After Wang Zhongsi appeared with more than a dozen government soldiers armed to the teeth, he instantly suppressed the onlookers. The merchants and their entourage began to disperse slowly, and the news of the restructuring of Jiangguan in Kuizhou began to spread in the city. Seeing the chaos coming, the capital city of Kuizhou gradually returned to calm.
There are very few merchants who travel all over the country and lack discernment. Looking at this posture, you know that things cannot be changed in the short term.
If it was just the unified soldiers in the city who came out to restore order, then the restructuring of Jiangguan was probably just a "whim" of Zheng Shuqing, the governor of Kuizhou.
But if armored soldiers also come to control the situation, the meaning behind it must be unusual. Because the military government and local state governments are essentially independent of each other and do not belong to each other. The Kuizhou government office can mobilize the unified troops, but it cannot directly mobilize the government troops.
So the wealthy merchants directly chose to apply for customs clearance documents, get the number plate, go to the local shipyard in Kuizhou to customize a "standard ship", and park the original old ship at the shore ferry, waiting for the situation to change.
There were also many merchants who did not believe in evil and directly paid a "deposit" of 500 yuan and left Kuizhou. These merchants were backed by descendants of aristocratic families or clans, and they did not believe that Zheng Shuqing could cover the sky with one hand. If you pay five hundred gu now, the Kuizhou government office will pay it back with profits!
There are also many small merchants who communicate with each other, inquire about each other's final destination, and choose to pool their money to "join a boat." Several small merchants will buy a large "standard boat" together, and then decide on the distribution of profits after crossing the river pass.
The situation was not as earth-shaking as Zheng Shuqing had expected. The vast majority of merchants still chose to give up for the time being. As for whether they had any other options, that was another matter.
Yes, Zheng Shuqing's request seemed outrageous, but compared with the profits gained by the merchants, it was nothing more than that. The height difference in the Three Gorges section of the Yangtze River is quite large, and many ships capsize and sink every year. The demands from Jiangguan in Kuizhou are not completely unreasonable and random.
Unifying the canals and ships can unify the tariff standards and make it easier to keep the weight of goods constant. This simplifies the process for merchants and tax collectors at Jiangguan in Kuizhou.
Changing a ship is a one-time deal no matter how expensive it is, and the tariffs have not increased.
For goods weighing less than 200 kilograms, there is still no tax; for goods over 200 kilograms, tax is levied on a proportional basis, which is not much different from before.
Speaking of changes, it’s not that there are no changes. It’s not good or bad yet, but it’s just more refined than before.
The newly promulgated tax order requires that goods that do not exceed the standard waterline will be charged tariffs on the entire ship, regardless of whether it is full or not, even if it is empty.
If it exceeds the waterline, charges will be based on the scale. This scale is engraved on the side of the standard ship. In fact, it is used to calculate the weight of the cargo, which is the same as Cao Chong's principle of weighing elephants.
For small boats that do not collect goods tax, the weight of the cargo on board cannot exceed two hundred kilograms, and the number of passengers, including the boatman, cannot exceed five. Taxes are charged on a per-capita basis.
In other words, there are only three types of ships that can pass through Kuizhou Jiangguan in the future.
The first type is the official ships and canal ships under the jurisdiction and operation of the imperial court. These ships have never been taxed and can be passed directly.
The second type is a private boat with a very small load capacity, which basically has no cargo capacity and is taxed on a per-capita basis.
The third type is the standard water ship used by merchants to transport goods. The tariff is based on the weight of the goods and no head tax is collected. However, when tax is determined, all crew members, including passengers, must be on board.
Other ships are not allowed to pass through the Kuizhou Jiangguan, and there is no room for bargaining. Those who force their way through are considered water bandits.
Suddenly, the news spread rapidly from the capital of Kuizhou, and countless letters flew like snowflakes to Chang'an City, thousands of miles away. A new game is brewing.
