Chapter 90
In less than a week, the Bank of Jing Country received almost five million taels.
These days, Xiao Yunzhou stayed up until thete hours of the night, holding daily discussions with the Ministry of Revenue and the Imperial Cab.
"For those with a two-year term, prioritize them for the military expenses of this year and the next."
"For those with a three-month term, allocate some for duck farming and pigpen improvements."
Xiao Yunzhou calcted meticulously, then looked at the Ministry of Revenue''s project list, feeling overwhelmingly headache.
The majority of the people deposited their money in ounts that could be withdrawn at any time.
So did the wealthy businessmen.
"Your Majesty, the military expenses required by the New Year... Could we temporarily use short-term deposits to cover them? The long-term state bonds are a bit insufficient."
Jiang Li from the Ministry of Revenue spread his hands, still indicating a shortfall.
Xiao Yunzhou frowned, then quickly sighed and waved his hand, "You should think of other ways. I have already taken ny-nine steps forward and thought of methods for you and the Ministry of Revenue."
"Do you still need me to take thest step?"
Jiang Li from the Ministry of Revenue: "......"
He had no words to say, only blushing and bowing his head.
"I have been urging the Ministry of Revenue, every day, to think of a profitable project."
"But there''s none that can be used." Xiao Yunzhou rolled his eyes.
Jiang Li cleared his throat lightly, "Please give me a little more time, Your Majesty. After the recent rush with the Bank, everyone will have leisure time and can think about how to make money with money."
Xiao Yunzhou reluctantly nodded.
At this moment, he missed his fairy-like daughter more than ever.
But his daughter''s fairy power must not be easy to cultivate.
He, as the emperor, could not shamelessly rely on his daughter all the time.
If this continues, what will happen to Jing Country if one day his daughter ascends to immortality?
Can the future generations of Jing Country''s rulers and ministers hold on and not let the country perish?
Looking at the Ministry of Revenue and Imperial Cab ministers standing in the study, Xiao Yunzhou couldn''t help but prod them, "Everyone think, think, whoeveres up with a profitable project first."
"If it exceeds one million taels, I''ll promote him."
"If it exceeds five million taels, I''ll give him a death-free gold medallion!"
"!"
All of the ministers in the study were shocked.
The death-free gold medallion, was the highest honor for a minister.
Since the establishment of the Jing Country, not many of these have been issued.
Only a few founding ministers have them.
Xiao Yunzhou waved his hand, "While the founding of the country is certainly meritorious, those who help in times of crisis and rescue Jing Country''s national strength are naturally also great ministers."
"Alright, you guys think about it, whenever you have an idea, submit a memorandum."
Just as he finished speaking, Wei Zheng, standing outside the study, announced.
"Your Majesty, Concubine Liu requests an audience, saying that she has important matters. If you do not have time to see her, she has written an article and asks you to look at it when you are free."
"?"
The ministers in the study were all shocked when they heard this and turned their heads to look outside.
Huh?
The emperor just asked them toe up with ideas and write memorandums, but the concubine from the harem has written one before the ministers?
No way, it must be a love poem.
The ministers quickly regained theirposure, uninterestedly turning their gaze back.
"What kind of article?" Xiao Yunzhou was curious.
This was the first time he had heard that a concubine would visit him not to deliver soup or dessert, but an article.
"Did Cheng Qian write it?"
"No, Concubine Liu wrote it herself."
"!"
Xiao Yunzhou widened his eyes, then realized that he was a bit out of line.
With a light cough, he addressed Jiang Li from the Ministry of Revenue and the members of the Imperial Cab, "You all may proceed to the side hall for some tea. I will discuss the matter of silver with you shortly."
Soon, Wei Zheng led Concubine Liu into the study, just as they crossed paths with the ministers.
After exchanging greetings with a few ministers, Concubine Liu wasted no time after meeting the emperor.
"Your Majesty, this morning I saw Consort Li in the Empress Dowager''s ce, trading her usual grand attire for an ordinary silk skirt."
"I then thought of an excellent way for the pce to be self-sufficient."
What?
This statement, not only stunned Xiao Yunzhou, but even Jiang Li from the Ministry of Revenue who was initially heading towards the side hall paused in his tracks.
The pce being self-sufficient?
A way to make money?
Jiang Li was rooted to the spot.
The expenses of the pce have always been high.
Although the cost of preciousmodities like swiftlet nests and ginseng have been regted, there are still expenses like silver charcoal used in winter, various meats, and rare fresh vegetables... all these expenditures by the Internal Affairs Department are substantial.
Not to mention the hundreds of pce maids and eunuchs in the pce...
