Come on, Your Highness

He Xichao didn't hide out, but really had a temporary appointment.

Do you still remember Xie San who cheated his own grandfather? His appointment has been confirmed and he is about to leave Beijing for the Western Regions.

Before leaving, I made an appointment with He Xichao, but the appointment was a bit difficult.

He Xichao returned to An Yunxuan, looked at the invitation, and thought that he finally came.

When He Xichao arrived at the teahouse, Xie San was already there.

A teapot was boiling on the small stove, and dense water vapor came out from the mouth of the pot, filling the tea room with a layer of light mist. He had already brewed a pot, and was pouring tea for himself, very leisurely.

Hearing the sound of footsteps, he raised his eyelids, saw He Xichao came in with his cloak off, and he still had a box with him, he couldn't help sighing: "Little uncle is such a busy gentleman, I handed so many posts, only yesterday I just got a box." He responded, tsk tsk, what have you been doing for half a month?"

Xie San poured him a cup, "Come, try the tea I made."

He Xichao sat down, took a sip, and said with a smile: "I don't know much about tea art, but this tea is really delicious."

"That's right. Whether the tea art is good or not is reflected in the tea, as long as it tastes good."

He Xichao nodded in agreement and said, "I'm really busy, I didn't intentionally not reply to your post, I haven't been back to the Duke's mansion for the past month, His Highness is leaving the palace soon, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has handed over a lot of farm properties, and brought the team with you I settled the accounts in the other courtyard, and I didn't let anyone disturb me. I just finished yesterday, and I didn't hear from you until I returned home."

"Is it the scholar you hired with a math paper all those years ago?"

"Yes, I have been training behind closed doors for more than two months, and I have seen initial results. I will use these to practice first, and then I will be able to follow His Highness in and out of business."

Xie San was overwhelmed with emotion when he heard this, "I said, you are too competent as a local companion. You are not only a counselor, but also a manager. If you are caught inside and outside the palace, the eldest prince can rest easy with you."

He Xichao did not deny that Xiao Hong's matter was his matter, and now that he has shown his affection, it seems that he is more willing and considerate, "It's not easy for him."

As soon as he said this, Xie San immediately showed sympathy, and asked in a low voice, "I heard that the eldest prince went to drink last night?"

"The news spread quickly."

"Don't you know, now the big prince chats after dinner in the capital, guessing whether this Princess An Yue can successfully marry him." Xie San looked at He Xichao and couldn't help asking, "Do you think it's possible? "

The gossip on his face made him look extremely unflattering.

He Xichao didn't answer, and there was no expression on his face, he just put down his teacup and leaned forward, as if he wanted to speak quietly.

Xie San followed suit and moved forward with great interest, only to hear He Xichao say with a smile, "Guess."

"..."

"You waited for half a month just to chat with me about these things? How come I don't know that you are a street woman in your bones?"

Xie San twitched the corner of his mouth and denied, "Of course not."

He sat up straight and said, "The emperor appointed me as the young minister of Honglu Temple last month, and he will set off for the Western Regions next month."

"Yo, congratulations, you got your wish."

Xie San smiled, "Being responsible for the emperor's order, I am afraid that I will be entrusted with it, so I have come to ask you, what can I tell you?"

"Unannounced visit or open spy?"

Xie San thought for a moment and said: "The new king of Yuewan Kingdom ascended the throne, and the emperor sent me to watch the ceremony. After that, we have made friends with the countries in the Western Regions, and ordered us to investigate the movements of the countries and whether they have any connection with the Xiongnu. I guess we will have to stay for three days." Year."

This is an unannounced visit.

After all, the border trade has violated the interests of many courtiers. Before the emperor was ready to implement it, it was not appropriate to send Xie San there, so he always had to do some preliminary testing and investigation in other names. This reason is just right, maybe Also have this plan.

He Xichao nodded, "The emperor is considerate. By the way, what did the teacher say?"

"Be careful, read more and talk less, let me ask you the rest."

He Xichao was the one who suggested it, and Xiao Hong would preside over the implementation in the future. By saying this, Mr. Xie Ge had already expressed his attitude and asked Xie San to follow He Xichao's request.

So He Xichao stopped playing tricks. He said: "Border trade, because it involves more than two countries, complicates a simple transaction, but its essence is still a merchant transaction. Since it is a business, it must be done fairly and justly, so that Only when the buyer and the seller are satisfied can we continue to do business for a long time. However, there are frictions in the domestic business field, not to mention that there are different cultures, different values, different measurement units, and different transaction methods between countries... Disputes and conflicts are inevitable. At this time, a border trade guideline is needed to measure who is right and who is wrong, as the basis for the transaction. And this guideline needs to be signed by the king and the emperor who are willing to participate in the border trade, so as to protect the interests of the merchants on both sides. Let the trade go smoothly."

Xie San looked at the boiling teapot on the stove, frowned tightly, as if he was interpreting He Xichao's words, it took a long time before he picked it up, poured it into the teapot, and said, "What I want to do is this principle."

