During the Tang Dynasty, there was no such thing as overseas trade jurisdiction. At this time, the court only controlled water transportation.
Water transport originated very early. Qin Shihuang, who was campaigning against the Huns in the north, once transported military supplies from the coastal areas of Shandong to Beihe (today's Wuga River area in Inner Mongolia).
The Han Dynasty established its capital in Chang'an (today's Xi'an, Shaanxi Province), and transported grain collected from the Yellow River Basin to Guanzhong every year, connecting the three major water systems of the Yellow River, Huaihe River, and Yangtze River, forming a new water transportation channel connecting the north and the south, and laying the foundation for the Grand Canal in later generations.
During the Tang Dynasty, the imperial court attached great importance to water transportation. To this end, it dredged the network needed for the south-to-north grain transfer and established a water transportation warehousing system.
Water transportation is an important economic measure in the history of our country.
In today's terms, it is a professional transportation method that uses waterways (rivers and seaways) to transport grain (mainly public grain).
The imperial court had no say in overseas trade because these rights were in the hands of aristocratic families.
Therefore, His Majesty Li Er was a little surprised when he heard that Yang Fan asked for overseas trade jurisdiction. At the same time, he didn't know what Yang Fan's purpose was.
After staring at Yang Fan for a long time, His Majesty Li Er said: "At this time, overseas trade is all about aristocratic families and merchants forming caravans for long voyages. The court does not have unified control. If you want to conduct overseas transactions, you can organize it yourself. Just a merchant ship.”
"I remember you once mentioned that developing a new type of sea-going ship at Jiangnan Shipyard yourself has failed?"
"However, since you have solved the cattle problem for the people of the world, I can make an exception and sell you a few obsolete warships."
At the end of the sentence, His Majesty Li Er was also somewhat proud.
Unexpectedly, Yang Fan also begged him.
Yang Fan had boasted in front of him and Princess Gaoyang that he would develop a sea-going ship that could accommodate thousands or even tens of thousands of people, and he would name the ship Princess Gaoyang.
At that time, His Highness Li Er thought that Yang Fan was bragging, because the most mature shipbuilding technology was in the hands of the imperial court.
With the capabilities of the imperial court, it can only build warships that can accommodate hundreds or thousands of people, and the merchant ships built by the family can only accommodate about 300 people at most...
When Yang Fan saw that His Majesty Li Er actually considered his request for overseas trade jurisdiction as a failure in shipbuilding, he couldn't help but feel a little funny in his heart, but he said:
"Your Majesty has misunderstood. The minister's request for overseas trade jurisdiction has nothing to do with the failure of shipbuilding. Instead, he wants to explore a way to make the people rich by controlling overseas trade."
Due to the limitations of the times, the emperor did not yet know the importance of overseas trade, let alone how powerful the power of capital was.
"Oh, tell me." After hearing Yang Fan's words, His Majesty Li Er suddenly became interested.
Yang Fan chuckled and said: "The minister will talk about the importance of overseas trade. At this time, overseas trade is mainly concentrated in the hands of aristocratic families in the Jiangnan area, which also leads to the prosperity of the people in the Jiangnan area."
"Even though Chang'an is the largest city in the world, it is even less wealthy than the Jiangnan area. Does your Majesty agree with Wei Chen's statement?"
His Majesty Li Er nodded thoughtfully.
The reason why the Jiangnan region is rich is not only because the Jiangnan area is a land of plenty.
More importantly, overseas trade brought huge wealth to the Jiangnan region.
There is no need to pay taxes to the court on this wealth.
The only risks that overseas trade has to bear are unpredictable disasters at sea and the cost of protection.
The risks at sea are nothing to the noble families, and guards can be trained as long as they have money.
Once you make the trip and go overseas ten times, as long as you can successfully complete one transaction overseas, you will be able to earn a lot of money.
Therefore, His Majesty Li Er cannot deny Yang Fan's views.
