Standing at the port of Quanzhou Citong Port, looking at the lively scene of masts and sails racing in the port, Zhao Hong couldn't help but shook his head and sighed secretly.
A mixture of Tibetan and Han people, with different skin colors, clothing, and languages, it is indeed the world's largest port and the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road, so prosperous.
"The profit from trading ships is the greatest. If handled properly, the proceeds can be worth millions. Wouldn't it be better to take it from the people?"
Wei Liaoweng smoothed his beard and let out a long sigh.
The land area of the Song Dynasty was narrow. Since Xixia blocked the Silk Road in the northwest and the economic center moved southward, starting from the Song Dynasty, the status of maritime trade continued to improve, and the ports on the southeast coast became new trade centers. The Song Dynasty moved south, and Guangzhou, Mingzhou (Dinghai), Quanzhou and other places established municipal shipping departments to specifically manage overseas trade, becoming the three major ports.
In the middle and late Southern Song Dynasty, Quanzhou became the world's largest port and the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road.
Noticing the surprise on Zhao Hong's face, Quanzhou Magistrate Zhao Rushi quickly introduced him.
"Your Majesty, Quanzhou's overseas trade is prosperous. The government has established a "Tibetan market" in Quanzhou to sell foreign goods; a "Tibet square" is for Tibetan people to live; a "Tibetan school" is for the children of foreign businessmen to attend school. The government has also specially formulated penalties for Tibetan businessmen's crimes. Article. The merchant ships of the Song Dynasty departed from Quanzhou Port, fully loaded with a large number of commodities such as porcelain, silk, tea, etc., and transported them to overseas countries, and then transported back spices, medicines and other commodities. The annual tax of the Municipal Shipping Department can reach 1.6 million yuan, which shows that Quanzhou trade of prosperity!”
Zhao Rushi, a member of the Song Dynasty clan and the eighth grandson of Zhao Guangyi, Emperor Taizong of the Song Dynasty. Zhao Hong was the tenth generation grandson of Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin. In total, Zhao Rushi was two generations older than Zhao Hong.
In the 17th year of Jiading, Zhao Rushi was promoted to the Shipping Department of Quanzhou City, Fujian Road, and he also knew Quanzhou. In addition, he also has an identity, that is, he is also the governor of Nanwai Zongzheng of the Song Dynasty. In other words, he was responsible for all matters of the Quanzhou clan in the Southern Song Dynasty.
When Zhao Rushi took office in Quanzhou, Quanzhou's overseas trade was booming. He was diligent in shipping affairs, had extensive contact with foreign businessmen, and wrote two volumes of "Zhufan Chronicles", recording 58 countries and regions that had transportation and trade relations with Quanzhou in Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean coast, Persia, Mecca, and the northeastern coast of Africa. and 47 items of foreign imported goods.
It can be said that he has a clear understanding of the trade situation in Quanzhou Port and is also the best guide.
"Xiangong Zhao, since the annual tax of the City Shipping Company can reach 1.6 million guan, why does the annual tax paid by the City Shipping Company to the court only amount to 300,000 guan?"
Wei Liaoweng asked directly without any politeness.
"Your Majesty, Duke Wei, there is... something hidden in this."
Zhao Rushi's old face was very unnatural. He glanced at Zhao Hong secretly and smiled coquettishly.
"Ms. Zhao, how have I ever heard that the import of spices in Quanzhou is controlled by Tibetan merchants?"
Wei Liaoweng broke the casserole and asked the truth, not shying away at all.
Zhao Hong was startled, and looking around, there seemed to be shadows of big food merchants on the many ships in the port.
It seems that Wei Liaoweng did not say this casually.
"Your Majesty, I really feel sorry for you!"
Zhao Rushi was covered in sweat with a wry smile on his face.
Although he was the prefect of Quanzhou and was also in charge of the Municipal Shipping Department, the various factions in Quanzhou were intertwined and the officials were corrupt, which made him suffer unspeakably.
Wei Liaoweng wanted to speak, but Zhao Hong waved his hand.
"Let's talk about it after we go to the Nanwai Sect Master!"
Let's talk about it, from ancient times to the present, tax evasion, smuggling and corruption have not been the worst things.
This Zhao Rushi, as the head of the Shipping Department, seems to be incompetent.
Wei Liaoweng looked at the port where people were coming and going, held back his words, and followed Zhao Hong together with the submissive Zhao Rushi and others.
