The sun never sets in America

Chapter 306 Han Tobacco and Father and Son

In the emerald green tobacco field, the leaves drooped down like bananas, like leaves knocked off by winter frost.

Next to the tobacco field, dozens of local farmers were "swiping" with sickles to harvest the "grain" they depended on for survival.

Recently, tobacco cultivation throughout Youzhou has entered the harvest season. On the flat Youzhou Plain, densely packed tobacco leaves are planted. Every harvest season, this time is often the busiest season in the local area besides grain harvesting. .

For those local farmers, although they can get relatively high income from tobacco fields every year, compared with the entire cigarette industry, it is simply "a drop in the bucket", and they are just that drop.

After so many years of development, the tobacco industry in Han Dynasty has basically formed three large tobacco companies, all of which are government-owned enterprises, with the cabinet having 100% controlling interest.

The three companies are West Sea Tobacco, Northern Tobacco, and Atlantic Tobacco.

Among them, Xihai Tobacco was the earliest tobacco company in Han Dynasty. It was a tobacco company established before the Han-Mexican War to serve the military. Its purpose was "war needs."

The famous high-end cigarettes such as Liushui and Zhiyin were actually not supplied to civilians at first, but to military officers, or middle- and high-level military officers.

As for the warship card, Warrior, as you can tell from the name, it is for soldiers.

When the company was in the 17th year of Longwu, it ranked first among the tobacco companies in Han Dynasty with annual sales of 50.2 million yuan.

The second company, Northern Tobacco Industry, was actually a company established after the Han-American War. The company's main business location was actually the northern region of Han. In those areas, there were a large number of tobacco fields, or Private Contractor.

[The so-called private contractors are actually the farmers who grow tobacco, but for the sake of niceness, purchasers usually call each other contractors.]

The entire Northern Tobacco, last year, completed a total sales of 50.27 million yuan, second only to Xihai Tobacco's 52 million yuan, and the difference was less than 2 million yuan. The difference between the two parties The gap is actually not as big as imagined.

As for the remaining Atlantic Tobacco, it is a "rising star" in recent years. Compared with the other two tobacco companies that focus on the domestic market, the company mainly exports overseas, that is, the European market.

Atlantic Tobacco exported a total of 40 million yuan worth of tobacco to Europe last year, making an "indelible" contribution to the "health" of Europeans.

According to the performance of 30 million yuan in the first half of this year, the company's exports to Europe this year will exceed 50 million yuan, which is almost a certainty.

The company currently sells several of the best cigarettes in Europe, all of which have European characteristics, such as "Mediterranean", "Roma" and "Aladdin". Among them, the best-selling brand is "Roma", even among the Han Chinese themselves Everyone is wondering why Europeans "miss" Rome as a lost dynasty so much. From a historical perspective, modern Europeans can almost be said to be barbarians conquered by Rome, but they miss Rome so much now.

Maybe it’s like Liu Peng said: “Before Rome fell, it was the biggest devil. After it fell, everyone wanted to be it!!”

In addition to Rome, some "fragrance" cigarettes with European mythological characteristics are also very popular with European women, or upper-class women. Among them, Athena is the best-selling one. It may be that orchids are added to make the cigarette holder more attractive. There is a subtle fragrance of orchids, which is simply a strange "oriental fantasy" for Europe, which has a relatively large body odor.

There was even a time when these Athena brand cigarettes were out of stock, and even sold for as much as five pounds a pack on the black market. Although it is an exaggeration, women's "craziness" is often not comparable to men.

Atlantic Tobacco as a whole, as its chairman said:

"Thanks to those women, they brought us into another world."

Yes, another "world".

If you exclude Atlantic Company and combine the sales of the first two companies, you will get a figure of 103.27 million yuan. This number is exactly four times the population of Han. In other words, Han The per capita annual consumption of tobacco exceeds four Chinese yuan.

And if you exclude those children and some women who do not smoke, the figure will increase, and four yuan will become eight yuan, or even nine yuan.