…
"Come, come, drink tea. Try this Yixing Yangxian tea."
Just after nightfall, in the study room of the Lotus Pond Villa, Zheng Shuqing personally made tea for Fang Chongyong, with a skillful technique, which was obviously not the first time he did it.
The long face that looked slightly older looked like flowers.
"I collected 50,000 guan in one day. It's like the money has grown wings. I'm afraid that someone will steal it when it's all piled up in the treasury. If we keep this speed, we can pay the bills this month. Tsk tsk, you are How did you come up with this move?"
Zheng Shuqing asked excitedly while breaking tea cakes.
If you don't accept it, this rebellious son of the Fang Youde family is really terrifying!
"Zheng Shijun, you are not very good at this craft. The tea made by your maid is better."
Fang Chongyong teased with a smug look on his face.
"It doesn't matter, just replace it."
Zheng Shuqing didn't mind the verbal slap in the face at all. As long as he could make money at this speed, and Fang Chongyong hit him on the left cheek, he could also stretch out the right side of his cheek for the opponent to hit. Keep beating until Fang Chongyong is satisfied.
"Everyone who came has left. The tea has been brewed and brought over."
Zheng Shuqing gave an order, and several beautiful maids came over and neatly cleared the table.
"Have you written the official document to be sent to Chang'an?"
Fang Chongyong asked seriously, not being polite to Zheng Shuqing at all. Now the relationship between the two has completely changed, and unknowingly, he has become the dominant one. What's even more frightening is that Zheng Shuqing actually accepted it completely!
"I've written it down, Mr. Young, please take a look."
Zheng Shuqing handed over the official document he wrote today to Fang Chongyong for review.
I saw Zheng Shuqing complaining to the court in an official document, saying that the Kuizhou section of the river was turbulent, and many treacherous merchants loaded large ships with goods, causing the ships to run aground in the river and blocking the waterway. Jiangguan in Kuizhou often needs to send people to rescue people who have fallen into the water and salvage sunken ships that block the waterway. This costs countless dollars every year, and it is impossible to get reimbursement from the court, which affects the local people's livelihood in Kuizhou.
If the ships can be unified, firstly, it can minimize the capsizing of ships due to overweight or over-specification; secondly, it can reduce the labor of officials at Kuizhou Jiangguan and speed up the customs clearance time; thirdly, it can make it easier to pick up prohibited items and search for them according to the map.
I hope the court can issue a formal approval document.
That's all the official document said. As for the compulsory purchase of Kuizhou-made standard watercraft, and the need to pay a deposit that can be refunded after one year to pass the customs, it didn't mention a word.
The other two points are easy to explain. The third point is mainly because when applying for customs clearance vouchers, the ship owner's information needs to be filled in. This way, once contraband is detected, clues can be quickly found to facilitate investigation.
Seeing that everything that should be written was written, Fang Chongyong handed the official document to Zheng Shuqing and said: "This policy is also a last resort and may not last long. If the imperial court does not issue an edict, then the envoy can use this to escape from the sea of suffering. If so, The imperial court decrees that you will be demoted, and you will have to return to Beijing to report on your duties, or you may be imprisoned."
Fang Chongyong said in a serious tone.
"What is the current plan?"
Zheng Shuqing asked about the mantra of Liu Bang, the founder of Han Dynasty.
"First send the 50,000 guan from the Kuizhou shipping merchant to Wushan County overnight, and then ask Wang Zhongsi to escort the money to Chang'an. Just add this sentence to the official document."
Fang Chongyong threw out his trump card.
After pondering for a moment, Zheng Shuqing sighed: "It's appropriate to send money, but Wang Zhongsi can't do it. Let's do this. I'll ask Yang Ruoxu to take his cronies to escort the money and silk to Yangzhou, and then take the route of the Capital Water Prison into Chang'an. Now everyone is here. The Water Supervisor is under the control of Prime Minister Li and there is no problem.
