Collecting taxes is not a simple task. The first step is to verify the goods on the ship, and every detail must be verified one by one. Then they asked the maritime merchants to show them the cargo documents given to them by the governor's offices, which contained detailed records of the various goods carried on the ships when they set off from various ports.
The most critical thing is the cargo documents issued by Anping Port, because this is the closest port to Daming. The Municipal Shipping Department’s inspection of goods is almost always based on the goods documents issued by Anping Port.
Of course, apart from the Municipal Shipping Department inspecting the goods for overseas trade so that the maritime merchants can pay taxes, the governor-general offices will not inspect them. The governor-general offices only inspect the goods that need to be transported back to the Ming Dynasty.
If the goods on the ship can match the documents, it will be easy. After paying the tax according to the ten-to-one tax, the maritime merchant can transport the goods that belong to him.
Of course, they can also just leave it at the Shipping Department and go directly to someone to trade. After the transaction is successful, the buyer will go directly to the shipping department to pick up the goods.
It is certainly safer to leave the goods in the Shipping Department than to carry them themselves.
Handu is also willing to provide warehouses for shipping merchants to store goods. Of course, the necessary, small, and minimal fees for using the warehouse will naturally have to be paid by the merchants.
After all, there is no such thing as a free lunch.
Even if the fees charged by Handu are not low, maritime merchants are still willing to rent warehouses in Shishi Shipping Division. Because this is nothing compared to the manpower and animal power they need to spend to transport the goods themselves.
On the contrary, if the goods and documents on the maritime merchant ship do not match, for example, they are missing. Then the maritime merchant must explain clearly why the goods were short, whether it was due to pirates or a storm.
No matter what the situation is, the Shipping Department will verify it one by one. If it is confirmed that this is indeed the case, then of course, it will be normal to pay taxes and clear customs.
If verified, there is no such situation, and the goods are short. That's because he wants to evade taxes. For such a person, he will naturally be fined, which will make him doubt his life. If tax evasion is huge, Ming Dynasty has a complete set of laws, formulated by Lao Zhu.
With the return of sea-going ships one after another, the City Shipping Department has entered a busy harvest season.
Xiong Ting and two scribes were so busy that they didn't even touch the ground.
"Master Bear."
An official stopped Xiong Ting. He was of higher rank than Xiong Ting, but he still called Xiong Ting Sir. Xiong Ting is the one who promotes adults. This is something that everyone in the Shibo Department knows very well. In addition, Xiong Ting is indeed capable in tax collection and accounting, so he is naturally valued by other officials.
"Master Gao, you're welcome." Xiong Ting bowed slightly, raised his hands and saluted Master Gao.
Xiong Ting did not feel complacent because of other people's compliments. On the contrary, he kept his identity in mind and did not become arrogant because of Han Du's regard and the fact that he taught other officials how to keep accounts.
Although he couldn't care what others called him, he was polite to everyone.
It is precisely because of Xiong Ting's belief that the officials of the Shipping Department value him more.
"Mr. Xiong, the cargo of this ship has been verified and is consistent with the documents issued by Anping Port. Tax collection has begun. The shipowner hopes to store the goods at the Municipal Shipping Department. I wonder if Master Xiong can arrange one for the shipowner. Warehouse?"
"Of course." The warehouses are still relatively sufficient now. Every time a warehouse is opened, it means that the Shipping Company has another income. Xiong Ting naturally has no reason to refuse.
After thinking for a moment, he said, "Let's just go to warehouse No. 23. Could you please Mr. Gao to take the shipowner's family there?"
"Okay." Mr. Gao nodded, turned around and left to make arrangements for the shipowner's house.
Xiong Ting led the people and continued to the next place where the ship was docked. Although there was no merchant ship whose cargo and documents were inconsistent with each other in the past few days, Xiong Ting did not relax at all. Because Han Du told him that once he discovers this situation, he must investigate it to the end and get to the bottom of it. Maritime traders who dare to evade taxes must be severely punished to serve as a warning to others.
Xiong Ting could tell from Han Du's attitude that the Marquis hated tax evasion and would nip the idea of tax evasion in the bud at all costs.
Before Xiong Ting could reach the next place, he saw a scribe running up to him out of breath.
"Master Xiong, the SF Express is back."
SF Express!
When Xiong Ting heard this, his spirit suddenly shook. The Marquis of Zhenhai had ordered that as soon as these ships that sold securities came back, they would be reported to him immediately.
"Is only the SF Express coming back? What about the others?" Xiong Ting was concerned and naturally added.
"I heard from the people on the SF Express that other sea ships will be back soon. Their trip went smoothly without any mistakes."
"Okay." Xiong Ting was so happy that he couldn't help but clapped his hands, and quickly ordered the clerk, "Immediately go check the goods on the SF Express. After checking, let him pay the tax for the goods that should be paid, and you will take care of the remaining goods." It is stored and awaits the Lord Marquis’s disposal.”
"yes."
After Xiong Ting gave instructions to the scribes, he immediately went to the Shipping Department to report the news to Han Du.
"I'm finally back." Hearing this, Han Du put down the teacup in his hand happily and stood up.
He came over immediately and said, "Let's go and have a look with me."
Han Du took Xiong Ting to the SF Express, where the clerk was inspecting the goods.
When he saw Han Du coming, he was about to come forward to pay homage, but Han Du waved his hand to stop him, "You go ahead and don't worry about me."
"My dear fellow, pay homage to the Marquis." When the owner of the SF Express saw Han Du coming, he immediately came forward to pay homage.
"Haha, get up." Han Du leaned over to help Dongjia up.
The boss didn't dare to ask Han Du to help him with his own hands, so he immediately stood up.
Han Du smiled, took back his hands, put them behind his back, and looked up at the busy clerks on the SF Express, "How was it? Did your trip to sea go well this time?"
The smiles on the owner's face turned into folds, and he leaned slightly, "In response to the words of the Marquis, thanks to the Marquis, Xiaomin and others had a smooth sailing this time. After arriving at the old port, after selling the goods, they bought spices and I returned with some specialties.”
"In business, time is money." Han Du agreed casually.
The boss was shocked when he heard this, and glanced at Han Du, "No wonder the Marquis of Zhenhai is known as the Good Fortune Boy in the capital. Just these words are enough for him to understand for a lifetime."
Han Du didn't care what his boss was thinking. What Han Du cared about most now was the issue of securities dividends.
"Your ship was bought and sold by raising funds through securities. Have you ever thought about how you want to divide it? Should you divide the goods directly, or wait until you sell the goods and then divide the money?"
