Gould has his own understanding of business.
He informed Rurik of his opinion.
“All kinds of businessmen came to Rossburg to do business. In fact, everyone felt that they brought goods from outside to the Ross people, and at the same time they could also take away Rossburg’s goods and sell them to distant places. Most of the merchants That’s the idea. Without the merchants, the Russians would have to rely entirely on themselves. Therefore, many people feel that they are indebted to the Russians.”
“That’s really ridiculous.” Rurik has been around for a long time. Is this the attitude of many visiting businessmen? Could it be that they think that if they don’t come, the Russian people will become poor?
Rurik said angrily: "In my opinion, they are obviously looking at our leather profits, including you. We gave the merchants the possibility to make profits, how could it become The businessmen gave us unilateral benefits."
Gould shrugged: "Maybe, some people think that this is mutually beneficial. Even so, the businessmen and the Russians themselves do not owe each other. ”
Are they really not in need of each other?
Rurik's attitude was naturally completely negative. He narrowed his eyes and declared that this matter was not simple.
He asked in a serious tone, "Do you actually think that the tax plan I proposed is unreasonable and redundant? And it will also harm the interests of businessmen?"
Gu De did not answer hastily, and this silence was understood by Rurik as acquiescence.
"Okay. In that case, why don't I organize a trade team myself? I can form a caravan that takes orders from me. Why do I have to rely on those traveling merchants? I can completely act as a merchant. ”
Even though he is a child, he has shown strong action and perseverance for several years. Gould, who was silent at first, couldn't sit still at all. He spied Rurik's intention to abandon him.
No matter how ambitious Gould is, he still knows that his wealth comes from the gift of this child. Although it is a bit exaggerated, it is true.
The old guy hurriedly straightened his back and ordered the servants waiting in the meeting hall to leave.
Gould hurriedly explained: "I support any decision you make. I am a Russian, how can I not support the leader? I am your loyal servant. It's just that I need to tell you. That’s the general idea.”
“I’m not targeting you,” Rurik replied readily.
Hearing this, Gould let out a sigh of relief.
After all, Gould’s words were not temporary nonsense, and Rurik took this opportunity to feel good and think about it.
Indeed, if a country aspires to become strong, it will naturally find ways to attract investment for the sake of its own economy and strength. Businessmen are all driven by profit, and collecting commercial taxes is also an important financial cornerstone for a country's successful and stable operation.
Reducing taxes to zero within three to five years is the key to attracting business investment. As time passes, taxation is necessary, and with this very considerable taxation, there will be a large fiscal surplus. Only then can a country use this money to better build the national economy and people's livelihood according to its own wishes.
Just now, Gould specifically mentioned the powerful Melalen tribe, which also collects a fortune from all foreign merchants on a regular basis. Specifically, sales points built by other tribes within the "core area" determined by that leader must pay a tribute that is delivered to the leader.
Gould called it taxation, but Rurik is more appropriately called rent.
Rurik thought for a while and then explained: "Even so, I still have to collect taxes. I am completely different from those Malaren people! You have just explained that you When doing business in the core territory of Melalen, you must pay tribute to the leader. However, you run an island on the lake, and many merchants do the same thing, so you don't have to pay any tribute.
The tax you understand is not a tax at all, it is just rent.
You said that the Russian merchants do not owe each other or benefit from each other. In my opinion, as the leader, I can completely follow the rules of the Melalen people. We, the Russians, have provided a stable business environment for foreign businessmen for many years. The businessmen built residential warehouses in my territory, completely occupying our own living space. It stands to reason that I should collect a sum of money to compensate my people.
But I will not take things too extreme. Gould, are you willing to listen to my in-depth thoughts? ” p>
Gould's interest was completely aroused. He did not expect that this child was actually full of witty words.
To be honest, this kid is already exercising the power of the leader. If he wants to get money, he can lead a group of warriors and force the merchants to bring money. It’s not like the leader of the Melalen tribe has never done this before.
Gould, who was once young and weak, could never forget the experience of being plundered by that leader.
"Go ahead." Gould replied readily.
"Then listen up." Rurik raised his chest high: "I will persuade or order all the businessmen who stay in my Roseburg to obediently come up with a sum of money, just this year. Before the trade season comes, I will collect business taxes in this area. Gould, you are a big businessman, and I need your support."
"Yes! My family is always chasing. Yours."
Rurik shook his head: "I need your real support, not verbal agreement. You must support my opinion and help me do it sincerely."< /p>
"So, what should I do?"
"Do you know my dream? Yes, you do. I want my tribe to become more powerful than ever. If you It is a big mistake to think that just having a strong military strength and having thousands of warriors is a big mistake.
I want to make the tribe truly strong, so I need a lot of money.
