Come on, Your Highness

Prince Shun's Mansion

"Twenty percent? Why doesn't his mother's He Xichao just go and grab it!" Xiao Yi almost roared when he heard the report below.

When Wu Xiang heard the news, he knew that his master would be furious, so he had no choice but to let Xiao Yi get angry.

"Didn't you say [-]%? Why did it suddenly become [-]%?" Xiao Ming sat on the side and asked.

Wu Xiang then submitted the "Da Qi Border Trade Tariff Collection Notice": "He Xichao means that the tariff is [-]%, but the cost of sending officials and troops by the imperial court has to be shared, so it reaches [-]%."

"What? It's just to open up the border and let caravans in and out, but you have to send officials and even troops?" Xiao Yi almost jumped up, "What does he want to do!"

At this moment, He Mingrui walked in from the door. He was still holding a document in his hand, his brows were frowned, and his heart seemed to be heavy.

"Meet the two Highnesses."

"Cousin, what are you holding?" Xiao Ming asked.

"The details of the border trade, please have a look at your Highnesses."

When He Mingrui got the detailed rules from the merchants, he knew that the [-]% tariff could not be negotiated, because the above things really moved the merchants' hearts.

"Nonsense, even so, the officials of the imperial court are naturally paid by the treasury, and they need these merchants to provide them. What's the point?" Xiao Yi became even angrier when he saw it, "Isn't this just competing for profit with the people, third brother?" , let's write a book on ginseng!"

"The salaries of the frontier soldiers are all gone. If they don't get the money from the merchants, where do they come from? Second brother, what do you think the father thinks?" Although Xiao Ming was unhappy, he still had reason.

Emperor Tiangan can support border trade in order to collect taxes from merchants. As long as it is reasonable, the emperor will agree.

He Xichao raised money for the treasury, what can the emperor say?

"Then what should we do, do we just accept it?" Xiao Yi asked.

Xiao Ming shook his head: "It's not that we accept it, but whether those businessmen accept it or not. Originally, [-]% is enough, but if we add [-]%, would they be willing?" At this point, he couldn't help wondering, "How on earth is this going to happen?" Well, with such a large group of profit-seeking merchants, it's fine if they can't hold down [-]%, but He Xichao can still increase it to [-]%? It's really strange."

When Xiao Yi heard it, his eyes lit up: "Did you say you were coercing?"

Xiao Ming looked up at him, obviously he thought so too.

He Mingrui said: "Your Highness, would you like to meet in person to see what was said? Ask these merchants for the best understanding."

But they were obviously disappointed. He Xichao didn't keep the content of this border trade meeting a secret. Even if he was able to take out the documents inside, it can be seen that he is not afraid of making it public at all.

There is no need to coerce and lure, he just investigated the profits of smuggling in advance, and he is in an invincible position.

Don't say it is [-]%, it is [-]%, in fact, it is also acceptable for these merchants.

"So you just agreed?" Xiao Yi stared at these merchants coldly.

Zhehang Minda's face showed embarrassment: "Go back to Your Highness, how could Caomin agree hastily before he came to ask His Highness for instructions, but we really don't know how to refuse the [-]% tariff."

The Patriarch of the Qiao family in Tunxi also said: "Your Highness, if the exchange of [-]% of the tax is really successful for the border transaction, it will be a good thing for us. We can send more caravans with confidence and earn more." As he spoke, he bent deeply and said, "Naturally, the filial piety to His Highness is only a little bit more."

Other businessmen followed suit.

No matter how high the tax is, it is only [-]%, but a smooth and low-risk business path is much more important than that little tax.

Suddenly He Mingrui said: "Qiao is the head of the family. In the name of apportioning the salaries and military supplies of the imperial officials, the tariff has been increased by [-]% on top of the original [-]%. , is it so happy to hand over the money?"

He Mingrui's voice was as indifferent as his eyes. When he said this, many merchants fell silent.