What is the concept of nine Chinese dollars? According to statistics from the Han cabinet at the beginning of this year, the average salary in Han is thirteen Chinese dollars per month. If you look at the difference in salary levels in other places, you will see that there is a big gap. Most people would spend nearly a month's salary to buy cigarettes. When this data first came out, some people didn't believe it. After all, it doesn't matter if you spend so much money on food, clothing, housing and transportation, but if you spend so much money on smoking, many people don't. Got it.

After all, people will die if they don't eat or drink, but I've never seen people die if they don't smoke.

But for all this, those who smoke are also helpless. After all, this stuff is real "food" to them. If they don't eat it for a day, they will die! !

Of course, it belongs to "spiritual food", but who dares to say that spiritual food is not food? ?

Because of such huge "tobacco consumption", some people have come out to "blame" this unhealthy lifestyle, citing a lot of evidence that smoking is harmful to health.

However, the market's reaction was that it started to "panic" and then continued to "sell".

Maybe as one writer said:

“The more you oppose something, the hotter it becomes!!”

The tobacco industry in Han Dynasty is a typical example.

.............................................

Xijing Taxation Department! !

"I think tobacco taxes should be levied. The current tax rate is too low!!"

"We can't continue to keep tobacco prices at today's prices. Based on future population estimates and the prosperity that the tobacco industry can bring, you would be better off raising taxes now."

Director Wu from the Department of Taxation was talking eloquently at the meeting. The core of the problem was tobacco tax.

The current tobacco tax in Han is about 20%, which means that 20% of a pack of cigarettes is tax. But in the eyes of some people, this amount of money is not enough at all. They cited the tobacco industry Huge profits, believe that a 50% consumption tax can be levied, which not only protects "health" but also increases fiscal revenue.

"Then, if it increases, who will pay the bill??"

"Is it you, the tobacco companies, or the ordinary people who smoke??"

As soon as Director Wu finished speaking, someone stood up to refute, speaking sharply and not giving Director Wu any chance to explain.

"I think the so-called tax increase is just a joke. The current price has actually reached its end. Who else will it be tacked on to? It's not just the ordinary people. If the tax increases, will they buy it?"

“But will they buy it??”

"When the time comes, I'm afraid that counterfeit cigarettes will be rampant in the market, which will harm our interests."

Taxation Minister Shao Wentao looked at Director Lu of the Taxation Department who was talking eloquently. The pen in his hand kept "spinning" and finally said:

"Then what do you think, should we add it or not?"

Director Lu looked at the people around him and then replied:

"Whether we want to levy or not, it's a mistake. We can levy, but not in the current name, and not too much."

“Then in what name??”

Shao Wentao asked.

“Safety should be the reason!!”

"Safety??"

Shao Wentao didn't understand what Director Lu meant.

"Environmental safety should be the reason. This reason should not be done by us, but by those in the Forestry Bureau."

Director Lu replied "strategically".

When Shao Wentao heard this, he looked at the other party deeply, and then asked:

“How much does it go up??”

"It's better to increase it to 30%, neither more nor less, just touching their bottom line!!"

Director Lu smiled and answered everyone.

clap clap clap! !

As the applause rang out, Shao Wentao looked at Director Lu with satisfaction and said:

"Keep the benefits to yourself and give the bad reputation to others, Lu Ting, you have your own way."

"Ha ha……"

In the conference room, cheerful laughter suddenly sounded, and a tobacco price increase that seemed brief, but had actually been planned for a long time, slowly unfolded a few days later.

…………

"Here's a pack of cigarettes."

"Red Peak."

"piece."

"What, wasn't it still nine cents last time? Why has it increased so much this time??"

"Well, who knows? The people above said that because the Forest Bureau recently said that smoking can easily cause wildfires, 10% will be used as an environmental protection tax."

"Damn it, environmental protection, I see, they are just trying to make money!!"

In a small canteen, a conversation about the price of cigarettes swept through the entire Han country like a tornado.

Even the children at home know that the price of cigarettes has increased, because their family has a lot of crackling.