I didn’tIf I only care about my own enjoyment, my money is for the whole tribe after all.
My father Otto is getting older. He is now more willing to chat with those uncles and is more addicted to wine. He asked me to do many things and promised that he would ratify my deeds. I am now the leader of the tribe! Even if you haven’t experienced the last rites.
Do you know my dream?
I hope that in my tribe, all the boys and girls of Rus will not starve or freeze to death. All men can marry at least one wife, and all women can be protected by their husbands. All families will have enough food and clothing, and they will not maliciously abandon their daughters to raise sons reluctantly.
The Russians will continue to conquer. Those who surrender to me, I will let them have enough food and clothes, and I will let them live a quiet life so that they will not rebel.
If the Russians want to continue their revenge, I need more excellent weapons, more warriors, and better ships.
In order to realize my dream, I need a lot of money and a lot of materials! "
Although Rurik talked endlessly, his immature childish voice can be said to be pure, but these words are really shocking.
Gould marveled at Rurik Jevro couldn't believe that a Russian could say such a thing.
Gould was sweating all over because of his surprise. He was quiet for a while before he calmed down. Response: “Your words remind me of the goddess Freya. That is the most benevolent goddess, the mother of all, she is the embodiment of love and care. "
"You... mean that I am like Freya? I'm a man. "
Gould shook his head and put on a smile, making the serious atmosphere more relaxed: "But you can't deny that you were a very beautiful boy before you grew a beard. Listen, since you can get Odin's blessing, how can you be sure that you don't get Freya's blessing?
Your great ideal is like the ideal of a goddess.
No! I even think you may have been blessed by Frey as well. I am certain that you have already received Thor's blessing. ”
What is flattery? This is flattery!
The Russians believe in all kinds of gods. Most men believe in Odin, and most women believe in Freya and Frigga. Such a goddess is good for herself.
Gould chuckled: "Rurik, if you wear the priest's plain white gown, you can spread your hair and wear a flower crown. Just stand in the altar and no one will think you are a boy.
But you are indeed a boy, a kind, great, brave boy who is loved by the entire Asgardian gods. Yes, you will become a very good leader, but your dream does require a lot of money to support it. ”
“I don’t want to hear your flattery. Rurik, who was in a good mood, continued: "I am just hereI want to work hard to earn wealth. Rather than earning silver coins, I hope to get a lot of grain, leather, flax and iron ore. The silver coins I earn are not melted down to make tableware. Silver coins are useless when you are extremely hungry. I earn silver coins in exchange for more supplies to make my people stronger and live a better life. Therefore, businessmen must bring money! ”
“Then do it!” These are my true words. I will do my best to help you realize your dream. Maybe only in this way can my soul get closer to God. So let’s discuss the reality, how much tax are you going to charge? I must be ugly and say up front, if businessmen feel that most of the money they earn is paid in taxes, they will not come to Roseburg again. If the tax is too low, I don't think you will be satisfied either. "
Rurik replied readily: "You don't have to worry about this, I've already thought of it. Each of those merchants had to pay me fifty silver coins. I think the tax is appropriate. ”
Gould was stunned for a moment. He actually wanted to say that this was a bit more than the tax. After all, a large number of businessmen were operating on a small scale. They had followed the big businessmen for so many years and ate the scraps. Those people How much profit can be made?
Rurik also paused and emphasized: "Only you! Gould, you will pay a tax of ten thousand silver coins this year. "
"Huh? ! Gould was really surprised: "So many?" Am I your sheep? ! You..."
Rurik turned his face on the spot and put on a threatening look: "Too much? You are a Russian, and you must listen to me, the leader. You should understand that you are different! We Russians already lack professional businessmen. Now, you are a big businessman that I trust. Compared with those traveling businessmen, it is like you are a warrior wearing chainmail, and those people are just fools with only a fig leaf. ”
Gould started to hesitate. No one knew what he was talking about. Rurik knew that this guy must be unhappy.
Yes, let a big man How can a businessman be willing to pay a heavy tax? What's more, some will rebel, and even more will just pack up and run away.
Rurik pointed out the pros and cons: "Listen, is it possible that the huge wealth you have earned and become a rich man are all due to your own ability? Don't be stupid! You relied on me to become rich. Without our Ross tribe, how much more can you do? !
I need you very much now, and I will always need the obedient Gould family. ”
Now, Gould’s forehead was sweating again. This time he was no longer surprised, but through Rurik’s eyes, Gould saw a fierce look. That was murder. The look in his eyes was the look of someone who had experienced combat.
Gould noticed two meanings.
If he refused or expressed hesitation in cooperating, he would be gone. If he is reused, Rurik will immediately support new merchants to replace him as a dealer of various commodities.
Or, he will be recruited by the Russians.Imprisoned or eliminated, all wealth destroyed.
