Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

Page 2069

"Quickly look at this poem, 'Ode to Righteousness'!"

"Reading it evokes a sense of grandeur and magnificence."

"It makes one's blood boil and fills one with righteous indignation!"

Li Yong and Quan Tong quickly recited it.

Everyone was deeply shocked.

Quan Tong said, "If this book were to be circulated back to China,"

"It will surely attract thousands of fans,"

"Then the Liangshan Emperor will become famous throughout our country."

The three of them discussed poetry for a while.

They have begun planning to expand their territory in the future.

Goryeo today,

Later Korea,

They grew strong entirely by taking advantage of the chaos.

The Tang Dynasty defeated Goguryeo.

Silla took the opportunity to expand to the Daedong River.

The Liao Dynasty defeated the Balhae Kingdom.

Goryeo took the opportunity to expand to the Yalu River.

The Ming Dynasty defeated the Yuan Dynasty.

North Korea took the opportunity to expand north of the Yalu River.

But they were quickly soundly defeated by the Ming Dynasty and forced back south of the Yalu River.

Zhao Yuan's future plans

The goal is to drive Goryeo back to the south bank of the Daedong River.

If there's still spare capacity, they might as well just merge with the entire company.

There are all sorts of pretexts for sending troops.

There are even ample reasons for a culture war.

Inbreeding within the Goryeo royal family

It does not conform to Confucian ideals.

Those who defy human ethics deserve the destruction of their nation!

.....

Besides the arrival of the Goryeo envoy in the capital,

And escorting Cai You, Li Yan, and others northward,

Many officials from the maritime trade agencies also returned to Beijing to "report on their work."

This was summoned on Zhao Yuan's orders.

The top two leaders of each maritime trade agency

At least one of them needs to come and open the gate.

So that the new Ming Dynasty could grasp the specific situation.

The Ministry of Revenue was busy for nearly half a month.

Sort everything that can be sorted out.

The remaining accounts were a complete mess.

Qian Chen, as the Minister of Revenue,

After receiving the summary report from his subordinates,

I'm already at my wit's end.

They came to pay their respects to the emperor.

"The maritime trade offices in the southeast,"

"Their accounts are impossible to keep accountable,"

"It's impossible to calculate how much tax was collected in a year."

The eunuch was ordered to bring a pot of boiling water.

Zhao Yuan took it and made tea.

He also poured some for Qian Chen.

Qian Chen stood up to express his gratitude.

Zhao Yuan gestured for him to sit down and continue speaking.

Qian Chen said, "In the early years of the Song Dynasty, there was a period when maritime merchants were not taxed."

"Later, a small amount of tax was levied."

"How much exactly?"

"We need to see if the national treasury is adequate."

"Taxes are levied more when the government is in financial distress,"

"Less taxes when the treasury is in good condition."

"When Zhao Ji was emperor,"

"I suppose it's about imposing heavy taxes?" Zhao Yuan asked with a smile.

Qian Chen nodded and said, "That's true."

"But there are exceptions, since Xining,"

"The old Song dynasty sought to unite with Goryeo against the Liao dynasty,"

Goods from Goryeo have always been exempt from customs duties.

"Later, the Liao Dynasty disappeared."

"They want Goryeo to threaten the Jin Dynasty again,"

Goods from Goryeo will still be exempt from customs duties.

Zhao Yuan said, "Diplomatic relations are diplomatic relations, and taxes are taxes."

"From now on, we must treat Goryeo equally."

"Collect whatever amount is due!"

Qian Chen began to systematically explain the maritime trade system of the Song Dynasty.

"The Maritime Trade Office is divided into three levels,"

"That is, the Maritime Trade Office, the Maritime Trade Market, and the Maritime Trade Affairs."

"Large ports like Hangzhou and Mingzhou,"

"Then set up the Maritime Trade Office."

"And maritime trade is relatively less,"

“Then establish a maritime market or maritime affairs office.”

Zhao Yuan started cracking pine nuts.

Let Qian Chen try some too.

Qian Chen picked up a few as a token gesture and continued,

"The old Song Dynasty once imposed a monopoly,"

"Just like Sichuan tea,"

"Overseas goods can only be purchased by the government,"

"Private merchants are prohibited from getting involved."

"Due to rampant smuggling among civilians,"

“There are many other troubles,”

"It remained in a semi-restricted state thereafter."

"Partial ban?"

Zhao Yuan didn't understand.

Qian Chen explained, "It means stipulating the prohibition of certain types of goods."

"Only the government can bribe them."

"They are usually exquisite and valuable goods,"

"The kind that's easy to transport and sells without worry,"

"For example, pearls, spices, ivory, and so on."

"Moreover, the types of prohibited items are constantly changing,"

"For example, during the reign of the incompetent Emperor Huizong of Tang,"

"The types of goods subject to monopoly have increased significantly,"

"The government has almost monopolized all the good goods."

"This is something only Emperor Huizong of Tang would do," Zhao Yuan commented.

Qian Chen added, "After the prohibited goods arrive in Hong Kong,"

"Sold directly to the government by maritime merchants,"

"Therefore, these goods are exempt from taxation."

"The remaining goods,"

"Extraction is required,"

"This falls under the category of taxation."

"One in ten, one in fifteen,"

"There are even cases where two or three out of ten are drawn."

"This maritime trade office,"

"With that maritime trade office,"

"The amount of tax levied also varies."

Zhao Yuan frowned and said, "The tariffs are not uniform."

"This vulnerability is too big."

Qian Chen continued, "The goods brought in by sea merchants include both coarse and fine items,"

"Rough goods are cumbersome and worthless,"

"Fine goods are lightweight and have high profit margins."

"The Maritime Trade Office then seized upon small goods to levy taxes,"

"The maritime merchants suffered greatly, and thereafter they changed to taking a portion of both coarse and fine taxes."

"As for how much each person will take, that's uncertain,"

"Maritime merchants can even negotiate with maritime officials."

Chapter 1828 A Complete Mess