I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 21 Master of Finance and Trade

rich?

Zhuge Liang's words surprised all the officials present.

Even Jiang Wan, who was in charge of finances in the Prime Minister's office, looked at Zhuge Liang with a surprised expression.

Officials in high positions know exactly how many bushels of tax revenue Yizhou generates in a year and how much the national treasury has left each year.

Jiang Wan was intimately familiar with all the details of the court's expenditures, both inside and outside the court. As for the money and grain needed to implement the new policies, even if the Prime Minister's office scraped together what it could from all sides, it might not be able to raise enough, not to mention that there was still a war in the south.

If this drags on for another three to five months, Yizhou will still face difficulties next year.

"Prime Minister Zhuge, why does the imperial court have money again?"

The most unhappy one among them was Li Yan.

He wanted troops, horses, money, and provisions, but when it came to the new policies, Zhuge Liang said unequivocally, "We have money."

Is this someone deliberately trying to make me unhappy?

"Your Majesty's desire to implement new policies is a grand plan that will benefit Yizhou for centuries to come. Your subject will certainly devote all his efforts to sharing Your Majesty's burdens."

"Then tell me, where will the money and provisions come from?"

Faced with the questions from his ministers, Zhuge Liang calmly waved his feather fan.

"Yizhou's annual fiscal revenue is only 150 million hu, of which land rent is only about 20 hu. If we can reduce the army and let them retire to their fields, at 18 hu per person per year, 1 people would generate 18 hu. Moreover, these soldiers can increase tax revenue. This combination of income and expenditure..."

Zhuge Liang, who managed both domestic and military affairs, was thoroughly familiar with every aspect of the matter.

Although Liu Shan nodded repeatedly, he was already very dissatisfied.

Jiang Wan, you have absolutely no sense of propriety! The Prime Minister is so busy with work, and he has to do even such a small report himself. What the hell am I feeding you all for?

It seems that reporting work should also be included in the training.

"The grain and silk paid by the common people only account for a small part of the imperial tax revenue; salt, iron, and Shu brocade are the lifeblood."

"Salt production remains stable, so the impact is minimal. The main issue is the rebellion in southern China, which is affecting iron ore tax revenue."

"If we can quickly pacify the southern regions, the tax revenue from the iron ore mines can be increased from what it is now..."

After saying this, Zhuge Liang glanced at Liu Shan.

Liu Shan understood immediately.

Father, just keep your heart to yourself.

Your eldest son is far more reliable than Ma Su; if he says he can pacify the south, he definitely can.

"Prime Minister Zhuge, as your plan predicted, it will indeed increase the national treasury's revenue."

"But this is only barely enough to maintain the status quo. The national treasury has no surplus grain every year. What will happen then if disasters or wars strike?"

Zhuge Liang chuckled and said, "Qiao Dafu's concerns are reasonable. A full national treasury is the foundation for strengthening the nation."

"We still have an ace up our sleeve. Can you guess what it is?"

Those present are either generals or renowned scholars; they have no idea about the intricacies of economics.

Even the officials in the Prime Minister's office couldn't immediately figure out what Zhuge Liang meant by "trump card."

"Shu brocade".

Liu Shan spoke briefly and forcefully.

Zhuge Liang's eyes lit up immediately, filled with surprise at Liu Shan, but even more so with relief.

"Your Majesty is wise; it is indeed Shu brocade, a specialty of Sichuan."

Shu brocade?

The other ministers, however, were puzzled.

Although Shu brocade is an important source of revenue for the national treasury, it is not enough to be considered a "trump card".

"Shu brocade has always been highly favored by the nobles of Cao Wei and Eastern Wu, and the demand is enormous. I intend to link Shu brocade with the Zhibai coin."

"From now on, when purchasing Shu brocade, whether from Yizhou or Cao Wei and Eastern Wu, only Zhibai coins can be used; other coins will not be accepted."

The US has indeed brought its financial tactics to the table.

Once Shu brocade was linked to the currency of Shu Han, anyone who wanted to buy Shu brocade had to use Zhibai coins.

As a result, no matter which of the three kingdoms—Wei, Shu, and Wu—wanted to buy Shu brocade, they would have to find a way to obtain Zhibai coins.

