Hongwu Survival Guide

Chapter 247 Why Is It So Appropriate
The third day of the twelfth lunar month.

Originally, he didn't plan to go out today, but he had no choice but to write a report for the Tan brothers yesterday. As a result, he was notified as soon as he woke up in the morning, and Lao Zhu asked him to enter the palace.

The topic is related to joint ventures.

In the East Pavilion on the left of Fengtian Gate, Zhu Yuan explained his thoughts to Lao Zhu in more detail: "...the museum is a platform, my ancestors, I originally planned to mention it in this issue of "Daming Monthly" Glaze, because the draft has already been finalized, we can only wait for later. In the final analysis, this is actually a kind of commercial hype. If we operate properly, we can sell high prices even for things with very low value, let alone this time Red-glazed porcelain, because it is difficult to fire, has a natural and expensive attribute..."

After writing the case, old Zhu devoted himself to approving a memorial, and after hearing Zhu Yuan finish speaking, he nodded and shook his head: "You child, it's not good to be in the eye of money all day long."

"Ancestor, I'm doing this for the sake of our family." Zhu Yuan deliberately showed some aggrieved expression: "If it's really about the money, I should put the money in my pocket."

"It's our country again..." Lao Zhu changed a memorial and opened it, raised his head and glanced over: "...you tell me?"

"It should have been told to my ancestors," Zhu Yuan said, "The fundamental purpose of starting this business is to promote the circulation of social wealth. Ancestors, the rules you set were actually very wrong."

"Ok?"

"That is, merchants are not allowed to wear silk and the like." Zhu Yuan thought for a while, but couldn't remember everything, and continued with a few examples: "In fact, this was a bit stricter during the Hongwu Dynasty. After that, no one cares about these rules for 200 years. The problem is that because of these rules, many things have lost their legitimacy. It is said that silk is not allowed to be worn, but the imperial court does not allow it. Merchants can only buy it secretly, make it secretly, and wear it secretly. To collect more taxes from high-end consumption such as silk, it becomes less legitimate, because it is the law of the ancestors. Oh, similarly, there is also a ban on the sea, because there is a sea ban on the surface. As a result, the sea Trade can only be done secretly. The maritime trade of the Ming Dynasty, because of the opening of European routes, was larger than that of the Song Dynasty and lacked legitimacy. The court could not collect taxes, which was equivalent to a loss of two levels of tariffs of 500 million to 1000 million per year. "

"Why is it about the sea again, I can't help it this time," Lao Zhu said, "Speaking of... the... cycle just now, I remember some of your previous remarks. Take this ceramic as an example, and then explain it to me. Learn the new by reviewing the past?"

Zhu Yuan was also very patient about similar topics, and said earnestly: "This ceramic joint venture company is actually similar to Zhiyongzhai, Shangshanju and other related businesses. My ancestors said, 'The way of people is to sacrifice what is not enough and serve it. More than', to put it more broadly, means that in any dynasty, with the development of time, social resources will gather at the top of the pyramid. This involves the most fundamental human nature, which cannot be reversed and can only be alleviated. , or even unsustainable, we must find a way to redistribute the social resources gathered at the top. To do this, taxation is one thing, and business is another. Taxation and ancestors talked about business. With regard to redistribution, it is divided, just one thing, to encourage the rich to spend money, instead of the restrictions that the ancestors used to not even wear silk."

Old Zhu paused while reading the memorial, thought for a while, and said, "I've been thinking about it in private, and I think, you... always go in the direction of arrogance and luxury, but it's not good."

"The problem is that in any dynasty, when the national power reaches its peak, it will be like this," Zhu Yuan said: "For example, in the Song Dynasty, Liu Sanbian wrote 'The southeast is victorious, the three Wu cities are prosperous, and Qiantang has been prosperous since ancient times'. Leading the army to the south, just to see the "three-autumn osmanthus, ten-mile lotus" in the south of the Yangtze River, and... In our Ming Dynasty, in the last years, the chaos was also in the north. 'Smudged willows and painted bridges, wind curtains and emerald curtains, 10 homes vary'. My attitude is, ancestors, since the trend cannot be changed, we must take the initiative to get involved in it, to control, to guide, and to benefit from it. On the one hand As a national use, on the one hand subsidize the bottom."

Lao Zhu reviewed a few sentences on the memorial in front of him, and said, "Yuan'er, isn't there...there is no way to have the best of both worlds?"

"The world is safe and secure," Zhu Yuan said, stopping the second half in time, and then said: "Later archaeological archaeology of the former dynasty, such as Bianliang, such as Chang'an, often finds the money cellars of wealthy families, gold, silver and copper coins , because the flowers can't be finished, tons and tons are buried in the ground. Because of various accidents, there will be no follow-up after being buried, so that it will be thousands of years later to see the sky again. Ancestors, if there is no reasonable way to guide wealth, We, Ming Dynasty, will only be like this in the future, the rich hoard money one by one, and the poor want to buy rice to satisfy their hunger, but their pockets are empty."

