"Not only that, competition will also give rise to many new products and ideas, which will benefit the country. At present, only when the government regresses can the people make progress."
Li Yuanzhao looked solemn: "That's good of you to say, but how can we get the court to untie us? That's simply impossible."
"Alas, I am not sure. But if we start from the Ministry of Revenue, there might be a chance of victory. Since I took over as the commander of the Jinyiwei, I have been cracking down on illegal exploitation and officials and businessmen using their power to oppress others. I guess many people in the court are dissatisfied with me."
"But the revenue of the Ministry of Revenue in the capital should have increased. After all, officials and businessmen use all kinds of tricks to evade taxes, but ordinary people are much more honest!"
"If the Ministry of Revenue is willing to cooperate, then I will make a petition to Your Majesty. First, to loosen the restrictions on merchants, and second, to expand the Jinyiwei to supervise lawlessness."
The Jinyiwei of today is completely different from the Jinyiwei he remembered in history.
Not to mention the scope of functions, the sphere of influence is limited to the capital. Although the capital is the hub of the world, there is still not much that can be done.
Li Yuanzhao sighed: "Of course I fully support you, but I still feel that there is little hope. Tax evasion is rampant and morals are corrupted. This alone can negate everything."
"That's right, but we have to eat one bite at a time. I will first try to get Your Majesty to choose a place to start a pilot project. As long as the pilot project is successful, the follow-up matters will be easy."
"In the final analysis, it is the colleagues in the court who are too short-sighted. The pie can be made bigger and bigger. They already have huge advantages. One day they will find that they, not the people, are the ones who benefit the most!"
Li Yuanzhao raised his head, thought for a while, and said hesitantly: "Hmm... Hmm, but you said... If merchants are not restricted, will there be a merchant with great influence in the future, monopolizing an industry and affecting the court?"
Fang Zheng was filled with awe. The prince was so sensitive!
"Your Highness, it's not that there are no restrictions, it's just that some restrictions have been relaxed. And as long as the merchant monopolizes the entire industry with legitimate ability, the court has absolutely no reason to suppress him, unless he uses his position advantage to maliciously oppress his peers. Otherwise, they will use their scale advantage to continuously lower prices and exclude all competitors. This is a true monopoly."
"And if there really is such a huge merchant, it would be convenient for us to collect taxes, and he wouldn't be able to escape!"
Li Yuanzhao asked curiously, "Oh, you said the opposite. It should be a price increase. After monopolizing the market, there will be no rivals. Shouldn't we raise prices and make huge profits?"
Fang Zheng smiled and said, "Of course you can, but raising the price is tantamount to cultivating a rival for yourself! Your Highness has forgotten what merchants fear the most. They fear the gossip of the world. We have newspapers and public opinion. Under the supervision of the court, we cannot use our advantages to maliciously attack our peers, otherwise another competitor will soon take advantage of the opportunity to move in. Therefore, the only smart thing to do is to use our advantages to lower prices."
"Of course, it is possible that prices will be raised after monopolizing the market. Unless... they have the support of power, they can act recklessly."
At this point, Fang Zheng chuckled and leaned close to Li Yuanzhao's ear: "Besides, since ancient times, I have never heard of a businessman causing such a huge uproar."
"If the business is small, it belongs to them. If it is big, it belongs to the court..."
.....
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
