Millet costs two hundred copper coins per shi.
It may seem expensive at first glance, but considering the principle that cheap grain harms farmers, Zhang Jing did not dare lower the grain price.
One must understand…
Outside the Four Commanderies, the price of grain had already risen above two thousand coins per shi.
It was only because the grain supplies within the Four Commanderies were controlled by Taiping Prefecture that Zhang Jing dared to implement such a policy.
In any case, Zhang Jing had already decided that for a considerable period of time in the future, grain supplies would remain under government control.
After all…
This was the lifeline of the realm.
It was something that could not be handled recklessly.
In other words…
The lowest-ranking soldiers in the army received a monthly salary almost equal to that of ordinary farmers who worked the fields.
The advantage was that these two hundred copper coins were additional income, which could be used to support their families.
After all, their household registrations already came with allocated farmland.
“Upper Ninth Rank receives three hundred copper coins.”
Cheng Yu continued:
“This includes military squad leaders and village heads.”
“Lower Eighth Rank receives six hundred.”
“Such as township heads and military section leaders.”
“Upper Eighth Rank receives nine hundred.”
“Such as county officials responsible for taxation and agricultural affairs, as well as military unit commanders.”
“Lower Seventh Rank receives one thousand eight hundred copper coins.”
“Such as county assistant magistrates, county captains, and military camp commanders.”
“Upper Seventh Rank receives two thousand seven hundred copper coins.”
“Such as county magistrates, county governors, military commandants, and military company commanders.”
“Lower Sixth Rank receives four thousand copper coins.”
“Such as military officers of the rank of Sima.”
“Upper Sixth Rank receives six thousand.”
“Such as colonels.”
“Lower Fifth Rank receives twelve thousand.”
“Such as deputy generals.”
“Upper Fifth Rank receives eighteen thousand.”
“Such as senior generals.”
“However…”
“After reaching Upper Fifth Rank…”
“The increase in salary will no longer follow such rapid growth.”
“Instead, each higher rank will increase by ten thousand copper coins.”
“So Lower Fourth Rank receives twenty-eight thousand.”
“Upper Fourth Rank receives thirty-eight thousand.”
“And by Upper First Rank…”
“The salary reaches ninety-eight thousand copper coins.”
“Considering that Taiping Prefecture has only recently been established…”
Cheng Yu paused briefly before continuing.
“The official system is still incomplete.”
“The salaries of the heads of the Ministry of Works, Ministry of War, and the Law Enforcement Department will temporarily be issued according to Lower Fifth Rank.”
“The military intelligence office’s staff officers will temporarily receive Lower Sixth Rank salaries.”
“That is roughly the entire system.”
“What do you all think?”
Zhang Jing nodded and looked toward Guo Jia and the others with a smile.
“My lord is wise!”
Guo Jia’s face was filled with admiration as he bowed.
“This Nine-Rank classification system encompasses the entire structure of government officials.”
“It is truly astonishing.”
“Your subordinate is deeply impressed.”
“Fengxiao is correct.”
Xi Zhicai smiled and added:
“This system is clearly structured and easy to understand.”
“The salary system also takes every aspect into consideration.”
“Hahaha!”
Zhang Jing laughed.
“I only hope you all do not find the salaries too meager.”
Were these salaries high?
The answer was no.
They were indeed not particularly generous.
For example, military Sima and county magistrates during the Han Dynasty received annual salaries of nearly one thousand shi of grain.
But Zhang Jing’s equivalent annual salaries were:
A county magistrate: 162 shi of grain.
A military Sima: 240 shi of grain.
The difference was extremely obvious.
However, It was still enough to live comfortably.
If one’s household was not too large, they could even afford to hire several servants.
But becoming as wealthy as Han officials, that would be impossible.
“Hahaha, my lord worries too much!”
Guo Jia said casually:
“The officials and people of the Four Commanderies of Taiping Prefecture all possess registered farmland.”
“With such salaries, it is already enough to ensure that our families will never suffer from hunger or cold.”
“Seeing that Fengxiao can think this way, I am greatly relieved.”
Zhang Jing smiled.
“If any of you have other opinions, speak now.”
“Once this policy is finalized, Making changes later will become extremely troublesome.”
“My lord.”
Xi Zhicai stepped forward.
“Your subordinate believes one additional regulation should be established.”
“Officials above Lower Fifth Rank…”
“The farmland registered under their household names should be returned to the central government.”
“After they retire, the land can then be returned to them.”
“Why is that necessary?”
Zhang Jing frowned slightly, a hint of confusion appearing in his eyes.
“It is simply a measure of preparation for the future.”
