Horumus!
The sky in the morning was still gloomy, with a hint of haze and heavy depression.
But after the sun jumped out of the sea, the red sunlight passed through the layers of clouds, rendering the clouds red and blending with each other. From the gaps in the clouds, you can clearly see streaks of red light hanging straight down to the ground, like crimson swords.
Horumus, who had been sleeping silently, was awakened by stimulation, as if there was a silent roar that echoed here.
The earth is shrouded in mist, and there is a bustling city that wakes up in the bright red morning light and changes its appearance.
The buildings in the city are disorganized and do not have the square and neat appearance of the capital city. Houses of different styles can be seen everywhere, as well as signboards with completely different characters.
This is a city without walls. Except for the city lord's castle, which is surrounded by a high wall, there is no fortification at all elsewhere. All the houses are built according to the terrain, just like the architect's random graffiti on the ground.
The desolate streets at night began to become bustling after the sunlight dried the thin moisture on the stones.
There are not many ships in the harbor in the distance, and they are sparsely floating on the sea. Although Horumus is a sea city with developed trade, it is still morning after all. Those sailors who have not seen a woman for several months at sea are probably still in the belly of some wandering warbler and have not yet gotten up.
Facing the rising sun, a huge fleet gradually emerged from under the sea level. Since the fleet was facing away from the sun, no one in Horumus noticed the arrival of the fleet at first. After someone finally discovered it, the fleet had completely appeared on the sea, turning into a black shadow blocking the sun.
Seeing so many ships approaching, the people of Horumus did not appear too surprised. Although each of these ships is much larger than what they have seen before, and although the number of these ships is a little more, there used to be dozens of ships coming to Horumus every day, and sometimes they could even reach hundreds. Ships and above, people here have long been accustomed to such a scene.
When the navy docked, Han Du and Tang Ding accompanied Zhu Biao and walked out of the cabin, followed by Qinjun, Fu Yong, Hade and others.
Zhu Biao stood on the bow of the ship, looking at the city bathed in the morning light, and sighed: "It is indeed a giant Western city. The size of this port is not far behind the capital city."
Han Du took a look and was quite emotional. Turning back to Baiyunhu, he ordered: "Where is Hader? Find him for me."
Soon, Hade was carried by Baiyunhu and trotted to Handu.
"What are your orders, Lord Marquis?" Hader bowed slightly to Han Du and asked after bowing one by one.
Han Du raised his hand and pointed towards the city in the distance, "Is this Horumus?"
Harder's face was full of joy, and he looked forward with a wanderer's desire to return home. He nodded towards Han Du and replied: "This is Horumus. Hard will never forget it in his life."
Han Du nodded after listening. Now that we have arrived, we need to make preparations.
When the fleet docks, there is no plank road like the Capital Port or the Old Port, and there are no gantry cranes to assist loading and unloading. You can only do everything by yourself to have enough food and clothing. The warship lowered its sails and slowly slid towards the beach until it docked on the beach.
Han Du said seriously: "Okay, Your Highness, we can go down."
"Yeah." Zhu Biao looked at Horumus and nodded subconsciously.
Zhu Biao, Han Du and others were still wearing regular clothes. Just looking at their current attire, they were even much worse than those of Fu Yong and other maritime merchants.
Han Du turned back to Hard and warned: "Remember, this time you are going to the Ming Dynasty to trade, and we are all merchants you brought from the Ming Dynasty."
"Don't worry, Lord Marquis, Hade will remember it." Hade nodded again and assured Handu.
Among Han Du's group, although there are people like Zhu Biao and Tang Ding in disguise, there are also real maritime merchants like Fu Yong. At first glance, it is still difficult to tell that Han Du and others are not businessmen. of.
Moreover, in order to ensure Zhu Biao's safety, Han Du replaced all the guys who were supposed to follow him with Zhu Biao's personal troops. With Fu Yong and others covering up, Han Du felt that this was basically foolproof.
Han Du stepped on the beach and his body couldn't help shaking a few times. After stopping for a while, he slowly recovered.
Looking at the desolate surroundings without even a single person, he asked Hader in confusion: "What? Doesn't Horumus collect taxes from ships coming in?"
Hader quickly bowed and said, "Back to the Marquis, the rules of Horumus's tax collection are that the taxes collected by the king are mainly collected from farmers in the territory. Otherwise, they are assistance fees collected by the king from other city lords."
"Oh? So, Horumus will not tax you businessmen?" Han Du was a little curious.
"Yes." Hard nodded immediately, and then sighed: "Before Hard went to the Old Port, he had no idea that goods also needed to pay taxes. The Old Port was the first place that Hard saw that levied taxes on merchants. .”
