In Shao State, after Wan Shunde returned with the negotiation documents from the Shang Kingdom, the whole country of Shao discussed it for a long time.
This negotiation document is very thick. The agreement signed between the Shang Kingdom and the Shao Kingdom lists every detail.
Prime Minister Wan Shunde had to explain these terms in detail to officials and the emperor in the court. This explanation took several days. In the end, he explained the matter of the "200 million taels of gold loan".
"Two hundred million taels of gold, 15% annual interest! Prime Minister, you are so bold!" Minister of Finance Zhan Tianlin smiled bitterly, "Two hundred million taels of gold, the annual interest is 24 million taels of gold! And the unpaid interest from the previous year will be added to the principal and continue to compound interest. Prime Minister, do you think we can pay it back?"
Not to mention, the Minister of Revenue's words immediately made everyone look at Prime Minister Wan Shunde.
"Yes!" Wan Shunde said firmly!
"Oh..." Both the emperor and the officials were moved by the prime minister's straightforward attitude and all looked over.
Wan Shunde said passionately: "Your Majesty, please forgive me for being so presumptuous. I would like to ask Your Majesty, in the current situation in the east of Yingzhou, is money more important or time more important?"
Emperor Shao was not a foolish man, and he immediately understood what the prime minister was talking about. He immediately replied calmly: "If I can use money to buy time, I will not hesitate!"
Wan Shunde explained in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, the situation in the east of Yingzhou is unpredictable now. It is hard to say when a large-scale war that cannot be stopped will break out. In fact, in my opinion, this year's autumn harvest will be the node that triggers this war. Before the spring plowing next year, the war will inevitably break out. In this case, we can borrow money to develop the domestic military industry. Let alone the interest rate of 15%, even if the interest rate is 50%, we will borrow it! Your Majesty, as long as we win a war, as long as we plunder any country, we can easily get more than 1 billion gold. Before that, we have to use these 200 million taels of gold, as well as all the technology, funds, support, corporate investment, etc. of the Shang Kingdom, to develop our country, increase our national strength, and strengthen our military! In order to save time, I even think that we should give special treatment to the merchants of the Shang Kingdom, so that they don't have to go through complicated procedures and can start production immediately. The reputation and national policy of the Shang Kingdom allow us to borrow the power of the Shang Kingdom with confidence. Of course, we must abide by the treaty."
The Emperor of Shao Kingdom half-closed his eyes and thought for a moment, then nodded immediately, "The Prime Minister is right, let's do this. Open the door to investment from the Shang Kingdom. Everything will be temporarily in the Prime Minister's charge. Including the domestic military, industry, economic development and technological research, all will be in the Prime Minister's charge. I will send the Crown Prince for support."
"Yes." Wan Shunde accepted the order.
Sending the prince over there is not only for support, but also for supervision, restriction, and learning.
…
At the same time, the situation in the surrounding countries was tense, and many wars were already underway. The situation in the east of Yingzhou was sliding towards the abyss, and it was getting faster and faster.
At this time in the Qingyun Valley, Li Xian led the high-ranking officials of the Shang Kingdom to a wide central square - should it be