Amid such "noisy", a report about wildfires in Han attracted people's attention. Half of the whole article was about data, and the rest was about the harm of tobacco to the natural environment. Frequent wildfires on the West Coast are linked to irregular smoking.

Although it is very "untrue", in this era, the mainstream media basically represents the mainstream opinions, and the people below basically have no "opinions".

Because even if you have opinions, no one will listen.

In this way, a small-scale tobacco tax reform ended in such a "calm" situation. The benefit is that the Han Dynasty's finances will directly increase by tens of millions of Chinese dollars. If you include the subsequent increase in income, it will be very easy to get hundreds of millions of dollars every year in the future just from tobacco taxes.

Tobacco is a good thing for the country and the people! !

This is what the Xijing Daily said publicly.

…………

"This Lu Ting is really smart. In the name of environmental protection, he quietly raised taxes without affecting the overall situation. He is indeed a practical person."

Liu Peng looked at the North Korea newspaper in his hand. When he saw the content about tobacco tax increases, he was shocked at first, and then became happy again.

Liu Peng is still very satisfied with the fact that the people below know how to "detour". Among other things, this means that the governance of Han Dynasty is becoming standardized after the introduction of the parliamentary supervision system, instead of being as straightforward as before, explaining the differences in territory. If you want to explain it, if you publish the document, you will either get it out and everyone will be happy, or you will be reviled by the whole country, which greatly weakens credibility.

As for tobacco, Liu Peng was still very aware of the huge profits of this stuff, so from the beginning, he did not give this industry to the private sector, but took it as state-owned.

Excluding the annual taxes and the profits handed over by the three major companies, Hanguo Tobacco brings at least 60 million in fiscal revenue to the country every year.

After the tax reform, it may exceed 100 million next year.

And if you take into account the continued growth of Han's population in the future, the benefits will be even greater.

So Liu Peng was very lucky to have blocked the outside road in the first place, allowing the tobacco industry to become the cash cow of Han Dynasty.

Liu Peng looked at the court newspaper in his hand, and finally stood up and told Wen Ting, who was accompanying him: "Let the prince come here."

"Yes, Your Majesty!!"

Wen Ting immediately ran to the East Palace, which was a few palaces away.

From a distance, you can see a palace with carved pavilions. This East Palace was built by Liu Peng a few years ago after Liu Yu grew up. It was regarded as recognition of the prince. In the earliest days, Liu Yu lived in a side house outside the queen's palace. of.

"Did Father say something??"

Liu Yu looked at the female official in front of him who was accustomed to being used by his father. Compared with Wen Ting, who "doesn't fight or grab", the female official of the Song Dynasty who has been named Song Fei has always given Liu Yu a headache. That woman always gives Liu Yu doesn't like people's feeling of being "arrogant because of favor".

"Your Majesty didn't say anything."

"But His Majesty read the court newspaper before calling His Majesty the Crown Prince."

Wen Ting reminded her "neither salty nor bland", and then indicated that she could leave, leaving Liu Yu with no reason to continue asking.

When Liu Yu left, he glanced at this "honest" woman "cryptically" and then followed him out.

Looking at Liu Peng's main hall, Liu Yu knelt down outside the door before he entered, shouting: "Father!!"

And after Wen Ting got Liu Peng's order, she also reminded her that she could go in at the "appropriate" time.

After Liu Yu thanked him, he walked into the palace with "strong" steps.

After entering, what caught my eye was Liu Peng, who was still correcting the memorial, and the conspicuous "jade seal".

Liu Yu took a look, then stood aside and shouted softly: "Father."

Liu Peng, on the other hand, turned a deaf ear and let Liu Yu stand aside and watch his "father", correct all the remaining memorials, and even some contents were not concealed from him at all.

"sit!!"

Liu Peng's calm voice came into his mouth, and Liu Yu immediately sat on the chair opposite the desk.

“Have you heard about the tobacco incident??”

"My son, I have seen it. Lu Ting can do it well. Although it is a bit hypocritical, it is still a solution."

