Establish a bank

After being busy for over a month and attending the Autumn Harvest Celebration of daye Year Four, Gao Yuan could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Not wanting to stay cooped up at home, Gao Yuan decided to go visit his 'fellow countryman'.

Too lazy to have anyone announce him, Gao Yuan entered the Yang Residence as if it were his own home, heading straight for Chu Xi's small courtyard.

That lazy female was, as expected, the same as last time, scrolling on her phone while eating dried fruit, occasionally letting out a "ge ge ge" sound of laughter.

Gao Yuan crept over, snatched the phone, and glanced at it.

"You're supposed to be a high-ranking executive at a foreign company, yet you watch such childish things."

Chu Xi was startled. She stood up, breathed a sigh of relief when she saw it was Gao Yuan, and snatched the phone back.

"Hmph! Mind your own business!"

Gao Yuan pushed Chu Xi aside, lay down on the rocking chair, casually picked up a piece of dried fruit, and popped it into his mouth.

"How could I have time to mind your business? I've been so busy these past few days my feet haven't touched the ground; I almost died of exhaustion."

Chu Xi gave him absolutely no face.

"Since you insist on doing everything yourself, who else would be tired?"

Gao Yuan spread his hands helplessly.

"You need to understand where we are right now. In this era, this place is used for exiled criminals. Where am I supposed to find capable talent?"

Chu Xi moved her stool slightly to the side, looking wary.

"Don't get any ideas about me! My small arms and legs can't handle the exploitation of a big Warlord like you."

Gao Yuan rolled his eyes at her.

"You think too highly of yourself. How can you help with military matters? Can you carry a saber and chop people, or can you command thousands of troops?"

"Then why were you always trying to trick me into working like a beast of burden for you before?"

"I wanted you to help me develop the economy. My treasury is so poor it could starve a mouse."

"Tch, who would believe that? I heard you've been raking in a lot of money recently thanks to the new taxes."

Gao Yuan popped another piece of dried fruit into his mouth, picked up the teapot, and took a swig.

"I haven't seen a single copper coin myself. All the money was spent as soon as it came in. Now I'm completely broke!"

Chu Xi naturally knew about Gao Yuan's recent activities; he was practically spending money like water.

"Have you ever thought about setting up a Bank? That way, you could gather the wealth of the world for your own use."

Perhaps Chu Xi only mentioned it casually, but Gao Yuan acted as if he had found a treasure, jumping straight out of the reclining chair and grabbing Chu Xi's arms with both hands.

"Hahaha! Thanks for reminding me! Hahaha!"

After the initial excitement, Gao Yuan calmed down, staring at Chu Xi with both eyes, making the girl's pretty face blush crimson.

"W-what do you want? I... I'm telling you, I'm not of age yet!"

"Yang Xin—oh no, Chu Xi—are you interested in serving as the Bank President? I can give you a portion of the shares."

Chu Xi hesitated. As someone from the future, how could she not know what a Bank was? It was an industry that could allow her to live comfortably for generations.

But when she thought that her comfortable, leisurely days might end right then, she became a little reluctant.

"C-can you give me some time to consider it?"

"Alright, I'll wait for your good news then."

Gao Yuan left happily, leaving Chu Xi sitting alone in the courtyard, resting her small head on one arm, her face full of worry.

"What should I do? Should I go or not? Ah, I'm so conflicted! If only I could ask Baidu!"

In fact, Gao Yuan didn't have to wait long. Just one month later, Chu Xi willingly came around. The main reason was simple: she had watched the downloaded TV shows and movies on her phone dozens of times and was sick of them.

She wasn't fighting an unprepared battle; she placed a thick stack of papers directly in front of Gao Yuan.

"These are some of the operating rules and regulations for the Bank that I could think of. Take a look and see if anything needs to be added."

Gao Yuan skimmed through a section, continuously showering her with flattery.

"As expected of a high-ranking executive at a foreign company, this is written very professionally—much better than me, a sales runner/beast of burden."

