"After I return, I will make some cost-saving plans, such as reducing some unnecessary expenses. I have roughly estimated before that I can save the court a sum of money in about a year."
"But more importantly, it is open source, but there is nothing I can do about this."
After hearing this, Li Chen glanced at Xu Changqing and said: "Cutting down expenditure is an offending job. No matter which part of the expenditure you want to cut, it will lead to a backlash."
Xu Changqing bit the bullet and said: "But the treasury is empty. This is a helpless move. I have no choice but to bear the blame."
Li Chen thought for a moment.
What he was thinking about was not Xu Changqing's infamy.
The people below are taking the blame for the master, isn't it natural?
What he is considering is open source.
Although he can still get a lot of money from his wedding, this money has already been used to build the Royal Academy.
This cannot be moved, otherwise Tan Tai Jingzhi will not agree.
Breaking one's word also depends on the person.
A stubborn old man like Tantai Jingzhi is obviously not someone to be fooled.
"We still need to give the court the ability to make money."
Li Chen's words made Xu Changqing look stunned.
In the eyes of people of this era, the imperial court was the place that governed the world and was the ultimate pursuit of scholars in the world.
But making money is something that only the lowest, most despicable and most despised businessmen among the four major classes of scholars, farmers, industry and commerce can do.
How can the imperial court make money?
Is it difficult to do business?
Isn’t that competing with the people for profit?
Xu Changqing had a strange expression, but did not dare to interrupt.
Thinking of the state-owned banks established by the country in later generations, Li Chen's mind moved.
"Which banks are relatively large in China today? And what functions do they have?"
Xu Changqing was caught off guard, and after thinking for a long time, he said: "Private banks are not big or small. If they can open semicolons all over the province, they are considered a big bank. Currently, there is no bank that can operate across provinces.
of."
"Ordinary banks allow people to save money, pawn mortgages, and after depositing cash, they can obtain banknotes. With the banknotes, they can go to any branch of the bank to withdraw money. As for pawns, they are the same as ordinary pawn shops.
Nothing special."
"What do you think, if the imperial court funds it and the Ministry of Household Affairs takes the lead to build a bank covering the whole country?"
Hearing this, Xu Changqing was stunned for a moment, and subconsciously wanted to refuse.
But he still didn't say it, because he thought that if the prince's character was not completely sure and determined, the prince would not say it easily.
As long as you say it, there is a high probability that it will be implemented.
Therefore, as a subordinate, it is absolutely impossible to directly contradict and veto.
After thinking about this clearly, Xu Changqing said tactfully: "This matter is not trivial, so we must be cautious."
"It is unheard of for the imperial court to do business. Besides, although the officials of the Ministry of Revenue are in charge of money and food, fiddle with abacus beads, and manage accounts, they are probably not good at doing business."
Xu Changqing considered his words and continued: "Besides, this bank does not make much profit. No matter how it is managed or how it is operated, it will be a black eye. If it is done badly, the reputation of the court will be ruined."
Li Chen said: "The Ministry of Commerce can invest and participate in management, but the actual operation cannot be done by you literati who are good at writing. We still need to find professional merchants. Therefore, the merchants can stand at the front desk, and the Ministry of Commerce can take the majority share.
