Chapter 409: Setting Off

Liu Zheng looked at Qin Zhangfeng with a strange expression.

Because in these recent days, he rarely found himself in a situation where he would contradict Pei Yanran—she was his own wife, and he cherished her too much to ever want to contradict her.

However, it was clear that regarding this issue, Qin Zhangfeng had his own thoughts. He first looked at Pei Yanran apologetically, then said, "Young Master, Zhangfeng believes this is a benevolent act! Because Zhangfeng, in command of the entire army, has seen too many fallen brothers whose parents are left with no one to rely on; it is truly a human tragedy... If Young Master implements this benevolent act, the Liangzhou Army, from top to bottom, will have no more worries!"

Once these words were spoken, both Liu Zheng and Pei Yanran were moved.

Qin Zhangfeng was actually speaking from the perspective of the Liangzhou soldiers.

Indeed.

Liu Zheng had pointed out more than once during recruitment that he did not recommend only children to join the army. But the reality was that at least twenty percent of the soldiers in the Liangzhou Army were the pillars of their families.

When defending the country conflicted with their own small families, when they shed their blood for Liangzhou, any talk of filial piety became mere smoke and clouds. Or rather, sacrificing themselves for the country was the greatest filial piety. But how could the resulting issue of providing for their parents be solved?

Families of martyrs left alone and helpless—this was not a situation that a thriving Liangzhou should have.

Pei Yanran was even more speechless, not knowing what to say.

Liu Zheng, however, already smiled and said, "If Brother Qin has this thought, then this Pension System can be pushed forward!"

He dismissed the two of them.

Liu Zheng, alone, began his overtime work once again.

Since he had to consider stimulating domestic demand, the contribution amount for this pension could not be too low. Therefore, the returns resulting from it could not be too low either.

Pension insurance systems are generally divided into three types.

One is the traditional pension insurance system, another is the state-coordinated pension insurance. The last one is the mandatory savings pension system.

Based on Liangzhou's current stage of development and historical conditions, Liu Zheng believed the most suitable one should be the last: the mandatory savings pension system.

This system is a provident fund model. The main characteristic of this model is the emphasis on self-protection, establishing individual provident fund accounts where laborers and their employers contribute to the pension insurance premium during the period of employment. After the laborer retires, they receive the pension entirely from their individual account, and the state no longer pays pensions in any form. The funds in the individual account can be withdrawn in a lump sum with interest after the laborer retires, or they can be withdrawn in installments.

The state manages and invests the funds in individual accounts through a central provident fund bureau, which is a fully funded financing model.

In this way!

Liangzhou could once again gather the funds within its borders to achieve the goal of stimulating domestic demand!

These funds.

A portion of them would be used to increase construction in public medical care, schools, and the funeral service industry. The remainder, naturally, would continue to maximize profits in the hands of Yintan City.

After a day and a night, Liu Zheng finally formulated this pension system.

He also specifically pointed out a few points.

First, it must ensure coverage, reaching the entire prefecture with undifferentiated mandatory savings. Any employer and employee who sign a labor contract should pay the pension under the standardized policy. For some citizens whose income does not meet the standard, reductions and support can be provided.

Second, for outside merchants without Liangzhou household registration, a policy of "tax in lieu of payment" should be adopted, allowing some outsiders who live in Liangzhou for a long time to enjoy Liangzhou's policies and social security by paying more taxes.

Third, promote the investment and operation of the fund to achieve value preservation and appreciation. As the scale of the pension insurance fund grows, flexible yet prudent investment strategies should be adopted to put these idle funds into operation, so as to cope with the risk of inflation and achieve the fund's value preservation and appreciation. Therefore, a new investment department should also be established.

In this way.

It could be considered as firmly tying the people of Liangzhou, or rather, anyone who makes money relying on Liangzhou, to the same boat as the Liangzhou Prefecture!

They would prosper together and suffer together!

After finishing all this, Liu Zheng finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He could only do so much; as for the rest, it had to be left to the Cabinet to discuss.

What he did not expect was.

After this letter was sent out, not many days later, the entire Longyan Dynasty was plunged into violent tremors because of it!

Yinzhou Coin once again ushered in a wave of soaring prices.

All sectors of society had mixed reviews of the pension system launched by Liu Zheng.

Even.

The profound social changes brought about by this were something Liu Zheng had never expected at this time.

On this day.

Huobu Quli finally returned.

As soon as he returned, he excitedly sought out Liu Zheng: "My Lord, Naibao Rize of the Big Trouser-Legs has agreed to send troops together!"

Liu Zheng's eyes lit up: "Is he reliable?"

Huobu Quli laughed and said: "That group of people from the Big Trouser-Legs are naturally cautious and conservative. Therefore, this fellow has made two preparations. If we can win the Torch Festival, he will agree to send troops to jointly attack Shama Zhuoyi... Otherwise..."

He gave a wry smile and cursed: "This fellow Naibao Rize, knowing full well that Shama Zhuoyi only has his current status because of this bone-eating poison, actually still wants to see how we fare!"

Liu Zheng smiled: "Seeking advantages and avoiding harm is human nature."

Huobu Quli was worried: "But My Lord, if the Divine Medicine of the Middle Trouser-Legs can really make people forget pain and act like madmen, this Torch Festival..."

Liu Zheng smiled gently and said with confidence: "Huobu Headman, do you know that humans have acupoints and meridians?"

"What?"

Huobu Quli was stunned for a moment.

Regarding this matter, Liu Zheng actually had arrangements long ago.

Taking drugs, going crazy, not feeling pain, and can't be beaten?

It's very simple.

Not feeling pain does not mean you do not have vital parts.

In the Liangshan region, knowledge in this area should be almost zero. But Liu Zheng was different, or rather, Qin Zhangfeng and Pei Qianyun were different!

If the two armies start to fight, even if the opponent takes drugs, being attacked on important acupoints and meridians will still have terrible consequences. That was how Pei Qianyun defeated that burly man that day.

Meridians and acupoints.

Liu Zheng, whether in the later generations or now, believed in them very much.

Things passed down by the ancestors for five thousand years could not be without reason.

It is human.

There are weaknesses.

The days that followed were filled with Liu Zheng, Qin Zhangfeng, Pei Qianyun, Pei Yanran, and the physicians accompanying the army in Liangzhou holding lectures.

A group of fierce men with their trouser legs rolled up sat obediently on small stools, listening intently as they were instilled with knowledge of acupuncture points and meridians.

Strike here, and he will lose his strength.

Strike here, and he will faint as a result.

Strike here, and his knees will go weak, causing him to kneel.

Time passed bit by bit.

Finally.

There were only three days left until the Torch Festival.

The day for them to set off had finally arrived.