A Tale of Strategies For the Throne

As the dozen or so big businessmen who monopolized the entire royal city's trade were imprisoned, and the powerful ministers who were involved with the big businessmen were completely defeated in the court, then all the merchants in the royal city seemed to have made an appointment. All right, in the name of internal rectification, we closed the door and stopped all business transactions at the same time.

Without any warning, the entire commercial chain of the royal city was suddenly broken.

The caravans who came to the royal city excitedly found in panic that they had no place to sell their goods, let alone a place to buy large quantities of goods.

As a result, the business in the royal city became chaotic.

This is the final trump card of those big businessmen and their backers.

The Royal City is a city with extremely prosperous commerce. The city's daily throughput of goods and money is unimaginably huge.

Among them, small trading venues such as markets only occupy a very small part of them. The giants of commerce are still concentrated in the hands of those merchants that handle large quantities of goods.

It can be said that once all these business offices go on strike, the business in the royal city will be paralyzed.

If this happens, there will be big chaos in the royal city.

…………

"Don't worry, King Garlan will give in."

A middle-aged nobleman said this deep in a gorgeous mansion in the royal city.

As a brown-skinned superior noble and a noble family with a long history, his family has a huge industry in the royal city. Almost the entire herbal medicine industry in the royal city is monopolized by his family.

As long as the caravans coming to the royal city have herbs in their goods, they can only sell them to his trading office. All doctors in the royal city can only buy herbal medicines at his trading office.

The drug supply in Wangcheng has always been high. Many poor civilians cannot afford herbal medicine, so they have to deal with it when they get sick. If they are lucky, they can get through it, but if they are not,...

After Gallan ascended the throne, he beat the nobleman several times openly and secretly, asking him to lower the price of herbal medicines.

However, relying on his family's long history and huge power of ten generations of dynasties, he pretended not to understand, and deceived Garlan for being young and immature. He found various excuses to deal with him, and even shamelessly asked him. Garlan complained that the family business would collapse if the price was lowered, but he refused to lower the price of herbal medicines anyway.

Of course, among the big businessmen who were arrested this time, there were also his retainers.

He was smart enough not to speak out in the court, but kept watching silently, and the stupid young nobleman who jumped out was taken away by Shamash's priests the next day.

He scoffed.

Isn't it good to stir things up behind the scenes? Why bother to jump out and be the one who gets shot down by an arrow?

In fact, although those big businessmen were arrested, they had little impact on the operation of the exchange.

However, under his secret coordination, all commercial offices closed down and went on strike.

The royal city is about to fall into chaos.

Even King Garlan, who has a tough attitude, will definitely give in in order to avoid causing chaos in the royal city.

To be fair, neither he nor anyone else was actually willing to confront King Garlan.

After all, the opponent is King Aaron Landis.

But he knew it, and so did everyone else.

They and King Garlan have reached the point where they meet on a narrow road.

The Young King wants to take away their wealth - cutting off someone's wealth is like killing one's parents - and they want to keep their wealth, so they can only stick together and do their best to fight against King Garlan.

"All commercial offices have been closed, commerce has been paralyzed, and the royal city will soon be in chaos."

"At that time, King Garlan will have to let him go."

"So, don't worry, we just need to be patient and wait."

The middle-aged nobleman said so firmly and confidently.

After listening to his words, the people sitting next to him nodded.

They are also confident.

No matter what, it was impossible for King Garlan to watch the chaos in the royal city.

When the middle-aged nobleman spoke so confidently while sitting on the main seat, the young man standing behind him frowned slightly.

He is the eldest son of a middle-aged nobleman.

He did not agree with his father's approach, and even persuaded him several times. He believed that although King Garlan was young, he was not easy to fool, and it would be better for them to follow the king's footsteps honestly.

However, his father was determined to fight against King Garlan in order to keep his wealth, and he was not very fond of his father who doted on his youngest son. Although he spoke softly, he did not stop him in the end.

