During the bank run, Zhang Xiaobao didn't have to spend too much energy to calm his younger siblings down, but he also won the hearts of countless supporters.
Xiao Bei and the others recovered very quickly. They helped others catch fish for an entire afternoon. The dozen or so children who had skipped class to catch fish had all deposited a large amount of money in the Great Tang Bank. Naturally, it was their parents who had helped them deposit the money. Their business had not started yet.
It wasn't until the evening when Xiao Bei and the others left on the boat and continued to head south that the children knew the identity of Xiao Bei and the others.
They all stood by the river and watched the boat disappear into the distance. They watched the sun slowly set in the west like an egg yolk and dyed the sky red. Their hearts were peaceful.
Only when the person sent by the manager of the restaurant who had treated them to a meal called out to them did they reveal happy smiles. Forgetting their tiredness, they skipped towards the restaurant together.
The children who caught fish were happy. Compared to being able to see Xiao Bei and the others, the amount of money in the bank was not so important. Many years later, they could proudly tell their descendants about what happened today.
A portion of the crowd was also happy at noon the next day.
The next day, just after noon, the branches of the Tang Bank all opened for business in the afternoon. At the same time, bundles of Tang banknotes were piled on the counter of the bank.
The denominations ranged from ten strings of coins to five hundred strings of coins. The colors were colorful. When the people who wanted to withdraw money and deposit money saw it, they made a similar expression, which was shock.
Then, annoyed voices and happy shouts echoed one after another in the bank.
At this time, the bank also put up a public notice board. The blackboard was painted with ink and the white chalk words were very dazzling.
"Little Brother-in-law of the Zhang family, you can read. Help me see what's written. My son has gone to school. Otherwise, I can drag him here to read. "
A woman who was depositing money didn't recognize the words on the blackboard. She asked the person next to her who was going to withdraw money. She didn't show any embarrassment on her face because she didn't know how to read. Instead, she emphasized that he was her son with a hint of pride.
The brother-in-law of the Zhang family knew why she was like this. It was because her son had ranked first in the school for three consecutive quarters. The rewards he received were enough to feed two people in her family. In addition to the symbolic monetary rewards, there were also cloth, rice, meat, and vegetable oil. Before the New Year, she even received four pieces of pork.
With such children, every adult should be proud of them. The children were happy when they learned, the merchants were happy when they received rewards, and the adults were even happier when they ate what the children received.
However, this brother-in-law was not happy. He had already withdrawn four strings of cash yesterday, but he could not find today's passbook. When he got up in the morning, he scolded his wife for a while, and then rummaged through the cupboard for the whole morning before he took out the passbook from the gap of the mattress.
When the Great Tang Bank opened for business in the afternoon, he rushed over. He never thought that the difference between reality and imagination was too great.
That black and white announcement, as well as the colorful coins, made him want to find a hole to crawl into and return to the past.
"Brother-in-law of the Zhang family, what did you write?" The woman continued to ask. She could see that there was something wrong with his expression, but she couldn't think of the specific reason. She could only guess that the words on the blackboard were not very good for people who wanted to withdraw money.
The brother-in-law of the Zhang family tightly held the passbook in his hand. He saw that the passbook had changed shape, but he didn't know. He said to the woman blankly:
"I finally know the strength of the Great Tang Bank. Zhang Xiaobao will always be Zhang Xiaobao. It's a pity that I don't have any medicine for regret. It's written on it, written."
The woman was a little scared. These words were too scary. It seemed that he wanted to kill himself, so she didn't say anything.
However, a woman next to her who was also depositing money pulled her aside and said: "Sister, I'll tell you what it says. When my daughter comes home, she always wants to teach me how to read. It's good that I can recognize those words."
"Sister, you tell me." The woman was more envious of her literacy. "When my child comes back today, I'll also ask him to teach me."
"Good, I know that your son studies well. Every time my daughter talks about him, she's always envious. Someday, I'll get my daughter to help out at your place. Look at her, isn't she cute? I think your son isn't bad.
Oh, let's not talk about this first. It says that the Great Tang Bank announced today that all the banks have used the second-level currency reserves, a total of 100 million strings of coins. People who withdraw money don't have to rush and don't be crowded. If the 100 million strings of coins are withdrawn, there will be 200 million strings of coins released later.
As long as you want to withdraw money, you don't have to worry about not being able to withdraw money. Moreover, the bank will operate until midnight. The people in the bank won't rest. Sister, look at that pile of money, there's still 500 strings of coins. Even if a merchant comes to withdraw money, there's still no need to worry. "
The literate woman first looked like she wanted to sell her daughter, and then she talked about the words on the blackboard.
