Zhu Biao was not very interested in business matters. Since Han Du said it would be beneficial to bring the merchants with him, he would leave all these matters to Han Du.
At the Governor's Mansion, many merchants come to pay taxes every day. Whether they are Western merchants or Ming Dynasty maritime merchants, they must pay taxes before their goods can enter the port.
Since Han Du wanted to find some maritime merchants to follow him, it was naturally the easiest place to find maritime merchants at the Governor's Mansion.
The place where goods and taxes are paid is very lively. Now that the sun is rising, you can see that it is crowded as soon as you enter. Dozens of Western and Ming Dynasty merchants are wearing various colors of clothes, and all of them are fat and big-eared, holding patrol boats in their hands.
Check out the cargo receipts issued to them. In front of three long rows of desks are merchants waiting in line, and behind them are busy scribes sweating profusely.
Since the collection of sea trade tax, Handu has divided the tax payment into three steps at all ports. First, the cargo ship enters the port. Before the goods are unloaded, it must be inspected by the Governor's Mansion, and the inspection will verify the goods in detail.
The quantity is recorded on the bill. Then the maritime merchant takes the bill to the Governor's Mansion to pay the tax. After paying the tax, the maritime merchant can enter the port to unload the goods with the tax payment certificate.
Moreover, when in the warehouse, the inspection there also needs to verify the amount of goods carried by the maritime merchant and compare it with the tax payment voucher. Only after verification is correct, the maritime merchant is allowed to move the goods to the warehouse.
This process may seem a bit complicated, and it may sound like taking off your pants and farting. But in this way, it can prevent tax evasion by maritime merchants and pockets by government soldiers to the greatest extent.
The inspections that count the goods do not have the power to collect money, which prevents them from colluding with maritime merchants to deliberately reduce the quantity of goods. The people who collect the money do not have the opportunity to see the specific goods, and they collect taxes in public.
Naturally, the bribery of these people by maritime merchants is avoided to the greatest extent. In the last step, the people in the warehouse have to check the goods and tax payment certificates again, which is applied to the people who count the goods and the people who collect taxes at the same time.
A tight spell was put in place to keep them from being reckless.
As soon as he entered the door, Han Du was spotted by a sharp-eyed clerk.
I saw an official from the Governor's Mansion come forward quickly, bowed and said in greeting: "I'm here to pay my respects to the Marquis. I wonder what your orders are since the Marquis is late?"
Han Du looked at the lively scene, and a smile appeared on his face involuntarily. The more people paying taxes, the more prosperous the old port is, and the more taxes the Governor's Mansion can receive.
He waved his hand and said, "There are no instructions. I just came to take a look. You can go about your business and don't worry about me."
"Yes, Lord Marquis." He smiled, bowed and was about to leave. At the end, he added, "If Lord Marquis has any instructions, just call me the official."
Han Du's eyes fell on Haishang and nodded slightly.
Not just any maritime merchant can follow the navy to open up new shipping lanes. Such merchants need to have enough courage and enough vision. Most importantly, they also need to have enough courage.
Reality
Strength. If the strength is insufficient and there is only one ship, there is not much significance in traveling to the West.
Han Du was looking for a wealthy maritime merchant when a voice sounded next to him.
"Master Hou?"
Han Du turned around after hearing the sound, and immediately saw Fu Yong standing behind him as if he had just walked in.
"Is it really Mr. Hou? When did Mr. Hou come to Jiugang?" Fu Yong asked with surprise on his face.
Han Du nodded and said with a smile: "Well, I've been here for a few days."
Then he saw the tax receipt in Fu Yong's hand and asked, "Are you here to pay tax?"
"Yes, we just brought a batch of goods from the capital to Old Port." Fu Yong quickly bowed and replied. Fu Yong started his career in maritime trade, and he was the first to follow Han Du. Although he is no longer satisfied with
He only engaged in sea trade, and also invested money to build gantry cranes in various ports in Southeast Asia. However, he did not completely give up the sea trade business, and continued to do it.
Han Du pondered for a while and felt that instead of searching randomly like a blind cat encountering a dead mouse, it would be better to ask Fu Yong if there were any suitable merchants who wanted to trade with the West.
Nodding, Han Du said: "It just so happens that I have something to do with you. After you finish the matter, come to me."
Fu Yong perked up and quickly smiled and said: "How dare I ask the Marquis to wait? The Marquis will wait for a moment. I'll give you an explanation and then I'll go with the Marquis."
With that said, Fu Yong turned around and stuffed the bill in his hand into the hand of the person behind him, and said: "Third son, when you get here, just line up and pay the tax in a polite manner."
After giving the instructions, Fu Yong came to Han Du and raised his hands and said, "Whatever the Marquis orders, I will never refuse, even if I go up the mountain of swords and under the sea of fire."
Han Du glanced behind him and asked with a smile: "You gave so much money to a guy, aren't you worried that something will go wrong?"
"Thank you, Mr. Marquis, for your concern, but nothing will happen if you have an old guy watching. Mr. Marquis's matters are more important. Please give me your instructions." Fu Yong explained slightly.
Han Du saw that there were many people here and it was very noisy. He took a deep breath and said, "Okay, then let's find a secluded place and I will talk to you in detail?"
"Listen to the Marquis." Fu Yong nodded.
Although Han Du said he was looking for a place to sit down, he was not very familiar with the Old Port and couldn't think of a suitable place for the moment.
When Fu Yong saw it, he asked tentatively and thoughtfully: "Master Hou, I know a pretty good place. Why don't you ask Master Hou to move there?"
