My Ming Dynasty, I have the final say

Chapter 229 Prosperous Silver Account

It took two days for Gong Nai to assemble the five thousand Imperial College supervisors and put them at Dong Yingju's disposal.

As a person who can leave his name in history, Dong Yingju has the ability.

Managing five thousand people, all of whom are scholars, is not a problem for him.

Some government servants and craftsmen were sent to these people. After simple teaching, they were sent to clear the land in the counties under the jurisdiction of Shuntian Prefecture.

Zhou Yingqiu, on the other hand, started busy with his own affairs after seeing that the supervisor was transferred.

He has received a note from the Supervisor of Ceremonies. Tomorrow the emperor will ask the chief officials of various ministries to discuss supervision matters.

As time passed, and when the sun was high, Zhou Yingqiu stopped writing the memorial.

Raising his head, Zhou Yingqiu looked out the window and shouted.

"Liu Sheng."

"My boss."

Chang Sui, who had been waiting outside, quickly walked in after hearing Zhou Yingqiu's words.

"With your official invitation, go to the Ministry of Household Affairs and Duzhi Division and ask on my behalf whether Minister Yuan and Bi Zhengqing are free this evening. I would like to invite them to visit the house."

"Good owner."

After hearing Zhou Yingqiu's instructions, Liu Sheng found Zhou Yingqiu's greeting card and walked outside.

Let’s not mention what Yuan Shizhen said.

On Bi Ziyan's side, he frowned a little after seeing the greeting card sent by Zhou Yingqiu.

He took out a pamphlet from his hand, opened it and read it, then Bi Ziyan raised his head and said to Liu Sheng.

"You go back and tell Zhou Shangshu that I will be there tonight."

"Thank you Mr. Big."

Hearing Bi Ziyan's agreement, Liu Sheng breathed a sigh of relief, thanked him, and turned around to leave.

After Liu Sheng left, Bi Ziyan's attention returned to the memorial in front of him.

"Fifty two oxen per cow. I really want to see why oxen are so expensive."

After writing down that it was too expensive and rejecting Zuo Guangdou's budget application to buy cattle, Bi Ziyan frowned and thought.

Zuo Guangdou is currently serving as the minister of the Ministry of Industry, repairing canals and organizing people to farm in the Gyeonggi area.

As an official with rich experience as a people-friendly official, Bi Ziyan knew a lot about farming.

For the common people, clearing wasteland is not something humans do.

Opening up wasteland wastes gods, and even wastes lives.

Only middle peasants, and even rich peasants, can afford the expense of clearing wasteland and cultivating farmland.

The first is the labor force. When cultivating new fields, the existing acres must not be taken care of.

Next is fertilizer. To turn the raw soil on the wasteland into fertile land that can grow food, something is needed to fertilize the land.

In this era before the chemical industry, the most common and commonly used method was feces.

Finally, there is the issue of savings. During the period of land reclamation, food reserves must be sufficient.

Otherwise, the fate is bad, the land reclamation coincides with a disaster year, and the output of the new fields is small, and the family will starve to death.

Now, the fact that the emperor used his own funds to organize farming was very attractive to the people.

The court provided money, tools, seeds, and food rations, and the people contributed their efforts.

The income from the fields only needs to be paid to the emperor for three years.

Recalling the things he used when organizing farming in Shaanxi, Bi Ziyan took up his pen and gave instructions on Zuo Guangdou's memorial.

"The imperial court's national funds are in short supply, and its internal funds are not infinite. If you can save money, you can save it."

"The land can be plowed by more people. It doesn't need to be all strong men. Women and children can also work on it. In addition to wheat, soybeans and black beans can also be planted. Sowing beans is very beneficial to fertilizing the land."

After finishing writing his suggestions, Bi Ziyan put the memorial aside and started to read the next one.

As budget requests were approved one after another, time passed little by little.

When the time came in the evening, Bi Ziyan took a car to Zhou Yingqiu's mansion without even having dinner.

"Bi Gong, please."

Outside the main entrance of Zhou Mansion, Liu Sheng was already waiting here.

After inviting Bi Ziyan into the Zhou Mansion, Liu Sheng looked around and asked him to close the door.

Not everyone can enter the door of the official family.

Not to mention what Zhou, Bi and Yuan talked about at night.

The next day, after reviewing today's memorial, Zhu Youxiao looked up at the time.

"When is it?"

"Go back to your Majesty, it's almost the end of time."

When the emperor asked about the time, Liu Shimin immediately answered.

Seeing that the review of the memorial in front of the emperor had been completed, Liu Shimin suddenly said.

"Xu Xianchun and Xu Tongzhi made a private appointment with a steward of Jintong Bank. He has been brought outside the palace gate. Do you want to meet him, Your Majesty?"

As a close friend of the emperor, Liu Shimin knew that the emperor wanted to build a bank account, so he told him at the right time.

