Come on, Your Highness

This year, the officialdom is full of turmoil, and so is the business world.

Opening border trade is naturally a good thing for merchants. Who wants to take the risk of smuggling when they can do business with neighboring countries through formal channels?Can't say when he was detained and charged with a crime?

Therefore, every year, checkpoints of all parties, dredge the relationship, and send out the money in search of a backer like a mountain, even if it hurts, I have to do it.

It's impossible to make money.

Suddenly hearing that the imperial court opened up border trade, the merchants were all overjoyed.

The cunning of the merchants is recognized all over the world, and they naturally don't think that the imperial court will open the border unconditionally, just for money.

It's no secret that the treasury is empty.

Prohibition of smuggling is to force them to only use the border trade market in order to extract tax money from it.

The business tax in Daqi is only half of it, if the tariff is the same, they naturally have no objection.

With such a small amount of money, the caravan transaction can be guaranteed smoothly, so why not do it?

But is there really only so much?

The shopkeepers of the branches of major commercial firms in the capital coincidentally received orders from their family members and tried their best to find out more news about border trade.

How to develop, how to collect taxes, whether to fully open or temporarily open certain commodities, and how to trade with countries in the Western Regions...

Most importantly, can it be opened?

After all, the high-ranking officials involved in smuggling are unwilling.

Without smuggling, how can they take advantage?

Then there was a spectacle of He Xichao, the Minister of Honglu Temple, receiving the congratulatory gifts.

There is also Li Xun, Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, who openly bribed He Xichao with smuggling bonuses, in order to deceive the world, operate secretly, and fool the court.

However, unexpectedly, He Xichao would directly expose the matter in court, and Li Xun was convicted and resigned.

The opposition immediately died down.

After a year of anticipation and worry, the merchants finally ushered in the Dachaohui.

He Xichao's appointment has just come down, and the Secretary of the Household Department is concurrently the chief assistant, Mr. Xie Ge, which shows the determination of the imperial court to develop border trade.

Everyone was waiting for He Xichao's first fire when he took office.

Unexpectedly, he did not set the detailed rules, and did not send a mission to the Western Regions, but sent out an invitation card first.

We invite all businessmen in the world who are interested in border trade to come to the capital to participate in the border trade discussion meeting.

The time is three months later.

As soon as this move came out, there was another uproar in the court.

The papers of impeachment floated to the cabinet like snowflakes, before the imperial court.

"Your Majesty, border trade is a major matter of the imperial court. Tariffs should be discussed by the emperor, the cabinet and even the ministers of the imperial court. Merchants are chasing profits, so how can we let them decide? Mr. He, why don't set tariffs at all, just let them go, and you can get more merchants." And support!" an adult said excitedly, shaking his sleeves.

"Master He, after all, you are also the number one scholar of the three yuan and the first rank. You are a noble and elegant person, how can you be confused with those businessmen who smell like copper. The merchants are insignificant, and the court is obedient to important matters. There is no room for them to intervene. Otherwise, where will the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty be placed?" Another elder who was over half a year old came out and asked.

"I waited for the cold window to study hard, and the imperial examinations were selected thousands of times to stand out and become an official, but I didn't want to be inferior to those merchants. It's so ridiculous!"

One after another of sarcasm, the ministers whispered, their eyes seemed to be watching a show.

Some of their gazes were looking back at He Xi, while others were looking at the prince in front, but no matter whether it was from the back or the front, the two of them looked indifferent.

Xiao Hong even crossed his arms and turned his head to glance at the group of ministers.

"Prince, do you have something to say?" Emperor Tiangan asked.

Xiao Hong replied: "Yes!"

"Tell me then."

"Father, son, wait a little longer."

Emperor Tiangan suddenly wondered, "Why?"

"In case there are still people who haven't said enough, give them a chance to stand up all at once, and don't hold back any opinions, otherwise, once I speak, I won't have their share." Xiao Hong twitched the corner of his mouth, looking lazy look like.

Wang Ge said with a smile: "The prince seems to have known about this for a long time."

Xiao Hong raised his eyelids: "That's right, it's a very good move."

When Xiao Hong said this, the ministers below looked at each other, each puzzled.

"Dare to ask the crown prince, what is so wonderful about it? If even merchants can discuss state affairs, why do all the students in the world have to study hard to become officials?" Xiao Ming said suddenly.

Xiao Hong didn't answer him, but looked back at the ministers and asked, "Have you finished?"

Seeing that no one came out, he rubbed his hands and walked out: "Then it's Gu's turn."

