The merchants in Luoyang were very anxious. Before the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the representatives came to Liangzhou to ask for a meeting with Li Rupei.

The concept of attracting investment did not exist in the late Tang Dynasty. Although the Tang Dynasty was extremely developed and many wealthy wealth were born, the status of merchants was still not high. In the era of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, merchants entered the court to become officials with huge wealth. In this way, the combination of officials and businessmen could earn more money. However, later eunuchs controlled the government affairs, and the governors of various places became vassal states. The court became increasingly weak, and merchants became fat that all parties valued, and everyone wanted to take a bite.

What was most shocking was that after occupying Guangzhou Prefecture, Huang Chao killed nearly 100,000 merchants from Arab, Khitan and other places, embezzled a large amount of money, and instructed the Tang Dynasty to almost all of its overseas trade.

Many merchants live a life of fear at all times, especially those in the south. Because of Huang Chao's plunder, they should prevent being stared by Huang Chao on the one hand, and on the other hand, they should respond to the various and other requirements put forward by the government. It is extremely painful. Even Luoyang, which has always been considered a commercial center, has a heavy burden on merchants. They have no political status and will suffer first when the disaster comes.

Whether it is the court or the governments in various places, including many military governors, they do not pay attention to merchants at all. What everyone generally values ​​is the army and strength. Some visionary military governors can attach importance to agricultural production. As for commerce, they are regarded as a side-by-side, and there is similarity between having and not having. Moreover, many government officials want to kill chickens and get eggs. They exploit merchants and want to let others take out all their wealth, and they absolutely have no idea of ​​supporting merchants.

When Li Rupei was on Wangchengpo, Luoyang, his conversation with Luoyang merchant representatives soon spread among Luoyang merchants. However, many merchants did not have much confidence. They believed that there was not much difference between going to Liangzhou and staying in Luoyang. After all, Li Rupei had an Iron Blood Army under his command, and Li Rupei's focus was still on the Iron Blood Army, and he might not necessarily pay attention to the merchants.

But the strength of the Iron Blood Army still makes many merchants hold hope. At least the Iron Blood Army can protect them and allow them to live a slightly more stable life.

Under such circumstances, Luoyang merchant representatives came to Liangzhou before the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

When they entered the wing room of the Jiedushi Yamen, the two merchant representatives had already started to tremble slightly. They didn't know whether this trip was a blessing or a disaster. It would be great to know that they could enter the Jiedushi Yamen. As for directly going to the wing room, it would be a bit strange. This is the place where the Jiedushi and many officials and generals discuss matters, which ordinary people cannot enter.

Li Rupei sat on the upper head with a smile on his face, and Ma Haoxuan, Qian Shiqu, Gao Chibang and others sat on the lower head.

Qin Erhei, who brought the two into the wing room, began the introduction fluently.

The two merchants heard it very carefully. After they learned that the prince was sitting at the head of the prince, Ma Haoxuan, the governor of Liangzhou, Qian Shiqu, the governor of Xingyuan Prefecture, and Gao Chibang, the general of the Iron Blood Army, his face turned pale.

"Greetings to the prince, to Ma Dianjun, General Gao, Governor Qian, the youngest is the Luoyang merchant Zou Shiming, and this youngest is He Yugui."

"You two don't have to be restrained. You are the guests of the Jiedushi's yamen when you come to Liangzhou. I wonder what kind of relationship Zou Fengchi and He Mingyuan have with you."

"That is the ancestor of Xiao and He Yugui."

"Oh, it seems that you are a family of merchants. Zou Fengzhi and He Mingyuan are among the top wealthy people in the Tang Dynasty. Although more than a hundred years have passed, their business skills have received a lot of praise."

Zou Shiming and He Yugui did not expect that the prince had mastered so many situations, even their ancestors knew that compared with many officials, the reputation of merchants was nothing.

"You came to Liangzhou on behalf of Luoyang's merchants, thinking about seeing the situation in Liangzhou, hoping to do business in Liangzhou. I welcomed me. I remember that when I was in Wangchengpo last year, I also clearly stated that you have any requirements, you can say it directly. What requirements do you have for you are also placed in a clear place. If you feel that it is unreasonable to say it, the government can issue a document and both parties will abide by these rules together..."

Zou Shiming and He Yugui were a little confused. They would never have thought that Li Rupei would say those words. Many merchants in Luoyang didn't believe what Li Rupei said at Wangchengpo. They saw too many of them. Many places hoped that merchants could go, but going to those places was nothing more than taking out a lot of wealth and not doing business at all.

