Chapter 503: I Prefer to Take the Crooked Path

"Any objections to this matter, you two?" Chen Wuji said after finishing his thoughts, looking toward Cheng Zhiheng and Zhang Xun.

Cheng Zhiheng smiled humbly, "Commandant, this is for our benefit; how could we have any objections?"

"I'm poorer and have no opinion!" Zhang Xun said bluntly.

Chen Wuji nodded, "Since there are no objections, let's discuss the next matter."

Cheng Zhiheng and Zhang Xun stared at each other in surprise.

Anything else?!

"Hezhou wants to quickly replenish its finances, which depends on civilian and commercial matters. These two issues involve many aspects when implemented, so we'll take them one by one. First, the government office must, under the premise of supporting twenty thousand troops, quickly calculate the taxes for civilian and commercial affairs—taxes must be reduced, not increased." Chen Wuji said.

Cheng Zhiheng and Zhang Xun, in perfect unison, immediately rose to look for paper and brush.

For just two matters they could remember without paper and brush, but with so many items, relying solely on memory won't work; they still need a worn-out brush.

Cheng Zhiheng was a bit particular and even seriously ground the ink.

The careless Zhang Xun pressed the paper onto the table, moistened the brush tip on his tongue, and lifted the brush to write.

"Assistant Military Officer Zhang, don't make such a mess; there's no need to rush." Chen Wuji said.

"Yes!"

Zhang Xun stood up, moved the table and chair neatly beside Cheng Zhiheng, then silently waited for him to finish grinding the ink.

Cheng Zhiheng: …

With the brush and ink ready, the two wrote down the matters to be discussed, then both looked toward Chen Wuji.

"In commerce there are two very simple ideas: one is low profit, high volume; the other is that rare goods can be hoarded." Chen Wuji continued, "Given Hezhou's actual situation, I think the former is more advantageous."

"We need to attract more merchants to settle in Hezhou; with more merchants, the government office's tax revenue can rise. When tax revenue rises, we can achieve basic prosperity."

"Gu Wenjie and I have carried out many such projects in Hezhou before; the government office now has quite a number of shops. I plan to lease or sell these shops at low prices, or with low rent from the past two years, and low taxes, to attract more merchants to settle in Hezhou."

Cheng Zhiheng and Zhang Xun picked up their brushes and wrote nonstop; after finishing, Zhang Xun spoke first: "Commandant, you previously said we should lower the taxes on civilian and commercial affairs—are these two the same thing?"

"No, renting the shops controlled by the government office results in even lower taxes." Chen Wuji said.

Cheng Zhiheng blinked, "Commandant, wouldn't that mean the government office earns nothing?"

"Yes!" Chen Wuji said, "Our aim in doing this is to attract more out-of-town merchants to take root in Hezhou. With more merchants, the economy will pick up."

"The term 'economy' might be unfamiliar to you. Let me give an analogy: suppose Hezhou is a pond that's somewhat dried up; these incoming merchants taking root are like injecting fresh water into that pond."

"Besides, what we're doing is essentially a no-capital business; we're just earning a little less—how could there be a loss? Those shops aren't even bought with our hard cash."

Cheng Zhiheng and Zhang Xun gave a light cough, then silently picked up their brushes.

"It seems you two have no objections, so let's move on to the next item." Chen Wuji continued.

Zhang Xun quickly raised his head, "Commandant, how low should we go, and how should we attract out-of-town merchants?"

"You all need to quickly draft a regulation; I'll only outline the approach, the specifics are up to you." Chen Wuji said, "As for attracting out-of-town merchants, that doesn't require much thought—let the feather arrow fly a while, and results will likely follow."

Hezhou is a vital transportation hub, with no shortage of coming and going merchant caravans, and these people have their own channels.

Moreover, their channels are even stronger than the government's.

Whenever there's something new in a place, they are often the first to know.

Cheng Zhiheng looked at the words he'd written, and his eyes went dark for a moment.

The disaster relief efforts had just gotten on track; they hadn't even caught their breath when a pile of matters came crashing down—this… is unbearable.

Compared to Cheng Zhiheng's inner anguish, Zhang Xun was as if injected with chicken blood.

His eyes blazed with fervent light; when putting brush to paper, he exerted all his strength.

"Let's continue with the next item." Chen Wuji waited a moment, seeing Cheng Zhiheng and Zhang Xun silent, then continued, "Reclaiming wasteland and digging canals."

"Hezhou has actually been fairly peaceful these past years, yet the people's lives are terrible. Those who truly farm grain year after year must endure hunger—doesn't that seem wrong?"

"These issues must be solved at the root; we need to encourage the people to reclaim wasteland. Let me continue with an analogy: suppose Zhang San wants to develop a certain barren slope; he must first inform the county office of the situation, then, together with the village chief, demarcate the plot. The reclaimed land then belongs to him, and he need not pay land tax on it."

"Once the people truly own their land, digging canals will become relatively easier."

Chen Wuji paused here, waiting for Cheng Zhiheng and Zhang Xun to finish noting down, then asked, "Are the matters we've just discussed already enough to keep the government office busy from top to bottom?"

Cheng Zhiheng gave a wry smile, "Commandant, it's more than enough—we're practically about to lose our footing. These matters sound simple, but carrying them out is incredibly complex, each one a nightmare."

"You old brat, you seem to have a lot of resentment!" Chen Wuji laughed and scolded.

Cheng Zhiheng immediately straightened his face, "Subordinate, I dare not say otherwise—these matters are indeed quite complex…"

"I know, just joking with you." Chen Wuji nodded, "Since we're about done, let's pause here, lest everyone collapse under the load."

"By the way, let's mention one last thing."

Cheng Zhiheng, Zhang Xun: …

"Civilian and commercial matters are fundamental to our Hezhou; we'll solicit opinions from the entire prefecture, from the village chief up to you two. Whoever can come up with a good solution may at any time submit a petition to the government office." Chen Wuji said, "Once these suggestions are adopted, the reward will be the approach previously mentioned."

"Here!"

Cheng Zhiheng and Zhang Xun responded in unison, "Received!"

"That's it for today; the matters we just discussed, you handle them promptly."

"Here!"

Cheng Zhiheng and Zhang Xun left the room with solemn expressions.

However, their solemnity was slightly different.

Cheng Zhiheng's solemnity was almost like a bitter melon face.

Zhang Xun, meanwhile, was full of eager anticipation; his solemnity was earnest, yet his spirit shone like the morning sun at seven or eight.

Chen Wuji had just poured himself a cup of tea when a slender figure slipped in through the window.

"I have a door, and it's open—why do you always prefer to climb through the window?" Chen Wuji said, speechless.

Qin Zhanhong flung himself onto the couch without a care, saying, "I just like to go through the window—just as you lately dislike the proper path and instead favor crooked, heretical ways."

Chen Wuji: …