The conversation came to a temporary end there.
Next, they began making their own preparations.
While Xu Sheng was overseeing the Carriage and Horse Company's efforts to guarantee Bright Moon Pavilion's coal supply, he was also preparing to establish an escort agency. Lin Ze, meanwhile, began busily working on establishing the Gold Bank.
A typical Gold Bank generally conducted three kinds of business.
First, it exchanged gold for silver and vice versa. Second, it exchanged silver for copper coins and vice versa. Third, it exchanged copper coins for gold and vice versa.
At the commonly used rates, one tael of gold equaled ten taels of silver, or ten thousand copper coins.
The Gold Bank charged a certain fee for each exchange, generally around one percent. For example, if someone wanted to exchange one tael of gold for copper coins, they would receive nine thousand nine hundred coins.
These fees were the Gold Bank's source of profit. In theory, the more exchanges it handled, the more money it made.
In Fengping County, anyone hoping to make money running a Gold Bank would naturally have to solicit customers at the bustling docks.
So although Lin Ze had set up the Gold Bank's storefront in the city, that was for the sake of keeping the money safe. Later, he would still need to open an office at the docks to handle business.
Seeing this, Liu Pei smiled and asked.
Hearing him, the County Magistrate answered without hesitation, "To answer Zhang Da Niu, it's quite impressive. Every day, they can practice martial arts without having to toil in the mines, and they have food and lodging, too."
Fengping sighed from the bottom of his heart.
Fengping also spoke up to make a promise.
"Do you understand?"
As the saying went, if you ate someone's rice, you followed their orders.
"To answer Zhang Da Niu, we understand."
I only have seven hundred soldiers under my command, but Liu Pei's Guard Team already has seven or eight hundred men.
Seeing the three men look at him curiously, Liu Pei didn't hide anything. He told them about the Wooden Railroad Minecart he was about to start building.
Fengping looked at the instructor and teased him.
At this, the instructor was overjoyed.
"Actually, the increase in the number of guards under your command is good news for Magistrate Liu as well. The coal mine should turn a profit this month. With a major taxpayer like the coal mine in your jurisdiction, you can increase the number of soldiers under your command according to actual needs."
With that, Liu Pei paused to let the three men digest the information, then continued, "This transportation business will have enormous costs and slim profits. It also involves an unparalleled expert from Bright Moon Pavilion. Giving the three of you shares wouldn't be worthwhile, but I'll make sure to provide you with sufficient benefits every year. I hope you'll look after us."
"Understood. I'll make sure my men don't cause trouble near the Wooden Railroad Minecart."
The three officials agreed so readily not only because of the benefits Liu Pei had promised, but also because the Wooden Railroad Minecart would help the coal business. Protecting the minecart was, in a sense, protecting their own interests.
Li He promised.
At the same time, Liu Pei's household would make a few renovations to cover up the disturbances and excess earth from building the tunnels and secret room.
Fengping's official duty was that of a military officer. As a ninth-rank Commandant, he could command two or three hundred men. But Linze County sat at an important crossroads, and the military strength of two or three hundred regular soldiers was inadequate. Nor could he let the military officers defy the local officials' authority and cause trouble.
That was why the County Magistrate could be promoted on the spot, and as a Commandant, Fengping could naturally be promoted on the spot as well.
"If this keeps up, we can increase coal production even further."
A transportation business?
Back in the coal mine's manager's office, Liu Pei found Li He and the other two drinking tea.
"We recruited five hundred miners to become guards, but recently, those miners have been bringing their friends and acquaintances to work in the mines, so the number of miners has been steadily increasing. Losing these five hundred miners won't have much effect on overall coal production."
To establish a Gold Bank, there were three things to prepare.
This would determine how much money Fengping had to curry favor with his superiors, and whether he could bring in elite soldiers from elsewhere to strengthen his own forces.
Finally, after weighing his options, Liu Pei found a suitable candidate: a servant's family member, a seventeen-year-old named Huang Dongsheng.
"I'm going to have the Martial Hall Instructor train you for a while. For now, you'll keep living at the mine."
