Medical Department
Seeing that everyone had reached an agreement on the exchange rate proposed by Rabik, Victor readily adopted Rabik's suggestion.
"Rabik, since we are going to issue new copper coins, we must ensure the quantity and production so that there will be enough for the next issuance."
Based on our current Mint production efficiency, we can produce 30,000 copper coins of various types per day, but this output is not yet sufficient!
Therefore, I will notify the Machine Factory to prepare a batch of new equipment for the Mint as soon as possible. With the introduction of this new equipment, it is estimated that the Mint's output can be increased by one or two times.
In this way, we can stockpile a sufficient quantity in just over a month.
However, to prevent a shortage of raw materials in subsequent production, the territory must purchase a certain amount of zinc and tin for production.
In order to ensure the orderly production of the Mint, I hope your department can find a suitable and stable supplier that can meet at least 30% of our territory's needs.
This way, if other channels encounter problems, relying on this supplier won't affect our work progress!
Rabik frowned, puzzled, and asked, "My lord, if we can already purchase the necessary supplies directly from various merchants, and the quantity is sufficient to meet our needs, then why bother searching for a specific supplier? It seems rather redundant!"
Faced with Rabik's question, Victor simply smiled and calmly replied, "Well... these materials actually have some other special uses, and the demand for them will definitely be considerable in the future. So, you should prepare inventory for at least two years' worth of use!"
Victor's words were ambiguous and cryptic, and he did not elaborate on the reasons behind them. However, everyone present had served under this lord for many years and understood the unspoken meaning behind his words—clearly, these tin and zinc would have an important use in the future.
Just then, Levant, who had been silent all along, suddenly interjected. "My lord, as far as I know, many Barbarian Tribes possess the technology to smelt bronze."
This undoubtedly indicates that there should be abundant zinc, tin, and other mineral resources in the desolate northern plains.
In my opinion, we can adopt a two-pronged strategy. First, Rabik should be in charge of foreign procurement; second, our territory should send a group of capable and shrewd individuals to conduct exploration work in the surrounding grasslands.
In this way, the probability of discovering mineral deposits must be quite high! Back then, the Blazing Fire Tribe set up camp near Blue Lake, and we easily discovered copper mines there. Presumably, it not only contains abundant copper resources, but perhaps also tin and zinc deposits!
Victor nodded slightly, indicating that he deeply agreed with what Levant said.
Immediately afterwards, he turned his gaze to Powell without hesitation and gave the order, "Let the Government Affairs Office take full responsibility for coordinating this matter, but remember, it must not interfere with this year's established land reclamation plan and immigration affairs!"
Upon hearing this, Powell quickly replied, "Yes, sir!" With that, the meeting came to an end.
As for the exchange rate of the new currency, all attendees unanimously agreed and had no objections.
After all, these copper coins will become the currency circulating in the territory in the future, so in their eyes this is definitely a top priority!
However, Victor's concern for the supply of copper coins and raw materials was not limited to the new currency. In fact, he had far more profound plans and uses for these metals!
Currently, the Blazefire Gel in our territory has successfully undergone a complete overhaul. Multiple tests have proven that its passivation properties have perfectly met the standards, and its explosive power has also significantly improved compared to before! Victor pondered to himself, his heart filled with immense anticipation for this new type of Blazefire Gel.
Nevertheless, considering the still high sensitivity of the Blazefire Gel, Victor decided to adopt a more prudent strategy—to first begin casting Artillery, directly creating weapons similar to the famous Napoleon Cannon from his previous life.
Of course, Victor didn't reveal many details about this matter to others.
After all, there are still many uncertainties as to whether this new generation of Blazefire Gel can truly replace traditional gunpowder.
Therefore, it is wise to remain low-key and act cautiously until the final outcome is clear.
Afterwards, Victor ended the meeting and personally went to the military camp and the General Staff. After all, once the new copper coins were issued, they would be among the first batch of military pay distributed to the troops in the territory, so he needed to communicate with the military leadership in advance.
However, the military is indeed much easier to manage than the civilian system in the territory. After all, the military only needs to carry out orders and has no objection to the use of the new currency.
