Chapter 507: Food Is Heaven for the People

"The last department, the Commerce Department," Chen Jiageng concluded, "Nanko has just been founded, its economic foundation is weak, and to develop it we must invigorate commerce."

"The function of the Commerce Department is to regulate domestic commercial activities, crack down on speculation, price‑gouging and other illegal acts, and maintain market order; to promote Nanko's trade with the outside world, exporting Nanko's agricultural products, minerals and other resources, and importing urgently needed supplies, equipment and technology. Of course, the export issue also requires the Expeditionary Force here to capture Yangon!"

"Supporting Chinese merchants and local merchants, encouraging commercial development, increasing state fiscal revenue, and improving the people's living standards. Its role is Nanko's 'economic engine'; only when commerce thrives can the nation's economy develop, fiscal revenue rise, and more funds be poured into people's livelihood, the military and infrastructure, allowing Nanko to gradually become prosperous and strong."

Chen Jiageng finished, looked at Jiang Anguo, and said earnestly, "Anguo, these seven departments are the most urgent needs for Nanko's early stage, covering the seven core fields of finance, diplomacy, military, rule of law, transportation, agriculture and commerce; none can be omitted."

"Each department directly relates to Nanko's stability and development; we must promptly finalize the department heads, define their duties, and get every department operating as soon as possible."

Jiang Anguo's pen never stopped moving; that Chen Jiageng could, in such a short time, establish a country's basic organizational structure is already extremely difficult.

Jiang Anguo thought for a moment, nodded slowly, and said firmly, "President, your considerations are very thorough; the setting of these seven departments perfectly matches Nanko's actual needs. For the department heads, you may prioritize reliable, capable Chinese elites and Nanyang overseas Chinese; if you encounter suitable candidates or tricky problems, feel free to consult me."

"Although I do not hold a government post, Nanko's affairs are my Jiang Anguo affairs, and I will fully support them."

Currently, Nanko's top priority is national security and restoring production.

It's a simple eight‑character phrase, but first we must eliminate the enemy, then develop Myanmar's barren fields.

Chen Jiageng originally intended to leave the Defense Department to Jiang Anguo, but Jiang Anguo declined; in the early stage Song Mengqin can directly assume the position without any problem.

Nanko currently has no warfare, and at least there will be none before the rainy season ends.

Chen Jiageng smiled with satisfaction, eyes full of hope, "Your words give me even more confidence. As long as we work together, manage these seven departments well, and coordinate Nanko's affairs, I believe it won't be long before Nanko stands firm, becoming a stable, prosperous nation on Myanmar's soil, allowing all Chinese to live here peacefully and support the homeland's resistance."

Sunlight bathed the two of them, and the air was filled with determination and hope.

Nanko's seven core government departments were thus finalized; they are like seven pillars supporting this newborn nation, bearing Chinese people's expectations, and opening the development path of the Nanko Democratic Federal Republic.

The previously finalized seven government departments have gradually begun preparations, but the crucial issue of currency formulation remains without a clue.

Without a unified currency, Nanko's fiscal revenue and expenditure, market transactions, and people's livelihood guarantees cannot be discussed; the populace can only barter, and military supplies are hard to coordinate precisely.

After much thought, Chen Jiageng finally spoke, "Anguo, this matter requires Huang Bo Quan to come over; he is a master of banking, overseas Chinese donations are all handled through his bank, and regarding control of finance and currency, no one is more suitable than him."

Jiang Anguo nodded repeatedly, "I was just thinking the same. Mr. Huang has been in business for many years, is proficient in bank management, and, rare among them, cares for the nation; he even personally bought government bonds to indirectly support the resistance. With his help, currency formulation will be twice as effective."

Not long after, Huang Bo Quan arrived as invited.

He wore a crisp Zhongshan suit, his face gentle but eyes sharp; as soon as he entered the hall, he smiled and clasped his hands, "Jiageng, Anguo, I heard you are worried about Nanko's currency; I came over especially to see."

Chen Jiageng hurriedly rose to greet him, indicating Huang Bo Quan to sit, "Bo Quan, you finally made it. Nanko has just been founded, everything is in need of revival; the most urgent task now is to devise a unified currency, but both of us are unskilled in this area, so we can only ask you to step in and help."

Huang Bo Quan took the clear tea handed by the attendant, sipped, his expression instantly became solemn, and said directly and realistically, "Jiageng, Anguo, to be frank, formulating a currency is a monumental task."

"On my way here I was already pondering that Nanko can now be said to have nothing. There is no mature financial system, no stable fiscal revenue, not even a unified market order, and devising a workable currency system is far from easy."

Jiang Anguo, hearing this, remained calm, and said slowly, "Mr. Huang is correct; Nanko truly is starting from scratch. Yet we have advantages: we now control one‑third of Myanmar's territory, as well as Thailand's Golden Triangle region; the territory is not small, with fertile farmland, rich minerals, and the support of Chinese civilians. As long as the currency is reasonably set, we can gradually revitalize Nanko's economy."

Currently, Jiang Anguo occupies—no, it should be said that Nanko's territory includes the Mandalay Plain and the Shanbang Plateau.

Chen Jiageng echoed, "Indeed, Bo Quan. Currency is the nation's foundation and the people's livelihood guarantee; we cannot rush, but we also cannot delay."

"We invited you this time to work together to finalize the currency denominations, purchasing power, and issuance scale, especially to align with Nanko people's real lives, setting reasonable prices and wage standards so that the populace can accept them and the currency can truly circulate."

Huang Bo Quan nodded, picked up the paper and pen on the table, and said while noting, "To devise a currency, we must first determine its purchasing power, and the core of purchasing power is to match the most basic livelihood need: food."

"People regard food as heaven; food price is the key metric for currency value. As long as food prices stay stable, the currency's credibility can be built. I have combined overseas Chinese donation data, Nanko's current food reserves, and the people's agricultural output, and drafted a preliminary standard: food priced at 0.06 yuan per jin."

"0.06 yuan per jin?" Jiang Anguo raised an eyebrow slightly, then fell into thought, "Is this price reasonable? Can Nanko's current food reserves support it? How long must it be sustained? And can ordinary people accept it?"

Jiang Anguo is well aware that the whole of Nanko now relies on him and his WarSystem.

But once detached, Nanko must rely on itself, so this pricing must be reasonable.