"Think about it a bit more. This time, we use the apportionment of official expenses to increase taxes. Next time, can we find another excuse to pay sales tax, local tax, or even poll tax? Think about the exorbitant taxes imposed on farmers, no matter how squeezed they are. It doesn’t come out of oil, but can you put it on you businessmen? This is really a good idea!”

He Mingrui's deep sigh at the end was like a thunderbolt in everyone's heart, and the expressions of these merchants suddenly changed.

Xiao Yi looked at He Mingrui in surprise, he didn't know that the latter still had this ability.

In fact, if He Xichao was not so dazzling, the heir to Duke Wei's mansion would be considered outstanding among his peers.

Otherwise, if he did such a big decapitation and was caught by someone, how could Xiao Ming still give him such a heavy responsibility.

"So that's the case, my big brother's idea is really good! If the commercial tax is the main source of the treasury and the land tax is lightened, there are so many poor people in the world, how can we be grateful to him?" Xiao Yi slapped the table with emotion, Then he looked at these businessmen, "In comparison, it doesn't matter if you lose a little bit. After all, you earn a lot, and you will never be short of food."

Xiao Ming followed with a smile and said: "This ability to pull wool is also unique in the world. The eldest brother is indeed the most important thing for the father. He sacrificed a small number of people to make the whole world, and the father can only praise it."

"This..." Patriarch Qiao, Master Min and many other family members looked at each other worriedly.

He Mingrui looked at their faces gradually turning pale, and he took a breath of relief and said comfortingly: "This is just my guess, maybe I'm thinking too much. But in case this is the case, with this example before, you should accept it calmly." yes."

This is not so much a consolation as a scare.

Although I knew that the two princes would say this, it must be selfish, and I always didn't want the border trade to go smoothly, and I didn't want them to agree to the [-]% tax.

However, after thinking about it in depth, the more I think about it, the more likely it is. After all, there are already signs of an increase in commercial taxes.

When the imperial court enjoys the dividends of commercial taxes and finds that it is more convenient and larger than collecting pitiful rations from farmers, this day will not be far away.

They can't help worrying.

Speaking of future generations, the country's source of income is mostly various commercial taxes, and the agricultural tax has been cancelled.

This is actually a trend. The stability and prosperity of the country will inevitably lead to the development of commerce. If the main tax is placed on farmers, it will not make ends meet.

For the sake of the long-term, collecting heavy taxes from merchants to feed back the country is a natural trend and can form a virtuous cycle.

It's just that now, as a businessman who has never been the subject of taxation, he is unwilling to listen to this.

"I agreed to the [-]% tax, so I agreed, but I added another four, but it was a bit more aggressive. Isn't there a next meeting, why don't you talk about it?" They swept across their faces one by one, "Obviously they are veterans in the business field, so they should show some skills.

"If it's a big deal, just procrastinate, who consumes more energy than whom?" Xiao Yi said.

After watching the merchants leave worriedly, Xiao Ming said: "You have to talk to other people."

Xiao Yi nodded, and then he wondered: "You said how did He Xichao come up with this trick? He was expecting these guys to give him some flair, but now let's not talk about tax cuts, he even raised it!"

"He's already smart, big brother is really lucky." Xiao Ming said it unintentionally, but He Mingrui didn't like it when he heard it.

"I don't know if it will work this time." Xiao Yi was a little unsure.

Wu Xiang said: "They can wait, but the salt merchant may not be able to wait. Now that the crown prince is holding on to the lead nest and holding their lifeline, they may have to agree."

Xiao Yi frowned suddenly.

However, He Mingrui said: "But this business can't be supported only by salt merchants. If other people don't agree, the border trade will not be able to develop. After a month or two, the frontier army should play. At that time, let's see if He Xichao is still there." Can you hold on to [-]%? Besides, none of the courtiers are fools, can't you see how the salt merchants agreed?"