"Okay." Han Du agreed wholeheartedly.
Fu Yong took Han Du to a restaurant.
Han Du looked up at the three-story restaurant. Just by looking at the architectural style, he knew it must have been opened by people from the Ming Dynasty.
"The name Fugui Building is quite candid!" Han Du joked with a smile.
Fu Yong echoed with a smile: "People who come to Nanyang come here to make money. No matter how elegant they are, everyone knows what's going on. Instead of being secretive, it's better to be more straightforward."
After a brief explanation, and seeing Han Du nodding with interest, Fu Yong stretched out his hand and said, "The villain is familiar with the shopkeeper here. He stays here almost every time he comes to Old Port. Mr. Marquis, please!"
Han Du nodded slightly and walked into the restaurant.
As soon as I entered the door, I felt a loud noise rushing towards me. The lively scene was no different from what I saw in the capital. .??.
When the shopkeeper saw Fu Yong entering the door, he immediately greeted him with a smile. But when he saw Fu Yong echoing beside a young man, looking groveling, the shopkeeper was stunned.
Then he smiled and said: "Hey, Mr. Fu is back?"
Fu Yong nodded in response, and then said to Han Du: "Please go upstairs!"
Han Du walked up the stairs first.
Fu Yong turned around and said to the shopkeeper: "It's the same as before, bring some wine and food."
"Okay." Although the shopkeeper was also curious about the identity of the young man in front of him, it made a big businessman like Fu Yong have to accompany him carefully. But since Fu Yong didn't introduce it to him, he didn't ask out of curiosity.
.
When he arrived at the door of Fu Yong's room, he took two quick steps forward and opened the door in advance.
"Master Hou, please!"
Han Du nodded, walked in, and looked around.
There is an Eight Immortals table in the middle of the house, and calligraphy and paintings are hung on the surrounding walls. The entire decoration is completely in the style of the Ming Dynasty.
Han Du looked back at Fu Yong who was following behind him and said with a smile: "Did the shopkeeper move the restaurant from Ming Dynasty?"
Fu Yong smiled and replied: "Master Hou is laughing, I like these things of the Ming Dynasty. I don't know why, the more I go to sea, the more I miss everything about the Ming Dynasty. Even if I see a
The tables, chairs, every word and every painting are extremely friendly, as if you are seeing a relative."
Of course, Han Du knew what was going on with Fu Yong. This was caused by a psychological gap. No one in the world can compare with the Ming Dynasty in terms of economy, skills, culture, customs, etc. No matter who has seen the Ming Dynasty,
After the prosperity, you will feel a sense of loss when you go to other places.
"Master Marquis, please take a seat."
Han Du nodded and sat down at the table. Fu Yong picked up the teapot and poured it for Han Du.
Of course the tea in the restaurant was not very good, but Han Du still took it and took a sip with relish.
Fu Yong picked up the tea and signaled to Han Du, then put down the teacup and asked, "Master Hou, I wonder if there is anything you need a villain for?"
Han Du leaned back in his chair, crossed his hands in front of his stomach, and said: "I want to lead the navy to the west, and I want to find any merchants willing to explore the waterway."
"I am willing!" Fu Yong stood up without hesitation and stared at Han Du with surprise on his face.
Han Du smiled and pressed his hand, signaling Fu Yong to calm down and said, "Sit down first."
"Yes, Lord Marquis." Fu Yong looked excited. He was the first one to accompany Han Du to Nanyang. How much benefit he could gain by following the navy to open up waterways. Others don't know, so how can he, Fu Yong, not know?
?Originally, he, Fu Yong, was just a small businessman in the capital. He went overseas to sell goods and gained his current wealth.
The first time he opened a waterway, he could easily sell the same thing for free. Just like when he first came to Old Port, a piece of porcelain from the Ming Dynasty could be exchanged for an equal weight of gold. But now, although porcelain
The price was pretty good, but it was far less than when he first came to Old Port. At that time, there were countless Western businessmen holding gold in their hands, wanting to exchange for any goods in his hands.
Of course Han Du also knew what Fu Yong was excited about, but there was a huge difference between the West and Southeast Asia, and I'm afraid it was not as beautiful as Fu Yong thought.
After thinking for a while, Han Du explained: "Listen to what I say first. Going to the West is more dangerous than coming to Nanyang, and the risks are not small. What I mean is, can you find some stronger seamen?"
Shang, let’s work together to walk this channel?”
"Yes, of course I can!" Fu Yong replied with a face full of surprise, "Master Hou is worried that ordinary maritime merchants cannot afford the loss if they don't go far, right?"
"Of course." Han Du nodded, "I won't hide it from you, the Western Ocean and the Southern Ocean are completely different. Strictly speaking, the ocean in the Southern Ocean is not very vast, and there are many islands in the sea. But in the Western Ocean, it may travel thousands of miles,
Not even an island can be found."
Fu Yong nodded seriously and said: "I am definitely willing to go, but if others are willing to go, I have to ask them first."
"Okay, I will give you three days. After three days, you can gather those who are willing to go together, and I will meet with them in person." Han Du did not force Fu Yong, insisting that he find a maritime merchant to go with him.
The cost of doing sea trade is huge. Just a cargo ship costs several thousand guan for a larger one. Add in the cargo, and the tens of thousands of guan will be lost. If there is a storm in the sea and the ship capsizes, the tens of thousands of guan will be lost.
It was gone in an instant. Such a loss is not something ordinary businessmen can afford.