Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1241: Here Comes the Silver

"They haven't issued military pay?!" He Jinseng's astonishment was palpable. He found it utterly unbelievable that the imperial court would stoop to such measures. "How can this be? San Lang serves as a Company Commander, and he, along with the soldiers at the Military Office, receives their silver stipend each month."

Young Master Dou cast a discerning eye over He Jinseng, gesturing with the ledger in his hand. "Tsk, tsk. Now I grasp why you've repeatedly failed the scholar examinations; your naivete is truly astounding."

He Jinseng, whose pride had already been wounded by two failed attempts at becoming a scholar, felt a fresh sting. His eyes welled up with indignant tears. "Young Master Dou, there's no need to highlight my failures. Even if I've erred, you shouldn't add insult to injury, should you?"

Young Master Dou scoffed. "Ha! What's so wrong with pointing out your shortcomings? If you ventured into the wider world and encountered unscrupulous individuals, they might not stop at exposing your flaws but could even seek your demise."

He elaborated, "Company Commander Qin and his men do indeed receive their monthly pay. But do you comprehend the source of this provision? It's General Guo himself who tirelessly finds ways to ensure the soldiers are compensated. The soldiers in other prefectures are not nearly as fortunate."

"The imperial court began reducing military stipends for the southern prefectures as far back as the Northwest drought. Initially, it was a thirty percent cut, then fifty, and ultimately seventy. Furthermore, essential military provisions – horses, weaponry, medicine, clothing, footwear, and food – were halved. What were once hearty meals are now diluted gruel."

"This situation is considered relatively benign. Jianghuai and Jiangnan, blessed with wealth, can still sustain their soldiers. However, Central State is a different matter entirely. My business dealings in Central State have revealed that since last winter, no silver has been distributed. The soldiers subsist on two meager meals daily. During this year's New Year's festival, they couldn't even afford meat. It was the soldiers themselves who ventured into the mountains to hunt, securing meat only for the holiday."

Young Master Dou recounted these grim details of life beyond Jianghuai, the gravity of his words striking He Jinseng into stunned silence, causing him to stagger and nearly fall. Gu Dexing caught him, his face ashen.

"Is the situation truly that dire in Central State?" Gu Dexing inquired, his voice trembling. "How can it be that even the soldiers within the barracks are struggling for sustenance? Are the Emperor and his officials oblivious to the potential for grave unrest?"

An incident within the provincial barracks would be no trivial matter; the Great Chu dynasty itself could be imperiled...

Gu Dexing dared not utter the two words that lingered in his mind. Having endured famine himself, he harbored a profound terror of those days of aimless wandering, hungry and without a place to call home.

"The Emperor and his officials are fully aware," Young Master Dou stated. "This is precisely why they haven't reduced military pay in regions like the Northwest, Northeast, and Zhili. As for the South's reduced stipends, it's attributed to the region's affluence and the absence of major conflicts. The imperial court presumes that as long as the southern soldiers aren't starving, the situation is manageable."

Central State, positioned precariously, neither fully north nor south, should not have faced such cuts. However, the national treasury is depleted. The Emperor and his officials contend that should unrest erupt in Central State, soldiers from Jianghuai can be dispatched to quell it, leading to the current dire circumstances there.

As a scholar, He Jinseng struggled to comprehend this logic, lamenting, "Why has it come to this? It was merely a drought. Years have passed; why has recovery not yet materialized?"

"Ha! Foolish one, who told you the drought alone is to blame?" Young Master Dou retorted with a sneer. "Why not accompany my men on a supply run to distant lands? A single journey would reveal the root of the problem. However, you are far too frail; you'd likely perish en route."

The reason Young Master Dou possessed such intimate knowledge of the provincial barracks stemmed from the soldiers, seeking to supplement their meager incomes, accepting his silver to provide escort for goods through territories fraught with lurking mountain bandits.

He Jinseng's tears flowed anew as he implored, "Then, will Jianghuai also fall into turmoil?"