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Zhu Youxiao was stunned for a moment, then nodded.

"Let's meet and ask Feng Zhu to come over."

"promise."

Hearing this, Liu Shimin bowed and walked outside quickly.

A quarter of an hour later, sitting behind the table, Zhu Youxiao carefully observed the civilian, or businessman, in front of him.

"Are you the manager of Jintong Bank?"

"Cao, Cao's name is Liu Zhengyang, and he is the shopkeeper of Shuntian Branch of Jintong Bank."

Knocking his head tightly on the ground, Liu Zhengyang was extremely nervous at the moment.

Xu Xianchun, a playboy who had been quite famous in the capital city, suddenly came to the door and said that a noble man wanted to open a bank account and asked him to be a general manager.

As a shopkeeper who has worked in Jintong Bank for nearly ten years, it is impossible for Liu Zhengyang to say that he is not loyal to Shanxi merchants.

Not to mention anything else, his wife, children, and children are all under the control of Shanxi merchants.

But after Jin Yiwei came to him and promised that he could get his family here, he was tempted to change jobs.

Although he had been mentally prepared, after entering Xiyuan, Liu Zhengyang still felt like he was in a dream and was shocked by the scene in Xiyuan.

The saying that there is no majesty without magnificence is not nonsense.

Although the Shanxi merchants at this time had already made a fortune, they had not yet reached the level of fame throughout the world during the Qing Dynasty.

Moreover, no matter how magnificent the houses of private merchants are, they are incomparable with the gardens of the Emperor of Ming Dynasty. This is the enchantment of power.

"Keep your head up."

Seeing Liu Zhengyang's reserved look, Zhu Youxiao frowned.

Can such a person be able to withstand the heavy responsibility of building a bank account?

"check it out."

He handed a note written by himself to the little eunuch beside him, Zhu Youxiao.

"I want you to set up a bank account for me. I don't know if you can do it."

Zhu Youxiao said while the eunuch handed the note to Liu Zhengyang.

"The name of the bank is Xingwang Bank. The location is up to you. The bank charges a custodial fee of three ten thousandths for depositing money, but you will be given interest every month for depositing money. The longer you save, the more you will be given. .”

"Let's not talk about other places for now, but Shuntian Mansion and Yingtian Mansion will have a bank account within two months."

"Can it be done?"

"this."

After taking the instructions from the emperor from the little eunuch's hands, Liu Zhengyang thought about the emperor's words without even bothering to read them.

"I'm afraid I'll lose money."

Carefully looking up at the emperor, Liu Zhengyang said cautiously.

"The purpose of Jintong Bank is mainly to facilitate some Shanxi businessmen to do business in the capital and other places without having to carry large amounts of silver."

"The bank costs money to hire people, space, etc." "If you pay interest again, you will definitely be in debt."

"That's not a problem."

Hearing Liu Zhengyang's words, Zhu Youxiao nodded inwardly.

Very good, he is pragmatic, and he patted his chest and gave him assurance as soon as he came up.

He took out a silver coin from his side and threw it towards Liu Zhengyang, making him shrink back in fright.

With a crisp clang sound, Liu Zhengyang saw the silver coins in front of him clearly.

"Do you recognize this thing?"

"I know you, I know you."

Liu Zhengyang said.

"The silver coins were minted by Grandpa Huang, and now all the businessmen on the market are rushing to use them."

"Ah."

Nodding, Zhu Youxiao added.

"Another purpose of Xingwang Bank is to exchange silver coins for people. In the early stage, relying on the profits from silver exchange, you shouldn't lose much."

"If you can exchange silver coins for others, you won't lose money."

Liu Zhengyang's eyes suddenly lit up when he heard about another business of Xingwang Bank.

The popularity of imperial silver coins in the market can be seen with the naked eye.

If it can have such a competitive business, it will be difficult for this bank to lose money.

"Well, let Feng Zhu talk to you about the bank account. He will be the one to contact you in the future."

After getting the promise that he could do it without losing much, Zhu Youxiao nodded with satisfaction and signaled to an eunuch beside him.

"The slaves obey the order."

When Feng Zhu, who was standing beside the emperor, heard this, he quickly walked from behind the emperor to Liu Zhengyang and took him outside.

After taking Liu Zhengyang to the side hall and asking the young eunuch to serve tea to the two of them, Feng Zhu started chatting with Liu Zhengyang.

"As for you, you don't have to be so reserved. If you are really a capable person, the emperor will make you rich."

He took the emperor's personal instructions from Liu Zhengyang's hand and said to him.

"These are some detailed rules written by the emperor. They are very different from some banks in the capital. Although shopkeeper Liu has worked at Jintong Bank, he does not understand some things and needs to pay attention to them."

With that said, Feng Zhu patted Liu Zhengyang on the shoulder.

