The sun never sets in America

Chapter 84 Financial

In Xijing City in June, due to weather and geographical reasons, the entire city fell into a scorching heat.

Such hot weather means that most people in the city usually move around late at night when the sun goes down, which is also a way to avoid the scorching sun.

"I'm selling ice cream..."

“Cool and sweet sorbet.”

A lame Chinese veteran drove a donkey cart, which pulled a wooden box covered with a quilt, shouting all the way.

"How do you sell ice cream?" As he passed the entrance of the newly established Ministry of Finance building, a voice came from inside, followed by a young-looking official.

The official's surname is Chen and his given name is Xingyu. His parents originally gave him this name so that he would be as bright and eye-catching as the stars in the universe. Of course, he is now considered to be somewhat promising, having become a financial officer and section chief, and his rank is pretty good.

"One copper yuan for mung beans, two copper yuan for butter grapes." The Chinese veteran selling ice cream looked at Chen Xingyu who came up to him and introduced enthusiastically, "Look...the ice cream made at home is better than those made by those ice cream factories. Eat too much, it’s not delicious, and you don’t need money.” The Chinese veteran untied the quilt on it, then opened the wooden box filled with ice cubes and smoothies, and picked out a few simple homemade snacks wrapped in white tissue paper. He handed the ice cream to Chen Xingyu across from him and boasted while taking it.

The so-called copper dollar is a auxiliary currency of the Hua Yuan, similar to the shilling in pounds, and the copper coins in silver are generally used for such small transactions.

The ratio between the copper dollar and the Chinese dollar is generally maintained at one hundred to one.

That is to say, one hundred copper coins are exchanged for a silver dollar with Liu Yan's face on it, which is also a Hua Yuan.

From this we can also see how strong the currency value of the Hua Yuan is! !

"Hmm... This one has a nice creamy flavor, and it also has raisins." Chen Xingyu took the ice cream wrapped in white paper handed over by the Chinese veteran selling ice cream, and directly tore off the thin layer of white paper wrapped on it. Then he stuffed it into his mouth. As soon as he took his mouth, a strong milky fragrance rushed from his throat to his nose, and he could also eat large pieces of raisins, which were completely different from the small ones sold in the market. Just two different things...

"Not bad..." Hearing Chen Xingyu say that the sorbet he made tastes good, the Chinese veteran selling the sorbet immediately became happy, "If it's delicious, just buy a few and let everyone taste them..." The Chinese veteran then said He continued to speak enthusiastically to Chen Xingyu, and then pointed to the Ministry of Finance building.

"Um..." Hearing the ice cream seller in front of him mention this, Chen Xingyu turned around and looked at the building behind him, as well as the three characters "Ministry of Finance" inscribed by Liu Peng himself on the building. If you want it, help me push it in later." Chen Xingyu thought for a while, and then replied to the Chinese veteran selling ice cream, looking very generous.

But only Chen Xingyu himself knew that not long after he was transferred to the Ministry of Finance, it was the time to build a good relationship. If he didn't be generous at this time and shed some blood, how could he stand still...

Despite the frequent promotion of being honest and being polite in official circles, how many Han officials actually did this? ?

"Okay, okay... I'll come right away." After hearing this, the Chinese veteran immediately became happy and hurriedly lifted the wooden box down and limped into the Ministry of Finance building.

"You put it here first...I'll put it up myself later." When he came to the hall, Chen Xingyu found a place and asked the Chinese veteran to put it down. "How much does it cost?" Chen Xingyu then asked the price.

"A total of 140 sticks of cream grapes, 65 copper dollars, and 65 sticks of mung beans, a total of [-] copper dollars..." The Chinese veteran selling ice cream opened the wooden box and counted the ice cream inside, "plus the one I just ate. Gen, the total is two hundred and seven copper yuan, just give me a fraction, just give me two Chinese yuan..." The Chinese veteran did the math skillfully, and after finishing the calculation quickly, he replied to Chen Xingyu with a smile.

