Chapter 168
Chapter 168
On May 30th, the 44th year of Huayuan, Suzhou City.
It has been more than a month since Ji Yuan arrived in Suzhou.
During this period, he first took over the local affairs of Suzhou, and then visited the county town below.
It can be said that it never stopped for a moment.
Finally, he stopped in the dilapidated Shixing County, saying that he was very interested in the abandoned mines there. He even arranged most of the people he brought with him to the abandoned mines in Shixing County.
That mine was very famous decades ago.
It is called Yongxing Mine, and it is the largest coal mine in Shixing County. Even if it is placed in the entire Suzhou, it is a not small mine.
The coal produced that year benefited the entire Suzhou.
But the problem is that after decades, the mine is full of water and cannot be mined at all.
Why did Lord Ji go to such a place?
Where are the wheat seeds?
What about rubber?
Don't you care?
If you look carefully, it is a tube.
Cai Tongzhi, Ji Yuan's subordinate, was leading farmers to tidy up the government fields. He said that the farming season was not right recently and they had to wait until the right time to grow wheat seeds.
Tsai Tong-Chief had wheat seeds from various places, which looked quite decent.
But what about rubber?
Give the rubber directly to the local warriors?
Commander Li who was transferred here, and Captain Liu Jun, were wandering around outside Suzhou City every day, and no one knew what they were doing.
What on earth are they doing?
Why doesn't Lord Ji take such a big thing seriously?
When it comes to wheat seeds, it is the local farmers who are anxious.
The issue of rubber has made the local merchants anxious.
The rubber trade is now mostly concentrated in the southern part of Tianqi State, close to Dianzhou Prefecture, or where water melon trees can be grown locally.
There is a huge demand for rubber in the northwest and north, but very little rubber can be transported over.
In this case.
The merchants are anxious.
Originally, he could have waited a while, but seeing that Lord Ji was only interested in the abandoned mines, he became really anxious.
Therefore, the Tongpan of Hexi Prefecture came in person, obviously to ask what was going on.
Everyone is looking forward to the development of Suzhou rubber trade so that everyone can benefit from it.
When Ji Yuan and Wu Ying returned, he smiled and said, "It's strange. For the rubber business, even the Tongpan of Hexi Prefecture came here."
The Tongpan of Hexi Prefecture was an official of the fourth rank, on the same level as Ji Yuan.
But after all, he came from the higher-ups, so Ji Yuan must show his respect.
Wuying has been in Border Guard for many years. Although this place is not Border Guard, the situation is similar, and there is no need to hide it when facing Ji Yuan.
"This trade route is well developed, many merchants have benefited, and the relationship with the government is also close."
"People coming down from above are probably pressured by the Chamber of Commerce."
Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber of Commerce again.
When Ji Yuan was building the Meng Mansion, he had dealt with people from the Chamber of Commerce.
From the smallest Zhengrong County to the largest Jianmengfu City.
After that, he went to Dianzhou Prefecture, which was known as one of the five major chambers of commerce.
Today's Hexi Prefecture is no exception.
But those chambers of commerce are basically under the government.
He discussed the matter directly with the officials and asked the judge to come down and talk to him.
This energy is no longer ordinary.
Can you even put pressure on me?
Wu Ying nodded: "Yes, there are no other industries in these places. They are almost dominated by one chamber of commerce. If the locals want to collect taxes, this is the only way."
"Besides, they have people on their hands, so it's not easy to touch them."
There must be a reason for the current situation.
On the way back to Suzhou City, Ji Yuan carefully understood the whole process.
Suzhou City is the only way to the Western Regions, and its economy is not bad compared to other places in the northwest.
But if you look carefully, you will find that the local economy depends almost entirely on trade.
There are a total of twenty-six counties under Suzhou, and the caravan will pass through nine of them.
The economies of these nine counties are pretty good. As for the remaining seventeen counties, those that are close to the trade routes may be able to get some of the spoils, but those that are farther away are known as poor counties.
This also shows that the local economic development of Suzhou depends entirely on the caravans coming and going.
Looking across Hexi Prefecture, most places are like this.
This trade route brought not only prosperity but also dependence.
There is also the rise of a chamber of commerce.
Freight Chamber of Commerce.
They had horses, carts, and strong men accompanying them.
Responsible for the commercial transportation coming and going, and also brings in most of the money and goods.
How could such a chamber of commerce not attract attention?
Since most of the local economic tax revenue comes from them, and they even have people and horses in their hands, they naturally become a considerable force.
Even officials had to bow their heads.
After all, a strong dragon cannot defeat a local snake.
Most officials come here just to accumulate enough political achievements and leave after four years.
As long as the tax revenue is acceptable and the place is stable, there is nothing much to say.
These chambers of commerce have been entrenched in the local area for many years, so there is no need to provoke them.
Transfer local garrison to take charge?
This is even more of a joke.
Those who can station troops in such a dangerous place as the Western Regions are all the emperor's confidants. It would be okay to transfer a few people over, but if they want to send more troops, not only will the local soldiers not listen to them, they will also send the news to the capital.