Harder sounded a little dissatisfied. After all, he had part of his wealth taken away by Old Port in the name of paying taxes. Of course he would be unhappy.
Zhu Biao next to him was shocked when he heard that Horumus did not tax the merchants. We must know that the maritime trade tax collected by the Municipal Shipping Department now exceeds 10 million guan each year. If the scale of the seaport in front of us could collect taxes, it would at least have an income of several million guan every year. So much wealth was lost in vain, Zhu Biao didn't even know if he thought the king of Horumus was stupid?
Han Du glanced at him and asked knowingly: "Then tell me, in your opinion, is it better to tax merchants? Or not to tax merchants?"
Zhu Biao originally thought that the problem was very simple. Businessmen are all driven by profit. Paying taxes is equivalent to robbing money from businessmen, and I am afraid no businessman is willing to do so.
However, Hader lowered his head and pondered for a long time without answering. Finally, Hader looked up at Han Du and said, "How should I put it? Although Khrumos does not collect goods tax, it does not protect the goods of merchants like us. Although it is known as a land of freedom and trade, But it is not a peaceful city. There are thieves, thieves, thugs and liars in this city, and their eyes are staring at our goods all the time. Therefore, in order to protect the goods, we usually hire some mercenaries . To be honest, the money spent just to hire these mercenaries will probably not be less than the taxes paid, or even more."
"So, compared to renting a warehouse to store the goods directly after they arrive in Old Port, there is no need to worry about the goods being lost or stolen. Compared to spending a lot of money to hire mercenaries, I am still more willing to pay taxes. .”
Zhu Biao suddenly realized that if the merchants were allowed to take the money, of course they would be willing. But if these businessmen do not pay taxes and instead spend more money, then they are willing to pay taxes.
In fact, it is said over and over again that money is a good thing and no one is willing to give it to others in vain. But in comparison, it is the lesser of two powers that harm each other. Since money must be paid, it is natural to spend money on the side that is most beneficial to you.
"I see," Zhu Biao straightened up, stood on tiptoe, and asked Horumus in front of him, puzzled: "This place seems to be prosperous, but why do I listen to you? Is it very messy inside?"
Hader lowered his head after hearing the words. After a moment of silence, he explained awkwardly: "How should I put it? Your Highness should go and see it for yourself. You will know after seeing it once."
Zhu Biao was not annoyed after hearing Harder's explanation. Instead, he laughed and said, "Okay, then I'll go and see it for myself."
Han Du glanced at Hard and reminded dissatisfiedly: "Look up, what are you doing so timidly? You must know that you are the leader here now, and we are all friends you brought from the Eastern Ming Dynasty. Come here to do business in Horumus."
"Yes, yes, Harder understands." He said he understood, but Harder still couldn't stand up in front of Zhu Biao and others.
There is no way, this is not because Harder is timid. At this time, no matter it was the Ming Dynasty or the West, no one who dared to go overseas to do business was timid.
It was Harder's fear from his heart. He had witnessed the offensive of the Ming Empire's Armada, and he had no choice but to be afraid. He didn't know how many years the Sea of Pirates had existed. Anyway, these pirates had been there before he was born. The kingdom has hated these pirates for so many years, and has even organized several sieges on the Sea of Pirates, but in the end nothing can be done against the pirates.
But in front of the Ming Dynasty fleet, the sea of pirates was like withered dust, disappearing completely with a gentle blow. Harder would not be naive enough to think that those pirates were really weak enough to be slaughtered at will. This only shows that the strength of the Ming fleet is much stronger than that of the pirates.
Zhu Biao is the future emperor of the Ming Empire. The stronger the Ming Dynasty, the more important he will be in Hader's heart.
Han Du frowned when he saw Harder still looking submissive and cautious, and suddenly felt dissatisfied. He casually slapped his bent back and shouted angrily: "Stand up."
Harder straightened his back suddenly after being slapped by Han Du. He glanced at Han Du fearfully and quickly lowered his head without daring to speak.
Han Du gestured towards Harder, "You, go ahead."
Hader quickly raised his head and pointed at his nose in disbelief, "Me? Go ahead?"
Han Du frowned, "Only you are familiar with this Hurumos. We don't even know where to go. If you don't go in front, who will go in front?"
"Okay, okay, I'll go in front." Hader took two steps obediently. Perhaps because he couldn't see Zhu Biao and Han Du anymore, he suddenly felt the pressure in his heart relieved. He let out a long breath, raised his head and walked toward the city.
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