Xuchang.
Tian Yu and Chen Su successfully returned to the court to resume their duties, but this trip made them both physically and mentally exhausted.
Communicating with Liu Bei is much simpler.
It was only after meeting Liu Mang that they felt what the real hell of negotiation was.
Liu Mang, who has always been in a strong position, directly controlled the negotiations and gave them no room for bargaining.
From beginning to end, Liu Mang only insisted on one thing, and that was one-time tariffs.
Tian Yu knows better than anyone else the current situation of the Han merchants.
Why does a bottle of peach wine travel from Xiliang to Luoyang, and after traveling several places, the price soars forty times?
At least in Han Dynasty, every time you pass a pass, officials have to collect a tax for local tax revenue.
This also led to merchants raising prices wildly.
There is no way, if you don't increase the price, the final result will be losing money and making money.
It doesn't matter if you have Shu brocade or Shu salt. After all, the unit price of one is high enough, and the other depends purely on volume.
Liu Mang's idea is very simple: break down tariff barriers and charge only one-tenth or two-tenths of the price of goods.
Of course, in order to make Cao Cao feel better, Liu Mang deliberately set a trap, that is, the tariff policies of both parties were the same, which at least looked very fair on the surface.
Tian Yu informed Cao Cao of Liu Mang's conditions.
"King Wei, I have been traveling to Chengdu and Jiangling. These are the conditions for Liu Bei and his son."
Tian Yu was neither humble nor arrogant, while Chen Su was waiting for Cao Cao's instructions.
"It sounds like Liu Mang is somewhat sincere. The tariffs on both sides seem to be exactly the same."
Cao Cao just felt that something was wrong, but he hadn't figured out where exactly it was.
"Father, since Liu Mang has shown his sincerity, we might as well agree first!"
"After all, Zang Ba of Xuzhou still has to focus on appeasing him."
Cao Pi felt helpless when he thought of the test his father Cao Cao had left for him.
Sending troops to conquer was not his specialty. Fighting with Zang Ba in Xuzhou would only benefit Liu Bei and Sun Quan.
Fortunately, Sima Yi has already planned everything for him. If he can succeed, he can solve the Xuzhou separatist issue without bloodshed.
Jia Xu has seen through all this, but the cunning Jia Wenhe only seeks his own interests and will not tell the truth selflessly.
"Liu Changqing is really smart. He only charges one tariff and retains the value of the goods to the maximum extent."
"It seems that selling to the Central Plains keeps the original price of the goods, but reduces the taxes at several checkpoints, and the profits can be increased a lot."
"Sichuan brocade, Shu salt and other commodities are in short supply in the Central Plains. What commodities are there in the Central Plains that can be sold to Jingxiang, Yizhou and Jiaozhou?"
"The so-called fair tariff policy is not fair at all!"
Jia Xu's heart was like a bright mirror, he was as steady as an old dog, and Cao Cao didn't answer if he didn't ask.
After Jiang Ji's previous long-distance battle with Liu Mang, he already understood that the other party was not in vain.
"King Wei, I don't think I can agree to the customs duties easily."
"Oh? What's Zi Tong's opinion?"
Cao Cao looked at Jiang Ji with a smile, but his cold smile made Jiang Ji a little scared.
After all, I gave you Jiang Ji a chance before, but you ended up losing everything, forcing Cao Cao to buy Shu Brocade and Shu Brocade again.
Used to appease the anger of the common people and nobles.
"I just feel that Liu Changqing's move is definitely not for the so-called fairness!"
"If in the future, Liu Bei's side sells more goods to the Central Plains, without the protection of tariffs, I am afraid it will be difficult for us to resist..."
Jiang Ji had already smelled something unusual, and Liu Mang wanted to use the tariff game to seize the Central Plains market.
But he was always limited to the times and could not see beyond the surface to see the essence clearly.
Even Jia Xu could only see a rough outline.
Sima Yi was also thinking that he who originally only needed to learn military affairs and internal affairs now had to rack his brains to try to keep up with Liu Mang's pace.
"Zitong, we can only agree to Liu Mang's conditions first."
Cao Cao sighed: "As for how the Central Plains will resist Liu Mang's tricks in the future, it depends on you."
Cao Cao glanced at Cao Pi by the way. What follows is a war between the two of you as sons.
He is already old and can only pave the way for Cao Pi as much as possible.
As for how far he can go on this road, it depends on Cao Pi's own ability.
Within the palace.
Liu Xie was in a good mood, but he heard that Liu Mang gave Cao Cao a headache again.
Cao Pi was even so angry that he beat objects in the mansion many times.
"Is the imperial doctor, your dear brother, more suitable to be emperor than me?"
Liu Xie laughed jokingly, "I am probably the most useless emperor in the Han Dynasty. I was born to be a puppet!"
Ji Ping hurriedly stepped forward to comfort him, "Your Majesty, please don't belittle yourself! If you hadn't worked hard and tried your best, I'm afraid the title of the Han Dynasty would have been lost long ago!"
Liu Xie nodded. He only hoped that Emperor Liu Bei and his son could defeat the Central Plains people as soon as possible and let him be free.
Even if you give up the throne, you can!
…
Jiangling.
After waiting for a month, Liu Mang finally got a reply from Cao Cao.
On behalf of the imperial court, the King of Wei agreed to Liu Mang's tariff policy, and both parties remained consistent.
"Cao Cao has been fooled, or he has nothing to do."
"However, the Central Plains has completely become a dumping ground for our products."
"Mr. is vigorously developing the handicraft industry in Chengdu. Our other handmade products are all of high quality and low price."
"Two uncles, the next step is up to you. Gradually increase the export categories. Don't let Cao Cao react."
Mi Zhu Mi Fang bowed her hands and the two of them took the order and left!
After repairing in Gangneung for more than half a year, it was finally time to see the sunrise!
Economic warfare is the easiest to consume time. Fortunately, Liu Mang owns the markets of Jiangdong, Xiyu, Guishang and Daqin.
In the end, the only one who couldn't stand it was Cao Cao. It was not easy to make the traitor make concessions.
"Young master, this move can be said to kill two birds with one stone."
Pang Tong held the wine gourd in his hand, but he lost the happiness he once had.
Since Liu Mang came to Jiangling, his wine gourd has been replaced by water.
"Sir, please speak. Your Majesty is all ears."
"First, they used tariffs to confuse Cao Cao, which made him fall into the trap of economic war!"
"The Central Plains can only continue to import, and there is no hope for exporting!"
Pang Tong glanced at Gan Ning, who was stunned, and sighed: "Xingba, this is for you and General Zhang!"
Zhang Fei stared with copper bell-like eyes and retorted: "I don't want to know, chicken, shut up!"
Gan Ning smiled helplessly: "Sir, please continue talking."
Pang Tong nodded with satisfaction, "Secondly, Cao Cao and the prince's tariff policy have offended Sun Quan!"
"How could Cao Cao treat him differently? How could Sun Quan not send someone to inquire?"
"Do you think Cao Cao will look good on Sun Quan? Although the two sides will not go to war immediately, but with Sun Quan's character, once hatred is deeply rooted, it will not be easily resolved."
Everyone immediately realized that one day Sun Quan would choose to stab Cao Cao in the back!
Liu Mang's hand was played in the hands of the two heroes!
"Next, as the next step in our economic war, we must control the numbers!"