Sending letters from the northwestern border to the capital city is not like sending letters to Dianzhou Prefecture, where one has to go through mountains and hills.
Along the way, there are both straight roads and official roads that have been repaired long ago. A letter can be delivered to a place four or five thousand miles away in less than a month by riding at full speed.
If you are really anxious, you can also send a letter by carrier pigeon.
In this case, why bother to provoke local forces?
When necessary, we can even cooperate.
Every place has its own local rules of survival, which may seem strange to outsiders, but there are always reasons for them.
After understanding these circumstances, Ji Yuan knew better why he came back.
Wheat seeds are a cover.
The focus is still rubber.
The freight chamber of commerce must have an extremely large demand for rubber.
Not only did he need rubber for his own carriages, but he could also do business with it.
Did I accidentally make one of the largest local forces unhappy?
Knowing the reason behind the matter, Ji Yuan was able to do things with greater ease.
When he returned to Suzhou City, he went to Guantian first and then dealt with other documents.
However, he is not worried because Cai Fenglan is in charge here.
Cai Fenglan handled all the big and small matters in Suzhou City very well.
The official fields had also been divided in advance, with hundreds of experimental fields already separated, just waiting for the farming season to arrive, and then they could start planting.
In addition to this, various fertilizers are also prepared.
Furthermore, Cai Fenglan said, "There is too little water in this area. Although wheat doesn't need too much water, it can't be that scarce."
If there is a shortage of water, you can either dig a well or use groundwater.
Either build canals and divert water for irrigation.
That would require both manpower and material resources.
Ji Yuan nodded and he made note of this matter.
Lack of money and lack of things.
Liu Jun came later. After Liu Jun knew that Ji Yuan had returned to Suzhou City, he came here as soon as possible.
Liu Jun's face was full of excitement. As he had been drinking for years, his face was flushed and he didn't look very healthy.
But the busyness during this period has made him drink less.
"We have found a suitable location. It is a large, uninhabited sandy land, which is very suitable for planting dandelions on a large scale. Next, we can collect dandelion seeds."
Dandelion, also known as rubber grass.
The flowers of this rubber plant can be picked to make tea and made into medicinal herbs.
The roots are used to make rubber.
Everyone knew this when Epoch Times wrote to them two years ago.
But the problem is that the area around the wing is dangerous and is not suitable for growing these things on a large scale.
To put it bluntly, if you plant the seeds today, the small countries in the Western Regions may come and snatch them away tomorrow.
This is even the reason why no one has planted it yet.
Ji Yuan was also very happy to hear this.
Finally found the right location.
There is a lot of sandy land in Suzhou, but it takes a lot of effort to make it close to where people live and have most of the land open.
But here comes the problem.
It's time to harvest dandelion seeds.
It costs money to collect seeds.
It also costs money to hire people from nearby to come and plant the crops.
My goodness, I just returned to Suzhou City.
Cai Fenglan and Liu Jun gave him two big problems.
Want money.
Although Suzhou is not that poor, it cannot come up with so much silver at once.
Facing the gazes of the two, Ji Yuan sighed: "Just wait."
Cai Fenglan and Liu Jun laughed at the same time.
They just know it!
I've told Ji Yuan, and there will definitely be no problem.
Ji Yuan is so reliable.
The Wuying who followed Ji Yuan also raised their chins and waited!
The four of them couldn't help laughing.
It was not until now that the four people realized a problem.
"It seems that among my classmates at the prefectural school, only Monk Bai and Li Jin are missing?"
Ji Yuan, Cai Fenglan, Wuying, Liu Jun.
They were classmates at the Jianmeng Mansion School.
Cai Fenglan had never played Cuju because of his myopia, but he and Li Jin went to cheer for the team at every game.
As for the White Monk?
This is also his second term. I heard that he recently went to Mianzhou, Sichuan, to continue working in the Criminal Department.
Monk Bai wrote letters very frequently, and everyone knew his movements. He seemed to be a famous bald criminal judge in the local area, which was also very interesting.
Ji Yuan calculated and said, "Maybe we can meet in the capital."
I guess we’ll meet in the capital when this term is over.
Of course, the premise is that this term is done well.
Wu Ying and Liu Jun were also a little dazed.
Capital city?
How is the capital city now?
But when I go back, it should be different from before.
Soon, everyone stopped thinking about those things and focused on the present.
Liu Jun knew that Ji Yuan had returned from Shixing County, and naturally other people in the yamen knew it as well.
The Tongpan of Suzhou and the Tongpan of Hexi Prefecture were already waiting at the yamen.
After knowing that Ji Yuan first went to Guantian and met Liu Jun who was in charge of rubber, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and they didn't even think there was anything wrong with Ji Yuan not coming to see them.
Well, as long as Ji Yuan can get things done, anything is fine.
So when Ji Yuan went to the government office, even Wang Tongpan of Hexi Prefecture, who came from above, greeted him with a smile, and even said, "Master Ji just came back, it's time to take a rest."
