The Prodigal Son of Zhenguan

Nowadays, tea trading is subject to tea tax, and doing this business is not smuggling.

The main thing is, where is the tea tax collected? For example, if a merchant transports tea to the grassland and does not pay tax on this part of the tea, is it the merchant's smuggling behavior?

The merchant bought tea from the tea shop and transported it to the grassland. These teas have been taxed on the tea shop's books.

The merchant has engaged in trade and made a profit from it. The merchant did not pay tax on this part.

It should be judged as smuggling.

Do you think there are no merchants doing this now?

No matter how strict the checkpoints are, there will always be some merchants who find ways to make huge profits.

This is not alarmist. If the officials who conduct mutual trade are severely investigated at this time, one will find it.

These are all capital crimes.

However, there will always be people who risk their heads to do this business, and none of them are clean.

The mutual trade between the grassland and the Central Plains is a small-scale exchange of some things.

Both sides were very cautious. After all, there was a feud between the two sides, and it was a feud for generations.

The Turks went south, burned, killed and looted, and the people in the north hated them, but the court had to open such a trade gate.

Because the court hoped to introduce war horses from the grasslands to breed better war horses belonging to the Tang Dynasty.

The fur on the grasslands was also a scarce commodity in the north and an indispensable item for winter.

After the exchange, the people in the north also had better things to keep warm in winter.

Therefore, this was beneficial and had to be opened.

For merchants, the court could collect high taxes on the trade. Although the merchants paid the taxes, they could still make a profit by transporting the goods to Chang'an or other places and raising the price.

There were not many merchants who could trade smoothly. Everyone had connections and ways. Ninety percent of those who did this business risked their lives.

Naturally, the benefits of this trip were enough to make people jealous and crazy.

"One checkpoint is enough." Li Fu said with a smile: "For the time being, we will set up a caravan that specializes in traveling to the grasslands to trade tea and liquor. Liquor is bound to be more popular than tea on the grasslands."

"Liquor?" Li Shimin raised his eyebrows slightly: "The wine produced by your wine workshop on the farm is not enough to supply Chang'an City. You still want to supply it to the grasslands?"

"Sell it wherever you can sell it at a higher price and get more profit. Isn't this a businessman?" Li Fu said with a smile: "Why not make money? Moreover, the wine workshop on the farm has been expanded this year, and the output can be greatly increased next year. The reason why it is not opened this year is because of grain. If the wine workshop is fully engaged in brewing, the grain consumed will not be a small amount. It is better to do so this year. The grain can be kept for the people to eat. Therefore, there is no need to rush to open the new wine workshop."

Li Shimin nodded slightly.

That makes sense.

"Okay, I'll approve this. If the caravan pays taxes normally and passes the official procedures, it won't be considered smuggling." Li Shimin said, "Leave this to your subordinates. Remember, don't make any mistakes on the books, otherwise the court officials will report it, and I can't excuse your subordinates."

"Yes." Li Fu bowed his hand and responded.

Li Shimin's words were also left with room for maneuver.

It's not easy to excuse your subordinates, but there is no problem in keeping you as the King of Jingyang.

However, if you fail to supervise well, your subordinates will suffer, and this is not negotiable.

"Anything else?" Li Shimin asked.

Li Fu shook his head.

"No, I'll take my leave."

After Li Fu saluted, he quickly ran away.

"Alas, you."

Li Shimin stretched out his hand to keep him, but Li Fu ran too fast. He reached the door in the blink of an eye and then stepped out.

Li Shimin sighed.

Forget it, I'd better go there by myself.

He wanted to ask Li Fu about what happened in Da'an Palace.

This bastard ran fast.

If it's as he said, he must go to Da'an Palace to express his gratitude.

At the same time, Li Shimin felt an indescribable emotion in his heart.

After all, his father still gave him a hand.

The treasury was abundant, and the effect was too great.

In the evening, in Lizheng Hall, Li Shimin and his wife sat together and talked about what happened during the day.

In the afternoon, Li Shimin went to Da'an Palace to pay his respects to Li Yuan. Li Yuan was busy playing with the children, so he just responded and told Li Shimin not to worry about it. This was his reward to the queen and the children, just for the festival.

Li Shimin smiled and responded.

Even Li Fu could see that thisIt was just an excuse, how could Li Shimin not see it?

Although the father and son didn't say much, they knew it in their hearts.

"You mean, Huairen wants me to do good deeds in front?" Empress Changsun was puzzled: "When I met Huairen during the day, he didn't mention this matter."

"When I was in Ganlu Hall, I discussed this matter with me. This matter is of great importance. It's not easy for you two to discuss it in Da'an Palace. Moreover, it involves aristocratic families."

Empress Changsun nodded slightly.

"But it sounds like this is a good thing. It's okay for me to take the lead." Empress Changsun smiled and said, "Since Erlang brought this matter up, let's discuss it, I think you agree in your heart, right?"

Li Shimin laughed.

"Of course, it's a good thing. As long as it can benefit the people and help them get through the difficult days, it must be a good thing for the court. Just like Huairen said, it can also greatly reduce the pressure on the court officials." Li Shimin said, and then a trace of worry appeared on his face: "But there are a lot of things in the inner court, especially during the holidays. Whether inside or outside, it's a busy time. It's hard for you to be busy."

"Besides, Sun Simiao said that you need to take good care of your body."

"I can't bear you to work hard."

"So, I think about this matter and find another way. Let's think about it together and see who is suitable to be responsible for this matter."

Empress Changsun shook her head when she heard it.

"No one is suitable. Huairen said that the leader must be able to suppress the people selected by the noble families. Apart from you, Erlang, it is me, the queen. The people in this charity should all be the women selected by them. It is not suitable for you, Erlang, to be the leader." Empress Changsun analyzed and said, "You are the king of a country. How can you often deal with the women of noble families? The things in it are too trivial. You are too busy. It is not suitable for a man to be the leader."

Li Shimin bowed his head and sighed silently.