The Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Tan, intercepted Guo Jia's...

Chapter 43 Zhen Mi

Qingzhou, the prefectural governor's residence in Linzi.

Although the ceremony for the Zhen family's relocation to Qingzhou was not publicized, Yuan Tan still received Zhen Yao and his entourage with the highest honors in the main hall of the governor's mansion.

This is not only a courtesy to important business partners, but also a gesture to show the civil and military officials of Qingzhou and even Yecheng in Hebei.

What does it mean to spend a fortune to buy bones?

If I, Yuan Tan, treat the Zhen family with such courtesy, I will naturally treat talented people with even greater favor.

Below the hall, Zhen Yao led a group of core members of the clan in a respectful bow.

Yuan Tan sat in the main seat, a warm smile on his face, and was about to offer a few words of encouragement.

However, his gaze was unconsciously drawn to a figure behind and to the side of Zhen Yao.

A girl who was about seventeen or eighteen years old.

She was taller than the average woman and wore a finely crafted lotus-colored, curved-hem robe.

This deep-cut garment is exquisite, subtly outlining undulating curves beneath its dignified and conservative style.

The high corset accentuated her incredibly slender waist.

This further accentuates her slender figure.

Full breasts

It stretches the fabric into a breathtakingly smooth curve.

The curve of her hips was faintly visible beneath the layers of fabric.

When standing still, it possesses a natural and graceful fluidity.

She's Zhen Mi?!

Yuan Tan felt his breath catch slightly.

He had seen many beauties, but none quite like Zhen Mi, who perfectly blended elegance and charm, nobility and allure.

It is rare.

No wonder Zhen Mi in history could win the hearts of both Cao Cao and his son.

Just as Yuan Tan was about to take a closer look,

Zhen Yao stepped forward, blocking Zhen Mi's view.

At the same time, she cupped her hands and said, "My daughter, Zhen Mi, is young and inexperienced, and does not know proper etiquette. If she has offended my lord in any way, I hope you will forgive her."

Having said that, he turned his head subtly and whispered to Zhen Mi:

"Mi'er, this is not a place for you to stay for long. Please go with your mother to the back room to rest."

Zhen Mi bowed again, her posture impeccable.

As she turned to leave, the swaying of her skirt revealed a fleeting glimpse of her full curves at her waist and hips, leaving behind a faint fragrance.

And the lingering charm that stirred Yuan Tan's heart.

You old geezer,

I really want to kick you to death.

Yuan Tan withdrew his gaze.

He thought to himself:

This woman is indeed very mature.

That old fox Zhen Yao has really kept her well hidden.

Now it's being presented to me, but I'm not allowed to examine it closely.

It's obvious he's trying to use Zhen Mi to lure him in.

"No need for such formalities, Lord Zhen. Please have a seat. From now on, we'll be family in Qingzhou."

After exchanging pleasantries, let's get down to business.

Zhen Yao's face was filled with excitement:

"Thanks to the Lord's great blessing! The first batch of 5,000 shi of sea salt was dispatched by three fleets to Jiangdong, Hebei, and Youzhou. It caused a sensation as soon as it hit the market!"

Especially its snow-white, translucent color and its pure, salty, non-astringent taste made it a rare commodity, attracting merchants from all over who competed to buy it. Even after the price more than tripled, it sold out instantly!

He took a deep breath and continued:

"After deducting costs and shipping expenses, the net profit from this transaction has exceeded ten million coins! Subsequent orders are pouring in like snowflakes! My lord, the profits from this salt trade are truly an inexhaustible gold mine!"

A murmur of astonishment rippled through the audience.

Guo Jia, Xin Pi, and the others exchanged smiles. Although they had expected it, the enormous profits and smooth sailing were still exhilarating.

This means that the financial problems plaguing Qingzhou will be fundamentally alleviated!

Yuan Tan's heart was also churning with emotion, but his expression remained calm; he simply nodded.

"Excellent. This is the result of the joint efforts of Lord Zhen and everyone else. However, the bigger the tree, the more the wind will blow. With such enormous profits from salt, it is likely that it has already attracted attention from all sides. We must be more cautious in the subsequent transportation and sales, and in particular, we must guard against the covetousness of pirates and other forces."

