The Prodigal Son

Qin Yu spoke at length.

However, these are just his initial ideas, and many details will need to be added if they are to be implemented.

This includes how to regulate these things.

It all boils down to one point: you can profit, but you must abide by the rules and not affect the navy's combat strength!

Hearing Qin Yu's words, the generals began to ponder.

This seems pretty good.

At least it's aboveboard, and there's no need to worry about being investigated by the imperial court.

However, they were still a little worried.

If Qin Yu does it this way, it's uncertain whether the amount of silver they receive will be significantly reduced.

Zheng Tingchao was also silently pondering Qin Yu's opinion, secretly admiring him.

Young people really do have sharper minds!

This will definitely make management smoother and facilitate supervision.

If I had thought of these things back then, perhaps Qi Baichuan wouldn't have happened!

I just don't know if His Majesty will agree.

Ok……

If it doesn't affect the navy's combat strength, Your Majesty should agree, right?

If His Majesty truly agrees, it would be a win-win situation.

Yu Zhou gently nudged Zheng Tingchao and whispered, "Our Grand Commander seems to have some tricks up his sleeve! With this combination of kindness and severity, he'll probably win over the army's hearts."

Qin Yu has a very clever trick up his sleeve!

Reserve funds!

This area will definitely receive strong support from the lower-ranking soldiers!

After all, who can guarantee they won't have a time when they urgently need money?

Moreover, if they were killed or wounded in battle, they would receive an additional sum of money on top of the imperial pension.

Those lower-ranking soldiers would definitely be willing!

Zheng Tingchao nodded slightly: "They do have some methods, but I don't know if they can be implemented."

"It should be possible, right?" Yu Zhou glanced at Qin Yu and pondered, "Judging from his appearance, he's more suitable to command the navy than either of us! Do you think we have a chance to keep him as Grand Admiral indefinitely, and then find a way to transfer him away?"

"Are you dreaming?"

Zheng Tingchao stared at him as if he were an idiot. "Do you think His Majesty would keep such a talented person in a wretched place like the navy?"

It's obvious to anyone that once Qin Yu finishes his business here, he'll definitely return to the capital to serve His Majesty.

The imperial court or a larger battlefield is where Qin Yu truly belongs.

Appointing Qin Yu to command the navy in Hai and Yuan provinces is truly a waste of his talent!

While the two were whispering, Qin Yu offered the generals a rosy promise: "As long as you follow my rules, I guarantee that your rewards will be at least as much as before! If they are less, I will personally make up the difference with my own money!"

What?

Should he fill in the gaps?

Upon hearing Qin Yu's words, the generals exchanged bewildered glances.

Once they came to their senses, the generals' last remaining concerns were completely dispelled: "Thank you, Grand Commander!"

The generals all expressed their gratitude in unison.

It's a legitimate way to earn money, and the income won't be less than before. Plus, you can borrow money from your reserve funds for emergencies!

Only a fool would refuse such a good deal.

"That's settled then!"

Qin Yu raised his eyes and scanned the crowd. "This is just my initial idea, and it will be further refined later! My words still stand. As long as I am still at the Raojin naval camp, anyone with better suggestions can come to me at any time!"

"yes!"

The generals readily accepted the order.

Afterwards, Zheng Tingchao ordered everyone to go back and check if anyone else was involved in the salt smuggling case. If anyone had done the same thing as Qi Baichuan and the others, they should come to him before dark to confess, and he would be treated leniently.

After the generals left, Qin Yu immediately called Yang Jichun and the others, intending to discuss the specific details with Zheng Tingchao and Yu Zhou.

Without rules, nothing can be accomplished!

However, before Qin Yu could speak, Zheng Tingchao frowned and looked over, "You don't even know how much silver we'll get, yet you dare to make such a reckless promise. If you can't keep your promise, do you know how much silver you'll need to cover this mess?"

"Oh right, I forgot to ask about that."

Qin Yu smiled and asked curiously, "How much do you earn in a year? Just tell me the silver that is distributed to the soldiers."

Zheng Tingchao didn't speak, but simply held up one finger.

"Two...two million taels?"

Qin Yu's eyes widened suddenly. "This...is a bit outrageous, isn't it?"

Come on!

What were they transporting?

How can you earn so much money?

This only includes the silver they divided up; it doesn't even include the money used to repair the warships and improve the food.

They're probably smuggling some contraband, aren't they?

Lu Si and his group were also astonished by this exaggerated number.

Were they helping those merchants transport silver or gold?

Or perhaps they sold the navy's warships directly?

"Cough cough..."

Yu Zhou coughed twice. "It's around two hundred thousand taels, including the commissions we concealed."

"How many?"

Qin Yu's eyes widened, and he immediately asked, "Is it divided among all the soldiers combined?"

"Of course, it's everyone combined!"

Yu Zhou said seriously, "If I were the only one who took this much silver, the officials wouldn't even need to investigate. I must be involved in the salt smuggling case!"

What are you thinking about!

That's silver, not clods of dirt from the ground!

"..."

Qin Yu was utterly speechless.

They made such a big move, and all they got in return was this little bit of silver?

This is still including everyone.

After deducting the lion's share, the soldiers at the bottom level are lucky to get three or four taels of silver a year!

No wonder Qi Baichuan was willing to take such a risk!

His business in one year is worth more than what others do in several lifetimes!

Zheng Tingchao glanced at Qin Yu and said seriously, "You can still back out before these rules are officially established."

Hearing Zheng Tingchao's words, Ruan Zhi and Nan Que'er chuckled at the same time, while Lü Si rolled his eyes.

Zheng Tingchao looked at them with confusion and bewilderment.

Do you think your own words are funny?

Meeting his gaze, Ruan Zhi couldn't help but smile. "General Zheng, do you know how much silver Lord Qin has?"

Zheng Tingchao glanced at Qin Yu sideways, "With his family background and the Emperor's reward, he could easily come up with three or four hundred thousand taels of silver without any problem! However, this amount of silver probably won't last long."

"No... what you're doing..."

Ruan Zhi was both amused and exasperated. After a long while, she spoke again, "I don't know exactly how much silver Lord Qin has, but as far as I know, he could easily take out two or three million taels of silver without any problem."

"How much...?"

Zheng Tingchao and Yu Zhou were both dumbfounded, staring at Qin Yu in disbelief.

Where did Qin Yu get so much money?

Did he rob a bank?

"Alright, don't worry about the money!"

Qin Yu waved his hand at the two men, "I can't guarantee anything else, but I can absolutely guarantee that you'll get more than you expect! What's the point of all this fuss over a mere two hundred thousand taels of silver!"

Hearing Qin Yu's words, the two couldn't help but look at each other in bewilderment.

As the former deputy commander of the Golden Armor Imperial Guard, Zheng Tingchao considered himself a man who had seen the world.

But now, he suddenly felt like a country bumpkin who had never seen the world.

A mere two hundred thousand taels of silver?

Ha ha!

Such a niche term!

The last time I heard this word was probably from the late emperor, wasn't it?