Race to the
Throne
Chapter 31: Plan
What did Lu Long present that made Hao Jiazhi take his time to think about it?
It is about a deal or contract
The contract stated that Hao Jiazhi will lower the price of imports from Tengyuan Kingdom in return for letting him open the business (also lowering his taxes) and also assisting Province Kuwon when Kingdom Liaohua will try something
Tengyun Kingdom is really rich in resources and land fertility as compared to other Big Kingdoms, so they all buy the product from them which includes some very valuable items such as gold and different types of spices and herbs that only grow in Tengyuan
As for the taxes on these exports, it is around 25%-30%
Though Tengyuan Kingdom is a small kingdom and has very small power in it they know that the enemy desires what they have
So, they made sure that they never lower the prices of their items and this is the only reason why Tengyuan Kingdom survived so far even though they have no power in them
The former emperor seems to be quiet a strong-minded person
Hao Jiazhi knows that Lu Long has done a good amount of research on him and has his people around him so that he could know just how good Hao Jiazhi is
Lu Long knows that Hao Jiazhi's mother is quite overprotective when it comes to her only child and she would surely lower the export taxes if her son will try to ask her
And if he is able to make the taxes lower, Lu Long will not only gain the favor of the people but also gain big merit for the kingdom
This would result in him being closer to the throne more
Would Hao Jiazhi accept it?
To be true, Hao Jiazhi don't care much about these things but still
If he is to make the taxes lower for the Dongping Kingdom, then other kingdoms won't take it lightly and also the emperor won't like it
Which could result in him being further away from the throne, he is already quite far away from the throne, then he is right now
Hao Jiazhi started rekting his brain and thought of various stuff that he could pull off and after a long night, Hao Jiazhi finally made his decision
Next day, with Lu Long-
Right now both of them are at a very high place, inside a shed, where you can see big mountains and a waterfall
"Your decision?" Lu Long asked
"Even though I have a very loving and caring mother, still, making the taxes lower for a particular kingdom is impossible as other kingdoms won't like it
But… there is something I can do" Hao Jiazhi said to Lu Long which made him curious about it
"What is it?" Lu Long asked
"There are few farmlands that I have owned a long time back and it seems that those lands are quite fertile.
I can make some good amount of food and other medicinal herbs for you at the same price but the amount will be a little more" Hao Jiazhi presented his idea
Lu Long made an unhappy expression and said "Talking to a kingdom for just a few small amount of herbs and food?... it is a very bad deal that no one can accept "
Hao Jiazhi nodded and said, "I know… but for now only…"
Lu Long didn't understand what he meant and asked to explain it
Hao Jiazhi said "The amount of land and power that I hold is very low right now… but if you help me with this, the emperor will be really happy and my merits will increase by a lot
And the more merit I will have, the more power I will gain. And the more power I will gain; I could make the number of resources sent to you at a fair price or lower the taxes for you"
Lu Long smiled, making Hao Jiazhi happy as the deal may be successful
Lu Long asked, "But, won't other kingdoms hate this thing?"
At this, Hao Jiazhi smiled and said "They will only know when they will find something suspicious. We just have to make sure that they see the amount of taxes and resources are all normal. That's it"
Lu Long straightened his back and looked at the waterfall, he gave a smile as the deal is not that bad
Though what Hao Jiazhi said is only a theory as he would need to gain the power to make this deal come true he knows that Hao Jiazhi can do it
Lu Long also knows that Hao Jiazhi has no big power behind him right now so he won't try to betray him till he doesn't get another superpower behind him
Something he has to make sure of by keeping an eye on him
Still Lu Long had many doubts in his mind, he knows that Hao Jiazhi is a smart ass kid who doesn't give any room to think to his enemies
Thus Lu Long is not sure whether he should take the risk for the future result or just stay back?
Lu Long took a long breath and said "War is won by taking risks… Alright, I will sign the deal with you"
Hao Jiazhi smiled and said "thank you"
And so the deal is done
Lu Long clearly hated the fact that his deal was denied and Hao Jiazhi's deal was better and risk-free but still, in the long run, he may win the throne
And that's what matters the most to him
Nighttime-
After the deal, Hao Jiazhi bought a few taverns around the capital city of Dongping, and right now he is inside one of his taverns
The tavern is under renovation, so there is no one around him right now
A wind blew and a man appeared in front of Hao Jiazhi
"How is the work going on?" Hao Jiazhi asked
"Everything is going according to plan; I have already found some good men for the job" the man answered Hao Jiazhi
Hao Jiazhi nodded and then left the tavern
. . .