"Stop just flattering me. I'm asking you if it works."

"It works, of course it works. How much capital are you prepared to put in, and what percentage of shares will you take?"

"I estimate we need at least ten thousand strings of cash as startup capital. I plan to take twenty percent of the shares. Wait, hold on, you want me to invest too? How much are you putting in?"

Chu Xi finally realized the trap, staring at Gao Yuan with both eyes, trying to gauge his reaction.

Gao Yuan spread his hands and said with a look of sincerity:

"My own family can only spare two thousand strings of cash, and the treasury has not a single cent. However, I will allow you to use the official name."

"So I'll be the major shareholder?"

"Impossible. The government must hold at least fifty percent of the shares. I can take a little less—fifteen percent will be enough."

Chu Xi looked at Gao Yuan in disbelief. She couldn't understand how such a good-looking face could possess such thick skin.

"Gao Yuan, do you think my head is big?"

"Not big. Petite and exquisite!"

"Then what do you mean by treating me like a sucker?"

Gao Yuan had decided to play the rogue to the end, patting Chu Xi's shoulder.

"Young lady, you need to think clearly: without official endorsement, this business won't take off."

Chu Xi stood with her hands on her hips, looking at Gao Yuan with a smug expression.

"Then I can just choose not to do it! This grandma makes hundreds of strings of cash in net profit every day. My life is already too comfortable!"

Gao Yuan suddenly revealed a smug smile, leaned his face close to Chu Xi, and threatened in a low voice:

"Don't forget, you and General Yang Zhan are wanted criminals of the Imperial Court. I can easily send troops to lock you and General Yang Zhan in prison and confiscate all your family assets..."

Chu Xi was so angry that the finger pointing at Gao Yuan was trembling.

"You... you... you are truly shameless!"

"Thank you!"

Chu Xi slapped her small hand on her forehead, completely speechless.

"I'm totally defeated by you. Why did I end up stuck with a compatriot like you? Didn't they say that when compatriots meet, their eyes well up with tears?"

"No, no, no. Now, when compatriots meet, they stab each other in the back."

Just like that, under Gao Yuan's coercion, temptation, and authoritarian oppression, Chu Xi had no choice but to accept the unequal treaty he offered.

With the Princesss Residence and the military governor's Yamen providing the endorsement, the Gao Family, Yang Family, Mu Family, Song Family, and other families jointly invested to establish the first Bank in this timeline: the Diannan Bank.

The government provided the name and held fifty percent of the shares; the Gao Family held fifteen percent; the Yang Family held twenty percent; and the remaining dozen families shared the final fifteen percent.

A total of fifteen thousand strings of cash in startup capital was raised, with the Yang Family being the largest contributor, putting in a full eight thousand strings of cash.

Yang Xin used her original name, Chu Xi, as a cover to serve as the first Bank President of Diannan Bank, and each family sent one person to serve as a Supervisor.

Gao Yuan thought about it and decided not to let Wu Xu appear before Chu Xi for the time being, fearing she might scare the girl. Instead, he appointed Song Yao as Vice President.

As for the Empress Regnant, she was kept by Zhao Xiyao's side, being trained while simultaneously helping Zhao Xiyao share some government affairs.

While Gao Yuan was busy with the Bank matters, a magnificent ship slowly docked at the Coastal Defense City port.

The gangplank was lowered, and a woman wearing a veiled hat walked down.

Wan Sanqian stepped forward, cupped his hands, and performed a simple bow.

"Greetings, Madam. The Guesthouse has been prepared..."

Xian Ying raised her hand, interrupting Wan Sanqian.

"Let's set off soon. I want to see the Commandery Duke as quickly as possible."

Wan Sanqian nodded, beckoned a military officer over, and then said to Xian Ying:

"This Officer Hu will escort Madam to County. I have some official duties, so I won't accompany you. Farewell!"

After speaking, Wan Sanqian swaggered off. Xian Ying stepped onto the carriage and left the port, escorted by one hundred Xuanjia Army soldiers.