We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

"Ticket number? Bank?"

The businessmen looked at each other in confusion, as the two words were obviously unfamiliar to them.

"Exactly."

Li Che stood with his hands behind his back and began to outline the blueprint in his mind to everyone:

"I hereby authorize you, the wealthy and reputable large firms, to jointly invest and establish a bank."

"This bank is headquartered in Fengtian, with branches in major cities and prefectures throughout the country."

"Merchants, common people, and even officials, as long as they are from Daqing, can deposit gold and silver into any branch of the bank. The bank will issue them a 'silver note' with the amount clearly stated and a special seal that is difficult to forge."

"This person can then present this 'silver note' to any branch of a bank in any place and immediately redeem the corresponding amount of gold and silver, paying only a small amount of exchange."

"This way, you won't have to transport silver across thousands of miles for large-scale trade. A single bill of exchange will be light and safe. Isn't that wonderful?"

The Shanxi merchants were extremely shrewd people, and at first they were a little confused by the unfamiliar words that Li Che said.

But as Li Che continued to talk, their eyes became brighter and brighter, and their breathing became faster and faster.

But in just a moment, they suddenly realized that this bank contained unimaginable huge business opportunities.

Your Majesty is not asking them to bleed, this is clearly granting them an unprecedented mountain of gold!

Merchant Wu's voice cracked with excitement, "Your Majesty is wise! This banknote exchange... this is truly a stroke of genius!"

"If this truly works, it wouldn't just facilitate business and travel. It would simply become... a hub controlling the flow of wealth and goods throughout the world!"

Li Che added with a smile: "Not only that, people deposited gold and silver into the bank, and the bank could use these funds to make loans and investments, making money from money, thus ensuring a continuous flow of financial resources."

"But what I want to do is more than that."

"Once the banknote system matures, its credibility is established, and the 'silver notes' circulating throughout the country have gained popularity, I hope that the imperial court will take the lead in issuing a more standardized and authoritative 'paper currency'!"

"Banknotes?"

The merchants heard another unfamiliar term and became confused again.

"Yes, paper money." Li Che nodded. "This paper money is guaranteed by the imperial court and is pegged to gold and silver. It can be used to pay taxes, government purchases, and all private transactions."

"Its lightness and portability far surpass those of gold, silver, and copper coins."

The Shanxi merchant surnamed Wu frowned and said, "But Your Majesty, if you use a piece of paper as gold or silver, the people will probably not buy it, and there will be lawless people who will imitate it..."

"Of course, these are not major problems. With your majesty's wisdom and power, I'm sure they can all be solved."

"But if the imperial court produces a large amount of banknotes and puts them into the market, their value will continue to decline, and even cause prices to rise..."

When Li Che heard what this person said, his eyes lit up slightly.

This person is quite capable. He can see at a glance that the unlimited issuance of banknotes will lead to the dangers of inflation.

"what's your name?"

The Shanxi merchant surnamed Wu trembled all over and fell to his knees in fear: "Your Majesty, please calm down. I just said that... Please forgive me, Your Majesty, please forgive me!"

Li Che didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and looked at the King of Jin beside him: "Am I that scary?"

Prince Jin bowed and said, "Your Majesty is renowned and has the power of a dragon within him. Ordinary merchants naturally cannot withstand your pressure."

Li Che smiled and glanced at Prince Jin. This cultured person just knew how to say good things.

He glanced at Li Lin again, who was gazing at the frightened merchant and laughing foolishly. Li Che couldn't help but shake his head.

He's a good brother, but unfortunately he's a little bit mentally unstable.

Li Che then looked at the merchant surnamed Wu and said softly, "Don't be nervous. I'm not angry with you. I just asked for your name."

"I'm Wu Yang," the merchant replied tremblingly.

"Wu Yang." Li Che nodded slightly. "You are not bad, you have some ability. Would you like to serve in my court?"

When Wu Yang heard Li Che's words, he suddenly turned into a statue and stood there in a daze.

Did I hear it right? I am just a humble merchant, and His Majesty would personally recruit me?

The faces of the Shanxi merchants also changed drastically.

When they first saw Wu Yang angering Li Che, they were either afraid of getting into trouble, or gloating, or feeling grief for the loss of Li Che.

But now the other party has suddenly risen to fame, which makes everyone regret it.

If I had known this, I should have stepped forward and raised my doubts. What's the matter with this fat guy?

This is a businessman being transformed into an official, and the position was personally granted by His Majesty. It must not be too low. It is not an exaggeration to say that it is a step to the sky.

Li Che looked at Wu Yang's dumbfounded look and asked with interest:

"Are you afraid I'll chop you down? No problem, since your name is Wu Yang, I'll naturally keep you safe!"

Wu Yang burst into tears: "I am willing to go through fire and water for Your Majesty, no matter what!"

Li Che waved his hand and said, "I don't want you to go through fire and water. I just want you to help me get this bank business done. As for your doubts just now, I can answer them now."

“Before issuing paper money, the imperial court would reserve a huge amount of gold and silver, and the banknote exchange would issue paper money based on the gold and silver reserves to ensure the value of the currency.”

"The Ministry of Industry will also find ways to make banknotes unforgeable, waterproof and corrosion-resistant."

