Yue Changxing and the other three were taken away by Jin Yiwei.
At this moment, their legs almost gave out.
Even Liang Daoming and Shi Jinqing knew what the Jin Yiwei did. It was a very scary organization. If they were targeted by the Jin Yiwei, it would basically be over.
Not long after Zhu Xuan arrived in Old Port, he asked the Jin Yiwei to take them away. He felt uneasy and did not dare to resist. He could only carefully follow the Jin Yiwei to the government office. He saw Zhu Xuan already waiting, with several books on the table. Ledger.
Of course they knew there was something wrong with the ledger.
However, after they made false accounts, they thought they could be very stable. But when they saw the account books, they really felt weak.
"Excuse me, Your Highness, what are your orders?"
Yue Changxing asked cautiously.
After asking this question, he felt very guilty, and beads of sweat as big as soybeans slowly appeared on his forehead.
Zhu Xuan threw out the content that Hou Xian had just compiled and showed it to them.
After opening one or two pages of data, Yue Changxing couldn't hold on anymore and knelt down. Shi Jinqing and Liang Daoming also knelt down. The Ming Dynasty internally investigated corrupt officials, but they were extremely strict. Once found, they would be peeled off.
What they did was actually greed.
"How do you explain it?"
Zhu Xuan asked calmly.
Yue Changxing kowtowed and said, "Your Highness, we realize our mistake. Please let us go. Don't dare to do it again."
Seeing him begging for mercy, Liang Daoming also kowtowed and begged.
Zhu Xuan said: "I'm asking you for an explanation, not for you to beg for mercy. Didn't you understand what I said?"
They saw that Zhu Xuan was not old, but he already had a strong aura, and his voice was full of coldness. They couldn't help but tremble, knowing that Zhu Xuan was not easy to fool, and this matter could not be fooled.
Liang Daoming first said: "We control the Malacca Port. All merchant ships passing by at sea must pay us before they can be released. In addition, in the name of the government, many merchant ships' goods are purchased here at low prices and then handed over to their families and relatives. Transport it to other places for sale and earn the price difference.”
Shi Jinqing said with a trembling voice: "But we don't dare to be too presumptuous. We only charge a little money each time and don't dare to ask for too much."
Zhu Xuan said coldly: "Being greedy for one tael of silver is greed, and greed for one hundred taels is also greed."
They dared not speak any more.
Zhu Xuan said again: "Is your approach similar to Chen Zuyi's?"
If you don’t pay, you won’t be able to cross Malacca and will have to take a detour.
If you want to avoid Malacca, you have to take a long detour, which will increase the cost and risk of going to sea, because anything can happen on the sea. Many merchants who go to sea for trade only dare to walk along the coastline and dare not leave the coastline. too far.
"We don't dare to be Japanese pirates."
Yue Changxing shook his head.
As soon as Chen Zuyi was eliminated, they became another Chen Zuyi, and the problem was very serious when it came to investigating.
Zhu Xuan waved his hand and said: "Get up!"
Yue Changxing and the others: "..."
Your Highness is not going to punish you?
They raised their heads in disbelief and looked at Zhu Xuan.
Zhu Xuan said: "If the water is clear, there will be no fish. You are just greedy for a small amount of money. The amount is not very big. You have done a good job in managing this place. You have made a mistake. I can let you go this time."
Hearing this, they breathed out.
It felt like he was exhausted. It was really okay.
"Not much, not much."
Yue Changxing said: "I will have someone send the money to His Highness later."
"Me too."
"We dare not hide it privately."
"Give it all to Your Highness."
Liang Daoming and Shi Jinqing said quickly.
In a place full of oil and water, it's hard for them not to have special thoughts.
Zhu Xuan said: "However, you did a pretty good job using Malacca's method."
They were puzzled again.
What does His Highness want to do?
"You gave me a new idea."
Zhu Xuan continued: "Next, I will arrange a garrison and put two artillery pieces at the Port of Malacca. I plan to set up a pass at the Port of Malacca. All passing merchant ships must pay us taxes before they can pass, and you will be responsible for collecting them. For taxes, I will send someone to Sriwijaya to collect the money every three months.”
It is a pity to control such an important maritime traffic artery and not use it to make money.
"Your Highness, isn't this not good?"
Yue Changxing said cautiously: "If we forcefully collect taxes at Malacca Port, many merchant ships will oppose it. When the time comes, they will resist together or even force their way through. What will we do?"
They control Malacca and when it comes to making money here, it is not mandatory.
As long as those merchants are sensible, know how to give some filial gifts, and have a good relationship with them, they can pass smoothly.
Zhu Xuan's approach is to make it mandatory. All merchant ships that come and go must pay taxes before they can let you go. This will definitely be opposed.
"Aren't there still artillery? If anyone dares to refuse, force their way in, or even rebel, you can just blast them with artillery."
Zhu Xuan said unceremoniously: "If you miss, write down whose merchant ship it is, and I will handle it personally. The tax rate does not need to be too high. If it is our Ming Dynasty merchant ship, charge them 1% of their income." The tax will be collected when you return from the West, and when you leave, give them a sign as a voucher."
Yue Changxing and the others breathed a sigh of relief when they heard that the tax rate was one percent.
This is not very high, so it should not be too resistant.
Those merchant ships can make a lot of money from a trip to Tianfang and other places, so the tax can still be afforded.
"If the merchant ships are not from our Ming Dynasty, they will be taxed at 5%."
Zhu Xuan hummed softly: "Srivijaya is the land of our Ming Dynasty, and the Strait is also the place of our Ming Dynasty. People who are not from the Ming Dynasty want to pass by our Ming Dynasty. What's the matter with collecting tolls?"
This reason is even more impossible for them to refute.
It seems quite reasonable.
Zhu Xuan added: "If they don't want to pay taxes, let them bypass Srivijaya. As long as they don't pass by us, they can go wherever they want."
With so many merchant ships coming and going, Zhu Xuan can foresee that once the tariff comes out, he will have another huge income, which will make it easier to transform Lingnan's water conservancy.
The premise is that resistance can be suppressed.
"yes!"
Yue Changxing and the others said in response.
They could not object to this order.
They were lucky to be able to save a life.
Even if he screws up, it's not their problem. Zhu Xuan will take on everything and seems to be able to continue.
Zhu Xuan added: "As for how to implement the tax, I will give you a complete plan as soon as possible. Then you can make your own arrangements. If you have any questions, please have someone come to me at any time."
After finishing this matter, Zhu Xuan said again: "In addition, I am going to sea this time to do business. My two warships are full of goods. Please help me contact Manlajia, Boni and Lu Song and other merchants, let’s talk business.”
Yue Changxing asked in surprise: "Your Highness can also do business?"
You must know that Lao Zhu does not allow those princes and grandsons to do business as merchants.
Zhu Xuan said: "Others can't, but I can. My subordinates have gone to sea to do business. The better quality linen and cotton that have been popular in Nanyang this year are mine."
