C231 Wealth

Xiao Letian did not have the arrogance to try and get his hands on that dishonorable currency. Since the Letian Firm was not the central bank of the Great Qing, he did not have any country's credit to borrow. Of course, with the little national credit that the Great Qing had, even if they wanted to use it, no one would be able to admit it.

Xiao Letian wanted to start from the point when he had the most strict control over the army, and popularize the familiar with paper money. This kind of paper that could be freely exchanged for silver coins would definitely be resisted at the start by people. However, people didn't have to worry that as long as they could exchange for a few silver coins from the foreign bank, their doubts would be greatly reduced.

There was no need to forcefully advertise these paper money, because it would increase the distrust towards the citizens. First, let the soldiers of the new army accept it, and slowly let it seep into their hearts like the spring rain.

"Brothers, we need to prepare for battle at any time and place, the full weight of our equipment should be at least 30 jin. If we also have the tinkling of silver coins on us, that would just be adding to the trouble. You'll know the benefits of these paper money then …"

In addition, many of our brothers come from Ryukyu. It's impossible for them to not send some military salaries to our family, and our Letian Firm has branches there too. When the time comes, you can take these small receipts back and exchange them for silver coins.

"Not only that, you don't need to personally exchange for this kind of small deposit slip. You can usually use them to pay when you are spending money. Of course, at the beginning, there were people who did not believe it, but don't be anxious, I believe that in less than ten days to half a month, all the merchants in Tanggu would have to fight over these bills … "

Actually, Xiao Letian did not need to waste his breath on them, with his prestige in the new army, as long as they said that the money could be used, they would definitely not hesitate to do so.

"Alright, brothers, it has been hard on you all to accompany me for a year. Now, take the money you deserve and go get your rest tables from the Queue length. Let's have a good year together, I, Xiao Letian, give everyone my respect!" With that, Xiao Letian took off his hat and bowed 90 degrees. All the brothers below the stage were moved to tears.

How many important figures were willing to bow to their soldiers and pay their respects to the new year? No, not a single one. For such a leader, how could his brothers not work hard?

Xiao Letian's new army finally walked onto the street. When these bald soldiers in blue cloth military uniforms appeared amidst the bustling crowd, the celebratory atmosphere suddenly increased by three times, because the purchasing power of these soldiers were truly astonishing. A normal soldier would have forty to fifty eagles in his arms.

late Qing did not have any concept of inflation back then, but the purchasing power of silver was scary. If a family of three could spend two or three silver coins during the Spring Festival, then it would be considered a well-off family.

Carrying small deposit slips that could be exchanged for silver coins, these soldiers began to frantically search for goods in the bazaar. The soldiers quickly walked into the restaurant and ordered a table full of sumptuous food to celebrate. Those senior military officers walked into the bazaar opened by the foreigners, even daring to ask about the price of Western goods such as watches, pens and pens.

At first, when the soldiers came to settle the bill with some strange papers, all the boss was very surprised, but when the errand boy really exchanged the new foreign currency from the Letian Firm, all the merchants were relieved.

"Boss, this is a joyous occasion, a joyous occasion!" Just a moment ago, Letian Firm's second cabinet told me that The yamen of the same knowledge has decided that next year's taxes can be paid using this small deposit slip.

"What?" Say it again! There's even a discount for the payment of taxes? " The shopkeeper almost dropped his reading glasses.

The servant gulped down half a spoonful of cold water. "That's right, I heard that Sir Qin felt that it was very convenient to collect taxes using this kind of paper money and obtained a small deposit slip from our hands. Afterwards, we can collectively exchange it with the Letian Firm …" Furthermore, Letian Firm is also willing to issue more certificates of deposit, just say that we will give some preferential treatment to the yamen … "

"Aiyo, actually, I have no idea how the yamen and the foreign bank will settle their debts. In any case, since we're going to use this kind of deposit slip to pay taxes from next year, we'll be able to enjoy a 1% discount. We'll need to collect a 1% less tax …"

This time, not only was the restaurant owner dumbfounded, even the surrounding merchants who were drinking wine were also dumbfounded. He could actually subsidize the taxes of the imperial government?

In ancient times, one point was equivalent to ten percent, and one part represented one percent. This meant that Xiao Letian had to pay all the merchants in Tanggu with one percent of the tax money? Great benefactor, your skill has far surpassed Hu Xueyan's!

The news exploded like thunder in Tanggu Port, from that day onwards, the small deposit slip, which was the credit of the bill, kept rising. Outside the army camp, there were always the permanent employees of the various families and families standing around, seeing the army soldiers appearing, they all had little stars in their eyes, surrounding them and promoting their own businesses.

Once the credit for the paper money was established, the market naturally had a situation where the supply was short. Countless Big Merchant were squeezed together to pray to see Xiao Letian and Manager Fan once, but unfortunately, even Big Merchant, who had the status of Keeper Niu, was blocked.