Victor concluded the meeting held within the army in a short period of time.
Seeing that it was still early, Victor thought he might as well go to the Medical Department!
That's right. Since the end of the Civil War, the Medical Department has become independent and is no longer under the jurisdiction of the military's Logistics Department.
Today, it stands alone, overseeing major hospitals within its territory, clinics in several important towns, a professional military medical detachment, and a small but influential Medical Academy.
It is worth mentioning that many doctors who originally belonged to the Medical Department participated in this Civil War with the army, and this valuable experience greatly improved their ability and skills in treating external injuries.
Moreover, the people they treated were not limited to the soldiers of the Golden Sunflower Family; many soldiers, officers, and even nobles from other territories also benefited from their treatment.
As a result, the Golden Sunflower Family's exceptional medical skills began to spread by word of mouth among many noble circles, and their reputation gradually spread far and wide.
Many ailing nobles and wealthy merchants even came to Two Rivers Territory seeking help after the war ended.
Faced with this favorable opportunity, Victor took the initiative to reorganize the existing medical system and formally announced the establishment of an independent Medical Department.
Considering that the existing chief medical officer of the Medical Department Isaac, did not have much management ability, Victor simply transferred a deputy director named Stanchiu from the Department of Civil Administration to assist in management.
Upon arriving at the Medical Department, Victor took the opportunity to inquire about Stanchiu Medical Department's recent operations.
"My lord, we have successfully completed the physician ranking system you requested, but the classification system for doctors and nurses is still in the exploratory stage and will probably take more time to perfect."
To date, the territory has a total of 61 Level 1 physicians, 14 Level 2 physicians, and 4 Level 3 physicians, in addition to 147 interns and 417 nurses.
As per your instructions, the vast majority of these medical personnel take turns on duty, going to hospitals and military clinics within the territory to provide consultations, ensuring that each clinic is equipped with at least one Level II physician and three Level I physicians!
Our Medical College is primarily responsible for training in-service medical professionals.
The first batch of students were mainly composed of intern doctors and nurses, and they would be assigned to hospitals for internships.
Based on the current educational progress, it will take about two years for this batch of students to graduate and receive their diplomas. We will begin recruiting the second batch of students next year.
With this continuous influx of new recruits, it is believed that the territory's shortage of medical resources and the issue of hierarchical management of doctors and nurses can also be resolved.
Victor was satisfied with the progress made by Stanchiu and the Medical Department, and then asked, "What about Isaac?"
"Director Isaac devoted almost all his energy to the Medical College, and he would only personally handle certain extremely rare or complex special cases."
He rarely goes to the hospital to see patients; instead, he spends most of his time immersed in in-depth analysis and research of various case data, and dedicates himself to exploring more advanced medical technologies.
Victor also agreed with this approach. Originally, in the regulations he had drawn up for the Medical Department, the requirement for a Level 3 physician like Isaac was research and training.
"How are those patients from outside doing?" Victor asked with a curious look.
What he was concerned about were the high-ranking officials and nobles who had heard of the excellent medical skills in this place and came to seek medical treatment. After all, according to the information he had received before, there were many nobles and wealthy merchants among them.
Stanchiu replied excitedly, "Currently, the hospital in our territory has specially designated an area as Foreign Medical Division, specifically to receive these patients who have come from afar."
Moreover, given their distinguished status, we not only renovated and furnished this branch courtyard in a magnificent style, but also specially hired several experienced butlers and a group of well-trained servants to be in charge of their reception!
Upon hearing this, Victor nodded in approval. Stanchiu eagerly continued, "From the beginning of this year until now, this Foreign Medical Division has treated a total of sixty-five patients!" His excitement was palpable.
"Just as you predicted, although the number of patients is not very large, because we strictly adhere to the high fees set for the nobility, the total income from treatment fees, medicine expenses, and other sources has reached a staggering 200 gold coins!"
This money is more than enough to cover the hospital's normal operating expenses for three consecutive months!
It was obvious that even Stanchiu himself had not expected the medical industry to be so profitable; but for Victor, it was all expected, so he did not show any surprise.