Zou Shiming, who was a little cautious, spoke first.

"Prince, the youngest is just thinking about seeing in Liangzhou. If you can do business, the youngest will definitely move to Liangzhou."

Li Rupei smiled and shook his head.

"Zou Shiming, I know your concerns. If you arrive in Liangzhou, you are exploited by the government, and even the scoundrels in the market. You are cut off a piece of meat today and forced to donate money tomorrow, it will be difficult to do business well. As the saying goes, the world is bustling for profit, and the world is bustling for profit. You can't make money when doing business. Then what business is still done? If you lose your family's duties, you will not do it. Someone said this in Wangchengpo. Liangzhou welcomes many merchants to come, and even let merchants make money here and do business safely. Today, Ma Haoxuan Dianjun, General Gao Chibang and Governor Qian Shiqu are all here. The big and small affairs of Liangzhou can be said to be in control. Someone invited them to show their attitude. If merchants come to Liangzhou, they will not be harassed in other aspects except for the taxes that must be paid..."

After Li Rupei finished speaking, He Yugui spoke immediately.

"The prince is so kind to the merchants. The young man is willing to go to Liangzhou to do business. After the young man returns to Luoyang, he will make arrangements immediately and move to Liangzhou in one month at the latest."

Li Rupei looked at He Yugui, who was worthy of being a merchant family and was able to seize the most critical point soon. He Yugui's statement left a good impression on everyone and would definitely be able to receive a lot of care in the future.

After He Yugui finished speaking, Zou Shiming immediately understood and spoke.

"The younger one also thought so. After going back, he made an arrangement to move to Liangzhou."

"Don't worry, you are all aristocratic family of merchants. It is not that easy to move to a certain place. There are many aspects to consider and prepare. How can you decide casually? I also know that Liangzhou's terrain is not very good, and the transactions with external areas are restricted by geographical location. It is far from being compared with Luoyang, Guangzhou and other places. If you do business in those places, your investment will be much less and you can earn more money. Therefore, if you decide to move to Liangzhou, you may face some losses..."

What Li Rupei said was increasingly surprised Zou Shiming and He Yugui. If it weren't for the Jiedushi's yamen, they would even doubt whether Li Rupei was the prince or the Jiedushi, and why they were so clear about merchants. They should know that most of the officials in the court, including local magistrates, did not understand commerce, let alone the cost.

"You all started with silk. The prices of silk from the south are very different. If they are transported overseas, it will be even more profitable. In addition to silk, there are also tea, porcelain, wood, sugar, etc., which can be transported overseas. It will be very profitable. Even if it is transported from the place of origin to the south or the north and traded, it will be a great profit. Unfortunately, all parts of the Tang Dynasty have been unstable in recent years. It is difficult for you to really do business well. The wealth in your family cannot be compared with the past. Some think this is a very abnormal situation. No matter when, merchants cannot be missing. Some think that the government and merchants are actually interdependent. The government supports merchants in doing business. Merchants pay enough taxes so that they can develop healthily. Anything that kills chickens and gets eggs will harm both parties..."

Li Rupei's words not only surprised Zou Shiming and He Yugui, but even Ma Haoxuan, Gao Chibang, Qian Shiqu and others were stunned. They could not believe that the prince had such a high understanding of merchants.

At this time, Zou Shiming and He Yugui would not hesitate. When they heard Li Rupei say so much, they were almost all worried. It can be said that they got the accurate answer and there was no need to worry.

"The prince, the young man and He Yugui are sincere and are willing to move to Liangzhou to do business."

"Very good. You sincerely make a promise. Someone should make a statement. I just said that you will relocate to Liangzhou to do business. If you have any requirements, you should also raise the requirements for you. The two sides should discuss and formulate specific rules. In the future, everyone will follow this rule. I will give you five days, three days to think, two days to discuss, come up with specific methods, and then the government will announce it by announcement. If anyone violates the rules and requirements here, some people will definitely punish you severely."

Ma Haoxuan was responsible for the specific negotiations, and Li Rupei did not need to participate, but he asked for it.

"Ma Dianjun, the government has two requirements. The first is taxes. Regardless of the size of the business, the taxes are all ten. For example, if you trade one hundred taels of silver, the tax is ten taels of silver. The second is the responsibility of the government to ensure that the merchants have a good operating environment. When necessary, both the government and the Iron Blood Army can come forward. Any act of daring to blackmail merchants must be severely cracked down. If someone in the government dares to use his power to blackmail merchants, then don't think about continuing to do things in the government."
Chapter completed!