Zhao Lin disguised himself and left the headquarters under cover, walked through the night, and came to the back door of a house.
The guard knocked on the door and the courtyard gate opened immediately. Zhao Lin hurried in and the courtyard gate closed immediately.
"Sir, please follow me."
The servant took Zhao Lin and walked quietly, and soon they arrived in front of a house.
The servant gestured to Zhao Lin to invite him in, then turned and left.
Zhao Lin ordered the guards to wait outside the door, and he pushed the door open and went in. He said to the person who was reading inside, "Zhao Lin greets Mr. Mi."
The person in the room was Mi Moli, who left the table in anger.
At this time, he was wearing a simple robe and sitting at his desk. Hearing this, he asked, "What are the important things in being an official?"
Zhao Lin said without hesitation: "The people."
Mi Moli then asked, "What is the importance of the people?"
Zhao Lin said: "The people are the water, and the court is the boat. The water can carry the boat, but it can also capsize it."
Mi Moli's eyes lit up and he said, "It's true that water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. Sit down!"
Only then did Zhao Lin come and sit on the chair opposite Mi Moli.
Mi Moli said: "Chengwang's letter is correct. You are indeed a good official."
Zhao Lin smiled and said, "It's all thanks to my father-in-law."
Fu Chengwang was not only the Minister of Rites and the leader of the Chu Party, but also a leader in the literary world.
Mi Moli, a great scholar of the time, had a very good relationship with Fu Chengwang. The two often exchanged letters to discuss world affairs.
So Mi Moli’s anger and leaving the table before was just for show to others, and he didn’t want to get involved with those people.
Zhao Lin knew Mi Moli's plan at a glance, so he deliberately angered him and sent him away, waiting to come and visit him in the evening.
Mi Moli said, "Li Xingye also wrote to me."
Li Xingye himself is also very talented in writing, and is familiar with Mi Moli, not only having a high status.
Zhao Lin sighed, "My mentor is so kind to me. He always cares about me and loves me wherever I go."
Mi Moli smiled and said, "They both praised you, so I think it should be okay."
Zhao Lin said solemnly, "Please give me some advice, Mr. Mi."
Mi Moli asked in reply, "Regulating maritime trade is fraught with difficulties. Even the cabinet ministers may not be able to sort it out. Just do your job as river governor. His Majesty favors you anyway, and you will definitely benefit from it in the future. Why do you have to cause yourself trouble?"
Zhao Lin said, "Mr. Mi also knows that the issue of maritime trade is a big problem, but do you know the specific income from maritime trade?"
Mi Moli shook his head and said, "I don't know, but I vaguely heard that they concealed a lot of their income."
Zhao Lin said, "The annual tax on maritime trade is currently around 300,000 to 400,000 taels of silver. However, according to my research, if all maritime merchants paid their taxes according to the law, this amount could at least double or even triple."
Mi Moli was moved: "Is that really the case?"
Zhao Lin nodded and said, "This is why I came here, even if it means offending others. The treasury is empty, and there are constant wars on the border. Add to that the floods in the southeast and drought in the northwest, and people are starving everywhere. Money is needed everywhere. How much can I confiscate by simply confiscating property? Therefore, we must fundamentally increase revenue and reduce expenditure."
“Increase revenue and reduce expenditure!”
Mi Moli chewed on these four words carefully and said, "That's right, we must increase revenue and reduce expenditure. Although I am not in the court, I also know the difficulties of the court. There is no money."
Zhao Lin said: "Money can solve 90% of the world's problems. If it can't solve them, it means there is not enough money."
Mi Moli chuckled and said, "You have a twisted logic. Anyway, if you need any help from me, just tell me."
Zhao Lin said, "First, we need to find someone who knows the real situation in the area to inquire about the specifics. Second, we also want to recruit some personnel from the academy. Mr. Mi also knows that the younger generation has been promoted too quickly and has too few trustworthy people under them."
Mi Moli thought for a while and said, "I do have some people in my academy, but some of them are related to maritime merchants, so you have to use them with caution."
Zhao Lin was overjoyed: "Thank you, Mr. Mi. With their help, this matter has been accomplished!"
Mi Moli smiled and said, "Okay, now that we've finished our official business, let's talk about something else. You've done a great job in Qingzhou. Chengwang mentioned it many times in your letter. I'm very proud of you."
Zhao Lin said embarrassedly, "My father-in-law is just like Wang Po selling melons and boasting about her own products."
Mi Moli laughed and said, "He's not modest at all, but you are. I have carefully inquired about your actions in Qingzhou. Tell me, of all the things you have done, which one is the most important?"
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