Chapter 462 - Shocking Words (1/2)

Chapter 462 Shocking Words

The situation in Lintian may appear quiet and peaceful on the surface, who would have known that there were already many exchanges of secret blows?

“Although they do not dare to fight openly, I’m afraid Zuo Qiuchen and Zuo Qiuyu would get into trouble if they were able to prove that I’m not the real Princess Anle.”

With Long Tianyu around, they would not have the audacity to lay their hands on her no matter how much they hated her.

Moreover, it was well known throughout all the nations that the Lins were overprotective of their descendants.

She had once heard that her great grandfather had dashed out to destroy a prince’s sedan just because his some soldiers were beaten up by the prince.

As a result, that prince was so terrified that he threatened to bring this matter up to the emperor.

However, after her great grandfather returned to the army camp, he had his man give him fifty beatings using the rod.

Immediately, his flesh had split open from the beatings and he almost lost his life.

The emperor was very aware of how the Lin Family was like. Not only did he not rebuke them, the emperor even commended their ancestors.

From then on, the army under their command became even more united. For the same reason, the reputation of their protectiveness towards people under their care had been spread far and wide.

Despite some people denouncing the Lins and accused them of despising the emperor’s sovereignty, Lin Mengya did not think there was anything wrong with the way her ancestors acted.

On the battlefield, their soldiers had given their lives into the hands of their commanders. In the same token, the commanders should treat their soldiers as one of their own.

Given their nature, if the people of Lintian dared lay a finger on Lin Mengya, her father and brother would teach the people a lesson no matter the price they had to pay.

While they could outdo each other in doing despicable things secretly, but if a real battle ensued, these people would be the first to flee.

However, these people might do harm to her two cousins, such as commit treason against them. If they were to proceed in this way, her two cousins would suffer greatly.

“Alright, I would not have to worry if I know you’re not in danger, Master. Oh yes, Master, I went around Wangtian City in the last few days and there’s something I want to discuss with you.”

To Baishao, Lin Mengya’s words carried more weight than an imperial edict.

Since her master had reassured her saying that there was no danger, she felt very much assured.

“Oh? What is it?”

Lin Mengya was aware that Baishao had been going around Wangtian City in the last few days. She thought Baishao had wanted to check out the culture of the foreign country, little did she expect that she had a much more meaningful purpose.

“In those few days, I realized that there were many things in Wangtian City that we either can’t find in Dajin or are very expensive in Dajin. These items are common over here. For example, some of the herbs, fresh vegetables, and fruits are only a tenth of the price compared to that in Dajin. Moreover, these are rare items that are hard to come by in Dajin. I thought maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to ship some of them from the Nation of Lintian and we can sell them in Dajin.”

Baishao’s thinking may be too idealistic. If it were such an easy thing to do business across the borders, the businessmen from the two nations would have done it long ago.

Lin Mengya had however refrained from pointing this out to Baishao, but gave her a look that encouraged her to go on.

Baishao started off beating around the bush as she was too shy to speak up. However, when she saw the interest in her master’s eyes, her thoughts were spurred on and it came out more naturally in her words.

“I’ve asked some groups of businessmen there and they told me that they had also wanted to bring these items back to their countries. However, the taxes imposed by the two countries were different and after paying the taxes, the cost would’ve increased by 40%. Take for example the fragrant rice, which is a special product of the Nation of Lintian. There is already tax imposed on purchasing the rice, which brings the cost up by 10%. To bring the rice out of the Nation of Lintian, there’ll be two other kinds of tax. When the rice enters Dajin, there’ll be another three kinds of taxes. After all these calculations, the cost of the rice would have risen a good 60% even before it’s sold. Add on the labor cost, one could barely breakeven because the cost had increased by 100%.”

What Baishao said allowed Lin Mengya to understand the reason why there could not be a free flow of commodities between countries.

Perhaps because in the past, there was an emphasis on agriculture over trade, the taxes imposed by different countries were not clear.

Some tax collectors even exploit the businessmen citing all kinds of reasons.

Therefore, the value of some commodities would inflate to a few times the cost.

However, it was impossible to change this overnight. If it were another person, this would surely be something unattainable.

However, it could happen if Lin Mengya was the one trying to make it happen.

“The tax policies concerned the foundation of the two nations. To effect a change in it, it would be a long term thing.”

Lin Mengya said quietly and Baishao nodded in agreement. She was aware that she was merely dreaming up something impossible.

Little did she expect that her master’s comment following this was, “However, if the two nations could change their tax policies, what you said could become a possibility.”

Baishao looked at Lin Mengya, not understanding the meaning of her words.

“Cousin Chen once promised me that if I could help settle the matters in the Pavilion of Herbs, he would give Lintian’s trade charge over to me. I guess he also has the intention of having me develop the nation’s trade. In this case, I can persuade Cousin Chen to change the nation’s tax policies and thereby bringing convenience to us.”

With a turn in her thoughts, Lin Mengya finally understood Zuo Qiuchen’s intention.

To be open about it, a country’s destiny was dependent on hard cash.

Money was needed to pioneer a frontier area, likewise the effort for stabilizing a country.

Considering how capable her Cousin Chen was, if he were to hand the power of trade to any of his subordinates, there would be the risk of the possibility of nurturing an enemy among them.

However, if she were to be put in charge, it would be much safer.

Moreover, she believed that once trade development matured, their generation would have aged.

Her control would be weakened and Cousin Chen’s children would be the benefactor of their achievement.

Of course this was just her own thoughts. Cousin Chen might not even harbor such devious thoughts.

No matter what, both nations would benefit from it.

“What, what about Dajin?”

Baishao opened her eyes wide and looked at her master with disbelief. This idea was truly too… too crazy!