir, the Tengchong Guard Chief Huang Yuanshou you want to summon has arrived."
Zhu Biao put down the official report from the coastal state capital: "Summon him in."
If he hadn't happened to have made outstanding achievements in suppressing bandits and resisting Japanese invaders at Senping Beach in the South China Sea, and had been promoted to three levels in the Imperial Military Department and transferred to Tengchong to serve as the commander-in-chief of the Tengchong Guards, Zhu Biao would not have been able to remember this Ming commander-in-chief who became the King of Bo Ni in a foreign land.
After all, his name is not Huang Senping yet.
Not long after, a majestic and majestic figure walked in. Without any hint of any fear, he bowed neatly and saluted: "The final general, Tengchong Guards Commander Huang Yuanshou, pays homage to the general."
Zhu Biao raised his eyebrows slightly: "Oh? Who was he under at that time?"
"When the last general followed the general in the Northern Expedition, he served as a Cavalry Commander under the command of Marquis Nanxiong."
"Okay, let's get up."
After looking at him carefully, Zhu Biao nodded and praised: "What a good man, no wonder he was able to achieve such great success in Senpingtan, wiping out the elite group of Japanese pirates who had been wandering around for a long time."
"The last general will not dare to take credit. The main thing is Marquis Jinghai's meritorious service."
"It seems that you admire Marquis Jinghai very much. Don't worry, the court has its own plans, and Marquis Jinghai's reward is coming soon."
"Come, give me a seat."
Huang Yuanshou thanked him and sat down carefully: "The last general has served in the Coast Guard since the Northern Expedition. At the beginning, he could only resist the Japanese invasion. Fortunately, the general had the foresight to send Marquis Jinghai to eliminate the Japanese invasion..."
Huang Yuanshou was a man of ideas. He was much better than the ordinary generals of the generals. Not to mention being a commander, he was at least good enough to lead an army alone, so he was able to stand out. It can be seen that there have been no good opportunities.
….
Of course, it is more likely because he is a blessing
Jian Quanzhou was not from Huaixi, so if he had a good opportunity, it would not be his turn to make meritorious deeds. But after all, he is a talented person. He gets the best of everything and the last one is quick. That's why his father was promoted three times in a row.
Specially awarded the title of Commander-in-Chief.
Zhu Biao talked with him for a long time. He probably knew a lot about the coastal affairs, but after all, the information was all obtained from paper. Now that sea trade is to be launched, there are more things to consider.
"What do you think when the imperial court transfers you to Tengchong Guard in Yunnan?"
Huang Yuanshou was stunned: "I have never been to Yunnan, but since it is an oracle, I will follow the order."
"The Yunnan side has just been pacified, and Ping Xihou's command is also short of men. There is no lack of future, but I think it is a bit unworthy of your talent to just go to pacify a guard station."
Huang Yuanshou's eyes lit up: "I have become accustomed to living on the coast in the past few years. I have some experience in naval battles, or I have gone to sea with the Marquis of Jiangyin."
Zhu Biao ignored him and just said to himself: "You have fought against Japanese bandits on the islands in the South China Sea, so you should know something about the situation in the Southeast Asian countries."
Huang Yuanshou was a little confused but still answered honestly: "The small country in Nanyang is weak and poor, with Japanese pirates invading and plundering from outside, and constant conquests from within. The people are as ignorant as savages."
"If you were allowed to go, could you possibly build a country?"
Huang Yuanshou stood up in fear and was at a loss: "This...general...your highness, I don't understand very well."
"Although Nanyang is poor, once sea trade opens up, several islands, ports, and straits will be extremely important in the future. If it is left in the hands of outsiders, I will find it difficult to sleep peacefully. I hope that you will take it for me."