After the wine glasses were filled and before drinking, Jiang Zheng introduced to Fang Zian one by one the several boat owners present.

"This is Boss Zhou. He is the owner of Longxing Shipping Company, the largest shipping company in Lin'an shipping industry. He owns more than 30 ships and has three docks in Xihe. Not only does he go to sea to do business with other countries, but he also takes care of goods within the Song Dynasty.

Run the business." Jiang Zheng pointed at a wealthy old man and introduced.

"How dare you, how dare you, old Zhou Zhengcang. This business is nothing. I only rely on the care of the court and the adults to have a meal." The old man's words were humble, but his expression was very proud.

"You're welcome to Mr. Zhou's family. Mr. Zhou is also the president of our Lin'an Shipping Industry Guild. He has many connections with our yamen." Jiang Zheng added.

Fang Zian nodded and said, "I have admired you for a long time."

"This one is from Dong Sun's family... This one is from Dong Qian's family... This one is from Dong Yang's family... This one is from Dong Li's family." Jiang Zhengyi introduced to Fang Zian.

Fang Zian didn't know anyone, so he just nodded politely. But when he was introduced to Li Shaodong's family, Fang Zian was stunned, frowned and said: "This Li Shaodong's family... looks familiar."

Li Shaodong's mouth was crooked and his appearance was not straight, so he left a deep impression on people. Fang Zian suddenly remembered who he was.

"Well... Mr. Fang has a good memory. Back in Wanjia Village... the villain and Mr. Fang had a relationship. At first, the villain was ignorant and offended Mr. Fang. He was really scared. The villain was about to apologize to the adults."

Li Shaodong's family name was Li Biao, and his nickname was Li Waizui.

Shaodong, the boatman who had a conflict with Fang Zian in Jiacun. When Fang Zian went to ask Wan Dahai to come out, it happened that Li Shaodong's family forced Wan Dahai to take the helm for him and led his people to constantly harass Wan Dahai. Fang Zian took action to teach them a lesson.

Unexpectedly, things turned around and I met him here again.

Fang Zian burst into laughter and said with a smile: "Interesting, interesting, it turns out it's really you. Oh, this world is too small. Li Shaodong's family... um... not bad, not bad, we still have you as the number one figure in Lin'an shipping industry

.”

Li Biao hurriedly said: "My lord, please don't hold grudges. I was also thirsty for talents, so I went to hire Wan Dahai. But didn't you say that you were also a sailor? The one called 'Dongfeng Boat Company' also hired Wan Dahai."

The sea comes from the mountains. Do you really have a boat shop? I heard that Wan Dahai was invited to be the leader, and that group of people built a dock in Wantou Village. Could it be your property?"

Fang Zian was stunned and said with a smile: "That's not my property, but it has something to do with me. I bought a share. It's not illegal to make a little money to spend."

Jiang Zheng said in surprise: "It turns out that the boating business in Wantou Village is related to you, and the flood almost washed away the Dragon King Temple. Someone originally reported that someone in Wantou Village went out to sea for smuggling, and the officials are collecting evidence and preparing to go there."

It was not copied. Fortunately, there was a commotion in the court for a while, and people were panicked, so they delayed it. Otherwise, wouldn't this mean that a flood has washed away the Dragon King Temple?"

All the bosses laughed when they heard the words, and they understood in their hearts. Jiang Zheng was not polite and pointed out the matter in public. Mr. Fang used to have a dirty butt, and he also did things like smuggling goods out to sea. Now it's good

, everyone doesn't have to worry anymore. Master Fang has finally been caught.

Fang Zian was annoyed, and as he was talking, this matter came up. This was unexpected. He knew about the smuggling of his ship.

In fact, it is not airtight. After all, what kind of disturbance on the Qiantang River will not be discovered? There are people in Wanjia Village in Wantou Village talking nonsense outside. As for overseas trade, smuggling once or twice may not be possible. It has been discovered by others, but now it has become normal, so it is naturally difficult to hide it from others.

"Smuggling? I don't know about that. I just bought a share. They said it was a place for shipbuilding and ship repair. I don't know whether it is smuggling or not. If it really happens, it must be dealt with according to the law. If not... Mr. Jiang , you have to be responsible." Fang Zian shamelessly gave him a denial. He thought in his mind that he had to quickly ask Qian Kang to apply for the qualification to go to sea from the Yamen. He is now in charge of this matter, and after approval, he will have no worries. Okay. The most important thing is to pay taxes. The way I will make money in the future will definitely not be through smuggling trade.

Jiang Zheng hurriedly said: "Sir, I also heard someone's report, but I didn't find anything. The boat company should have reported it earlier to avoid being false. It's easy for us to pretend that we didn't say anything about it. We are here to drink today. What are you talking about?"

"Yes, yes, drink, drink. Then who...Li Shaodong's family, you just said that you offended Master Fang before, why don't you punish yourself with three drinks first to show your apology?" Zhou Zhengcang said with a smile.

Li Biao hurriedly said: "Sir, Mr. Fang, I will punish myself with three cups of wine as an apology. Sir, you have a lot, so please don't take it to heart."

After saying that, Li Biao drank three large cups of Huadiao wine and apologized. Fang Zian smiled and said: "I don't remember it. Besides, you were the one who suffered the loss that time. I'm just thankful that you didn't come to trouble me." Then it passed, hahaha."

