Chapter 283: One Move Higher

"You are the Gold Master... you... you Gold Master you..."

Le Luo Luo could not continue.

He only felt his momentum growing weaker and weaker; it was somewhat magical...

After thinking about it, he felt something was wrong, and suddenly looked at Wang Yang, saying in disbelief:

"So the meaning of 'Gold Master' you told me before was just to pave the way for me to pay taxes right now???"

Wang Yang cried out in injustice:

"How could that be! No one paves the way so far just to use one word. Do you think that's possible?"

It seemed so?

Le Luo Luo nodded subconsciously, and the next second he almost sprang up:

"This is you!!! You are too insidious!!! I absolutely will not pay this tax! I won't!!! Since you are the precious Gold Master, then it should all be paid by you!!!"

"Oh, you are overthinking it... Alright, then how about this: I will be responsible for all the transaction taxes, and you don't have to pay a single coin. But from now on, your Wenyang tribe is only allowed to do business with me alone. That is to say, your goods cannot be sold to anyone else besides me. How about that?"

Le Luo Luo thought for a moment and immediately realized that this was Wang Yang's true purpose! If he agreed to this, it would be equivalent to being tied hand and foot, and by then, there wouldn't even be room for bargaining! This cost was much greater than that two percent transaction tax, so he categorically refused, leaving no room for discussion.

Le Luo Luo thought he had seen through Wang Yang's scheme, but what he didn't know was that the so-called true purpose of Wang Yang that he realized was actually a false appearance deliberately created by Wang Yang.

Wang Yang's proposal was actually a retreat to advance. He had previously deliberately instilled in Le Luo Luo the issue of the buyer's market and the seller's market, so as long as Le Luo Luo was smart enough, he wouldn't agree to this proposal. It wasn't that Wang Yang didn't want to reach this agreement, but that it was useless for the two of them to reach such a contract; the imperial court would not agree.

He and Liu Cheng had strong capital, powerful connections, and acted quickly, and had established a good relationship with the barbarians. Therefore, the first warehouse he mentioned earlier would also be the only one for a period of time. Although there might be other spontaneous market behaviors, just like the black markets and black merchants before the barbarian trade, those were scattered and not on a scale. Truly large-scale trade would still have to be the Wanshan Warehouse, which was already close to a monopoly in fact. But if it were fixed in the form of a treaty, it would be a true monopoly. The official government would either intervene strongly to make it state-run, or formulate some political decrees and market rules; they would not sit idly by and watch him control the only channel for trading with the barbarian tribes.

According to Wang Yang's idea, since the Wenyang tribe was a pilot, everything would naturally be waiting to be done at the beginning. The imperial court would be very happy to see the Wanshan Warehouse take the lead in trade. Perhaps for the sake of stability, they would even control the scope of trade, for example, only allowing the Wanshan Warehouse to operate exclusively, and then gradually relaxing the prohibitions on civilian trade. How specifically it would be done would depend on the court's intentions. Actually, even if there were free competition, there was nothing to fear. The court did not lack people, and on the barbarian side, there was Liu Cheng's "marriage," and there was also a foreshadowing that had already been half-laid, so the cooperation was still very solid.

After Le Luo Luo refused this proposal, the focus of the two returned to the issue of paying taxes. Le Luo Luo didn't know if he was afraid of being poor or worried about setting a "bad precedent." Anyway, like an English noble facing King John, he showed extraordinary toughness and stubbornness on the issue of paying taxes, refusing to make any concessions no matter what.

Wang Yang was also between laughter and tears; this guy was also a master at refusing to pay money!

This two percent tax must be paid by them. On one hand, if they didn't pay, he would have to bear it all himself. On the other hand, a good foundation must be laid. Paying taxes was not only a practical benefit to the country but also a symbol of the barbarian tribe's submission. Its political significance was far greater than the tax revenue itself. In the future, when "civilizing the barbarians and controlling the barbarians," this two percent tax would be the first brick to knock on the door; the atmosphere of "only enjoying the benefits without bearing the responsibilities" must not be started.

Wang Yang changed his approach:

"What I promised you before still counts. However, relying on the imperial court's investiture to stabilize your position is far from enough. Because after all, the imperial court does not interfere in your internal affairs, so it can only be considered a nominal guarantee. If you want to truly break free from the Haye, you have to rely on yourself. How about this: I will give you two more moves. Don't worry, I won't introduce substantial external forces, but it can make your break free more smoothly. But let's agree beforehand: if you want to use these two moves of mine, you have to pay this two percent tax. If you don't want to use them, then I will pay the two percent tax for you."

Le Luo Luo had already rejected two of Wang Yang's proposals in a row, so it wouldn't be good not to make any concessions. Secondly, he was also very interested in Wang Yang's "two moves," because he understood without Wang Yang saying it that as long as he insisted on not letting the Han court's forces interfere internally, the court's support for him could only be nominal. Without substantial power, he still couldn't resist the Left and Right Haye. So he was very curious about what method Wang Yang could have.

Thirdly, and most importantly, a strategy is yours once you hear it. If Wang Yang's moves were really usable, he could verbally say he didn't want to use them, first let Wang Yang be responsible for the tax money, and then use his strategy privately later, or imitate him, designing a similar strategy and saying it was something he thought of later. Could Wang Yang come over and argue about right and wrong again?

Le Luo Luo thought about it and felt this was a sure-win deal, so he readily agreed:

"Good, tell me, what are the moves?"

"Which of the Left and Right Haye has a higher status?"

