"So you're turning your attention to maritime trade?" Fu Chengwang asked, puzzled. "Even if you could collect taxes on maritime trade, they'd go into the national treasury, and it's only a million taels of silver a year. You wouldn't get much at all."
Zhao Lin laughed and said, "Why should I ask others to share the money I earned?"
"Then what are you going to do?" Fu Chengwang asked.
Zhao Lin said in a deep voice, "Of the annual tax of one million taels, half goes into the government treasury, and half goes into the emperor's private treasury. The rest is mine."
As soon as these words came out, Fu Chengwang and Fu Wenqi's foreheads twitched violently.
"You're not planning to confiscate the property of all the officials in the governor's offices in those provinces, are you?" Fu Wenqi said in panic, "Absolutely not! Just raiding the Jiujiang governor's office alone would have shaken the world. If it weren't for His Majesty's favor, you would have been dismissed and imprisoned. If you raid the governor's offices in Jian'an and other provinces, I'm afraid even the Emperor won't be able to protect you."
Zhao Lin said calmly, "The emperor is the greatest of all. If the emperor can't protect me, it means that the money I made is not enough and the emperor is not satisfied."
Fu Chengwang and his father didn't know what to say.
Is the emperor a money-hungry person?
It’s true!
Seeing the two men like this, Zhao Lin smiled and said, "Father-in-law and Big Brother, don't panic. I told you, I know what's going on. To tell you the truth, if we really want to strictly collect taxes on maritime trade, the amount will be this much even if we reduce it annually."
Zhao Lin spread out the five fingers of his right hand.
"Five million...two taels?" Fu Wenqi said with difficulty.
Zhao Lin nodded.
"Why are there so many?" Fu Wenqi couldn't help but ask.
Zhao Lin said: "There are three reasons."
“First, smuggling is rampant and the government is unable to collect taxes.”
"Second, corruption and collusion between officials and businessmen. Money that should have gone into the national treasury went into the pockets of officials."
"Third, management is inefficient, even chaotic, and not all taxes due are collected."
Fu Chengwang and his son seemed to be thinking about something.
"These three points are simple to say, but it's very troublesome to rectify them, and I even have to go against all the officials in the three coastal provinces."
Fu Chengwang asked seriously, "Are you ready?"
Zhao Lin smiled faintly: "I'm afraid they'll obey, not that they won't. I'll bring the Qingzhou Army with me."
Fu Chengwang and his son's foreheads jumped again.
But Fu Chengwang did not stop him and said, "We must consult His Majesty first."
"That's natural." Zhao Lin said.
This is what Zhao Lin admires about Fu Chengwang.
People outside say that Fu Chengwang is pedantic, old-fashioned and unkind, but when it comes to doing good for the country, he can be tactful.
For example, now.
"If you really want to do it, you must first find out."
Fu Chengwang taught earnestly, "The three coastal provinces are not like Jiujiang. These are truly wealthy provinces. They have plenty of money to give as gifts and collude with their superiors. They can embezzle so much money, so they must have the support of a powerful figure behind them, such as a certain minister. If you touch them, you will offend that minister. You must find out the truth before you take action."
"Also, if you're going to strike, strike with lightning speed. Don't hesitate. I don't think I need to tell you more about this, but I still want to remind you. Once you decide to strike, don't hesitate. Don't worry about who's behind it. Take the initiative first."
Zhao Lin quickly agreed.
Fu Chengwang added, "I have some friends. I will introduce you to them in the next few days. You can communicate with them directly in the future without going through me."
This is to introduce his connections to Zhao Lin.
Fu Chengwang was the leader of the Chu Party, a very powerful force that included several university scholars, many second and third rank officials, and some low-ranking local officials.
This is a huge network of contacts.
These connections are centered around Fu Chengwang, and this powerful force can be mobilized at any time.
This is also the reason why Zhao Jingzhou wanted to use Zhao Chenhan to marry Fu Liqing, and then kidnap Fu Chengwang to the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion.
Unfortunately, Fu Chengwang saw through Zhao Jingzhou's intention at a glance and never agreed.
Now, Fu Chengwang is going to take the initiative to hand over this network to Zhao Lin.
Zhao Lin was deeply moved: "Father-in-law, you are so supportive. If I can't complete this mission, I will have no face to return to Beijing."
Fu Chengwang said calmly, "There's no need for that. You're doing your job, and so am I. We're all officials of the imperial court, earning our livings and working for the people. We can't afford to slack off even a little bit."
He also took the opportunity to educate Zhao Lin.
Zhao Lin repeatedly said yes.
"Stay by my side for the next few days and don't go anywhere. After His Majesty's birthday, leave the capital and go out on business. No matter where you go, don't stay in the capital for now. The wind in the capital is too strong."
"Yes, it's too big." Zhao Lin agreed.
Emperor Chengping's birthday was by no means peaceful.
Everyone realized this.
If Emperor Chengping is in good health and can live another ten or eight years, then maybe there will be no problem.
But he was dying.
How could the Crown Prince and Prince Yu bear it? There would definitely be trouble at the birthday banquet.
When it comes to the throne, no one can stay out of it.
The same goes for Zhao Lin.
As Fu Chengwang's son-in-law and Li Xingye's student, he has the qualifications to join the game, starting from the first-rank governor of the river and the title of Shangshu.
When the news that Zhao Lin took over the Maritime Customs spread, many people did not care.
It's just a small government office that collects hundreds of thousands of taels of tax every year. So what if he gave it to Zhao Lin?
It’s better to grab one from this guy.
But for the officials from the real coastal provinces, this was like a thunderbolt suddenly falling on their heads, leaving them burnt on the outside and tender on the inside, and they hurriedly gathered together to discuss the matter.
Jian'an Province, Qingyuan Province, and Lingnan Province.
These are three provinces that are close to the sea and have sea transportation.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com