I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 518 Su Liang's national debt contract, the crazy rich people in Kaifeng Prefecture

June 25th, near noon.

Inside the Chui Gong Hall.

Zhao Zhen, the ministers of the two ministries and three departments, the Academy of Scholars, the Censorate, and the chief officials of Kaifeng Prefecture all gathered together.

Reading the "National Debt Contract" that Su Liang had just completed.

This document is neither a reform provision nor an imperial edict.

Instead, it was a letter written in the name of the imperial court to all the people of the Song Dynasty.

The main content of this letter is -

The imperial court wanted to vigorously develop the people's livelihood and commerce in the northwest (including the Xixia region that was about to be destroyed), to complete the expansion of territory and realize the true sense of "all people living and working in peace and contentment" in the Song Dynasty.

This made the Song Dynasty more stable.

However, at that time, most of the money and grain in the imperial treasury were used for war and were insufficient, and the people were unwilling to migrate to the northwest where conditions were harsh.

There is a shortage of both human and financial resources.

Therefore.

The imperial court drafted a "national debt contract plan", which was to lend money to the people for a fee to solve the current problems.

This contract is mainly aimed at wealthy businessmen and high-ranking officials with affluent families.

The loan interest rate is slightly lower than the private interest rate.

However, some tax subsidies and trade support will be given to borrowers.

The loan periods are three, five and ten years. The longer the period, the higher the interest rate and the better the subsidies and support.

In addition, this national debt contract plan emphasizes voluntary participation and is not enforced. The court will not issue any targets or tasks to local governments.

But local wealthy businessmen are encouraged to contribute to the country.

Within the jurisdiction of Kaifeng Prefecture, national debt will be issued on the first day of July for a period of half a month.

Outside Kaifeng Prefecture, government bonds will be issued on July 15th for a period of two months.

The total quota is 80 million strings of cash.

The minimum amount is 10,000 guan and the maximum amount is 1,000,000 guan.

Within the jurisdiction of Kaifeng Prefecture, national debt was issued by the Three Departments, while in other local prefectures, national debt was issued by the local prefectural government offices.

after that.

The court will determine the welfare benefits for the people who move to the northwest based on the amount of government bonds issued.

If the imperial court fails to repay the people's national debt money on time, the daily interest after the due date will be calculated at five times the original amount.

The reason why Kaifeng Prefecture executed it ahead of schedule was that after Kaifeng Prefecture issued national bonds, the court could recruit people from Qinfeng Road to solve the cotton picking and spinning problems in the Hehuang area first.

……

This letter is full of sincerity.

The current situation of the court and its plans for the northwest were fully informed to the people of the world.

Let them understand.

It turned out that the imperial court was playing a big game, aiming to develop all regions of the Song Dynasty.

Don’t look at the current poverty and desolation in the northwest.

But once it develops, it will be a prosperous place, which will breed countless wealthy businessmen and create more taxes for the court.

Because that place connects the east and the west for nearly 10,000 miles, is rich in resources, and has little competition.

As long as the hardworking and intelligent Han people spread their culture, customs and technology there, there will be endless money to be made.

Once the people there become prosperous and have enough clothes to wear and food to eat, the occurrence of wars will be greatly reduced, making the people of the entire Song Dynasty more united.

Developing the livelihood of the people in the northwest not only has economic benefits, but also serves the purpose of maintaining stability.

The amount of 80 million guan, the three installment periods and the annual interest were all data accurately calculated by the three departments.

Wang Yaochen, the Third Secretary, made the prediction.

If the court could raise 80 million strings of cash, barring any major disaster, it would be able to recoup its investment in three to five years.

After ten years, there will be a surplus.

At present, the annual tax revenue of the Song Dynasty has exceeded 100 million strings of cash.

The issuance of national debts to the people was not because the court was too poor, but rather an investment to enable the people to earn more money in the northwest and create more tax revenue for the court.

……

After reading it, all the officials nodded in agreement.

Prime Minister Wen Yanbo spoke first: "This contract is well written and full of sincerity, but I am still worried. What if the people don't cooperate and the amount of government bonds purchased is too small?"

Wang Yaochen, the Third Official, showed a faint smile.

"Minister Wen, right now, the court is short of money because of the war. In fact, as long as we can gather 50 million strings of cash, we can get through it. The reason why we list the amount of 8,000 strings of cash is to make our reserves more abundant."

"Success or failure? We will know after giving it a try! I think that the people are kind-hearted, and many tycoons became rich because of the Reform in the Song Dynasty. They have a strong sense of belonging to the current court, and this is not a losing business. Some merchant families have hundreds of thousands of copper coins piled up in their private vaults, which cannot make money. Taking them out can not only make money but also gain fame. Why not do it?" Zeng Gongliang said with a smile.

Fu Bi continued, "You know, our people are the ones who will take the initiative to throw money into the walls of the three courts. This will benefit the country, the people and ourselves, so why not do it?"

At this time.

Su Liang smiled and said, "I have informed the uncle of the emperor. Although he has donated all his wealth to the people, he has informed all the big businessmen who are on good terms with him. These people are willing to buy the national debt, and the amount is very high."