Hearing her words, the woman who asked the question revealed a smile. "The Great Tang Bank seems to be really rich. My husband and I were worried that they wouldn't have enough money and would collapse in the end. Now, everything is fine. But why does the Zhang family's brother-in-law look unhappy? He can withdraw money now. "
"Sister, that's because he saw another content. The Great Tang Bank said that they don't lack money, but in less than two days, they received something more precious than money.
Thus, there was a reward activity. Starting from yesterday morning until noon today, which is when the bank closes in the morning, all the people who saved money during that time will have the interest calculated at four times the original amount.
For those who didn't withdraw their money during that period of time, the interest will be doubled from the time they deposited the money. Yesterday, I deposited 45 strings of cash. In a little more than three years, it will become 90 strings of cash. "
The literate woman became excited as she spoke. She calculated the interest and came to a conclusion.
"Really? Yesterday, I also saved 32 strings of coins. Today, I just saved 3 strings of coins. It's a pity that I saved too late. If I had come in the morning, I would have saved a lot more. Sister, what if I saved now? "
When the woman heard that the interest was four times the original amount, she was afraid that it was a trap. She pinched her arm with all her strength until she felt the pain. Only then did she relax.
She then asked, "If I save now, won't it be four times the original amount?"
"It's more than four times the original amount. The Great Tang Bank has adjusted the new interest rate. If I save now, I can only get 70% of the original amount. It's decreased by 30%. That means that the people who started to withdraw money yesterday will lose a lot.
Sister, think about it. If they withdraw money, they won't spend it immediately. What's the use of keeping it? If they want to save it in the bank again, they will lose at least … at least several times the original amount? Aiya, it's not easy to calculate. In any case, it's more than four times the original amount. "
When the literate woman spoke, she looked at the younger brother-in-law of the Zhang family. There was a hint of schadenfreude in her words.
The younger brother-in-law of the Zhang family turned green. He had calculated that the biggest loss from withdrawal and withdrawal was nearly six times the original amount of the depositor. If he wanted to double the amount now, it would take 20 years.
What he wanted to do the most was to smash the Great Tang Bank. It was too much of a bully. Saving and withdrawing money was normal. Why should he give others benefits when he withdrew money but suffer a loss? What if he withdrew money because he was in a hurry?
However, a thought was a thought. He didn't dare to smash the Great Tang Bank. He didn't even dare to say anything unpleasant to them. He was very clear about who was behind the Great Tang Bank.
"I'm a fool. The Great Tang Bank is managed by Zhang Xiaobao. How could he let people withdraw money from the bank? His family is so rich. I'm blinded by pork. "
As he thought about it, he squatted down in annoyance and pulled at his hair with all his strength.
The people who also wanted to withdraw money and the people who were going through the procedures at the counter stopped when they heard this.
"Sir, your money is 71 strings of coins and 251 copper coins. Please count it and keep it well." A person who was handling the withdrawal business put a passbook and different amounts of money on the counter. There was also a copper coin inside and said to the stunned person.
"Ah? Withdraw it? I won't withdraw it. Why are you so fast? I won't withdraw it, I won't withdraw it, okay? "The person was even more stupid.
The salesperson gently shook his head and gave the person an apologetic smile. He said, "The procedures have been completed. If you don't need too much money for the time being, you can deposit it again."
"What about the interest? Is it doubled? "The person stared and asked.
"Because the bank has readjusted the deposit interest rate, if you deposit it now, you can only deposit it at 70% of the original interest rate. You …"
"I was wrong, I know I was wrong. I won't do it again. In the future, even if the Great Tang Bank says it's going bankrupt, I won't withdraw money. Give me a chance. I saved the money last January and have been saving it for more than a year. Double the interest is equivalent to two and a half years of saving.
Tell your manager that I won't withdraw it and will still calculate it at the original interest rate. Is that okay? Even if it's a little less, I won't use double, even if it's 50%. Young lady, please help me. Who doesn't have difficulties? Help me this time and I will definitely repay you. "
The person who was withdrawing money was crying. He leaned on the counter and begged the salesperson with a weak appearance.
Before the salesperson could refuse again with a smile, a man next to him who wanted to deposit money and whose body was not greasy took over and shouted at the person who was leaning on the counter, refusing to leave.