As for Kuizhou being unmanned during this period, it would be fine to ask Wang Zhongsi to mobilize soldiers to the city. "
Zheng Shuqing rejected Wang Zhongsi's suggestion to escort the tax, but he also believed that sending the 50,000 tax dollars back to Chang'an to Li Longji quickly was an important matter that could not be delayed.
Zheng Shuqing can invite Wang Zhongsi to come to Kuizhou Fucheng to see the show, because this in itself is one of Wang Zhongsi's obligations.
In addition to training government soldiers, the military government of the Tang Dynasty also had the task of protecting the security of the prefectures and counties where it was located (not daily security) and dealing with emergencies in military and civilian situations. Although this situation is uncommon, it is clearly written in the charter.
This is the same as the "General Manager's Office" system in the Sui Dynasty, which managed the soldiers of the government and was also responsible for the security of the states and counties.
However, if Wang Zhongsi is ordered to escort 50,000 guan of wealth, it will mean that Zheng Shuqing's political stance has changed. This is a very serious political mistake! Of course, Wang Zhongsi would not refuse to return to Chang'an after thinking about it day and night. It was reasonable to do so reluctantly with the government soldiers escorting the taxes, but it was hard to say what Li Linfu would think.
Fang Chongyong is still a bit green in politics and does not understand these twists and turns. Zheng Shuqing is a veteran in officialdom, so it is impossible that he does not know this.
"That's okay, you still have a lot to do."
Fang Chongyong took a sip of the tea served by the maid. He had to say that it tasted better than the local tea in Kuizhou. Now he is a guest, and his salary is rising steadily.
"Is there anything else? What else is there?"
Zheng Shuqing was stunned. He had already planned to lie down and collect the money. How could something happen?
"Shijun, behind those merchants are the children of big families and clans. Shijun himself comes from everyone, don't you feel it?"
Hearing this, Zheng Shuqing was thoughtful, and his expression gradually became grim.
Fang Chongyong was right when he said that most of these merchants were the "gloves" of major aristocratic families, dignitaries, and clans standing at the front desk.
They are usually needed to make money.
At the critical moment, they need to take the blame.
The noble master of aristocratic family, whose poems, calligraphy and etiquette are all handed down from generation to generation, how can he be tainted with the smell of copper?
Although it is impossible for these gentlemen from aristocratic families to engage in low-level jobs related to making money, if someone makes it difficult for him to make money and cuts off his financial path, then these people will stand up and cause trouble.
As the saying goes, there is no smoke without fire. Political problems may not necessarily require political means to solve. Zheng Shuqing has seen a lot of storms in this regard.
"What good idea do you have? Do you want me to use my connections at home?"
Zheng Shuqing asked in a deep voice.
He can indeed use his family connections to settle this matter, but the benefits he has to pay will be unimaginable, or it will be difficult for him to turn around in his life!
"Four words, united as one!"
Fang Chongyong stood up and spoke decisively in his unique childlike voice.
"Then how can we unite as one?"
Zheng Shuqing looked at Fang Chongyong with confusion and asked. It is hard to imagine that he, a dignified governor of a state, would be led by the nose by a child with a dirty mouth.
"New rules have been set at the Kuizhou Jiangguan. Large-scale replacement of the canal ships passing through the customs is inevitable. Do the shipyards on the shore need to recruit people? Do the ferries that unload cargo need to recruit people? Do the merchants and their servants staying in Kuizhou need food and accommodation? Shop? Do these businesses require people?
With so much livelihood, will the people of Kuizhou live better or worse? If there are outsiders making trouble at the ferry, should they stand behind the emperor to support him, or should they help outsiders destroy the various thriving businesses in Kuizhou Prefecture?
Isn’t the answer very clear? "
In a daze, Zheng Shuqing seemed to see Li Linfu lecturing in front of him. The governor murmured to himself: "With the help of your father's grace, I will become the prime minister one day."
