Datang all-rounder

Chapter 227

Unexpectedly, Wang Ke came up with the idea of ​​collecting tariffs, and the things on the market immediately rose by a lot, and even the things produced by Datang's local products also increased by more than [-]%.

When civil and military officials know that this idea was given by Wang Ke, as long as anyone who sees Wang Ke, they have to say a few words to him, which means complaining that the idea Wang Ke came up with this time is not good, and let them buy something. They paid too much money.When Wang Ke sees these people now, he can only think of taking a detour, try not to meet them face to face, so as not to talk about it endlessly.

Wang Ke also knew that this process will definitely go through, as long as this period of time passes, it should be better.It is the nature of businessmen to seek profit, and buyers will find it expensive even if the price is cheap. This contradiction cannot be reconciled. Whether it is a merchant lowering prices or consumers adapting to this price, there must be such a painful process. of.

Early this morning, just as Wang Ke came to his office, he saw Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, and Du Ruhui standing at the door of his office. Wang Ke hurriedly invited the three into the room to sit down. Next, ask someone to bring you some tea.

Although Wang Ke didn't know what the three immortals came to find him today, but he also knew in his heart that it would not be a trivial matter if these three people came together, and something big would definitely happen.

Standing in front of his desk, Wang Ke cupped his hands to the three of them and asked, "I don't know if the three uncles came to look for my nephew so early. Is there anything urgent?"

The three looked at each other, and then Changsun Wuji said, "Nephew, I'm afraid there is something wrong with this tariff. You see, it has only been implemented for a few days, and the things on the market have increased a lot. If so Going up is no way!"

When Wang Ke heard that the three old immortals came here for this matter, he couldn't help but heaved a sigh of relief, but he didn't take it seriously even though Changsun Wuji said that the price would keep rising.This is completely unimaginable. If the price will keep rising, unless these merchants want to keep all the goods in their own hands and not sell them to others, otherwise this possibility will never happen.

Wang Ke smiled and said, "I don't know if my uncles have inquired clearly. What are the things whose prices have increased? Have the daily necessities of the people also increased?"

Regarding the word "necessities of life" that Wang Ke said, the three elders didn't know what they meant, and after looking at each other again, Changsun Wuji asked hesitantly: "Nephew, I don't know what you mean?" What does this necessities of life refer to? Can you explain it to us!"

It was only then that Wang Ke came to his senses, and a new term popped up in his casual remark, no wonder the faces of these immortals were full of doubts.

Wang Ke quickly said: "Seven things to open the door, firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar and tea, these are the necessities of life that my nephew said."

Hearing what Wang Ke said, the expressions on the faces of the three immortals eased. This time, Changsun Wuji did not hesitate, and quickly said: "These things have not increased in price. What specific things have increased in price? Let's ask Mr. Fang to talk about it, Mr. Fang sent someone to inquire about this matter."

As long as the prices of these things do not rise, Wang Ke will not be worried. As long as the prices of these daily necessities are stable, he will not be afraid of what people say. This era is no better than future generations.In later generations, people have already transitioned from wanting to eat well to eating well. In life, there are not only material needs, but also spiritual needs; but in this era, people's most urgent need is to be able to fill their stomachs. The family has been busy for a year, and it is good to be able to save a few pennies. The demand for luxury goods cannot be the same as that of future generations.

Wang Ke cupped his hands to Fang Xuanling and said, "Please trouble Uncle Fang to tell my nephew what prices have increased."

Fang Xuanling stroked his beard with his hands and said slowly: "As soon as the tariff collection was announced, your Uncle Du discussed with the old man to send people to the market to see how the merchants reacted to this matter. In the past two days, the market was still quiet, which made us think that there was no big problem, and the merchants would not have any extraordinary reactions."

Wang Ke listened quietly to Fang Xuanling's introduction, and his energy was quite concentrated. Now he urgently needs to know where the price increase started, which product it started from, and when it started. Knowing these, Only in this way can we better resolve this matter, so that this matter can calm down as soon as possible.

Fang Xuanling changed the subject and said eagerly: "Unexpectedly, just when we were planning to stop sending people out to make unannounced visits, there was news that the goods had increased. The reason was that the imperial court increased the tariffs, which increased the cost. For a while, the prices of silk, tea, etc. were all adjusted within one day. The old man hurriedly sent people out to investigate again. Except for the necessities mentioned by my nephew, all other goods have increased. The worst ones are goods from the Western Regions and Persia."