"Your lord's concerns are absolutely correct!"

Zhen Yao solemnly said,

"I have already increased the escort fleet and are utilizing the Zhen family's existing trade routes to operate with utmost secrecy. The current gains are enough to fill the Qingzhou treasury, and the soldiers are ready to fight to the death!"

"I'll trouble you, Lord Zhen, to take care of the financial matters."

Yuan Tan pondered for a moment.

The most urgent task is to convert profits into strength as soon as possible.

Expanding the army, building cities, and providing relief to displaced people all require huge sums of money.

As for what happens next...

was saying,

The registrar, Wang Xiu, however, burst in carrying a scroll of bamboo slips, his face full of worry:

"My lord, something terrible has happened! The treasury... the treasury's five-zhu coins are about to run out!"

Wang Xiu was one of his former subordinates in Qingzhou, in charge of the allocation of money and grain. Therefore, the resettlement of displaced people also became Wang Xiu's job.

"What?"

Yuan Tan raised his head, his brows furrowed.

"With the treasury so full, how could it be empty?"

"The income is huge, but the expenses are even bigger!"

Wang Xiu presented the bamboo slips.

"The salt fields, road construction, and port building employed more than 10,000 displaced people, and their daily wages amounted to an astronomical figure!"

The common people sell grain and cloth, accepting only copper coins. Now, seven or eight out of ten Wuzhu coins in circulation are hoarded by the people! The people...have no money to use!"

This is precisely the new crisis brought about by the success of "work relief."

Deflation.

The economy is thriving, but the currency, which is the lifeblood of the economy, is stagnating and its circulation is halting, threatening to collapse the payment system.

Inside the hall, Guo Jia, Xin Pi, Zhen Yao, and others all wore solemn expressions.

Zhen Yao pondered for a moment and said:

"Could we increase the purchase of grain, or use silk and salt to directly offset part of the wages?"

Wang Xiu shook his head:

"This is a drop in the ocean and is prone to disputes. Salt workers need money to buy clothes, meat, and farm tools, which cannot be fully covered by goods."

Sinpi sighed:

"Perhaps we need to postpone the project and reduce the number of workers?"

Yuan Tan immediately denied it:

"Absolutely not! If the project stops, the newly settled displaced people will lose their jobs again, and the situation will change drastically in an instant! This would be self-destructive!"

Guo Jia, who had been silent all along, coughed lightly:

"Jia Guanzhi, the crux of the problem lies in this: money, like living water, is valuable because it circulates. Now, the water has flowed into a deep pool, becoming stagnant. Forcibly collecting the hidden money will surely lose the people's hearts; waiting for Yecheng to allocate the funds is even more ridiculous."

Just when everyone was at a loss, Yuan Tan suddenly spoke up:

"Since the water has become stagnant, let's dig a new channel to make it flow again, and even make it produce more water."

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and said, word by word:

"My mind is made up; I will establish the Qingzhou Pingzhun Money Exchange!"

"A money exchange?"

Everyone was stunned; this was a word they had never heard of before.

"good!"

Yuan Tan explained,

"The state government will set up an agency to inform the people that they can deposit their idle copper coins into money shops, and the money shops will issue receipts, which are called money notes."

Depositors not only do not need to pay storage fees, but the money shop also pays them interest annually! For example, if you deposit 100 coins, you will receive 5 coins at the end of the year!

Although there were no traditional money shops in the Han Dynasty, there was something similar called a "pawnshop".

Its purpose is to store valuables for others in exchange for a fee.

This concept of saving money is unprecedented for me.

However, the common people may not accept this, and may even feel that Yuan Tan is seizing the opportunity by trickery and force.

Therefore, in the early stages, someone definitely needs to take the lead in saving money.

"What? You get paid back for depositing money?"

Zhen Yao exclaimed in shock. He had been in business for many years and had only ever heard of borrowing money and getting interest. Earning interest on deposits was simply a fantasy!

"My lord, this plan... is unheard of! The treasury is already empty; how can we pay the interest? Isn't this just sitting around starving?"