Back to Ming Dynasty with Industrial Revolution System

Chapter 959 The Power of the State Machine (Seventh Update)

"Pay less than 13 taels of tariffs?" Wang Changyuan was surprised after reading the report. Can the Intelligence Department even find out such omissions?
"I remember this account. At that time, sugar was transported. When measuring the weight, I missed a small pile of sugar at the bottom of the cabin... This is negligence, but it is indeed my fault." Wang Changyuan explained.

As far as his wealth is concerned, he naturally would not specifically save the 13 taels of tariffs. Even if he found out about the missed payment later, he would not think about paying it on his own initiative. He didn't care about the mere 13 taels.

"The Intelligence Department's investigation of you is not to find out this insignificant account, but to see if you have paid taxes according to the law. It seems that you should be innocent, so I need to entrust you to do something." Chu Yun Said.

"I am able to have today's status, thanks to your care, military lord. If you have any entrustment, please just order it." Wang Changyuan heard that the intelligence department had secretly investigated him, and he was sweating profusely. Fortunately, he did nothing wrong, otherwise I'm afraid he won't see Chu Yun now, and he might even be sentenced.

"Although you are innocent, it does not mean that the merchant groups that trade with Japan are all innocent. I won many trade privileges for the merchant group in Japan, and set up three customs entrances in Nagasaki, Hirado, and Yokohama. , to collect and manage tariffs. I thought that merchants could make profits, and our government could get more tariffs from it, but I never thought that some merchants would not want to pay tariffs after obtaining privileges. Smuggling, yin and yang accounts, and bribery in the East The company's personnel..." Chu Yun said.

Wang Changyuan's forehead was covered with sweat.Although he didn't do the things Chu Yun said, he knew what Chu Yun wanted to do.

"I have been traveling to the capital, southern Liaoning, Koryo, Ryukyu, and Japan for trade all year round, looking for business opportunities, and I have met many businessmen who are also active in this area. I have heard a little about these things, but because of my colleagues, I have no definite information. Evidence, so I haven't reported it to the government, please forgive me." Wang Changyuan wiped his sweat.

"You don't need to be too nervous. I will check the main merchants at that time, and I will inevitably catch some fish that slipped through the net. At that time, it may cause shocks in the circle of merchants engaged in Beiyang trade. I need you to stabilize the situation at that time." Chu Yun Said.

He told Wang Changyuan not to be too nervous, but Wang Changyuan's heart almost jumped out.On the one hand, I feel lucky that I did not violate the law, on the other hand, I know that many risk-taking colleagues will be in trouble. They are likely to cause Chu Yun’s dissatisfaction and sanctions because of tax evasion and bribery of officials, and even risk their lives, All the family property is taken in.

"As for this matter, I will not divulge even half a word. Whenever you want to come out to maintain the situation, military lord, just say so." Wang Changyuan said very respectfully.

His old background was exposed by the intelligence department, and he now knows how powerless he is in front of the state apparatus. He usually does not feel the power of the state apparatus because Chu Yun is a cooperative ally, but once he owes taxes and evades taxes and tries to infiltrate the government , violated Chu Yun's bottom line.

"You stay in the capital for the time being, and don't leak any news, otherwise anyone who escapes may be related to you... When we start to catch these fish that slipped through the net, I will ask you to come forward to stabilize the situation." Chu Yun said.

"Wang obeyed." Wang Changyuan said solemnly.

Being able to be selected by Chu Yun as a businessman with a stable situation, Wang Changyuan knew that it was time to stand in line again, so this time he still chose to side with Chu Yun.The trade privileges that Chu Yun won in Japan have brought him countless wealth.

"I heard that you paid 3 taels of silver this time to buy the shares of Western Trading Company." Chu Yun said.

"Yes, I thought it would be profitable for the West's trade, so I invested 3 taels of silver without much hesitation. However, the Western Trading Company only raised 37 taels from people other than the government. When I rushed from Yokohama Port to Jiangxi At the Tokyo branch in Hucheng, someone had already thrown 7 taels, plus people who were one step ahead of me in other branches, it would never be my turn to buy shares." Wang Changyuan said.

Did someone buy 7 taels of shares in the Tokyo branch so soon?There was some suspicion in Chu Yun's eyes.

"Don't worry, our Western Trading Company intends to increase the amount of funds raised this time, from 100 million taels of silver to 250 million taels of silver, of which the government will subscribe for a share of 150 million taels of silver. According to the order, your subscription amount is also valid. .It’s just that 3 taels of silver can get 3% of the shares, but now 3 taels of silver can only get 1.2% of the shares.” Chu Yun said.

"It doesn't matter how many shares you can get. If it is not dominated by the government, it may be difficult to build such a giant." Wang Changyuan doesn't care about how many shares he has.

There is no difference between a 3% share and a 1.2% share, neither of which can control Western companies. Compared with the 60% share of the government, others are very scattered. Buying shares of Western trading companies is a long-term investment.

For a great company with an initial capital of 250 million taels of silver, Wang Changyuan felt his scalp tingling.If Western companies can continue to make profits, they may be able to break through and become multinational giants worth tens of millions of taels in the future.

"After determining the shares, we will soon hold a meeting of all investors, form a board of directors, and propose to elect a 24-member board of directors for Western companies, of which the government will occupy 14 seats, and the rest will occupy 10 seats. More than 1% of individuals can participate in the election of directors. I don’t want government-appointed directors to damage the interests of the other 40% of investors, so 10 elected directors are needed to supervise their behavior.” Chu Yun said.

"As far as I know, the board of directors is a decision-making body, but usually they rarely participate in management, or 24 people with the same power cannot conduct daily management of Western companies." Wang Changyuan asked.

"At that time, we will hire a group of people to manage the company's affairs on a daily basis. This group of people is called 'managers', that is, people who actually do specific things. We will pay salaries according to their performance, and then hire workers and ordinary employees. It constitutes a western company. I personally think that the initial employees of a western company can exceed 1000 people, making full preparations for us to form a huge fleet to go to the west.” After having 100 million taels raised from the private sector, Chu Yun With sufficient confidence.

Moreover, Western companies have also built a system of shareholders-board of directors-managers-employees. The modern company system is basically complete except for the board of supervisors.

(End of this chapter)