"Here, this is your money." Chen Xingyu took out two shiny silver Hua Yuan cards with Liu Yan's mugshot printed on them from his purse and handed them to the Chinese veteran in front of him, "This box, you can pick it up later." Come here and get it, I'll take it up first." Chen Xingyu then pointed to the wooden box on the ground containing the ice cream, which was refrigerated with ice cubes, and ordered the Chinese veteran again.

"It's okay, I'll come back later." After taking the money, the Chinese veteran showed a happy smile on his face. He didn't care at all about the wooden box Chen Xingyu just mentioned, and then limped away with the money. Ministry of Finance Building...

"It's really heavy..." After the Chinese veteran left, Chen Xingyu picked up the wooden box on the ground with some difficulty, and then slowly walked upstairs.

"I have long said that if we continue to mess with our finances like this, we will be doomed sooner or later."

"You said, everything is what you said. Now the Mexicans are coming, and the finances must be sustained no matter what."

Chen Xingyu finally carried the wooden box upstairs and saw Wu Huiji from the Ministry of Finance arguing with Director Zhang who was responsible for drafting the financial plan.

The two of them were quarreling so furiously that other colleagues upstairs did not dare to argue for fear of getting into trouble.

"Everyone, do you want some ice cream?"

At this moment, Chen Xingyu, who didn't know what was going on, interrupted the quarrel between Wu Huiji and Director Zhang with one sentence. Even the people in the Ministry of Finance who were still processing documents raised their heads and looked at the man carrying the wooden box. Chen Xingyu had a hint of disbelief in his eyes...

"Xiao Chen, you came just in time." Director Zhang immediately called Chen Xingyu over after seeing him.

"Director Zhang, what do you want from me??" Chen Xingyu put down the wooden box in his hand in a panic, and then walked to Director Zhang, asking at a loss, with a trace of confusion on his face.

"Tell me, how is our finances now?" Director Zhang looked at Chen Xingyu and asked another question that made him confused.

"Our finances are good or bad, it depends on how you understand them." Chen Xingyu looked at Director Zhang and Wu Huiji, who was silent on the side, and bravely replied.

"What is good and what is bad??" After hearing this, Director Zhang immediately asked Chen Xingyu, "Don't worry, it doesn't matter if you are wrong. Just say it boldly. If something happens, I will bear it... Director Zhang assured Chen Xingyu while patting his chest, with a solemn expression on his face, as if he could really support everything.

"The good thing about this is that our finances don't need to rely too much on the taxes collected from below... mainly the gold mines controlled by our Han Kingdom..." Chen Xingyu looked at Director Zhang who was looking forward to him very much, and Wu Huiji, who was watching coldly from the side, thought for a while, and then continued to answer Director Zhang.

"You're right, our finances really don't rely much on taxes from below." After listening to what Chen Xingyu just said, Director Zhang nodded in agreement, "Then what is bad??" Director Zhang then continued to ask Chen Xingyu road.

Wu Huiji on the side glanced at Chen Xingyu, who was a little trembling, Section Chief Chen! !

"The bad thing is that we rely too much on gold mines, which objectively suppresses the enthusiasm for collecting taxes." Chen Xingyu immediately replied to Director Zhang. "Oh, this tax collection is just to collect money, why are there no enthusiasm yet?" After listening to what Chen Xingyu said, Director Zhang asked with some confusion. In his opinion, this tax collection, who is not willing to collect it? It’s all money, which government wouldn’t? ?

Even Wu Huiji on the side looked at Chen Xingyu in surprise when he heard what Chen Xingyu just said, with a trace of confusion and a sense of understanding in his eyes.

"Director Zhang, if you have two shops in your home, one shop is making a lot of money every day, but the other shop is empty..." Chen Xingyu gave a shop metaphor to Director Zhang, "At this time, we need to expand our operations. , where will you invest your money?" Chen Xingyu asked Director Zhang in reply, his tone was calm but powerful, he looked completely different from the timid look just now, and his whole person was filled with confidence.

