During the Tang Dynasty, there was no such thing as overseas trade jurisdiction, and the court only controlled the canal transportation.

The canal transportation originated very early. Qin Shihuang conquered the Xiongnu in the north and transported military rations from the coastal areas of Shandong to the Beihe River (now the Uga River area of ​​Inner Mongolia).

The capital of the Han Dynasty was established in Chang'an (now Xi'an, Shaanxi). Every year, the grain collected from the Yellow River Basin was transported to Guanzhong, connecting the three major water systems of the Yellow River, Huai River and Yangtze River, forming a new canal channel connecting the north and south, laying the foundation for the Grand Canal in later generations.

During the Tang Dynasty, the imperial court attached importance to the grain transportation. To this end, it cleared the network channels needed for the south-to-north transfer of grain, and established a grain transportation and storage system.

Canal transport is an important economic measure in my country's history.

In today's terms, it is a professional transportation method that uses waterways (river channels and sea channels) to transport grain (mainly public grain).

The court had no right to speak for overseas trade, because these rights were controlled by the aristocratic families.

Therefore, when His Majesty Li Er heard that Yang Fan asked for jurisdiction over overseas trade, he was a little surprised, but he didn't know what Yang Fan's purpose was.

After staring at Yang Fan for a long time, His Majesty Li Er said: "At this time, overseas trade is aristocratic family, merchants form caravans to carry out long voyages. The court does not have unified control. If you want to conduct overseas transactions, you can form a merchant ship yourself."

"I remember you mentioned that you failed to develop a new sea ship in Jiangnan Shipyard?"

"However, considering that you have solved the problem of plowing ox for the people of the world, I can make an exception and sell you several eliminated warships."

At the end, His Majesty Li Er was also a little proud.

Unexpectedly, Yang Fan also asked him for a while.

Yang Fan boasted about Haikou in front of him and Princess Gaoyang, and wanted to develop a sea ship that could accommodate thousands or even tens of thousands of people, and also named the ship the Princess Gaoyang.

At that time, His Highness Li Er thought that Yang Fan was bragging because the most mature shipbuilding technology was in the hands of the court.

With the ability of the imperial court, it can only build warships that can accommodate hundreds or thousands of people, while merchant ships made by aristocratic families can only accommodate about 300 people at most...

Yang Fan couldn't help but feel a little funny when he saw His Majesty Li Er actually asked for his overseas trade jurisdiction, but he said:

"Your Majesty misunderstood that the request for overseas trade jurisdiction has nothing to do with the failure of shipbuilding, but rather to explore a path to make the people rich by controlling overseas trade."

Due to the limitations of the times, the emperor did not know the importance of overseas trade, nor did he know how powerful the power of capital was.

"Oh, let's hear it." Hearing Yang Fan's words, His Majesty Li Er suddenly became interested.

Yang Fan chuckled and said, "Then I will talk about the importance of overseas trade. At this time, overseas trade was mainly concentrated in the hands of aristocratic families in the Jiangnan area, which also led to the enrichment of the people in the Jiangnan area."

"Even if Chang'an is the largest city in the world, its richness is even worse than the Jiangnan area. Does Your Majesty agree with the statement of the empress?"

His Majesty Li Er nodded thoughtfully.

The reason why the Jiangnan region is rich is not only because the Jiangnan area is a hometown of fish and rice.

More importantly, overseas trade has brought huge wealth to the Jiangnan region.

And these wealth does not require taxes to the court.

The only risk that overseas trade has to bear is unpredictable disasters at sea and the cost of escort.

The risks at sea are nothing to the aristocratic families, and the guards can be cultivated as long as they have money.

Once you go abroad and go overseas ten times, you can make a fortune as long as you can successfully complete a transaction overseas.

Therefore, His Majesty Li Er is undeniable to Yang Fan's view.

Yang Fan continued, "Does Your Majesty know that due to the court's sloppy care for overseas trade, the court indirectly suffers tax losses of at least tens of millions of yuan per year?"

"Will there be so much loss?" His Majesty Li Er raised his sword eyebrows, unable to believe it.

Yang Fan answered confidently: "In Weichen's opinion, there are only more and less. Of course, the premise of all this is that Weichen can control the channels of overseas trade and let Weichen re-formulate the rules."

The reason why he said this was to arouse the greed in Li Er's heart and allow His Majesty Li Er to agree to grant him jurisdiction over overseas trade.

Overseas trade jurisdiction is actually just a nominal thing, just in case.

Because once the sea ship is built and the waterway is opened, it will gradually control the huge wealth brought by overseas trade, and will also bear great risks while obtaining great benefits.

