At the end of Song Dynasty: I want to be the master of ZTE

Chapter 63

"I commend Feng Zhiwen of the Wenzhou Municipal Shipping Department to pay homage to His Majesty. Long live my emperor." All the officials of the Municipal Shipping Department paid homage.

"No courtesy, stay on your own." Zhao Shi walked into the Shibosi Yamen and sat down in the main seat.

The officials stood still. When Zhao Shi saw the fat heads and big ears of everyone above and below him, he felt unhappy, so he asked directly: "Send an imperial edict to the sun to waive taxes on basic materials such as grain, iron, and hemp. Why didn't it work?"

"Your Majesty, the news flow is slow, because the merchants are not aware of it and are unwilling to transport food, so they still send spices, jade, rhinoceros horns, ivory and other valuables back.

This is my fault, please forgive me. "After Feng Zhiwen explained, he immediately apologized. He was really flawless.

"I don't blame you for that." Zhao Shi expressed his understanding and said, "What if I sell the royal belongings overseas?"

"Your Majesty, you must not do it!" Hu Sansheng advised: "The overseas barbarians do not know etiquette, they will definitely overstep their bounds, and the dignity of the country will be greatly damaged, and they will definitely despise them."

I never expected that the first person to object would be Hu Shitao, who had always been quiet. This was really unexpected.

Zhao Shi said: "Power, martial arts, etiquette, and degree are all based on the strength of the country and the security of the people. Mere royal items have nothing to do with the overall situation."

The majesty of a great country, to put it bluntly, means using strong national power as a guarantee to implement its own standards and systems. This has always been the case from ancient times to the present.

Hu Sansheng lowered his head sadly, and Zhao Shi asked, "Do you, Changli City Shipping Company, know anything that has a high price and is easy to sell?"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me." Feng Zhiwen said: "Everything owned by the dynasty is eagerly sought by overseas barbarians, especially porcelain, lacquer, silk, tea, and books. Pens, inks, paper, inkstones, clothes, and ironware are also very popular."

"Where to sell it? What does it buy back?" Zhao Shi asked again.

“The nearest ones to the south are Champa, Chenla and other countries, and the distant countries are Dashi, Daqin and other countries. The imports are mainly spices, and the rest are ivory, coral, agate, pearls, frankincense, myrrh, benzoin, glass, tortoise shell, etc. There are hundreds of valuables." Feng Zhiwen replied.

Zhao Shi continued to ask: "How much has the tax revenue been in recent months?"

Feng Zhiwen replied: "Due to the constant war and the lack of merchant ships, the tax revenue is only more than a thousand dollars."

The emperor had naturally done his homework before coming, and Feng Zhiwen's answer was consistent with the money received by the Ministry of Revenue. This was also where the emperor was confused.

Although I haven't observed it specifically, I can usually see the constant traffic of merchant ships on the Oujiang River. Logically speaking, the tax should not be so low. The emperor probably knows the reason.

Zhao Shi kept his temper and asked calmly: "How do you think we can get maritime merchants to increase the import of food, iron and copper, and other essential items for the country?"

"This matter is very difficult." Feng Zhiwen replied: "The grain occupies the hold of the ship and the ore is heavy, so it is difficult to make a profit. Maritime merchants risk their lives to go to sea for wealth, how can they do such a thankless job."

Seeing that there was nothing he could do about this fat guy, Zhao looked at the others and asked, "If you have any good ideas, please tell me. If you prove it, you will be rewarded."

"Your Majesty, Huang Lin has something to say." Huang Lin, who was dismissed from the Shipping Department, said: "Currently, the Shipping Department lacks unified and complete regulations, so they often go their own way, or fail to make decisions when encountering difficulties, which often delays maritime trade.

Tax collection means that goods are divided into thick and fine colors, and taxes are levied according to the type of goods. Fine colors are precious goods, and two out of ten are taken, and coarse colors are general commodities, and two out of ten are taken. This is a draw, and the drawn goods are sent to the center, which is called drawing untie.

The items brought by sea merchants, such as copper, iron, medicine, etc., must be sold to the court in accordance with the law. This is Bobuy.

After this, the goods must still be issued with a public certificate according to the standards of the shipping company before they can be shipped and sold elsewhere, which is called write-off.

I think it would be more convenient to allow maritime merchants to pay taxes in lieu of money and cancel write-offs. "

Huang Lin was also fat-headed and big-eared, but he did say something useful. Zhao nodded slightly and asked, "How come the central government's order to exempt grain taxes has no effect."

"Your Majesty." Huang Lin said: "The news can only be conveyed to nearby ships. Their overseas travel is not possible until March, so the effect is not obvious. Moreover, the promotion has already made it clear that the profit from these items is meager, even if they are tax-free. Unprofitable and therefore ineffective.