"Hey, you fruit pancake seller, don't you have any shame? I know you. Last time, you wanted to get a good fruit pancake tool. I wanted to borrow money to buy a pig. We came here together. The bank checked our household registration and borrowed the money together. It's interest-free.
What did you say at that time? You said that you will remember this kindness and will repay it in the future. Is this how you repay it? You still have the face to say 'who doesn't have difficulties'? When you have difficulties, others help you. When others have difficulties, you want to make things worse for them.
There is no medicine for regret in this world. Now you know how powerful Zhang Xiaobao is. Why don't you know how to cross the bridge between the Zhang Family and the Wang Family? It's called one thought to heaven and one thought to hell. You walked the road yourself. Who do you blame? Take the money and get lost. If you dare to be noisy again, I will slap you. "
"I was wrong. I really won't withdraw money in the future. I was wrong …" The person continued to mutter as if he didn't hear it.
The salesperson shook his head helplessly and looked at the guards next to him. Immediately, two guards came over and carried the person to the side to find a doctor.
"Next." The salesperson's voice was as pleasant as usual.
The second person who wanted to withdraw money refused to move forward. He shook his head like a rattle-drum. "I'm not withdrawing money. I'm just looking. Yes, I went to the wrong place. What am I going to do today? Ah, there are so many things to do. Oh, I remember. I'm going to buy cloth. Yes, cloth. I won't delay your work. I'm leaving first. "
After he finished speaking, he turned and left.
The third person didn't even say anything and followed him with his head down.
In just a short time, the row of people who wanted to withdraw money disappeared. Fortunately, the door was wide enough. Otherwise, two people would have died.
"Bah! Serves them right. If it were up to me, I should have waited a little longer. I should have put out the notice tomorrow night and asked them to withdraw all the money. If they withdrew all the money, I could have saved an extra portion and added some interest. Great, now it's seventy percent. Come, I'll save what I have. Seventy percent it is. If I keep it in my hands, I won't get any interest. "
A person standing at the deposit counter looked at the person who left, spat disdainfully and pushed the money back.
Such scenes played out in different places. While countless people of the Great Tang felt the warmth and coldness of the world, they also had to ask themselves what they were thinking when they made their choice.
*****
Zhang Xiaobao didn't care about other people's thoughts at all. Anyway, he did what he should do, which was to repay injustice with justice and to repay kindness with kindness.
"I'm a saint now. That's what saints do. After this incident, let's see if anyone dares to hit me when I'm in trouble next time."
Zhang Xiaobao held a glass of wine and said to Wang Juan. But from his words, it seemed like he was looking for an excuse for himself.
Wang Juan was still doing her embroidery. Hearing this, she raised her head and said, "Many people will be sad. What if someone takes it too hard and commits suicide? Don't you feel responsible?"
"What do you mean? They shouldn't be sad, but I should be sad. I have a backup plan. What if I don't prepare? What will happen to the Tang Bank? Although it can't be closed down because of a bank run, it will make many people doubt it.
The only way is to not handle the business of withdrawing money for others. Our reputation will plummet. What we lose is not only the reputation of the bank, but also the reputation of the court and our family. In the future, my words won't be as useful as they are now.
Suicide? I don't believe that someone will commit suicide because of a lower interest. They don't lack capital. If someone really commits suicide because of a lower interest, then how many people do you think will die?
I've heard of people committing suicide because they failed in stocks, futures, and gambling, but I've never heard of people committing suicide because of a lower interest. Besides, I don't care if someone commits suicide because of a lower interest. If the Tang Bank collapses and I commit suicide, how many people in the bank will pity me? "
Zhang Xiaobao looked like he was very angry.
Wang Juan sighed and said nothing more. She also understood that Zhang Xiaobao was right. Many people who tried to run the bank, even if they really did cause the Tang Bank to collapse and then found out that Zhang Xiaobao had committed suicide, they wouldn't have much of a reaction.
There were even some people who rejoiced in others' misfortune. Occasionally, in their free time, they would talk to others. There had once been a person who had stood on the altar and fallen like this. That person was an existence that reigned above the ranks of the wealthiest people.
This was the disregard for life, the special excitement of someone who had fallen from a high position.
Thinking of this, Wang Juan felt a little sad. She and Xiao Bao had done many things for Great Tang, but in the end, when the Tang Bank was in danger, there were still many people who weren't willing to stand with them.
"Ignorance. No matter how much you educate them, those who should be ignorant will still be ignorant. They might have never thought about what would happen to Great Tang if the Tang Bank was gone and Zhang Xiaobao was finished.