The instructor was standing somewhat awkwardly in front of Liu Pei. The man before him controlled his livelihood.
"I'm not calling you here to cause trouble, so don't be nervous. I just want to ask you something."
Liu Pei reassured him with a smile, then asked, "Da Niu, what do you think of the Mining Guard?"
"You were chosen today to serve as guards for these new businesses."
"Though we've recruited five hundred miners to become guards, we haven't stopped hiring miners. Since so many are coming to work here, losing those five hundred won't affect coal production much."
"You all know that all you have right now is brute strength. You don't know how to fight."
"Recently, our recruited miners have brought in their friends and acquaintances, so the number of miners has continued to rise. We won't be short of manpower just because five hundred of them join the guards."
"Well, tell me, what's your opinion of the Mining Guard?"
"After this, you'd better all train hard. If you don't, you could lose your lives. I'll naturally pay your families compensation, but you'll still be dead."
"Turn around, and Zi Yi will have more people at his disposal than I do."
Liu Pei had only seven hundred soldiers of his own, but Zi Yi already had seven or eight hundred guards.
"Actually, having more guards under your command is a good thing for Magistrate Liu, too. The coal mine should turn a profit this month. With a major taxpayer like that in your jurisdiction, you can increase the number of soldiers under your command according to actual needs."
"Once local taxes can support an army, your superiors won't have to allocate extra funds for its expenses, and they can still receive the benefits you offer them. What could be better?"
"Of course, anyone who slacks off can forget about that dream."
Liu Pei asked the instructor to stand, then smiled and sent him away to continue selecting other candidates for the guards.
If he worked hard, maybe Zhang Da Niu would remember him the next time there was a good opportunity.
"There's no need to be nervous. I didn't call you here to cause trouble. I just want to ask you something."
"Go on. For now, just carry on as usual."
The instructor was pleased with his job and life. As long as he worked hard, he had enough to eat, with meat to boot. He could even improve his mother's meals from time to time. If he saved the wages he received each month, in a few years he'd have enough to get married.
He'd always envied the Mining Guard, but he'd never imagined he could become one himself. Those men were Zhang Da Niu's trusted confidants.
Huang Dongsheng had been assigned to work at the mine as a member of the Mining Guard. His usual duties, aside from practicing martial arts, were to study arithmetic and bookkeeping and help make sure the mine's accounts stayed in order.
"I'll have my many constables behave themselves and stay away from the Wooden Railroad Minecart."
"I'll be grateful for that, Magistrate Liu."
The instructor, flustered, stood before Liu Pei. This was an important man who controlled his livelihood.
Liu Pei's displayed abilities were simply too impressive. He was so outstanding that Fengping felt as if he'd wasted half his life.
Seeing that Fengping really was feeling a little jealous, Liu Pei smiled and tried to reassure him.
The three officials were willing to cooperate not only because of the benefits Liu Pei had offered, but also because the Wooden Railroad Minecart would help the coal business. Protecting the minecart was, in a sense, protecting their own interests.
Especially since the project involved an unparalleled expert from the Martial Arts Holy Land, Bright Moon Pavilion. That made it even harder for them to get excited about it.
The instructor promised.
At the same time, Liu Pei's family would make a few renovations to cover up the noise and excess earth from building the tunnels and secret room.
The coal mine had been operating for more than a month. During that time, Huang Dongsheng had demonstrated that he was a quick learner. More importantly, he deeply admired Liu Pei, his employer.
"So in the coming days, your master will arrange for the Martial Hall Instructor to train you. For now, you'll keep living at the mine."
Liu Pei smiled and let him leave so he could continue selecting other candidates.
Huang Dongsheng had only been working at the coal mine for a month, but he had already shown that he was quick to learn. Most importantly, he revered Liu Pei, his employer.
"From now on, train hard and work hard. If there's a good opportunity, I'll naturally think of you."
With his hands clasped, the instructor replied.
The instructor was pleased with his job and life. As long as he worked hard, he had enough to eat, with meat to boot. From time to time, he could even improve his mother's meals. If he saved his monthly wages, in a few years he would have enough to get married.