Listening to Zhu Yuan's description of certain scenes, Lao Zhu finally stopped reading the memorial, paused, found the notebook he had learned from Zhu Yuan, and wrote down a new sentence, "The way of man is to sacrifice what is not enough and give more than enough." After thinking about it, I remembered the phrase 'blocking is worse than sparse', and then said to the next one: "Don't stop, take it?"

Zhu Yuan continued: "So, I seem to have said before that it's not enough to just go to Yongzhai, Shangshanju, or officials to sell shark's fins. We have to make luxury consumption for the rich into a... um, yes Many industries, and secretly guide and encourage the rich to consume. In this process, compared with ordinary consumer goods for ordinary people, luxury goods are subject to higher taxes. I don’t talk about thirty taxes here. The two levels of tax rates set before are both low, and the tax rate for luxury goods should even be above 50%, that is to say, if the rich spend 10000 taels of silver on luxury consumption, the imperial court will charge at least 5000 taels of tax."

Old Zhu's originally calm expression was startled, and he looked over: "How can a businessman be willing to pay the [-]% tax? Besides, if he pays, he may lose money. Who will do this loss-making business?"

Zhu Yuan smiled and said, "Ancestor forgot Zhiyongzhai's 'Shan Hai Jing' theme pen again?"

Old Zhu had a meal.

That money-grabbing thing!

Immediately.

The 'Shan Hai Jing' themed pen cost at most 200 taels, but it sold for 1888 taels. If the 900% tax was paid, it would still be a big profit after paying more than [-] taels.

However, Lao Zhu immediately shook his head: "You... are different."

"It's all the same. I talked with the Tan brothers yesterday about in-depth study of porcelain firing technology. In the future, even if the consumption of 10000 taels of porcelain is counted, the cost may be less than 100 taels. With 100 times the profit, the court will collect A [-]% tax is still very beneficial." At this point, Zhu Yuan thought of something, paused, and said with a smile: "My ancestor, if you do this, you must first make sure that you can't feel so bad that you are not willing to pay it. Tax?"

Lao Zhu was puzzled for a while, but then he understood.

As far as the glass business is concerned, the royal family occupies a large part of it. Lao Zhu has also thought about other various group companies before, and they will divide part of the shares to the royal family in the future.

There is certainly no shortage of luxury types in these businesses.

Because of the records in "Book of Heaven" and certain explanations by Zhu Yuan, Lao Zhu made up his mind a long time ago that the royal family will have to pay taxes legally in the future. Time is really a bit reluctant.

After a little deliberation, seeing the indifferent look of the young man opposite, he immediately laughed: "You, you really want to get me in."

"It's good if the ancestors can see it," Zhu Yuan knew from Lao Zhu's expression that he didn't change his mind, and said, "Money can never be earned. If you want to be rich and honor for a long time, you must flow slowly. The royal family earns 500% less , maybe in the future, Zhu's wealth can last for [-] more years. This is the reason. Because God also has an abacus, its algorithm is "God knows, if there is more than enough damage, make up for what is not enough." Insufficient', God will launch the most drastic means to help you 'make up', and by then, it will be too late for 'surplus' to regret it."

Old Zhu nodded slightly.

But I think of another paragraph. When the rich and noble officials in the city were tortured one by one and squeezed out 7000 million taels of silver like lard, would they regret it? City, is it too little?

If I had known earlier, maybe I should donate more?
Ah……

I knew earlier...

I knew early on...

In the words of my baby's 23rd generation grandson, well, this is called 'human nature'.

It's not a good word to hear.

So he looked over again and imagined: "You... you immediately take [-]% of the income, I'm afraid it's not right?"

"Well, things have to be done step by step. The so-called luxury goods industry has not yet formed, of course not. Harvesting too early is like pulling the net before there are a few fish in the fishing net," Zhu Yuan said, thinking for a while , and then said: "Wait for ten or twenty years, ancestor, when the time comes, you will deliberately lose your temper, thinking that the society is too arrogant and extravagant, and the atmosphere is not good, so you have to deal with it. For example, let the wind out first, just say, um , that... Zhiyongzhai, selling such an expensive pen has a bad influence, I will ban it for you, and you will not be allowed to sell it again. Then, when a profiteer like me hears it, it can’t be done, my ancestors, please forgive me, There are hundreds of people in the family who need to support them. When the time comes, I can help in the show. Go to the palace and cry and beg for a while. You can go along with the flow. Seeing how pitiful my family is, you can't help it, but you can't let it go, so the tax will be raised. Point, charge 20%. 1888% ah, it's heart-wrenching, but thinking about it, the business is still there, and the profit is still so high. It's a big deal. I raised the price to 2888 taels for the pen originally sold for 1888 taels, and the profit is still so much. , just pass the cost on to those who buy these. As for those who can afford luxury goods, there is not much difference between 2888 taels and [-] taels. They are used to it, and it is impossible not to buy it. People whose surname is Wang use the Shan Hai Jing series. If my surname Li doesn’t need it, wouldn’t it be looked down upon by others? So, it’s done. I remember there’s an idiom saying, well, it’s more exciting than the same thing, similar to “empty glove white wolf” .”

