Lord Pingyuan immediately clasped his fists and admonished Zhao Kuo: "My king Rong said: Qin and Qi were once called the two emperors of the East and West, but now the national power of the two countries is like a chasm. Why? If Qin concentrates on farming and war, the country will always be strong; if Qi only engages in trade, although it reaps the benefits, it will have nothing to offer, and it will be of no benefit to the country, and it will lead to ruin.
Therefore, it is said that the benefits of business travel are beneficial to the skin, but harmful to the bone marrow. You must not indulge in it!
Now that our country, Zhao, is trying to become strong, we must learn from Qin's dedication and must not repeat the mistakes of Qi that focus on profit. I hope my king will take notice! "
When Zhao Kuo heard this, he was not surprised by what Lord Pingyuan said. This kind of thinking was already the mainstream in this era.
What's more, whether or not commerce actually plays a role and how much of a role it can play, especially whether it will harm the fundamentals of "farming war", is still a big question even in modern society.
It is said that hard work will make a country prosperous, but empty talk will harm the country. When the financial attributes far suppress the industry, who can tell whether finance is good or bad?
Of course, here in Zhao Kuo, at least at this stage, Zhao needs business development.
The reason is simple-Zhao is too poor.
Immediately, Zhao Kuo looked at Lord Pingyuan with a smile and said: "Don't be anxious, Lord Pingyuan. I have never thought of replacing farming and war with merchant affairs. However, today's Zhao State needs to follow the way of merchants and grow stronger." Our country is also powerful."
"Take farming as an example." Zhao Kuo did not wait for Pingyuan Jun to speak, and immediately continued: "Pingyuan Jun has been involved in farming for a long time. You should know that the power of one ox can be equal to the power of five to seven people. Therefore, within the territory of our Zhao Kingdom, It is strictly forbidden to kill cattle for meat. Even if you die of illness or fall, you need to report it to the county government, and the county government will send someone to check it in person. But is that so?"
"Of course." Mr. Pingyuan nodded and said.
"Mr. Pingyuan, do you know that in our Zhao country, there are only one ox per household per person?" Zhao Kuo continued to ask.
"About twelve households share one ox." Mr. Pingyuan replied immediately. Obviously, these questions were not a problem at all for the mature and prudent Mr. Pingyuan.
Of course, Zhao Kuo is not here to cause trouble with Lord Pingyuan.
"Is it enough?" Zhao Kuo continued to ask knowingly.
"Of course it's not enough." Mr. Pingyuan was not annoyed and continued to answer calmly.
"How can we make up for the lack of strength?" Zhao Kuo then asked
"The deficient strength must be made up by strong men and strong women." Lord Pingyuan also immediately replied.
"Well, if the government wants the people to open up wasteland, will the people be strong enough?" Zhao Kuo continued to ask.
"Of course it's not enough." Mr. Pingyuan continued to answer.
"Therefore, the number of fields in our Kingdom of Zhao has not increased for several years, and after the Battle of Changping, many acres of land were even more deserted." Before Zhao Kuo could continue to ask questions, Lord Pingyuan said first: "But the more this is the case, the more it should be Just focus on resuming production!”
When Zhao Kuo heard this, he did not refute. Instead, he turned to Lu Buwei and asked: "In the battle of Daijun this time, our army defeated the Hu people and the Xian Wang's troops. We gained a lot. How much did we bring back for farming?" The cow?"
"There are about 10,000 cattle, and if we include the horses, there should be 20,000." Lu Buwei immediately understood and reported a number that made Pingyuan Jun stunned.
"Pingyuan Lord." Zhao Kuo said with a smile: "With the power of 20,000 oxen and horses, can it be equivalent to a hundred thousand young men? Can it restore the production of our Zhao country?"
"Of course it's possible." Although Lord Pingyuan was surprised, he still didn't understand what Zhao Kuo meant. Do you still want to raise more troops?
"Don't worry, Lord Pingyuan, we won't be able to fight for a while." Zhao Kuo naturally saw clearly what Lord Pingyuan was thinking, and immediately interrupted: "But, does the State of Zhao still need these oxen and horses?"
"Of course I do." Mr. Pingyuan replied immediately.
"You heard it." Zhao Kuo smiled and looked at Lu Buwei again.
Lu Buwei understood and immediately cooperated with Zhao Kuo, saying: "If Lord Pingyuan allows me, after next spring and before the summer solstice, I will bring another 20,000 cattle and horses to Zhao."
"What?" Mr. Pingyuan was really shocked. Another 20,000 cattle and horses? ! Don't want to raise troops yet? How can it be! He certainly knows that there are many cattle and horses on the grassland, but can the barbarian give it to you for free?
Thinking of this, Lord Pingyuan suddenly understood what the king and Lu Buwei meant.
"Lü Qing's intention is to barter?" Mr. Pingyuan frowned and asked with some reluctance: "But, I don't know what you want to exchange for our Zhao country? If it is arms, I'm afraid the gains outweigh the losses."
When Lu Buwei heard this, he smiled slightly, raised a pottery bowl beside him and said, "Your Majesty, what do you think of this?"
"This thing?" Mr. Pingyuan stretched his neck and looked at Lu Buwei.
Lu Buwei shook his head again and said: "This thing is still too delicate. How about replacing the clay pots in Handan people's homes with cows and horses?"
"Exchanging clay pots for cattle and horses?" Mr. Pingyuan was even more surprised: "How many clay pots are needed!"
"One lamb is exchanged for one, and three sheep are exchanged for one. As for cattle and horses, they are a little more expensive, and it takes at least five or even eight directions to exchange for one. As for horses, it is even more outrageous. It can only be exchanged for at least ten. "Lu Buwei replied rather teasingly.
