novelSusiti Chapter 40 My daughter, though of humble appearance, is willing to offer herself to you.
Chapter 40 My daughter, though of humble appearance, is willing to offer herself to you.
In ancient times, the main source of tax revenue was agricultural tax.
Furthermore, a policy of prioritizing agriculture and suppressing commerce should be adopted.
The most crucial point is that,
The imperial court needs stability.
Only by binding a large population to the land can management be convenient.
Moreover, commercial profits are too high.
This could attract farmers to abandon farming for business, leading to reduced grain production and social unrest.
Therefore, unified dynasties primarily relied on agricultural taxes.
On the contrary, it was the Tang Dynasty after the An Lushan Rebellion, and the Song Dynasty,
Because they couldn't collect the full amount of agricultural tax,
This led to a vigorous effort to develop commercial taxes.
And during the Song Dynasty,
Historically, industrial and commercial tax revenue has surpassed agricultural tax revenue.
Later dynasties, until just before the Opium War, surpassed the Song Dynasty in tax revenue for the first time.
Qingzhou is now in dire need of development in all sectors.
Wasteland in various places,
If you want to collect agricultural taxes honestly,
It was destined to be unable to support a large army.
Therefore, the only solution is to develop commerce and then collect commercial taxes.
Qingzhou boasts a long coastline, making it an ideal location for developing maritime trade.
It can trade with Gongsun Du of Liaodong, and even Jiangdong and overseas.
Moreover, Qingzhou is a hub connecting Hebei and the Jianghuai region. If Xuzhou can be stabilized, the north-south trade route can be opened up.
This is an exceptionally favorable condition.
The Zhen family is the leading business family in Hebei, possessing a vast business network and extensive operational experience.
Partnering with the Zhen family is equivalent to gaining access to a top-tier business execution team.
For Yuan Tan, this was definitely more harmful than beneficial.
Of course, in order to prevent the Zhen family from becoming too powerful, it will definitely be necessary to support other businessmen to compete with the Zhen family for the market.
However, it's not time for that yet.
"Sea salt? Thirty percent?"
Zhen Yao was taken aback at first, then his face showed disappointment, even with a hint of sarcasm.
He suppressed his anger and said with a wry smile:
"Young master... are you joking? The old method of salt production in Qingzhou is laborious and time-consuming, with limited output, and the salt tastes bitter. Its price is far lower than that of Huai salt and Jiechi salt."
A 30% profit... I'm afraid it won't even be enough to cover eleventh of the Zhen family's current deficit! Young Master's actions are truly a drop in the ocean!
Clearly, in his view, Yuan Tan was trying to fob him off with empty promises that he couldn't keep.
Old man!
You have no idea, my sea salt is revolutionary.
I'll grant you three layers of benefits, enough to fill your coffers to overflowing.
Seeing Zhen Yao's reaction, Yuan Tan laughed instead of getting angry.
This is exactly the effect he wanted.
"Hahaha!"
Yuan Tan laughed loudly, stood up, walked to the window, and gave instructions to the outside.
"Someone! Bring me that sandalwood box from my study!"
Soon, a guard presented an exquisite wooden box.
Yuan Tan took the wooden box and placed it on the table, but did not open it. His gaze swept over the puzzled Zhen Yao, as well as the equally confused Guo Jia and Xin Pi.
"What Master Zhen is referring to is the old almanac."
Yuan Tan tapped the wooden box lightly with his fingers, his voice filled with confidence.
"What if the salt Tan provides is as white as snow, pure and salty, and its yield is ten times greater than the old method, while its cost is less than eleventh?"
"What? That's impossible!"
Zhen Yao stood up abruptly. As a wealthy merchant, he knew all too well what this meant!
If this salt truly exists, the profits would be enormous.
It is truly a national treasure capable of shaking the salt industry across the world!
"Young master, are you perhaps joking?"
Xinpi also asked in a trembling voice.
Guo Jia narrowed his eyes, staring intently at the wooden box.
"Whether it is or not, it's obvious at a glance!"
Yuan Tan opened the wooden box with a "snap".
Suddenly, a box of snow-white, crystal-clear granules, shining brightly under the light, was presented to everyone!
This is definitely not the ordinary coarse salt with a grayish-yellow color and a slightly bitter taste obtained from boiling seaweed!
