Chapter Seventy-Five: The Opening of the Bank

When Li Yi awoke, it was already the next morning. Since he had begun special forces training, this was the first time he had missed his morning exercises.

Rubbing his aching head, Li Yi felt extremely disgruntled. Those old rogues—damn it, they say that all the generals who conquer the world are born from ruffians, and there’s some truth in that! I’ll have to think of a way to deal with this in the future; this can’t go on!

“Young master, you’re awake?” Bingyu entered, carrying a basin of water. Seeing Li Yi awake, she hurried forward to help him sit up.

“Mmm! Bingyu, did anyone come to see me this morning?”

Bingyu hesitated, saying nothing. Since Li Yi had been carried back last night, a shadow had lingered in her heart, and now she eyed anyone seeking Li Yi with suspicion.

Seeing her expression, Li Yi guessed what had happened. “Go on, say it! There’s no avoiding this. Trust me, your young master is not so fragile!”

After some hesitation, Bingyu finally replied, “At dawn, many people came to the residence, all asking for you. Lord Zhao, Lord Zheng, Lord E, and Lord Ying—they’re all here. Right now, they’re in the main hall, and Master is keeping them company!”

“So, all those who should come have come. All the better.” Li Yi gave a cold laugh. “Old demon Cheng, you tormented me all night—did you think I’d let you off so easily?” Turning to Bingyu, he said, “Go to the main hall and tell those lords about last night. Say I haven’t woken up yet and keep muttering about the Merchant Alliance, His Majesty, and such. Just say that much; if they ask anything else, say you don’t know!”

Bingyu’s eyes lit up, and she nodded before hurrying off.

After she left, Li Yi changed his clothes, washed his face, and grabbed a quick bite. Not long after, Bingyu returned.

“Well, Bingyu, how did it go?”

Beaming, her eyes crinkled into crescent moons. “Young master, you wouldn’t believe it! When I repeated your words, those old lords immediately panicked, vowing to go settle accounts with that old… that old villain Cheng, saying they’d stick up for you, and then they stormed off, complaining all the while!”

Li Yi chuckled. “Hmph! You think it’s so easy to take advantage of me? Bingyu, change into men’s clothes. Let’s sneak out the side door and head over to Jiang’s residence to train the youngsters!”

“Yes, sir!”

Li Yi and Bingyu quietly made their way to the Jiang residence and began training the youngsters. Their foundations were already more than half-built, but their knowledge still lagged behind. So, Li Yi now spent most of his time teaching them the various skills a special forces soldier needed. He also found time to adapt an elementary mathematics textbook for training talent for the Merchant Alliance, the bank, and the charitable foundation.

The next morning, suddenly, squads of guards appeared all over the quiet city of Chang’an. Royal proclamations were posted everywhere, and children ran about shouting slogans about the new bank and saving money.

Curiosity got the better of the townsfolk, and seeing guards posting imperial notices, they crowded around to read.

“Hey, Uncle Liu, what does it say?”

“It says that His Majesty has established a Royal Bank of the Great Tang. As long as you deposit a certain amount—ten strings of cash or more—you can save your money there. Not only do they not charge you, they give you interest!”

“Really? The royal family is in business now?”

“Didn’t you hear? You put your money in, and they give you even more. That’s a real benefit for us common folk, not just business. What merchant ever loses money like that? It’s way better than those pawnshops and money changers!”

“That’s true! If only there wasn’t a minimum amount, I’d save some too.”

“Don’t worry! It says this is just temporary, because they’re short-staffed at the start. Later on, they’ll lower the minimum requirement.”

“Oh, that’s how it is. His Majesty is wise indeed! Looks like I’d better start saving from now on.”

“Me too!”

In just one morning, the word “bank” swept through every corner of Chang’an. The bank in the eastern market was instantly swarmed, bustling with customers.

On the second day after the bank’s opening, Li Yi finally reappeared, for today was the day when the group of young nobles would gather again. This time, however, they were meeting for serious business, so he chose one of the city’s finest taverns—Xiaoyao Pavilion—for the occasion.

Li Yi ascended alone to the second floor, where a group rose to greet him. He looked them over; gone were the playful grins of the past. Clearly, they understood the importance of today’s affairs.

“Heh, everyone’s here? In that case, let’s get down to business first!” Li Yi seated himself boldly in the second-most prominent spot, right after Li Ke. Yet everyone knew Li Yi was the true protagonist today; in their hearts he now held considerable weight—pressure both from their family warnings and from Li Yi’s growing influence in the Tang. With just the bank and the Merchant Alliance, he’d already cemented his place among the scheming nobility.

Surveying the room, he noted the attendance: one representative from each family—Cheng Chumo from the Chengs, Yuchi Baolin from the Yuchis, Fang Yiai from the Fangs, Wei Shuyu from the Weis, Qin Huaiyu from the Qins, Changsun Chong from the Changsuns, Li Zhen from the Lis, Duan Gui from the Duans, Li Xuan from the Prince of Rencheng’s estate, Li Chongyi from the Prince of Hejian’s estate—plus Li Ke and himself, making twelve in total. Taking a sip of tea, Li Yi spoke slowly: “I trust you all know why we’re here—to form a commercial alliance, one based on the image of the scholar-merchant. There’s no need for me to elaborate; you all understand perfectly well. Let’s discuss the first matter: the division of shares in the alliance.”

He paused deliberately, watching for their reactions. As expected, every eye lit up. They may have been indifferent before, but after the commotion raised by Cheng Yaojin, everyone was well aware: this alliance could be a gold mine. Even a small share could mean hundreds or thousands of strings of cash.

“I truly don’t think this requires much debate. If you all agree, let’s be fair: apart from myself and His Highness the Prince of Shu, each of you puts in five thousand strings and receives half a percent share. The Prince of Shu puts in twenty thousand for a two percent share. I’ll contribute knowledge and technology for one percent. The court receives two percent. Any objections?”

At first, most frowned—half a percent seemed far too little. Yet, thinking it over, there were many claimants and little to go around. To have even half a percent was not bad. Once the alliance flourished, even that would bring great profit. Most importantly, this was voluntary. If anyone withdrew, the available shares would be snapped up instantly. So, after a moment’s thought, they all nodded in agreement.

Seeing no objections, Li Yi was about to move on when Li Ke suddenly spoke: “Brother Yi, I have no issue with the others’ shares, but the royal family only needs one and a half percent. The extra half percent should go to you.”

Li Yi was startled. Wouldn’t that put him on par with the royal family’s share? That would never do! He was about to object, but Li Ke went on: “This is by imperial decree.”