Han family achievements

Chapter 384 Han Dynasty Royal Bank

Sima Jun and Xun Yu looked at each other. After a moment, he silently looked away and said: "Prime Minister, I am confident, but I am presumptuous."

Wu Jing didn't want to interrupt, but Sima Jun mentioned the river construction next year. If he didn't speak now, he would have to take the blame next year. He bit the bullet and said: "Prime Minister, last year the Yellow River burst its banks, flooding several states and counties, and almost caused a civil war. Change, next year, it must be repaired.”

Xun Yu looked unmoved and said: "You don't need to worry about these, I have my own way. What I'm asking you now is, do you have any objections to the overall tax reform plan?"

Everyone looked at Xun Yu with suspicion in their hearts and on their faces.

Not to mention other things, just what Sima Jun said added up to more than one million yuan. Even the previous imperial court did not take out this money casually.

Zhong Yao spoke at this time and said: "If the court cannot come up with money to deal with the problem, it is the responsibility of the Prime Minister and the Chancellor, and it has nothing to do with you. What is being discussed now is the tax reform. What do you think? You might as well speak your mind.”

Sima Jun saw Xun Yu, Zhong Yao and Xun You looking determined. If they nodded knowingly, he said: "If the Prime Minister really has a way, then he is acting presumptuously. The tax reform will generally reduce the tax, which will benefit the country and the people." These are all good things, and I have no objections to this."

When the others saw Sima Jun nodding, they all responded: "No one has any objections to this."

Xun Yu hummed and said, "The fourth item is about the restructuring of the Three Law Departments and the distribution of powers and responsibilities. Lu Yu, please send the draft to all your colleagues again."

Lu Yu, who was in charge of meeting minutes, stood up quickly, picked up the plates on the side, and distributed them one by one.

In fact, everyone here has already read it, but Shangshutai has made some 'fine adjustments', and this is considered the final draft.

Everyone lowered their heads to take a closer look, no one dared to care.

In the past, the Yushitai was known as "one of the three platforms". Along with the Shangshutai and the Yetai, it was the highest supervisory institution in the Han Dynasty and was chaired by King Chenliu and Liu Xie.

——It’s about one’s own safety, who can’t care less.

While the senior officials of the imperial court were discussing a series of important state affairs, Liu Bian appeared at the bank.

Liu Bian stood in front of the counter, and a man in his mid-thirties was inside the counter. The abacus in his hand was clicking, and he picked up a pen from time to time and added something to the account book.

Dian Wei stood behind Liu Bian and looked at him, and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty is just looking at the account books. Why are you so nervous and sweating profusely!?"

Liu Ba felt his mouth was dry and his whole body was shaking. He didn't bother to wipe away the sweat. He raised his head and gave Dian Wei a stiff smile, then quickly lowered his head again and continued to settle accounts.

When Yuan Shu attacked Jingzhou, Liu Ba fled to Runan, and then went all the way north. He originally hoped to go to Jizhou, but when he passed by Hedong, he was recommended to the court by Kuai Liang, and then suddenly and inexplicably became the boss of the bank.

Over the past year, it only took less than half a year for Liu Ba to go from feeling uneasy at the beginning to gradually getting started and then becoming comfortable with it.

In the next six months, he could almost describe it as a miracle. Not only did he quickly pay off the bank's debts, he also achieved substantial profits.

From tens of thousands of dollars per month to nearly 100,000 yuan this month, Liu Bian in the palace was really shocked.

This is also the reason why Liu Bian appears here today.

He smiled and did not stop Dian Wei or speak.

The counter was divided into two, with Liu Ba inside doing the accounting, and Liu Bian outside looking at the "Bank Summary" documents.

This set of documents was compiled by Liu Ba himself. Almost all of them were bank business, covering storage, lending, escrow, pawns, transportation, etc.

These are still the most primitive business methods, but it is really rare for Liu Ba to master them and use them freely in a short period of time.

'What a talent...' Liu Bian turned over the pages slowly and silently, raised his eyelids and glanced at Liu Ba, sighing in his heart.

He actually knew little about the specific operations of the bank and did not have a deep involvement or understanding. It was extremely difficult to conform to the current historical situation, but Liu Ba was very smart. Under his auspices and changes, he remained calm. The 'modernization' has been completed.

Banks have begun to make profits, and at the same time they are continuously radiating across the country. Once the economic situation improves, it can be clearly foreseen that banks will be a very terrible money-making machine!

Liu Ba was still calculating quickly, and noticed Liu Bian's gaze. He paused his fingers and started beating even faster.

It wasn't that he was unfamiliar with the bank's business and didn't know the bank's accounts. The fundamental reason was that the palace's internal treasury suddenly 'injected capital' into the bank again.

