Chapter 836

The water of the Qiantang River appeared as a white line across the horizon, rushing towards the shore. Soon, huge waves surged, creating a spectacle of crashing waves and splashing water.

Cao Kun gazed at the Qiantang River tide, which appeared annually, and then looked with interest at the tide-riders appearing and disappearing in the river. A faint smile gradually formed on his lips.

“Only brave people can become the eye-catching tide-riders in the river. To gain wealth and power, taking risks is also necessary. For the Great Yu Empire to truly develop, it must allow merchants to rule this country. Only then will this country become rich and strong.”

“I must say, there are few people as open-minded as you in the Great Yu Empire. We French will stand with you.” A strange glint flashed in Richard’s eyes.

Currently, what France needed was a divided Great Yu Empire. He and Basile had witnessed during their time in the Great Yu Empire how the northern Emperor conquered the peoples on this land.

At the same time, they also learned what kind of weapons this Emperor’s army used. If this Emperor were allowed to gain control of the wealthy south, then the army from the north would continue southward and clash with them in Indochina.

And this was something their country could not tolerate.

Of course, they were also making two-pronged preparations. While secretly supporting the State of Chu, they were also ready to negotiate with this Emperor at any time.

If this Emperor could avoid interfering with their colonies in Indochina, they might establish relations with him.

Conversely, they would firmly fight this Emperor to the end, even if they could only fight across the distant seas.

“With your words, I am at ease,” Cao Kun laughed heartily. He did not take Richard’s words seriously.

He understood these Western countries. He believed their promises were less trustworthy than a sow climbing a tree. Relying on others was worse than relying on oneself. Now, the French had exported many valuable technologies to the State of Chu, and this was what he needed.

Richard also laughed along, like a golden-furred fox.

…

Qingzhou Province.

As news about the currency spread in the newspapers two days prior, many common people and merchants flocked to the area.

These merchants and common people were all people who had previously deposited their silver in Cao Family Banks. Ever since the Cao Family Banks were sealed, they lived in constant fear, almost daily going to the provincial office to inquire about their silver.

Due to the impact of this incident, even the Qingzhou Bank experienced a run, with common people taking their banknotes and deposit slips to the Qingzhou Bank, demanding to exchange them for silver and gold. For a time, the entire Qingzhou Province was filled with alarm.

However, the impact of this incident was eventually brought to an end. The imperial court officially promised to fully assume the debts of the Cao Family Banks, and at the same time, all Cao Family Banks were renamed Qingzhou Bank.

Moreover, to prevent private banks from causing further damage to the Great Yu Empire’s industry and commerce, from now on, private individuals were prohibited from opening banks. Only the imperial court could establish banks.

This news disheartened some merchants who had intended to open banks, but it received the approval of most merchants and common people.

Because of the Cao family incident, they now only trusted the imperial court. Because in the past few days, everyone who went to the Qingzhou Bank to exchange money received their silver, without a single copper coin missing.

“What is this? Didn’t they say they would return our silver?”

Inside the branch of Qingzhou Bank, which had been converted from a Cao Family Bank, emotions ran high. Upon arriving at the Qingzhou Bank, they discovered that the imperial court was giving them a completely unfamiliar currency.

Although they had learned about this in advance from the newspaper, it was still difficult for them to accept when they actually received these currencies.

The bank staff behind the glass counter maintained a smile. They had all undergone strict training before entering the bank.

He said neither humbly nor arrogantly, “These are currencies issued by Qingzhou Bank, personally approved by His Majesty and the Grand Secretariat. From now on, all trade in the Great Yu Empire must use the new currency. The silver you deposited in the previous bank is equivalent to three thousand Golden Dragons. This is three thousand Golden Dragon coins. There is no mistake. And the gold content of the Golden Dragon is ninety percent, with only ten percent other metals to increase hardness.”

The merchant grabbed a handful of Golden Dragon coins from the bag. These Golden Dragon coins were each the size of a thumb-cap. It had to be said that their design was exquisite.

“Gold coins!” The merchants gradually calmed down when they learned that these Golden Dragon coins were gold. It was just that the size of the Golden Dragon coins made them somewhat dissatisfied.

The bank employee smiled and nodded.

At this, the boisterous merchants and common people settled down. One by one, they craned their necks to look at the currency on the counter. Besides gold coins, the bank employee then introduced silver coins and copper coins.

Finally, the bank employee took out a piece of paper money and said, “This is paper money worth one hundred Golden Dragons. Those who need to exchange for large trades can do so. It is much more beautiful than a banknote, and also more practical than a bank.”

“Made of paper? Only a fool would exchange for that,” someone in the crowd shouted.

As his words fell, a dissenting voice rose, “I am willing to exchange! Cao Zhengyang fled with the silver, and it was the imperial court who recovered it for us. To be honest, would the imperial court of old have returned this silver to you? You deserve it for depositing your silver in the wrong place and can only accept your bad luck. Now that your silver is recovered, some people are being picky. If that’s the case, don’t come to Qingzhou Bank. Go south and find your Cao Family Bank.”

The people in the bank fell silent. They looked at each other, and many faces showed expressions of shame.

At this point, the voice spoke again, “You covet the benefits that the Great Yu Empire’s strength brings you, yet now you are unwilling to lose a little personal gain or bear a little risk for the imperial court. While the decline of the Great Yu Empire is certainly the responsibility of powerful families and the imperial family, are you yourselves without responsibility?”

The voice drew closer and closer to the counter. A young scholar walked towards the center of the crowd, and those around him automatically made way.

The merchant who had just spoken looked somewhat mortified. “Every man for himself! It’s only been a few years since His Majesty ascended the throne, and now many officials are already extorting us merchants! Such a court will surely fall sooner or later. It’s better to think more about ourselves!”

The young scholar, instead of getting angry, chuckled. “Official corruption is a fault of the imperial court, but if it weren’t for you people frequently offering gifts for convenience, how would officials who don’t do business without gifts have developed?”

“Hehe, you’re quite good at making excuses for the imperial court. In the end, everything is the common people’s fault, isn’t it?” the merchant sneered.

The young man lightly fanned himself with a paper fan and said calmly, “No, no. What I mean is that only when the imperial court and the common people are united, with one heart and mind, can the Great Yu Empire eradicate the ills of a thousand years. The imperial court must punish corrupt officials, but we also cannot engage in bribery for convenience.”

The merchant frowned. “Hmph, you speak with great arrogance. Who do you think you are?”

The young man gently fanned himself with a paper fan and said calmly, “I am not talented, but I am from the Qufu Kong family.”

As his words fell, the entire hall was stunned.

The young man looked triumphant. This matter at the bank today was the best gift he could give the Emperor.

The novel has already been fully translated up to the final chapter. You can access it on my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/caleredhair