The lengthy trade negotiations lasted two days and three nights before they came to an end, but the results were still impressive. Kislev did not make any concessions on textiles and light industrial products and continued to maintain high import taxes.
Marienburg's diplomatic mission could only come up with alternative plans, starting from other industries, and reached an agreement with Kislev's senior officials, namely Rod, Alves and their gang, in terms of mineral trade and medicinal materials trade.
The "Free Trade Agreement" was changed into the "Trade Agreement", in which Marienburg will reduce the tariffs on Kislev's imported medicinal materials, so that Kislev's local medicinal materials can be better sold in Marienburg. As a result
In return, Kislev has opened up the import rights for some ores, and some rare metals even enjoy zero-tariff privileges. For goods such as iron ore and copper ore, Kislev will reduce import taxes, making Marion
Fort's caravans can dump more mineral resources in Kislev.
Of course, Rhodes also had his own considerations and plans in signing these treaties. First of all, the production efficiency of the mines throughout the territory is improving rapidly. Before long, the cost of ore mining in Kislev will even be lower than that of the Empire and Marienburg.
By then, Marienburg’s ore prices may not have a competitive advantage. Secondly, the entire Kislev is vigorously developing heavy industry, which requires a large amount of ore as raw material reserves. Importing more ore from Marienburg merchants will not
They suffered a loss because these resources would be of great use in the future. And the people of Marienburg gained real immediate benefits.
There have also been some breakthroughs in other aspects. Marienburg has opened up more import rights for alcoholic beverages, allowing more spirits to be sold in Marienburg, while the Port of Oerenglad has become the first chartered port to allow low-cost
Tariffs were imposed on the import of luxury goods from Marienburg and then sold domestically. This was a great thing for the nobles of Kislev. In the past, to obtain luxury goods produced by the empire, they had to pay expensive
Price, or smuggling privately. But you have to risk confiscation and severe punishment. Now, the import of licensed goods is approved, which means that the price of luxury goods will no longer be so expensive in the future.
However, this privilege is also strictly controlled by Rhodes. The types of goods that can enjoy import privileges are very rare. At the same time, the quantity is also capped. Only a certain amount of luxury goods can be allowed to flow into Kisri at low tariffs every week.
If the amount is too much, it will be stopped outside the port or imported at normal tax rates.
Trade is a double-edged sword. If used well, a country's economy will be revitalized. If it is not well controlled, it may even trigger an economic crisis. Rhodes is well aware of the stakes, so he ordered Alves to control this aspect.
Supervise personally.
And Rhodes has another plan to relax the luxury goods market——
Queen Denis is stepping up her efforts to implement tax reforms, gradually increasing the proportion of tax revenue in the entire kingdom and reducing the proportion of traditional agricultural taxes. The advantage of this is that the tax pressure will be slowly transferred from the poor to the rich. Moreover, agricultural taxes
There is a critical point. There is only so much land and farmers. If it is expropriated to a certain extent, it will soon reach the upper limit. No matter how much is extracted, it will not be able to collect much, and it will easily lead to people's resistance.
The critical points for taxes such as consumption tax and commodity value-added tax are very high. Even if some luxury goods are taxed at a 30% tax rate, the nobles will not do anything. At most, they will complain a few times. After all, except for food and coal, other commodities
None of them are necessities. Life can go on without luxuries. Life can go on without a variety of daily necessities...
There is another benefit of the reform. The kingdom will enjoy the direct benefits brought by trade. The more goods there are in the entire Kislev market and the faster they circulate, the more taxes the government will collect. Every time civilians and nobles consume a commodity,
All taxes and fees must be paid to the tsarist regime. Once trade enters a period of rapid development, the government's revenue will also rise accordingly.
However, this requires a process. If the transformation is too fast, the nobles and wealthy businessmen will be unhappy and uncooperative. At the same time, it cannot be too slow. There is not much time left for Kislev. Opening up some luxury goods is a way to please the nobles.
means to give them hope in the Queen's regime.
Domestic needs and the special transition period determine Rhodes' attitude and approach to foreign trade. As for the basis on which Marienburg reached these trade agreements, Rhodes does not know.
No one will tell those deep-seated reasons. Just like Rod's big plan, only he and his daughter Dennis know.
…
"Hey!"
In the land of snow, in the camp of the Ugor tribe, an angry Boris was stopped by a clear female voice.
He turned his head and found a strong yet slender woman standing not far away looking at him. The woman looked young, her fair face was flushed, and she looked a little immature at first glance. The girl was not like an ordinary girl.
A herdsman in the camp, she was wearing fine cotton clothes, a thick animal clothing, and a delicate gold dagger hanging from the belt around her waist. Judging from this outfit, Boris knew that this girl's identity was anything but simple.
.But he was not interested in knowing, nor did he want to ask more questions. He only had one idea and one purpose in his mind, which was to return to the Great Wall, inform the commander of the gathering of beastmen troops, and prepare his companions to defend.
After glancing at the girl, Boris turned his head and continued walking outside the camp. If the big leader didn't give him a horse to ride on, he would walk back. Even if his feet were worn out, he would return to the Great Wall. Not only because he was still a member of the Night Watch.
One of them, and Boris, don’t want to associate with these savages at all. If you don’t reveal your identity, at first glance, the people here are no different from the Norse savages... Some are even eating raw animal meat... Boris would never want to
He was in the company of these people, let alone working for that great chief.
"Hey, I called you, stranger."
The girl followed and called him again.
Boris could only turn around and respond out of politeness——
"Madam, what do you want to do? Please don't follow me, okay?"
The girl smiled and stared at Boris, her eyes moving from his face to his chest to his waist... Boris was a little uncomfortable with such a gaze. She was not one of those middle-aged women in the camp. The girl was very pure.
Her long red hair was hanging behind her back, dancing in the wind, and she showed her white teeth when she spoke. At least, she looked a bit pretty. But Boris didn't think much about it. His heart was just a little bit, already
Occupied by the Queen.
"Where are you going?"
After admiring Boris' figure and face, the girl then asked.
"Leave here and go where I should go."
Boris replied coldly.
"where is that?"
…
"The giant white wall."
Boris said proudly.
"It's the Great Wall." The girl stopped smiling and her expression gradually became serious. "You can't go back there. There are a lot of beastmen active in the frozen forest. He will be caught and killed before he reaches the Great Wall."
"Then I want to go back too. I am a soldier, and soldiers must obey orders."
Boris said.
"Do we have to obey orders that require death?"
The girl asked back.
Boris didn't know what to answer for a moment, but he recovered after a moment and answered——
"If it is for your own country and people, then you must implement it."
"But your country and people may not even know you exist."
The girl said. The words left Boris speechless again. Indeed, in this wilderness far away from the capital, he was like a wild wolf. His life and death were insignificant to this kingdom. His father had forgotten him. Dennis
I also forgot about him. Even the commander asked him to carry out this impossible and damn mission. What is the significance of his own existence to this world?
However, I still have to go back. Even if there is still a glimmer of hope, I still have to go back to the civilized world.
Boris did not answer any more, but turned around and walked out of the camp. He did not take a second look at the girl because there was no need. Even though she was indeed pretty, there was no way he would be with a savage.
"If you walk out from here, they won't help you anymore."
The girl shouted. Boris remained indifferent and walked forward firmly.