"Ah, Keeper Niu, I'm really sorry. I have to tell you the truth, but Mister and old shopkeeper are really not traveling in the ocean. We don't know where they are either. Don't make things difficult for me, you are our biggest customer. We have good things to do, how can we not think about you? Just wait at home, we really didn't lie to you … "

The servant did not lie to Keeper Niu, and the normal employees in Letian Firm did not know where Xiao Letian was. At this time, Xiao Letian, old shopkeeper and a few of his subordinates had already gone to the ocean by boat with Ma Xiu and Mike.

Entering Bohai Bay during the last month of the year was a very dangerous thing to do because the greenhouse effect hadn't been evident in the late Qing and it was still very cold in the winter.

Under the control of the ship's boss, the small sailboat nimbly avoided the maze of ice cubes, and headed towards the deep water region. Generally, if they left the coast for twenty or thirty miles, the sea ice would be much less.

A few binoculars from the bow of the boat were anxiously searching the surface of the sea. Half an hour later, Ma Xiu, who had sharp eyes, was the first to call out.

"Found it, the scissor boat's wealth is in the northeast direction …"

"Hahaha, my precious scissor boat, my darling! "Speed up …" Xiao Letian was so excited that he jumped.

The sail caught the northwest wind and the wooden boat quickly headed towards the northeast direction. As they got closer and closer, a slender ship gradually appeared on the surface of the sea. That was the peak craftsmanship of American wooden sailboats, the scissor boat Wealth.

"We're finally here, your Americans has finally delivered my treasure. Thank you, Mr. President …" Xiao Letian rushed forward and hugged the two Americans s tightly.

An hour later, Xiao Letian finally mounted the tall scissor boat and was welcomed by the Ryukyu's imperial guards general, Cai Mao, as well as the third company's soldiers that Luo Huo had brought along.

"Master, why didn't you bring me back? We missed two big battles, do you know how anxious all the brothers of the new army are? "We're all going to write a blood letter now …" Luo Huo began to cry meekly, causing Xiao Letian to feel extremely awkward.

"Good brother, there will always be chances to earn merits in the future. There will never be a lack of soldiers in this era. Now let me see just what kind of people we have …"

General Cai Mao walked in front of Xiao Letian and unexpectedly performed a new military salute as well. "Cai Mao greets Prime Minister!" His words scared the pilot ship's head so much that his neck shrunk. He thought to himself, Mother, so the legends are true, the Mr. Xiao is really the prime minister!

Without much pleasantries, the group descended from the hold of the ship and arrived at the submersible vehicle that the American workers had specially modified. As soon as they entered the hold, everyone could feel the heat wave blowing towards them. A tall boiler and four metal dissolved furnaces appeared in front of everyone's eyes. Dozens of Ryukyu Chinese workers, under the command of five black craftsmen, were pouring coal in secret.

"Prime Minister, if the main pot and the four dissolving furnaces are to use their full strength, they can melt one ton of silver water and forge silver plates every day … "Look at this, the three machine made in the Pittsburgh Machinery Field have been modified according to our requirements, and we can now make silver coins. As long as you have enough silver and coal, we can produce one ton of silver coins a day for you …"

"Not only that, these equipment can be dismantled. Once the Industrial Zones is in its initial form, you can hide these machines in the factory …"

The four black craftsmen stood in front of what was said to be the greatest scholar in China. Only this year did black Americans receive the protection of the Abolitionist Order. In the United States, the white people's oppression of black people is still very obvious.

In the same job, the black men were paid much lower than the white men. Even in the North, which was very friendly to the black men, the black men in the factory were still not treated fairly.

The four black craftsmen had worked in Pittsburgh for many years, and although they could not do any research, it was not a problem to operate these machines and eliminate some minor daily problems. They were also tempted by the high salary of the Carnegie Family and left the United States in fear.

"Dear Prime Minister, please accept our respect …" With that said, the four black men took off their uniform hats and bowed towards Xiao Letian.

Xiao Letian did not despise the colored race's bad habit, and quickly went to grab their big hands that were covered in coal and excitedly said in English, "Thank you, thank you for coming all the way here to help me! Believe me, I will definitely give you a fair treatment … …"

A few black craftsmen had heard that the Master of Western Studies was very close to the President, and the respect they had for Xiao Letian was from the bottom of their hearts. Today, when they saw how approachable the young Prime Minister was, they were extremely excited.

"Sir, please allow us to demonstrate the working process of the coin machine. You will receive the brightest silver coin …"

The thin silver plate was stuffed into the scouring machine. Driven by the steam boiler, the heavy scouring tools smashed into the plate, and pieces of Mexican eagle fell into the wooden box along the conveyor belt. The silver coins' radiance dazzled everyone's eyes.

Fan Lian rushed over, touching a silver coin as if it was a baby's skin, "It's too beautiful, the patterns on it are many times clearer than the ones we cast, and the efficiency is also many times higher …. Heavens, is forging silver as easy as cutting tofu? We're rich! "