I think that if you want to transport grain back from overseas, your Majesty may issue an edict and order the maritime merchants to use grain and iron to offset the tax. "

The emperor was immediately disappointed.

You can even think with your toes that if grain and iron are used to offset taxes, these officials will either lower prices for political achievements, or they will collude with maritime merchants to raise prices, and sooner or later they will have nothing to lose.Zhao Shi said: "What you said is very reasonable. Can we formulate maritime trade laws with the Yushitai and determine the tax deduction method for grain and iron with the Ministry of Household Affairs?"

"I dare you not to do your best." Huang Lin agreed quickly.

If you gain the emperor's attention, your future (financial) future will be bright, isn't it?
"In the court system, meritorious deeds must be rewarded. If you complete these two things, you will be of great use." Zhao threw out the cake, looked at the others, and asked, "Do you have any other good ideas?"

"Your Majesty, I have something to say about Tian Li." After receiving permission, Tian Li said, "Maybe we can order all countries to pay tribute of grain."

"This move undermines the dignity of a great country, and I think it is inappropriate." Hu Sansheng immediately retorted.

Paying tribute is the obligation that a vassal country should fulfill. Apart from making people feel like they are begging for food, there is nothing wrong with it.

The problem is, with the current situation in Song Ting, are there any people?

No one's money and food were brought by strong winds, and they would definitely not be willing to give it in vain. Moreover, the previous tribute was basically commercial trade, so it was even less likely that others would be willing to give it in vain.

Zhao Shi thought about it seriously and said, "I can exchange it for something that is used by the emperor. Those who wish can come."

Then, there were no reliable opinions anymore, which made Zhao Shi very disappointed.

These people are not professional at all.

In fact, it is understandable that real professionals have gone to sea to make a fortune, so why bother to live a hard life with Song Ting? You must know that today is no better than it was then, the wages are astonishingly low, and the emperor's requirements are strict.

After returning to Xingzai, Zhao immediately summoned six ministers to discuss the matter.

"I believe that the Municipal Shipping Department should collect taxes from grain, iron, goods, and gold, silver, and copper." Ma Tingluan immediately said: "There are many corrupt people among them, and they should be monitored."

Zhao Shi said: "From now on, [-]% of the income earned by the Municipal Shipping Department will be retained by the household department, and [-]% will be allocated to the Privy Council. The Censorship Station will be specially designated for inspection and censorship, and all ministries will coordinate supervision."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Lu Xiufu bowed immediately.

During the reign of Emperor Gaozong, the Shibo Division's income was 10,000+ yuan. Even if it is now reduced to 40%, it still amounts to [-] to [-] yuan, which is really a lot.

"The Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple are the auxiliaries, and the Yushitai is the main one. They will first check the officials of the Municipal Shipping Department, but those who are corrupt will not be spared." Zhao Shi showed his true face.

"I obey the order." Chen Wenlong responded, and added: "I'm afraid that there are many corrupt people, and there is no one in charge of the Shipping Department."

Zhao Shi said: "Officials can be recruited from maritime merchants to head the shipping department. If they have talent, they will be given a birth certificate."

Ordinary officials can't do this, but it doesn't matter to the Shibosi, because the Shibosi was originally a eunuch in the palace. Because his predecessor fled, Feng Zhiwen was able to become a regular official.

In contrast, professional maritime merchants are more trustworthy.

"The officials are only afraid that there will be many collusions between officials and businessmen, and the Shibo Department will become more corrupt." Chen Wenlong raised hidden dangers.

"This is just a temporary measure. We should think of a good plan as a long-term plan, and all the ministers will discuss it themselves." Zhao Shi said: "Like Liu Yu, who sacrificed ships when the country was in danger and personally led the army to fight, how can he abandon the public affairs for private reasons? ?
If you are loyal and knowledgeable about maritime trade, it may be difficult for you to become a good general. It is not difficult to be promoted to the Shipping Department, and the Ministry of Civil Affairs should evaluate you. "

"The minister obeys the imperial edict." Zhang Jian responded immediately.

The [-] ships that attacked Zhu Qing and Zhang Xuan, more than [-] ships seeking immigrants, [-] ships going to Yangzhou, and more than [-] ships transporting food and supplies along the coast, most of them were donated by maritime merchants.

Such a person is unlikely to be corrupt, and it would be easy to replace the current Shibo Division.

Huang Lin was still dreaming about sparrows flying on the branches and turning into phoenixes. After returning home, he immediately gathered his friends and went to the brothel to have fun.

(End of this chapter)