…
Chang'an, Daming Palace, Zichen Hall. The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, Li Longji, was holding his forehead, looking at the vermilion pillars in the hall where several people were hugging each other in a daze. The turmoil of state affairs and the chattering of family affairs only made him want to escape from this suffocating palace.
Originally, his beloved Concubine Wu Hui had been whispering that she wanted to make Longevity King Li Xing the crown prince. It’s just that there is already a prince named Li Ying, how can we establish another prince?
Not to mention that Li Ying has been the prince for twenty years.
The court was also worried. Pei Yaoqing was replaced and Li Linfu took his place as the minister. In the three-phase structure, there was still a lack of a prime minister. Li Longji wanted to promote Youzhou Jiedu envoy Zhang Shougui to return to the imperial court and serve as the third rank of Tongzhongshu, but he met with fierce opposition from Zhang Jiuling.
Cui Xiyi, the new Hexi Jiedushi envoy, reported to the court that the previous Hexi Jiedushi envoy Niu Xianke was well-versed in government affairs. Under his management, the Hexi feudal town had full treasury and well-equipped military equipment. He had the talent of being a prime minister and assistant. I hope the court can promote him and reuse him.
At this time, Niu Xianke had gone to Shuofang to serve as the general manager of Shuofang's march.
Seeing Cui Xiyi's letter, Li Longji was very generous and directly proposed that Niu Xianke be transferred back to the capital to serve as the Minister of the Six Ministries. In fact, I want to observe the Niu Xianke, and if it is suitable, directly push it into the phase.
However, this appointment was also fiercely opposed by Zhang Jiuling.
Zhang Jiuling's reason was that Niu Xianke was only familiar with Hexi affairs and was not necessarily qualified to serve as prime minister. He started as a petty official in Hexi and rose up step by step. His ability can only shine in Hexi, and he will not be able to use it once he arrives in the capital.
This is a true statement, and it is also a true statement that can only be said by a veteran with extremely rich experience in government affairs.
Li Longji reluctantly agreed to Zhang Jiuling's suggestion, but was very annoyed inside.
The emperor always wants to have the power alone and get whatever he says! How could it be appropriate for a minister to tell himself that this is not possible and that he does not want it all day long?
Today, Li Longji was thinking about whether to replace Zhang Jiuling with an obedient one in the Zichen Palace, or even... let Li Linfu do it alone as the prime minister first. If it works well, then he won't have to do it every three or four years in the future. There has been a change of prime ministers every year.
In Li Longji's opinion, dealing with these courtiers is actually very tiring. You must be familiar with the tempers of these people, you must be good at using these people to do things, and you must be able to control these people to prevent them from misbehaving and prevent them from always doing things that are not in line with the emperor's wishes.
"The sage, Zheng Shuqing, the governor of Kuizhou, ordered people to send goods worth fifty thousand guan, as well as an urgent official document."
Gao Lishi, who was nearly fifty years old, walked gently into Zichen Palace, came to Li Longji and whispered, handing the official document in his hand to him.
Nowadays, Li Longji has begun to slack off in politics. If the urgently delivered official documents are sent directly to the palace, Gao Lishi will read them first and find them valuable before passing them on to Li Longji. As for the official documents that go through the court channel, they are processed by the three provinces and six ministries before being submitted. Gu Kuang's official document from Hongliandao had been delivered for several days and had been processed long ago. Li Longji didn't even know what Gu Kuang said in the official document.
"Uncle Zheng is indeed talented in governance, but Mr. Zhang is old."
After reading the urgent document, Li Longji sighed and said to Gao Lishi: "Lishi, write an edict for me and send it to Zheng Shuqing to ask him if he can help me get some more money. Next year in the Yuan Dynasty Festival, I want to celebrate it well."
"Saint, please rest assured." Gao Lishi said with a respectful salute.