Liu Yu answered respectfully.

"Then do you think this person can be used, or can Zhu Dao, who claims to create a prosperous world of great harmony, be used?"

Liu Peng's words made Liu Yu sweat a little on his forehead, and finally he could only answer:

"My son thinks that Zhu Dao is a direct minister and can be used as an official. Although Lu Ting is not considered a traitor, he is not a direct minister either. At most he can be considered a capable minister!!"

Liu Yu's tone was a little "nervous". After he finished speaking, he secretly checked Liu Peng's expression and saw that his face looked normal, and he was relieved.

Liu Peng "smiled" and then handed a document to Liu Yu.

After Liu Yu received it, what he saw was a booklet from Zhu Daoshang.

The above content made Liu Yu sweat even more on his forehead, and the more he read, the more "frightened" he became.

I saw it read:

"If the rich households in the country hold more than half of the wealth, how can they help the people?"

"Now our country of Han is as powerful as a rainbow, as good as a flying dragon. The flying dragon is in the sky, and everyone in the country recites it. But what if we see a dragon in the fields? In this way, the pressure has accumulated in the country for many years. If it is released, it may be what Shang Junshu said The poison of the country!!”

"My old ministers suggested that raising taxes and raising taxes on wealthy households can increase fiscal revenue and suppress the rich and poor. In this way, the Han Dynasty will be free from national poison..."

There were seven or eight hundred words written in bits and pieces. The more Liu Yu read, the more frightened he became. He knew that Zhu Dao was bold, but he didn't expect him to be so bold. How dare he! !

At this time, Liu Peng suddenly smiled and said: "Why, are you too arrogant??"

"Father, other than sons and ministers, this Zhu Dao is too wild and rebellious."

"This matter is too much!!"

Yes, Liu Yu thinks it is too much. In his opinion, if the wealth tax is increased, the government and the public will be in turmoil. Who will take care of it? Who can take care of it? ?

After thinking about it, he looked up at his "wise and mighty" father.

Liu Peng, on the other hand, looked "calm" and said to Liu Yu:

"What he said was not entirely false. Most of it was true. It's just that this tax increase cannot be raised now. We have to find a suitable opportunity."

“Everything is available, but not everything!!”

Liu Peng's "majestic" voice reached Liu Yu's ears, and then he opened the drawer with a snap, took out a document wrapped in kraft paper, and threw it away.

After Liu Yu took it, he opened it "with difficulty" and then pulled out a document, or information.

At this time, Liu Peng's voice came again:

"Prince, what should we do about this?"

After reading it, Liu Yu looked up:

"I'll tell you, Father, you can wait and see what happens."

“How to wait and see what happens??”

Liu Peng's questioning voice came.

"Since the Americans want to play tricks, we might as well wait until they are done with their tricks before going in."

"In this way, if Americans are blamed for insulting us, we will also get the benefits!!"

Liu Yu looked at Liu Peng with a serious expression and answered.

Liu Peng looked at the "carefully cultivated" prince in front of him. Thinking of his hesitation just now, he sighed inwardly and finally asked:

“What’s the explanation for Zhu Dao’s matter??”

When Liu Yu heard this, he felt extremely difficult. He always felt that he could not keep up with his father's rhythm. After thinking for a long time, he suddenly remembered something and answered immediately:

"We can take advantage of what happened in the United States just now and strike later, or we can use Lu Ting's method of increasing tobacco taxes to do it in a roundabout way!!"

"Ha ha!!"

"Okay, I'll do as you say!!"

After hearing this, Liu Peng stood up with satisfaction, walked to Liu Yu, squeezed his shoulders that had become stronger, and asked with a smile:

"Which girl do you like?"

Liu Yu’s “unafraid” answer:

"Li Zhenxiu, the daughter of Marquis Weiyuan, can be the crown princess!!"

After hearing this, Liu Peng squeezed Liu Yu's shoulders harder, and finally said:

"Can!!"

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(End of this chapter)