"There is no need to ask this question. Of course I will invest my money in that store that makes a lot of money every day. Is it possible that I will continue to invest in that store that has no business...Isn't this a joke??" Director Zhang listened to Chen Xingyu's answer After he asked the question, he immediately replied without thinking, "What does this question have to do with whether our finances are good or not?" Director Zhang then continued to ask Chen Xingyu, with a trace of confusion on his face. In his opinion, the question just now , it has absolutely nothing to do with the current finances! !
Only Wu Huiji's eyes lit up after hearing Chen Xingyu's question, and then he looked at Chen Xingyu with admiration.

"Isn't our finance similar to these two stores?" Chen Xingyu looked at the confused Director Zhang and replied unhurriedly, "Our current finance in Han State is dominated by gold mines, and other agricultural, industrial and commercial institutions. The national taxes collected account for a small part... And as this situation deepens, our dependence on gold mines will continue to increase. Isn't this another Dutch disease, Director Zhang?" Chen Xingyu looked serious Director Zhang said sincerely that in his opinion, if things continue like this, Han will not be far away from suffering from the Dutch disease in the economic sense.

The so-called Dutch disease refers to a country's greater or even overwhelming dependence on a certain industry, causing this industry to suppress the development of other industries... there is no grass growing under the big trees.

As for the development of other industries, this is also a joke. When a certain industry can easily generate profits, then the country's national policy must focus on this industry.

No matter what policy is used, it must be integrated with the industry in the end. To be more rigorous, those developing industries are also supporting and providing basic links to this largest industry...

This is true for Russia in later generations and even those oil-producing countries in the Middle East.

In fact, if Liu Peng had not invested heavily and encouraged industry and commerce, according to historical inertia, and people's inner greed, and recklessness, the current Han Dynasty might have slipped into the abyss of the Dutch disease and resource trap. From then on, the fate of the Han Dynasty will be different. , the fate of the Chinese people is thus doomed...

"You mean..." Director Zhang finally understood what Chen Xingyu said after listening to what he just said, "You mean our finances are also a kind of Dutch disease?" Director Zhang tentatively asked Chen Xingyu, his face There was a hint of horror on the face. After all, if this was really the case, then the finances would really have to be reformed this time.

"That's right, it's a different kind of Dutch disease..." Chen Xingyu nodded firmly to Director Zhang and admitted, "Although His Royal Highness has increased investment in industry, our tax system has not changed. It is still the same as the old one. What's more frightening is that our finances have reached the limit." Chen Xingyu continued to Director Zhang without hesitation. After what he had seen, starting from today's military expenditures, administrative expenses, and subsidies for certain industries , In fact, the entire finance has reached the limit of what Han State can currently afford.

"I don't know, but..." Director Zhang showed a complicated expression after listening to what Chen Xingyu said, "Wu Huiji and I were worried about financial problems just now. The current finances are indeed as you said. It has reached its limit." Director Zhang looked back and saw Wu Huiji, who had just been arguing with him crazily, nodded apologetically, and then replied to Chen Xingyu, his tone full of loneliness.

"Yes, Director Zhang is right." Wu Huiji said to Chen Xingyu at this time, "The smaller the financial amount is, the less skilled we are..." Wu Hui Ji continued to talk to Chen Xingyu in shame, with a trace of embarrassment on his face...

After all, they are also responsible for the financial situation that has fallen to this level today. If they had not done a good job in financial planning, they would have gotten to the point where they were almost unable to deal with it today.

In a word, they are all sinners! !
"Our fiscal policy must be revised, and money must be spent wisely." Chen Xingyu said to Director Zhang and Wu Huiji with a heavy face, "Adjusting fiscal policy requires money, or adjusting tax policy, both require money. All of these are The word money cannot be separated!!" Chen Xingyu continued to Director Zhang and Wu Huiji with a serious expression.

