Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Paba's expression immediately turned serious: "Why?"

Fang Zheng shook his head and smiled wryly: "To emphasize agriculture and suppress commerce is a national policy! Merchants have always had a low status. Wouldn't opening up trade routes shake the foundations of this policy?"

"Moreover, our Great Jing is rich in resources and has everything. What need is there for trade?"

"It's good that the two countries are like brothers, but trade is not something that can be achieved overnight unless His Majesty overrides all objections!"

Paba frowned: "Although Jing is strong, as far as I know, resources like horses and sheepskins are in short supply. Can the court officials turn a blind eye to this?"

"Of course not, but in their eyes, this is a minor benefit. No one will sacrifice the greater good for a small gain!"

"The Great Jing has not been at peace for three full years. The emphasis on agriculture is deeply rooted in people's hearts, and now is the time to revitalize agriculture and stabilize the foundation of the country!"

"For a merchant caravan to travel to the border, the transportation costs alone would be enormous. The imperial court is unwilling to bear this loss."

"Furthermore, Master, you should know that the southern part of our Great Jing is the truly wealthy region. It would take at least several months to transport goods to the Northern Rong border for trade!"

"The concept of merchants having a low status is deeply ingrained in the minds of customs officials."

"Those people are all about increasing taxes, being harsh, calculating every last penny!"

"Every time a merchant passes through a checkpoint, they're fleeced. Have you calculated how many checkpoints there are to pass through?"

Speaking of this, Fang Zheng felt like crying inside.

It wasn't easy for his own people from the county to run businesses outside. It took a lot of money to clear each checkpoint.

Intimidation and bribery, they used every trick in the book.

Not to mention, even mass producing fake trade permits took a lot of effort....

"Although I thought this trip might not be smooth, I really didn't think it would be as difficult as you described." Paba nodded from time to time. What Fang Zheng said was indeed reasonable, and he already had some understanding, but he didn't expect the obstacles to be so great.

"However... Lord Fang, why do you think this is a good thing?"

"Alas! I grew up in a merchant's family, so I naturally know more about merchant affairs."

As he said this, Fang Zheng's face showed a look of grief and indignation: "To be honest! My ideas have always been at odds with the court officials!"

"Plus, I can't hold back what's on my mind, so I've always been disliked. You'll know after you've been here for a while."

"Many people throw dirt at me every day, saying that I'm flattering, eloquent, and reckless, but they don't know that they are the same kind of people!"

"If it weren't for the wisdom of our Emperor, I would have been demoted to some remote mountain valley long ago."

"The officialdom is truly dark! Meeting Master today, I feel like we're kindred spirits. There are some things I have to say!"

Paba just smiled and didn't say anything.

Seeing Chen Hong's attitude towards him in the morning, he could also sense that Fang Zheng was disliked.

Moreover, his behavior so far has been quite direct, and most importantly, he felt that his saying "the wisdom of our Emperor" was especially sincere!

It seems that what Fang Zheng said is probably true, it should be like this.

This person can be used!

"Lord Fang, according to you..."

"Don't call me Lord Fang, call me Brother Fang! We've already seen each other naked, are you still being so formal!" Fang Zheng began to take advantage of the situation.

Paba coughed awkwardly twice: "Brother Fang, in your opinion, what should we do?"

Fang Zheng's expression became serious: "Master, our previous conversation is probably well-known in the court. It might not be appropriate to discuss it further, especially since His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is still here."

Paba glanced at Li Yuanzhao, seeing that he and Lu Fa and the others were still occasionally looking at Chi Lie, pointing and talking about something, and said in a low voice: "Brother Fang, are you not treating me as a friend? Laws are not to be spread to more than six ears. Our conversation will not be leaked!"

Fang Zheng thought for a moment and gritted his teeth: "Okay! Since you've said so, then I might as well tell you! But you must keep it a secret!"

Paba's face lit up: "Definitely!"