Yang Fan continued: "Does Your Majesty know that the imperial court's indifference to overseas trade has indirectly caused the imperial court to lose at least tens of millions of dollars in tax every year?"
"There will be so many losses?" His Majesty Li Er raised his eyebrows and couldn't believe it.
Yang Fan replied firmly: "In Weichen's view, there is only a lot more. Of course, the premise of all this is that Weichen can control the channels of overseas trade and let Weichen re-establish the rules."
The reason why I said this was to arouse the greed in Li Er's heart, so that His Majesty Li Er could agree to grant him overseas trade jurisdiction.
Overseas trade jurisdiction is actually just a nominal thing, just in case.
Because once sea-going ships are built and waterways are opened, they will gradually control the huge wealth brought by overseas trade. While gaining great benefits, they will also bear great risks.
And Yang Fan just wants to be the one who sets the rules so that others don't dare to break them easily.
Of course, there are some reasons that Yang Fan cannot explain clearly.
That's why Yang Fan wanted to plant a seed in Datang, a seed of capital.
This seed of capital may shake the imperial power, so it can only be covered up by overseas trade.
This can be seen from the fact that these noble families are willing to take great risks to form caravans to conduct overseas trade.
Capital is the most powerful force in the world, and it can arouse the greed lurking deep in the human soul.
When the seed of capital takes root and sprouts, along with the formation of rules, vested interests will naturally support the so-called overseas trade rules.
This is the charm of capital!
I remember once hearing someone say that in the world of capital.
If there is a 20% profit, capital will be ready to move;
If there is a fifty percent profit, capital will be risked;
If there is a 100% profit, capital will dare to risk beheading;
If there is a 300% profit, capital will dare to trample all moral bottom lines and laws in the world.
Once the power of capital breaks through, it will sweep everything and destroy everything.
Yang Fan firmly believes in this statement.
Yang Fan wants to control the power of this capital to accelerate the development and progress of this ancient empire so as to better serve the people.
Only then can this nation and empire, which is imprisoned by Confucian thinking, spread its wings and take courageous steps forward!
Yang Fan wanted the behemoth of capital to become Datang's sharp sword to cut through all obstacles, cutting down all obstacles in front of him.
As for whether doing so will hinder the interests of some people?
The answer is of course yes.
Of course, Yang Fan will not be afraid, at least his original intention is good.
Even though he has more than a thousand years of knowledge than others, Yang Fan does not see the superiority of any system.
Therefore, Yang Fan could only combine his own ideas and use economic power to promote and change the direction and decision-making of the empire.
Although Yang Fan doesn’t know if this idea is right, nor does he know where capital will take this nation?
But Yang Fan always believes that civilization must be built on a material basis.
A philosopher once said that the economic base determines the superstructure. Yang Fan absolutely agrees with this.
As long as the people live a good life and have strong self-confidence...as long as the nation is unified and the country is strong...
Yang Fan didn't care which path the empire took to develop.
Sure enough, in the face of the temptation of huge benefits, His Majesty Li Er was moved!
If we could really use an illusory so-called jurisdiction to increase the empire's taxes by 1/3, it would definitely be a sure-fire business.
Although he knew that Yang Fan might be hiding something, His Majesty Li Er couldn't control that much anymore.
Money and silk really move people’s hearts!
With this money, he can make people live better.
Become a wise king!
With this money, he can make his army stronger.
Due to the military front, he is invincible!
With this money, he can build Nuoda's empire better.
Let the people of future generations praise you for a hundred generations, and even become a celebrity for eternity!
Holding back the excitement in his heart, His Majesty Li Er said: "Since controlling overseas trade has so many benefits to the empire and the people, it doesn't matter if I agree to it."
"However, we have something to say first. Throughout the dynasties, the imperial court has no jurisdiction over overseas trade. I can only issue an imperial edict. As for whether you can make others listen to you, it depends on your ability."
