Chapter 661 Duel between the monarch and his ministers (Part 2)
As the saying goes, "Thunder, rain, and dew are all your kindness." Keep whatever the emperor gives you, and be happy. Don't take what is not given to you...
This is the most basic respect for the imperial power, and it has been true throughout the ages.
Fang Jun's answer was not what he asked. He seemed to be dissatisfied with the emperor's title of "Marquis of Huating County". His Majesty Li Er looked leisurely, showing no signs of joy or anger.
Fang Jun didn't say anything, as if he felt that there was nothing wrong with what he just said.
After a long time, His Majesty Li Er raised his eyelids and glanced at Fang Jun, speaking calmly: "Really?"
Fang Junan said: "Nature is true."
His Majesty Li Er did not comment and said calmly: "Tell me the reason."
Fang Jun moved his legs and feet. He was really not used to this kind of kneeling and sitting posture. He had no opinion on this ancient ritual. He was just not used to it...
"Huating Town is affiliated to Suzhou Prefecture. Although it is a little remote, it is very close to Suzhou and is surrounded by the sea on three sides. It has a wide view and developed maritime transportation. If this place can be operated as a trading port, it will have a unique geographical advantage and can communicate in one fell swoop. Jiangnan Commercial Road will become the largest commercial distribution center in Jiangnan and even the entire Tang Dynasty in a few years.”
This is inspired by Wu Meiniang.
As for operating Huating Town as a trading port, this idea came up when the imperial edict was issued. After all, it would be a shame for travelers to leave Shanghai, the largest port in the East, but not develop shipping in future generations...
His Majesty Li Er nodded with some relief.
He really thought that Fang Jun couldn't see the purpose of giving Huating Town to him as a fiefdom, and resented the imperial edict. After all, the place in Huating Town was indeed desolate and remote.
However, Huating Town will be developed into a trading port and distribution center in the south of the Yangtze River...
To be honest, His Majesty Li Er just wanted to build a port here to supply the navy with garrison for the future Eastern Expedition.
Building a military port is not too difficult, but building a treaty port is a huge project.
His Majesty Li Er frowned slightly: "Is this necessary?"
The bigger the project is, the more money it will cost.
Although business is booming now, taxes are high, and glass workshops are sold overseas, making a lot of profits every year. But compared with the money and food needed to conquer Goguryeo, it was still too tight and had to save money.
His Majesty Li Er has seen the benefits of commercial prosperity from Fangjiawan Wharf, but Jiangnan is too far away from Chang'an, and that is the territory occupied by Jiangnan nobles. Even if business flourishes, the Jiangnan nobles will definitely benefit the most. The national treasury allocated a large amount of money to build treaty ports, but the people who benefited most were the Jiangnan nobles who had always been in harmony with the imperial court. His Majesty Li Er was not willing to do this kind of thing of making wedding clothes for others...
Of course Fang Jun understood His Majesty Li Er's concerns.
He nodded and said: "It is very necessary. However, my father may have misunderstood what Erchen meant. What Erchen wants to build is not an ordinary commercial port, but the Shipping Department directly under the Ministry of Household Affairs. All people who come to the big port will Maritime merchants doing business in the Tang Dynasty, distributed by the imperial court The document informs that this is the only trading port allowed by the imperial court, and any other landings will be regarded as smuggling, and all tax revenue from the port will be turned over to the national treasury, except for a part that is reserved for daily operations."
In the Tang Dynasty at this time, there was no concept of "Shibosi".
Historically, during the Xianqing period of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, the "Shibo Envoy" was established in Guangzhou. This was the predecessor of the "Shibo Division".
Li Erbi was stroking his beard and listening attentively. When he heard that Huating Town was the only legal trading port in the country, he was so shocked that his hands trembled and he almost pulled off his beard...
Wouldn't this cut off the roots of the Jiangnan gentry?
The reason why the Jiangnan nobles have been entrenched in the south of the Yangtze River for hundreds of years and have prosperous power is because of the extremely profitable sea trade! Now that once Fang Jun's "Shibo Division" is established, it will be equivalent to determining the foundation of the Jiangnan gentry. How can these guys give up?
Even His Majesty Li Er had to admit aggrievedly, Jiangnan, that is the Jiangnan of the Jiangnan gentry! Once these Jiangnan nobles find that their foundation is shaken, they will inevitably launch a hysterical counterattack. In the three-acre area of Jiangnan, even the imperial court is powerless to face the madness of the Jiangnan nobles!