He Xichao said with a smile: "Code is actually the law, and what the law seeks is justice, which applies to any country that participates in border trade. If you want to join, you must sign and abide by it. At that time, we will find a place to demarcate it." A free trade zone where all transactions are done.”

As he spoke, he took out a booklet from his carry-on box and handed it over.

"I've already finished the first draft, and there's a letter of intent at the back. I've been busy recently, and I haven't given it to the emperor for approval. I will submit it when the eldest prince's affairs are over. As long as the emperor agrees, I will take it to the Western Regions." Let the leaders of all countries take a look at it, and those who are willing to participate in border trade based on this principle will put their seal on the letter of intent, and when it is implemented in the future, they will invite envoys from various countries to come to Beijing to discuss and finalize the details."

"It's really hard for you, everything is ready." Xie San said.

He Xichao said, "I've been preparing for several years, and I'm just waiting for now."

Xie San glanced at the box, and there seemed to be something inside, so he asked, "What else?"

"Daqi is rich in products, but the resources in the Western Regions are scarce, so this letter of intent is not difficult to sign. The difficulty lies in the other one, the list of entry-exit commodities and the corresponding tariffs."

"What, what?" Xie San found it difficult to understand these proper nouns.

He Xi pouted at the teacup, and Xie San poured it for him.

He Xichao moistened his voice and said, "Let's put it this way, a businessman seeks profit. As long as he makes money, sometimes the concept of right and wrong, and national feelings can be discarded. So not all business can be traded, copper and iron ore, weapons and armaments, food and books cannot appear In the goods. If something can be traded, it is necessary to set up an entry and exit commodity list. Those on the exit list can be sold, and those on the entry list can be bought, and tariffs are set accordingly.”

Saying this, Xie San understood, "You are still thoughtful, but wait, you mean that no matter whether you buy it or sell it, you have to collect taxes on both sides?"

He Xichao nodded, "That's right."

"It's too dark, isn't it? I bought it with money, and I still have to pay taxes?" Xie San was stunned.

"What's so hard to understand? Why spend money to buy it back? You can sell it at a high price in Daqi. As long as you ship it back to China, you have to pay taxes according to the value of the goods. Of course, you can set a threshold, below how much The value is not subject to tax.”

Xie San shook his head and said: "If you are like this, what kind of businessman will do business? When selling, you have to consider the exit tax, and when you buy it back, you have to think about the entry tax. Then the selling price will be very high. You have to keep it low when you come in, but if other countries follow suit and come like this, wouldn’t this business be impossible?”

"So we need to negotiate a tariff acceptable to both parties in the name of the country, and proceed accordingly, but the tax rate can be set according to the value of the goods and the relationship between supply and demand. Those with high profits will pay more taxes, and those with low profits and want to introduce a large amount You can smoke less or not at all. For example, what Daqi lacks is horses. Yuewan Kingdom produces good horses. If their merchants are willing to sell them to Daqi, they can ask for it. The direct tariff for such a transaction is zero, and it is not static. See you get it."

"I?"

"That's right, staying in the countries of the Western Regions for three years is not for you to experience the customs and customs, to see what is lacking there, what is available, what kind of goods are bought by what kind of people, and what is the price level? For example, silk, no matter how low it is. The common people will certainly not be able to afford the price, so the target is the nobles, what price are they willing to pay for it. Moreover, there are many horses, cattle and sheep in the Western Regions, and they are willing to sell them for any money. To strive for the greatest benefit, set higher tariffs on other countries and lower tariffs on Daqi from other countries.”

Speaking of this, He Xichao paused, "Actually, I'm not worried about this. As long as Daqi is willing to open border trade, the countries in the Western Regions will flock to it. A little tariff is nothing. What I'm worried about is that those big merchants in the country usually pay a few merchants. Taxes are going to die, shouting that I can’t eat, if I don’t know how much money they can earn after removing all costs, how can I negotiate with them for tariffs that are much higher than commercial taxes?”

Xie San: "..."

Regardless of whether he understood or not, Xie San knew that he was facing a big profiteer!

He Xichao looked at Xie Sanxin's worried look, sighed, and handed over all the boxes beside him.

"Having said so much, you must be confused, but it doesn't matter, you just need to help me investigate the corresponding data. There are some samples in it, just follow this format. Remember, the data must be true. By the way, you do the math. Shouldn't be bad, right?"

Xie San looked at him in horror, "What does this have to do with arithmetic?"

Why are you so scared when it comes to math?

He Xichao rubbed his brows and said, "Some things need to be calculated to get the result. You can look through it. I have written the calculation method in the back. Just substitute it in. It's not difficult."

Xie San: "..." Do you have to study economics to investigate everything these years?Why are the requirements so high?

"Anyway, he's Tanhualang, so he can't be so stupid, right?" He Xichao said slowly.