……

Zhao Zhen nodded slightly, thought for a moment, and said, "This strategy is feasible. In addition, I suggest that you mark this letter as written by Su Liang."

Su Liang was stunned.

"Your Majesty, there is no need for that! This letter was written in the name of the court. There is no need to add my name. I do not seek such fame."

Su Liang looked humble.

"Hmph!" Zhao Zhen's expression was slightly arrogant.

"Do you think I am here to make you famous? I am here to get more people to buy government bonds. This letter expresses the will of the court, but it must be written by you. I think that your two names, Su Liang, are worth at least 10 million strings of cash!"

The people of the Song Dynasty are as wealthy as they are today thanks to the Reform Movement of the Song Dynasty, and Su Liang can almost be regarded as the absolute core of the Reform Movement of the Song Dynasty.

Plus Su Liang’s performance in the Northwest.

For the sake of the people of Hehuang in the northwest, he risked his life and led hundreds of cavalry to persuade dozens of tribes to surrender, saving the lives of hundreds of thousands of civilians and soldiers. He also showed his toughness against Liao and Western Xia.

These are all examples of the civil officials of the Song Dynasty.

Many people believed in Su Liang even more than they believed in the imperial court.

Some common people liked to satirize some of the court's new laws and measures, but if it was written by Su Liang, there would be very few people who would satirize it.

Because Su Liang has a large number of supporters among the people.

In particular, women, scholars, and businessmen, three types of opinion leaders who control a large amount of discourse power among the people, all admired Su Liang very much.

Su Liang made a great contribution to this strategy.

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

……

All the officials bowed their hands in secondment.

Su Liang laughed immediately. He was not only a favorite of the government, but also a national idol.

……

June 26th, noon.

This "National Debt Contract" was posted in front of Xuande Gate, Kaifeng Prefecture Gate, and all the city gates of Bianjing, stating that Kaifeng Prefecture would officially issue national bonds at noon on July 1st.

For a while.

The streets and alleys of Bianjing City became bustling.

This was the first time that the imperial court lent money to the people with interest through such a gentle method as letters.

This makes many people feel very comfortable.

"Everyone, it's not that the court has no money, but it wants to use the national debt to plan for the future. This move will benefit the country, the people, and those who buy the national debt. It is completely feasible!"

"Alas, the minimum requirement is 10,000 strings of cash. If I had that much spare money, I would definitely give it a try. I would feel comfortable when I think about making the court owe me money."

"Buying government bonds? This is a great thing for us. We may lose money in business, but this is a sure win. We don't have to collect debts or worry about bad debts. We can buy it, we can buy it!"

"I believe in Su Zhongcheng. This letter is full of sincerity. Even if it is not for the Song Dynasty, even for myself, I am willing to buy 20,000 strings of national debt to make money and gain fame!"

……

There was a lot of discussion in Bianjing City.

Most people thought that this policy was a good policy that would benefit the country, the people and the buyers of government bonds. Moreover, the court's sincere attitude made many businessmen willing to pay.

The imperial court could have raised money through more crude but more effective methods such as increasing taxes or printing coins and certificates of ordination, but it "turned to the people for help with all sincerity", which won constant praise from the streets.

June 27th, evening.

Su's house, in the bedroom.

Tang Wanmei rubbed Su Liang's shoulders and said, "My dear, our family still has 30,000 strings of spare money. How about buying government bonds?"

Su Liang was stunned.

"Okay, I have no objection." A smile appeared on Su Liang's face.

Su Liang also thought about buying government bonds for his family, but considering that his family did not have much money, he did not ask Tang Wanmei.

Unexpectedly, Tang Wanmei brought it up herself.

These thirty thousand strings of cash were saved by Tang Wanmei for Su Zimu's future marriage and Su Qinyi's future marriage.

At present, Su Liang's monthly salary totaled more than 3,000 strings of cash, and he had more than 2,000 strings of cash, which was about 20,000 to 30,000 strings of cash a year.

But he was greatly rewarded.

Over the years, Zhao Zhen’s rewards totaled more than 200,000 strings of cash.

However, Su Liang basically spent all the money.

Part of it was used for the Hundred Schools Academy, part of it was used for the construction of school libraries, and he also helped many poor children in Yangzhou to go to school.

At first, it was Su Liang who was doing charity, and later Tang Wanmei also became fascinated with charity.

He only kept a small portion of the money for his own use, and spent the rest on charity.

Compared with other scholar-officials, the couple did not like to buy houses, shops, or land, did not like to buy singing girls, and did not like to hire a large number of servants, so their expenses were not very high.

In addition, when Su Liang retires, he will receive a high pension, so he doesn't need to save much money.

Money is valuable only when it is spent on meaningful things.

……

It’s the first day of July and it’s not even noon yet.

The gates of the three ministries were crowded with people, all of whom came to buy government bonds.

The current city of Bianjing.

There are at least several thousand people whose assets exceed 200,000 strings of cash, and at least ten thousand people whose assets exceed 100,000 strings of cash.

