The servant lamented: "But even if we cooperate like this, we won't get any benefits. The adults in the Tax Supervision Department don't take a serious look at us. Also, in the eyes of those officials, we merchants are all untouchables." , even more despicable than farmers."
Li Zhe said faintly: "You, you, are too short-sighted, too stingy, and have no courage. Yes, this time we did not cross the bridge of the Tax Supervision Department, but did we lose? Compared to those who lost everything We have outsmarted the unscrupulous businessmen who tax them too much."
While the master and servant were talking, suddenly a servant came over in a hurry and shouted: "Master, it's broken, it's broken!"
Li Zhe stretched out his hand to indicate: "Why is it broken? Just stay calm and sit down and talk slowly."
The servant had no time to sit down and said breathlessly: "Sir, a large number of officers and soldiers came to the door. They looked so aggressive that they didn't look like they were being kind. What should I do?"
Li Zhe said helplessly: "Look, you are so scared. It's not just the officers and soldiers, we haven't seen them before."
"It's different, it's different. The officers and soldiers coming this time are Hei Wuchang in black robes!"
Li Zhe was stunned for a moment when he heard this.
Officers and soldiers wearing black robes have become very famous recently.
The officials of the Tax Supervision Department are all dressed in black robes and carry scimitars at their waists. Their methods are sharp and ruthless, so they are also called "Black Impermanence".
"calm down."
Li Zhe said calmly, "I am not afraid of shadows. I, Li Zhe, have counted all the ledgers in the treasury. I have paid all the black taxes and white taxes according to the tax rate. His tax department will not embarrass me." .”
"Master, if you say that you are not afraid of the shadow when you are upright, you are just fooling people."
The servant reminded, "Even if Han Xin of the Western Han Dynasty conquered the country for Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty, so what, but he died at the hands of a woman in the end. Yue Fei of the former Song Dynasty was a tough man, but he was sentenced to an unreasonable crime. Looking at ancient and modern times, Often they are upright people who end up dead without their bodies intact. When wielding a knife, they only look at whether they have the strength, not whether they should swing the knife."
"Stop talking nonsense!"
Li Zhe glared at the man and stood up, "When you come, you come. You can't dodge an open shot, but you can't avoid a hidden arrow. If someone sees you, there's no point hiding it anywhere."
"Follow me out to welcome guests!"
…
Li Zhexing arrived at the gate of the house and his heart skipped a beat when he saw the black-robed official at the head.
Although these tax inspectors all wear black robes, they are slightly different. For example, the black-robed official in front of him has five gold threads and one silver thread on his chest. This shows that the person in front of him is wearing black robes. The official position is inspector.
A fourth-grade auditor, even if he is placed in the Tax Supervision Department, is still an extremely important figure.
Such a big shot actually came to the door in person, so one can imagine that something big happened.
Li Zhe bowed and saluted: "Li Zhe, a common man, has met the Inspector. If you have something to do, you can just send someone to say hello. There is no need to come to the common man's door in person to harass the common man. It should be the common man who comes to visit."
"No need to say more, I have important matters to attend to, so I will leave just as soon as I send you a message."
The inspector of the Tax Supervision Institute took out a piece of paper and handed it to Li Zhe.
Li Zhe opened the document and glanced at it, and couldn't help but froze: "Is this... the approval document for going to sea?"
"Yes, it's the approval document for going overseas."
The inspector nodded slightly, "With this approval, you can legally go to sea for trade. Even if you encounter something illegal overseas, you can immediately seek assistance from the offshore navy. And this batch of documents clearly states that you can go to sea for trade." , the tariff paid to the court is only 30%."
Li Zhe was ecstatic. How could he not know the value of this document?
Overseas trade is the most profitable business. Selling domestic tea, silk, porcelain, etc. overseas can often generate dozens or even hundreds of times profits. Especially under the Ming Dynasty's maritime ban policy, if one could trade overseas, the profits would be even more terrifying.
This is why the Ming Dynasty strictly implemented maritime bans, but there was still a steady stream of people smuggling despite huge risks.
As for him, he can go to sea in a legitimate manner, and even go to sea in an official name. Although it is not tax-free, 30% of the customs area is in exchange for the protection of the court. What a huge profit!
However, Li Zhe soon realized that something was wrong. Why did such a good thing like God's gift of food fall on him?