As more and more people used the Zhibai coin, it meant that the Shu Han coin became an "international currency" and circulated widely among Wei, Shu, and Wu.

In addition, the Shu Han regime passed a series of laws to guarantee the credibility of the Zhibai coin, thus establishing trust among all the people.

As the value of Zhibai coins increases, they can be exchanged for more valuable resources, which is incredibly satisfying.

Many of the ministers present were unaware of this, but Liu Shan, as a modern elite, was extremely familiar with the financial schemes of this Shu brocade and Zhibai coins.

This is exactly the same tactic the US uses to link oil to the US dollar.

Another point is that Shu Han was the exclusive minter of Zhibai coins, and could produce as many as they wanted.

The risks of inflation and deflation caused by Zhibaiqian are shared by all Zhibaiqian holders.

After briefly introducing his financial strategies, Zhuge Liang said, "Now the people are poor and the country is weak. The only resources we have to defeat the enemy are brocade."

"After we restored our alliance with Eastern Wu, the border was opened, and Shu brocade could be traded normally."

"I have already given the order to have people work through the night to ensure the supply of Shu brocade and quickly dominate the business world."

Everyone present, except for Liu Shan, was puzzled and impressed.

"Your Excellency's method is excellent. In this way, the court's tax revenue will surely increase significantly next year, and the new policies will have sufficient funds and grain to support them."

"That concludes today's meeting. My beloved ministers, go and prepare yourselves. We are about to wage a difficult war without the sound of gunfire."

After the court session ended, Li Yan and Qiao Zhou surrounded Zhuge Liang from the left and right.

"Gentlemen, why is this?"

Zhuge Liang knew perfectly well what the two men were up to.

"Prime Minister, I'm not interested in your so-called 'Shu brocade worth a hundred coins,' nor do I know anything about it. I just want to know, what will His Majesty use to pacify the south?"

Zhuge Liang glanced around warily, then pulled Li Yan quickly to a corner.

"Kongming, stop being so secretive. This is the imperial palace; there's no way there could be spies here!"

Zhuge Liang had a dedicated intelligence agency that was all-pervasive, so he was always cautious in his words and actions.

"Walls have ears, so it's best to be careful."

Qiao Zhou also felt that he was making a mountain out of a molehill, and quickly asked, "Kongming, from what you're saying, it seems you know His Majesty's plan?"

Zhuge Liang shook his head and whispered, "I didn't know before today, but now I think I know a little bit."

"Tell me quickly, how does His Majesty intend to pacify the south?"

The two men grabbed Zhuge Liang's arms from both sides, determined not to give up until they got the truth.

Zhuge Liang was both amused and exasperated. He glanced around again to make sure no one else was there.

"I'm just guessing based on some information, so don't tell anyone else."

The two nodded vigorously.

"Before Zhang Yi went to Yizhou to take up his post, a team was secretly dispatched from the palace, led by Generals Chen and Zheng, heading towards Yizhou."

Chen Hu and Zheng Chuo were credited with quelling Huang Yuan's rebellion, and although they were not promoted, they had already become Liu Shan's confidants.

The troops commanded by these two individuals must be the elite of the elite, tasked with carrying out the important mission entrusted by the emperor.

"Now that you mention it, I do remember. There seem to be signs of recent troop movements in the Imperial Guard responsible for protecting the palace. Could it be...?"

Zhuge Liang's ambiguous smile was tantamount to acquiescence.

"Is there anything else?" Qiao Zhou asked hurriedly.

"How long has it been since you last saw Zilong's eldest son?" Zhuge Liang casually remarked.

Li Yan and Qiao Zhou suddenly realized.

Yeah, I haven't seen Zhao Tong lately. It's always been Zhao Yun who's in charge.

Did he also go to carry out the emperor's orders?

"That's right, Zhao Tong also headed south. According to intelligence from the Prime Minister's office, although Zhao Tong set off at the same time as Generals Chen Hu and Zheng Zhuo, his destination was Yongchang County."

Yongchang County?

Lü Kai!

Is the emperor planning to mobilize troops from Yongchang County on the border to attack Yong Kai?

But that's not right.

The soldiers of Yongchang County are no match for Yong Kai; wouldn't they just be throwing their lives away if they went?

What exactly does the emperor want to do?