Looking at the flustered Fang Xuanling, Wang Ke already had some eyebrows in her heart. From Fang Xuanling's words, Wang Ke felt that the source of the price increase this time was actually the merchants of Datang itself, the merchants from the Western Regions and Persia. I feel like I’m just following the trend. As for the high price increase, of course, it’s because the distance is far away, and the cost on the road is more, and this tariff is actually charged on them. To maintain the previous profit margin, this price increase is a must. It is imperative, of course, it has risen a little bit, but it is just driven by the businessman's instinct to maximize profits.

Wang Ke wandered around the room. It's not that Wang Ke has no way to solve this matter. He has many means to calm this matter down immediately.In this era, the emperor is heaven, and meeting an emperor like Comrade Li Er who can take care of the people can be regarded as a blessing to the people, so Wang Ke can't resort to some tough methods casually, after all, he still has to take care of the people The reputation of my father-in-law depends on how I can resolve this matter more gently.

There is another very important reason, that is, Wang Ke has to ask all the things that he is not clear about, and then start to deal with the nodes of this matter, so as to be stable and accurate, and strive to solve it in one fell swoop. This requires Wang Ke to Think it over carefully, think it over before you say it.

Seeing Wang Ke turning around in the room, the three immortals also understood that Wang Ke was trying to find a way, and they didn't make a sound to disturb Wang Ke, but sat there quietly, enjoying Wang Ke's pleasure. Tea for them.

Wang Ke turned around for a while, stopped and asked Fang Xuanling: "Uncle, can the people you send out confirm that the price increase was started by businessmen from the Tang Dynasty, and the businessmen from the Western Regions and Persia are all The price went up later!"

Wang Ke attaches great importance to this point. If this is the case, then this matter will be much easier to handle.After all, in this way, it will be much easier to intervene in this matter. The goods produced in the country that are sold in the Tang Dynasty do not need to pay customs duties. There is no reason for this price increase. And for good reason.

If this matter was started by merchants from the Western Regions and Persia, then the imperial court would be out of the blue if they want to come forward. After all, this tariff is for them to collect. It is understandable for others to increase the price reasonably in order to make profits. As for how much it is reasonable Yes, there is no proper standard for this. It is up to the businessman to decide how much to raise, and the court has no way to interfere.

Seeing that Wang Ke raised this question very seriously, Fang Xuanling immediately knew that Wang Ke must have a solution, and now he just wanted to make sure and find a tenable reason for his solution.

Fang Xuanling couldn't help feeling relieved, and said relaxedly: "I can be sure, now we have investigated exactly which shop it is, what it sells, and which guild it belongs to. As long as my nephew has an idea, just worry about it. Just ask, the old man will never hide anything!"

Just kidding, it's already at this time, Fang Xuanling and his gang are afraid that someone will make trouble, after all, this is also a decree promulgated by the imperial court, and the newly implemented tariff system cannot be canceled just because of a little disturbance. But no one can afford it.

Wang Ke nodded. He firmly believed in Fang Xuanling's words. After all, at this juncture, no one would deceive himself with lies.

Wang Ke asked a few more questions that he thought were more important. After getting affirmative answers from several old men, Wang Ke slowly revealed his plan and the reasons for doing so: "Several uncles and nephews are Think of it this way. Uncles all know that this tariff is aimed at the goods entering and leaving the border of our country. My nephew also believes that when the uncles promulgated this decree, they explained it very clearly."

When Wang Ke said this, he glanced at the three old immortals, and after getting affirmative answers from several people, he continued: "If this matter was initiated by businessmen from the Western Regions or Persia, the imperial court really has no way to intervene, but Now it is initiated by the merchants of our court, and the goods are still produced by our court, which is a bit unreasonable. In this regard, my nephew thinks that the court should take measures to punish this behavior, so as to warn these merchants, It should be based on honesty, and you should not always have the idea of ​​​​taking a ride. It is related to the national economy and the people's livelihood, and the court cannot do nothing just because this matter is small!"

Fang Xuanling and the others were taken aback when they heard Wang Ke's words. The imperial court really had never done this kind of thing. If it weren't for the uproar between the ministers in the court and the gentry families from all over the place, they really wouldn't have done it. Treat it as a matter of course.

Now Wang Ke said so.The elders were still a little hesitant, and Changsun Wuji asked hesitantly: "Nephew, should the imperial court really take care of this matter? Isn't this a bit inappropriate!"

