Chapter 5: What the People Want To Worry About Zheng Sen
The scorching sun was shining in the sky, and the whole Jiujiang City was bustling with activity.
Zheng Sen took several servants to the so-called service department.
The full name is Huguang Office in Jiujiang.
Although Jiujiang City was theoretically still affiliated with Jiangxi, it was actually controlled by King Yu, and Yiying Yamen pretended to be confused and was incorporated.
Other yamen remain unchanged, but they have to follow the advice of the service department.
The long queue was like an irregular snake, twisting and turning so that one could not even see the side.
Zheng Sen looked at it and couldn't help but sigh: "There are so many people in Jiujiang City who want to go to Huguang!"
"yes!"
Several businessmen in the queue sighed: "You have to come here in person, otherwise it won't be done. It's really troublesome."
"Hey, if there are no road guides, we won't be able to pay the customs duties, and we will suffer a lot."
At this time, the big man's ears twitched and he couldn't help but wonder.
"How do you say this?" Zheng Senqi asked: "Wouldn't it be better if we don't pay tariffs?"
The big man had a fat face. When he saw Zheng Sen acting like a young master, he couldn't help but smile kindly: "This young master doesn't know something. Under the banner of King Yu, you can only collect this tax."
It turns out that every merchant ship or merchant entering Huguang must pay customs duties, and the prerequisite for paying taxes is road guidance.
After paying this tax, there will be no toll tariffs when entering the province. The journey can be said to be smooth, saving a lot of time and cost.
"What if there is no way?"
"If there is no road guide? Then you will be arrested and serve as a corvee for half a year, and you will suffer a lot."
The businessman said with lingering fear: "I have encountered this before. Two hundred kilograms of fat meat, only one hundred and two kilograms in half a year. A fat pig has become a lean sheep."
Zheng Sen frowned, why are you so strict?
Could it be that King Yu used heavy codes in troubled times?
It seems that the idea of smuggling is serious.
"How much customs duties are paid?"
Zheng Sen looked at the endless queue and suddenly realized that this was a huge fortune, not a small amount.
"The road is here, and the tariff is in Huguang."
The businessman said softly: "The tax ranges from one to three. The young master does not seem to be a businessman. If you are interested, you can go and take a look."
"That high?"
"It's not high anymore. What about Sichuan? They don't charge any more money to enter."
Zheng Sen was stunned. This was worse than his own home. The 30% travel expenses were really terrible.
As he thought in his mind, he couldn't wait to look back and forth. He saw a sea of people, as far as the eye could see.
How much does this cost!
The long wait was wearing away people's hearts. Even though he was surprised for a long time, Zheng Sen had no patience.
"Sir, are you going to Huguang?"
At this time, a thin man looking around with a philistine expression asked with a smile.
"What?" Zheng Sen's heart moved.
"For one tael of silver, you can get the road guide in advance."
The thin man said with a smile.
"Sir, we'll be here in half an hour at most. There's no need to spend such a small amount of money."
The fat businessman on the side had a trembling face and hurriedly tried to persuade him.
Zheng Sen raised his eyebrows and ignored the persuasion: "Really?"
"It's natural."
The thin man lowered his head and said, "My relative works in the service department. Not only can you register in advance, but you can also get directions immediately."
"Besides, by the time it's done, it will save at least half a day."
"Wouldn't it be more comfortable for you to go to the brothel to eat and drink during this half day? Wouldn't it be better than waiting here?"
These words moved Zheng Sen deeply. One tael of silver bought half a day, and it was worth it no matter what.
The fat businessman was also tempted, but thinking about the money, he gritted his teeth and stayed still.
Soon, Zheng Sen was led into the service department yamen from the other side and saw a bustling group of people.
The thin man walked all the way around and came to a room, knocked on the door, and when he opened it, a young official in a uniform didn't even raise his head. He was obviously very familiar with the job:
"Name, place of origin, age, purpose of going to Huguang..."
Zheng Sen didn't have anything to fear, so he made up a fake name and used the excuse of studying and traveling to get through.
The man didn't ask, looked up and wrote:
He is five feet five inches tall, with a short beard on his chin, regular facial features, thick eyebrows and big eyes...
In just a few sentences, Zheng Sen's guide was written down.
The few servants around him were no exception, and they paid a few taels of silver.
Soon, he realized that the money was worth it.
Almost ten seals were stamped in half an hour, and if you queue up and come in order, it will take at least half a day to work.
A tael of silver is certainly worth it.
Having obtained the road guide in advance, Zheng Sen naturally did not have to wait in line and went directly to the boat to leave Jiujiang.
This is not just half a day, if you include the time when the city gate is closed, it is a whole night plus half a day.
"Even money can't escape the rules."
Although Zheng Sen spent money and took a retreat, he deeply understood that these people just accelerated the steps and did not mean to forge a fake one for him.
Rules, this is what impressed him most.
However, why deliberately delay time when we can obviously speed up the process?
Targeting Jiangnan?
All conjectures appeared in his mind.
Every move profoundly explains King Yu's attitude towards Nanjing.
As he walked and stopped along the way, he felt deeply.
Although Huguang is still not as good as Jiangnan, it has a bit more order and hope.
The farmer in shabby clothes was willing to serve the crops no matter how hot the weather was. He told Zheng Sen:
The King of Yu only collects one bushel per acre of land. As long as he serves it well, the more productive land will be his.
"Moreover, the King of Yu exempted Liao and Liao from paying taxes, and did not allow those officials to collect taxes at will, which makes it much easier."
There are countless such farmers in the vibrant rice fields.
And on the official river road, the inns that have been built up one after another are almost overcrowded.
Boats and horses, there is almost no room for free.
The merchants coming and going were in high spirits and kept clamoring about making money.
There are no tax cards between counties, the official roads are neat and open, there are even inns where you can rest, and the transfer office collects taxes in an orderly manner, which is generally satisfactory.
Especially the officials no longer dare to reach out casually, which is the greatest blessing for small traders.
Listening to his words, Zheng Sen sat upright, and the tea on his lips became more and more unpleasant.
"If you ask me, it would be better to suppress the bandits."
A big man opened his clothes and said hotly to the sky: "In the past, there were not a hundred and eighty people. How could we dare to take the official road even if it was clear and sunny?"
"Now, there are three or five of us walking together. Not to mention the bandits, there are even fewer wild animals. Before, we were thinking of making a coat out of the wolf."
"Bah, you use urine to smoke away the jackals, right?"
In an instant, everyone laughed, and the entire station was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.
Hearing this, Zheng Sen put down his teacup.
Not good, very bad.
The farmers and merchants all liked the King of Yu and forgot about the imperial court, and wondered what happened to the scholar-bureaucrats...