Hearing this, Yang Fan was ecstatic: "Thank you for your grace, even if your body is broken into pieces, I will bring more wealth to the empire."
Originally, what I needed was a legitimate reason and authority, at least nominally recognized by everyone.
When I first started, it was a no-brainer that there were going to be some people who wouldn't submit to some bullshit overseas trade jurisdiction.
One day, when people get used to having overseas trade jurisdiction, the rules will become indestructible with the growth of capital.
Seeing Yang Fan's happy look, His Majesty Li Er felt a little depressed again!
This guy is so obsessed with making money, but he doesn't care about official positions. It's really dumbfounding.
Thinking of this, His Majesty Li Er couldn't help but ask: "You kid deliberately asked me to take off your official hat, just for the sake of overseas trade?"
Yang Fan put away his smile, looked serious, stood up and apologized: "I dare not hide it from Your Majesty. The reason why I ignored His Majesty's good intentions at the court meeting and insisted on letting Your Majesty punish the humble minister is because I really wanted to spare time to plan overseas trade. In fact, the humble minister There are also some selfish motives, that is, I don’t want to have a head-on conflict with the aristocratic family. In addition to being afraid of trouble, I am also a little afraid of death."
Looking at Yang Fan with an "open" face, the last trace of anger in His Majesty Li Er's heart completely disappeared.
The reason why he was angry before was because he suspected that Yang Fan had other hidden thoughts.
But now Yang Fan said it directly, which made the grudge in His Majesty Li Er's heart disappear.
However, this kid is too unique!
Is it possible that being a high-ranking member of the imperial court is not as attractive as making money in business?
Besides, I am afraid of the aristocratic family’s revenge, fear of trouble, fear of death...
Does this kid think that I will let him deal with the family alone?
Who do you think I am?
I really hate that iron cannot become steel!
From the perspective of His Majesty Li Er, Yang Fan obviously had some complaints about his compromise with the aristocratic family!
The grudge in his heart disappeared, and His Majesty Li Er's conversation became more casual, asking like a common conversation: "How is the manufacturing situation of new sea ships?"
Yang Fan, who was always paying attention to the changes in His Majesty Li Er's expression, couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief.
Fortunately, I was "frank" enough and told the reason why I deliberately dismissed Li Er first.
As expected, being with you is like being with a tiger.
No matter what happens, as long as it is not in line with common sense, it will make the emperor suspicious!
As an emperor, you can never trust someone absolutely.
After sitting down, Yang Fan lay down on the chair and quickly replied: "The construction of sea-going ships is nearing completion. It's a pity that your Majesty doesn't have time, otherwise you can go and have a look."
Jiangnan Shipyard is more than a thousand kilometers away from Chang'an. As an emperor, His Majesty Li Er certainly cannot travel such a far distance.
Because this not only wastes people and money, but is also very dangerous.
Hearing this, His Majesty Li Er narrowed his eyes and asked curiously: "Calculating the time, you have been sending people to Jiangnan to build ships and docks for more than a year, right?"
"What happened to the ship you promised to build for Gao Yang? You didn't mean to deceive my daughter, right? That's the crime of deceiving the emperor."
I didn’t expect His Majesty Li Er to be so gossipy.
Princess Gaoyang didn't even mention this matter. Why do you, the emperor, care so much?
His Majesty Li Er either wanted to make a fool of himself, or he really wanted to support Princess Gaoyang and give himself a show of authority.
Yang Fan had no choice but to answer honestly: "Your Majesty, the general structure of the sea-going ship has been completed, and it will be ready for sea trials in a few months."
His Majesty Li Er was a little surprised: "The Xinshi ship you built can really hold thousands of people?"
Yang Fan nodded and said: "I dare not hide it from Your Majesty. According to Xue Rengui's letter, ordinary Xinshi ships cannot carry so many people."
"But according to Weichen's design, the Gaoyang Princess can carry thousands of people, but it has not been completed yet."