"What?" Mr. Pingyuan stood up immediately. Eight clay pots for a cow, ten clay pots for a horse? You still dare to say that people are outrageous. You are the one who is outrageous!
Seemingly seeing Lord Pingyuan's shock, Lu Buwei immediately continued to finish the attack and said: "Don't be anxious, Lord Pingyuan. Naturally, this price can only be found in my border city. The following experience of official business, if it is on the desert grassland, If the price is even lower, for ten cans of horse, herdsmen will definitely flock to it!"
Mr. Pingyuan looked at Lu Buwei in disbelief: "If this is the case, isn't it, isn't it a hundredfold benefit?"
"A profit of a hundred times is not considered. After all, there may be losses on the road and labor costs, etc., but a profit of dozens of times is easy!" Lu Buwei said lightly.
"Of course, if you get lost on the business journey to the grassland or cannot find the wandering herdsmen, you will lose all your money or even escape death; and the goods cannot be sold at the price in the border towns and have to be shipped back. Countries are another expense, and the mountains are high and the roads are long, but if something goes wrong, they will lose all their money. Therefore, although individual businesses have huge profits, they only dare to touch upon it." Lu Buwei then added.
But as soon as these words came out, Mr. Pingyuan's worries were completely dispelled.
"Individual merchants are afraid of risks. We, Zhao, have a large army to protect us, so why should we be afraid? Not taking advantage of this would be against the will of God." Mr. Pingyuan said angrily.
Zhao Kuo then smiled and teased: "This is for business trips! Lord Pingyuan still calls it useless?"
"My old minister is corrupt, please forgive me, the king." In the face of huge profits, Mr. Pingyuan could only admit his mistake honestly.
But Zhao Kuo shook his head again and said: "What Mr. Pingyuan is worried about is also what I am worried about. Such huge profits, if not controlled, will inevitably attract everyone to do it. In this case, who will be willing to sow it?" Does the land produce food?"
"This." Mr. Pingyuan and Lu Buwei were speechless for a moment.
"However, you two can rest assured that once more people do it, the benefits will naturally be diluted. In order to snatch the supply of cattle and horses, merchants in the border towns will raise each other's prices, and when there are more cattle and horses in Zhao State, the price Naturally, it will also decrease. Long-term huge profits are unrealistic." Zhao Kuo then explained with a smile.
"But now, our country, Zhao, wants to take advantage of the foresight to make huge profits to replenish the national treasury." Zhao Kuo then continued: "Not only cattle, but also war horses. In the battle with Qin, our cavalry There should be achievements. Among the cavalry, the most important thing is the breeding of war horses. Not only can we trade with the cattle and horses of the barbarians, but we can also trade with the wealthy Han and Wei."
Hearing this, Lu Buwei was stunned this time. He could also trade with Han and Wei. What was the trade? They are rich enough, and I have all the money and food I want, but most of the others have what I have, and I can’t give them what they don’t have, such as cavalry.
"My king, how do we deal with Han and Wei?" Lu Buwei really didn't understand.
Zhao Kuo shook his head helplessly. Sure enough, even Lu Buwei was still too timid.
Then he said: "Let's take the Wei State as an example. They are all facing the Qin State. They don't want to defend their cities and lands, but they can't. If they have a lot of weapons and equipment, they may not be unable to fight.
As our army is about to be updated, useless equipment can be sold to Han and Wei at high prices in exchange for more money, food, and population. 2. Even if these backward weapons fall into the hands of the Qin army, they will be of little use. In the eyes of the Qin army, such goods are even looked down upon.
As for the country of Han, it is even simpler. It has a small land, a large population, and a lot of iron ore. You can exchange grain and other materials for ore and population.
In a word, using my useless things in exchange for useful things is called commerce. "
"Yes. I have written it down." Lu Bu replied immediately.
"What I just said is about commerce between countries. After all, its care is limited, and private commerce also needs to be encouraged for the time being." Zhao Kuo continued: "Not only to obtain various materials, but more importantly, in commercial exchanges In the process, taxes are obtained to expand financial resources."
Hearing this, Lu Buwei frowned and said: "My King Rongzhen, it is not difficult for Wei Chen to develop business, and it is not difficult for Wei Chen to collect commercial taxes, but it is necessary to develop and collect taxes at the same time? You need to know A businessman pursues profit, today I collect taxes, and tomorrow he will be gone.”
Obviously, Lu Buwei has not completely jumped out of his business thinking. In other words, he has not yet been able to integrate his business thinking with his current status as a politician.
"Lü Qing is being narrow-minded! The development of commerce is rooted in exchange, and the foundation of exchange is population! Today, I am attracting people with the strategy of dividing and cultivating fields, and at the same time attracting businessmen with policies, which will inevitably promote the exchange of materials." Zhao Kuo But he didn't tire of it and continued to explain to Lu Buwei.
"You bring a cart of brocade silk from Chu State. If it goes to Handan, you can get a profit of one hundred yuan. If you are a widower, the tax is two-tenths of it. You can get eighty yuan. If it goes to Daliang, you can get a profit of one hundred yuan. There is no tax." , so you will gain a hundred profits in the end.
However, within one month, there are many people in Handan, and two carts may be sold, and a total of one hundred and sixty coins can be obtained. The goods in short supply in Chudi can be obtained in Handan City, and the profit after returning is another hundred coins! In Daliang of Wei, there were few people and no merchants. Although they could not sell a car in more than a month, and there were no goods that were in short supply in the country, the profit they could make was only a hundred qian.
If you were a merchant, where would you transport this brocade and silk? "
"Of course you are lucky because you are lucky to be in a high place!" Lu Buwei said in surprise.
Some people died, but not completely...
