Paba's face immediately became serious: "Why?"
Fang Zheng shook his head and smiled bitterly: "It is a national policy to emphasize agriculture and suppress commerce! The status of merchants has always been low. Wouldn't opening up trade routes undermine the national policy?"
"What's more, our great scenery is rich in products and we own everything, so why is there any need for trade?"
"Although it is good that the two countries are brothers, the trade issue will not be achieved overnight, unless His Majesty overrides the opinions of all the people!"
Pa Ba frowned: "Although Jingguo is strong, as far as I know, materials such as horses and sheepskins are in short supply. Can the courtiers turn a blind eye?"
"Of course not, but in their view, this is a small gain, and no one will lose their integrity because of a small gain!"
"It has been less than three years since the war ended in Da Jing, and the emphasis on agriculture has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. This is the time to prosper agriculture and stabilize the country's foundation!"
"The caravan goes to the border, and transportation alone costs a lot of money. The court is not willing to bear this part of the loss."
"Furthermore, Master, you should know that the south of Dajing is the real place of wealth. It will take at least several months for materials to be transferred to the Beirong border for trade!"
"The status of merchants is low, and this concept is deeply rooted in the hearts of customs officials."
"Those people all regard increasing the number of classes as their ability, their strictness as their style, their planning to the bone, and they spare no expense!"
"Every time you pass a checkpoint, a layer of skin will be peeled off from the merchant. How many checkpoints are there in between? Have you passed it?"
Speaking of this, Fang Zheng burst into tears.
It is not easy for people in the county to do business outside. It costs a lot of money to clear one of the checkpoints.
Use coercion and inducement to do whatever it takes.
Not to mention much, it took a lot of effort to introduce mass counterfeiting....
"Although I thought that this trip may not be smooth, it is not as detailed as you thought." Paba nodded from time to time. What Fang Zhengyi said was indeed reasonable, and he already understood it, but he did not expect that the obstacles would be so heavy.
"But... Mr. Fang, why do you think this is a good thing?"
"Alas! I grew up in a merchant's home, so I naturally know more about merchants."
As he said that, Fang Zheng showed a look of sadness and indignation: "I'll tell you the truth! My ideas have always been at odds with those of the courtiers!"
"In addition, I can't hold back my words, and I've always been disliked by others. You'll know after a while."
"Many people throw dirty water on me every day, saying that I am flattering, clever and eloquent, but they don't know that they themselves are that kind of thing!"
"If it weren't for my emperor's wisdom, I don't know which ravine I would have been demoted to."
"It's such a dark place in the officialdom! I met the master today and I felt like we were old friends at first sight. I couldn't help but say some things that I didn't want to say!"
Prabha just smiled and said nothing.
When I saw Chen Hong in the morning, I could tell that Fang Zhengyi was disliked by his behavior.
And now that I have been exposed to him, his performance is quite direct. The most important thing is that when he said that "my emperor is wise", he felt particularly sincere!
It seems that what Fang Zhengyi said is almost entirely true, and that should be it.
This person is available!
"Master Fang, according to you..."
"Don't call me Master Fang, call me Brother Fang! Now that we are naked, how can we still be so naked?" Fang Zheng started to hit the snake and hit it with a stick.
Paba coughed twice in embarrassment: "Brother Fang, what do you think we should do?"
Fang Zheng had a serious look on his face: "Master, the conversation between us before is known to everyone in the court. I'm afraid it would be inappropriate to continue talking in detail, not to mention that His Royal Highness is still here?"
Pa Ba looked sideways at Li Yuanzhao and saw that he and Lu Fa were still looking at Chi Lie from time to time, pointing and saying something, and whispered: "Brother Fang, don't you think of me as a friend? Fa Bu Chuan Liu Er, you The conversation between the two of us will not be leaked!"
Fang Zheng thought for a moment and gritted his teeth and said, "Okay! Since you said so, it doesn't matter if I tell you about it! But you must keep it a secret!"
Praba's brows were filled with joy: "Definitely!"