Xiao Hong stood in the hall and said with a smile: "After arguing for so long, I just asked a few questions. First, as we all know, Daqi's silk and tea salt are one of the favorite goods in the Western Regions. How dare you ask today's one? What is the cost of jin brick tea from picking to baking, and finally transported to the border, plus loss? How much is the cost of an ordinary silk and satin, from spinning and peeling to cloth, storage and transportation to the border? When the transaction is completed in the end, what is the profit? How high, how many commodities can be exchanged in the end, and how to set the price, do you know?"

"Second, since the mutual market is unified, the measurement must also be the same. Daqi is 16 taels per catty, and one foot and three inches. Is it the same for all countries in the Western Regions? Of course not, so how should they be unified? Those who have studied the sage books hard Give me a plan with your head?"

"Third, in addition to the measurement, there are also detailed rules. How to quickly collect customs duties while ensuring the smooth transaction of the caravan, and prevent people from tax evasion, can you talk about it now?"

"Fourth, the imperial court opened border trade to collect tariffs to fill the national treasury, but how much is the tariff set, who can give a basis here? I don't even know the above-mentioned costs. Tell Gu, how to set it? If it is too high, merchants will not make money , low, what is the imperial court busy with, third brother, you must know that the frontier army's salary has not been paid yet!"

"Finally, tariffs are mutual. Daqi has tariffs, and countries in the Western Regions also have tariffs. Can you judge whether it is higher or not?"

Finally, Xiao Hong cupped his hands at Emperor Tiangan and said, "There is nothing wrong with merchants, Father, don't you think so?"

After Xiao Hong finished speaking, he was immediately speechless.

Emperor Tiangan looked at Xiao Hong, who was a little complacent, and couldn't help looking at He Xichao who was behind him. This one was standing in his position, and he didn't even need to move his feet. The fool from the old Xiao family would defend him .

The emperor was quite displeased, but he didn't want to explode on the spot, so he said flatly: "The crown prince is very clear about it, even the ministers of Honglu Temple don't need to apply for a certificate to defend themselves."

When Xiao Hong heard that, his mouth froze with pride.

As soon as He Xichao received the criticism, his head started to heat up. He rolled up his sleeves and rushed out to fight the Confucians without thinking about his identity.

He touched his nose, smiled, and explained, "Well, I'm used to it..."

Emperor Tiangan didn't even bother to talk to him, and said directly: "He Qing, tell me the intention of acting like this? It's not unreasonable for you to think about it. After all, merchants are after profit, and they don't care about the overall situation of the country."

He Xichao then stood up from the queue, bowed to the emperor, and said calmly: "My Majesty, as early as when Xie Shaoqing went to the Western Regions, my minister had already started to prepare for the border trade. After Xie Shaoqing came back, the general process will be as follows." It has been determined, including personnel deployment, checkpoint setting, division of trading areas, time for negotiations with various countries, and a list of commodities open to border trade.”

Holding a thick booklet in his hand, he presented it and said, "This is the preliminary process and detailed plan, as well as the various documents and agreements required. Please read it through the emperor. Please rest assured, my lords, the border trade It is the imperial court’s attention, we dare not leave it to businessmen to decide.”

Emperor Tiangan took this booklet from Eunuch Huang. It was really a thick book. When it was opened, it was divided into three booklets. It was impossible to read them all in the short time in the court.

But the word "heart" is enough.

"But what does it mean to invite merchants to discuss?" Suddenly Xie Ge asked.

He Xichao said: "If the border trade is a big tree, the main things such as the branches are naturally determined by the imperial court. However, no matter whether it is the Honglu Temple, the Ministry of Households, or even everyone present, after all, they do not participate in the border trade business. The details still need to be considered...just now the crown prince has made it very clear."

He cupped his hands towards Xiao Hong, who immediately showed a big smile.

He Xichao glanced at the emperor on His Majesty Dan, didn't dare to show his smile, and continued to say nonchalantly: "That's why businessmen from all over the world were invited to Beijing to discuss. The unknown omissions point out the inappropriateness of the rules. The way of business is carried out by them and they must cherish it. If it can be improved, it will make the border trade go more smoothly and last longer. The merchants of Daqi are also the people of Daqi , My lords, it’s all for Daqi, why bother to be entangled in identity and exclude the people? Commerce and trade are prosperous, there is a steady stream of tariffs, which is beneficial to the country, and it is a win-win situation. Why not do it? Please be considerate. "

He Xichao's words were tactful and thoughtful, much more pleasant than Xiao Hong's direct questioning.

