Is this what we promised about fair competition and no taking advantage?
Fan Yongdou took a deep look at Wu Dazhang who was laughing loudly, shook his head with a wry smile, and stood up to leave.
According to the established regulations, a license for foreign trade does not need to be purchased, and can be obtained by paying a deposit.
But, the key lies in this but.
Obtaining a trade license is only the first step, but it does not mean that you can directly go out to trade with the Mongols, because the Chinese Chamber of Commerce has been designated as the one in charge of the trade.
What this means is that you are eligible to trade in goods, but the buyer will be the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. You are also allowed to set the price of the goods, and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce recommends a 10% markup.
Of course, you are free to add a certain percentage, but whether you can sell it at this price is hard to say. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce does not pay cash for purchases, but pays after the sale.
Besides, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce also has purchasing channels, and the approximate prices are clear to them, so you can't cheat them.
If the price is set too high, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce will say that they can’t sell them, so just pile them up in the warehouse and pay the storage fees!
The price is too low. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce didn't sell it to the Mongolians at this price. The bulk of the profits belong to them, not you.
Although it wasn't explicitly stated, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce's suggestion essentially set a price. They'd only give you a 10% profit margin, plus you'd have to pay commercial taxes. It was up to you whether you wanted to do it or not.
Monopoly, naked monopoly!
Fan Yongdou and others expected that it might be difficult to obtain a license and that the court would favor Wu Dazhang, but they did not expect this to be the case.
If you are just an ordinary businessman, such conditions and such profits are acceptable.
But the profits these eight families made from border trade were not small. Indeed, in the eyes of those who once monopolized border trade, this little profit was just small money.
The imperial court's intention was to control foreign trade, which was an obvious one.
Whether it was to make money, or to strengthen control over the Mongols through economic means, or both, there is no point in guessing.
There are no more meat and bones, but you can still drink the soup if you want.
Fan Yongdou and others paid the deposit and got the license, but they didn't want to see Wu Dazhang's face again, so they left the meeting one after another.
Wu Dazhang, however, was very proud and was talking about the benefits of the new border trade policy with a few businessmen who were trying to get close to him.
"The warehouses and inns were built by our Chamber of Commerce, and we offer discounts to everyone. We're all merchants, and I understand the hardships involved."
Wu Dazhang initially looked sympathetic, then changed his tone to one of gentle persuasion. "You all know that the Chinese Chamber of Commerce has received permission from the imperial court to establish warehouses and stores within the post stations, right? This is to facilitate the transportation of goods by merchants, and it's both safe and reliable."
Do you think the Chinese Chamber of Commerce is losing money? Setting up a warehouse and a store costs money, but isn't operating it profitable? Once it grows, it can add other services like transportation.
"I have great admiration for the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and I also admire President Wu's public-spirited spirit." A businessman bowed and asked, "What are the requirements for joining the Chamber of Commerce?"
Seeing everyone's concerned expressions, Wu Dazhang couldn't help but cough and said seriously, "The conditions are simple: be honest and law-abiding, loyal to the emperor and patriotic."
Wu Dazhang stretched out his fat hand and waved it in the air. His expression became even more serious. "This Chamber of Commerce will never accept such a person who seeks profit without any profit or has a black heart, even if he has a fortune. If we accept him by mistake, we will immediately expel him."
"Let everyone know that our Chamber of Commerce and the Maritime Merchants Association have the favor of His Majesty and have the right to submit petitions to His Majesty." Wu Dazhang looked around at the merchants and said loudly, "If any officials abuse the law and oppress others, His Majesty will take charge."
Oh, ah! So with such a background, no wonder he wants to monopolize foreign trade. This is the meaning of long live!
The businessmen uttered sounds of amazement and envy, and their eyes looked at Wu Dazhang with very different expressions.
Being granted a nobility title is not ordinary. And if you join the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and are bullied or extorted by the government, you can also file a complaint, and the emperor will make the decision!
Wu Dazhang looked at everyone seriously, nodded slightly from time to time, and a warm smile appeared on his fat face again.
I'm not kidding, this is truly the privilege of our Chinese Chamber of Commerce. With His Majesty's grace, we will rule for merchants who operate legally, abide by the law, and have integrity.
……………………Dividing line………………………….
"As long as you act according to the law, I will take care of you. If you follow the old ways and do nothing, the stability you can maintain will only lead to complicity..."
Liu Lishun, the magistrate of Jiashan County, Jiaxing Prefecture, looked at the noisy local officials and students in the yamen, remembered the words of the emperor, and made up his mind to be tough to the end.
Hu Cheng and Zhang Rui knelt in front of the hall, exchanged glances, and both showed a hint of happy smiles.
These two guys have no status, or it would be more appropriate to call them slaves.
But they were all adopted sons of the local official Xu Tingjiao. They relied on their master's power to collect rent, extort gifts and fees, lend money and force their children to take over their land and houses. They had a long history of bad deeds and committed many sins.
And powerful gentry like Xu Tingjiao, their vast wealth was mostly obtained by plundering and extorting the people by these powerful slaves and evil servants.
It can be said that Hu Cheng and Zhang Rui are the master's henchmen, the thugs who help the local officials abuse their power, and the tools they use to make money and seize land.
"Hu Cheng and Zhang Rui lent money and extorted money, forcing the innocent citizen Dong Dafen to death." Liu Lishun slammed the gavel and said loudly, "Now the evidence is irrefutable, the criminals have confessed and signed, and you are making a fuss..."
"Unjust, unjust!" Hu Cheng howled, interrupting Liu Lishun. "It's true that I lent money, but I have nothing to do with Dong Dafen's death. I confessed and signed the agreement because I couldn't bear the torture and confessed under duress."
"I confessed under torture!" Zhang Rui got the hint and immediately stuck his butt out, crying, "If I don't confess, I'll be beaten to death with a stick."
Student Zhou Wenrang stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Excellency, Hu Cheng and Zhang Rui are servants of Xu Xiangguan. Xu Xiangguan has always been very strict with his subordinates. I believe there are some twists and turns in the case. I hope Your Excellency will do the people's bidding and re-examine the case."
Liu Lishun coldly looked at the county's renowned lawyer and said in a deep voice, "The case is clear and straightforward. I have ruled according to the law. How could there be any twists and turns? If you believe my ruling is unfair, you can appeal to the government. Gathering a crowd and stirring up trouble is a violation of discipline. Don't you fear the law?"
Zhou Wenrang showed no fear and spoke loudly, "Your Excellency, that's easy to say. Who will bear the losses of traveling so long to the government office to file a complaint, wasting money and delaying work? This is clearly a wrongful case, yet you insist on going your own way. Aren't you afraid of being criticized in public?"
Liu Lishun was furious, pointing at Zhou Wen and shouting, "You are so bold and reckless, making a scene in the courtroom with your clever rhetoric. Come, arrest him with me."
This is not just a matter of two slaves breaking the law, but also involves deeper conflicts.
Liu Lishun knew that he must not give in on this matter. Otherwise, his prestige would drop sharply, these guys would become more aggressive, and all his efforts to rectify government affairs would be wasted.
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