This is the second time Zhang Hao has come to the imperial capital. Last time, he recommended Xu Jie, Yan Qing, and Zheng You, and recommended himself by the way. But this time, he came to "reform"!
But compared to the last time, the imperial capital today is a bit more chaotic and panicked.
The Kingdom of Jinyang claims to have "three million legions" and wants to "annihilate the Kingdom of Qixia in one fell swoop." This slogan has somehow spread in the imperial capital of the Kingdom of Qixia.
The officials are also actively refuting the rumors and using several major victories and the successive elimination and capture of more than 500,000 troops from the Kingdom of Jinyang as gimmicks, but with little success.
Zhang Hao could see the anxiety on people's faces, and even the faces of the soldiers who refuted the rumors were not so firm - such refutations were even worse!
Zhang Hao slowed down and walked through the crowd step by step, listening to the voices of the people. Gradually, a smile appeared on Zhang Hao's face.
Zhang Hao walked through the outer city, walked to the inner city, and then walked step by step to the palace. Then he waited quietly at the entrance of the palace. After a while, Hu Yinglan came out and took Zhang Hao in. The palace guards looked at Zhang Hao.
It changed instantly, and it was a little flattering.
Hu Yinglan looked around and suddenly asked Zhang Hao: "These guards are not making things difficult for you, are they?"
Zhang Hao smiled: "They have fulfilled their responsibilities. If they were in the Zhang family, I would give them rewards and encourage them to continue to maintain this attitude."
Hu Yinglan looked at Zhang Hao in surprise, and finally nodded slowly, "I will mention it to the regent. But your senior brother, please go to the side hall to take a rest."
Feng Zhiling didn't say anything this time. He naturally followed the guards and left.
Entering the palace, this time Hu Yinglan took Zhang Hao and walked to the side of the meeting hall. Zhang Hao glanced at the meeting hall. The plaque above it was "Qianyuan Hall". The hall was spectacular, and the aura was rolling on it. Although some palace guards were there.
Standing guard, but also practicing with eyes closed.
Hu Yinglan ordered Zhang Hao and passed by the meeting hall. After walking for a while, she came to a courtyard with beautiful scenery. A new plaque hung at the door: Baihua Garden.
"It's not the Imperial Study Room?" Zhang Hao muttered softly.
Hu Yinglan said calmly: "The imperial study room is used by the emperor. His Highness now lives in Baihuayuan, reviewing memorials, etc."
There are not many flowers and plants in the Baihua Garden. It can be seen that this is a newly opened place. You can count the few flowers and plants with your fingers. On the contrary, there are more officials and others here than flowers and plants.
As soon as Zhang Hao arrived, he saw Ouyang Si walking out of the house in a hurry. When passing by Zhang Hao, he simply nodded and left quickly.
Under the leadership of Hu Yinglan, Zhang Hao entered the main room directly, and saw Liu Xinyu sitting behind the desk. There were two piles of documents on the desk, and several officials were playing in the room.
Also, Zhang Hao saw Xu Jie, Yan Qing, and Zheng You. The three of them were still wearing simple clothes, standing aside and listening. Seeing Zhang Hao coming, the three of them had a flash of light in their eyes, but they just nodded.
What is being discussed at this time is the issue of war supplies. Due to several previous accidents, the country of Qixia is already very short of domestic supplies. Some people suggest increasing taxes, some suggest raising donations again, and some suggest forcing big families to wait for help.
Liu Xinyu retorted one by one.
After discussing for a long time, Liu Xinyu suddenly turned to look at Liu Jie and the others: "You three have been listening in for so many days, do you have any suggestions?"
Xu Jie was the first to speak: "Your Highness, I think the country of Qixia lacks consistent laws today. Common people, practitioners, nobles, aristocratic families, etc. all have their own rules of conduct, and the country's requirements for everyone are also inconsistent.
Therefore, it is time to sort out the laws and make rewards and punishments clear, especially to increase the rewards for small nobles, small families, ordinary people, and some casual cultivators, so as to guide them to serve the country instead of being attracted by big families, sects, etc."
Yan Qing said: "As the saying goes, if the name is not right, the words will not be right. I think we should guide the public opinion and inspire everyone's sentiment to protect the country. As long as this is successful, there is no need to worry about the uncertainty of national affairs!"
Finally, Liu Xinyu looked at Zheng You. Zheng You said thoughtfully: "Your Highness, people have passion in their hearts. I think we should stimulate people's passion through reasonable rewards.