"Yes... all of this requires money." Director Zhang heard this and nodded to Chen Xingyu, expressing his approval of what he just said, "But... where can I find money??" Director Zhang said helplessly to the two The man spread his hands and said.

"If I could find the money, I would have found it long ago. However, even if I turn the finance department upside down, I still don't have any extra money..." After hearing what Director Zhang just said, Wu Huiji lamented empathetically, "One cent. Money can't help a hero, but the ancients never deceived me!!" Wu Huiji sighed to the two of them, with a very lonely expression.

"I have a way, but I don't know if you two adults dare to try it?" Chen Xingyu looked at the two men and said.

"What way?" After hearing this, Director Zhang immediately asked Chen Xingyu, "If there is a way, no matter what, I have to try it." Director Zhang looked at Chen Xingyu with gradually firm eyes.

"Yes, Xiao Chen, as long as this method doesn't make us kill people, set fires, or engage in illegal activities, we are willing to try it." Wu Huiji followed closely and said to Chen Xingyu, looking at Chen Xingyu with eyes full of concern. …

"There are currently only two ways to solve our Han Dynasty's financial problems..." Chen Xingyu looked at the eager and hot eyes projected by the two people, and then stretched out two fingers in front of them, " One is to raise taxes on the entire Han Kingdom, but this move can easily arouse public dissatisfaction. After all, we have just stabilized the entire Han Kingdom and raised taxes just after the founding of the country. Not to mention the common people, even those within us will also do it. Dissatisfied." Chen Xingyu proposed the first solution to the two, but he was quickly rejected by himself.

After all, raising taxes is so hateful. Throughout the ages, anyone who designs taxes or attempts to manipulate taxes will end up without any exception. What's more, the Han Dynasty has just been established, and it is not easy to rely on Liu Peng and Liu Peng. A drama and a newspaper allowed the opponents of the Han Dynasty to unite around the Han Dynasty.

If taxes are raised now, in the eyes of outsiders, it will not be like the Republic of Mexico, but they are coming to plunder the wealth of the people of California.

It is easy to lose the hard-earned human hearts.

This is why Chen Xingyu said this method won't work.

Of course, external opposition is not to be feared, just suppression. The most fearful thing is the opposition from one's own people.

As we all know, the establishment of a new country must be accompanied by a large number of heroes, and the Han Dynasty is just a typical monarchy country. Those who followed Liu Yan and Liu Peng to conquer the world, none of them are better now than before. ...A mansion, a beautiful concubine, everything.

In times of real crisis, you can ask them for money, but at this time, if you ask them for money, these people will definitely shirk it, so it is difficult to increase this tax. Even if it is finally increased, Chen Xingyu, who is in charge of this plan, will not What a happy ending, that’s why he said he doesn’t support tax increases.

After all, what happened in the Six Dynasties was just a private plan, but it was real.

"Yes, this tax increase is not allowed!!" Director Zhang, who knew the inside story, also did not support the tax increase.

"Xiao Chen, since raising taxes doesn't work, is there any other way? Didn't you just say that there are two ways?" Wu Huiji was silent for a while, and then asked Chen Xingyu.

"Yes, what else can be done?" Director Zhang also asked Chen Xingyu, with an expectant expression on his face, hoping that Chen Xingyu could really find a solution to the current financial problem.

"Two adults..." Chen Xingyu said with a solemn face and clasped his fists at Director Zhang and Wu Huiji respectfully, "We cannot raise taxes. Adjusting fiscal policies requires money. Money is needed for everything. So for the current plan, there is only one way, that Just borrow money!!" Chen Xingyu looked at Director Zhang and Wu Huiji with firm eyes and replied.

"Borrow money??" After hearing this, Director Zhang's face became a little difficult. "Is there any specific way?" Director Zhang then continued to ask Chen Xingyu.

"Yes!!" Chen Xingyu looked at Director Zhang and Wu Huiji and nodded in agreement.

(End of this chapter)