This capital injection was extraordinary. The cash alone took a whole day to be counted in the backyard, and there were countless other valuables that needed to be sold by the bank.

Liu Ba also came from a noble family and had seen the fortunes of some big shots. He had also been in charge of a bank for nearly a year, but this was the first time he had seen so much money and precious treasures!

He didn't have time to think too much, he just wanted to calculate all the account books in front of him.

These are to be presented to His Majesty in front of you, and they must not be wrong in the slightest.

Liu Ba calmed down, and after another crackling meal, he didn't know how long it took. He finally stopped his abacus and handed the account he had written to Liu Bian.

His hands were shaking, and so was the ledger.

Liu Bian took it with a smile and said, "Why, are you also afraid of me? Worried that I am the rumored tyrant who kills everyone on sight?"

Liu Ba was actually not afraid, it was mainly because he worked too hard on the abacus and had some cramps. But when he heard Liu Bian's words, the sweat on his face didn't know whether it was nervousness or cold sweat.

"Wei Chen doesn't dare." Liu Ba's mouth was dry and he hadn't completely calmed down yet.

Liu Bian didn't care at all. He nodded and looked at the account book. From top to bottom, they showed the cash saved, the valuables kept, the treasures pawned, the profit situation, and the total property currently owned by the bank.

Liu Bian read one by one, nodding secretly, feeling that Liu Ba's ability had improved to a higher level again. But when he saw the last number, his eyelids jumped. He tilted the account book, handed it to Liu Ba, pointed with his finger, and said: " Are these true?"

Liu Ba stretched out his head to take a look, quickly raised his hand and said: "Return to your majesty, it is true."

Liu Bian was still a little skeptical, but he believed it in his heart.

He couldn't help but be suspicious, because the 'total' column read: 6,825,321.

Compared with more than 600,000, the taxes paid by the Han Dynasty last year were less than 100,000!

After Liu Bian was briefly confused and dazed, he suddenly felt a strong sense of confidence in his heart. He couldn't help laughing and said: "Okay, okay, with this money and food in hand, what else can I have to hate?" Liu Ba bowed After getting dressed, he quietly pursed his dry lips, feeling shocked at such a large amount of money.

In fact, he knew the origin of these, most of which were "booties" obtained from conquests from various places, including the Black Mountain Army, the Yellow Turban Army, Qiao Mao, Yuan Shu, Dong Zhuo and others.

Judging from the year, this money should have been kept in the palace before, but was recently withdrawn in one go and deposited in the bank.

Liu Ba didn't know what the emperor in front of him wanted to do with this money, but thinking about the absurdity of the late emperor, he couldn't help but feel worried and hesitant.

If His Majesty wants to use this money to do nonsense, should he resign as soon as possible to avoid being a villain and causing harm to the world?

Liu Bian quickly came back to his senses, looked at Liu Ba with fiery eyes, and said, "Come on, come with me for a walk. I have something to say to you."

Liu Ba responded, gave some instructions inside, and trotted out of the bank with Liu Bian.

Liu Bian walked out of the bank and wanted to step on the snow and have fun, but the road was cleaned, so he could only put his hands behind his back and said with a smile to Liu Ba: "The Qing family has done a good job. Although there is no Pinyi in this bank for the time being, it is just Temporarily, in a few years, I am considering hanging the bank under the chancellery, with a grade of Yi, such as the Jiu Temple. Using the new grades, you count from the third grade. You may not understand well, so to speak, the sixth grade Cao's ministers are of the fourth rank, ministers are of the third rank. The prime minister is of the second rank, servants are of the third rank, and those who participate in political affairs are of the third rank, because those who participate in politics generally have to concurrently serve as ministers of Cao..."

Liu Ba was a little dazed. He quickly digested Liu Bian's words and felt quite excited. In the blink of an eye, he could be ranked among the Nine Temples?

Seeing that he was in a daze, Liu Bian raised his head and looked in the direction of the palace and said, "What I'm telling you is mainly about my considerations about the bank. There are many things that you need to do."

Liu Ba's eyes were fixed in a trance, he bowed and said solemnly: "Wei Chen is here."

Liu Bian waved his hand and said: "I am just chatting with you, there is no need to be so serious, and we are not in Chongde Hall."

"Yes." Liu Ba responded, but he did not dare to be careless. He followed Liu Ba respectfully, feeling more and more uneasy.

He was thinking, if the majesty in front of him asked him to do something ridiculous, how should he shirk it? If you can't escape, which way to escape at night, where to escape.

How could Liu Bian know that Liu Ba had so many thoughts? He pondered for a moment and said: "The first one is the change of Yuan Dynasty next year. This bank should also take the opportunity to change its name. Let's call it Han Dynasty Royal Bank. In addition, I will provide you with equipment." A certain number of forbidden troops will ensure the safety of the bank. The bank's branches in various places can also be arranged."