To be continued-
Race to the
Throne
Chapter 32: Rough Path
It's the new year and our Hao Jiazhi is now 20 years old
This time he didn't go back to his mother's house as he had to handle various stuff, after all, he now finally have control over the whole province of Jinmen and its 3 districts
From the contract to merchants, he had earned more than a 400million ban liang but all of them were used in the growth of his future plan
Especially in the growth of Province Kuwon, as more than 200million ban liang were spent there only
And finally, Hao Jiazhi has a big stock of saffron as that one spice has become the most expensive herb/spice in the whole kingdom and also the main attraction of Province Kuwon
But it was not just saffron that is being made there
Thanks to some general knowledge in manure and water irrigation system, Hao Jiazhi was able to make some big improvement in the development of fertility of the land in this province
As he literally hired more than 1000 people to dig a Chanel for the water stream towards the farmland all over Province Kuwon
It took around 4months as 1000 people were working here and also a lot of money spent on it but still, the end result was worth it
Now, people have started taking interest in the land in Kuwon for farming and other natural resources but Hao Jiazhi had long predicted this thing and made sure that he bought some good amount of land
He owns around 55% of land in the whole province and his sisters own 25% of land, making it a total of 80% private land
And the rest of 20% of land price just touches the sky as the base price is 5million ban liang
After all, Saffron and various other herbs can only be grown in this land. So the price is sure to be high
But things haven't ended here yet as Hao Jiazhi as also made contracts/lease with few merchants
These merchants will open shops or store on his land and in return, they have to give him some fixed amount of money each month, in advance
And the most minimum amount you have to pay is around 10,000 ban liang per month to 50,000 Ban Liang per month, it depends upon the type of shop and its item
Also, let me tell you this thing, the size of the Province Kuwon is really big and is super flat land making it a great place for homes and farms
And because the prices of the land were like dust just a few months back, that 55% owned by Hao Jiazhi is enough to fit more than 5000 big shops
This means that even if he just takes 10,000 ban liang from only 1000 shops per month, he will be earing 10million per month by just sitting in his home
Though he can earn more, but he doesn't want to as Hao Jiazhi knows that if he sells items by himself or makes his own shop, it will profit him more than taking rents
After all, 7000 ban liang is basic earning of one week of every small or big shops/tavern
But right now, the time of counting money has not yet come as a wait of a year or more as the land still needs to be more fertile for the resources and those merchants know that the land price will increase more and more by each month
So all of them are trying hard to get a piece of land
Let's leave this money thing and talks about the thoughts of Hao Jiazhi
Hao Jiazhi is now 20 years old and now he needs to seriously think about some big steps to earn merits to become an emperor
There are 2 ways to earn merits
First-
Become a scholar and then apply for a job under a minister
Gain experience and after some time try for the position of the minister when you think you can pass the test
After passing the test, you are given a position in one of the 9ministers and then do the jobs you are given
There are not many merits in this field but still, you can know the structure of government and also make some big decisions that could help the whole kingdom, which can give you some big merits
But it's only when there are crises and over time, you get simple merit points over your everyday work
As for the 2nd way-
Just join the military, which is the best way if you are in other kingdoms but in this kingdom....meh
The military has no use as we have a neutral pact with everyone
So, the military path is useless
But still, if there is some big crisis in the city and the military officer is able to handle it, you will earn some good amount of merit and people will respect you, than some minister
And this may sound good as Hao Jiazhi can create trouble one after another and solve it, and gain merits after merits. Sounds really good right?
But hold your horses there my friend, creating trouble is not a big deal but controlling that trouble is a big deal
And the biggest thing that he hates about the military is that you are not allowed to travel much and have to stay in the place you are posted
You are given a holiday of one day per month which is in no way a big deal
If he joins the military, he won't be able to get to see his lovely shining piece of coins (money) every day and he won't be able to handle his rule properly as who knows where he will be posted
But….
This is the only way
Hao Jiazhi made up his mind,
"Big goals need big sacrifices" Hao Jiazhi said as he looks at the moon
Next day-
Hao Jiazhi had made up his mind and wrote the letter to the Grand Combatant in the Imperial Palace
As it's a rule that royal blood is not allowed to join the military till they pass the test provided by the Grand Combatant
After all, if you want to be in the military, you have to be someone strong especially if you are a royal blood
And to his surprise, just after a few days of his letter, he is being called to an arena where his test will be taken
. . .
To be continued-
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