Li Zhe never believed in pie-in-the-sky things. Even if his blind cat really encountered a dead mouse, the pie was still trying to kill him.
"I dare to ask you, who is the person who stamped this approval document for going overseas?" Li Zhe asked cautiously.
To be able to issue such an approval document for overseas travel in the name of the imperial court must be of great importance. Even an official from the Chief Envoy's Department would have to ask the capital for permission before he could seal it.
Li Zhe didn't remember that he interacted with the officials in the capital.
This gift was too heavy and too sudden, so sudden that it frightened him.
The inspector said calmly: "To be honest, with that person's status, you are not qualified to know. But since it was the person who personally issued the order, I might as well tell you that this document is from the tax inspector of our tax inspectorate. I asked Mr. Lu to personally approve it, and Mr. Lu also wrote it at the request of the people above. Think about it yourself."
Don’t even think about it!
There are only two people in the world who can control Lu Chaoyang!
One is the current His Majesty, and the other is the Crown Prince Zhu Gaojie who supervises the country!
Now His Majesty enjoys a happy life in Shuntian Mansion and no longer interferes with government affairs. Naturally, it is impossible for a little person like Li Zhe to be taken seriously by that person.
Then there may be only one left.
Li Zhe bowed and said, "I understand, sir. Thank you for your guidance."
"Well, you're a smart guy, very nice."
The inspector nodded slightly and said, "In that case, let me say a few more words. Although I don't know why you caught that person's attention, I would like to remind you that this piece of paper is just the beginning. If you can get that If you are favored, your future will naturally be bright, don’t do anything that will destroy your future.”
"The grassroots understand."
"Well, I won't say much then. I still have some errands to do in the Yamen. I'll take my leave. There's no need to send him off."
"Sir, walk slowly."
After Hei Wuchang, the tax superintendent, left, the people from Li's house dared to come out and look around.
"Really gone?"
"This is Hei Wuchang from the Tax Supervision Department. I heard that Hei Wuchang came to visit and had to dig up three layers of land!"
Li Zhe, on the other hand, was standing there, holding the overseas approval document in his hand and thinking about something.
The servant asked: "Sir, what does this tax inspector mean?"
Li Zhe frowned slightly: "Don't ask if you shouldn't. This matter is very involved. The more you know, the faster you will die."
He walked into the inner courtyard in a daze, and the servants did not dare to ask any more questions, pretending that nothing happened.
This is too bizarre. Hei Wuchang comes to send warmth?
…
Li Zhe closed the door, and he was the only one left in the room. He took a deep breath, and the violent storm in his heart eased slightly.
He took out a piece of jade pendant. This jade pendant was as white as mutton fat and carefully carved. In the center of the beautiful pattern, the word "Qi" was engraved in small seals.
Prince Qi borrowed Li Zhe's ship when he conquered Jianzhou and left this jade pendant behind, saying that he could exchange it for 3,000 taels of silver at Prince Qi's Mansion in Jinling City to make up for the loss.
But in fact, Li Zhe didn't lose much, because King Qi returned the boat after using it. At most, it only delayed him some time.
And Li Zhe did not go to Prince Qi's Mansion in Jinling City to exchange the jade pendant for silver. He always felt that Prince Qi was not a mortal, and keeping this jade pendant might save his life in dangerous moments.
Facts have proved that he was right in his bet. Within two years, Prince Qi transformed into the crown prince of the current dynasty, stomping his feet and making the entire Ming Dynasty tremble.
This jade pendant may be able to extend Li Zhe's life at a critical moment. This is a favor. Although it is not a big favor, if it can be exchanged for that person to take action, its value will be more than three thousand taels of silver?
More than thirty thousand taels!
Li Zhe tightened his grip on the jade pendant, put it in his arms, and carried it close to his body.
"Although I don't know what that person meant by this move, it is a great blessing after all. If I can get that person's protection, my Li family will be prosperous for more than three generations."
"Perhaps that person only regards me as a pawn, not even a pawn, but since I can be favored by that person, I, Li Zhe, will definitely seize the opportunity and pay for it with my life!"
Li Zhe made up his mind and closed his eyes, his heart beating very fast.
A big shot like that, with a wave of the auspicious rain and dew, can make a little guy like Li Zhe reborn and enter the house.
Whether you can seize the opportunity depends on your courage and skill.
(End of chapter)
