My father Zhu Gaoxu

Chapter 271 Bank
There is Jiangmi Lane next to Zhengyang Gate in Beijing, and next to Jiangmi Lane and the Ministry of Rites, there is an idle mansion. This place has been bought by Zhu Zhanhe long ago. Because the location is so good, it has never been sold. .

And a few days ago, a team of craftsmen entered the mansion, demolished the outer walls, made some changes to the buildings inside, and began to build some warehouses in the backyard.

Zhu Zhanhe accompanied Xia Yuanji here, and introduced to him as he walked: "Not only is the location here good, but the buildings in the original mansion are also good. After the blockage is removed, the living room can be used as the office hall of the bank. The building can be used with a little modification.”

"It's really nice here. The most important thing is that it's close to our household department, so it's convenient for both parties to come and go."

Xia Yuanji nodded while listening.

This mansion is next to the Ministry of Rites, and to the north is the Ministry of Households, and the distance between the two is only a few dozen steps.

"Xia Shangshu, don't think about it again, just open such a small bank, and there is not much business, isn't it too wasteful?"

Zhu Zhanhe asked Xia Yuanji again. During this period of time, he had already asked Xia Yuanji countless times.

"I know your son has a big plan, but the bank has a lot to do with it. Now it's best to open a small bank and try it out. At the same time, you can accumulate experience and lay a solid foundation for the future."

Xia Yuanji replied with a smile.

It turned out that Zhu Zhanhe and Xia Yuanji had some disagreements about the bank.

In Zhu Zhanhe's view, since we want to open a bank, we should play a big game. Not only should we open a commercial bank, it is best to set up the central bank, and even hand over the right to issue banknotes to the bank to regulate the banknotes. issuance of banknotes.

But Xia Yuanji was very cautious. From Zhu Zhanhe's description, he knew that the bank was of great importance. Therefore, at the beginning, he was only willing to open a small bank, which could provide basic deposit and withdrawal services and issue loans. Nothing else.

"But according to your thinking, there is not much difference between our bank and a bank."

Zhu Zhanhe was still dissatisfied and said that he had always wanted to persuade Xia Yuanji to make the bank bigger, but the other party just didn't agree, and there was nothing he could do about it.

"There is still a big difference between a bank and a bank. Among other things, our bank is run by the government, and the interest rates for deposits and withdrawals are very low. These alone are far from what the bank can compare."

Xia Yuanji was very patient and said with a smile again.

Banks in this era are very irregular. Not only do they charge interest when withdrawing money, but they also need to pay interest when saving money, because the money is handed over to the bank for safekeeping, and there is a need to pay for safekeeping.

If you want to borrow money from a bank, the interest rate will be even higher. Compared with it, the usury of later generations is like a little brother.

In contrast, banks are much more regulated. Zhu Zhanhe has formulated many rules and regulations, almost copying them from later generations of banks. Coupled with the support of the imperial court, it is indeed more advantageous than ordinary banks.

Seeing that Xia Yuanji was determined not to expand the bank, Zhu Zhanhe could only sigh, but finally said unwillingly: "Since we want to experiment, we can't just open a bank in Beijing, should we open it in Tianjin?" Also open a bank, so that you can deposit and withdraw from different places, and you can accumulate more experience.”

"This... can be considered!"

Unexpectedly, Xia Yuanji nodded his head, and then he said: "But don't be in a hurry, it's better to open the bank in Beijing first, and it won't be too late to open a bank in Tianjin after there are no problems."

For such a cautious Xia Yuanji, Zhu Zhanhe was also very helpless, but he also knew that some of his thoughts were indeed too impulsive. In comparison, Xia Yuanji's prudence and prudence could just make up for his shortcomings.

The reconstruction of the bank will take some time. After Zhu Zhanhe and Xia Yuanji had a tour, they went to the household department to discuss some matters, and finally Zhu Zhanhe got up to leave.

When walking, Zhu Zhanhe passed by the bank under construction, he couldn't help but stop and look at it for a while.

Although this experimental bank is run by the government, Zhu Zhanhe holds a [-]% stake in the bank in the name of Han Wangfu. Of course, he also needs to provide the bank with some necessary support, such as venues and funds.

According to Xia Yuanji's thinking, only after the bank is in operation will it consider expanding its scale. As for the central bank in the future, even including the issuance of treasure notes under the jurisdiction of the bank, it will be even later.

"That's fine, first open a semi-public and semi-private commercial bank, and then we can raise some funds for the voyage to the West in the future."

Zhu Zhanhe whispered to himself.

Although in Xia Yuanji's plan, this bank only has the most basic functions, Zhu Zhanhe does not intend to waste this bank. Initial stock issue.

Of course, it might be a bit far to think about it now, after all, meals need to be eaten bite by bite, but there is no harm in doing some planning in advance.

Finally Zhu Zhanhe left the bank and rode back to the palace.

However, as soon as they entered the palace, they saw the servants of the palace carrying out large and small boxes from the warehouse, and Sun Ruowei checked them himself.

"What is this for?"

Seeing this, Zhu Zhanhe stepped forward curiously and asked.

"The birthday of the royal concubine in the palace is coming, and the concubine asked us to prepare some gifts."

Seeing Zhu Zhanhe, Sun Ruowei immediately explained with a smile.

Concubine Wang Guifei is Zhu Di's favorite concubine. She entered the palace as early as the early years of Yongle to assist Empress Xu in handling the affairs of the harem.

After Empress Xu passed away, Concubine Wang Guifei took over the duties of the empress and helped Zhu Di manage the harem. It can be said that although she did not have the name of empress, she had the reality of empress. Therefore, the palace also attached great importance to her birthday.

"It turns out that it is Wang Guifei, so you should really prepare well!"

Zhu Zhanhe also nodded when he heard the words.

He also respects Concubine Wang very much. Speaking of which, most of Zhu Di's concubines are from the north, but Concubine Wang is from Suzhou, with a very gentle personality, and she is generous. She has repeatedly adjusted the relationship between Zhu Di and his three sons. All have great respect for her.

"That's right, but it's not easy to prepare for the concubine Wang Guifei's birthday gift, especially when the fleet from the voyage to the West is back, and there is no shortage of rare and rare treasures from all noble families. Our palace wants to overwhelm others in gifts, so why not give it a try?" It's not an easy thing."

When Sun Ruowei said this, he also showed a distressed expression.

Every time a gift is given to the palace, it is a time when the nobles of each family compete secretly. At such a time, the Palace of the King of Han must not be overshadowed by others, otherwise, where will the face of the Queen of Han go?

(End of this chapter)