Yang Fan just wants to be the one who sets rules so that others dare not destroy it easily.

Of course, there are some reasons that Yang Fan cannot explain clearly.

That is, Yang Fan wants to plant a seed, a seed of capital in the Tang Dynasty.

This seed of capital may shake the imperial power, so it can only be concealed by overseas trade.

You can know that these aristocratic families are willing to take great risks to form a caravan to trade overseas.

Capital is the most powerful force in the world, it can arouse the greed that lurks deep in the soul of human beings.

When the seed of capital takes root and sprouts, with the formation of rules, vested interests will naturally support the so-called overseas trade rules.

This is the charm of capital!

I remember once heard that in the world of capital.

If there is 20% profit, capital will be ready to move;

If there is fifty percent profit, capital will take risks;

If there is a 100% profit, capital will dare to risk beheading;

If there is 300% profit, capital will dare to trample on all moral bottom lines and laws in the world.

Once this power of capital breaks out of the ground, it will sweep everything and destroy everything.

Yang Fan firmly believes in this statement.

Yang Fan wanted to control the power of this capital to accelerate the development and progress of this ancient empire so as to better serve the people.

Only then can this nation and empire that are imprisoned by Confucianism spread their wings and take courageous steps!

Yang Fan wanted the giant beast of capital to become the Tang Dynasty's sword to overcome obstacles and cut off all obstacles that were blocking it.

As for whether doing so will hinder the interests of some people?

The answer is of course yes.

Of course, Yang Fan would not be afraid, at least his original intention was good.

Even if he had more than a thousand years of knowledge than others, Yang Fan did not see the superiority of any system.

Therefore, Yang Fan could only combine his own ideas and use the power of the economy to promote and change the direction and decision-making of the empire.

Although Yang Fan didn’t know if this idea was right or not, nor did he know where the capital would lead this nation?

But Yang Fan always believed that civilization must be based on material foundations.

A philosopher once said that the economic foundation determines the superstructure, and Yang Fan absolutely agrees with this.

As long as the people live a good life and have strong self-confidence... As long as the nation is unified and the country is strong...

Yang Fan didn't care which path the empire's development was.

As expected, in the face of the temptation of huge profits, His Majesty Li Er was moved!

If one can really use an illusory so-called jurisdiction to increase the empire by 1/3 of its taxes, it will definitely be a sure-making deal.

Although he knew that Yang Fan might have concealed something, His Majesty Li Er could no longer take care of that much.

It’s really money that touches people’s hearts!

With this money, he can make people live a better life.

Achieve a wise king!

With this money, he can build his army stronger.

The result of the military's attack is invincible!

With this money, he can build a huge empire better.

Let future generations praise the people of future generations, and even celebrities be famous for the ages!

Holding back the excitement in his heart, His Majesty Li Er said: "Since controlling overseas trade has so many benefits for the empire and the people, it's okay for me to promise you."

"However, we have a first word. Throughout the dynasties, the court has no jurisdiction over overseas trade. I can only issue an imperial edict. Whether others can listen to you depends on your ability."

Upon hearing this, Yang Fan was ecstatic: "Thank you Your Majesty for the kindness of heaven. Even if you are crushed to pieces, your uncle will bring more wealth to the empire."

Originally, what I needed was a legitimate reason and authority, at least nominally recognized by everyone.

At the beginning, you don’t have to think about it and know that there must be some people who will not obey any bullshit overseas trade jurisdiction.

One day, when people get used to the matter of having overseas trade jurisdiction, the rules will become indestructible as capital grows.

Seeing Yang Fan's happy look, His Majesty Li Er felt a little depressed again!

This kid is so concerned about making money, but he is disdainful of official positions, which makes people laugh and cry.

Thinking of this, His Majesty Li Er couldn't help asking: "You kid deliberately asked me to remove your official hat because it's for overseas trade?"

Yang Fan put away his smile, looked serious, stood up and apologized: "I dare not hide it from Your Majesty. The reason why he ignored Your Majesty's kindness at the court meeting and insisted on letting Your Majesty punish Wei, in addition to really wanting to take time to plan overseas trade, Wei, in fact, Wei, is that he does not want to have a head-on conflict with the aristocratic family. Wei, in addition to being afraid of trouble, he is also afraid of death."

Looking at Yang Fan with a "open" look on his face, the last trace of anger in His Majesty Li Er's heart completely disappeared.

The reason why I got angry in the past was that I suspected that Yang Fanzang had other thoughts.

But now Yang Fan said it directly, which made the grudge in His Majesty Li Er's heart disappear.

However, this kid is too maverick!
To be continued...