What would happen to Great Tang then? They might think that as long as they have money in their hands, they don't have to be afraid of anything. It seems that we have to teach them more about politics and economics in the future. Xiao Bao, don't you think so? "
Wang Juan asked Zhang Xiaobao.
Zhang Xiaobao nodded. "Indeed. At the very least, we have to let them know that money isn't useful just because they have it in their hands. Let alone paper money, even if they have gold and silver at home, they won't have good days ahead of them if the political situation isn't stable.
Right now, we've been controlling the salt tax with Li Longji, and it's very low. There hasn't been a situation where the commoners have to spend a lot of money to eat salt, and the annexation of land has also been stopped.
Otherwise, even if they have ten thousand taels of gold at home, their fate is to be snatched away by others. Those fools, not only are they short-sighted, they even dare to question me. Do you think that kind of trick will work on me? "
"Alright, I know you're capable. Go do your thing and don't disturb me," Wang Juan said to Zhang Xiaobao with a smile before lowering her head and continuing to embroider her flower.
But she couldn't calm down. She had realized that it was only because of her and Xiao Bao's strength that the Great Tang was able to operate normally. If the two of them were to suddenly withdraw from the situation, countless people would fight over their stalls.
If that was the case, it would be better for her and Xiao Bao to withdraw from the situation and allow everything to return to the path that the Great Tang should have taken. Even if there were problems, they would be able to persist for several decades.
What the two of them needed to do now was to gradually perfect the system of the Great Tang so that the people would get used to living and doing things according to the system. At that time, even if the two of them were to withdraw from the situation, the Great Tang wouldn't fall into chaos. After all, the people would already have the habit of following the system.
But this system was too difficult. It wasn't that the imperial power didn't want to change, but that it couldn't be changed immediately. That required the development of production technology and productivity to reach a certain level, as well as the knowledge and culture of the people to reach a level where they had no choice but to change.
The process of turning imperial power into a democracy like that of the West was extremely long. To change it in just a few decades required an enormous investment of both internal and external energy. It was simply impossible at the moment.
"Let's wait. Let's wait for the next generation to do it. When the time comes, we'll see which system is good and use it. Or perhaps we'll come up with a new system. Under the framework of a constitutional monarchy, we'll preserve a portion of the sovereign's power and walk the line between democracy and non-democracy."
Wang Juan said a few more words.
Zhang Xiaobao put down his brush and helplessly said, "Just continue embroidering your flowers. What's the point of researching this? A system is only adaptability, not absoluteness. According to the needs of different social environments, different systems are correct.
We can't put the system first. What needs to be put first is the needs of society. The system can be changed, but the goal of survival can't be changed. That is to live, to live for a better life. "
"What do you mean by live or die? Tell Us about it. We're very happy today. The situation of the various regions has been reported to Us one after another. Let those disobedient commoners know that they have to work together to protect Great Tang. Yes, only then can they live properly. "
Right after Zhang Xiaobao said those words, Li Longji's voice sounded. At the same time, he appeared at the entrance of the cabin.
Wang Juan continued to embroider with her head lowered while Zhang Xiaobao continued to write. The two of them acted as if they didn't see Li Longji's arrival. In truth, they had already heard Li Longji's footsteps, and Zhang Xiaobao had intentionally said those words for them to hear.
Seeing that the two of them didn't respond, Li Longji didn't get angry. Instead, he continued, "Xiao Bao, after the interest on deposits is adjusted, do you think that the interest on loans should be adjusted as well? Should it be adjusted back in the future? "
"Why is it this kind of question again?" Zhang Xiaobao raised his head and sighed.
"If We aren't concerned about this question, what should We be concerned about? Are you going to adjust it or not? Give me an answer. "Li Longji glared at him.
"Adjust it? Since the interest on deposits is lowered, the interest on loans should naturally be lowered as well. If we don't adjust it, wouldn't those who want loans run to the commoners to borrow money? This will cause an abnormal concentration of capital.
In truth, I was originally thinking of lowering the interest rate, but I was waiting for a suitable opportunity. It just so happened that Xiaobei and the others were reporting to the manager of the bank, so I did it together. Otherwise … "
"Otherwise, why didn't you start a propaganda war with others? Why didn't you stop Xiaobei and the others? This time, you've gained an advantage. You've won a portion of the people's hearts, warned a portion of the people, and strengthened the position of the Great Tang Bank in the hearts of the commoners.