At this moment, an attendant hurried in from outside and whispered a few words into the young man's ear.

The young man's face changed slightly, his eyes became solemn, and then he sighed as expected.

"Father."

He leaned forward slightly, his eyes lowered, and there was no expression on his face.

He said: "I just received news that at noon, more than ten caravans from Tozes City arrived in the Royal City, and now they have all settled in the Trade and Commerce Office."

"What--?!"

Amid the surprised and angry questions from the middle-aged nobles, the young man still stood with a calm expression.

Lost.

he thinks.

His father, and those like his father, those who controlled the business in the royal city, completely lost this time.

There is no chance of turning around.

His heart felt a little solemn.

He thought that perhaps the young king had expected that his father would put pressure on him by closing the business office.

No……

More likely... this is part of the Young King's plan.

…………

The business transaction chain in the royal city was only interrupted for one day.

Those who secretly connected together were proud for less than a day.

The appearance of the large caravan from Tozes City, which arrived in the Royal City one after another and went to the Commercial and Trade Office in a remote part of the Royal City with great fanfare, gave them a slap in the face.

They thought that closing the trading house and breaking the transaction chain would put pressure on Garlan and force him to give in. But now it seems that he shot himself in the foot.

It was precisely because they closed the trading house that the caravans who were anxious and angry when they saw the several large caravans appearing in Tozes City instantly boiled and exploded. .

Tozes City is the largest maritime trading city in Aaron Landis, and its business prosperity is no less than that of the Royal City.

In addition, there is no need to go overland from Tozes City to the Royal City. They all pass through the bay and use large ships to transport goods. Therefore, every time its caravan comes to the Royal City, even if there is only one large caravan, no matter what it brings, The quantity of goods being traded and purchased is extremely large.

But this time, four or five large caravans came at once, as well as a dozen small and medium-sized caravans.

So many caravans from Tozes City can completely meet the needs of all the caravans stranded in the royal city at this moment.

At this time, they didn't care about paying extra business taxes at the Trade and Commerce Department, and couldn't wait to rush to the Trade and Commerce Department.

As a result, the Trade and Commerce Department, which was extremely depressed the day before, suddenly became crowded and overcrowded.

Fortunately, the territory was large enough to accommodate all the incoming merchants.

Tal, who had long expected this situation, had made complete preparations a few days earlier, increased the number of clerks in advance, and specially requested a group of city guards to guard and maintain order.

Thanks to various arrangements, the Trade and Commerce Department was able to maintain a busy but not chaotic situation.

Those businessmen who came to the Commerce and Trade Department were already prepared to be ripped off.

Feeling pain in their hearts, they went to the Trade and Commerce Department to take a look. They were pleasantly surprised to find that the prices of the goods sold here were much lower than what they had purchased at the store before.

After asking again, they were happy to find that the price of goods purchased here was higher than the price given to them by those merchants.

With this in and out, even if a large amount of business tax is paid, the profit is actually about the same as before, or even a little more.

When the news spread, those businessmen who were still waiting to see the situation, fearing that they would offend the backers behind the trading house, could no longer care about anything else and flocked to the Trade and Commerce Department.

The businessmen who had previously swore that they would never go to the Trade and Commerce Department were now crying and shouting, scrambling to squeeze into the Trade and Commerce Department.

Especially when they heard that the first batch of caravans stationed at the Trade and Commerce Department were entitled to preferential business tax rates, each one of them beat their chests and regretted not coming earlier.

Even the merchants in the royal city followed closely behind.

After all, if the business office is closed, they have to continue doing business, and of course they have to find another source of goods.

When I came here, I saw that the prices of the goods were much cheaper. You could also shop around here and choose the one that made you happy.

As for the merchant caravans, they sold the goods they brought at the Trade and Commerce Department and purchased sufficient goods. After leaving the royal city, they finally discovered something belatedly.

Um?

It seems they didn’t pay the filial piety fee this time?

Yes, filial piety fee.

This is an unwritten rule that all businessmen follow tacitly.

