"Your Excellency is very kind." Sun Kejian continued, "Furthermore, once maritime trade is established, we can also allow merchants to participate and allow them to do business in other countries. Then, based on this condition, we can increase maritime taxes."
"In the later stages, the imperial court will only need to control the transactions of the most important goods, and can let go of everything else."
"We can earn money from other countries and from businessmen. In short, there are many benefits."
At this moment, Sun Kejian was very happy.
Because the family businesses are nothing in his eyes.
So what if he was powerful? He was nothing more than rich enough to rival a nation.
The big money comes from business between the imperial court and other countries, worth tens or even hundreds of millions of taels of silver per trip, and even more in the future.
Whether or not I can make money is irrelevant; the main thing is to enjoy the process. Let everyone see, who says they don't have talent in this area? I, Sun Kejian, am engaged in business that spans many countries. Who can compare?
As for Song Gongwen next to him, he kept nodding his head, thinking that this plan was absolutely feasible.
"But..." At this time, Sun Kejian sighed and said, "Although maritime trade is good, the problem lies in the threat of pirates. Those people are more ruthless than the barbarians on the grasslands. If we don't deal with these people, this matter will not be accomplished."
Pirates, as the name suggests, are pirates on the sea.
They drift in the sea, appearing and disappearing at will, and their methods are extremely cruel.
The people in the coastal areas of the Wei Dynasty were often robbed by these bandits.
"That's right. Pirates are indeed a big problem if we want to start maritime trade." Song Gongwen also thought so when he heard this.
The situation in the ocean is much more complicated than that in the grassland. If it cannot be resolved, this matter cannot be accomplished.
But soon, his expression suddenly changed, with a look of astonishment in his eyes, and he immediately said: "Lord Sun, I think His Majesty may have anticipated the problem of pirates."
What?
Your Majesty has anticipated this?
Sun Kejian was stunned for a moment and couldn't help asking, "Why do you say that, Lord?"
"You should know that the former General Zhao Jiguang, who served as the Northern Guardian, has been appointed by His Majesty as the Commander-in-Chief of Haizhou, right?" Song Gongwen said, "The Haizhou Navy was actually established during the reign of the previous emperor. However, because the threat of pirates at sea was not serious, the establishment of the navy was not given much attention, and even the position of Commander-in-Chief remained vacant."
"But Your Majesty, why did you suddenly send Zhao Jiguang? Zhao Jiguang is the eldest son of the old marquis and has guarded the northern border for several years."
"Although his performance was not satisfactory, his military talent is undoubtedly among the best in our Great Wei."
"With him here, we will definitely be able to train the navy!"
Song Gongwen became more and more excited as he spoke.
At first he didn't understand why His Majesty suddenly asked Zhao Jiguang to command the navy.
But if it was to deal with pirates, then it can be explained.
After all, the army of the previous Wei Dynasty was just like that.
All prepared for the North.
Although there is a navy, its overall strength is not good enough.
But if we have people like Zhao Jiguang, then within a few years, the country will surely be completely transformed.
Especially after hearing about maritime trade, Song Gongwen had a bold guess and immediately said, "Could it be that His Majesty has long discovered the benefits of maritime trade and is training the navy just to deal with pirates?"
"Clear a safe sea route for our Great Wei to trade with other countries!"
"Ah? Your Majesty has already discovered it?"
Next to him, Sun Kejian was a little confused after hearing this, and couldn't help but ask, "But regarding maritime trade, it was this humble official who proposed it?"
"What do you know?" Song Gongwen immediately glanced at the other person and continued, "Your Majesty is a sage monarch of all ages, with an incomparable foresight."
"Your Majesty can see further than what we can think of, and you can also think of things that we cannot think of."
"The idea of maritime trade is indeed novel, but how could Your Majesty not have thought of it?"
As he said this, he turned and looked at Sun Kejian.
Then talk about your impression of His Majesty.
From the equalization of land tax and the establishment of the East Factory, to the release of Prince Yan to his fiefdom, etc., in fact, everything is under the control of Your Majesty.
"I see." Sun Kejian was convinced and nodded in agreement. "If that's the case, my little cleverness might not be much of a factor in front of Your Majesty."
"By the way, Lord, could it be that His Majesty also discovered my talent in this area and appointed me as the Minister of Revenue?"
Although Sun Kejian was not good at business, he still had ideas and thoughts.
It really impressed Song Gongwen.
This person is indeed a talented person.
As for what the other party said, he nodded immediately and said, "It is possible. You should know that I was just a small Dali Temple Junior Secretary back then, but His Majesty overcame all objections and helped me to this position."
"And promoting you must be because His Majesty has a keen eye and is giving you an opportunity!"
Sun Kejian nodded after hearing this.
No wonder Your Majesty was so polite to me when I first met him.
I originally thought it was the Queen Mother, but now I think it was His Majesty who saw my talent.
"Okay, don't think too much about these things."
At this time, Song Gongwen said, "The best plan for now is to open up border trade as soon as possible. Since you proposed this matter, I will leave it to you to handle it personally. Remember, you must achieve some results within three months."
"Without an increase in tax revenue this year, the Ministry of Revenue's current reserves are only enough to sustain the soldiers in the northern border and Liaodong for three months."
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