Is there really going to be a bloodbath in Jiangnan?
Of course His Majesty Li Er would not do that! Once Jiangnan is shaken, his great cause of the Eastern Conquest will have to be delayed for who knows how many years. He is now in the prime of life, but if it is ten or twenty years later, will he still have the energy to plan the Eastern Conquest of Goguryeo?
His Majesty Li Er shook his head and sighed. Fang Jun's idea was enough to make him excited, but there was not much chance of success.
"Once this port is opened, it will inevitably encounter full resistance from the Jiangnan gentry. I am afraid that it has just been completed and will soon die."
Without the support of the Jiangnan gentry, this port would exist in name only. We can't expect the goods to land in Huating Town and then be transferred to Guanzhong via waterways, right?
Fang Jun, however, had already known the case and said confidently: "Father, I know clearly that the success or failure of this matter does not depend on the Jiangnan nobles, but on the maritime merchants of various countries."
His Majesty Li Er was puzzled: "Why is this?"
Fang Jun confidently said: "It is the nature of merchants to seek profit. As long as there is profit, there will be people who will behead people! Resistance by the Jiangnan gentry is inevitable because they want to pursue huge profits. Once the port is controlled by the imperial court, all taxes will be All were included in the imperial court, which affected their profits. Their approach was nothing more than boycotting Huating Town. At the same time, foreign merchant ships will be accepted as usual along the coast, and business will continue as usual. However, if we can control the maritime merchants from various countries so that they dare not go anywhere except Huating Town, it will be equivalent to cutting off the supply of Jiangnan gentry. If the goods can’t come in and their goods can’t go out, how can they do this business?”
His Majesty Li Er suddenly understood.
Doing business is all about making money. Once the trade routes in Jiangnan are strictly controlled, it will be like putting a rope around the necks of the Jiangnan nobles. If you don’t do business in Huating Town, there will be no business!
The Jiangnan gentry was composed of multiple families. Although they were of the same spirit, there were bound to be competitions and disputes, and they could not always be of the same mind. Faced with the temptation of huge profits, some people are bound to give up the alliance and fall into the arms of the imperial court.
This move would not only integrate Jiangnan's business, but also allow the imperial court to increase its control over Jiangnan.
Once the Huating Town Port really becomes the only treaty port in Jiangnan...
The whole of Jiangnan is under the imperial court!
His Majesty Li Er suppressed his excitement. He still had the most critical question.
"Foreign merchants are also businessmen, and they are also pursuing profits. How can they obey your orders and only land in Huating Town?"
The corner of Fang Jun's mouth twitched, revealing a cold smile: "Whoever doesn't listen will not be welcomed in the vast seas of the Tang Dynasty. There are strong winds and dangerous waves on the sea, who knows what unforeseen disasters will happen? Is it possible that my father will be a child?" The new navy that I will form can only transport food and soldiers?”
His Majesty Li Er slapped his thigh and said loudly: "Go back and prepare a memorial to me, and I will issue an edict to establish this treaty port!"
Anyone who disobeys will be killed!
This is simply too satisfying for His Majesty Li Er...
Murder and arson, etc., have no psychological burden on His Majesty Li Er at all. As for those disobedient foreign merchant ships?
Haha...
Fang Jun knew that His Majesty Li Er would agree to this, so he quickly said: "I haven't finished speaking yet..."
His Majesty Li Er said happily: "There is nothing else, but it doesn't matter!"
He was so happy!
This Fang Jun is really talented as a prime minister!
Coming up with an idea casually can not only help the court collect a large amount of taxes, but also strengthen its control over Jiangnan. What a monster!
What kind of career will this dandy boy who acts recklessly in Chang'an City do once he is released from Chang'an to roar like a tiger in the world?
His Majesty Li Er likes Fang Jun more and more now!
Such amazing talent and beauty is simply a gift from heaven to the Tang Dynasty...
Fang Jun felt a little guilty when he saw His Majesty Li Er's eager eyes. He coughed dryly and said, "I would like to ask my father to cancel the customs tax across the country and only retain the customs duties on foreign goods. The rest will only be charged market sales tax. That's it." First, the amount of tariffs can be increased so as not to cause complaints from domestic businessmen, while at the same time curbing imports, encouraging exports, and expanding trade surplus.”
His Majesty Li Er looked confused as he listened to these words written in heaven... (End of this chapter)