Chapter 744

Wang Zhen agreed and was about to withdraw to give orders when the Emperor suddenly called out to him: "Mr., you say—is the national treasury mine?"

Wang Zhen bowed deeply: "The entire realm belongs to Your Majesty; the national treasury naturally does too."

The Emperor nodded, satisfied, and waved him off: "Go."

If the national treasury is equivalent to the imperial treasury, then taxing official ships is not out of the question.

As Pan Yun's secret letter stated, if even the Emperor pays taxes, how dare the imperial clans and powerful nobles refuse?

Pan Yun was still muttering to Cao Jixiang, painting him a grand picture: "See? See? Even before it begins, so many are already drawn to maritime trade—once the sea ban is officially lifted, everyone will own a ship, and every incoming and outgoing voyage will bring silver!"

If the Emperor pays taxes, everyone else must follow—he's just shifting money from his left hand to his right; it's all his money. If the Emperor himself pays, how dare they refuse? This is taking money from others' purses and putting it into the national treasury—all of it the Emperor's!"

Pan Yun's three large ships have already docked, and people are orderly loading cargo aboard.

Members of the Wu Lin Alliance, the Prefect's office, the Navy Command, and the Maritime Trade Office—all those preparing to sail—are bidding farewell to friends and family, so the usually quiet Quanzhou Harbor is now packed with people.

Merchants, having learned the news in advance, are carrying baskets and pushing carts, shouting fiercely at the crowd from outside.

Don't think they're petty traders—they're anything but small.

The owner of the Wu Family Silk Shop, unable to board Pan Yun's ship, shouted across the imperial guards to the crowd: "Wu Family Silk! Wu Family Silk! Vibrant colors, smooth as fat, sold at cost price! Cost price!"

A silent Cloaked Guard finally couldn't hold back and turned toward him.

The Wu owner saw him and immediately lit up, shoving a bolt of rose-patterned silk into his face: "My lord, take a look—fine Fujian silk, only three taels per bolt!"

The Cloaked Guard frowned: "I've only heard of Suzhou silk."

"I have Suzhou silk too, but Fujian silk offers better value," the Wu owner said at once. "Pan Daozhang's trading house is bringing plenty of Suzhou silk—you won't outdo her with just one or two bolts. Buy Fujian silk instead. Touch it with the back of your hand—it's just as smooth as Suzhou silk."

The Cloaked Guard finally touched it with the back of his hand—it felt cool, and indeed, it was excellent.

"Only three taels?"

The Wu owner said at once: "Normally, merchants pay five taels for this Fujian silk, and sell it in shops for seven to ten taels. But since this is the first batch of private ships to sail from Great Ming in years, I'm offering it to you at cost—just hope you'll mention Fujian silk and Wu Family Silk Shop when you reach the other side. I'd be eternally grateful."

In short, he wasn't selling this silk to make a profit—he simply wanted the Japanese to recognize Fujian silk and know his Wu Family Silk Shop. Once the sea ban is lifted, more people will choose his silk.

Hmph, he had no right to sail—did that mean his goods couldn't be sold?

The Wu owner enthusiastically explained the virtues of his silk to the Cloaked Guard.

The Cloaked Guard grew increasingly tempted; he turned to find his comrades, and soon, seven or eight Cloaked Guards gathered together, pooled their money, and finally collected over eighty taels.

The Wu owner immediately selected the brightest silk for them and, feigning great pain, added two more bolts: "I'll round it up for you gentlemen—thirty bolts! When you reach Japan, if anyone admires this silk, please mention Fuzhou Silk Shop."

"Are you from Fuzhou?"

"Yes. When I heard Pan Daozhang's ships were sailing, I rushed here as fast as I could. Though I'm from Fuzhou, it's not far from Quanzhou—whether future ships sail from Fuzhou or Quanzhou, I can deliver my silk to both."

The Wu owner took out oiled cloth and carefully wrapped the silk for them, teaching them how to preserve it at sea.

As fabric, it feared water, fire, and stains most—he had great experience protecting textiles. He not only wrapped and tied it securely but, fearing they'd forget, wrote down the care instructions on paper and slipped it to them, repeating again and again: "You must bring it to Japan in perfect condition."

To outsiders, one might think they were carrying some rare treasure. The Wu owner feared they'd mishandle it; only when the Cloaked Guards carried the silk aboard did he reluctantly withdraw his gaze, then immediately turned to shout at those still not yet boarding.

But most who boarded had already prepared their goods in advance.

After all, aside from Cao Jixiang's group, everyone else had long known they'd be sailing.

What to bring, what their goals were—they had memorized it all.

So large items like silk were hard to sell here, but small goods were very popular.

Combs and hairpins from Changzhou, obscure local teas, and pretty little porcelain from Jingdezhen were all being sold for a few dozen cash.

The crowd had already emptied their purses—they couldn't spare several taels, but a few dozen cash was still possible.

Everyone added small items bit by bit and gradually boarded the ships.

Pan Yun took Cao Jixiang on a tour, letting him witness just how popular maritime trade had become, and beamed: "Well? Isn't the people's commerce full of vitality?"

Cao Jixiang nodded: "It certainly is. But have they paid their taxes?"

Pan Yun glanced at him: "Cao my lord, if you want to collect their taxes, it's simple. Look—this stretch, and that stretch—turn them all into shops and warehouses. Once the sea ban is fully lifted, this area will generate endless revenue for the national treasury."

The Prefect happened to walk over and greet them; upon hearing this, he burst into violent coughing.

Pan Yun and Cao Jixiang turned to look at him together.

The Prefect stopped, smiling: "Cao my lord, has the imperial court already decided to lift the sea ban?"

Cao Jixiang's face remained expressionless: "No. Yet your reaction is so strong—do you intend to build this area on behalf of the Maritime Trade Office and collect its taxes?"

The Prefect smiled: "My lord, you jest. The Maritime Trade Office collects customs duties. If shops and warehouses are built here, their rent and taxes belong to the Prefect's office—not the Maritime Trade Office."

Cao Jixiang's face turned as dark as charcoal, and he glared at Pan Yun.

Pan Yun pretended not to see or hear him, looked up at the sky, then down at the ground, and finally turned to the ship, smiling at the two: "The ship's about to sail—I'll go see my Zhang Guanshi."

Xue Shao was aboard—he wouldn't go to Japan, but had made arrangements for the three ships.

He gave detailed instructions on who would be on which ship and whom to watch.

Song Dalin stared at him, though somewhat resentful, he was Pan Yun's man and entrusted to him—he could only obey.

Xue Shao had a good temper and didn't care for his hostility; after all, he had once been an official—a censor, rumored to be useless and always filing complaints against others.

Not only did rebels dislike him, but officials disliked him too—he was used to people's aversion.

After finishing his instructions, he saw Pan Yun board and smiled: "Did you anger Cao Jixiang?"

(End of Chapter)