Of course it was impossible for Yang Fan to tell His Majesty Li Er.
For ordinary seagoing ships, he only asked Xue Rengui to make the hull, and the core engine part had not yet been redeemed from the system.
For safety reasons, these things can only be sent last.
As for the sea-going ship Gaoyang Princess, Xue Rengui did not manufacture it at all.
Because of this ship, Yang Fan planned to redeem a cruiser from the system as the Princess Gaoyang. The shipyard was just a place to hide from others.
As for why Yang Fan didn't just exchange it for an aircraft carrier.
On the one hand, the gold in hand is limited, and on the other hand, even if the aircraft carrier is redeemed, there are not so many people to pilot it.
Cruisers save a lot of trouble than aircraft carriers.
Moreover, even cruisers can roam the oceans of the Tang Dynasty invincibly. They are sufficient for use and safe enough.
"Haha!" His Majesty Li Er laughed sarcastically. He found that he now liked listening to Yang Fan more and more.
This guy can brag without batting an eye.
Not finished yet?
In his opinion, Yang Fan simply couldn't do it, so he could only use such excuses to hold back.
So His Majesty Li Er reminded displeasedly: "It is a good thing for young people to have ideals, but they should not be too ambitious."
"Although I know you are trying to please Gao Yang, you can't just mess with my daughter."
"Hmph, if you can't make it and make my precious daughter sad, I'll see if I can't skin you!"
Yang Fan replied aggrievedly: "Weichen will not let Her Highness Princess Gaoyang down."
But in my heart I was full of curses.
You can't exchange it now for His Majesty Li Er to visit, right?
It seems that I can only speak with facts in the future!
This guy is simply an old antique and a country bumpkin. How can he understand the magic of the system.
Just think of the huge amount of gold it cost to exchange for the cruiser.
Coupled with the need to exchange the engines of some other sea-going ships from the system, the accumulated wealth will return to that before liberation!
Yang Fan couldn't help but feel a little painful.
At this moment, Princess Gao Yang's clear voice came: "Father, what are you talking about Gao Yang?"
While she was talking, Princess Gao Yang came up behind His Majesty Li Er with small steps, and held His Majesty Li Er's shoulders obediently.
"Shu'er's skills are getting better and better. Well, pinch your right shoulder. You've reviewed too many memorials, and now you're still a little sore." His Majesty Li Er commanded with a proud look on his face.
Then he snorted and continued: "It's not like some people. Someone once boasted about building a big ship for you in Haikou. Now it's been almost two years and there's not even a shadow. They still say that they can't live up to your expectations. So, It seems to me like bragging.”
"Haha, you think you can build a big ship with thousands of people if you want to?"
Seeing His Majesty Li Er's arrogance, Yang Fan's eyes twitched.
This guy is treating his future wife as a maid!
Alas, even if he felt unhappy, Yang Fan could only endure it. Who let others be father and daughter?
But who are you looking down on?
Although we don’t know how to make it, who gives me a golden finger?
Look who gets slapped in the face in the end!
Hearing about shipbuilding, Gao Yang suddenly became interested. He ran over and took Yang Fan's hand, his big eyes widened: "Did your husband really build a ship for Gao Yang? And is it a big ship that can carry thousands of people?"
Yang Fan immediately said proudly: "A man of course always keeps his word!"
"Someone looks down on others and looks down on them, isn't it? It's just a matter of loading a ship with thousands of people, so what's the problem?
Princess Gaoyang's eyes sparkled: "I believe in Mr. Lang."
Hearing this, Yang Fan glanced at His Majesty Li Er proudly.
As expected, His Majesty Li Er's face was as dark as the bottom of a pot.
He knew that Yang Fan was obviously referring to Sang Huai.
What's more important is the look of admiration in his daughter's eyes.
You know, this kind of look was only shown to him, his father.
But now he looked at another man. It was obvious that His Majesty Li Er was interested!