The third thing needed to open a Gold Bank was, naturally, guards.
That was why Liu Pei didn't need to make separate arrangements for the miners. They could keep living and eating at the mine.
Those selected to be guards were all hardworking, devoted to their families, and at the age when people had the most strength and energy.
The people gathered to watch, and answered Liu Pei with laughter.
They had been selected because they were to become guards for the new businesses.
Although the Mining Guard's wages weren't high, everyone could see that once its members were trained, Zhang Da Niu would definitely rely on them. They would earn wages on a par with—and perhaps even higher than—those skilled house guards and escort-agency guards.
After the guards had been recruited, Liu Pei gathered them together and began addressing them.
"I'll be putting you to work on a new business venture with some partners. I'll need a lot of guards."
The instructor nodded with a grin.
Fengping immediately forgot the jealousy he'd felt a moment earlier and eagerly asked, "Zi Yi, how much do you think I can get this month?"
"Let's not worry about that right now. Tell me, do you think the guards will be up to the task?"
They were all devoted to Liu Pei, their employer, and were willing to work for him.
Even if the Wooden Railroad Minecart wasn't officially part of the coal mine, in practice, most of its guards would spend their time patrolling between the coal mine and Linze County.
"Whenever the army patrols, we'll protect the merchants passing near the coal mine and keep an eye on the minecart, too."
Before the treasury and tunnels were built, Liu Pei had his household servants and retainers handle the construction to ensure both safety and secrecy.
"That's perfect, Uncle Li is about to be promoted to third-rank County Magistrate. Magistrate Liu, you can apply to your superiors to expand your forces and receive a promotion on the spot."
In the end, this was what had happened: Fengping commanded five hundred men and held the rank of Commandant, while also serving as deputy county magistrate. His two salaries were comparable to those of a Subordinate First Rank garrison officer, but since he wasn't the County Magistrate, he had to obey the County Magistrate.
Fengping's usual work was that of a military officer. As a ninth-rank Commandant, he could command two or three hundred men, but Linze County was an important crossroads. Two or three hundred regular soldiers weren't strong enough, and he couldn't let military officers defy the local officials and cause trouble.
He had only been selected and asked if he was willing to join the guards, but he'd immediately agreed without a second thought. Some of the more astute candidates even volunteered to kneel and swear their loyalty.
Seeing the three men look at him curiously, Liu Pei didn't hide anything. He explained the Wooden Railroad Minecart he was about to start building.
The three officials readily agreed. Aside from the benefits Liu Pei had promised, they knew the Wooden Railroad Minecart would help the coal business. Protecting it would also protect their own interests.
The instructor promised.
"Now that our coal output is stable, we should make around thirty or forty thousand taels in profit this month. Add in the coal left over from last month, and you'll receive at least twenty or thirty thousand taels, Magistrate Liu."
Once Liu Pei had finished recruiting the guards, he gathered them together and began addressing them.
"That's right. Those who slack off can forget about it."
That kind of obedience didn't come from Liu Pei's personal charm. It came from the men's genuine longing for a better life in the future.
"Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir! Da Niu will follow your orders from now on. If you tell me to go east, I won't go west!"
Fengping was genuinely moved.
The instructor's job and life suited him well. As long as he worked hard, he had enough to eat, with meat to boot. He could even improve his mother's meals from time to time. If he saved the wages he got each month, in a few years he would have enough to get married.
Huang Dongsheng was originally assigned to the mine as a member of the Mining Guard. His duties, aside from practicing martial arts, included learning arithmetic and bookkeeping and helping supervise the mine's accounts.
"This month, our coal output should turn a profit."
The instructor was somewhat flustered as he stood before Liu Pei. This was an important man who controlled his livelihood.
"Don't be nervous. I'm not calling you here to cause trouble. I just want to ask you something."
Liu Pei smiled to reassure him, then asked, "Da Niu, what do you think of the Mining Guard?"
"Let's not worry about that right now. Tell me, do you think the guards will be up to the task?"
At that, Fengping's face cleared with understanding.
"Rest assured, Zi Yi. I'll keep my subordinates in line. They won't cause any trouble near the Wooden Railroad Minecart."