"If you discuss this matter with His Majesty or the courtiers in the next few days, the biggest resistance will be the courtiers, but the final decision will be made by His Majesty."
"So, you just need to convince His Majesty!"
"It's not enough to just mention trade. At least we need to talk about it several times, and the conditions are increased layer by layer."
"My suggestion is that you finally tell His Majesty that the two countries will jointly build border towns to conduct transactions, and each will send officials to guard it."
“The two countries have agreed that transactions in border towns must be jointly stamped and distributed with dedicated business guides to prevent merchants from being blocked at checkpoints.”
"In the end, Master, you just need to show enough sincerity. The amount of tax is the key."
Paba looked at Fang Zhengyi suspiciously: "Is it that simple?"
"of course not!"
"The influence of the courtiers on His Majesty's will is the most important thing, so what you have to do is to get close to His Majesty's celebrities first to have a chance of success!"
"Who is this person?"
Fang Zhengyi showed a mysterious smile: "This person is His Majesty's personal eunuch, Guo Tianyang! He has been with Your Majesty since childhood. He has seen many people, and his words are very weighty."
"There is another person who is the chief assistant of the current dynasty, the crown prince and tutor, and the bachelor of Jinshen Pavilion."
Prabha was immediately overjoyed, today was indeed not in vain!
"Then how should we establish a relationship with these two people? Does Brother Fang have any ideas?"
Fang Zheng coughed twice and said, "Ahem! I'm not afraid of your jokes. Although I don't have a good relationship with my colleagues, I have a good relationship with Eunuch Guo. I can find a way to help you talk about it."
"What about Mr. Li?"
"He is my uncle! We are all real relatives. Keep a low profile and don't let me spread the news!"
Hiss~! Pappa gasped.
So that’s it, the key is here! No wonder such an honest man can survive in the officialdom. With such a background, no one can offend him as long as he doesn't seek death!
"Then...can you please help me, Brother Fang..." Paba stared at Li Yuanzhao and winked at Fang Zheng.
"Of course I can help you, but... there are many difficulties!" Fang Zheng said with a confused expression.
"If there is anything you need my help for, Brother Fang, just ask!"
Fang Zheng thought for a while and said hesitantly: "I'm fine by myself. The problem is... I need money!"
"Eunuch Guo loves money, and my uncle loves to drink tea, especially the high-quality Tianxian tea!"
"Eunuch Guo is so powerful and has so many godsons that he naturally looks down on ordinary altruists."
"You also know how expensive the high-end Tianxian tea is. It's difficult to make a living without money. I'm sorry that I can't help!"
Pa Ba smiled slightly and said in a low voice: "I will provide you with as much silver as Brother Fang needs! In addition... I will also give you a small gift!"
Fang Zheng immediately glared at Paba: "What did you say! I need your little gift!"
"I think this is a matter of win-win cooperation between the two countries, so I'm willing to help you. You actually bribed me? Then I don't think it's necessary! I, Fang Zheng, just looked at the wrong person!" After saying that, he turned to leave.
Pa Ba was shocked and quickly stepped forward to grab Fang Zhengyi's arm and comforted him: "Brother Fang! Brother Fang, I made a mistake. Don't be angry. Calm down!"
"Brother, I apologize to you!"
Paba stared at Fang Zhengyi nervously.
I saw his chest rising and falling, and after a long time he said seriously: "I can help you, but I can't bring up the issue of being polite or rude. I'm not that kind of person."
"Yes...it's my fault. Brother Fang, how much money do you need to operate?" Paba smiled apologetically.
Why didn't I think of it? Such a loyal and honest person needs face the most! What a mistake!
"I think...it should be 50,000 taels anyway."
fifty thousand? Paba only felt a lot of pain in his body. If he could get the job done, fifty thousand taels would be a good deal.
He didn't doubt Fang Zhengyi, no one in the world was brave enough to lie about this kind of thing!
If you dare to use people around the emperor as a cover, isn't that asking for death?
Praba gritted his teeth and said: "Brother Fang, if fifty thousand taels is not enough, I will add another ten thousand taels!"
"Yeah, okay!"
