Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 1093: Chapter 128: Water Mill (2)

"Your Highness, I’m not here to complain, but we’re simply too busy." After the trade conference, the Ministry of Industry has been preoccupied with building schools, residential houses, libraries, commercial districts, repairing roads, and so on. Now, they’re also busy constructing various water mills and setting up different shops along both banks of the Lingnan River—they are truly overwhelmed. "Your Highness, the Ministry of Industry was already short-handed, and now you want to establish commercial districts on both sides of the Lingnan River, it’s... really too much for us to handle." The commercial district within Swamp Prefecture City is not yet completed, and now Your Highness wants to build a commerce city on both sides of the Lingnan River—it’s truly... exhausting them.

Seeing the Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Industry on the verge of tears, Zhao Yao felt a bit guilty. He raised a fist to his mouth, lightly coughed twice, and said, "Ahem, there’s really no other way. Just lease out the land on both sides of the Lingnan River and let them build the shops themselves."

"That was precisely my thinking." It would save a lot of trouble if merchants built the shops themselves.

"But they can’t just build whatever they want. Your Ministry of Industry must set specifications and have them construct the shops accordingly." If merchants are allowed to build at will, who knows what odd constructions they’d come up with. The sloppy, misshapen shops along both sides of the Lingnan River would seriously impact the city’s appearance.

"Your Highness, how about we follow the specifications of the commercial city within the city?"

"That’s not ideal—the commercial cities all being the same would be pointless." Zhao Yao glared at the Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Industry, "For the commerce city along both sides of the Lingnan River, you must devise a plan, and then have the merchants build the shops according to the regulations."

"Yes, Your Highness." Designing a commerce city is certainly preferable to constructing one.

"By the way, the commerce city along both sides of the Lingnan River must have a Goulan Court."

The Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Industry exclaimed, "Goulan Court?"

"What are you thinking? Don’t mention the Goulan Court; what you’re imagining is a brothel." Zhao Yao intended to model it after the historical Goulan Market of the Song Dynasty from the dream of Zhao Yao in that world. "A Goulan Court is specifically for performances—such as operas, storytelling, acrobatics, shadow plays, and the like—all of which can be performed there." A Goulan Court, in essence, is an entertainment venue.

Hearing Zhao Yao’s explanation, the Chief of Staff blushed with embarrassment, "I understand, Your Highness."

"The commerce city must also have a night market..." Zhao Yao elaborated in detail to the Chief of Staff about the layout of the commerce city along both banks of the Lingnan River.

The Chief of Staff listened attentively and took detailed notes.

"Once the commerce city is completed, the curfew will be lifted." Since Swamp Prefecture is still under construction, the curfew hasn’t been lifted yet. Once the commercial district within Swamp Prefecture City is completed, Zhao Yao plans to cancel the curfew.

"Your Highness, isn’t it inappropriate to lift the curfew?" Since ancient times, curfews have always existed. Except for the Lantern Festival, the curfew had never been lifted on other days.

"There’s nothing inappropriate about it. The real bustle happens at night." Zhao Yao stated, "Only by lifting the curfew can Swamp Prefecture become more prosperous."

The Chief of Staff thought that the issue of lifting the curfew wasn’t his concern. Besides, the commercial district within Swamp Prefecture City isn’t completed yet, so it’s a little early to worry about lifting the curfew.

Zhao Yao instructed the Chief of Staff on some matters and then allowed him to leave. Afterward, he summoned Zheng Qian and Wen Daoji to discuss commercial taxes and legal matters.

When Swamp Prefecture was established last year, a series of commercial taxes and legal frameworks were implemented, but based on current circumstances, they are not comprehensive and need further additions.

Since there’s encouragement for citizens to engage in trade, there must be sound laws in place to ensure that they aren’t taken advantage of in the process. Naturally, there also should be protections for buyers so that they aren’t exploited by sellers.

Although Zhao Yao isn’t suppressing commerce, that doesn’t mean commercial taxes should be lower than agricultural taxes. Commercial taxes must be higher than agricultural taxes. However, the commercial tax in Lingnan should be lower than that in the interior to attract more inland people to conduct business in Lingnan.

Zhao Yao encourages citizens to engage in trade to earn money, while also raising the price of grains to ensure farmers have security when farming. He also plans to lower agricultural taxes. The climatic environment in Lingnan is suitable for growing many grains and fruits, but if farmers can’t make money, they’ll also turn to commerce for profit, and then who will grow the grains and fruits?

He also encourages women to engage in business. If women engage in business, they will receive a one-third tax reduction.

Regarding the protection of women, many protective laws have been enacted. First: women have the same inheritance rights as men. Naturally, women and men also share the obligation of support. No longer exists the notion of married daughters being like water splashed out.

Second: Women also have the right to land as men do. If a daughter marries out, the land can be part of her dowry.

Third: Women can study like men, and parents have no right to prohibit their daughters from attending school.

Once free schools are built, girls aged six and above can attend school.

Fourth: Protection of women’s property. After marriage, a woman’s dowry cannot be embezzled by her husband’s family, nor can her family arbitrarily use her dowry.

After a woman’s husband passes away, she has the right to inherit her husband’s property. Even if she remarries, her deceased husband’s family cannot seize the assets she should inherit.

Fifth: After marriage, if a woman is subjected to domestic violence, she can apply for divorce with the government. A husband engaging in domestic violence will face severe punishment. If during domestic violence, a woman kills her husband, she is not guilty.

Sixth: If a woman is raped, the rapist receives the death penalty.

Seventh: ...

Zhao Yao originally intended to allow women to take the imperial exams and become officials. However, now is not the right time. If he proposed it now, there would certainly be opposition. Previously, even the concept of women attending school faced fierce opposition from ministers. Waiting for a few more years, as more women engage in business, it will be more appropriate to propose allowing women to hold office.

Perfecting commercial taxes and legal frameworks isn’t something that can be settled in a day or two. Zhao Yao first outlined the areas he wanted to supplement, then had Wen Daoji and Zheng Qian add any additional points they saw necessary, for a collective discussion to ensure feasibility.