It's really tough, Xie San looked at him speechlessly, "Can I ask a question?"

"Say it."

"You are like this, the eldest prince can bear it?"

He Xi raised her eyebrows: "He has studied with me for six years, what do you think?"

Xie San's sympathy for Xiao Hong immediately rose to another level, and he sighed: "It's really not easy."

He Xichao chuckled, noncommittal.

Xie San flipped through the box, and found that besides a stack of manuscripts, there were strange things in it. He couldn't help looking at He Xichao, "What is this?"

"Oh, I almost forgot. I found this thing by accident. I heard it came from the Western Regions. Go and help me find it."

Xie San opened it and saw a mass of white fluff, soft and soft, "This is..."

"cotton."

"What's the use of this?"

He Xichao raised his eyebrows, "It looks like you've seen it before?"

Xie San replied: "It was mentioned in "Anecdotes of the Western Regions", and it seems to have been passed down from further west, but this stuff doesn't look good, and it can't be eaten. Some people use it as reed stuffing to keep out the cold, but it's very rare. , you are..."

He Xichao said pleasantly: "Brother Xie is quite clear, that's right, I want to grow a large amount of cotton to make clothes and bedding. Besides seeds, please help me to ask about the planting method. If there is someone who knows how to do it, he will come and guide him. It's even better."

If He Xichao had something to ask for, it would be brother Xie, otherwise it would be nephew Xie, switching back and forth without any hesitation, Xie San also admired this kind of ability.

"That's not a problem, but Xi Chao, do you know how to make clothes out of cotton?"

"do not know."

Xie San: "..."

"Believe in the wisdom of the broad masses of the people. You must know that even silkworms can produce gorgeous silk and satin. It should take a little time for mere cotton." He Xichao said this without any hesitation. A surefire light of confidence.

I almost believed it myself, Xie San sighed weakly, "I don't even know where you got so many strange ideas? You not only have to study, but you also have to do things for the eldest prince, but suddenly you got involved Cotton clothing gone?"

"Because of lack of money."

"what?"

"After clearing the accounts for more than half a month, I probably already know how much the eldest prince will earn every year. Combined with the necessary expenses in the future, if he doesn't find a way to make money, within three years he will lead the entire palace to drink the northwest wind gone."

Xie Sanyi was amused, "I've never heard of any prince who is short of money."

He Xichao looked at him, "Then where do you think the money should come from?"

"Of course..." Xie San was speechless for a moment. According to the usual practice, a lot of people came knocking on the door with their titles. Incredible.

But this is not the right way after all, gray income is always not on the table, let alone Xie San, who still has a scholarly spirit.

He immediately understood the reason why He Xichao did this, and looked at him with awe.

"Can you make money by relying on cotton?"

He Xichao said: "Not for the time being. I just think it's a good thing. Since it has the effect of keeping warm and keeping out the cold, why can't it be popularized? The places in the Western Regions where the yellow sand is everywhere can grow, and Daqi's rich soil and water should also be able to grow it. If it can be planted in large quantities, It would be a good thing to make cotton clothes, but poor people who can’t afford fur and can only stuff reed flowers in linen clothes. What’s more, what about soldiers stationed at the border?”

Xie San stopped pouring tea, he looked at He Xichao in surprise, not knowing how to express his inner vibration.

He also knew the efficacy of cotton, but he didn't care about it, he just took it as a knowledge, but He Xi was able to involve the interests of the people of his family and country through this little cotton.

As far as this ideological awareness is concerned, he is beyond his reach.

"I suddenly felt that the burden on my shoulders was much heavier. Xie Chao, don't worry, I will definitely find the seeds and cultivation methods, and then I will tie you a good hand." Xie San promised.

He Xi rolled his eyes, "That's a good relationship. Think about Da Qi's millions of soldiers and tens of millions of people. Once this huge demand is in hand, it's really..." He gave Xie San a look that you understand, "So we have to Find it faster, and then you will share half of the profit."

Xie San: "...Why don't you say you can still sell it to the Western Regions?"

He Xichao immediately clapped his hands and gave him an appreciative look, "Oh, it's pretty good. There is obviously more demand in the bitter cold land, so you have to pay more attention to border trade."

A profiteer, indeed a profiteer!

The two talked about the same, and were about to end today's friendly meeting, suddenly several footsteps came quickly, and before Xie San's servant could say a word, the door was pushed open.

Xie San raised his head together with He Xichao, and saw Eunuch Chang leading the guards walking in panting, his face was full of anxiety, the moment he saw He Xichao, he quickly said: "Master Xichao, the eldest prince is gone! Can you tell me?" Do you know where he went?"

The author has something to say: Happy Mid-Autumn Festival everyone!

Regarding border trade, the real international trade is naturally not that simple, it is very complicated, but that is all here, thank you!

Although it is overhead, it is really late that cotton is popularized in China.

Cotton clothes in ancient times mostly referred to kapok.

Kapok and cotton are two concepts.