Everyone nodded one after another, and then they exchanged glasses and started eating and drinking. The hosts were all people of the scene. They talked funny and knew a lot of things. They told some jokes and anecdotes about Lin'an City, and the atmosphere was extremely lively.

After three rounds of wine and five flavors of food, Jiang Zheng felt that it was almost done. Mr. Fang seemed to be the same kind of people. It would be better to talk about some things. So he smiled and said: "Sir Fang asked the subordinates the question in the Yamen today. , I think this is the best time to give an answer. While the shopkeepers of several major shipping companies in Lin'an are here, I might as well give you an explanation. Several owners, Mr. Fang, asked me today why our city's shipping company handles trade goods every year. It’s worth 60 to 70 million taels of silver, but our city’s shipping department can only receive a mere 700,000 yuan in tax revenue. I think some owners should give you an explanation.”

Zhou Zhengcang put down the wine cup, wiped the wine from his beard and said to Fang Zian: "Master Fang, we also want to contribute more finance and tax to the imperial court. After all, without the imperial court, there would be no way for us shipping merchants to survive, right? However, if according to the The court's method is to use one out of ten for fine and precious goods and one out of twenty for ordinary goods. Then our shipping business will be in vain. Today I will simply make it clear to you, sir, that our profits depend on this part of the underpayment. We can only maintain it with tax money. There is nothing we can do.”

Fang Zian put down his chopsticks and said with a smile: "How do you say this? As far as I know, when overseas goods arrive in the Song Dynasty, the profit can be doubled. You spend 10,000 taels to buy goods, and when they arrive in the Song Dynasty, you can sell them for 20,000 taels. The imperial court If you spend one or two thousand taels of silver, you can still make a profit of eight thousand taels. Excluding the personnel expenses and depreciation of the ships, you can make a net profit of 50% with a capital of ten thousand taels at least. Once you go to sea, you will have a fleet of dozens of ships. You will get more than ten or two hundred thousand taels of silver in one trip, why are you still here crying to me about poverty?"

Zhou Zheng

Cang laughed and said: "Sir, everyone can settle the accounts. On the surface, the accounts are basically good, but it may not be what you said. Don't you take risks when ships go to sea? When encountering a storm, as long as one

If something happens to the ship, everything will be lost. There are still pirates on the sea, and when you pass through those waters of Fan Kingdom, local Fan people will still rob you. Don’t you consider these risks?"

Fang Zian sneered and said: "Don't fool me into being an amateur. The Municipal Shipping Department took the lead in setting up a risk bank, and every shipping company paid money as a risk bank. Once a disaster or robbery occurs, they will use this bank as compensation. Although it is not

Make money, but not lose money.”

Zhou Zhengcang chuckled and said: "Your Majesty is right, but the money is not paid by our shipping companies themselves? The wool comes from the sheep, so we can only share some risks."

Fang Zian said: "Doing business naturally has risks. If you make a profit, you will lose it. A car will overturn on the road, a boat will capsize, or you will be robbed. These are all risks. There is no business in the world that is guaranteed to make a profit without losing money. We are all in the business world.

Those who are above, naturally understand this truth. It is unreasonable for the imperial court to bear your risks. The imperial court has given you enough

, build a large wharf, send naval troops to cruise, give you a huge market, and the fees charged are not high. You have to deduct even this small amount of money. Where can the imperial court get the money to develop armaments, build bridges, wharves, and roads? Dong Zhou’s family,

It's okay for you to make money, but you can't let the court work in vain. After all, without the court, there would be no you."

Zhou Zhengcang saw that the words were wrong and looked at Jiang Zheng. Jiang Zheng was trying to smooth things over and said with a smile: "Master Fang, what Zhou Dong's family means is that they also have difficulties. The imperial court can't just dry up the lake and fish in the lake. Only by giving them benefits can the imperial court continue to have a steady stream of money."

Isn’t it about collecting taxes? This matter is inherently beneficial to both parties..."

Fang Zian said in a deep voice: "Sir Jiang, are you and Xi Ni allowed to modify the imperial policy at will? Do you still have any principles? The local shipping company in Lin'an traded 19 million taels of goods last year. Even if it was twenty

If you take one and calculate it, it is still 400,000 in taxes. However, the actual tax paid

We only had 170,000 taels of silver. Where did the remaining 230,000 taels of silver go? Their merchants relied on these 230,000 taels of silver to make profits? Do you think I am a fool? 230,000, divided among eight shipping companies, each one

How much do you get? Are they willing to do it for such a small profit? I think you have fooled me into thinking I am a fool."

Jiang Zheng was so frightened that he stood up and said: "Sir, please calm down. There are... some reasons. Hey... this... it's not convenient to talk about it at the moment... Let's go to your Majesty tomorrow... and I will go to your Majesty in detail tomorrow morning."

.What do you think, sir? Let’s just drink tonight.”

Fang Zian stood up and said: "I came to the banquet tonight because I told you that I wanted to report the matter clearly, but you got them here, arguing and hesitating about this matter. What's wrong with this wine?

drink?"

Fang Zian reached out and took out an ingot of silver and threw it on the table and said: "This is five taels of silver. This banquet is two hundred taels. There are more than ten of us, and each of us will share two taels of silver. General Zhao and I

Five taels of silver is always enough, but don't say that we ate your meal because we paid for it. Let's take our leave."

Fang Zian stood up and walked away. Zhao Gang also stood up and followed behind. Jiang Zheng and others hurriedly stood up to stop him and said: "Hey, hey, why should you be angry, sir? Stay here."
Chapter completed!