Zhu Biao was not very interested in business matters. Since Han Du said that it would be beneficial to bring the merchants with him, he would leave all these matters to Han Du to organize.
In the Governor's Mansion, many businessmen come to pay taxes every day. Whether they are Western merchants or Ming Dynasty maritime merchants, they need to pay taxes before their goods can enter the port.
Since Han Du wanted to find some maritime merchants to follow him, it was naturally the easiest place to find maritime merchants at the Governor's Mansion.
The place where goods are paid for taxes is very busy. Now that the sun is rising, you can see the crowds inside as soon as you enter the door. Dozens of Western and Ming Dynasty merchants were wearing various clothes, and each of them had a fat-headed and big-eared hand holding the cargo receipt issued to them by the inspection. In front of three long rows of desks were merchants waiting in line, and behind them were busy scribes sweating profusely.
Since it started collecting sea trade tax, Handu has divided tax payment into three steps at all ports. First, when the cargo ship enters the port and the cargo has not been unloaded, it must be inspected by the Governor's Mansion. The inspection will verify the quantity of the cargo in detail and record it on the receipt. Then the maritime merchant took the bill to the Governor's Mansion to pay the tax. After paying the tax, the maritime merchant could enter the port to unload the goods with the tax payment certificate.
Moreover, when in the warehouse, the inspection there also needs to verify the amount of goods carried by the maritime merchant and compare it with the tax payment voucher. After verification, the merchant is allowed to move the goods to the warehouse.
This process seems a bit complicated, and it smells like taking off your pants and farting. But in this way, tax evasion by maritime merchants and personal enrichment by government soldiers can be prevented to the greatest extent.
The inspections that count the goods do not have the power to collect money, which prevents them from colluding with maritime merchants and deliberately reducing the quantity of goods. The people who collected the money did not have the opportunity to see the specific goods, and the taxes were collected in public, which naturally prevented maritime merchants from bribing these people to the greatest extent. In the last step, the people in the warehouse have to check the goods and tax payment vouchers again. This puts a tight spell on the people who count the goods and the people who collect taxes, so that they dare not act recklessly.
As soon as he entered the door, Han Du was spotted by a sharp-eyed scribe.
An official from the Governor's Mansion came forward quickly, bowed and said in greeting: "I'm here to pay my respects to the Marquis. I wonder what your orders are for the Marquis who is late?"
Han Du looked at the lively scene, and a smile appeared on his face involuntarily. The more people who pay taxes, the more prosperous the old port is, and the more taxes the Governor's Mansion can receive.
Waving his hand, "I don't have any instructions. I'm just here to take a look. You can go about your business and don't worry about me."
"Yes, Lord Marquis." He bowed with a smile and was about to leave. At the end, he added, "If Lord Marquis has any instructions, just call me."
Han Du's eyes fell on Haishang and nodded slightly.
Not just any maritime merchant can follow the navy to open up new shipping lanes. Such merchants need to be brave enough and have enough vision. The most important thing is that they need to be strong enough. If the strength is insufficient and there is only one ship, it is not very meaningful to travel to the West.
Han Du was looking for a wealthy maritime merchant when a voice sounded next to him.
"Master Hou?"
Han Du turned around when he heard the sound, and immediately saw Fu Yong standing behind him as if he had just entered.
"Really the Marquis? When did the Marquis come to Jiugang?" Fu Yong asked with surprise on his face.
Han Du nodded, smiled and said, "Well, I've been here for a few days."
Then he saw the tax receipt in Fu Yong's hand and asked, "Are you here to pay tax?"
"Yes, we just brought a batch of goods from the capital to Old Port." Fu Yong quickly bowed and answered. Fu Yong is close to the sea
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Those who started their business can be said to be the first to follow Han Du. Although he was no longer satisfied with just maritime trade, he also invested money in building gantry cranes in various ports in Southeast Asia. However, he did not completely give up the sea trade business, and continued to do it.
Han Du pondered for a while and felt that instead of searching randomly like a blind cat encountering a dead mouse, it would be better to ask Fu Yong if there were any suitable merchants who wanted to trade with the West.
Nodding, Han Du said: "It just so happens that I have something to do with you. After you finish the matter, come to my place."
Fu Yong perked up and smiled quickly: "How dare I ask the Marquis to wait? The Marquis will wait for a moment. I'll give you an explanation and then go with the Marquis."
After saying that, Fu Yong turned around and stuffed the bill in his hand into the hand of the person behind him, and said: "Third son, when you get here, just line up and pay the tax..."
After giving the instructions, Fu Yong came to Han Du, raised his hands and said, "Whatever the Marquis orders, I will never refuse even if I go up the mountain of swords and under the sea of fire."
Han Du glanced behind him and asked with a smile: "You gave so much money to a guy, aren't you worried about something going wrong?"
"Thank you, Mr. Marquis, for your concern, but nothing will happen if the old guy is watching. Mr. Marquis's matters are more important. Please give me your instructions." Fu Yong explained slightly.
Han Du saw that there were many people here and it was very noisy. He took a deep breath and said, "Okay, let's find a secluded place and I will talk to you in detail?"
"Listen to the Marquis." Fu Yong nodded.
Although Han Du said he was looking for a place to sit down, he was not very familiar with the Old Port and couldn't think of a suitable place for a while.
When Fu Yong saw it, he asked tentatively and thoughtfully: "Master Hou, I know a pretty good place. Why don't you ask Master Hou to move there?"