His admiration for Liu Pei had grown into profound respect and obedience.
Seeing that Fengping really was feeling a little jealous, Liu Pei smiled and reassured him.
"They were selected today so they can serve as guards for the new businesses."
A single tael of gold was worth ten taels of silver, or ten thousand copper coins.
For each exchange, the Gold Bank charged a fee, generally around one percent. For example, a customer exchanging one tael of gold for copper coins would receive nine thousand nine hundred coins.
Those fees were the Gold Bank's source of profit. In theory, the more exchanges it handled, the more money it made.
In Fengping County, anyone wanting to make money running a Gold Bank would naturally need to seek out customers at the busy docks.
So although Lin Ze had set up the Gold Bank's storefront in the city, that was for the sake of keeping the money safe. Later, he would still need to open an office at the docks to handle business.
The first thing he needed was a sturdy treasury. Lin Ze assigned that task to the three master craftsmen who would soon help him build the railroad minecart. They would design and construct the treasury, then dig a tunnel connecting the Gold Bank's vault to the secret room in Lin Ze's home.
The second thing he needed was a manager who knew how to run the Gold Bank.
This person would need to be skilled in social relations, accounting, and coordination.
After careful consideration, Liu Pei finally found someone suitable: Huang Dongsheng, a seventeen-year-old relative of one of his household servants.
"Actually, your having more guards is good news for Magistrate Liu, too. The coal mine should turn a profit this month. With a major taxpayer like that in his jurisdiction, he can increase the number of soldiers under his command according to actual needs."
He paused, then continued, "With production holding steady, we should make around thirty or forty thousand taels this month. Add in the coal left over from last month, and you'll receive at least twenty or thirty thousand taels, Magistrate Liu."
The third thing needed to open a Gold Bank was, naturally, guards.
For the sake of safety and secrecy, once the treasury and tunnels had been designed, Liu Pei would have his household servants and retainers handle the actual construction.
"Don't worry, Zi Yi. I'll have my men keep a close watch and make sure no one causes trouble near the Wooden Railroad Minecart."
Although the Wooden Railroad Minecart wasn't officially part of the coal mine, in practice most of its guards would spend their time patrolling between the mine and Linze County.
"Whenever the army patrols, we'll protect the merchants passing near the coal mine and keep an eye on the minecart, too."
The three officials readily agreed. Aside from the benefits Liu Pei had promised, they knew the Wooden Railroad Minecart would help the coal business. Protecting it would also protect their own interests.
As the instructor had said, people with jobs as good as the Mining Guard's would naturally be fiercely loyal to their employer.
The instructor's obedience didn't come from Liu Pei's personal charm. It came from his genuine longing for a better life.
"If you work hard, I'll make sure to think of you when a good opportunity comes along."
"Go on. For now, just carry on as usual."
The instructor was pleased with his job and life. As long as he worked hard, he had enough to eat, with meat to boot. He could even improve his mother's meals from time to time. If he saved his monthly wages, in a few years he'd have enough to get married.
Even the other people at the mine who had gathered to watch looked at the selected miners with envy. They envied them for having better prospects now.
Huang Dongsheng had only been working at the coal mine for a little over a month, but he had demonstrated that he could learn quickly. More importantly, he deeply admired Liu Pei, his employer.
To ensure that the Gold Bank operated smoothly, Liu Pei also found a teacher to provide them with further training before the Gold Bank opened.
In the day-to-day work, Huang Dongsheng could gain experience and grow into the role. After a period of training, he would be fully capable of running the Gold Bank.
Huang Dongsheng had originally been assigned to the coal mine as a member of the Mining Guard. His usual duties, aside from practicing martial arts, were to study arithmetic and bookkeeping and help supervise the mine's accounts.
The five hundred miners who were about to become armed militiamen answered loudly and in unison.
"During training, you'll receive room and board, along with a monthly wage of five qian of silver. Once you've completed training, you'll earn at least five taels of silver a month. If you're killed or disabled while working for me, your family will receive compensation equal to two years of your wages, and I'll arrange jobs for them."