"This is related to your and my future glory and wealth. If you do a good job, the Za family can seek favors in front of the emperor, and you can be regarded as a proud ancestor. But if you spend the emperor's money and mess up the matter, then You and I are about to wash our necks."

Hearing Feng Zhu's words, Liu Zhengyang was startled and said quickly.

"Don't worry, father-in-law, the emperor's affairs will be handled well even if ordinary people are careless."

"Ah."

Looking at the other party, Feng Zhu picked up the cup from the table, took a sip, and continued.

"You are smart. It is your blessing that the Emperor has chosen you. Once this is done, you will not only get money, but you will also get an official position in the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the future."

As he said that, Feng Zhu reached out and dusted the crown on his head.

"Don't worry, father-in-law. Being able to work for the emperor is a blessing for a small person. Even a small person is willing to pay for it. How dare he ask for an official position."

Liu Zhengyang's eyes lit up three times when he heard about the appointment, but thinking of his family in Shanxi, he still looked at Feng Zhudao.

"However, I am worried that some people who open a bank account may not like me. My family members are all in Shanxi now."

"Don't worry about that."

Hearing this, Feng Zhu gave the other party a reassuring look and said.

"When you are working for the emperor, no one dares to threaten you. Just write down the location and Dongchang will immediately send someone to bring your family to the capital."

"Don't worry, father-in-law. No matter whether I go up the mountain of knives or go down into the sea of ​​fire, I will definitely handle this silver account for the emperor."

After hearing the promise about his family, Liu Zhengyang quickly patted his chest and made the promise.

"Then you can tell the Zajia first what preparations need to be made before your family is brought to the capital."

With that said, Feng Zhu signaled his godson Feng Wencai to start recording.

"Yes Yes."

Hearing this, Liu Zhengyang nodded quickly and began to think about the preparations needed to open a bank account.

Feng Zhu and Liu Zhengyang talked in the side hall for a full hour before it was over.

"Your Majesty, that Liu Zhengyang has left."

After completing the task assigned by the emperor, Feng Zhu came to Zhu Youxiao to report.

"My servant was worried that something might happen to his family who was detained in Shanxi, and that he would not be able to properly serve the emperor, so I secretly sent him out first."

"I asked him to tell me some advance preparations. Before his family is brought to the capital by Dongchang, I plan to do these things first."

"Ah."

Nodding, Zhu Youxiao put down the pen in his hand, turned to look at Feng Zhu and asked.

"What do you need?"

"It's hard to tell about the rest. The engraver who engraves the banknotes must be skilled in craftsmanship and must keep it secret."

"The paper used for banknotes is also special and requires a specialized papermaker."

"And I also need some silver to buy a shop with a big yard."

"In addition, we also need some capable guards and accountants."

"That's it."

Hearing this, Zhu Youxiao nodded. This was expected.

"I will give you one hundred thousand silver coins as the initial principal. The craftsmen in the palace are at your disposal."

"In addition, you will also be responsible for exchanging silver coins for the people from now on."

"My slave, thank you for your great kindness."

After hearing the emperor's promise to give him whatever he asked for, Feng Zhu immediately thanked him.

"Besides, there are a few things you should pay attention to."

Tapping his fingers on the table, proofreader Zhu You added to Feng Zhu.

"In the bank business, integrity is the main priority. Don't do anything to squander customers' money. That will ruin my reputation."

"If you let me know, I will chop you up alive."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will definitely keep an eye on those individuals and not let them get pregnant with Your Majesty's reputation."

Hearing what the emperor said, Feng Zhuhan's hair stood up and he knelt down quickly.

"Ah."

Nodding and signaling the other party to get up, Zhu Youxiao continued.

"For those nobles in the capital who have not been trained in Nanhaizi, such as Duke Cheng, you can go around and quietly arrange tasks for them and ask them to win over guests. It is best to use their family's gold The money will also be deposited into my bank account."

"In addition, you must also pay attention to keeping records for merchants from all over the Ming Dynasty. For border merchants in Xuanfu and Datong, and wealthy merchants on the southeast coast, you must secretly keep a record of their comings and goings."

"You must carefully study some of my arrangements, such as the difference between finance and cashier. You cannot change them at will. I will check this."

After telling the other party a lot of precautions, Zhu Youxiao stopped without knowing what was going on.

If he were not an emperor, he must be a big businessman in this era.

"You said so much, have you written it all down?"

"Write it down, write it down, write it down."

Hearing this, Feng Zhu nodded like a chicken pecking at rice.

Standing up from the chair, stretching, Zhu Youxiao patted Feng Zhu on the shoulder.

"I never treat people who work hard for me. If you do this well, I will give you a promotion in the Ministry of Internal Affairs."

"Your Majesty, don't worry, I will never betray your trust!"

(End of this chapter)