Quanzhou City, Gurong Lane, and Shuilu Temple are the locations of the Nanwai Zongzhengsi Office.
After the Song Dynasty moved south, there were two branches of the clan. One is that in the third year of Shaoxing (1133), the Western Foreign Zongzheng Division of the Southern Song Dynasty was moved to Fuzhou, Fujian Province, and a Zhi Zongzheng Secretary was established. In addition, there were also a prime minister, a bookkeeper, a person in charge of Dun Zongyuan, and a professor of Zongxue. Specializing in the affairs of the Zhao and Song clan in Fuzhou. According to the practice of the Song Dynasty, the officials of the Western Foreign Sect were all awarded to members of the clan of the dynasty.
At the same time, because the Song Dynasty was reluctant to leave Quanzhou because of the shipping tax, in December of the third year of Jianyan (1129), 349 members of the clan moved to Quanzhou. Nanwai Zongzhengsi, who managed the affairs of the royal family, moved with them and moved the old palace to the post office. On the west side, the Quanzhou Tianchai Tongci Hall was changed into the residence of the royal family, and the Nanwai Zongzhengsi Department was located in Shuilu Temple in Quanzhou Gurong Lane.
Everyone sat down in the lobby, and the Imperial Guards were guarding outside. Only then did Zhao Hong ask.
"Mr. Zhao, how many people are there in the Nanwai Zongzhengsi now? How many people are there in the Xiwai Zongzhengsi?"
Zhao Rushi was a member of the Zhao Song clan and was two generations senior to him. He was an honest official and Zhao Hong's attitude was also much gentler.
"Your Majesty, there are more than 1,426 people in Nanwai Zongzhengsi who are in the hospital, and more than 867 people living outside, a total of 2,293 people. The number of Xiwai Zongzhengsi is smaller, probably around 1,600."
Zhao Rushi is the governor of Nanwai Zongzhengsi, so he naturally knows everything about the affairs within the department.
In the early Southern Song Dynasty, there were only 349 children of the Zhao Song clan in Nanwai Zongzhengsi. After that, they multiplied day by day. When Zhao Hong came to power, there were more than 1,400 people in the hospital and more than 800 people living outside, totaling 2,300 people.
The total number of Xiwai Zongzhengsi and Nanwai Zongzhengsi is 4,000, which is already full of people.
Of course, compared with the hundreds of thousands of Zhu Ming clan descendants in the late Ming Dynasty, they pale into insignificance.
"How is the clan's expenses in Quanzhou?"
Zhao Hong frowned slightly.
There are more than 1,400 people in Nanwai Zongzhengsi in the hospital and more than 800 people living outside. In other words, more than 800 people go out to make a living.
Except for a small amount of subsidies from the court, most of the living expenses of the Quanzhou clan are borne by the local finance of Quanzhou. I don’t know if these people who go out to make a living receive any salary.
"Your Majesty, only the royal salary and the price of rice, the Quanzhou government budgets more than 140,000 yuan every year. In addition, the official family members of Nanwai and the eldest son of the official and the supporter of Zongxue receive more than 10,000 yuan each year. Guan and Mi 1,500 stones were also prepared from Quanzhou."
Zhao Rushi said carefully, observing his words and expressions.
Some of the Zhao royal family live a luxurious life, sing and dance, and use their power to disturb the people, but most of the clan live in poverty and even cannot make ends meet, which is why more than 800 members of the clan go out to make a living.
Zhao Hong frowned and said nothing, lowering his head in thought.
160,000 guan a year, divided evenly among the 2,300-person clan, 70 guan per person, less than 6 guan per month, which is the same as ordinary people. The treatment of the royal family of the Song Dynasty was perhaps the lowest in history.
Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, established the country and stipulated that the Ming Dynasty clan members did not have to engage in any profession. All consumption needs of every descendant of the royal family are borne by the state. With the rapid increase in the clan's population, the total amount of salary received by the clan was huge, and the total amount allocated by Lumi far exceeded the annual grain supply to the capital in various parts of the country. The country also bears a heavy burden.
My kindness to my relatives can be said to be in every possible way, and it is far more generous than that of previous generations.
The consequence of the Ming Dynasty's favor to the clan was the subjugation of the country and the extermination of the species, which made people lament the pain of Jiashen.
Speaking of which, the royal family of the Song Dynasty received low treatment, but compared with the royal family of the Ming Dynasty, it did not impose a huge burden on the country. It was beneficial to the people and the country, which was considered an improvement.
