For the first time, Teng Shuchang felt that this guy really shouldn't be emperor! He's just a pure businessman! He was even a little curious about who Fang Zhiyi's parents were. This guy didn't act like an emperor at all, but what he said was incredibly appealing.
Fang Zhiyi presented him with his own idea, which was something called a "bank". Although he couldn't understand it, Teng Shuchang gradually got the hang of how this thing could make money as he watched Fang Zhiyi write and draw for him. When he saw the number Fang Zhiyi wrote down, Teng Shuchang's heart started pounding.
If this succeeds, I might even advance further! Become one of the Three Dukes!
“Once the bank opens, taxes can be directly exchanged, saving money on losses. We can lend to merchants at lower interest rates than money shops, but we'll still make a profit.” Fang Zhiyi’s words were very tempting. “Right now, we’re just testing it in the capital. If it works, we’ll expand it to other places. If there are no problems… you know what to do.”
Teng Shuchang's mind was filled with thoughts of money. Thinking about what he would gain, he slammed his fist on the table and exclaimed, "Damn! Your Majesty, I truly admire you now!"
Fang Zhiyi was very smug: "That's right, if it weren't for those old stubborn people who wouldn't agree, hmph."
Teng Shuchang sighed inwardly, thankful it hadn't been implemented, otherwise how wealthy would Li Kingdom be? He was completely immersed in the banking system Fang Zhiyi had described. As for whether it would succeed or not? Anyway, this was the capital of Li Dynasty. If it succeeded, he would be credited; if it failed, it would be Fang Zhiyi's reputation that would be ruined! Either way, it wouldn't be a loss, would it?
Once the details were finalized, everything else became much simpler.
Fang Zhiyi first had someone check the national treasury accounts, the arrears of military pay, and the loss of tax silver. Since the capital was now under the military control of the Mang Kingdom, many things were much simpler. There was no need to listen to the advice of some diehards or the nagging of those powerful families. In short, if they didn't listen, they were arrested!
In just one month, Fang Zhiyi had set up the framework, calling it the Jingji Tongli Bank, which only did three kinds of business: offering interest on deposits, charging interest on loans, and charging fees for remittances. Then, Fang Zhiyi deliberately raised the interest rates on people's deposits to attract people to deposit money. The more people deposited, the more money he could mobilize.
The start-up capital was obtained from Teng Shuchang, amounting to a full one million taels. Teng Shuchang reported this matter to the King, who was clearly very interested in it as well. He immediately agreed to let Fang Zhiyi do it. Fang Zhiyi was also sensible and placed the main vehicle near the enemy camp so that they could keep an eye on it.
At this point, Fang Zhiyi had successfully left the palace, though he was still quite satisfied despite being followed by a tail at all times.
On the opening day, Fang Zhiyi first deposited money and made loans to Teng Shuchang's various units, letting them taste the sweetness. The soldiers found it novel, but after trying it, they felt it was quite good.
By this point, Teng Shuchang had grasped the basic operations of a bank, which greatly boosted his confidence. He even took on Fang Zhiyi's role as emperor, allowing him to focus on running the bank.
This is an enormous achievement.
A month later, the bank opened to the public. The Ministry of Rites, following Fang Zhiyi's request, posted a notice stating "The court guarantees compensation for lost wallets." With Fang Zhiyi's guarantee, some people still came to deposit money, a progress that pleased Teng Shuchang greatly.
During this time, Xie Wanyuan found Fang Zhiyi again, but said nothing and just knelt quietly in front of the palace gate.
Teng Shuchang didn't care. He knew what kind of person Fang Zhiyi was, and now Fang Zhiyi was a real talent to him! He even postponed the death date he had originally set for Fang Zhiyi.
As expected, Xie Wanyuan knelt for a whole day, but Fang Zhiyi still did not appear.
Only the eunuch Dexiang came once, and he only sighed and drove him away.
Xie Wanyuan did not move, remaining kneeling there upright until he fainted.
When he woke up, he was already lying in his own bed, with a strange little eunuch standing in front of him.
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