"Xiangong Zhao, since the trade tax in Quanzhou amounts to 1.6 million yuan, and the clan's expenses only account for 10%, I don't think there will be any expenditure problems. Then why did Mr. Zhao repeatedly report to the court, asking the court to reward money and food to meet the needs of the clan? In addition, Quanzhou Why are the imports of spices controlled by food merchants? I would like to ask Mr. Zhao to clarify his doubts."
It was Wei Liaoweng again who couldn't help but continue to attack Zhao Rushi.
The Nanwai clan changed the practice of the Northern Song Dynasty in which clans were not allowed to hold power. Several Song clan clans held important positions such as the promotion of the Quanzhou City Shipping Division. It can be said that the Quanzhou City Shipping Division in the Southern Song Dynasty was basically controlled by the Song Dynasty clan. Take control.
The Quanzhou Prefecture's Yamen, Zongzheng Si's Yamen, and Shibo Si's Yamen. The three major prefecture-level Yamen in Quanzhou are all controlled by Zhao Rushi. How could the Nanwai clan still be short of money and food?
"What Xianggong Wei said is true. But the land in Quanzhou is barren and there are 500,000 people. The state government branch is already in dire straits, not to mention the expenses of the clan. Besides..."
Zhao Rushi said with a grimace, his eyes twinkling.
"Stop talking about it! Say what you have to say. I'm already here, what are you still mumbling about?"
Zhao Hong's face turned dark unconsciously.
When the imperial court deployed troops in the northwest, it originally wanted to take some advantage from Shibosi, but now it seems that it may be impossible.
Didn't it say that the overseas trade of the Song Dynasty was prosperous? Why did the Shipping Department still want money from the imperial court?
"Yes, yes, Your Majesty!"
Zhao Rushi panicked and said quickly:
"Your Majesty, all kinds of spices, peppers, etc. in Quanzhou are controlled by food merchants. But this is related to the major local forces in Quanzhou. Although I am a local official, I am powerless and have troubles. They have nothing to do with the local area. They have great influence on government affairs and defense."
"What force?"
The teacup in Zhao Hong's hand was so heavy that the tea overflowed.
The Shipping Department is an important weapon of the country and a source of tax revenue. How can it be manipulated by selfish people?
"Your Majesty, for example, the Xia family, who has lived in Quanzhou for a long time, has been the leader of the left-wing military guards for three generations, the Tian family has the power to dispatch officers and soldiers in Quanzhou, and the Lin family and the Yan family are the descendants of the noble family. These people are powerful and can command the army. They He colluded with some of the big Tibetan merchants both internally and externally, so that many Tibetan merchants were afraid of harsh taxation, hardship and purchase, and dared not speak out in anger. I am really powerless!"
"What kind of goods did the Quanzhou merchants bring? What kind of goods did we export from the Song Dynasty?"
Fujian has not implemented the New Deal yet, so it is unimaginable that the military and government are so corrupt. It seems that the implementation of the New Deal in Fujian will also be put on the agenda.
"Back to Your Majesty, there are more than 60 types of items exported from Quanzhou. In addition to silk, porcelain, and tea that are popular overseas, there are also fine wines, black lead, ironware, umbrella cages, etc. There are 40 items shipped into Quanzhou Port from various countries. The remaining species include frankincense, agarwood, ambergris, parrot, glass, ivory, etc., among which spices and medicinal materials are the most numerous.”
"What is the use of frankincense, agarwood, ambergris, parrots, and ivory? Apart from promoting malaise and allowing wealthy people to enjoy themselves, they are useless!"
Zhao Hong frowned with a black face and a serious tone, which made Zhao Rushi and others brace themselves to listen.
"What the Song Dynasty needs is food from Champa and Srivijaya, wood and sulfur from Guawa, horses from China and Persia, gold and silver mines from Africa, and gold, copper and iron mines from Australia. These can strengthen the country and enrich the people. , its value to our Song Dynasty is far higher than your imagination!"
Those luxury goods are of no use. Food is related to people's livelihood. Timber, sulfur, horses, and iron ore are related to military affairs and people's livelihood. As for gold, silver and copper, they are closely related to the financial economy.
As for spices, ivory, including parrots and other items, importing these things not only leads to luxury and luxury, but also causes a large amount of gold, silver, and copper coins to flow out, resulting in a loss of hard currency.
"What is the total amount of exports and imports and taxes of the Municipal Shipping Department now? What is the situation?"
Zhao Hong was not polite and went straight to the point.
It used to be 1.6 million guan per year, but now I wonder if there is still half of it?