"What's wrong?" Wang Ke opened his eyes and said impassionedly: "If this matter is not dealt with, every time the imperial court promulgates policies, some people will follow suit. At that time, how will the imperial court deal with it! The future matters are related to the safety of the imperial court, so don't you deal with it?"

Changsun Wuji was put on the big hat of Wang Ke, and he really had nothing to say for a while, and he said after a while: "But there is no basis for punishment from the law!"

Wang Ke said with a dark smile: "Why not? He has disrupted the life order of our court people by raising prices like this, increased the living burden of our court people, disrupted our court's business structure, and hindered our court's development." Healthy business development! How can there be a few such crimes in the law.”

Looking at Wang Ke, who looked like a villain, the three old immortals couldn't help but feel a chill. This kid is too good at breaking things. He can even think of such words. If he really offended him, it might be true. There is no way out.

Fang Xuanling stopped arguing with Wang Ke, and asked tentatively: "Then according to my nephew, how should I punish him?"

Let alone what Wang Ke said just now, but what Fang Xuanling said really caught him. He never thought about what to do with this punishment, and in his subconscious mind, he never thought about it. It's just that he doesn't care about it, and it has nothing to do with him to punish him however he likes.

But now Fang Xuanling asked, Wang Ke can't just say what he thinks in his heart, it's too uninteresting to do so, once this idea comes out, let it go, anyone who sees it will have thoughts in his heart of.

Wang Ke hesitated for a while before saying: "How about this, don't be too serious, just declare a few charges, and then confiscate his illegal gains after the price increase. People, release him after bail .I wonder what the uncles think?"

At this time, Wang Ke didn't act harshly anymore, and he had his own considerations. After all, this matter was considered unethical. The businessman's business, how to set the price is his own business, and others are not qualified to point fingers, but Because the people who are making trouble now are all powerful people, and this tariff is my own idea, if I don't help Changsun Wuji and the others with some ideas, I feel sorry for them in my heart.But I can be regarded as a businessman in later generations, and I have an inexplicable closeness to businessmen. If Wang Ke wants to be cruel, Wang Ke really can't do it.

Regarding Wang Ke's proposal, the three immortals all bowed their heads and considered silently. Changsun Wuji was the one who took the lead in this matter, so he also had the most decision-making power.

After a simple balance, Changsun Wuji felt that Wang Ke's proposal was acceptable, and was about to speak, when Du Ruhui, who had been sitting silently by the side, said at this time: "It's not right! Nephew's proposal is too light gone."

Hearing Du Ruhui's sudden words, three pairs of eyes turned to Du Ruhui's body at once. Wang Ke knew about this old man, so if he didn't speak, it was an astonishing statement. , is the best answer.

Both Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling were accustomed to Du Ruhui's decision, Fang Xuanling urged: "Brother Du has any suggestions, just say it, there are no outsiders here, so don't worry about anything."

Du Ruhui glanced at Wang Ke, and then said: "The punishment my nephew said is too easy, and it can't serve as a warning. This is the first time I have encountered this in Tang Dynasty, and this first time can't make people feel a little guilty. If I have an impression, someone will follow suit in the future. From my point of view, the punishment will be aggravated, and everyone should remember that such a thing cannot be done, and the loss will be very serious after doing it!"

When Du Ruhui said this, he stopped to look at a few people and said: "This increased punishment has another meaning, maybe it can also shock those merchants from the Western Regions and Persia. The goods they traffic in are extremely profitable. Now that the price is being raised in accordance with the trend, this matter must also be made clear to them, as long as they are honest in doing business in my Tang Dynasty, there is no problem, and if they want to have any ideas, this is their end!"

As soon as Wang Ke heard this, she understood that this was to make an example of others. To deal with a Datang businessman, let all the businessmen know, don't make Datang anxious, there will be no good results!If Datang gets angry, the consequences will be very serious!
Wang Ke immediately followed Du Ruhui's train of thought and said: "That's it, according to Uncle Du's opinion, my nephew will add one more point, that is, when this businessman is convicted, a public trial can be held to amplify the impact of this matter. To the extreme, let everyone in the world know that in Datang, the best business is not to be cheated and cheated, only honesty is the foundation, and you can be safe."

As soon as Wang Ke finished speaking, he saw three people looking at him, and immediately realized that the word "public trial conference" was a new word, so he explained it quickly, and the three immortals were convinced. Thinking about it, I can come up with such a way.

In fact, this is just what Wang Ke often saw in later generations. Of course, Wang Ke will not tell them the source, so let them worship themselves.hey-hey!
(End of this chapter)