The guards were recruited directly from among the miners, so the process wasn't difficult.
Seeing that Fengping really was feeling a little jealous, Liu Pei smiled and reassured him.
"Good. Stand up. Since you're willing to join the Mining Guard, I'll make a note of your name. We'll arrange everything together later."
"Haha, I understand, Zhang Da Niu."
The final thing needed to open the Gold Bank was, naturally, guards.
That was why Liu Pei didn't need to make separate arrangements for the miners. They could continue living and eating at the mine.
After the guards had been recruited, Liu Pei gathered them together and began addressing them.
"From now on, train hard and work hard. If there's a good opportunity, I'll naturally think of you."
The instructor nodded with a grin.
The instructor was pleased with his job and life. As long as he worked hard, he had enough to eat, with meat to boot. He could even improve his mother's meals from time to time. If he saved his monthly wages, in a few years he'd have enough to get married.
Huang Dongsheng had originally been assigned to the coal mine as a member of the Mining Guard. His duties, aside from practicing martial arts, included learning arithmetic and bookkeeping and helping supervise the mine's accounts.
"Once you've completed training, you'll earn at least five taels of silver a month. If you're killed or disabled while working for me, your family will receive compensation equal to two years of your wages, and I'll arrange jobs for them."
Fengping immediately forgot the jealousy he'd felt a moment earlier and eagerly asked, "Zi Yi, how much do you think I can get this month?"
"Haha, understood, Zhang Da Niu."
Seeing that Fengping really was feeling a little jealous, Liu Pei smiled and reassured him.
"Go on. For now, just carry on as usual."
Those who were selected were all hardworking, devoted to their families, and at the age when people had the most strength and energy.
The people gathered to watch, and answered Liu Pei with laughter.
After the guards had been recruited, Liu Pei gathered them together and began addressing them.
"Even though you're all strong, you don't know how to fight."
The Gold Bank would charge a fee for each exchange, generally around one percent. For example, a customer exchanging one tael of gold for copper coins would receive nine thousand nine hundred coins.
Those fees were the Gold Bank's source of profit. In theory, the more exchanges it handled, the more money it made.
In Fengping County, anyone hoping to make money running a Gold Bank would naturally have to solicit customers at the bustling docks.
Though Lin Ze had set up the Gold Bank's storefront in the city to keep the money safe, he would still need to open an office at the docks to handle business.
The first thing he needed was a sturdy treasury. Lin Ze assigned that task to the three master craftsmen who would soon help him build the railroad minecart. They would design and construct the treasury, then dig a tunnel connecting the Gold Bank's vault to the secret room in Lin Ze's home.
The second thing he needed was a manager who knew how to run the Gold Bank.
This person would need to be skilled in social relations, accounting, and coordination.
After careful consideration, Liu Pei found someone suitable: Huang Dongsheng, a seventeen-year-old relative of one of his household servants.
The third thing needed to open the Gold Bank was, naturally, guards.
For the sake of safety and secrecy, once the treasury and tunnels had been designed, Liu Pei would have his household servants and retainers handle the actual construction.
The five hundred miners who were about to become armed militiamen answered loudly and in unison.
"This is a new business I'll be going into with some partners. I'll need a lot of guards."
The guards were recruited directly from among the miners, so the process wasn't difficult.
The selected men were all hardworking, devoted to their families, and at the age when people had the most strength and energy.
They had all been asked if they were willing to join the guards, and they'd accepted without hesitation. Some of the more astute candidates even knelt and swore their loyalty.
"Don't worry, Zi Yi. I'll have my men behave themselves and stay away from the Wooden Railroad Minecart."
"Thanks, Magistrate Liu."
"Of course, anyone who slacks off can forget about that dream."
The instructor's obedience didn't come from Liu Pei's personal charm. It came from his genuine longing for a better life in the future.
Liu Pei asked the instructor to stand, then smiled and sent him away so he could continue selecting other candidates.
"Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir! Da Niu will follow your orders from now on. If you tell me to go east, I won't go west!"
"Don't worry, this isn't bad news. I just wanted to ask you something."