"Your Majesty, in its heyday, Quanzhou Port exported about 20 million guan of goods each year, imported about 10 million guan, and had tariffs of 2 million guan. By the Jiading period, maritime affairs were in name only, piracy was rampant, and tariffs were decreasing year by year. Last year, there were about 600,000 guan. This year, there were still about 600,000 guan. I’m afraid it’s less than 500,000 guan.”
Zhao Rushi said it carefully.
In fact, he took office last year, and all the shortcomings of Quanzhou Shipping Division existed before he came.
"Your Majesty, give me half a year, and I will clear the sea surface so that Your Majesty won't worry."
Wu Qian was extremely embarrassed and quickly asked for a fight.
"From this year to the beginning of next year, we will eliminate the pirates in the vicinity. Starting next summer, we will take advantage of the navy's move south to attack the pirates in the Southeast Asia area."
Zhao Hong nodded and thought for a moment.
"Tariffs will be significantly increased for imported goods such as frankincense, agarwood, ambergris, parrots, and ivory. For grain, wood, gold, silver, copper, iron, etc., import duties will be reduced or even not levied. As for local Forces are at work, and I will ask the Anti-Corruption Department to intervene and get to the bottom of it."
Items such as frankincense, agarwood, ambergris, parrots, and ivory, just like the luxury goods of later generations, are subject to 50% to 80% tariffs. Anyway, they are bought by wealthy families.
As for iron ore, grain, sulfur, gold and silver ore, etc., import tariffs are completely exempted. Just like the most favored nation treatment in later generations.
Zhao Rushi quickly accepted the order. Needless to say, the emperor wanted to purge the local forces in Quanzhou.
"To the east of Quanzhou, only four hundred miles away is Liuqiu. Although Liuqiu is a foreign land with mountains and lakes, the western plains and eastern coastal areas have fertile soil and are rich in rice, with two to three crops a year. I plan to send a team. If I go to Liuqiu to run the business, within five years, millions of people can be fed."
Liuqiu, in later generations of Taiwan, there were already people from the Song Dynasty who were colonizing Liuqiu during the Song Dynasty. The separation of flesh and blood will never happen to him in future generations.
Zhao Rushi was secretly surprised again. The clan of the Great Song Dynasty is going to be sent to Liuqiu in the land of Huawai.
Sure enough, Zhao Hong said without thinking:
"As for Liuqiu, those clans that are willing to go, whether from Xiwai or Nanwai, will be granted 50 acres of land each and will be exempted from taxes for three years. Those who are unwilling to go can stay in Quanzhou and Fuzhou, linger and fend for themselves. Then The money and food of 160,000 guan will not increase by a penny. The same goes for Xiwai."
If you want to be a parasite with no worries about food and clothing, don't blame him for being ruthless. He was driven into a panic, and with a "favor order", the clan members would be wiped out.
It is urgent for Liuqiu to open a government office, reclaim land, open mines and build factories. Many crises can only be averted through business expansion.
"Your Majesty, lowering export tariffs and increasing import tariffs may allow the Song Dynasty's products to be spread overseas. I am afraid it will also dissipate the enthusiasm of Tibetan merchants to come to the Song Dynasty."
As soon as Zhao Rushi said the words, he could not help but shiver in his heart when he saw Zhao Hong's cold eyes.
"I reiterate once again that import tariffs on spices, ivory and other items will be doubled. Parrots and animals, etc., will be levied on double import tariffs. Import tariffs on grain, gold, silver, copper and iron ore, and export tariffs on porcelain, tea, etc. will be reduced by half. .I am not discussing with you, this is my will."
The dignified National Customs has been reduced to this by you, so how can you make excuses? Luxury goods are imported and money flows out in large quantities. What does the country gain? Don't you have any idea?
The emperor suddenly raised import tariffs, which made Zhao Rushi frightened and had no choice but to accept it.
Looking at his words, the emperor was already very dissatisfied with him. If he continued to act carelessly, the import tariff on "luxury goods" would probably be doubled again.
"I will vigorously rectify the shipping companies in the three places of the Song Dynasty, Guangzhou, Quanzhou, and Mingzhou, and thoroughly investigate corruption and corruption, so that the operations of the shipping companies can return to normal as soon as possible."
The troops in the northwest are about to be mobilized, and the only thing missing is money and food. Expanding exports and encouraging the import of food and other materials are top priorities from a national level.
This Zhao Rushi, a scholarly nerd in a wide robe and long sleeves, has a too gentle personality and lacks any decisiveness in killing, so he must be replaced.
However, I am afraid that the source of money and food for the northwest troops will not be able to rely on the tariffs of the Quanzhou Shipping Department for a while, and they will have to find other ways.
