Chapter 571: Chen Yan: Leaving So Much Money Just for Show?

Before the Imperial Examination, the most shocking event in Chang'an happened quietly and unassumingly.

The Five Surnames and Seven Hopes deposited over one hundred million strings of copper coins into the Money Shop on the same day, and the news spread through Chang'an like a plague.

Everyone who heard the news was shocked, even to the point of disbelief.

Over a hundred million strings!

The amount far exceeded everyone's imagination.

After all, the Tang Dynasty's tax revenue is still only fluctuating around ten million strings.

You deposited a whole hundred million at once?

Then the Money Shop was crowded with commoners flocking to watch the spectacle, as well as many Meritorious Nobles sending people to probe the news.

But at that moment the Money Shop was guarded by layers of the Eastern Palace Imperial Guard, and onlookers could only crane their necks to see carts upon carts of copper coins being delivered for counting.

After the authenticity was confirmed, the commoners merely watched the fun, while all Meritorious Nobles in Chang'an fell silent.

In a sense, this news was even bigger than the storm brought by the Imperial Examination.

Inside Cai Duke's residence, even Du Ruhui, who had just heard of the matter, was at a loss for words for a long while.

Du Gou clicked his tongue: "I vaguely recall that in the fourth year of the Zhenguan era, Zi Anxiong said the aristocratic families should dig up the portion of wealth buried in the soil, so that a solid foundation for economic circulation could be laid."

"Because the aristocratic families have inherited for too long, holding wealth unimaginable to others, if this portion isn't obtained, the Tang Dynasty's current wealth cannot support large‑scale circulation."

"Now with tens of millions of strings of coins in hand, surely Zi Anxiong's actions in recent years have been anything but small."

Du Ruhui listened silently to his son's words, nodded, and suddenly recalled what Chen Yan had said on the day he assumed the post of Minister of Revenue, about supporting Li Shimin's war.

Even if the Ministry of Revenue lacked it, a way would be found.

Could it be pointing to the Money Shop?

Or borrowing from the Money Shop?

Du Ruhui's mind raced, and he quickly grasped the special intention inside, and smiled wryly:

"No matter how many times, I, as father, want to say one thing: Duke of Wei… too demonic!"

"From now on, the Ministry of Revenue will most likely never lack money, and the court will most likely never lack money either."

"Son, you must get busy, and be even more diligent, because you just said yourself that the upcoming actions of Chen Zian won't be small."

He sighed, "Money Shop! Money Shop!"

"The Money Shop now is the place that holds the most wealth in the world, and it's all in cash."

"The wealth it can mobilize already far exceeds the state treasury… that's both good and bad, depending on how it uses that money."

"If used well, the world's wealth will circulate and everyone's lives will gradually improve; if used poorly, it could cause excessive monetary concentration and deflation risks."

On this, Du Gou held a different view: "Father, I think you're overthinking; if you truly understand the Money Shop, you should know it has always been lending out."

"When the Money Shop's wealth had not yet reached a certain scale, it already selected lending targets, only loaning to those engaged in long‑distance trade who lacked capital."

"Once, I heard Zi Anxiong mention in passing that lending to merchants is indeed low‑risk and high‑profit, but if there's sufficient capital, lending to… emerging artisans, mining, salt, tea, wine, shipbuilding and the like is best."

"Of course, this refers to large‑scale loans; for ordinary citizens, the focus would be more on agricultural lending."

"If a commoner wishes to trade and has a good plan, after the Money Shop's assessment, it will also grant a loan."

Du Gou concluded: "In short, Zi Anxiong has always moved with direction and has long made long‑term plans."

"......"

After hearing his son's words, Du Ruhui was speechless for a long while.

After a long time, he finally spoke slowly, "Your old father here, from now on it's you young ones who will stir the winds."

"Ten million strings of coins… haha, your old father has lived so many years and never saw so much money."

Du Gou laughed: "Father, let's not discuss this now; you said, is this aristocratic move, in a sense… conceding?"

Du Ruhui was at a loss for words.

He pondered for a while, then fell silent again.

"......"

Inside the Hu Bu Office, Han Zhongliang and Ma Zhou looked on with admiration at Chen Yan, who sat in a rocking chair holding a copy of the Spring and Autumn Annals.

"Sir, what are we to do now?"

Han Zhongliang was truly impressed at this moment.

Not only is his ability strong and background solid, his methods are equally flawless.

Even the aristocratic families were forced into such a position, having to deposit that much wealth into the Money Shop.

Even I, a Ministerial Attendant of the Ministry of Revenue, was stunned to the point of dizziness upon hearing the news.

Chen Yan said lightly, "Do whatever needs to be done; the daily official duties—do they still need me to tell you what to do?"

The two exchanged glances, and finally Ma Zhou stepped forward, clasped his hands, "But sir, our Ministry of Revenue is currently short of funds."

"The decision to dispatch troops is already set… should we make some preparations?"

"Now the remaining grain and coins in the Ministry's accounts are insufficient to support His Majesty's campaign."

"Then go borrow from the Money Shop." Chen Yan opened a page of the book without looking up and said, "The Money Shop can lend, right? Use the Ministry's autumn harvest as collateral, and borrowing from the Money Shop will be fine."

"Also, try to secure a lower interest rate; otherwise the repayment next year will be under great pressure. It's best to arrange installment repayments—borrow for three years."

"Ah?"

Han Zhongliang and Ma Zhou were stunned for a moment.

Ma Zhou quickly recovered, clasped his hands, "I understand, sir. Tomorrow I will go to the Money Shop to borrow, but how much should we borrow?"

"This specific amount, please, sir, decide yourself."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yan closed the book and mused, "We don't need much money; two million strings will suffice. The most important are grain and supplies, which we can borrow more of."

"Of these two million strings, one million will be used for His Majesty's war, and the remaining will stay in the Ministry as reserve for this year's expenses."

"I understand," Ma Zhou nodded, then thought of something else, "Sir… the Money Shop doesn't seem to have that many supplies; don't they only accept cash?"

"None?"

Chen Yan sneered: "Without it, wouldn't you make them try to find a way? You run such a huge Money Shop, yet you can't even meet everyone's needs—just sitting on all that money for show?"

Ma Zhou: "......"

Han Zhongliang: "......"

If we remember correctly, that Money Shop...... seems to be something you and the Crown Prince started, right?

Isn't that just your own business?

Do you also hold such hostility toward your own business?

Moreover, we came to borrow money—why are you making us seem like the elder?

"......"