Many ministers and Emperor Tiangan nodded slightly, looking at He Xichao with kind eyes.

Even the adults who were aggressive before eased their expressions.

In fact, they were all trivial things, but He Xichao had offended many people before, and would always try his best to pick some thorns.

Or it would be best to simply spoil the border trade.

"But after all, how much is the tariff? I heard that it is as high as [-]%. Is it true?" Xiao Yi asked this question.

When it comes to the big merchants under his command, Xiao Ming is even inferior to Xiao Yi, after all, the former cares more about his face and dare not accept them wantonly.

Xiao Yi is the least happy to ban smuggling. If the tariff is higher, he will have to jump up.

As soon as Xiao Yi's words came out, there was another burst of opposition.

"Isn't this fighting for the interests of the people?"

"Twenty percent tax, this, this is simply... Excessive taxation is not an exaggeration!"

"Once this heavy tax comes out, who else will go to the border trade? To put it bluntly, the checkpoints for smuggling with this money can be cleared."

"Who actually ordered this?"

Xiao Hongqing coughed, and plucked his ears with his fingers. Hearing these voices, he felt a little uncomfortable.

"Here again, everyone, you are not merchants, how do you know that there are too many?" He shouted.

Xiao Yi said: "But the commercial tax is only half of it, even if you add half of it, brother, [-]% is too much!"

"This tax is unprecedented, and it will never come again. I'm afraid there will be no one here." Xiao Ming said lightly.

"Oh? Third brother is so sure?" Xiao Hong asked.

Xiao Ming smiled: "Who will do the business at a loss, and travel thousands of miles to the border, is it just to deliver the money to the treasury, is this still a merchant?"

Xiao Hong nodded: "Although I don't agree with what you said, there is a saying that makes sense."

"Please advise the prince."

"Businessmen are not fools, and they are not so righteous. If there is profit, they will come, and if there is no profit, they will leave immediately, right?"

"As it is."

"Okay, let's see. After the [-]% tax is paid, will anyone come? Just in time, the invitation post has just been sent out. Three months later, merchants from all over the world will gather in the capital, and everyone will watch the excitement." Xiao Hong brushed off his sleeves, and looked back at He Xichao, "In the meantime, everyone, please calm down."

"What if no one comes?" Xiao Ming asked.

Xiao Hong looked at him in surprise when he heard the words: "Is the third brother going to bet with Gu?"

Xiao Ming smiled: "I don't dare to bet with His Royal Highness, I just asked."

"Heh." Xiao Hong also laughed, looked straight at Xiao Ming, and said word by word, "Don't worry, someone will definitely come, and they will flock to you!"

After the meeting, Xiao Hong was about to stroll over to He Xichao, but before he got close, he was carried away by Emperor Tiangan.

"You can't be more promising, don't post it eagerly, you have to let me do something, are you willing?"

Emperor Tiangan didn't care about today's border trade or not. He paid attention to these two during the whole process. Sadly, from the beginning to the end, He Xichao upheld the etiquette of a monarch and his ministers, without any overstepping.

However, Xiao Hong glanced at him several times in a hurry, and he couldn't control it.

No matter how unreasonable the emperor was, he could tell that He Xichao was not at fault for this matter.

His stupid son is the culprit, the one who teases, with that mouth that is used to coaxing and that kindness, who would not fall?

Now forcing good-looking people to walk on the road of lonely ministers, the emperor couldn't bear it.

When Xiao Hong heard this, he became impatient: "Don't, Dad, it's all my fault, don't blame him. I restrain myself, can't I restrain myself?"

Emperor Tiangan frowned, and couldn't help warning again: "Hong'er, remember, you are the crown prince, and your words and deeds affect the world. You can like it, but you can't reveal it. We are about to get married soon, and it's time to let this matter go." , with you, and with him, otherwise how can I rest assured?"

Xiao Hong's shoulders finally shrugged, and he said sullenly: "My son knows, if you give him some time, he will have to go to the Western Regions soon. In fact, no matter how much you think about it, no matter how much you are unwilling."

"It has to be like this." Everything can't be rushed, Emperor Tiangan sighed heavily, patted him on the shoulder, and said earnestly, "You are in the royal family, carrying the country and the country, and you have a lot of helplessness. He can't."

After hearing this, Xiao Hong suddenly asked, "If we were ordinary people, father, would you agree?"

Emperor Tiangan didn't expect Xiao Hong to ask such a question, he was startled for a moment, and then he didn't speak for a long time.

Seeing this, Xiao Hong suddenly smiled, and bowed deeply: "Thank you, Father."