After Zhu Xuan came back, various construction projects were implemented one after another.
With a large amount of money invested, the local people were very enthusiastic. In addition, the water conservancy project was also for their farmers, and they were all willing to help Zhu Xuan work.
The motivation is high and the work speed is also fast.
Once the locations for the reservoir and waterworks were selected, construction started immediately.
The construction of the entire Guangzhou Prefecture is in full swing.
Zhu Xuan often went on inspections to make sure that there were no problems, and then he safely left it to the supervisors below. The researchers from the Science Pavilion were responsible for providing data, technology and design drawings.
Everything is normal for now.
Time passed quickly, and a few days passed.
Zhu Xuan began to purchase tea, raw silk and other things for the second time, and was about to go overseas for the second time.
The second time, Zheng He would lead the team. Zhu Xuan didn't plan to go. Zheng He knew what to do and was trustworthy, so he didn't have to worry too much.
However, the news about the trading port and taxation was completely spread, and businessmen not only in Guangzhou but also in Guangdong were surprised.
Ever since, voices of resistance began to appear.
Those businessmen resisted and discussed in private at first and did not know how to do anything. However, as time went by, the matter continued to ferment, and the private discussions soon came to light.
I don't know who gathered the opposing merchants again, and led them to make trouble outside the trading port.
At this time, the investment promotion in the trading port was almost in progress, and merchants were gradually entering various shops, inns, etc. inside. However, at this time, a large number of merchants brought their servants to cause trouble and directly blocked the trading port.
Cen Jing couldn't resist the pressure and reported the news quickly. He couldn't handle this situation and his tactics were not strong enough.
"Those merchants still dare to attack our trading port?"
Zhu Xuan was startled and shouted: "Yan Guan, go outside the city, mobilize troops, and let's go to the trading port together."
The soldiers from the Shenji Battalion and the Guards Battalion were quickly mobilized.
With their protection, Zhu Xuan dared to appear outside the trading port, fearing that those merchants would cause chaos and not even spare him.
At this time, Zhu Xuan could see that there was a raging crowd outside the trading port.
Those merchants clamored against the trade port and tax collection, allowing them to trade freely. In addition, when passing through Malacca, they had already collected taxes once, and they had to collect them again at the trade port. There are rules for transactions, and the trade port is still official. There was no way to avoid the port, which made them very disgusted.
Not only merchants from the Ming Dynasty were gathering, but also merchants from overseas.
They were firmly against it.
Cen Jing could only close the door of the trading port and did not dare to go out to show his face. He thought that His Highness would come quickly!
He was afraid that if Zhu Xuan didn't come, the trading port would really be flooded.
"Fire a warning shot!"
Zhu Xuan felt a little annoyed when he heard the noisy sound.
boom!
Gunfire rang out.
The people who were blocking the trading port in front all fell silent.
Cen Jing heard the gunfire and knew that His Highness was here. His Highness would handle the matters here, so the problem would be basically minor.
"Your Highness is here!"
"Your Highness, you can't do this, you are destroying our deal."
"It doesn't matter to us that we collect taxes in Malacca, but we also charge them at the trading port, and we are forced to trade at the trading port. This is very wrong. Please think clearly, Your Highness."
"Your Highness, if you do this, no one will come to Ming Dynasty to trade in the future. We will have no money, and the people will also have no money."
"Your Highness, please think carefully!"
…
The businessmen turned around at the same time. When they saw Zhu Xuan, they started talking and wanted to walk towards Zhu Xuan.
"Stop everyone!"
Seeing those people coming to attack Zhu Xuan, Wang Er shot them at their feet.
They had to stop, and when they saw that the soldiers' guns were pointed at them, they felt intimidated and did not dare to take another half step forward.
Zhu Xuan said: "You want to rebel?"
Those businessmen soon became quiet.
No one wants to be labeled as a rebel.
One of the merchants stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, how can we dare to rebel? It's just what Your Highness did. It's really unreasonable."
Zhu Xuan responded: "You have made a transaction and must pay taxes. What is unreasonable about this?"
Another businessman said: "We have to pay taxes when passing through Malacca. We already paid commercial taxes in Ming Dynasty, and now we have to pay trade port taxes. Where do we get so many taxes?"
Zhu Xuan explained: "Malacca is a navigation tax. If you don't want to pay it, you can go around. The tax paid in Daming is what you must pay when doing business within Daming. The tax at the trading port is for foreign trade. Is there any conflict?"
The businessman: "..."
It doesn't sound like a conflict.
If you want to bypass Malacca, the cost of the detour is higher than the tax.
It’s not that they don’t want to go around, but it’s because going around will cause them to lose more money and increase their risks at sea.
"Since there is no conflict, why should we object?"
Zhu Xuan said: "If you continue to oppose, I will punish you as a crime of rebellion. Bringing servants to make trouble and holding weapons is a rebellion!"
They were startled, and the servants quickly threw the wooden sticks in their hands to the ground.
If you are labeled as a rebel, it is basically a dead end.
In all dynasties, there is no case of successful merchant rebellion.
"Your Highness, Emperor Sun of the Ming Dynasty, what you do is unfair to our overseas businessmen."
An overseas businessman said: "Why should we charge taxes?"
After hearing this, the merchants of Ming Dynasty actually felt somewhat balanced in their hearts.
Because in foreign transactions, overseas merchants must pay taxes when buying things from their Ming Dynasty, but not from the Ming Dynasty.
Among the proportions of foreign trade, Daming exported the largest amount.
Although overseas spices, pearls, agate, etc. are also imported, there are not many.
The real losers seem to be foreign businessmen.
"When you come to our country to do business and enjoy our services, you should pay taxes."
Zhu Xuan's attitude is very tough.
No matter what happens to those foreign businessmen, taxes must be paid.
Another foreign businessman said: "What Your Highness is doing is unkind."
Zhu Xuan said: "If you think it's unkind, you can stop coming to Daming. From now on, everyone will leave immediately, otherwise don't blame me for being rude."
He seemed to be serious and wanted to pin the charge of rebellion on them.
Those businessmen were more afraid of death, let alone rebelling. They were unable to confront Ming Dynasty's regular troops, so they all left and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
"Your Highness!"
Only then did Cen Jing dare to come out and said, "I almost lost my balance."
He is still young and inexperienced.
Cen Lei has gone back, and Wu Yongfeng went to sea to contact other businessmen.
Cen Jing was alone in the trading port and really couldn't control the situation.
Zhu Xuan said: "Experience more similar things and you will be able to stabilize."
Cen Jing asked worriedly: "Your Highness scared everyone away, but doing so is equivalent to offending them all to death. I'm afraid there will be more trouble in the future."
