…
The Han Dynasty's military operation against Nan'ao was proceeding in an orderly manner, and the situation in Nanyang became increasingly tense. Even merchants and civilians could already feel that the atmosphere on the ocean was different.
But only the mainland of Nan'ao, which is six thousand nautical miles away, has no awareness of this. The people still live a farming life of two meals a day and rest at sunset. Officials are still constantly running for their own interests. As the supreme ruler, Honglin, who lives in China, is still dreaming of a "peaceful and prosperous age".
It seems that nothing has changed, just like a "paradise".
Of course, not everyone did not realize that something was wrong with the situation. For example, Left Prime Minister Li Shen clearly discovered that the trade between merchants from various Southeast Asian countries and the Kingdom of Jin had dropped off a cliff in the past six months.
"What exactly is going on?"
Looking at the account books submitted by Jingao Hong Kong for the past six months, Li Shen couldn't believe what he saw.
"From August of the thirty-fifth year of the Holy Yuan Dynasty to the beginning of the thirty-sixth month of the Holy Yuan Dynasty, foreign merchant ships became increasingly scarce. Bulk commodities such as tea, porcelain, and silk satin that were originally expected to be sold overseas were accumulated in large quantities in the port warehouse. According to preliminary calculations, these four The profit from Yuejing Macao and Hong Kong is less than 60% compared with usual.”
Looking at the words on the financial account book, Li Shen couldn't help breathing heavier. The first thing he thought was that Beheila might have embezzled the foreign trade bank and deliberately made a fake account to fool himself.
But thinking about it carefully, Beheila may not be so bold. A small amount may be possible, but when it comes to hundreds of millions of taels of silver, does he have the courage to make false accounts?
What's more, part of the money gained from foreign trade belongs to Honglin's inner treasury. This is the emperor's money, and Beheila wouldn't even dare to think about it even if he had a hundred courages.
After excluding those unrealistic ideas, there is only one possibility left. The foreign trade business in Macao and Hong Kong has indeed plummeted, but what is going on? Why were there no signs before?
At this moment, Li Shen's servant came to report: "Sir, the Marani businessman Grand is seeking a meeting outside, saying that he wants to terminate the commercial relations with our country."
He was worried about how to find the reason why the foreign trade business had plummeted. After hearing this, Li Shen immediately said: "Bring him to see me quickly."
The next moment, a dark-skinned Nanyang businessman with a gold string hanging around his neck and emerald rings on his fingers entered the Prime Minister's Mansion with a humble look on his face.
Before Grand could salute, Li Shen immediately put on a smile and stepped forward: "Mr. Grand, please sit down. I happen to have something to ask you."
After Grand sat down, he said apologetically: "Lord Prime Minister, I am sorry for my decision. Please understand that I am just a businessman, and the most important thing for a businessman is profit."
Hearing this, Li Shen smiled and said, "What? Mr. Grand, are you not satisfied with our products?"
Grand said: "Master Zuo Xiang, if it were in the past, your country's products would definitely be best-selling in Southeast Asian countries. We have a joke in Southeast Asia,
That is, even a beggar can become rich overnight if he buys a batch of tea from your country.
We have made a lot of money doing business with your country over the years. We are very grateful for your country's gift to us foreigners. "
Li Shen didn't take any interest in these compliments and asked directly: "If that's the case, why does Mr. Grand want to terminate the business contract with us now?"
Grand sighed and said: "To be honest, it's because merchants from various Southeast Asian countries have begun to do business with the Han Dynasty.
The quality of their tea is better than that of your country, and their porcelain is even more exquisite, as well as cotton and silk, which are available in large quantities and at high prices, so..."
Halfway through the words, Grand took a careful look at Li Shen's face. Seeing that he had no reaction, he continued: "So I'm really sorry..."
Li Shen smiled: "Mr. Grand, I would like to ask you to think about it carefully. After all, you have been cooperating with China for so long. Isn't it a pity to give up like this?