"That's right, who made His Highness the Crown Prince so powerful and domineering!"

What Wu Xiang said was right, the salt merchants really couldn't sit still.

Because His Highness the Crown Prince did not let him go, those people outside who were smelling but had nowhere to go were already preparing to come to Beijing with money.

Isn't it just a tax of [-]%, even if it is doubled, it is still nothing compared to the profit from selling salt. At worst, it will be regarded as filial piety to His Royal Highness.

Thinking this way, three days later, several salt merchants knocked on the door of He Mansion together.

"Wait a moment, let me tell the young master."

Steward Wang led them to sit down in the front hall, let the servant girl serve tea, and then went to the study to look for He Xichao.

He Xichao couldn't help laughing when he heard this: "It's kind of flattering, let them wait for a while, I'll go over when I'm done."

After drinking two cups of tea and filling his stomach with water, He Xichao came in and asked straight to the point, "How many of you have made up your mind?"

Hearing the sound, they all got up and greeted him.

"Master He, I have already received great favors from the imperial court. Now that the imperial court has opened up border trade, it is naturally responding positively. How can there be any hesitation?" Old Master Sun said humbly.

He Xichao sat down on the main seat, took the teacup brought up by the servants, looked at them and nodded: "It would be great if you all think so."

Several people immediately laughed together, and the Patriarch of the Ping family said: "Master He was thinking about me, why should I make it difficult for you, I should have agreed on the spot three days ago, but after all, I still have some uncertainties, please forgive me."

"It's okay, then I am very considerate of people watching." He Xichao waved his hands indifferently.

"Thank you, sir, for your tolerance." Several people expressed their thanks together.

He Xichao smiled and raised his hand to invite them to drink tea.

The salt merchants who couldn't drink anymore had no choice but to pick up the teacups, but seeing He Xichao sipping tea by himself, not intending to continue the conversation, they couldn't help being a little embarrassed.

Now that you have come to surrender, you have to show some substance. Mrs. Sun thought for a while, then put down the teacup and said, "Master He, I still have something to tell you."

He Xichao raised his head and said, "Say it."

"We naturally support the imperial court, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and obey your lord's arrangement. However, we found out that only us salt merchants are willing to accept the [-]% tariff. Others may have to hesitate for a while. I am incompetent, persuade No, I have to take this opportunity to tell Mr. He."

"Hesitate for a while, how long will it be, one month or two months, or wait for the border documents to be handed over to the emperor?" He Xichao asked.

The Patriarch of the Deng family said with emotion: "It's good that you know it in your heart. We also hope that the border trade will go smoothly, but we alone are salt merchants. I'm afraid it's too eye-catching and it's not good for you!"

The smile on He Xichao's face suddenly brightened, "Everyone can tell He, it can be seen that you support him from the bottom of your heart, not because you are forced to do so!"

A few people suddenly laughed, and said again and again that they didn't dare, it was sincere and from the heart.

"Excellent, I will tell His Royal Highness the thoughts of all of you. Presumably a person who cares about the court in this way will be able to win the important task of His Highness."

The salt merchants immediately raised their hands and saluted, "Thank you, Mr. He."

"You're welcome." He Xichao waved his hand casually, and suddenly he seemed to think of something, and asked, "By the way, by the way, have you ever thought about how much money you have to hand over to the court every year based on this tax rate?"

"What does your lord mean by this?" the Patriarch of the Ping family asked carefully.

He Xi rolled his eyes, looked at the animals with a smiling face, and said kindly, like gossip: "Don't be so nervous, you are so sincere, and you are the first batch to support tariffs. After all, I am the one who is most moved." I am not afraid of your jokes. I am really under a lot of pressure on this matter. Now that you are willing, I am more confident. So I am thinking, if I pay a lot, can I do it while I am still groping for the first two years? Reduce tariffs and apply for a discount for you."

When several people heard this, they were overjoyed.

"Thank you, Mr. He."