Chapter 136: Merchants want to persuade the Officials

Outside the gates of Jiangdong, inside the Qingyan Tower.

Wuyuan merchant Shen Yiyuan was invited to come. Upon arriving, he saw carved railings, painted steps, and a fish pond, silently sighing at the elegance of the capital.

Entering the octagonal hall, the arrangement was indeed elegant.

In the center was a small square table, with orchids and tiger thorns in the corners, and several landscape paintings hung on the walls.

“Mr. Shen, please come this way.”

The guide boy, seeing Shen Yiyuan pause, beckoned.

Shen Yiyuan nodded slightly, followed along, and entered a flower room where light music played softly, creating a hazy atmosphere.

Faille Merchants Qin Heng and Ceramics Merchant Wang Zhongfu from the capital, upon seeing Shen Yiyuan’s arrival, set down their wine glasses, clapped their hands, and said, “Please retire for now, rearrange the dishes.”

Five graceful ladies bowed and left.

Shen Yiyuan took two steps forward, bowed, and said, “Brother Qin, Brother Wang, Shen is grateful.”

“Oh, please be seated. Between us, why so formal?”

Qin Heng and Wang Zhongfu stood up to welcome him.

After the three were seated, Qin Heng smiled and said, “Today’s invitation to Brother Shen is indeed because there are some matters we’d like to inquire about.”

Shen Yiyuan replied calmly, “Brother Qin and Brother Wang are both prominent merchants in the capital. It is my good fortune to be invited. I dare not conceal anything. If you have any concerns, feel free to ask.”

“Ah, Brother Shen, your words are not accurate. Who doesn’t know the name of Shen Yiyuan in Wuyuan? Among the Huizhou merchants, Brother Shen is truly renowned.”

Wang Zhongfu praised.

Shen Yiyuan shook his head repeatedly, saying, “Compared to you two, I’m just engaging in some small business.”

“Haha, the silk from the Shen family is famous throughout the world. If this is considered a small business, then there are no big businesses in this world.”

Qin Heng laughed, raised his cup, and said, “To be honest, although we make a living in the capital, we tread on thin ice and dare not make major moves. Some time ago, we heard that Brother Shen made a great display in Suzhou Prefecture, flourishing in business. We truly admire that.”

Shen Yiyuan’s eyebrows moved slightly, understanding the thoughts of the two.

The new commercial policy is being implemented in Suzhou Prefecture, marking the first time in the Ming Dynasty that restrictions on merchants have been lifted. Not only have issues related to household registration been addressed, but various miscellaneous taxes have also been resolved. Now, Suzhou Prefecture flourishes day by day. The benefits from commercial taxes alone surpass the profits of several years in Suzhou Prefecture.

The government is delighted with the current situation, receiving continuous good news, and merchants have fewer constraints, enjoying freedom of movement and substantial profits.

Needless to say, the two’s inquiries must be related to this new commercial policy.

Wang Zhongfu sighed and said, “If it weren’t for not wanting to leave my family in the capital, I would also like to go and see Suzhou Prefecture. Brother Shen, please speak attentively. Is this new commercial policy ultimately beneficial or harmful?”

Shen Yiyuan was about to speak when a knock on the door interrupted. Several women came in carrying twelve dishes. After arranging everything, they bowed and withdrew.

Qin Heng pointed to one of the dishes on the table and said to Shen Yiyuan, “Brother Shen, this is the well-known Steamed Mandarin Fish in the capital. The scales are fine, and the flesh is tender, extraordinarily delicious. And this Roasted Duck is also a famous dish in the capital, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with crispy skin and smooth meat. There’s also the lotus root from Lake behind…”

“Cough, cough.”

Wang Zhongfu frowned and coughed as a reminder.

Talking business here, why are you so focused on eating?

If this continues, this meal will become the last lunch.

Don’t you see how profitable it is in Suzhou Prefecture and Beiping Prefecture? Staying in the capital, although it’s under the emperor’s feet, it’s like drinking the northwest wind.

“Brother Shen, come, use your chopsticks, let’s talk while eating,” Wang Zhongfu said with a smile.

Shen Yiyuan tasted the Steamed Mandarin Fish and praised, “It truly deserves its reputation in the capital. Brothers Qin and Wang, whether the new commercial policy is beneficial or harmful, I believe you must have heard something about it, haven’t you?”