As for the price issue, I will send someone to inform you in Macao and Hong Kong and I will give you the best discount. "
When Grand heard this, he sneered in his heart.
The price offered by the Kingdom of Jin is really like Xu Shu entering Cao Ying - useless.
It is said that there are policies from above and countermeasures from below.
Commodity prices may be able to be brought down a bit, but they cannot sustain the increase in other expenses.
For example, there are more than ten or even dozens of miscellaneous taxes such as shipping fees, tribute fees for local officials, water increase fees, and harbor protection fees. The sum total far exceeds the value of the items themselves, which can be said to make foreign businessmen complain endlessly.
This is also the reason why there is no customs responsibility, resulting in the taxation of Jin's foreign trade being in a mess, and there has never been a unified tax standard.
On the other hand, it was different in the Han Dynasty. The categories of goods were clearly marked, not to mention the prices. Even the commercial taxes were standardized according to the categories. There were not so many twists and turns, and the quality and quantity of the goods were various. I know that it is a few streets ahead of Jin Guo. The key is that the product prices are much more favorable than those in Jin Guo.
With such a comparison, Nanyang merchants naturally favored the products of the Han Dynasty.
Grand also just wanted to get rid of the relationship with South Australia as soon as possible, and then use the money in his hand to purchase sugar and cotton cloth. These two items can be huge profits. According to the level of extravagance of the monarchs in Southeast Asia, he will definitely make at least three times the profit.
"Sorry, Mr. Zuo Xiang, I also have my own considerations. To be honest, I have ordered a large number of goods with Han Dynasty merchants last month, and I don't have any extra money on hand to purchase goods from your country.
Of course, I know the rules. According to the original contract, I am willing to compensate three times the liquidated damages. "
With that said, Grand ordered someone to bring in a box, in which a full three thousand taels of silver were neatly arranged.
Li Shen's face finally changed slightly, but he still maintained his proper demeanor and said: "Well, since Mr. Grand has made up his mind, I am no longer in trouble, but I still hope that Mr. Grand will think about it carefully.
If there is an opportunity in the future, I will always welcome Mr. Grand to continue doing business with China. "
Grand stood up with a smile: "Definitely, business is not about benevolence and righteousness. From now on, you will have to go around with Mr. Zuo Xiang. You are busy with official duties, so I won't disturb you. I will say goodbye."
After saying that, he immediately left the Prime Minister's Mansion, fearing that Li Shen would regret it if it was too late.
After Grand left, Li Shen's face suddenly darkened.
Servant Zhang Quan came to Li Shen with a bowl of tea and asked, "Sir, are you just going to let him go like this? Shouldn't you give him another blow?"
"Shut up, what do you know!" Li Shen scolded angrily, "They have already made it clear that they are going to cut off all contact with us. At this time, you are still thinking about how to make a fortune? You really want the Kingdom of Jin to become the laughing stock of the whole world from now on. ?”
"You deserve to die, slave!" Zhang Quan immediately slapped himself in the face for fear of making Li Shen angry.
Li Shen glanced at him with disgust and said impatiently: "Okay, okay, get ready to drive immediately. I am going to the palace to meet the emperor. It is such a big matter. If you don't tell Long Live Lord, who knows what will happen in the future." Moth.”
Zhang Quan immediately rolled and crawled to prepare for driving.
Li Shen sighed helplessly, closed his eyes and said softly: "This is the great Jin Kingdom, alas~"
Little did they know that in the palace hall at this time, Honglin began to discuss with officials about the next big event.
And this matter is that Honglin's seventeenth daughter will soon be married to Fukang.
The wedding of a princess is a big event in ancient and modern times, at home and abroad, and Honglin, who has a good reputation, naturally plans to make the marriage of the seventeenth princess a success.
It's just that the beauty of this wedding will definitely require money, so Honglin started to take advantage of the national treasury.