"In a few days, if you mention this matter to His Majesty and the court officials, the biggest obstacle will be the court officials, but the final decision will definitely be made by His Majesty."

"So, you just need to convince His Majesty!"

"It's not enough to just propose trade, you should talk about it several times and gradually increase the conditions."

"My suggestion is that you finally tell His Majesty that the two countries should jointly build border towns for trade, with officials from each side stationed there."

"The two countries should agree that border town transactions require jointly stamped and distributed special trade permits to prevent merchants from being obstructed at checkpoints."

"Finally, you need to show enough sincerity, the amount of tax is the key."

Paba suspiciously sized up Fang Zheng: "It's that simple?"

"Of course not!"

"The influence of court officials on His Majesty's will is of utmost importance, so what you need to do is first get close to the favorite people around His Majesty to have a chance of success!"

"Who is this person?"

Fang Zheng showed a mysterious smile: "This person is His Majesty's personal eunuch, Guo Tianyang! He has been with His Majesty since childhood, is knowledgeable, and his words carry great weight."

"There is also another person, the current Grand Secretary, the Crown Prince's tutor, and a Grand Scholar of the Hall of Literary Profundity."

Paba was immediately overjoyed, today was indeed not a wasted trip!

"Then how can I get in touch with these two people? Brother Fang, do you have a way?"

Fang Zheng coughed lightly twice: "Cough! Speaking of which, I'm not afraid of you laughing, although my relationship with my colleagues is not good, my relationship with Eunuch Guo is still okay. I can try to help you say a few words."

"What about Lord Li?"

"He is my uncle! We are real relatives, keep it low-key, don't spread it out for me!"

Hiss~! Paba gasped.

So that's how it is, the key is here! No wonder such an honest person can survive in the officialdom, with this background, as long as he doesn't court death, no one can afford to offend him!

"Then... can Brother Fang please help me..." Paba stared at Li Yuanzhao while winking at Fang Zheng.

"Of course I can help you, but... there are many difficulties!" Fang Zheng looked conflicted.

"If there is anything you need me to do, Brother Fang, please speak frankly!"

Fang Zheng thought for a while and hesitated: "I'm the only one who's good, the problem is... I need money!"

"Eunuch Guo loves money, and my uncle loves to drink tea, especially Da Pin Tianxian tea!"

"Eunuch Guo is powerful and has countless adopted sons. He naturally doesn't care about ordinary small profits."

"You also know how expensive Da Pin Tianxian tea is... Without money, it's really difficult to move forward. I'm sorry I can't help you!"

Paba smiled slightly and said in a low voice: "Brother Fang, how much money do you need? I'll pay for it! Also... there are small gifts to offer!"

Fang Zheng immediately glared at Paba: "What are you talking about! I need your little gifts!"

"I'm willing to help you because I think this is a win-win cooperation between the two countries. How dare you bribe me? Then I think it's unnecessary! I, Fang Zheng, have misjudged you!" After saying that, he turned to leave.

Paba was shocked and quickly stepped forward to grab Fang Zheng's arm, appeasing: "Brother Fang! Brother Fang, it was my mistake, don't be angry, calm down!"

"Brother, I apologize to you!"

Paba stared at Fang Zheng nervously.

He saw his chest rising and falling, and after a long time, he seriously opened his mouth and said: "I can help you, but you must never mention gifts again, I am not that kind of person."

"Yes... it's my fault, Brother Fang, how much money do you need to operate?" Paba said with a smile on his face.

How could he not have thought of it, this kind of honest and honest person values face the most! It's really a mistake!

"I think... it must be at least 50,000 taels."

Fifty thousand? Paba only felt a pain in his flesh. If he could get things done, 50,000 taels would be worth it.

He didn't doubt Fang Zheng. No one in the world would be so bold as to lie about this kind of thing!

Daring to use the people around the emperor as a guise, wouldn't that be courting death?

Paba gritted his teeth: "Brother Fang, if 50,000 taels is not enough, I will add another 10,000 taels!"

"Okay!"