Gould could only think about the worst possibility first. He weighed it and decided to fully agree.
"Okay! Ten thousand silver coins, I will take it out."
Rurik could clearly detect the sigh of this old guy, and presumably, it was the same for a big businessman to suddenly How can a businessman laugh after spitting out ten thousand silver coins?
"Don't be sad. Don't you think you have lost a lot? I think now you will not worry about gains and losses because of ten thousand silver coins. You will get more support from me because of your active cooperation."
p>Gould reluctantly begged for mercy; "Yes, my family is your loyal servant."
"Very good. Today I want you to give me ten thousand coins." Take out the silver coins. Or, you can pay with grain directly. I know you still have a lot of grain on hand that has not been sold. You don't need to continue to try to drive up the price of grain. You can exchange it for one silver coin at the normal market price. Ten pounds. You prepare one hundred thousand pounds for me now, and I forbid you to sell this grain to anyone." Gould knew that Rurik also had a lot of grain on hand, which was very magical. Yes, this child's control over the food on hand is basically to distribute it to his subordinates. I'm afraid this kid has no intention of selling food for profit, which is really strange.
Based on this, how did Gould think that Rurik’s purpose of hoarding food was to feed his men? This was to ensure high-calorie grains to sustain the children and mercenaries. Daily caloric consumption, and secondly, this was used as a temptation, forcing them to become more dependent on the leader's support. In order to have enough to eat every day, they would remain loyal.
There is also a very special point. Using a bag of dry grain as labor remuneration, Rurik assigned the tribesmen logging, construction and even tailoring work, and they were extremely motivated.
After all, according to Rurik's consumption method, the grains he had on hand would not last until the beginning of May. Therefore, during this period, the proportion of fish and seal meat in the children's diet became larger and larger. .
Gould had less than 100,000 pounds of grain on hand. Now that Rurik had made the request, he had to immediately hand over all his inventory, leaving only his family's rations.
Gould made a promise to hand over the taxes immediately, and Rurik immediately gave encouraging feedback.
"I very much need your cooperation. I very much need you, a top businessman, to take the lead in setting an example! When I start collecting taxes comprehensively, I will announce it to the small businessmen. You! Gu Ed! Your family has paid the most taxes, so other businessmen have no reason to refuse to pay taxes.
As a reward for you, I will find more profit margins for you, even in the future. You can only get a modest profit, but you can still make a fortune.
Listen, you are just a big businessman, and you are a big businessman who relied on my merits. You have too much money now. , but yourThe family is destined to be dependent on me. You can just be a wealthy person with peace of mind, and your family will always live in happiness and prosperity, and don't think about anything else. Your family is fully protected by me, and all risks are borne by me. ”
Gould realized that Rurik had let something slip. It was obvious that Rurik was collecting business taxes. The kid had come up with a novel idea, but he couldn’t control the amount of taxes. That’s right.
This kid will definitely take half of his profits for taxes.
“Okay! If my family's net profit is 100,000 silver coins a year, give half of it. No! It's not a bad idea to spend 60,000 to 70,000 to pay taxes. At least the Rus are more reasonable than the Mellarens. Since I pay a lot of taxes, they will no longer be like the Onkras tribe and the Melalen tribe, who always covet my wealth. ”
Of course Gould knows that as a leader, Rurik can act unreasonably. Obviously, this kid’s behavior has always been about contract.
This No, Rurik immediately proposed a new benefit plan
“I have some business matters to discuss with you. I want to recruit a group of shipbuilding professionals, experts with the ability to build your large cargo ships! I also hope you can find a way to invite the Vodegen family who are good at making leather goods to Roseburg. You will receive further preferential treatment from me because of these actions. You must arrange for your sons to do these things. From now on, the outstanding ones among your sons will be forever valued by my family. "
"You...you want to make a large number of transport ships? Shouldn't it be a warship? "Gould asked inexplicably.
"I want a transport ship! I want a transport ship that relies entirely on sails. We Rus people have expanded our territory to a large extent. I need time to digest these results. I want to make use of the resources of the newly conquered territory immediately. Those transport ships are used to transport a whole mountain of iron ore. That is the most important result of our northern hunting. It is the best ore that our blacksmith has ever seen. Transport ships are also used to carry huge quantities of Oriental furs, Oriental salmon, and other good things.
I don’t trust other big businessmen, I trust you. Who should I rely on to sell those brand new iron tools and furs? ”
The shy and paunchy Gould smiled, clearly looking like a 200-pound fool.
He felt that there was no better word for the profit margin here. To describe its beauty, the so-called business tax may be insignificant in comparison.
As a big businessman, Gould has no obligation to care about the life and death of the small businessman. He only needs to take care of Party A's father. What’s more, this Party A is actually his own leader?