Chapter 2721
As Japan's main foreign trade port, Nagasaki Port integrates almost the entire country's commercial resources, and its commercial value is self-evident. Although the scale of operations is not yet comparable to that of a large port like Dinghai Port, the amount of goods entering and exiting the port and the funds entering and exiting the market every day are extremely huge, and it is the only one in Japan. With the current level of prosperity of Nagasaki Port, it is no exaggeration to say that almost everything that can be bought with money can be found in the local market.
As an official in such a place full of money, it is naturally impossible for Yuta Kozaki to become a spotless and honest official. In fact, compared to his previous predecessors, Nagasaki, his methods of amassing money are even better. During his tenure, he not only strengthened the collection of various taxes, but also actively intervened in some large transactions to obtain profits from them. benefit.
However, from a certain perspective, Yuta Kozaki "keeps a clear distinction between public and private matters". While amassing money, he did not forget his own responsibilities. The amount of finance and taxes handed over to the shogunate and various rare and rare treasures from overseas increased year by year. This also firmly controlled Nagasaki's pursuit of this fat job.
Shi Chengwu said: "So, this person is a corrupt official?"
He Li said: "Yes, not entirely. This person is quite skillful in governing the place. After he took office, Nagasaki Port has built a new port area of more than ten miles long, with complete supporting facilities, which has greatly improved the operating efficiency of the port. . In addition, he handles local robbery cases very harshly, and the local security situation is much better than in previous years... As far as I know, most foreign businessmen still have a positive evaluation of him, thinking that although this person is somewhat greedy for money, Collecting money to do things is considered creditworthy.”
Tao Hongfang smiled and said: "Presumably President He also gave a lot of gifts?"
He Li did not shy away from this: "The Chamber of Commerce has to deal with the government for many things, so it is inevitable to pay tribute and burn incense. Even if you have nothing to ask him for help, you still have to spend some money every year to maintain this relationship. The truth here , I believe Master Tao can also understand.”
What He Li said was very true, and Tao Hongfang did not doubt him after hearing it. In fact, from the sight of so many large advertising signs related to Haihan when entering Hong Kong, it is not difficult to imagine that Haihan merchants get along well with the local government, and such a good relationship cannot be established by doing business honestly. Get up.
Moreover, He Li himself had an official background, and his dealings with the Nagasaki authorities might also be accompanied by some secret tasks, which could not be disclosed to outsiders easily. Tao Hongfang also knew enough not to ask for the details.
Since they had a meeting with Yuta Kozaki the next day, everyone was more restrained at the banquet and declined the follow-up program arranged by the Chamber of Commerce. After returning to their residence and having a brief preparation meeting, everyone went back to their rooms to rest and seize the time to recharge their batteries.
Early the next morning, while everyone was still having breakfast, Seijiro Kozaki came to the door. He is here to confirm the members of the delegation attending today's meeting, and also to act as their guide to the execution center. It seems that although he left in a hurry yesterday, he did not pay no attention to the mission's movements. He also knew that the mission was staying at this business inn arranged by the Haihan Chamber of Commerce.
Contrary to everyone's expectations, the Nagasaki Executive Office was not the traditional Japanese castle they had seen before, but a manor-style official residence, with the tallest building only having two floors.
Yuta Kozaki is a thin middle-aged man. The eyebrows and the wrinkles between his eyebrows make him look a little sad. It seems that there are many unsatisfactory things in his mind. Perhaps the visit of the Haihan Mission also caused him A lot of pressure. "Welcome to the Port of Nagasaki. How can I help you?" Yuta Kozaki is obviously a very practical person. He gets straight to the point when he comes up and saves useless pleasantries.
Shi Chengwu responded: "We have brought greetings from the Executive Committee to you, as well as a package of cooperation plans between Haihan and Nagasaki Port. We believe that the cooperation plan we proposed will create better development space for Nagasaki Port, and you also will benefit from it.”
Yuta Kozaki's expression did not change much, because these news had been reported by Seijiro Kozaki a few days ago. Although it sounds good, he will certainly not take a position on this until the Haihan mission provides more detailed information.
Seeing that the other party did not interrupt him, Shi Chengwu continued to introduce: "Our cooperation plan is divided into two parts, one is trade and the other is shipping."
Regarding trade, Haihan hopes that the Nagasaki authorities can relax restrictions on the financial sector, especially the lifting of various restrictions on Haihan Bank's local business, so that Haihan merchants can obtain more convenient trade. condition. In return, Haihan will further increase the variety and quantity of goods supplied to Japan, and will recommend more merchants to enter Nagasaki to engage in trade activities.
As for shipping, it is also divided into two parts. One is to establish regular shipping services from Nagasaki to major ports under Kaihan's rule, and Kaihan is responsible for organizing ships and operations. Second, Haihan intends to participate in the port construction of Nagasaki Port and hopes to build a berth dedicated to Haihan merchant ships in Nagasaki Port.
Yuta Ozaki did not immediately express his position after listening to Shi Chengwu's introduction. These conditions sound good at first glance, and they do seem to be conducive to the development of Nagasaki Port. However, for Nagasaki Port, it is not possible to get these "gifts" from Haihan without any cost.
The restriction order on Haihan Bank was not a decision made by Yuta Kozaki, but an order from the shogunate. Japan is not completely dependent on Haihan like North Korea, and will not obey Haihan's advice. Especially the financial business carried out by Haihan Bank. It is not difficult for a discerning person to see that it is essentially an erosion of a country's coinage rights.
Therefore, although the Nagasaki authorities allow Haihan Bank to engage in local business activities, they have set up many restrictive measures to prevent it from affecting the local financial market after it grows. Of course, due to the important position of Haihan merchants in the Nagasaki foreign trade market, it is almost impossible to completely ban operations and eliminate the impact. The only thing we can do is to delay the erosion process as much as possible.
As for shipping, it is certainly a good thing to increase fixed ship schedules between trading ports, but the ship schedules must be completely operated by Haihan, which makes Yuta Kosaki a little hesitant. As for the construction of a special port, Yuta Kozaki has keenly smelled the unusual smell.
He had already heard about what happened at Busan Port and Tsushima. The next step in building a dedicated Haihan port would be to set aside a special Haihan area in Nagasaki?
(End of chapter)