CHAPTER 1081: CHAPTER 1037: SUCCESSFULLY ACQUIRED

If six times the capital were less, it would be fine, but this time the Aristocratic Family Alliance in Chenliu and Hedong, along with the three families of Eastern Wu, did not leave. The three families of Eastern Wu could pass, but the two Wei families have been wealthy super tycoons for a hundred years with the Zhen Family.

Injecting twenty billion coins poses no problem, and six times twenty billion coins is enough to drive the empire to crime; the world’s strongest empire, with an annual tax revenue of only 30 billion Five Coin Money, would commit crime for 120 billion Five Coin Money without restraint.

When money reaches a certain level, especially when it comes in such weighty forms that intrinsically carry value, crime becomes inevitable.

Seeing everyone unconsciously looking at himself and Weii Ji, Weii Zi clearly showed a trace of dissatisfaction in his expression, "Marquis Chen, it seems you underestimate us. In that case, Boyu and I will be the first to pass this proposal."

Weii Zi is no fool; previously, Mount Tai only collected transaction taxes, eliminating absurd surcharges and road tolls. Weii Zi naturally also engaged in transactions there and participated in the early construction of the United Bank, further understanding its immense benefits for commerce.

Honestly, Weii Zi and Weii Ji both wanted to run a bank themselves. However, the issue is, without broader recognition by multiple aristocratic families, a bank is worthless. Of course, Weii Zi understands that the two Wei families alone cannot afford to play with high-end banking.

Every time Mi Zhu and the Zhang Clan draw out one hundred million coins and then invest billions more, Weii Zi and Weii Ji feel this is something beyond their capacity. Although convenient and efficient, beneficial for commerce, it is not something a single or just a couple of aristocratic families can manage—likely only nations and genuine geniuses can operate it.

Chen Xi raised his head to look at Weii Zi, then turned to Weii Ji; although he didn’t speak, the implicit meaning was clear.

Weii Ji, who had been sitting silently with his eyes closed, slowly opened them and looked at Chen Xi, saying, "Marquis Chen, no need to speculate about our families’ relationship. Zixui makes the decisions; our two families have always advanced together. We will invest ten billion coins, but the bank opened in Chang’an must retain fifteen billion coins."

"I understand your concern about the possibility of withdrawing funds at any time. However, similarly, the funds you simultaneously utilize across various banks worldwide must not exceed three times the injected capital," Chen Xi nodded, saying.

Actually, Chen Xi clearly understands this is merely conceptual. Before the unification of the world, he lacks the resources to monitor to such an extent, and the Wei family’s business spans across the whole map, as does the Mi family’s. How could anyone control the funds utilized simultaneously within any acceptable range?

It’s a joke; it’s not a digital system where every transaction is recorded here and there, allowing control. Chen Xi was utterly speaking nonsense because he clearly understood he issued a limited total number of Ticket Exchange papers, which, as they gain widespread acceptance, would decouple from weighty money.

Meaning that once accustomed, discovering these papers indeed have purchasing power, fewer people would actually exchange them for money. As long as the exchange papers are used, even overused, it cannot exceed the total quantity issued.

In reality, Chen Xi is only concerned about whether anyone will notice this issue within five or six years. But essentially, it doesn’t matter much; with commercial circulation, it will eventually shuffle the initial investments united banks made completely, ending with Ticket Exchange papers held by every aristocratic family around the world.

"Agreed." Weii Ji said sparingly; with just one word, the matter was settled, and Weii Zi also agreed as previously stated.

The Zhen Family and the Mi Family, really nothing much needs to be said, surely passed; among the Five Great Merchants, only the Wu Family was left, naturally, they agreed too. Soon, all aristocratic families passed the proposal, and likewise, Chen Xi secured funding for the construction of Yanzhou, Yuzhou, and future plans in Youzhou—essentially, he got what he wanted without spending anything.

[These aristocratic families collectively gather an amount equivalent to the Great Han Dynasty’s annual tax revenue; the rest is then injected by the Chamber of Commerce. While many aristocratic families have businessmen themselves, there are quite a few local tyrants’ merchants too; these people truly have money!] Chen Xi licked his upper lip; combined with the local tyrants, they indeed occupy over eighty percent of the nation’s wealth, truly wealthy.

"Since everyone has passed this topic, there is nothing more to say. To prevent any future issues with the bank, we will inject the security deposit first. Zhongkang, Anguo, bring the items up for me." Chen Xi, with a businesslike cold demeanor, clapped his hands and called out.

Xuu Chu and Wuu Anguo responded by each carrying a few Large Copper Ingots over. After several trips, soon they filled the center of the main hall with Copper Ingots; not due to carrying inability, but because Copper Ingots, not being a unified whole, were difficult to manage when carrying many pieces.

"This is copper worth twenty billion coins, which is part of the security deposit. I anticipate injecting two hundred billion worth of copper into the bank." Chen Xi was blatantly lying, knowing well nobody present could ascertain if these copper pieces were indeed worth twenty billion coins, though clearly, from the volume and weight, it seemed possible.

"Naturally, I believe you all know this copper is what I will use to mint Five Coin Money later. To assure the money is flawless, each aristocratic family that used to mint coins provides a team of craftsmen." Chen Xi expressed, with an intention to garner every possible advantage. In response, ninety percent of aristocratic families present agreed to supply a team of craftsmen, although some admitted they had never minted Five Coin Money despite previous minting.

Chen Xi didn’t care about this; he was merely sourcing craftsmen from aristocratic families. With several hundred aristocratic families each giving a team of craftsmen—just dozens at a time—it doesn’t appear significant, but the number reaches thousands steadily.

"Next, there is another matter, I need to stabilize salt prices. I demand salt be priced at one hundred coins per stone within the Han Dynasty realm, regardless of location. Your management precision must reach village levels, and I need you to stabilize salt prices to one hundred coins per stone in every village," Chen Xi spoke slowly, achievable only in the classical military authoritarian era of Qin and Han, or post-national foundation for such managerial precision.

Accurately speaking, from the Han Dynasty onwards, up to the Qing Dynasty, it was essentially "imperial authority not descending into counties, counties under clan autonomy; clans all self-governed, deriving self-governance from ethics," whereas Qin and Han, due to classical military authoritarian overextension, maintained village-level management.

Moreover, combining aristocratic family strata, the Han Dynasty actually had two village-level management approaches, though the family approach also counts as clan self-governance, however, there remained government oversight, greatly differing from subsequent periods. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets; your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)