Yanchuan City.

Oriental Restaurant.

Inside the private room, there were only Zhao Cheng and Xiao Luomu.

Zhao Yan and Gan Lang were waiting outside the private room, clearly indicating that Zhao Cheng and Xiao Luomu were about to discuss something very important.

The supermarket in Jingdong County is under construction. Zhao Cheng had something to discuss with Xiao Luomu. He originally planned to visit Xiao Luomu while rescuing Deng Yanjiao, but Zhao Huan refused. So Zhao Cheng had to call Xiao Luomu to Yanchuan City.

As for Gan Lang, Xiao Luomu did need his help, so Zhao Cheng had Gan Lang temporarily take over as Xiao Luomu's bodyguard.

"You're very generous to Gan Lang, aren't you? If he stays with you for another year or two, you might poach him."

"Your words are so sarcastic."

Xiao Luomu poured wine for Zhao Cheng and said with a smile, "Gan Lang is very loyal to you and the Princess. I can't poach him, nor have I ever thought of doing so. Besides working for me, I also asked Gan Lang to be my instructor to help me train a group of experts who can fight on both land and water. Once these experts are trained, I will bring him back."

"Amphibious operations...that's a brilliant idea!" Zhao Cheng looked at Xiao Luomu with new respect and praised, "Brother Xiao, your vision has broadened; you should have trained a military force long ago!"

Xiao Luomu nodded and said, "Gan Lang played a big role in persuading the Jingdong merchants to agree to open a supermarket this time, and he really impressed me. Sometimes, money and reason are not as effective as fists. I also spent money to hire a lot of guards, and I kept the ones I liked, but it's not easy to find a master like Yu Jin, like the young marquis did."

Zhao Cheng said, "Yu Jin is a top-tier expert at the peak. It is indeed very difficult to get someone like that to follow you wholeheartedly."

"You're really something, surrounded by so many experts." Xiao Luomu cast an envious glance at Zhao Cheng.

Zhao Cheng waved his hand and said, "This is the foundation of the Right Prime Minister's Mansion. However, Brother Xiao, I have a suggestion. The newly established Zhenhai Camp of the Imperial Court has already wiped out the pirates in Jingdong County and has now reached the coast of Jiangyang County. This three-month campaign to eliminate the pirates has resulted in many wounded soldiers who are no longer able to fight. You can go and find these people."

Xiao Luomu pondered Zhao Cheng's words carefully, then his eyes lit up and he said, "You mean... we can ask these wounded soldiers to be instructors?"

Zhao Cheng nodded and said, "Although Gan Lang is an expert in amphibious warfare, his strength lies more in individual ability. If you want to improve team combat capabilities, these wounded soldiers who have truly fought against the pirates are better instructors."

"Wonderful!" Xiao Luomu clapped his hands excitedly and said, "Hearing the young prime minister's words is better than drinking ten years' worth of fine wine!"

Zhao Cheng curled his lip and said, "What a terrible analogy!"

Xiao Luomu seemed to have thought of something and said, "Speaking of Zhenhai Camp, I remembered something. I heard from Young Master that someone was trying to assassinate you. That person said that he had the help of Du Yucheng. If he succeeded, Du Yucheng would lead his troops into the Right Prime Minister's residence. Why haven't you taken any action against Du Yucheng?"

Zhao Cheng asked, "Brother Xiao, what do you think I should do?"

Xiao Luomu thought for a moment and said, "At least we should teach him a lesson, right? Du Yucheng must be holding a grudge about eating dog poop in Yanchuan. He didn't retaliate this time, but he will find a chance to retaliate later."

"But Chengdu is currently eliminating the bandits."

Zhao Cheng picked up his wine cup and said, "I've analyzed this matter carefully. Du Yucheng's agreement to Yan Yilun was just a gamble. Not only does he have a personal grudge against me, but he's also a member of the Left Prime Minister's mansion. If Yan Yilun succeeds, he can transfer 5,000 men from the Zhenhai Camp to deal with the Right Prime Minister's mansion. If my father's rebellion is confirmed, Wen Tai will have ways to clean up his mess. But if Yan Yilun fails, he can pretend it never happened."

"But since he hasn't touched this matter, I can't touch him, and besides... I don't want to touch him either."

"Eliminating the pirates is the most important thing. Although Du Yucheng is not a very good person, he is indeed a master of warfare. If he can really wipe out the pirates, it will be a great thing for the people along the coast of Dajing. At this time, I cannot hold him back."

Xiao Luomu was filled with respect, raised his wine cup, and exclaimed, "Young Prime Minister, you have the world in your heart; you are truly a man of vision. I am ashamed to admit my inferiority!"

The two clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

"Brother Xiao, I've called you here today to discuss a business deal."

Zhao Cheng put down his wine glass, got up and walked to the window of the private room, and said, "I want to establish the Oriental Money House, starting with Yanchuan City and Qingdong City, using these two cities as pilot projects."

"A money exchange?" Xiao Luomu stood up as well, asking doubtfully, "Isn't it just a money exchange that issues banknotes?"

Zhao Cheng said, "The money shop only offers savings and exchange services. Our money bank also offers savings and exchange services, but it focuses more on loan services."

Xiao Luomu walked up to Zhao Cheng and said, "I would like to hear the details."

Zhao Cheng turned to Xiao Luomu and said, "Look, with the establishment of supermarkets in Yanchuan Square and Yanchuan Jingdong, although merchants are still ranked last among the social classes of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, the number of merchants is obviously increasing. However, many people cannot do business not because they lack business acumen, but because they lack capital."

“At this time, Dongfang Qianhang can step in and provide these people with the initial capital to start a business. They only need to put up their houses and land as collateral, and after evaluation, they can get the corresponding funds. We only charge a small amount of interest.”

Xiao Luomu quickly analyzed Zhao Cheng's words and raised a question: "But what if these people spend the money on a life of debauchery or gambling, and then can't pay it back? They'll lose their houses and land, wouldn't that be a disguised form of selling their houses and land?"

“Brother Xiao is right!” Zhao Cheng smiled and continued, “Therefore, our review process must be rigorous. We must see these people’s business plans and conduct detailed assessments. Our money will only go to those who truly need it to do business, and never to gambling addicts. In the future, we can even provide credit loans to those with good character and potential, and assign them credit scores based on their credit history.”

"In addition to loans, we also accept deposits and offer higher interest rates than ordinary money shops. The greater the influence of the Oriental Chamber of Commerce, the higher the credibility of our Oriental Money Bank will be, and more ordinary people will trust us and be willing to put their money with us, thus making our core business more vibrant."

"Our slogan is to fully support people with dreams to go into business."

"Brother Xiao, if this money-making business can be successful, its future potential will be limitless!"

Xiao Luomu was not one to hesitate, and immediately said, "I agree to the establishment of the Eastern Money Exchange!"

Zhao Cheng cupped his hands to Xiao Luomu and said, "Then I'll trouble Brother Xiao to handle this matter after returning to Qingdong City. I will personally take charge of Yanchuan City. We will proceed simultaneously. As long as Yanchuan City and Qingdong City succeed, Jiangyang County, Yunjing County, Shangyang County, and even Xuzhong County will follow suit!"

"Understood! Let's not drink too much, let's discuss the details properly!"

The two chatted happily until evening, when Yuan Fei requested an audience outside the private room.

Zhao Cheng knew what Yuan Fei had come to report, so he didn't let him in. After leaving, he led him to an empty private room.

"Xiaofei, you've stopped watching my dad, have you discovered something?"