Chapter 508: Basic Wage

Actually using food to designate currency, Jiang Anguo is seeing it for the first time, because he never understood these things before.

But it doesn't seem impossible, because Nanko originally is a non‑existent country, essentially having nothing.

As for food reserves, Jiang Anguo is not worried, because he also has the WarSystem; currently one point can exchange for two hundred jin of food, enough for Nanko's populace, even enough to feed all of Myanmar.

The key is how long it needs to be sustained, to balance revenue and expenditure.

We can't keep relying on Jiang Anguo forever; otherwise Jiang Anguo would have nothing else to do all day, flying here whenever this side lacks food, flying there whenever that side lacks it.

Huang Bo Quan was already confident and patiently explained: "Anguo, this price has been carefully considered. Within Nanko there are many plain areas suitable for farming, and the Agricultural Department's ongoing production; it only takes three months, and Nanko's food supply will not be short."

"0.06 yuan per jin, which works out to a typical three‑person household consuming 90 jin of food per month, costing just 5.4 yuan, enough to keep the people fed and to give grain growers a reasonable income, motivating their planting enthusiasm."

Jiang Anguo nodded. From this perspective, Huang Bai Quan's pricing also seems reasonable; given the current single‑type food, an adult working a day can eat 40 jin a month, which is understandable.

Mielong, the big‑eater, has been seen; a single meal can eat at least two jin of rice, and fortunately it's not just two jin of rice, he can also finish two Canned Beef.

That means in Jiang Anguo's troops, if you switch to another unit, who could afford it.

Chen Jiageng pondered briefly and added: "I think this price is feasible. Over with the Nanyang overseas Chinese, I will also coordinate, and subsequently transport food continuously to support Nanko, ensuring food prices remain stable."

"Moreover, once food prices are stable, the prices of other goods can be gradually regulated, allowing the people to confidently use our currency instead of still relying on barter."

Regarding material needs, Chen Jiageng has long been in charge of procurement for the national government, so he is quite familiar.

But having a country's president handle these matters indeed shows the nation lacks many capable people.

Many Nanyang overseas Chinese are trapped in Singapore and cannot get out; numerous patriotic overseas Chinese also perished under the Japanese's slaughter.

Jiang Anguo nodded and agreed: "Alright, set the food price at 0.06 yuan per jin. What about the people's wage standard?"

"When currency circulates, the people need income to purchase food and other daily necessities, especially soldiers, factory workers, and government staff; a reasonable monthly wage standard must be set to guarantee their basic livelihood."

When the wage standard was mentioned, Huang Bo Quan set down his pen, his expression even more solemn: "This is exactly what I'm about to discuss with you. We'll combine Nanko's fiscal condition, price levels, and the people's living needs."

"I propose that ordinary government staff, soldiers, and regular factory workers receive a monthly wage of 10 yuan. This standard can both secure their basic livelihood and fit Nanko's current fiscal capacity."

"Monthly wage 10 yuan?" Chen Jiageng thought lightly, "At 0.06 yuan per jin, 10 yuan buys over 160 jin of food, enough for a family's monthly rations, plus other living expenses, so it should cover basic needs. However, Nanko's finances are tight now; can we sustain this wage standard?"

Huang Bo Quan smiled and said: "Jiageng, rest assured. I've already calculated that Nanko's current fiscal revenue mainly comes from overseas Chinese donations, the sale of captured Japanese Army supplies, and the reasonable taxes the Commerce Department will levy later."

"With the 10‑yuan monthly wage standard, the salary outlay for government staff, soldiers, and factory workers accounts for about thirty percent of current fiscal revenue, which is fully sustainable. Moreover, as Nanko's agriculture and commerce develop, fiscal income will gradually rise, and later we can appropriately raise the wage standard according to actual conditions."

Jiang Anguo took the floor and added: "I think this wage standard is very reasonable. Soldiers fight year after year, safeguarding Nanko's security; it both secures their basic livelihood and boosts morale. Government staff handle Nanko's affairs, and factory workers drive production; this wage standard can also motivate them."

"Additionally, we must clarify that wages for different positions can be adjusted appropriately—for example, officers, senior government officials, and skilled workers can earn more than 10 yuan, while ordinary soldiers and grassroots staff follow the 10‑yuan standard, thereby reflecting fairness."

In fact, regarding workers and government personnel, Jiang Anguo thinks a provisional 10 yuan is feasible, but for soldiers the minimum is 10 yuan, and he feels the standard is still too low.

Jiang Anguo scribbled calculations on paper.

Huang Bo Quan repeatedly agreed: "Anguo, you've thought this through thoroughly. Indeed, different positions have varying labor intensity and responsibility, so wages should differ accordingly."

Huang Bai Quan continued: "For instance, ordinary soldiers receive 10 yuan monthly, while Platoon Leader and Company Commander can be raised to 15 or 20 yuan; grassroots government staff get 10 yuan, and department heads can be increased to 25 or 30 yuan."

"Skilled workers, such as blacksmiths, carpenters, and doctors, can have a monthly wage of 12 to 15 yuan, which both reflects pay‑by‑labor and attracts more capable people to join Nanko's construction."

Jiang Anguo offered his view: "Here's my suggestion: soldiers defend the country, risking life and shedding blood, essentially staking their lives on their belt. A 10‑yuan basic wage is too low; ordinary soldiers should receive 18 yuan per month, with officers increasing accordingly. Moreover, the disabled will be assigned jobs by the government, and war‑dead children will be raised by the state, with a monthly stipend as well!"

Soldiers, Jiang Anguo believes, must have compensation higher than other positions, especially in this wartime era.

But it must also fit the national budget; indiscriminate high salaries, once the war ends and soldiers lay down their rifles while high‑budget military deployments continue, would inevitably cause the national economy to collapse.

Reasonableness is extremely important.

"Anguo, I agree with this proposal!" Chen Jiageng was the first to voice support.

Huang Bai Quan naturally would not oppose; he only presented a draft, and the final decision still rests with the two present.

Chen Jiageng nodded, his tone firm: "We'll follow this line of thinking. The currency denominations can be set as 10 yuan, 5 yuan, 1 yuan, 5 Corner, 1 Corner, 5 fen, 1 fen, to facilitate public use."

Huang Bai Quan then said, "We can also add 50 yuan, 100 yuan, and higher denominations, since merchants handle larger capital; small denominations would be cumbersome to exchange."

Jiang Anguo and Chen Jiageng nodded in approval.