Even if my heart is not with the Song Dynasty.

Buying government bonds just for financial management is also a good choice.

Under the instigation of Cao Yi, the uncle of the Emperor Cao, a large number of merchants came to the Sansi. In addition to wealthy merchants, there were also many royal relatives and noble families.

Tang Wanmei was relatively low-key and planned to send the money to the Sansi after two days when there were fewer people around.

At noon, as soon as the three government offices opened, a group of people who wanted to buy government bonds rushed in.

When Zhao Zhen and the other ministers in the Secretariat learned about it, they were all very happy.

The people's actions not only meant that they had money, but also represented that they believed in the court.

……

That day, it was just getting dark.

Wang Yaochen, the Three-Department Envoy, reported to the Secretariat that the total amount of government bonds purchased had exceeded eight million strings of cash.

Su Liang couldn't help but take a long breath.

The people of Kaifeng Prefecture are very aware.

Eight million strings of cash was considered a good start. Within the territory of Kaifeng Prefecture, as long as 20 million strings of cash could be collected, it would be considered a success.

At the moment, many businessmen are still waiting and watching, while some are thinking of buying government bonds when the situation ends to show themselves.

……

July 2nd, near noon.

The amount of government bonds purchased within Kaifeng Prefecture exceeded 10 million strings of cash.

July 7th, dusk.

The amount of government bonds purchased within Kaifeng Prefecture exceeded 20 million strings of cash.

July 10th, noon.

The amount of government bonds purchased within Kaifeng Prefecture exceeded 25 million strings of cash.

……

Wang Yaochen, the envoy of the Three Departments, was so happy that he couldn't stop smiling. He walked with a grin on his face. He didn't expect that the people of Kaifeng Prefecture would be so enthusiastic.

At this moment, he felt completely stable.

No matter how poor the local governments are, they can together purchase 50 million strings of government bonds.

With this money, let alone developing people's livelihood in the northwest, even if he conquered Liao and Japan, he would not be afraid of how to develop people's livelihood and commerce.

The court can solve any problem as long as it has enough money.

at the same time.

The "National Debt Contract" also spread to more than 200 prefectures in the Song Dynasty within half a month.

The people were also talking about it.

Although some people said that the court robbed the rich to help the poor, or intended to embezzle the property of the rich, or had ulterior motives and that it was a big conspiracy, most people supported this move.

……

July 15th, near dusk.

In front of the Sansi gate.

Wang Yaochen, wearing a long gown, stood at the door personally to record the list of people who purchased government bonds.

at this time.

There was only a quarter of an hour left until sunset.

When the sun sets, the bond purchase in Kaifeng Prefecture comes to an end.

The quota for purchasing national debts in Kaifeng Prefecture has reached 29.8 million strings of cash.

Wang Yaochen originally wanted to make the total amount, but he never expected that he was still short of 200,000 strings of cash.

He looked at the list and found that almost all the wealthy people in Kaifeng Prefecture had purchased it, and the amount purchased in the early stage was very large. As time went on, the amount purchased became smaller.

at this time.

A fat middle-aged man with a dark complexion and sweat all over his forehead walked over.

"Sir, I...I...buy government bonds!"

Wang Yaochen smiled and asked, "How much is the amount?"

"Two hundred thousand strings of cash, five years."

"How many?"

Wang Yaochen was shocked, as such a sum was not something that ordinary people could afford.

And the person in front of me.

He was dressed very simply and looked to be in his forties.

Wang Yaochen straightened up and said, "It's best to use your spare money to buy government bonds. If you are short of money within five years, you can't spend it in advance. You have to think it over carefully!"

The three departments will give such reminder to those who purchase government bonds.

In case someone has bought the product and wants to return it early, it will cause a big problem if it triggers a chain reaction of demands for money.

"Think it over carefully, then buy 200,000 strings of cash!"

"Seven years ago, I was a poor peddler. Because of the reforms in the Song Dynasty and the inspiration of Su Zhongcheng who rose from a beggar to an important official, I started to travel back and forth between the northwest to do business. I gradually made a lot of money, so naturally I wanted to serve the court. This move is also beneficial to me. I believe in the court, and I also believe in Su Zhongcheng!"

Wang Yaochen looked at him and said with a smile: "You are the last person in Kaifeng Prefecture to buy national debt. Since you admire Su Zhongcheng so much, I will let Su Zhongcheng treat you to dinner tonight!"

"Central Prime Minister Su invites me to dinner? Can...can such a good thing happen? I...I can invite him to dinner. Can you...can you invite him to come? Will he have already had dinner?" The fat middle-aged man was very excited.

At this time, the clerk beside him said, "This is the Prime Minister."

"Greetings, Prime Minister Ji." The fat middle-aged man bowed quickly.

Wang Yaochen smiled and said, "If he has already had dinner, I will ask him to have another meal with you."

suddenly.

Wang Yaochen felt that if "being able to have a meal with Su Liang" was also used as a reward for purchasing national bonds, perhaps the amount of national bonds purchased by Kaifeng Prefecture could be even higher.

(End of this chapter)