At noon on August 28th, the sun was shining brightly and the autumn wind was not dry.
In the official hall of the central hall of Dushikou Shenjiang's office, Zhang Cheng was receiving Wang Muchen, the master of Taidong in Ruichang, Shanxi, and Qin Zichen, the master of Qiandeji in Datong.
"It's really rare for you two to travel thousands of miles to attend my general's wedding banquet." Zhang Cheng said to Wang Muchen and Qin Zichen in the official hall.
The two of them were excited to be received by Zhang Cheng alone. Although they invested a gift of five thousand taels of silver, to them, it was just an investment, and it was all about their vision.
Not to mention that Shanxi businessmen are very powerful, especially the Wang family. They have been able to survive in Shanxi for hundreds of years because of their vision and vision that are ahead of others.
The Wang family in Shanxi supported many of their clan members to serve as officials in the capital. They said that Datong Commander-in-Chief Wang Pu was a military leader they supported with gold and silver. Unfortunately, Commander-in-Chief Wang was a useless idiot.
Now they discovered that Zhang Cheng, who was rising and showing his prominence, not only had the support of the holy family, but also the support of the governor Chen Xinjia. Even in the court, he was cared for by the cabinet minister Yang Sichang. What is even more rare is that Zhang Cheng is still like this so young.
Because of this, Wang Muchen, a tribesman, was sent to attend Zhang Cheng's wedding banquet. Through Wang Pu's relationship, he first established contact with Zhang Cheng and then conducted a detailed investigation.
If Zhang Cheng is indeed worthy of investment, they will further draw closer to Zhang Cheng, or even completely tie him together. If Zhang Cheng is also an embroidered pillow in name only, with a congratulatory gift of five thousand taels, he will bury it first. A line is nothing to the Wang family.
For Wang Muchen, at the wedding banquet, he saw the pearl and jade gifted by the emperor. Cabinet ministers and governors all sent couplets and banners, and Fu minister Liu Yongzha came to congratulate him in person, which further confirmed that the rumors were true. , Zhang Cheng is indeed a saint and has a bright future.
At this time, he stood up and replied politely: "The news of Admiral Zhang Qin and King Qin has long been spread to Shanxi. He shot Dorgon with an arrow and killed Yue Tuo in a formation. He showed the majesty of our court and the common people were full of admiration and admiration.
This is the grand wedding of the Commander-in-Chief, and the common people are even more presumptuous in coming here. Thanks to the Admiral for not giving up, he is able to receive us in person, which really puts the common people to shame and is really flattering."
Zhang Cheng smiled, drank some tea, and then said: "You two have arrived at Dushikou after a long journey. There is no need to rush back. You can explore the scenery of the northern country."
He said this and then said to Lin Fangping who was standing by: "Fangping, please arrange a carriage and a bodyguard. From today on, they will stay with the two distinguished guests Wang Muchen and Qin Zichen until they leave the North Road."
"Here!"
Hearing this, Wang Muchen and Qin Zichen looked at each other, and then Wang Muchen said, "I'm really ashamed. How can I be so virtuous and capable that I receive such preferential treatment from the Admiral?"
Zhang Cheng smiled and said: "Don't be polite, you two. Just go to North Road and visit various places. Now North Road is stable and border trade is booming. If you are interested, you can open one on our North Road." I will defend my business name with all my might."
Seeing Zhang Cheng proactively inviting them to open a business on the North Road, their eyes lit up, but Zhang Cheng continued: "We have two places on the North Road, Dushikou and Mumapu, which can be used for border trade with the North. Especially Dushikou is the most convenient.
Moreover, the general can also send soldiers to escort the goods in major shops, and only charge some fees for the labor of horses and carriages. After all, the soldiers also need to eat."
Qin Zichen also asked at this time: "May I ask, Lord Admiral, what are the restrictions on the trade between Dushikou and Beilu?"
"Ha ha!"
Zhang Cheng laughed again and said: "There are no restrictions. Everything can be traded with me at the Dushikou. However, it is not easy for me to raise an army, especially because of the lack of money and food. Therefore, I have to deal with all matters related to trade."
To levy some commercial taxes, this matter must be discussed upfront.
Another point is that the salt, wine, tea and other goods in our North Road are exclusively sold by the Wei Department, but private sales by private merchants are not allowed!"
"Unknown, how will the general collect the commercial tax on the North Road?" Wang Muchen asked.
"Salt, wine and tea must pay a 20% franchise tax when crossing the border from the North Road. All other items must pay a commercial tax ranging from 50% to 10% respectively. Grain, coarse cloth, farm tools and other items are subject to
Due to the needs of the military and civilians for the cultivation and the stability of our northern road, commercial taxes will not be collected for the time being.
As for the specific details, they will be made public in the next two days, and collection will start from September this year. I don’t know what you two think?" Zhang Cheng said.
The two of them thought for a moment and then said: "As the Admiral said, charging a small commercial tax on border trade, although there is no precedent for this, is understandable and we all support it.
It’s just that I don’t know how the salt, wine and tea franchise that you are talking about is going to work. I’m sure we won’t open official stores everywhere!”
"The franchise of salt wine and tea is still mainly based on taxation. Merchants on Wobei Road can buy salt wine and tea from the official store and sell it in their own stores, or they can purchase it from outside Wobei Road.
However, entry tax will be levied when entering our northern territory."
Zhang Cheng said this, took a sip of tea, and then continued: "However, I intend to select a few companies with integrity to participate in the franchise, which is called a franchise!"
"Franchise?"
Both Wang Muchen and Qin Zichen looked suspicious. They looked at each other, and Wang Muchen still asked: "I don't know what a franchise is. Please ask the Admiral to clear up Mu Chen's doubts."
"Franchising is easy to say."
Zhang Cheng put down his tea cup and continued: "The idea is that licenses and specific trade names will be issued. If a trade name obtains a salt industry license, it can operate salt products in Beilu.
It pays a certain amount of salt tax to the Ministry of Health every year. According to the amount of tax paid, it can operate salt of the same value. However, the salt tax does need to be paid in advance, so that it can enjoy the same treatment as the official store without the need to approve and sell salt every time.
Value of goods, single payment of tax.
The same applies to wine and tea!"
"In this way, it is almost the same as buying salt." Qin Zichen said.
"Admiral, if this is the case, the price of this salt on Beilu will be high. Firstly, the army and the people may not be able to afford it, and secondly, illicit salt will become popular!" Wang Muchen was also worried.
"Ha ha……"
Zhang Cheng burst into laughter and said: "Most of the military households on our northern road are the homes of military dependents. Moreover, we have workshops all over the north and south of Yunzhou. Among them, salt, grain, and silver are often exchanged for military pay and wages.
, the salt it needs every year is also limited and has little impact on it.
As for this private salt, I dare not mention it elsewhere, but within the territory of the North Road, it is absolutely impossible. Not to mention the strict military and civil laws of our North Road, there are inspections in every pass and fort.
The North Road will definitely be difficult to walk!"