Deng Qifan raised his wine glass and congratulated Wu Shigong: "Congratulations, sir! Although this time was a bit thrilling, there was not much damage, but a lot was gained. After the sir came back from the expedition, the students never said congratulations, so I will lend you a glass of wine today."
, Congratulations to Sir Xi on your return with a great victory!"
Wu Shigong quickly raised his glass and drank it all with Deng Qifan. Then he said with a smile: "Brother Yuan Jin, today is a family dinner, so there is no need to be restrained. It's about personal friendship, regardless of status. But this time the internal accounts are out.
No, how much did we seize?"
Deng Qifan immediately put down his wine glass and replied: "Including the 31,100 taels brought back by General He from Xuzhou, a total of more than 54,000 taels of gold and silver were obtained. Except for a small part of the goods left for our own use by the Runing Army, the rest
They were all given to Sihai Trading Company at a 30% discount of the market price, and they obtained more than 417,000 taels of silver. However, the antiques that Chang Jing obtained from Zhang Thief had to be calculated separately. They had to be transported to the northern and southern capitals before they could be sold.
It’s a good price. But after looking at some pawnshops, the court officials found that it can be sold for more than one hundred thousand taels. The rest is the grain worth two hundred and twenty-nine thousand shi.”
This number far exceeded Wu Shigong's psychological estimate, so he immediately said with a smile: "It seems that He Fei did a good job! I thought he could squeeze out ten thousand taels, but I didn't expect that he could get so much.
, if anything like this happens again, we will leave it to this kid!"
The three of them all smiled, and Wu Shigong then asked: "Have the military pay and pensions been paid for the expedition?"
"Everything has been sent." Deng Qifan nodded.
"Is there enough cash in cash?" Wu Shigong asked again.
"They also emptied the warehouses of our Runing Army, Sihai Trading Company and Bank." Deng Qifan said with a smile, "But the money brought by President He saved the day, plus the grain brought back by Chang Jing as a reserve.
We have issued a batch of food stamps, so it is barely enough. The water supply is just a little tight for the time being, but as long as the goods are sold, you will be alive soon. It is no big deal!"
Wu Shigong felt relieved, because this time the double military pay and pension for the soldiers of the Runing Army would cost nearly two hundred thousand taels of silver. This money cannot be owed, and it needs to be paid out in time after returning. But the Runing Army
The seizures this time were mainly goods, and there was not much cash, so he had been worried that the Runing Army's money would be tight again.
However, Wu Shigong still reminded Deng Qifan: "Then the pensions for the casualties and casualties in Ningling County have also been paid?" For the casualties in Ningling County, the Runing Army fully complied with the pension standards for its own soldiers this time.
Come and distribute it. Wu Shigong is afraid that his men will be short of money. Otherwise, the people who are willing to fight side by side with the Runing Army in the future will definitely have concerns.
"It's all been issued!" Deng Qifan nodded again.
"What about spring plowing and repairing damaged houses and roads these days?" Wu Shigong asked another question that concerned him.
"Officials at all levels are focusing on this matter! Qiao Shoubei and Jiang Dajiang are also running around looking at this matter. Even in the newly established Tuntian Village, some are unable to plant cotton in time for the season. This requires shopkeeper Chang to pay more attention
.”
Wu Shigong smiled and shook his head and said: "Chang Meng's place is also difficult. The unclaimed land in the circle is often at odds with the local government. Moreover, manpower is needed to build Zhuangzi. If it really can't keep up with the solar term, let Chang Meng plant it too, just less.
Production volume! We don’t have to worry too much about it in the first year.”
"Yes!" Deng Qifan nodded and agreed.
"Also, the places around Fucheng need to be cleaned up. When shopkeeper Zheng and Ershao Ma come over this time, take care of the people who can come into contact with them. Let these people stop talking nonsense. The distinguished guests we finally invited here,
Don't scare them away." Wu Shigong ordered again.
Fortunately, this time the three-pronged peasant rebel army threatened the area controlled by the Runing Army. They crossed Runing Prefecture and invaded Guide Prefecture just around the Spring Festival. The shopkeepers and directors of Minhai Trading Company and Majia Workshop were all there.
It’s time to go back to my hometown to celebrate the New Year.
After they came here these days, at most they could understand some of the situation, and they could not intuitively feel that the peasant rebel army was passing so close to Runing Fucheng, so the Runing army could still make some amends. Otherwise,
, who dares to do business in a place where personal safety is not guaranteed?
"That's right!" Deng Qifan also nodded. "This military expansion and repairs cost a lot, so we should look for more financial resources. We can't just focus on the immediate things, long-term maintenance of troops is the most important thing! What Chang Jing said is true! So
The students plan to store all the extra money and food for future needs."
"There's no need to be so stingy!" Wu Shigong waved his hand and said. "Taking advantage of the fear this time has brought to the gentry, let's use some silver to open the insurance firm first. Although this firm seems to be doing well in this war-torn place.
It seems that we will lose money, but as long as the risks are accurately estimated and our Runing Army strengthens protection, this insurance company will also be a golden cow in the future! No matter what, our Runing Army will never let any enemy troops set foot on us again.
’s territory.”
Deng Qifan was also influenced by Wu Shigong's pro-business thinking. He also smiled and said: "Then just open the securities exchanges and futures exchanges that Chang Jing mentioned. We only need to be an intermediary in those places.
It only requires some space and warehouses, and the silver required is not much, and our Runing Army can still bear these expenses."
After deciding this important matter, Wu Shigong asked Deng Qifan again: "Has Brother Youyou (Zhang Xuebin) returned from Yingzhou?"
"Fortunately, I have lived up to my destiny!" Deng Qifan said with a smile, "I have gained more than 31,000 acres of land after all my efforts, and there is also a field of more than 3,000 acres on the bank of the Huaihe River. Can Chang Jing feel at ease now?"
"Peace of mind! Peace of mind!" Wu Shigong burst into laughter. Zhang Xuebin did a pretty good job this time. Originally, Wu Shigong thought that Runing Army needed to do more in Yingzhou, but Zhang Xuebin handled this important matter without spending a penny.
It’s done. Although the reason why the Runing Army refused to leave and threatened the new officials in Yingzhou was Zhang Xuebin’s flexible tactics.
"So, Brother Youyou, are you home now?" Wu Shigong asked again.
"I've only been back for a day, and I'm taking a rest at home today." Deng Qifan replied.
"We can't let him rest anymore." Wu Shigong sighed, "There is still an urgent matter that needs his attention! We will spend another 20,000 taels from the accounting office and let him and Director Fu go to Guide and Runan.
"
"Please give me your instructions!" Deng Qifan frowned. He had always complained about Wu Shigong's lavishness.
"It's just to appease the gentry! This time, their property outside the city has suffered a lot of losses, and our Runing Army has also failed to fulfill its responsibilities. It's just a run around, a visit, and some small profits to express our gratitude to our Runing Army.