Old Zhu: "..."

What a baby bump!

For a moment, Lao Zhu also thought of the "Dream of Red Mansions" he watched recently, and said that Lin Daiyu's heart is more open than dry, and his disease is as good as Xizi's three points'.

Look again...

How... so appropriate? !
After Zhu Yuan finished speaking on a whim, seeing Lao Zhu's strange expression, he thought that he had said nothing wrong, and he hadn't committed any taboos. Could it be that he was extraordinary again.

Decided to run away: "Ancestor, that's probably the case. If there is nothing else, I think... just go back first?"

There are happy events today.

Lao Zhu subconsciously waved his hand, but stopped him: "The joint venture company, since you..."

"My ancestor, it's already crossing the line to suggest it. I didn't want to stick to it at all." Zhu Yuan quickly refused, and suggested: "Why don't you ask Prime Minister Zuo to work hard for me, I don't mind being plucked."

Seeing his baby's 23rd grandson looking tired and lazy, Lao Zhu wanted to laugh and scold him, but he was reluctant, so he just said: "It's you, Baishi...he...according to your words, he has no structure and can't do it."

When Old Zhu said this, Zhu Yuan knew that he couldn't push it away, so he nodded reluctantly: "Then I will help to mention a few words from time to time, ancestor, speaking of it... I happen to have another luxury business, and the name has been chosen. It's called 'Guanjufang', and it mainly sells jewelry and bags for women, can you ask the empress to write a plaque for it, because it's sold to women, so it's not appropriate for you to write any more."

Old Zhu wanted to nod casually, but when he realized it, he smiled and asked: "This, I wrote it for you, how many shares do you have in the royal family?"

"Ancestor, this time it's a small business, so we won't divide it," Zhu Yuan said confidently, "However, I just plan to light a spark. How do you say that word, a single spark can start a prairie fire. I hope to form a special one in the future. The industry is not just 'Guanjufang', there are many, many similar companies, because the market is huge, Royal can also quietly invest in and create another brand."

Lao Zhu seemed to understand, and shook his head resolutely: "I didn't understand you. If you want the queen's plaque, you have to share the shares. I can't let you take advantage of it."

After my ancestor said so, Zhu Yuan no longer insisted, and spread out five fingers readily: "Since this is the case, ancestor, I will make it bigger and share it [-]-[-]. This Guanjufang is regarded as the parent company, and we will develop some sub-brands in the future. , "The Book of Songs" is there, "Jianjia" and "Yaotiao" and so on, just come here. Well, if this is the case, I will customize it again. Regarding the name, it is best to use seal characters this time, the kind that cannot be recognized at a glance , Let’s design it a little bit more, the characters should be feminine and soft. Ancestor, how about this, I’ll go back and outline it, and then send it to the palace, let the empress write, how about it?”

Old Zhu was stunned for a moment, and when he finished, he couldn't help asking: "How big is your business... How is it compared to that joint venture company?"

"How big is it?" Zhu Yuan pondered for a while, and said, "Let's put it this way, there is a ranking of spending power in later generations, that is, those who can buy the most things are called 'women' greater than 'children' greater than 'old people' greater than 'dogs' greater than ' "Men', Zhiyongzhai is only aimed at the 'men' at the bottom of the consumption chain, who can earn tens of thousands of coins a year, think about it, ancestor, how terrible is the 'woman' at the top?"

Lao Zhu couldn't imagine how terrible the consumption power of 'women' was, but he noticed one of them: "Then 'dog', why?"

"It literally means," Zhu Yuan said, "We men are miserable, we work hard to earn money to support our family, we do the most and spend the least, even worse than the family dog."

Old Zhu: "..."

I wanted to laugh and scold a nonsense, but after thinking about it carefully, I feel...it makes sense.

In other words, since the addition of a group of cats to the palace, my daughter-in-law, who has too much leisure in daily life, has been very concerned. Occasionally, seeing Ma Shi hugging the cats so intimately, he, a husband, can't help but feel amused.

(End of this chapter)