nced today, or perhaps the excitement had gotten to him, or maybe it was the blood loss that left Li Chen somewhat powerless. Either way, this night, Li Chen just held Zhao Rui and slept soundly.I hav...Chapter 701: Business Problems Solved by Business

Xu Changqing has the ability, although his shortcomings are also obvious, Li Chen still entrusted him with the money house's work. If it wasn't a real problem, Xu Changqing wouldn't come to the East Palace to complain.

There is no leader who likes to always pass problems down the line to their superiors.

Xu Changqing is well aware of this.

Therefore, Li Chen attached great importance to Xu Changqing's words.

He put down the scroll in his hand and said, "What trouble"

Xu Changqing said angrily: "Now that the two money houses in Beijing are about to open, the laying of shops in the Jingji area is going smoothly. But once they leave the Jingji area, setting up money houses in other provinces has encountered all sorts of difficulties."

Originally, according to the government notice issued by the Ministry of Finance, local county offices were required to provide storefronts for money houses and store official funds in them. However, nowadays many county offices either claim they have no available storefronts or say there is no silver in the government treasury, citing various reasons to obstruct the opening of money houses.

Xu Changqing grew increasingly angry as he spoke, saying: "Originally, the common people were somewhat interested in the government-run bank, but after this commotion, they have become suspicious and are afraid to deposit their money. They fear that the bank will be abolished in the future, and they will lose everything."

Li Chen frowned, understanding Xu Changqing's predicament.

Whether in ancient times or modern society, the relationship between high-level functional departments and subordinate local governments is always very delicate.

Although nominally and legally, the two parties belong to a superior-subordinate relationship, one is merely a department while the other is a local government.

Local officials may not always take the Ministry of Finance's orders seriously.

If anyone else tries to stir up trouble, things will be even more complicated.

Hasn't there always been a countermeasure for every policy

To pay lip service while acting against one's words is commonplace.

Li Chen said impassively, "It seems the cabinet has more control over local affairs than the imperial court."

Zhao Xuanji has been in charge of the State Council for over ten years, and the State Council has controlled the government for so many years.

To be frank, nine out of ten officials in the current territories of the Qin Empire have close ties to several high-ranking ministers in the cabinet.

They take advantage of being far from the emperor, they don't listen to the Ministry of Revenue, and even Li Chen's words carry no weight against the Cabinet.

It goes without saying that they would choose to ignore the Ministry of Finance if Zhao Xuanji told them to.

"Your Highness, at this rate, the bank will be bankrupt before it even opens." Xu Changqing said bitterly.

Li Chen certainly knew this.

If things were different, we could have used political interests and Zhao Xuanji as leverage to get him to compromise.

But now that everyone is involved, there's naturally no room for compromise.

But dealing with Zhao Xuanji, we'll have to wait a while.

"What does Liu Sichun say" Li Chen asked.

Xu Changqing wryly smiled and said, "Those local officials don't even bother with the Ministry of Revenue's documents, what could the Liu family possibly do"

"If the bank itself financed the purchase of a storefront, how much silver would be needed"

Li Chen's question took Xu Changqing by surprise.

After a moment, he cautiously said: "About, about one to two million taels of silver... If the number of shops is reduced, each shop can save several thousand taels..."

"The number of shops must increase, not decrease. A money-lender established under the imperial banner demonstrates strength. The common people will feel more confident as a result. If there were to be a reduction, how would the people perceive this"

Li Chen immediately rejected the proposal without hesitation, frowning and saying, "Business matters need to be resolved with business methods. Go summon Liu Sichun."

Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!maidservant said respectfully, "To the Empress, from today onwards, we maidservants will be responsible for attending to your daily life. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to command us. We...