Chapter 237 Paper Money and Banks

Zhang Haomin thought that the stored food was a lot, but Chen Gu felt that it was far from enough. If people went hungry, it would be a big problem.

Of course, Chen Gu was not too anxious. After all, if the harvest really failed, Chen Gu would lead the Huaxia tribe to fight. He would not let everyone starve.

"How is the paper currency issue going?" Chen Gu asked the question that concerned him most.

Zhang Haomin took two banknotes from the book and handed them to Chen Gu, saying with a smile: "I gathered all the skilled craftsmen from the papermaking workshops in Sichuan, and after some research, we made these two banknotes.

Leader, please check if this is the banknote you need."

Chen Gu took the two banknotes and looked at them carefully. They were about the same size as the one-yuan and ten-yuan banknotes in later generations, and the face values ​​were also one yuan and ten yuan, but they were not money but tax coupons, and the yuan above meant silver dollar.

One yuan is one silver dollar, which is one hundred wen, and ten yuan is one thousand wen, which is equivalent to one tael of silver.

Chen held the banknote up to the light and looked at the watermark on it. This was the only anti-counterfeiting mark that Chen knew of. Whether the banknote could be circulated depended on how well this anti-counterfeiting mark was made.

Originally, Chen Gu thought that if he could make a blurry appearance for the first time, he would be successful. However, he did not expect that the watermarks on the two banknotes were surprisingly good. The handwriting of the one-yuan and ten-yuan notes on them was very clear, which could be compared with the banknotes of later generations.

"It's very good. How did the craftsmen make it?" Chen Gu asked in surprise.

"This is not printed at all." Zhang Haomin said with a tone of complaint: "Although the watermark effect can be printed before the paper is dry, the printed watermark is not clear at all and the effect is very poor.

Instead, they needed to work hard on the bamboo screen for scooping out the pulp. At first, they used a negative-engraved bamboo screen, but the effect was not ideal. Later, they changed to a positive-engraved bamboo screen, and the watermarks on the paper that was scooped out were very clear. "

Hearing Zhang Haomin's complaints, Chen Gu couldn't help but touch his nose in embarrassment. How could he know how the watermark on the banknotes was made? He only knew it was a watermark and thought it was printed on. He didn't know that it was made when the paper pulp was formed.

But it's okay as long as you make it.

Chen Gu took the banknote and looked at it repeatedly, and said: "Such a clear watermark is enough. Let them speed up the production of bamboo screens for scooping paper pulp and mass-produce banknotes. In addition to the watermark, the material used to make the paper should also be the best.

After all, this is money that will be used for a long time, and the subsequent printing should be as exquisite as possible. Don’t be afraid of spending, even if the cost is half of the face value. "

"If we improve the craftsmanship regardless of cost, it will definitely be made very exquisitely, but is it really worth it?" Zhang Haomin said with a frown.

"It's definitely worth it." Chen Gu smiled and continued, "Put the manufacturing workshop in Fobao, and move the craftsmen and their families to Fobao, and make sure to keep it confidential.

In addition, let them first make a batch of paper with the word "Huaxia" watermarked on it, which will be used to make identity certificates for the people. The identity certificate paper should be smaller, and then some larger paper should be made for official documents. "

"Does the government need such good paper?" Zhang Haomin asked with a frown.

"Daily use of paper naturally does not require such good paper, but notices, correspondence, various contract certificates, and all documents with legal effect must use watermarked paper. The amount of watermarked paper distributed by each prefecture, county, and town must be registered, and where and when it was used must be recorded. The government must have sufficient credibility.

As long as the document is issued with a watermark, it is legally binding, and the person responsible can be held accountable no matter how long it has been. "Chen said seriously.

"I understand!" Zhang Haomin nodded involuntarily. Increasing the credibility of the government and restraining the use of officials' power are all good things.

Because those who do something wrong will be held accountable indefinitely by watermarked documents, many officials have to consider the consequences before doing anything. Although this will restrict the officials' hands, it is better than letting them do whatever they want.

Officials who are afraid of making mistakes and dare not do their work should be replaced, and replaced by officials who are truly capable and dare to take on responsibilities.

In fact, you won't necessarily be punished for doing something wrong. After all, if you make a mistake, you have to consider whether it's your own fault or whether you did something good with bad intentions.

If you are incompetent, the most you will get is dismissal, but if you are corrupt, you will definitely be held accountable.

Chen Gu thought for a moment and said, "We have so much silver and we have nowhere to spend it for the time being. Should we open some money houses in various places to lend money to the people and earn some interest?"

"Isn't this a bit bad?" Zhang Haomin hesitated and said, earning some interest is of course good, but in this era, lending money at usury is always criticized. It is a bit inappropriate for you, the government, to go out and lend money at usury.

"We can set the interest rate lower, for example, 5% annually. This way, not only can the government make some money, but ordinary people will also have a place to borrow money when they are in urgent need, instead of being exploited by other unscrupulous businessmen." Chen Gu said.

The interest rate for borrowing money in this era was very high, generally around 30% per year. Those who borrowed less than 30% were considered conscientious. Chen Ju had previously defined all annual interest rates above 10% as usury, which made the people who owed money feel grateful.

"What's the point of 5% annual interest?" Zhang Haomin said with a smile. He was somewhat disdainful of the 5% interest. After all, it took 20 years to double the principal, which really didn't mean much.

"Not only borrowing, if the people have money, they can also deposit it in the government bank. Well, those who deposit money can be given an annual interest of 3%, and we only need to earn the 2% difference." Chen Gu said with a smile.

"In this case, the interest earned may not be enough to cover expenses. If people save more money, we may even lose money!" Zhang Haomin said with a wry smile.

"It's okay to make a small loss, but at least we have added a lot of jobs, which can support more people, and it can also allow people who save money to make a profit, and allow people who are in urgent need of money to borrow money at a low interest rate.

This way, at least my Huaxia Department can be more harmonious, which is always a good thing. "Chen Gu said.

"That's right!" Zhang Haomin nodded and said, "Then let's open a bank in every town!"

This is the gap between the capitalist society and China. We don’t necessarily have to make money on some things, but we can start from the people’s livelihood.

(End of this chapter)