Every time he went to a city, he had to donate a lot of property to the person in power as a filial piety fee in exchange for the other person's protection.

Moreover, everyone from officials to city guard captains or clerks had to pay some benefits.

If they are not given, the caravan will be troubled by various excuses, deliberately blocking them, making it difficult for them to move, and they may even be unable to leave the city.

But this time, they just paid a business tax, then successfully completed the transaction and left the royal city smoothly.

No one gave them any trouble.

The clerks at the Trade and Commerce Department all work on official business, and all actions are done in public and openly. No one would be stupid enough to ask for a bribe under such circumstances.

There is no need to worry about those people deliberately charging more commercial taxes, after all, they can calculate how much commercial taxes they need to pay.

It is said that there is a small Shamash Temple on one side of the Trade and Commerce Office, which is guarded by lower-level priests. If someone asks for a bribe or deliberately overcharges business taxes, you can go directly to the priest to complain.

After finishing the calculation, these caravans suddenly came to their senses.

Although the commercial tax collected by the Commerce and Trade Department is not low, it is much less than the contribution fee and benefit fee that had to be paid out by all departments without collecting commercial tax!

In addition, goods were sold at higher prices than before, and needed goods were purchased at lower prices than before.

After calculating this, although they paid business taxes, their profits were more than before.

After thinking about it again, they suddenly realized.

The so-called business tax is actually the same concept as the benefits they used to pay to those powerful people and officials who dealt with them.

It's just that now they don't need to give benefits to so many people, just giving Wang one person is enough.

A sum of business tax was exchanged for the king's protection, and it was much less. It was a good deal no matter how you looked at it.

Hmm... It is said that some special goods, such as herbs, can be exempted from part of the commercial tax. You need to remember this carefully and bring more things that can be exempted from commercial tax next time...

Some businessmen began to think about it vividly.

And, to be honest, the Trade and Commerce Department is quite good.

With everyone gathered together, it is very convenient to buy and sell. You can also shop around and choose the one with the lowest price and the best quality.

You can also spend some money to rent the warehouse inside - the Trade and Commerce Department is a department under the royal court and is guarded by city guards. How can thieves and robbers have the courage to come here to commit crimes? It is very reassuring to store goods here.

In addition, there are some practices that they find very practical.

For example, if you need a certain kind of goods or want to sell special goods, you can spend a sum of money to buy some kind of 'advertising banner', which is the tall square pillar in the middle of the hall, and write down your needs. Hang it on the note so that everyone who comes to the lobby can see it.

before……

Only a mentally ill guy would go to the Trade and Commerce Department to pay an extra business tax! I won't go even if I die!

Now……

The Trade and Commerce Department smells so good~~

As a result, the business tax that was previously feared by businessmen was easily accepted.

Not only did the things that the ministers worried about affecting commerce didn't happen, but after a while, the commerce in the royal city became more and more prosperous.

The merchants were satisfied.

After a while, the people in the royal city became satisfied.

Because they discovered that the prices in Wangcheng, which had always been high, were slowly declining.

Especially the previously high-priced herbal medicines have dropped a lot, and many poor people can now afford some low-cost herbal medicines after they get sick.

Prices have dropped, so people can buy more things and live better.

Of course the people were happy.

As for why those large commercial offices in the royal city suddenly closed down.

The evil deeds of those big businessmen who had been bullying others were suddenly exposed, and their homes were confiscated and held accountable.

During this period, a large number of officials and nobles in the royal court were dismissed one after another and were arrested. They were tried and punished by the Shamash priests. Those who committed the most heinous crimes were directly sentenced to death and all their family properties were confiscated.

Also, several powerful aristocratic families suddenly changed their heads, and their behavior has become much more restrained than before...

…

The people just heard about all the above-mentioned matters of high-level figures as fresh news, and did not take these so-called ‘big things’ seriously at all.

What they care about is...

It is said that King Garlan has ordered the construction of three small temples to Solga, the God of Wisdom, in the royal city.