The sealed room fell into an instant of deathly silence!
Zhen Yao froze, staring intently at the box of salt, his breathing becoming extremely heavy.
He reached out with trembling hands, picked up a small pinch and put it in his mouth. The next moment, his body shuddered violently!
His face was a mixture of shock and ecstasy!
"Purely salty! Not a trace of bitterness! This...this really is sea salt?!"
Zhen Yao's voice changed tone.
Guo Jia and Xin Pi couldn't help but step forward to examine it, and were equally speechless with amazement at the quality of the salt.
Yuan Tan observed the crowd's reactions, stood with his hands behind his back, smiled faintly, and then spoke:
"Excellent! This is the 'salt-making from the sea' technique, which Tan obtained by chance and improved upon an ancient method! No firewood is needed for boiling; it relies entirely on sunlight and wind power. In time, each salt field can rival a mountain of silver!"
He stared intently at the completely stunned Zhen Yao:
"Lord Zhen, do you now think that 30% of the salt profits are still a drop in the ocean?"
At this moment, Zhen Yao showed no sign of disappointment whatsoever. He knelt down with a thud, overwhelmed with emotion:
"Young Master! Divine skill! This is the divine skill of turning the sea into gold! Yao... Yao is short-sighted, how dare he question the Young Master!"
With such profits from salt, even a mere ten percent, let alone thirty percent, would be enough to make one richer than a nation! The Zhen family… the Zhen family is willing to dedicate the entire clan's strength to serving the young master, even unto death!
Zhen Yao looked at the snow-white refined salt in front of him.
The shock and elation in my heart had not yet subsided.
Yuan Tan's next sentence,
But it instantly calmed him down.
"Lord Zhen,"
Yuan Tan spoke sincerely and personally poured Zhen Yao a cup of hot tea.
"Qingzhou has just been pacified, and everything needs to be rebuilt. There will be many expenses in the future. With the profits from this salt business, our two families can truly be said to share weal and woe. To facilitate future planning, why doesn't Lord Zhen bring his family to Qingzhou as well?"
Although Linzi City cannot compare to Ye City in terms of prosperity, under my rule, the safety of the Zhen family will be guaranteed.
Yuan Tan emphasized the four words "safe and sound".
This is both protection and hostage-taking.
Otherwise, given Zhen Yao's indecisive personality,
Perhaps Yuan Shang will force them into a corner.
He then directly pledged allegiance to Yuan Shang.
Wouldn't that mean my salt business would benefit someone else?
Zhen Yao was an extremely shrewd person.
How could one not hear the implied meaning?
His heart tightened suddenly.
The flush of excitement on her face quickly faded.
Instead, a look of caution appeared.
He did not immediately agree, but instead put down his teacup, stood up, and bowed deeply to Yuan Tan:
"Your kindness, sir, moves me to tears! Our entire family has moved to Qingzhou to seek refuge under your tutelage; it is a great fortune for the Zhen family, and how could I possibly refuse?"
He abruptly changed the subject, raised his head, and looked intently at Yuan Tan:
"However, there is something that is bothering me, and I must speak out. It also concerns the future of the entire Zhen family. I hope you will grant my request!"
"Please speak freely, Lord Zhen."
Yuan Tan's eyes flickered slightly, and he had already guessed roughly what Zhen Yao was thinking.
"My lord, you are wise!"
Zhen Yao's voice rose a few decibels.
"If the Zhen family were to surrender en masse, they would be entrusting their entire clan's lives and their century-old legacy to you, young master! This is a do-or-die situation with no turning back! Yao asks for nothing more than a clear promise from you, young master!"
He took a deep breath, and finally revealed his true intentions:
"Back when you were in Ye City, you intended to marry my daughter Zhen Mi. At that time, the situation was unclear, and I was still considering it. Now, you are the Governor of Qingzhou, and your power is felt throughout Shandong!"
Although I am of humble appearance, if I can serve by your side, then the Zhen family and you will be blood relatives, sharing honor and disgrace, and going through life and death together!
In this way, Yao can persuade the elders of the clan to dedicate the entire clan's strength to helping the young master achieve his great cause! We hope the young master will keep his promise and allow my daughter to serve him!