"Wei Chen understands." Liu Ba quickly raised his hand and said. This is more than 6 million yuan. Not afraid of the protection of the imperial army, Liu Ba is worried that he will not sleep at the entrance to the basement day and night!

Liu Bian snorted and said: "The second one is about the specific operation of the bank. I won't say much about it. The most important point is that the flow of money from the bank should focus on small and medium-sized households and common people. They should not become members of aristocratic families. Money bag, please keep this in mind. In a few days, take my handwriting and go to the Yushitai to see King Chenliu."

Liu Ba was greatly moved. He raised his hand more seriously and said, "Wei Chen understands."

This point indeed touches on what Liu Ba is worried about.

Because in Yanzhou, some people took advantage of the loopholes of the bank, and even bribed the bank's people, emptied the bank, and even incurred such huge debts that Liu Ba rushed there in person and had to use money to pay off the debt!

After all this going and going, it can be said that the bank suffered heavy losses, and Liu Ba also suppressed his anger fiercely.

But he was helpless. The relationship between those aristocratic families and the local government was complicated. Not to mention their clean hands and feet, even if they were not clean, Liu Ba, a not so strong shrimp, could not overpower those strong local snakes.

But with His Majesty's handwriting in front of him and the help of King Chen Liu who was in charge of the Yushitai, who would dare to bully him so blatantly?

Facing a gust of cold wind, Liu Bian shrank his neck, looked in the direction of the palace, and said, "It's probably almost done in the palace. I'll keep the story short with you."

"I respectfully listen to the holy teachings." Liu Ba raised his hand and felt even more nervous. He knew that Liu Bian was about to reveal his secret, but he couldn't guess what Liu Bian wanted him to do.

Liu Bian nodded and said: "The most important point is about the issuance of new coins. I have been preparing for these years, and everything is ready at the bank, but the materials for the new coins are missing. Now, you have in your hand With more than six million new coins and the copper mines in Hedong, the conditions for issuing new coins are sufficient..."

Seeing that Liu Ba didn't mention anything ridiculous, Liu Ba felt reassured. He raised his hand and said in a deep voice: "Reporting to your majesty, the bank has been making preparations. Now that we have these old coins, I can mint at least one thousand in two years." Ten thousand yuan, then the time will be ripe for the court to abolish old coins and other miscellaneous money..."

Liu Bian's eyes narrowed slightly. He just said about issuing new coins. Did Liu Ba think of this much?

"You are a talent."

Liu Bian smiled with satisfaction and said: "Since you understand everything, I won't talk nonsense. Now that the new currency has come out, how to get it out? The first one is naturally to lend it out, but the most important customer is Hucao."

Liu Ba was startled and said: "Hu Cao?"

He had already guessed that the money would definitely be spent and given to the court, but Liu Ba couldn't react for a while as a loan to Hu Cao.

Liu Bian hummed as he walked and said, "Yeah. The bank is not the money bag of a wealthy family, nor can it belong to the imperial court. The money coming in and out of the bank must be backed up by evidence. The imperial court cannot let it be taken at will. There must be evidence. Borrow and repay. I will arrange for you to discuss the specific method with the Xunqing family at that time. We must come up with a detailed charter and must not mess up. It is not realistic to replace all the old coins in two years, but gradually abolishing and returning It can be done. Those messy five-baht coins minted privately in various places should be abolished first and banned from circulation..."

Liu Ba listened attentively, secretly pondering the meaning of Liu Bian's words.

As Liu Bian spoke, he arrived not far from the palace. In order to avoid attracting attention, he stopped and turned around to say to Liu Ba: "Let's keep the matter of the bank a secret for the time being. Tell the people of the bank, and be stricter. I am here today." Just think about what I’m telling you in your heart, and don’t say it out loud.”

Liu Ba's expression became serious, he raised his hand and said, "I understand."

"That's it for today,"

Liu Bian took a deep breath, looked at the palace again, and said, "I'm going to take care of my troubles too."

Liu Ba was startled. Does anyone dare to cause trouble to His Majesty?

Liu Bian had already turned around and left.

Liu Ba looked at Liu Bian's back, thinking about the short conversation just now, and without the ridiculous worry that Liu Bian was the late emperor, he suddenly felt proud in his heart, and he was gearing up to do something big.

Liu Bian walked to the palace gate and asked Pan Yin, who was waiting at the palace gate, "Where are you?"

Pan Yin followed Liu Bian and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, we have come to the last item, which is about the plans and goals of the 'New Deal'. The courtiers still think that it is too preoccupied and may be counterproductive."

Liu Bian was not surprised and said: "Who has the loudest objection?"

Pan Yin hesitated, lowered his head and said nothing.

Liu Bian narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "You dare not say anything. It seems that it is indeed serious."

(End of this chapter)