"Okay." Han Du agreed.
Fu Yong took Han Du to a restaurant.
Han Du looked up at the three-story restaurant. Just by looking at the architectural style, he knew it must have been opened by people from the Ming Dynasty.
"Fugui Building...the name is quite candid!" Han Du joked with a smile.
Fu Yong echoed with a smile: "People who come to Nanyang come here to make money. No matter how elegant they are, everyone knows what's going on. Instead of being secretive, it's better to be more straightforward."
After a brief explanation, and seeing Han Du nodding with interest, Fu Yong stretched out his hand to signal: "The villain is familiar with the shopkeeper here. He stays here almost every time he comes to Old Port. Mr. Marquis, please!"
Han Du nodded slightly and walked into the restaurant.
As soon as I entered the door, I felt a loud noise rushing towards me. The lively scene was no different from what I saw in the capital.
When the shopkeeper saw Fu Yong coming in, he immediately greeted him with a smile. But when he saw Fu Yong echoing next to a young man, looking groveling, the shopkeeper was stunned.
Then he smiled and said: "Hey, Mr. Fu is back?"
Fu Yong nodded in response, and then said to Han Du: "Please go upstairs!"
Han Du walked up the stairs first.
Fu Yong turned back to the shopkeeper and said, "It's the same as before, bring some wine and food."
"Okay." Although the shopkeeper was also curious about the identity of the young man in front of him, it actually made a large businessman like Fu Yong have to accompany him carefully. But since Fu Yong didn't introduce it to him, he wasn't curious to ask.
When he arrived at the door of Fu Yong's room, he took two quick steps forward and opened the door in advance.
"Master Hou, please!"
Han Du nodded, walked in, and looked around.
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There is an Eight Immortals table in the middle of the house, and calligraphy and paintings are hung on the surrounding walls. The entire decoration is completely in Ming Dynasty style.
Han Du looked back at Fu Yong who was following behind him and said with a smile: "Did the shopkeeper move the restaurant from Ming Dynasty?"
Fu Yong smiled and replied: "Master Hou is laughing, the villain likes these things of the Ming Dynasty. I don't know why, the more the villain goes to sea, the more he misses everything about the Ming Dynasty when he is overseas. Even if he sees one The tables, chairs, every word and every painting are extremely friendly, as if you are seeing a relative."
Of course Han Du knew what was going on with Fu Yong. This was caused by a psychological gap. No one in the world can compare with the Ming Dynasty in terms of economy, skills, culture, customs, etc. Anyone who has experienced the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty will feel a sense of loss when going to other places.
"Master Marquis, please take a seat."
Han Du nodded and sat down at the table. Fu Yong picked up the teapot and poured it for Han Du.
Of course the tea in the restaurant was not very good, but Han Du still picked it up and took a sip with relish.
Fu Yong picked up the tea and signaled to Han Du, then put down the teacup and asked, "Master Marquis, why do you need a villain?"
Han Du leaned back in his chair, crossed his hands in front of his stomach, and said, "I want to lead the navy to the west. I want to find any merchants willing to explore the waterway."
"The villain is willing!" Fu Yong stood up without hesitation and stared at Han Du with surprise on his face.
Han Du smiled and pressed his hand, signaling Fu Yong to calm down and said, "Sit down first."
"Yes, Lord Marquis." Fu Yong looked excited. He was the first one to accompany Han Du to Nanyang. If others don't know how much benefit he can get from opening up waterways with the navy, how can he, Fu Yong, not know? Originally, he, Fu Yong, was just a small businessman in the capital. He went overseas to sell goods and gained his current wealth.
It was the first time to open up a waterway, but it was easy to sell things so cheaply that they were just like picking them up for free. Just like when he first came to Old Port, a piece of Ming porcelain could be exchanged for gold of equal weight. Although the price of porcelain is still good now, it is far less than when he first came to Old Port. At that time, there were countless Western businessmen holding gold, wanting to exchange for any goods in their hands.
Of course Han Du also knew what Fu Yong was excited about, but there was a huge difference between the West and Southeast Asia, and I'm afraid it wasn't as beautiful as Fu Yong thought.
After thinking for a while, Han Du explained: "Listen to me first. Going to the West is more dangerous than coming to Nanyang, and the risks are not small. What I want to say is, can you find some stronger seamen?" Shang, let’s work together to walk this channel?”
"Yes, of course I can!" Fu Yong replied with surprise on his face, "Master Hou is worried that ordinary maritime merchants cannot afford the loss if they don't leave, right?"
"Of course." Han Du nodded, "I will not hide it from you, the Western Ocean and the Southern Ocean are completely different. Strictly speaking, the ocean in the Southern Ocean is not very vast, and there are many islands in the sea. But in the Western Ocean, it may travel thousands of miles, There’s not even an island to be found.”
Fu Yong nodded seriously and said: "I am definitely willing to go, but if others are willing to go, I have to ask them first."
"Okay, I will give you three days. After three days, you can gather the people who are willing to go together, and I will meet them in person." Han Du did not force Fu Yong, insisting that he find a sea merchant to go with him. .
The cost of sea trade is huge. Just one cargo ship costs thousands of dollars for a larger one. Adding in the goods, the tens of thousands of dollars were gone. If the ship capsizes in a storm at sea, tens of thousands of dollars will be lost in an instant. Such a loss is not something ordinary businessmen can afford.
(End of chapter)
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