Jiang Li halted his steps, all ears.
Sure enough, he heard Concubine Liu exining her idea clearly, "Your Majesty, I was thinking, instead of letting the unused clothes and essories of the pcedies umte dust and eventually be destroyed by pests, why not collect them and organize a New Year''s charity sale in the pce?"
"!"
Concubine Liu''s words left Jiang Li and Xiao Yunzhou dumbstruck.
It made sense.
They were justying around anyway.
Even the smallest mosquito leg is meat after all.
But Xiao Yunzhou felt a bit awkward, he nced at Concubine Liu''s not-so-newke-colored pce dress, "This... Concubine Liu, some of the pcedies are not that wealthy. If their jewelry is sold and the money goes to the Ministry of Revenue, won''t the ministry feel guilty?"
Jiang Li from the Ministry of Revenue: "......"
Concubine Liuughed, "Your Majesty, I''ve considered that. We can''t let everyone suffer losses."
"We can arrange the charity sale in a way that allows merchants andmon people to bid. The one who offers the highest price gets the item."
The eyes of Xiao Yunzhou and Jiang Li lit up immediately.
"Tell us more!"
Concubine Liu nodded, "For instance, when I first entered the pce, I received a pair of jade earrings. Wearing them feels heavy and ufortable."
"I hardly use these earrings, so I''m willing to offer them for sale."
"I estimate that they can be sold for roughly three taels of silver."
"If a wealthy merchant is willing to pay more than three taels."
"Then, wouldn''t I earn three taels? And the extra can contribute to our treasury, right?"
Xiao Yunzhou was delighted to hear this.
The pcedies themselves set a base price and also receive a sum of money to supplement their own needs. They would be willing and also gain something.
And if the charity sale obtains more than the base price, it can be used for the daily needs of the national treasury.
In this way, both the pce and the national treasury stand to gain.
"This is an excellent n!" Xiao Yunzhou was pleased.
However, Concubine Liu looked worried, "But this was just a casual thought when I saw Consort Li today. It''s uncertain whether the charity sale will attract wealthy merchants andmon people willing to pay a high price for our jewelry and tea cups."
What''s uncertain about that?
Jiang Li, who was eavesdropping outside, was so anxious that he stomped his foot!
Surely there are those entric, or rather, those filthy rich individuals who would be willing to purchase items from the royal pce!
Gifts made for the pce aren''t something one can easily purchase with money on an ordinary day!
The exquisitely crafted items within the pce are things that the average person may never have seen.
The Ministry of Revenue could even collect admission and bidding fees for the charity auction!
As Jiang Li thought more about it, he became more excited. He could already imagine the lively scene where everyone would be biddingpetitively for a small item belonging to the Empress Dowager, the Empress or a concubine.
Any item used by nobility within the pce could serve as a family heirloom. Wouldn''t the wealthy gentry be interested?!
The highest bidder wins, surely willing to pay three to five times the price!
If items belonging to the Emperor were included in the auction, then...
Jiang Li from the Ministry of Revenue, with his eyes as fierce as a wolf or a tiger, couldn''t help but look towards the study room.
He didn''t care that the Emperor had just told him to leave, he quickly knelt outside the study room.
"Your Majesty, Concubine Liu has a great idea!"
"The Ministry of Revenue is willing to take full responsibility for this pce auction!"
"Your Majesty, could you also contribute something, like a snuff bottle you''ve used, or your chamber pot..."
"...???"
What?
The smile on Xiao Yunzhou''s face froze.
【Hahaha, the Ministry of Revenue really wants to make a fortune.】
Xiao Chuchu, who had been taken by Wei Zheng to the doorway earlier, couldn''t help but wrinkle her little face withughter.
【Oh, by the way, the Prime Minister and the top scorer of the Imperial Examination have some nice things too. Who wouldn''t want a child who excels in studies?】
【The top scorer''s used ink brush, used bowl... infused with the luck of the God of Literature and Learning, what if their own child also scores high?】
"......!"
Xiao Yunzhou widened his eyes!
Why hadn''t he thought of this before?
What''s the use of just parading the top scorer around the city!
Xiao Yunzhou promptly nodded, "Ahem, let''s forget about my chamber pot, themon people might think I''m debasing them. In that case... for the first batch, let Jiang Li, you start by selling your old items."
Jiang Li from the Ministry of Revenue: "...???"
What, what?
"Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, six books of the Imperial Cab, top scorer, second scorer, and third-ce winner in the Imperial Examination, all should bring their old items to sell together."
Jiang Li from the Ministry of Revenue: "......"
Members of the Imperial Cab: "......???"