After hearing what Old Man Zhao said, Li Ming felt better. At least the Li family still had great hope for the future. However, thinking about his parents and some relatives who were still in Tang State, he was worried that not only would local officials make trouble for them for their wealth, but also that his relatives would be in trouble if Wei State attacked Tang State one day.
Li Ming said, "Uncles and grandfathers, can you give me some advice? How can we get our relatives who are still in Tang State to let go of their obsession and come to Wei State to reunite with us? I really don't feel comfortable leaving them there."
Cui Yuan said, "There's no need to use too many excuses. Why not just send someone back to your family and tell them that many of the younger generations of your Li family have already achieved fame and honor?"
Li Ming could be described as naive, but he wasn't stupid. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to protect his family from this group of old foxes and keep them firmly established in the State of Wei. He said that because he had always been well protected by his family, and after taking over the family business, he had been operating in the relatively merchant-friendly environment of the State of Wei, so he wasn't very familiar with some of the darker aspects of society.
However, he still had some understanding of human nature. The current education policy of Wei State was that as long as the children of his family or the people in his family did not violate the laws of Wei State, then his children had a great chance of becoming officials of Wei State.
For businessmen, if their descendants can become officials, the elders in the family will attach great importance to this matter. Therefore, even if they do not reveal too much news about Wei to their parents, as long as they know that the children of the Li family have achieved fame in Wei, then their family will be able to obtain more resources and protection in Wei.
After discussion, this group of businessmen made a unanimous decision, that is, in accordance with the laws and policies of Wei State, they would transfer all their family members and wealth to Wei State and become a member of Wei State completely.
On the next day, the Minister of Revenue Qian Dai came to the palace and found Chu Fan to report the decision to the merchants who were still in Wei State.
In the Imperial Study, Chu Fan met with the Minister of Revenue, Qian Dai. Chu Fan asked first, "I wonder what Minister Qian wants to talk to me about today?"
You should know that most of the court affairs are now handled by the Royal Government Affairs Office. Qian Dai came to the palace to find me today, so it must be something very important.
Qian Dai said, "Your Majesty, recently many merchants have begun selling off large quantities of old grain and purchasing sweet potatoes and corn from the people. After all, the production of both of these grains is very high. Moreover, the Wei court is purchasing large quantities of these grains, so there must be huge market demand and room for appreciation. Merchants naturally don't want to miss this opportunity. Therefore, I have come to ask Your Majesty whether it is necessary to impose some restrictions on these merchants."
Chu Fan spoke directly, "As long as these merchants abide by Wei's laws, there's no need to impose too many restrictions on them. However, the soldiers at the border must ensure that these merchants can't take sweet potatoes and corn out of Wei. Although I know it's unrealistic to completely control these two grains, as long as we can prevent their large-scale outflow in the next six months, then our future plans won't be a big problem."
Qian Dai had no objection to Chu Fan's decision, because as the core of the Wei court, Qian Dai was very familiar with many of Wei's future arrangements. Qian Dai knew that it would not be long before His Majesty the Emperor would launch a plan to personally lead an expedition to conquer the Shengwu Continent. At that time, the newly developed territory would also become the territory of Wei, and sweet potatoes and corn would become the key to appeasing the local people.
For ruling a new territory, it is crucial to stabilize people's hearts at the beginning. When the Wei court can provide them with basic living security and also provide them with high-yield crops such as sweet potatoes and corn for them to grow, basically the people will be full of gratitude and trust in Wei.
As long as the local people can be stabilized in the first few decades, the new generation will have no memory of the previous dynasty, let alone any loyalty to the previous dynasty. By then, the rule of Wei will be deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and the newly developed areas will be stabilized.
Qian Dai continued his report, "Another point is that many merchants from other countries and powers have responded to Wei's settlement policy. Many have donated money to obtain Wei household registration and land. Of course, many have also sold all their assets in Wei and returned home with their family wealth and family members. I'm here to ask Your Majesty whether restrictions should be placed on these merchants, preventing them from leaving Wei with their wealth and intelligence."
Chu Fan poured himself and Qian Dai a cup of tea and then said, "For those merchants who are willing to donate money to settle down, the court will give corresponding preferential treatment and protection according to the previously designated policies. In the future, they will be regarded as the people of Wei. At that time, they will be members of our Wei State. There is no need to impose special restrictions.
As for those merchants who choose to leave, as long as they pay all taxes while doing business in Wei, there is no need to hinder them too much."
Qian Dai then raised a key question: "Your Majesty, merchants are not trustworthy, let alone merchants from other countries. You must know that the merchants who remain in Wei have all gone through various tests, and their loyalty can basically be guaranteed. But those merchants from other countries have only donated some gold and silver to obtain household registration and land in Wei, and their descendants have the opportunity to study in Wei schools. If members of these families enter the Wei court or army, they will become potential risks.
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