The so-called great chivalrous people serve the country and the people, and all people should know that no matter how capable they are, as long as they are willing to fight for the country, the country will not forget them.
Your Highness, please allow me to govern the three towns. In one month, I will gather 10,000 elites!"
After hearing this, Liu Xinyu smiled and said nothing. But her eyes turned to Zhang Hao: "You are late! At least one day late!"
"It's not too late!" Zhang Hao was confident and calm, "I spent this day making detailed plans and personally surveying the public sentiment.
I think the people’s support can be used!”
Liu Xinyu snorted coldly: "I am very good at changing the subject. Then tell me why the people's support can be used!"
Zhang Hao solemnly said: "After my investigation, I found that of course people are afraid of war. But at the same time, everyone hopes that their country will win.
Many people want to do their part for the country, but don't know how to do so.
I think this is the perfect time to launch a national bond."
"What's your plan?"
Zhang Hao took out a notebook and began to explain one by one: "First of all, it is for ordinary people. Most ordinary people do not have much wealth. It is difficult and unaffordable to sell them bonds. Therefore, ordinary people
The common people take a village as a unit.
We should have more than 200,000 captives in our hands now; and guarding the captives requires a large number of manpower. In fact, these captives can be sold to the village as slaves.
Most of these captives are above the sixth level of Qi Refining, and one person can stand up to three or five ordinary people.
As for the control of slaves, there is no problem. I checked some information on Jiuyang Sect, and also asked my senior brother and the people in Yeyue Tower whether they can be controlled through curses. For example, we often say: stabbing villains.
As for the price, considering the affordability of the villagers, there is no problem in affording one slave for every five households. The price of one slave starts at 20 spirit stones. As the cultivation level increases, five more spirit stones will be added.
Allow people to pay with food, etc.
In this way, the people supported the country, provided the people with a labor force, and allowed the people to help guard the prisoners. And the most important thing was to let the people know that war can be profitable! It can be said that it kills four birds with one stone!
Also, selling captives in large quantities can also suppress current rumors among the people!"
Liu Xinyu nodded, this is indeed a good idea.
Yan Qing couldn't help it anymore: "It's a bit...inhumane for us to treat prisoners like this!"
Zhang Hao didn't even look back, and didn't respond to Yan Qing's words at all, and continued: "In addition, there are some captives whose cultivation level is above the foundation-building stage, and they can be sold to trading houses and so on.
The price starts at 100 spirit stones. Moreover, these captives are only sold to firms, families, etc. that "support the country and purchase bonds." To put it simply, it is a bundled sale.
Then there are the war bonds we discussed before. My initial plan is to issue national bonds with a total value of 5 million high-grade spiritual stones, divided into various types of elixirs, war materials, magic weapons, spiritual materials, etc.
The bond value ranges from a minimum of one high-grade spiritual stone to a maximum of one thousand high-grade spiritual stones.
There is no limit to the purchase amount. The initial bond is divided into one-year, three-year and five-year terms, with a return rate of 1.15 times, 1.3 times and 1.5 times respectively. The ratio of the three is 2:2:1 respectively. After the one-year term is withdrawn
, and then issue the second tranche of treasury bonds.
The issuance of one-year treasury bonds is mainly to build confidence. The second period of treasury bonds starts in three years.
In order to increase the credibility of the bond, the state should use corresponding items as collateral, such as regional taxes, land, etc.
In order to better manage national bonds, a special agency needs to be established. I suggest that it be temporarily named the ‘Industrial and Commercial Administration’, which will be responsible for related matters in the future, including but not limited to bonds and prisoners of war.
The headquarters is set up in the palace and is personally supervised by the regent; branches are set up in other counties, and the branches make actual plans based on local conditions.
Because the plan involved was too huge, I asked for help from relevant personnel. In addition, the first plan of the Industrial and Commercial Administration Bureau is tentatively scheduled to issue bonds worth 500,000 high-grade spiritual stones and all slaves."
Liu Xinyu stretched out her hand: "Let me take a look at your plan."
Zhang Hao handed over the notebook, and Liu Xinyu quickly flipped through it for a while, with a smile on her face: "Yes, time waits for no one, let's start now.
The Industrial and Commercial Administration should be established here.
Su Ming, Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, please lead relevant personnel to assist Zhang Hao."
As he said that, he turned to look at a female guard beside him: "Jiang Xiaoxiao, you represent the King, the Supervision and Management Bureau!"