"hey-hey."

Li Xin smiled and said, "We've been continuing to train special operations forces here recently. Moreover, the special operations forces in Jidong, Daiyue, and Heluo have also completed their missions."

These troops can't be idle, so I plan to send them south to scout ahead first.

If there were a path for these thunderbolts, wouldn't that be a ready-made supply route?

This would cut off Li Ming and the King of Dian's financial resources, support the special operations forces' supplies, and also weaken local power—a win-win situation. Why not do it?

Hu Xueyong was completely stunned upon hearing Li Xin's words.

He never imagined that so many ingenious ideas could be conceived solely from the perspective of business development. Moreover, these ideas could extend to attacking local forces and assisting the military operations of the Great Gan Nation.

That's truly amazing!

Hu Xueyong couldn't help but sigh, "It is truly a blessing for the Great Gan Kingdom to have Li Xin!"

"Your Majesty is truly brilliant!"

Hu Xueyong exclaimed from the bottom of his heart, "I admire you the most!"

"The marketplace is like a battlefield."

Li Xin said with a smile, "Xueyong, actually many of your ideas are very good. When you are unsure about something, you can just go ahead and do it yourself."

Our Qingyu Trading Company is now a large and successful enterprise, so it doesn't matter if we occasionally lose a little money.

"Keep up the good work, I believe in you!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Hu Xueyong quickly stood up, clasped his hands in greeting, and replied.

"Sit down, sit down."

Waving his hand, Li Xin continued, "Now, although we have taken control of the capital and have a vast territory encompassing seven provinces, our Dongning policy has always been people-oriented and considerate of the people's needs."

Therefore, policies such as land redistribution, exemption from poll tax, and five-year tax exemption were implemented.

While these policies are all for the benefit of the people, our tax revenue will inevitably decrease. And we are still at war, with many expenses and expenditures every year.

Therefore, our current shortfall is mostly made up from the profits of Qingyu Trading Company.

Xueyong, you're under a lot of pressure too.

However, the goods manufactured in Dongning mostly hold a monopoly position, and the profits are very high.

Recently, the manufacturing bureau has also developed a practical steam engine, which will enable industries such as mechanical weaving, mechanical grinding, and mechanical printing to develop after the spring.

At that time, our Qingyu Trading Company will be able to sell even more goods.

Xueyong, you should also pay attention to the machinery sector. Try to get Qingyu Trading Company to establish a presence in the machinery and textile industries as early as possible next spring!

Hearing Li Xin's instructions, Hu Xueyong nodded quickly.

He has been in Southeast Asia recently, and has fallen behind in understanding the current development of Dongning.

Steam engine?

Is it really that beneficial?

It seems we should pay attention to this sooner rather than later!

After noting this matter down, Hu Xueyong also handed over Qingyu Trading Company's financial statements for this year to Li Xin.

"His Majesty,"

Hu Xueyong began, "This year, Qingyu Trading Company's various businesses have flourished, and profits have grown very rapidly. In the second half of the year alone, profits increased by more than 30%!"

As of the beginning of the month, Qingyu Trading Company's net profit for the year was 9.37 million strings of cash, with accounts receivable totaling 3.98 million strings of cash.

"So many!"

Li Xin couldn't help but laugh.

It seems that the profits from Qingyu Trading Company can indeed support the expenses of various affairs of the Dagang Kingdom!

Excellent!

"His Majesty,"

Hu Xueyong continued, "Next year's profits will be even higher!"

"good!"

Li Xin nodded in satisfaction. "Next year, with industries like mechanical weaving and mechanical printing, Qingyu Trading Company will have more business and naturally more profits."

I believe that Qingyu Trading Company can do it.

"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty!"

Hu Xueyong continued, “Your Majesty, this is last year’s account book. Our Qingyu Trading Company has done a calculation and expects to retain 1.37 million strings of cash in profit for next year’s expansion investment, while the remaining 8 million strings of cash in profit will all be handed over to Your Majesty for your use.”

"Only 1.37 million strings of cash were left?"

Li Xin frowned and asked, "Is this enough? Should we keep a little more?"

"Your Majesty, there are still many accounts receivable. This 1.37 million strings of cash is enough."

Hu Xueyong explained, "Even if we start manufacturing industries like mechanical weaving and mechanical printing next year, we can postpone payment."

Besides, there will be profits from the bombs and grain sales next year!

Your Majesty, this is more than enough!

"That's good, that's good!"

Li Xin nodded in satisfaction.

With these eight million strings of cash, it would be enough for the country's expenditures for several months.

In addition, there are nearly ten million bushels of grain, which is more than enough.

Moreover, this is only the profit of Qingyu Trading Company. Although Sunji Trading Company is not completely controlled by Li Xin, the profit it hands over every year is not low, and can even reach one or two tenths of that of Qingyu Trading Company.

This year, there should be a profit of one million strings of cash.

In addition, there are profits from the Dongning Housing Construction Team, etc.

We have enough for next year's expenses!

Li Xin nodded in satisfaction and instructed the palace maid to bring out the hot drinks again.

After drinking for a while, Li Xin remembered something and looked at Hu Xueyong, saying, "Xueyong, there's something I need to tell you in advance."

"Your Majesty, please give your orders."

Hu Xueyong stared at Li Xin with a stern expression.

Without hesitation, Li Xin said, "When we were in Dongning, we started using Dongning banknotes because copper coins were scarce."

During this period, our Dongning banknotes were also put into use in Liaodong, Xinluo and other provinces.

Now that we have taken control of the capital, the Dongning banknotes will also be used in the provinces of Beijing, Zhili, Daiyue, Heluo, and Hedong.

I want to make this clear to you today: all branches of Qingyu Trading Company must set an example and absolutely must not refuse Dongning banknotes.

"Your Majesty, rest assured!"

Hu Xueyong stated, "Qingyu Trading Company has always accepted Dongning banknotes, and some merchants in Southeast Asia even use our Dongning banknotes."

"Yeah?"

Li Xin's eyes darted around.

In fact, the Dongning banknotes, if properly planned, could be even more powerful than firearms and cannons!

These are the lifelines of the economy!

However, this matter is quite large, so we need to plan it out properly after some time.

The most important thing now is to get the area controlled by Li Xin to accept banknotes completely.

This includes not only affiliated businesses like Qingyu Trading Company and Sunji Trading Company, but also aspects such as government taxation.

Only in this way can the credibility of banknotes be established.

Only then will the value of banknotes be stable, and more people will be able to accept banknotes.

This is a virtuous cycle; every step must be flawless!