Nanyang Storm 1864

Chapter 136 Silver Gap
"One hundred thousand taels is not enough. I'm going to bring more than 5500 officers and soldiers with me this time when I go south. I'm also planning to buy a batch of gunpowder and cloth. Two hundred thousand taels is very tight." Zheng Guohui said with a frown.

Li Hezhang spread his hands and explained patiently;
"My Lord, even a good cook cannot cook without rice.

The income from Nanyang was clearly recorded, including the monthly copper coin smelting amount and the fruit and vegetable sales.

The expenditure is also very clear. In addition, the fleet has to purchase goods all the time when going south. The scale of refugee collection cannot be expanded now, otherwise the finances will be difficult to support.

3 people per month, that’s the limit.

The general needed to raise 20 taels of silver temporarily, so Xian Que could only squeeze some of it out of the boatmen's monthly salary and delay their payment for one month.

Or... we can embezzle some of the military's salary and make up for it."

"No, the reason the officers and soldiers in Jiangning Town have such high morale is that I never delay their salaries and always spend them on time. This is what keeps everyone united."

"So what should we do? A shortfall of 10 taels of silver is not small. Or should we investigate and punish one or two more salt merchants?"

"Let me think about it. The last time we investigated and punished the two salt merchants of King Zheng, it had a significant impact and caused all sorts of controversy in the court. It was suppressed with great difficulty. I won't stir up trouble unless it's absolutely necessary."

"Then have Chongming Island speed up the minting of copper coins. By next month, it should increase its income by around 20,000 taels of silver, but the shortfall will still be significant." Li Hezhang frowned, thinking for a moment before suggesting, "If it's urgent, can the capital stop disbursing funds? Let's transfer the silver here first."

"Well, this is also a solution. There is no rush to pay the deposit to the Wan Guo Tong Bao Bank. Let's focus on the present first." Zheng Guohui finally agreed. This was a feasible solution.

Zheng Guohui had a basic idea of ​​his daily expenses, and most of the money he earned every month was used to subsidize the fleet that transported immigrants to Southeast Asia.

This is easy to calculate. From the moment the refugees are gathered on Chongming Island, they have to spend money on food, drink, and shelter. They are essentially being raised in the residence camp, where they stay for 2 to 4 months.

During this period, even if each person spends one or two taels of silver a month, that is still money.

This silver was in the form of grain, which was paid by the grain taxes paid by the settlers on Chongming Island. It was basically enough to meet the daily food needs of 4 to 5 refugees on Chongming Island.

From this perspective
The grain tax paid by the settlers on Chongming Island was used to subsidize the refugees going to Southeast Asia.

Although Zheng Guohui does not need any additional expenses, he still has to calculate the account. At least the destination and purpose of every stone of grain transported out of the warehouse are clear.

This part of the expenses was not borne by the refugees. In fact, the refugees who arrived at Chongming Island had nothing in their hands and had no money to pay.

The refugees' boat fare to Southeast Asia was 99 taels of silver per person, which existed in the form of debt and would generate interest upon arrival in Southeast Asia, at an annual interest rate of 6.5%.

The actual ticket price for the fleet to Southeast Asia is between 38 and 40 taels. If more refugees are transported, the cost can be further diluted.

This income covers the cost of resettling the refugees on Chongming Island and providing them with food for at least three months after they arrive in Southeast Asia.

In total, each refugee will need to receive food subsidies for at least six months, until they are allocated land in Southeast Asia, harvest their first crop or vegetables, and become able to survive independently.

Especially in Mindanao, food assistance for newly arrived refugees was extended to include both the refugees themselves and their indigenous wives, which was an obvious additional expense but was necessary.

The expansion of Chinese immigrants is the basis for colonizing Southeast Asia, and such costs must be invested.

All in all, the cost of each refugee would increase by more than ten taels of silver.

To complete the gathering of refugees, transport them to Southeast Asia, and finally support them to live independently, the subsidy expenditure on each refugee exceeded fifty taels of silver.

The ship ticket is worth 99 taels of silver, and the organization can earn half of it by going to Southeast Asia. It is indeed a long-term and highly profitable business.

Even better
The debt-ridden refugees will continue to repay the principal and interest of their debts over the next 5 to 7 years, providing a strong economic foundation for Zheng Guohui's forces.

Such benefits have gradually emerged, the snowball has grown bigger and bigger, and the financial pressure has been greatly alleviated.

The Nanyang Money House subsequently lent silver to individual refugees to purchase indigenous women, agricultural production tools, jointly purchase oxen, seeds, needles and thread, renovate houses, and so on. The borrowed silver was recorded in the refugees' personal accounts.

This part also has interest, generally ranging from 8 to 12%, depending on the specific purpose.

The interest rate on loans used for livelihood is low, while the interest rate on loans used to expand production is high, such as opening a shop, buying oxen, piglets, etc.

As the number of immigrants heading south increased rapidly, the total number of immigrants reached nearly 5 by May.