"The two prefectures bordering Central State are already in utter disarray," Young Master Dou replied grimly. "The fate of Hushan Prefecture remains uncertain. He'an Prefecture, however, now boasts a new bank. As long as the farmers can tender their tax payments in silver, they should weather this storm. Linhe Prefecture, nestled beside Jiangnan, benefits from natural defenses and fortunate proximity to a wealthy region; bolstered by influential families and local gentry, they have a vested interest in preventing Linhe Prefecture from succumbing to chaos."

It was with this foresight that Bagu County, situated near He'an Prefecture, was incorporated into their plans for the new bank. Once sufficient silver reserves were secured, a new branch would be established in Bagu County, providing loans to the populace.

As long as Bagu County maintained its stability, He'an Prefecture could rely on it as a 'natural defensive bulwark,' effectively shielding the entire region from the encroaching unrest.

But with finances currently strained and the stability of He’an Prefecture, let alone Bagu County, uncertain.

Hearing this, He Jinseng remained silent, tears streaming down his face.

Gu Jin’an observed this and offered no comfort. He believed that if He Jinseng aimed for an official career, understanding these inherent dangers beforehand was crucial.

“Cease your weeping,” Gu Jin’an instructed. “Quickly tally all the accounts and determine the amount of silver necessary to set aside for the farmers in Tianfu County and the three adjacent counties. Once you have this figure, Young Master Dou can allocate the funds. After ensuring sufficient reserves, the remaining silver must be transferred to the new bank in Luchang County.”

“Transfer it to the bank in Luchang County, not to the prefecture first?” He Jinseng inquired, wiping his tears, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Young Master Dou chuckled, “You simpleton, why would we send it to the prefecture? Have the esteemed Elders in the prefecture become incapacitated? With all that silver, are they expecting us to bail them out? It’s their turn to contribute substantial funds.”

The Dou Ou Bank was merely a guiding light and an enticement to draw in other affluent individuals. Without the combined wealth of the Ouyang Family, the Gu Family, and his own resources, accomplishing this objective would be impossible, even if every last coin was expended.

Upon hearing this, He Jinseng recognized his own naivety. He realized that he was significantly outmatched by Brother An and the others. Beyond the immediate matters of Tianfu County, he was completely ignorant of the wider world.

He Jinseng rose and bowed respectfully to Young Master Dou and the others. “Jin Sheng expresses his gratitude to all my brothers for your guidance,” he said.

Young Master Dou let out a gruff sound. “Enough with the excessive formalities. Get to work!”

With that, he unceremoniously placed a thick stack of registration forms before He Jinseng. “This document contains the names of all farmers who have borrowed silver from our bank. Calculate the interest they are due to pay next month according to this register. Then, prepare the receipts for collecting the interest; they will be needed next month, so do not falter!”

Lately, their workload had intensified immeasurably. Beyond the strenuous efforts of establishing the new bank, they were now occupied with the collection of next month’s interest, leaving them with barely enough time to take a sip of water.

“This… this much?” He Jinseng’s face grew ashen. Already worn out after several days of hard labor, the sight of this enormous pile of registration forms, coupled with the daunting tasks ahead, made him feel as though he might faint.

“Precisely. So, get a move on and commence your work without delay,” Young Master Dou instructed, taking a sip of warm, soothing tea before also returning to his own tasks.

“Young Master, Elder Xu’s grandson has arrived. He states he is looking for you regarding a certain matter,” Dou Zhi announced from the doorway.

Young Master Dou’s ears perked up at the news. He glanced at Gu Dexing and remarked, “Elder Xu? What business could that old fox possibly have here? I am occupied and cannot entertain visitors.”

He cursed inwardly. Of all the opportune moments to appear, this individual chose to do so just as they had nearly brought Tianfu County under control. His intention was clearly to exploit the situation; did he truly believe it was so easy to profit from the Dou family’s endeavors?