Chapter 485: Leaked Military IntelligenceChapter 521: National Bank

"In our dynasty, there are laws that stipulate that for private money debts and pawns, the monthly interest rate shall not exceed one-third. Those who violate this rule shall be punished with forty lashes, and the excess interest shall be recorded as stolen goods. For serious offenses, the punishment shall be imprisonment, and the maximum penalty is one hundred lashes."

"That means a three percent interest rate. If the loan scale is large enough and bad debts are controlled to a minimum, this profit would be enough to greatly alleviate the imperial court's deficit."

Xu Changqing became more and more excited. As the head steward in charge of finances, he was fed up with being chased for money every day, living a poor life with nothing in his pockets.

"Your Highness's great talent is truly a blessing for the world, a blessing for all within this land!"

To Xu Changqing's heartfelt praise, Li Chen burst into laughter.

"Go and summon Liu Sichun to the East Palace."

Half an hour later, Liu Sichun came to the East Palace's political affairs hall.

"Greetings, Your Highness, I am Liu Sichun, a commoner woman."

Liu Sichun's figure was still as captivating as ever, full of charm.

Li Chen sat at the top, looking at Liu Sichun, and said with a smile: "No need to be polite, please stand up."

"Today, I summoned you here because the sweet potato planting plan from a while back has been successfully implemented. As I mentioned before, upon its success, each of you would receive your due rewards."

"The rewards for others have all been given, but the Liu family's has yet to be. Today, this palace shall give you this reward."

Xu Changqing, standing beside him, was taken aback.

"The Crown Prince is truly the Crown Prince. He managed to turn a simple request for Liu Family's assistance into a reward, even making people feel grateful! This level of skill is truly impressive."

Thinking about this, Xu Changqing couldn't help but wonder how many times he had been manipulated by the Crown Prince like this.

No matter what Xu Changqing thought, Liu Sichun had already given a response.

"To be of service to Your Highness is an honor for the Liu family, and we are already filled with gratitude. We dare not ask for further rewards."

Li Chen said, "Since the matter has been settled, there should naturally be a reward, otherwise how will others view it"

It was just polite words, Liu Sichun pushed back with a single sentence, and didn't push any further, otherwise it would seem insincere.

"The common woman thanks Your Highness."

Li Chen chuckled softly and said, "This palace intends to open a money house."

Liu Sichun was indeed taken aback.

Xu Changqing, who was standing beside Liu Sichun, saw the same reaction and felt a little balanced in his heart. He realized that it wasn't just him who was shocked by the news; everyone would be.

This bank, under the control of the Ministry of Finance, will first establish a branch in each province nationwide and then extend its coverage to prefectures, counties. It will be backed by the imperial court's credit, but the daily management, staff, and all other aspects will be handled by the Liu family.

"Of the total share capital, the Ministry of Finance holds 80%, and your Liu family holds 20%."

Liu Sichun didn't know what Li Chen's purpose was in opening such a money lending business, but as a businesswoman, she keenly sensed that the Liu family could definitely benefit from it and reap huge profits.

Besides anything else, the massive cash flow alone could be used to do so much.

Despite her rapid breathing, Liu Sichun remained composed. She asked, “Opening a money-changing house requires a huge sum of money. Where will that money...”

"The Ministry of Revenue will contribute 40%, and the remaining 60% will be paid by your Liu family."

Just this one sentence caused Liu Sicun's face to darken.

"Your Highness, the first batch of laying out money changers throughout all provinces will conservatively require at least ten million taels of silver as capital..."

"This palace knows that funding this project requires a large sum of money, but the imperial treasury is empty. Four hundred thousand taels is already the limit of what we can afford, so for the remaining funds, you'll have to find a way."peaking, "As things stand, Zhao Xuanji is at his weakest in over a decade. First, his strategy targeting the prince was wrong from the start. He shouldn't have compromised with the Eastern Palace from...