The two were silent for a while, feeling sad.
After all, this is the first time. If something goes wrong, I really don’t know how to solve it.
Seeing that the atmosphere was somewhat silent for a moment, Fang Zheng said: "Your Highness, you are here just to give gifts, right? Don't people from the palace usually send them directly?"
Li Yuanzhao raised his head and said a few words, patted his forehead and said: "If you don't tell me, I almost forgot. Before you went to court today, I heard news from the border town that Beirong had moved to a new capital and changed it. They even sent someone to hand over the national title and credentials.”
"Hey, such a big thing. What is the name of the country?"
"Hmm... the name of the country is Jin. The Kingdom of Jin is a bit interesting. But this is nothing. There are other strange things. I heard that in the past two years, in addition to the supplies commonly used by Beirong people, the border towns have the most It’s actually a book!”
Jin Guo...sounds really familiar...
Fang Zheng sighed inwardly, and then asked in confusion: "They still like to buy books? What kind of books?"
Why did Beirong import so many books? Neither a meal nor a weapon.
"Oh, it's interesting to say that they are the books we scholars often read. In addition, the country's name has been changed inexplicably. Do you think...are they imitating us?" Li Yuanzhao asked.
After he mentioned this, Fang Zheng was happy.
It was not impossible. He had the impression that Paba was very clever, open-minded, and particularly concerned about many things in Da Jing.
If he was admonishing in front of the Emperor of Jin. This is not surprising.
"Who knows, they can just learn if they like, or they will become stupid sooner or later." Fang Zheng said with a smile.
Li Yuanzhao also smiled: "That's right, the Beirong people probably don't know that we have cannons and guns on the ground, and we have heavenly soldiers and generals in the sky. In a few years, the entire army will be equipped with weapons, and the cavalry they are proud of will not be enough." For concern.”
"However, muskets and artillery are too expensive. I heard that the Shenji Battalion is half-assembled. The Ministry of War has begun to complain to my father that it is poor. I don't know when the cost will come down."
"What would it be like if the entire army could be equipped with two muskets and two blunderbuss per person?"
Fang Zhengyi nodded silently.
Equipping the entire army is still far from enough. However, the Shenji Battalion was only half equipped, so it was a bit shameful for the Ministry of War to start complaining that it was poor.
However, cost reduction cannot be solved in a short time. Many aspects of it, including the output of raw materials, must rely on private support.
"Your Highness, if you want to solve the cost problem, the best way is to let go of businessmen and let private resources flow naturally."
"Before, the world was short of food and such conditions were not met, but now there is no such problem at all. I am also prepared to find an opportunity to submit a letter to His Majesty."
Li Yuanzhao frowned and said: "This matter is not easy to handle. Although I support you, the restrictions on merchants have been like this since ancient times. I am afraid that neither the emperor nor the civil and military officials will support it."
Fang Zheng nodded: "I think so too, but as long as it is the right thing, I will do it no matter what."
Regardless of the cost issue, the Age of Discovery is coming soon! When can we train outstanding merchants among the people? If not now, then when?
It's just that he was busy taking care of his wife during this period and was not in the mood to do this.
"Your Highness, why do you think the imperial court wants to restrict merchants?"
"Merchant attaches great importance to profit, has no fixed abode, and likes to be idle and hates work. But I don't agree with this. The merchants in Banshanfang are all very diligent."
Fang Zheng said: "Your Highness is right, but in my opinion, this is all superficial rhetoric, just an excuse. There is only one problem in restricting merchants."
"what is the problem?"
"The imperial court cannot collect taxes, or it is difficult to collect taxes."
Li Yuanzhao said thoughtfully: "Hiss... What you said makes sense, but do you have a way to successfully collect taxes from merchants?"
"cannot."
"..."
Fang Zhengyi continued: "Your Highness, from my point of view, taxation is actually only a small part of the problem. With abundant food production, manpower will be released. At this time, the taxable area will be expanded. Even if it cannot be fully taxed, it will be larger than before. The situation is much better.”
"But the key problem is that the people are not doing business smoothly. The imperial court has many restrictions. At worst, they cannot move freely. At worst, people below use their positions to extort and rob. The people cannot circumvent these restrictions, and the court Officials here can take advantage of their status to amass money at will, which is tantamount to competing with the country and the people."
"Let's not talk about the far distance, let's talk about the capital city. Before the establishment of the Jinyiwei, the few officials at the city gate easily let through the convoys of high-ranking officials and nobles. If they encountered the trucks of ordinary merchants, they would have to exploit them. Enter. Once inside the city, all the related yamen are having a hard time. Level by level, there is not much profit left."
"And what about those people with backgrounds? Of course they are prosperous. How many big businesses in Banshanfang were started by ordinary people? Your Highness should know better than me."
The court's strong control over merchants will inevitably bring about such problems. Any control will inevitably involve rent-seeking, and rent-seeking corruption will inevitably follow.
rent seeking