Xi Zhicai answered seriously.
“Not only farmland.”
“Officials of Upper Seventh Rank and above should also be prohibited from having their family members engage in commerce.”
“By doing so, we can minimize the problem of officials and merchants colluding for personal gain.”
“This matter indeed requires further discussion.”
Zhang Jing nodded slightly.
He did not reject the idea outright, nor did he immediately agree.
There were many complexities involved.
Besides, they were currently outside enjoying a walk.
Their discussion of political affairs was relatively casual.
However, Zhang Jing still took note of this matter.
The issue of officials and merchants colluding was indeed something that needed to be prevented as early as possible.
……………
Mid-June
Taiping Prefecture announced a series of new policies.
Inside Wuyan City, the public announcement board was surrounded by crowds of common people.
The contents of the new policies included:
The official salary system.
The employment system.
Taiping currency.
The role of the Taiping Chamber of Commerce.
“Alright, everyone be quiet!”
A minor official responsible for reading out the proclamation looked at the noisy crowd in front of him and shouted loudly:
“I have already read the proclamation three times.”
“If you have any questions, raise your hand one by one. I will call on you in order!”
“Whoosh—”
As soon as the official finished speaking, the common people in front of him all raised their hands at once.
“You!”
The official pointed at a young man among the crowd.
“Yes, you—the one wearing the green headscarf!”
The young man squeezed his way out of the crowd and respectfully asked:
“May I ask, young sir…”
“The copper coins you mentioned earlier, are they the Wu Zhu coins?”
“No!”
The official answered loudly.
“These copper coins are not Wu Zhu coins.”
“They are currency personally ordered by our lord and supervised by Minister Xun of the Ministry of War.”
“From now on, the people of the Four Commanderies will use these copper coins.”
The young man nodded and asked again:
“Then regarding what you mentioned earlier, you said that we common people can exchange grain for copper coins.”
“Where exactly can we exchange them?”
“And is the exchange rate truly two hundred copper coins per unit?”
“Grain can indeed be exchanged for copper coins!”
The official replied loudly.
“After your autumn harvest, you may bring your surplus grain to the Taiping Chamber of Commerce offices.”
“Every township within the Four Commanderies will have designated personnel stationed there.”
“Is there one in our village?”
“No.”
“There are no Taiping Chamber of Commerce offices in villages.”
“If you wish to buy, sell, or trade, you must go to the station located in the township.”
“Then what does this employment system mean?”
“The employment system is simple.”
“It refers to a labor contract between an employer and another person.”
“Just like household registration documents, the contract will be made in three copies.”
“Both parties must go to the government office to complete the procedure.”
“The monthly payment for employed workers must not be lower than fifty copper coins.”
“…”
As different people continued asking questions…
Through the official’s explanations, they gradually came to understand the contents of the proclamation.
After learning about the new policies, the common people began spreading the news among themselves.
They were especially full of anticipation toward the Taiping Chamber of Commerce mentioned in the proclamation.
…………..
That Night — Outside Wuyan City
At the central military training grounds…
Zhang Jing once again began his evening lesson.
Tonight’s topic was:
The Way to Enrich the State and Strengthen the People.
“Craftsmen, physicians, farmers skilled in cultivation…”
“Anyone who possesses a special skill…”
“To today’s Taiping Prefecture, all of them are indispensable talents.”
“What can these people bring to Taiping Prefecture?”
“Skilled craftsmen need no explanation.”
“Physicians can seize lives back from the hands of the King of Hell…”
“They can…”
“These people can accelerate the development of Taiping Prefecture.”
“They can subtly strengthen Taiping Prefecture’s power.”
“All of this…”
“Will require you, when you travel to various regions, to discover and recruit such talents.”
“Remember…”
“You must seek them out and bring them here.”
“Alright!”
After one hour, Zhang Jing finally spoke.
“Today’s lesson ends here.”
“Tomorrow at the hour of Chen, I will personally see all of you off.”
“What?!”
Everyone was stunned.
For a moment, they could not react.
“You heard correctly.”
Zhang Jing stood up and looked across the crowd.
His expression carried a trace of reluctance and melancholy.
“There is no feast in this world that does not eventually end.”
“The two-month period has arrived.”
“It is time for us to say farewell.”
“The era of great struggle has arrived.”
“The world is currently undergoing a transformation unseen in a century.”
“Countless suffering and struggling common people need you.”
“Do not show the hesitation and weakness of ordinary women.”
(Meaning: Do not become emotional or reluctant to leave; remain resolute and shoulder your responsibility.)
— The end of the Chapter–
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