Read Novel Full Chapter 823 - 4: Discount (3)
Chapter 823: Chapter 4: Discount (3)
Liang Run listened and showed an expression of realization.
"Your Highness is indeed thorough in consideration."
He Lianfang silently remarked in his heart, the little brat really knows how to do business.
"Additionally, Second Uncle, inform them that the goods from Great Zhou will also be offered at a discount." Zhao Yao remembered something important that he almost overlooked, "You must also tell them that the good tea leaves and porcelain that Great Zhou has been selling to them were produced by me. Now, having come to Lingnan, I will continue to produce new tea and porcelain every year and offer them discounts as well."
Liang Run nodded repeatedly, but quickly realized that the court had been selling tea and porcelain to foreign countries like Lusong all along. If Zhao Yao were to sell these two goods cheaply to foreign countries, wouldn’t it be going against the court? He turned pale in fear and quickly said, "Your Highness, if the court finds out that you’re selling tea and porcelain cheaply to foreign countries, they will surely be displeased."
"What does the court’s displeasure have to do with me?" Zhao Yao was utterly unconcerned about the court, "Besides, I am only offering them temporary discounts, not permanent low prices."
"Your Highness, what if the court holds you accountable?" Liang Run knew very well that by temporarily offering discounts to Lusong’s foreign merchants, and subsequently reinstating regular tariffs, foreign merchants would continue to cooperate with them in doing business, which would certainly affect the court.
"Don’t bother with the court." Zhao Yao was not relying on the emperor’s favor to act fearlessly, but rather because he was lawfully conducting business with foreign countries. Besides, Swamp Prefecture was close to foreign countries, and it was only natural for foreign merchants to prefer doing business with them. "Wen Daoji, clear up all the tariffs and submit them to me."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Also, we should not only do business with foreign countries across the sea but also with the merchants inland." The potential of inland merchants is not less than that of foreign merchants, "For inland as well, temporarily impose a layer of tariffs."
Wen Daoji was startled by Zhao Yao’s words. He was initially stunned and then hastily said, "Your Highness, this doesn’t seem appropriate. If you indeed impose a layer of tariffs on inland merchants, it will certainly incite dissatisfaction in other regions. Moreover, tariffs are set by the court, even if Lingnan is your fief, you cannot arbitrarily change them."
"If I impose five layers of tariffs on inland merchants yet only impose one layer on foreign merchants, not only is this an unfair treatment, but it also seems like bullying inland merchants. How could inland merchants possibly be willing to invest and do business in Lingnan?" In business, the last thing you want is unfair treatment, so if you want to offer discounts, of course, it should be equally applied. "Moreover, if I can charge foreign merchants one layer of tariffs, I can also charge inland merchants one layer of tariffs."
"Your Highness, do you mean the emperor has agreed for you to decide tariffs at will?"
"I can certainly make all decisions about tariffs in Lingnan, but as for tariffs in other regions, I don’t have the power to decide." Before coming to Lingnan, Zhao Yao had "forced" his father the emperor to agree to many things, first of all, letting the emperor allow him to make decisions on all matters in Lingnan, even to change some of the court’s laws and regulations, which the emperor agreed to. "I’ve said before, I can make all decisions regarding Lingnan."
Wen Daoji awkwardly smiled, "I thought tariffs couldn’t be arbitrarily changed."
"Tariffs in Lingnan will be set as I see fit, and no one can interfere."
Wen Daoji was shocked: the emperor actually allowed His Highness to decide everything in Lingnan; doesn’t that make Lingnan His Highness’s kingdom? Doesn’t that make His Highness the emperor of Lingnan?
According to the laws of Great Zhou, princes have the right to independently manage their fiefs, but there are some things they can’t arbitrarily change, such as tariffs.
Tariffs are set by the court, and all regions must comply with the court’s provisions without arbitrarily changing them. If found to have increased tariffs or reduced tariffs, it will result in severe punishment.
"Of course, I am only reducing tariffs temporarily. After the half-year discount period is over, tariffs will revert to their original state." If you don’t offer some sweet incentives first, how could those merciless merchants possibly be willing to come to Lingnan? "As for dissatisfaction from other regions, let them be dissatisfied."
"Your Highness, are you not afraid of being impeached?"
Zhao Yao said indifferently, "Let them impeach then, it’s not like I’m in the capital."
He then said, "Tomorrow, announce that the people of Swamp Prefecture can freely conduct business without limitations. Of course, the premise is to abide by Great Zhou’s laws and not engage in unlawful business."
Upon hearing the word "free," Wen Daoji felt a jolt in his heart and hurriedly asked, "Your Highness, do you mean that even those who were criminals can do business?"
"Certainly not, those whose sentences aren’t finished can’t do business, but their law-abiding descendants can, and also those exiled to Lingnan from the previous dynasty can." Zhao Yao suddenly felt this matter can be postponed, and there’s something more urgent. "Let’s do this, we will hold off on this matter for now and start re-registering residents of Swamp Prefecture tomorrow."
"Re-registering the household registry?"
"Yes, re-register it. For the descendants of criminals exiled to Lingnan from the previous dynasty, as long as they’ve not committed crimes in Great Zhou, they will be given the status of commoners. For those who have committed crimes since the founding of Great Zhou and were exiled to Lingnan, their grandchildren will be given the status of commoners." Misfortune does not extend to three generations.
Wen Daoji reminded Zhao Yao, "Your Highness, commoners can participate in the imperial examinations and even become officials in the court."
"I know, that’s why I want to give them the status of commoners." Zhao Yao said here, sighing slightly, "Alas, there are really too few commoners in Lingnan." Out of ten Lingnan people, probably only two are commoners, the others are either descendants of criminals or tribespeople deemed barbarians by the state. "Also, those who don’t re-register will be considered illegal residents. Illegal residents are not citizens of Great Zhou nor people of Lingnan. If identified as illegal residents, they will be expelled from Lingnan and Great Zhou."
Wen Daoji understood what Zhao Yao meant by "illegal residents," "Yes, Your Highness, I will arrange it tomorrow."