Liu Pei smiled to reassure him, then asked, "Da Niu, what do you think of the Mining Guard?"
The instructor was somewhat flustered as he stood in front of Liu Pei. The man before him controlled his livelihood.
The instructor had always envied the Mining Guard, but he'd never imagined he might become one himself. Those men were Zhang Da Niu's trusted confidants.
Liu Pei's displayed abilities were simply too impressive. He was so outstanding that Fengping felt as if he'd wasted half his life.
"Turn around, and Zi Yi will have more people at his disposal than I do."
Fengping could hardly conceal his envy, though the vast difference in strength between their forces didn't stop him from feeling jealous.
The instructor's obedience didn't come from Liu Pei's personal charm. It came from his genuine longing for a better life.
Although the Mining Guard's wages weren't high, everyone could see that once its members were trained, Zhang Da Niu would definitely rely on them. They would earn wages on a par with—and perhaps even higher than—those skilled house guards and escort-agency guards.
Huang Dongsheng had only been at the coal mine for a little over a month, but he had already demonstrated that he was a quick learner. Most importantly, he deeply admired Liu Pei, his employer.
The instructor was pleased with his job and life. As long as he worked hard, he had enough to eat, with meat to boot. He could even improve his mother's meals from time to time. If he saved his monthly wages, in a few years he'd have enough to get married.
"Actually, your having more guards is good news for Magistrate Liu, too. The coal mine should turn a profit this month. With a major taxpayer like that in his jurisdiction, he can increase the number of soldiers under his command according to actual needs."
"Once local taxes can support an army, your superiors won't have to allocate extra funds for its expenses, and they can still receive the benefits you offer them. What could be better?"
"Exactly. If the coal mine keeps going like this, we can increase coal production even further."
Fengping was genuinely moved.
"That's perfect, Uncle Li is about to be promoted to third-rank County Magistrate. Magistrate Liu, you can apply to your superiors to expand your forces and receive a promotion on the spot."
The next thing he needed was a manager to run the Gold Bank.
He had to know how to handle people and be capable of accounting and coordination.
Huang Dongsheng had only been working at the coal mine for a little over a month, but he'd already shown that he learned quickly. Most importantly, he deeply admired Liu Pei.
To ensure the Gold Bank operated smoothly, Liu Pei found a teacher to provide the new management team with further training before the bank opened.
In the day-to-day work, Huang Dongsheng could gain experience and grow into the role. After a period of training, he would be fully capable of running the Gold Bank.
Of course, Liu Pei would only offer exchanges of silver and copper coins for gold. He wouldn't handle the other kinds of exchanges. After all, his purpose in opening a Gold Bank was to use silver to gather up the gold in the Other World, so he could lower his requirements for the manager.
The five hundred miners who were about to become armed militiamen answered loudly and in unison.
"During training, you'll receive room and board, along with a monthly wage of five qian of silver. Once you've completed training, you'll earn at least five taels of silver a month. If you're killed or disabled while working for me, your family will receive compensation equal to two years of your wages, and I'll arrange jobs for them."
The guards were recruited directly from among the miners, so the process wasn't difficult.
The instructor was pleased with his job and life. As long as he worked hard, he had enough to eat, with meat to boot. He could even improve his mother's meals from time to time. If he saved his monthly wages, in a few years he'd have enough to get married.
Even the other people at the mine who had gathered to watch looked at the selected miners with envy. They envied them for having better prospects now.
Once the guards had been recruited, Liu Pei gathered them together and began addressing them.
"Today, you were chosen to guard these new businesses."
"From now on, train hard and work hard. If there's a good opportunity, I'll naturally think of you."
The instructor nodded with a grin.
"Go on. For now, just carry on as usual."
Those who were selected were all hardworking, devoted to their families, and at the age when people had the most strength and energy.
The people gathered to watch, and answered Liu Pei with laughter.
The author wasn't avoiding writing. The book was doing reasonably well, and writing more meant earning more, so there was no need to worry about it being abandoned.
It was just that the author's health had been poor over the past couple of days, leaving him dazed and groggy all day. He'd do his best to get back on track.
Before you continue