Qin Heng and Wang Zhongfu nodded slightly.

Businessmen are well-informed.

As early as when the new business strategy was implemented in Beiping Prefecture and Suzhou Prefecture, they had sent subordinates to investigate. However, such investigations only revealed surface information and were unable to delve into the details.

Upon hearing that Shen Yiyuan had come from Suzhou Prefecture to the capital, they didn’t want to miss the opportunity and invited him for this gathering.

Shen Yiyuan raised his wine cup and slowly said, “In Suzhou Prefecture, all kinds of miscellaneous taxes related to commerce have been consolidated into a single tax, namely the business tax. This not only saves a lot of trouble but also eliminates various departments and office profiteering. Just on this point alone, it surpasses many years of profit in Suzhou Prefecture.”

“Exactly. The new commercial policy raises the business tax to 1/15. Hehe, you two are businessmen; you must be clear about the mystery behind this. Although it seems like a significant increase from 1/30 to 1/15, after simple calculations, the profit is still clear.”

“In my opinion, the new policy of the court is extremely beneficial. I am puzzled why such a wise strategy, a win-win-win situation, is not implemented in the capital first but instead in Beiping and Suzhou?”

Qin Heng frowned and asked, “What do you mean by win-win-win?”

Shen Yiyuan finished his drink and said, “Under the new commercial policy, the court gains taxes, merchants gain profits, and the common people gain goods. Each gets what they need, and all are content with their affairs. Isn’t this a win-win-win situation?”

Wang Zhongfu sighed and said, “To tell you the truth, Brother Shen, many officials in the court oppose the new commercial policy. If it weren’t for the emperor’s insistence on implementation, and the support from the Beiping Prefecture’s Commissioner and Suzhou Prefecture’s Prefect, it would have been difficult to implement.”

“Officials in the court? Heh…”

Shen Yiyuan sneered, but he dared not say more; criticizing the court was a serious crime.

“I don’t know when the new commercial policy can be implemented in the capital.”

Qin Heng expressed concern.

Shen Yiyuan’s eyes flickered, and he smiled indifferently, saying, “If you want to implement the new commercial policy in the capital, I think it’s not difficult.”

“Oh? Why do you say that, Brother Shen?”

Wang Zhongfu asked quickly.

Qin Heng looked at Shen Yiyuan expectantly.

Shen Yiyuan casually said, “Gentlemen, the method lies in the words we just spoke. Brother Wang has already found the winning method.”

Wang Zhongfu looked at Shen Yiyuan in confusion, pointed to himself, and asked, “Me?”

Shen Yiyuan nodded, picked up his chopsticks, and helped himself.

Wang Zhongfu looked at Qin Heng and asked, “What did I just say?”

“It seems you said that many officials oppose it, if it weren’t for the emperor’s insistence… oh…” Qin Heng said, suddenly took a breath, widened his eyes, and said, “Brother Shen is right. Brother Wang, we can use the new commercial policy in the capital!”

Wang Zhongfu became even more puzzled and asked, “Without the approval of the court, who dares to use the new commercial policy in the capital?”

Qin Heng laughed, got up to pour a cup of wine for Shen Yiyuan, filled Wang Zhongfu’s cup, and said, “The emperor will definitely support the new commercial policy. It’s just that due to the opposition from the officials, it cannot be implemented in the capital. But what if the officials don’t object?”

“Don’t object?”

Wang Zhongfu frowned and said, “Can we convince the officials?”

Qin Heng nodded heavily and said, “Yes, I believe it can be done. You must know that under the officials, more or less, they all have some businesses hanging around. If these businesses stand up and lobby the officials, making the benefits clear, there will definitely be officials petitioning the emperor. At that time, when the new commercial policy is implemented in the capital, everything will fall into place.”

Wang Zhongfu understood, clapped his hands, and praised, “Right, if there is support among the officials, this matter is feasible. Come, let’s raise our glasses!”

After the meal, Wang Zhongfu and Qin Heng left satisfied.

Shen Yiyuan, however, inquired with the staff of the Qingyan Tower and stepped to the third-floor elegant room. He knocked on the door and entered, giving a salute to Zhu Zhi and Zhu Geng, who were enjoying themselves with drinks, and said, “Two kings, the matter has been handled.”

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