The amount of silver loans issued by Nanyang money houses has swelled to more than 150 million taels. The average refugee owes more than taels of silver, and the annual loan interest exceeds million taels.

The Nanyang money houses themselves did not have that much silver, and the loans they issued to refugees were mostly in kind.

For example, how much silver is it worth to buy an indigenous woman?
How much silver are oxen, seeds, farm tools, needles and thread worth?
How much silver are the building materials worth?
These expenses are added up and placed into the refugee's personal debt account, which can be repaid slowly over the years.

The more refugees went to Southeast Asia, the larger the loan balance of the Nanyang money houses.

However, this income could not be disbursed for the time being. A portion of the loan repayments and principal from the refugees would be given to the northbound fleet. This would be used to purchase various items on the Chinese mainland, such as porcelain dishes, tea, needles and thread, calves, piglets, and other daily necessities. These items would then be distributed in kind to new refugees on the southbound ship and added to their personal debt accounts.

Another part is used for production on the island, such as the iron mine and the upcoming steel mill, shipyard, farm implement factory, etc. Another part is used to import British cotton cloth, which is a necessity.

Therefore, although the Nanyang Money House now has an annual income of more than three million taels of silver, it actually does not have much cash, but the scale of loans is getting bigger and bigger.

The silver needed for daily life is supported by several lucrative businesses of private salt, tropical fruits and private copper coins run by Zheng Guohui's forces to maintain basic operations.

Once there is a big expense, there will inevitably be a gap.

Just like Zheng Guohui is preparing to lead more than 5500 soldiers to Southeast Asia this time, all expenses will be borne by him alone, and there will be no return of the money.

Not to mention the cost of the ship tickets for the officers and soldiers under his command to go to Southeast Asia, the required supplies and ammunition are all net expenses, and money must be raised, which has become a major problem at present.

After discussing with Li Hezhang, Zheng Guohui returned to his mansion, still thinking about this matter in his mind.

Two hundred thousand taels is just the foundation. If we can raise more, then we will be much more relaxed.

The daily expenses for food and fodder for an army of 5500 people are staggering. We cannot calculate the money too tightly. We must leave ample space to deal with emergencies.

Madam Zheng Li saw that he was frowning, so she asked with concern, "Master, what are you worried about?"

"Oh, nothing." Zheng Guohui waved his hand. He didn't want to bring what happened outside home.

By this time, they had already finished dinner and were chatting in the hall of the back house. All the maids and servants had left, so they didn't need to serve them for the time being.

Zheng Li smiled and handed over the osmanthus rock sugar lotus seed soup. Seeing the master eat it, she said gently:

"Master, husband and wife are one body, and it is not appropriate for me to ask about your military and political affairs outside.

But if you have any difficulties, such as not having enough money, I can be of some help.

During this period of time, I collected tens of thousands of taels of silver, and I also received some of my stipend from my marriage, totaling 2 taels of silver, which my mother left for me as a treasure.

If we put it together, we can get about 6 taels of silver.

If by the end of next month we can raise another twenty or thirty thousand taels of silver, do you think it will be enough, sir?"

"Madam, how do you know that your husband is short of money?" Zheng Guohui raised his eyebrows and asked with some confusion.

"Master has been planning a trip to Southeast Asia lately. He has all the people, ships, and supplies. I guess the only thing he's short of is money. Am I right?"

Looking at the gentle smile on Zheng Li's delicate face with bright eyes and white teeth, Zheng Guohui felt a warm feeling in his heart.

Any words would be superfluous to this extremely intelligent and considerate lady.

He gently stretched out his arms, took his wife into his arms, kissed her hair on the forehead and said, "My wife Yanhe, thank you for your thoughtfulness."

Zheng Guohui called out her maiden name, which made Zheng Lishi's cheeks flush red with embarrassment.

She glanced hurriedly around, then put her hand against Zheng Guohui and said shyly, "This is my due. Money is something outside of my body. Why would I even ask for your help? It's so awkward."

"What a precious possession! My husband is ashamed to accept it."

"Master is a man of great things, not one to squander money. Why should I be reluctant to give it to you? No matter how much, just spend it. I also have some jewelry in my dowry, which is worth tens of thousands of taels of silver..."

"Madam, you can't do that. I'm ashamed to touch your treasure chest. You absolutely cannot do that with these jewels. I've already collected two hundred thousand taels for our journey south, and these are enough."

"Okay, the money is in the West Office and can be used at any time."

Zheng Guohui didn't say anything more, but took his wife's hand and walked towards the dormitory. He wanted to answer with practical actions, which was full of love.

I've already had dinner, so although it's a bit early to go to bed, it's understandable.

Zheng Li walked behind him, looking a little shy, and whispered, "Master, how about... calling Ruqin."

"No, today I, the husband, will only pamper my wife." Zheng Guohui refused domineeringly.

He turned around and picked up his wife's light body, and walked towards the bed with a loud laugh amid Zheng Li's scream.

The red candle flickered, and it was another sleepless night of stormy weather...

(End of this chapter)