Ji Yuan also smiled and replied: "Knowing that you are coming, sir, I will naturally go back."
"I just don't know what instructions the prefect has for sending you here."
Tongpan was an official position with supervisory functions.
Although his rank is lower than that of local officials, he can directly hear from the emperor and interfere in local affairs.
Therefore, there is not much difference between the Tongpan of Hexi Prefecture and the prefect.
Ji Yuan also greeted the Tongpan of Suzhou.
The two judges looked at Ji Yuan, exchanged glances and said, "How about we talk about it tomorrow?"
Without waiting for Ji Yuan to answer, Suzhou Tongpan said, "People from the Chamber of Commerce will come to pay us a visit tomorrow, so it's a good opportunity for us to meet together."
The Chamber of Commerce again.
Ji Yuan glanced at the two of them, but they didn't dodge.
These two Tongpans actually treated Ji Yuan as their own.
They are not in an antagonistic relationship, but are truly of the same blood.
Ji Yuan pretended not to know and waved his men away.
Seeing that Ji Yuan was so tactful, the two Tongpans did the same.
There are only two Tongpans and the prefect Jiyuanji left here.
Wang Tongpan of Hexi Prefecture said, "Our largest local merchant, the Freight Chamber of Commerce, is anxious to get rubber, so they asked the prefect for help."
"Master Ji, you also know that most of the income of our entire Hexi Prefecture comes from freight and trade."
"They are also the pillars of the local area. Since they have something to ask for, the prefect has discussed this with me, so I came here."
What this means is that the freight forwarders want Ji Yuan to start making rubber quickly, so they ask Ji Yuan’s superiors for help and thus put pressure on him.
It is wrong to say that pressure is being exerted, we should say that it is a request.
"So what are they going to do here tomorrow?" Ji Yuan asked.
"Probably we need to advance the tax revenue for the second half of the year and pay it first. If there is no refund, we will make up for the shortfall." said the Tongpan of Suzhou.
Ji Yuan raised an eyebrow.
What a big tone.
No refund for excess, but supplement for deficiency.
This freight chamber of commerce is really wealthy.
It is obvious that he wants silver money to buy rubber progress.
Ji Yuan's expression made everyone stunned. Ji Yuan asked directly: "Is this a bribe?"
"Of course not." Suzhou Tongpan said quickly, "It is counted as local tax revenue, not for us."
Collecting taxes has always been a problem since ancient times.
It's a good thing that the local pillar industries are so enthusiastic about paying taxes.
Ji Yuan did not respond.
Because this tax is also related to the payment of salaries to government offices.
It is indeed not a bribe, but it is directly related to the payment of subsidies to petty officials at all levels.
After all, poor places have less tax revenue, so everyone gets less bonuses.
Rich places have more taxes and therefore more bonuses.
If I refuse tomorrow, everyone in the government will hate me.
This cannot be blamed on the local petty officials.
We all have to make a living.
No one wants to eat or drink.
To put it bluntly, it is normal for an official like him who can make money by selling paintings or who has a family to rely on to not care about these subsidies.
But ordinary petty officials are actually no different from ordinary people, and those extra subsidies are just for living.
Ji Yuan understood the difficulties faced by the government officials, and he also understood the capabilities of this freight chamber of commerce.
I won’t mention anything else for now.
He wanted to dig wells for the local people, collect dandelion seeds, and then hire local people to do work.
Who doesn't need money?
But since someone wants to give it, he will accept it all.
"Okay, let's talk about it tomorrow."
Wang Tongpan and Suzhou Tongpan saw that Lord Ji had been silent for a long time and now finally breathed a sigh of relief, they all breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.
I know that Lord Ji is smart and I know that Lord Ji understands things!
It’s great to work with smart people!
As soon as they left, Ji Yuan said to Wu Ying, "Find the local map."
"There are also taxes from Suzhou. It would be even better if there is a map of Hexi Prefecture."
Ji Yuan drew a trade route on the map.
Then calculate the proportion of these local taxes.
I heard Wu Ying talk about this a few days ago. I only knew that taxes in counties along the trade routes were high, but I didn't know they were this high.
Suzhou has a population of 600,000, 26 counties, and nine county towns near trade routes.
These nine counties have a population of more than 300,000 and account for 85 percent of the tax revenue.
Absurdly high.
This is the case in Suzhou, and it is the same in most places in Hexi Prefecture.
No wonder freight companies are so tough.
More than 80 percent of the tax revenue of the local government is provided by others. It would be strange if it was not tough.
This means that the Chamber of Commerce is a major financial backer of the Suzhou Government and even the Hexi Prefecture Government.
If the big money sponsor says so, there is nothing that cannot be done.
Ji Yuan himself laughed.
You want to be the financial sponsor, right?
Then just be.
Ji Yuan said again: "Please invite Liu Jun over."
"Let's figure out how much money it will take to develop the rubber industry."
Don't you want to give money?
Then give it.
Give it until he is satisfied.
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