"Status... they are the same, but the Right Haye has deeper seniority than the Left Haye. Does this have anything to do with your moves?"

"Of course it does. The first move is in the investiture. The Wenyang tribe surrenders; your father is the Zouye, and the court investing your father is a matter of course. You are the Shao Zouye, and investing you is not strange, but those two Haye might be alert. So it would be better to invest them both as well. This way, it will be easier for you to lobby. You only need to tell them that they are also on the court's list for investiture, and their official positions will not be low. As for what specific official position, you just say you don't know either, and have to wait for the court's public discussion to decide. When the actual investiture comes, the official position the court gives the Left Haye will be higher than the Right Haye's. Our dynasty has always respected the left, so even if there is a difference between the two Haye's official positions, it is just following convention."

A flash of light appeared in Le Luo Luo's eyes:

"That is a method. But they won't turn against each other just because of this."

Wang Yang smiled:

"'A thousand-mile dike collapses from an ant hole'; a hundred-foot house burns from a tiny spark; changes in the human heart also start from tiny gaps. At first, it is just a slight grudge; grudges turn into resentment over time; extreme resentment turns into hatred, finally leading to turning against each other. This is human nature, the same in ancient times and today. This investiture is just a trigger; it needs to be combined with two or three more moves to be effective."

Le Luo Luo nodded repeatedly, feeling impressed. He thought to himself that this person was so capable and also from the Langya Wang clan; his future was probably limitless. After submission, he would inevitably have to deal with the Han court. If this person were a friend and not an enemy, it would absolutely be a great fortune for the barbarian tribe! But if this person were an enemy of the barbarian tribe, then...

Le Luo Luo was just feeling terrified when he heard the last sentence and asked strangely: "There is a third move?"

"Yes. The third move is a follow-up to the first two, and it is very critical. Let's talk about the second move first. The first move is in investiture, and the second move is in trade."

"For any goods from the Left Haye's faction, the price I receive will be a little higher than the Right Haye's faction. Of course, I will give sufficient reasons. For example, for the Left Haye's faction's cargo teams, we will give preferential treatment. This needs to be infiltrated bit by bit, and the Left Haye and the others will naturally reciprocate. By then, the more preferential treatment, the closer the relationship between the two sides; the closer they are, the more logical these preferential treatments will become. Then, if there are goods, I will receive them first; if there are items, I will pick them first. In short, I will establish close trade cooperation with the Left Haye's faction. On this basis, I will use some means of sowing discord. Wouldn't that be easy? By then, the Left Haye's faction will be making a fortune, while the Right Haye's faction will be full of complaints. The saying goes: 'Do not worry about scarcity, but worry about inequality.' If interests are unequal, even close brothers will turn against each other!"

"By then, add fuel to the fire, or perhaps you won't even need to add fire. The wind rises from the end of the duckweed, and the resentment will ignite itself. Once the fire starts, even if you want to stop it, you won't be able to! When the two factions are fighting for profit, they won't have time to join forces to suppress you. Perhaps they will even try their best to win you over. Brother, whether you want to play both sides and sit on the mountain to watch the tigers fight, or pull one and hit the other, it depends on your choice."

Le Luo Luo listened with his heart rising and falling, suddenly seeing the light! Just as he was full of ambition, he heard Wang Yang ask:

"How about it? Do you want to use these two moves of mine?"

Le Luo Luo's expression stiffened instantly.

He suddenly realized that his previous plan to trick Wang Yang out of his strategy for free simply wouldn't work!

Because these two moves Wang Yang proposed—one in investiture, one in trade—neither could be separated from Wang Yang's cooperation! These two moves were like two ropes; even if he saw them, he couldn't use them, because the ends of the ropes were held in Wang Yang's palm...

Hiss, how can this person be so cunning???

So what should he do? Regardless of submission or investiture, bowing his head was just nominal, and the barbarian tribe actually wouldn't lose anything. But this tax was real, and it also set a precedent for offering benefits to the Han court. But if he didn't pay this tax, wouldn't these two moves be something he could only look at but not use?

Le Luo Luo was struggling there, unable to decide, while Wang Yang laughed in his heart.

Little guy, still want to fleece me? Do you think I would give you a strategy that you could use after hearing it and casting me aside? Too young...

Le Luo Luo struggled for a while and finally had to grit his teeth and accept the two percent tax. Then he asked: "Then what is the third move?"

Wang Yang smiled: "Do you want to know?"

Le Luo Luo felt a chill as if by reflex, moved half a foot away from Wang Yang, his eyes extremely wary:

"What do you want again?!"

Wang Yang actually had several ways to transfer the other two percent of the transaction tax to Le Luo Luo, but Wang Yang wanted long-term trade. Doing so would be profitable, but it would easily make the barbarian tribe feel unbalanced. Bearing half each was the way to go for the long term.

Wang Yang smiled: "What are you nervous about? This third move is a gift from me; I don't want anything from you. However, my guards are still waiting outside the gorge. Let them come in first."

Le Luo Luo was very cautious about this matter. After thinking for a moment, he shook his head: "No."

"Then let a few less come in."

Le Luo Luo still shook his head.

Wang Yang said: "Then let one come in. Don't say no again! I am a dignified Gold Master, and I'm giving you another move for free. Can't I have one person?"

Le Luo Luo couldn't refuse again and asked: "Are you afraid your safety will be a problem?"

"I'm afraid I won't sleep well."

"Will you sleep well if that guard comes in?"

"I'm afraid *she* won't sleep well."

Le Luo Luo:... ===== CHAPTER 284 =====