"By then, Daqing's economic lifeline will be completely unblocked, and commercial prosperity will surpass all previous generations! And your banknote exchange will be the most important link in implementing this national policy."

Li Che looked over with burning eyes, and the Shanxi merchants were almost knocked unconscious by this huge pie that fell from the sky.

This is the real use of Shanxi merchants, to promote the banking system.

Speaking of which, Li Che had already been preparing to implement paper currency and banks.

However, there are still concerns about the risks involved. In addition, Daqing has not yet been unified, so it is too early to unify the currency.

Now, by bringing in these wealthy Shanxi merchants, we can share the risks and start our plan slowly from Shanxi.

"How is it? Are you willing to join me in this grand event?"

The Shanxi merchants were already so excited at this moment that they no longer had any hesitation as before.

Wu Yang was the first to bow to the ground, and said excitedly:

"Your Majesty is a genius, thinking beyond the reach of others and achieving what no one else can! I, a fool, almost misunderstood your Majesty's intentions!"

"This is a grand undertaking that will benefit the country and the people, and will benefit generations to come. Your Majesty has placed such trust in us that we will do our utmost, even our utmost wealth, to make this 'piaohao' a success!"

The other Shanxi merchants could only blame themselves for being tongue-tied and could only reply, "We are willing to serve Your Majesty."

Li Che smiled and asked them to stand up.

He knew that the best way to tie these calculating Shanxi merchants to the chariot was to give them an irresistible prospect of benefits.

With their financial resources, connections and business acumen, coupled with the endorsement of state power, the ship of financial reform can slowly set sail.

The wealth and vitality it brings will become a solid backing for him to conquer the world.

After the Shanxi merchants left with profuse thanks, Li Che and the King of Jin were finally able to have a private conversation.

Originally, Li Che wanted Li Lin to stay, but this guy looked uninterested and just followed the group of Shanxi merchants, saying that he wanted to experience the customs and culture of Shanxi.

Li Che naturally knew where this guy was going, and secretly asked a night watchman who was best at keeping accounts in a small notebook to follow him.

Once I have recorded the evidence, I will report him in front of my sister-in-law!

When Prince Jin was the only one left in the hall, the smile on Li Che's face gradually faded.

He walked back to the main seat and sat down, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the smooth table, making a light tapping sound.

"Third brother, the situation in Jin has come to an end for now. Now it's time to talk about the west. Since Second Brother's death in the imperial capital, what is the situation in Qin?"

"I heard that even though you've already raised my banner, there are still many waves over there, and it's difficult to deal with it?"

Upon hearing this, a complicated look flashed across King Jin's face.

He sighed and said, "Your Majesty is very perceptive. The Qin territory is now a boiling pot of turmoil, with various forces fighting each other endlessly. It has long been out of control."

"My name is not useful there?" Li Che raised his eyebrows, his tone unable to tell whether he was happy or angry.

The King of Jin gave a bitter laugh, his smile full of bitterness: "It's not just that it doesn't work... almost no one buys it."

"I have tried to contact my second brother's former subordinates and also sent someone with His Majesty's imperial edict to pacify the situation, but the messenger almost didn't return alive."

"Oh?" Li Che's eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing across his face. "Who are these people who dislike me so much? Are they those noble families, or are they the arrogant and powerful generals under my second brother?"

King Jin shook his head, then nodded, his tone becoming heavier:

"There are them, but far more than them, Your Majesty. In fact, the most difficult ones... are precisely our own family."

He paused, as if he found it difficult to speak, but continued:

"They are the Li clan members. My father rose from Qin. These clan members have more or less served the emperor well. My father, mindful of kinship and clan law, settled most of them in Qin, granting them land, houses, and titles. His original intention was to allow them to live a life of wealth and prosperity, and to protect the land where the emperor rose."

"However, when the emperor was alive, he was still able to subdue them. Now that the emperor has passed away, my second brother..."

"They were like wild horses, their minds aroused. Perhaps they felt that since they too were of royal blood, why couldn't they share a piece of the pie?"

"Just them?!" Li Che sneered, "If it weren't for my father risking his life to conquer this country, they would be nothing more than local tycoons digging for food in the dirt of Guanzhong!"

"After enjoying wealth and prosperity for so many years, you're ungrateful and instead harboring evil ambitions!"

Li Che took a deep breath and looked at King Jin: "Besides these self-righteous royal family members, who else are there?"

Prince Jin replied solemnly, "The military's attitude is ambiguous. Several veteran generals who hold real power are also vague in their attitudes. They seem to be waiting to see what happens, perhaps waiting for a good price."

"As for the Wei, Du and other aristocratic families, they have deep roots in the local area. On the surface, they do not offend anyone, but in reality, they probably want to be the ones who benefit."

"Well, what a dangerous place, what a scene of rampage!" Li Che sneered. "I originally wanted to see if I could conquer Qin with a gentle approach, but now it seems I was thinking too simply."

"Since they won't listen to my kind words of advice and don't care about the royal family's feelings..." Li Che's voice calmed down, "Then I can only use other means to communicate with them!"

"Third brother," he turned to look at the King of Jin, "you stay in Jinyang and look after our family. This mess in Qin... I'll go there myself!"