At the same time, you've also completed your plan to lower the interest rate. Say, what do you want us to say about you? You even want to make use of Xiaobei and the others. You're truly too unqualified as an elder brother. "
Li Longji first praised Zhang Xiaobao, and then he began to criticize him.
Zhang Xiaobao didn't care. "It was Xiaobei and the others who helped us. If not for this matter, I wouldn't have known the general situation of the people. It seems that we don't need to worry about the internal strife of the Great Tang when we launch an invasion in the future.
By lowering the interest rate, we can accomplish two things. The first is to promote consumption. When the commoners realize that the interest rate is lower, they'll be willing to take out their money to buy things. However, we have to control the prices of goods properly. It's easy for the price of some goods to rise too much in a short period of time.
The second goal is to have those who want to borrow more when the interest rate of the bank is lowered. Then, they can use the money to develop their own industries. Starting from a small scale, they can research production techniques and improve management, thus raising production efficiency and creating more material resources.
But at the same time, they have to be controlled. They can't develop their industries by encroaching on other people's land, and they can't develop their industries by exploiting the natural resources of the Great Tang.
The best result is for them to follow in the footsteps of the Great Tang army and plunder outside to produce locally before transporting back to our Great Tang for the commoners to use. "
Li Longji nodded and said, "Give it to a portion of the Great Tang commoners to use. We shouldn't care about those who run on the banks."
Zhang Xiaobao was amused by Li Longji's words, and Wang Juan didn't dare to continue embroidering for fear of prickling her hands.
After stopping, Wang Juan said to Li Longji, "Your Majesty, you're the emperor. You can't argue with the commoners. If the commoners aren't good, then it means that you haven't been fooled enough. You haven't educated the commoners well, so how can you push the blame onto the commoners?"
"That's right, that's right. The commoners are adorable. The appearance of the bank only means that we haven't done our job well. I believe that if we don't change the way we treat the commoners and work hard for them, there will come a day when the commoners of our Great Tang are faced with this matter once more.
When someone withdrew money, it wasn't for the sake of running on the banks, but because they happened to be in need of money. When someone saved money, it wasn't to protect the Great Tang Bank, but because they felt that keeping the money in their hands would cause it to depreciate. "
Zhang Xiaobao echoed.
"So, it's our fault then? How long will it take for them to reach the level the two of you speak of? " Li Longji faintly said. He felt extremely uncomfortable in his heart. He felt like he had been betrayed by many people, and it was an indescribable feeling.
"It won't take too long. There might be a run on the banks right now, but if someone says that they want the commoners of a certain area to rebel, there won't be any commoners who will follow them.
As long as we maintain our governance, ensure the development of productivity, speed up the education of knowledge, and consolidate Great Tang's military and economic superiority, we'll be able to achieve our goal in ten years at most. Of course, we can't expect to have every single commoner listen to us, but at that time, there will be very few who don't listen, and we can just deal with those who don't listen.
Even if we can't do the favor, we still have the law and punishment. With both of these, society will be stable. Why isn't the data out yet? You're making me wait. "
As Zhang Xiaobao consoled Li Longji, he occasionally glanced at the door.
"What data are you waiting for?" Li Longji also turned his head to look at the door and asked.
"The data of the bank. We can't let something like this happen for nothing. I have to see what's special about the situation. I'm coming." Zhang Xiaobao paused.
As expected, five breaths later, someone from the inner court appeared at the door. He looked inside before walking in and saying to Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan, "Little Young Master, Little Miss, the data has just been compiled, and it's not too complete. There's still a portion that will have to be compiled at night. Please take a look."
"There's no need to rush. Tell me, what's the situation?" Zhang Xiaobao gestured for the person from the inner court to explain.
"Yes. After the Great Tang Bank ran on its banks, from yesterday morning to noon, various places paid out a total of 43.2 million strings of string of cash. At the same time, more than 36.1 million strings of string of cash were deposited, so there wasn't much of an impact.
The expenditure of various places varies according to the degree of prosperity, which is basically consistent with the law. The only problem is the Jiangnan West Road. From yesterday morning to noon today, the entire Jiangnan West Road unconventionally paid out 7 million strings of string of cash, and there were people from other places transferring money to the bank there. They're probably trying to empty the Jiangnan West Road bank of cash.
Our bank system has just responded, urgently transferring cash from the nearby banks to the Jiangnan West Road bank. The transportation team has already set off under layers of protection. "
The inner court explained.
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