At that time, anyone can go to the temple, and Solga's trainee priests will teach them how to read and do simple arithmetic.

King Garlan made a decree to convert those business houses into orphanages, specifically to raise orphans who were wandering and begging on the streets without fathers or mothers.

It is also said that King Garlan intends to issue a decree to reduce agricultural taxes in the coming year.

All of the above are the things that people are most concerned about.

As long as they know that the young king treats them well and makes their lives better than before, that is enough.

This is natural.

Formerly a ‘wise prince’.

Now that you are on the throne, you will naturally become a ‘wise king’.

This is something that even a child can figure out.

Yes or no?

…………

All of the above are things that will happen in the future.

At this moment, in Garlan's palace, Garlan was listening to Tal report on the results of the Trade Department this week.

The huge amount that Tal proudly reported to Garlan shocked both Shemuer and Tapti beside him.

In fact, Shermuer disagreed with Garlan's private efforts to mess with the Trade Department.

In his opinion, Garlan should, like the kings of all ages, first work hard on politics and military affairs, and firmly grasp these two rights in his hands, instead of messing around with business.

But now, at this moment, the high priest of Shamash changed his opinion.

One week.

The commercial tax collected by the Royal City alone in this week is already equivalent to the agricultural tax of Aaron Landis's entire country for a year.

Looking at the paperwork from Tal and the huge amounts on the paper, Shermule couldn't help but breathe quickly.

He could suddenly understand why those guys would do whatever it took to keep their money, to the point where even King Aaron Landis tried to fight against them.

Such huge wealth can indeed make people lose their minds.

The big businessmen who have always collected these huge wealth have become extremely wealthy over time.

But now, all the crimes committed by those big businessmen in the past have been exposed.

Seeing the various crimes committed by those merchants, no one dared to say that King Garlan arrested those innocent people just to vent his anger.

After trials, several big businessmen who had committed extremely heinous crimes were executed, and all their property was confiscated.

The wealth they owned was no less than that of Aaron Landis's treasury. After calculating the amount, the director of the Finance Department couldn't help but sigh.

Anyway, the treasury is greatly filled.

At this moment, looking at the amount of commercial taxes, the high priest turned into a staunch supporter of the Commerce and Trade Department.

Shermer has never been the kind of rigid and unreasonable guy.

Having been assisting King Camos in governing the country, he understands the importance of money better than anyone else.

Without money, all governance is empty talk.

He was still a little puzzled: "The commercial office has reopened the next day, why do those businessmen still prefer to go to the Trade Office where they need to pay commercial tax?"

"Without business tax and paying less money, it seems to be beneficial to businessmen on the surface. But without formal business regulations as a guarantee, it is actually even more detrimental to businessmen."

Gallan said,

"Because any powerful person can reach out to businessmen who have no guarantee and squeeze and plunder at will. Let the businessmen choose, they would rather spend money to buy a guarantee."

"Actually, this is the legal system of Shamash that you admire."

Gallan, who had long been mentally prepared for the huge commercial tax, looked at the numbers on the paper with satisfaction.

Well, I have money.

he thought happily.

Road construction projects have already begun. Although the royal family has accumulated a lot of wealth over the generations, it is definitely not enough to support road construction projects across the country.

Now that there is business tax, you don’t have to worry about not having enough money.

He pondered it secretly.

When you have money, of course you have to spend it, and you can start doing whatever you need to do.

Building roads is just the beginning.

Next... water conservancy projects must also start to be built, especially in places where rivers often flood.

For commercial convenience, in addition to roads, it is best to open canals...

It seems that we have to try to free more slaves...

Also, more temples like Solga's temple, which has the function of a school in later generations, must be built.

In addition, military defense projects such as border fortresses and city walls also need to be built...

…………

etc.

Seems a little strange.

Why do I think about it over and over again and keep thinking about cultivating this and that?

The wise king, who had no idea that he would be called an infrastructure madman in future generations, was thinking rather puzzled at this moment.