Employing 70,000 to 80,000 workers, Xiang troops and craftsmen from several states were mobilized to build more than 100 large and small gantry cranes. From October to now, the total work hours have exceeded 1.5 million.

The wages paid to young men and women amounted to nearly 200,000 yuan.

Food and other miscellaneous expenses amounted to almost 10,000 yuan.

This is because surrounding states and counties sent a large amount of grain to support the project.

In addition, thousands of pieces of silk cloth and 20,000 pieces of copper coins were also spent as rewards for the craftsmen and the Xiang army.

It can be said that money is flowing like water.

But this money should be spent! It must be spent!

And I'm afraid I will have to spend this amount of money every winter in the future.

Because I can’t bear to spend this money now, I will have to repay it a hundred times or a thousand times in the future.

Just one Shanghukou-level embankment breach would affect hundreds of thousands or millions of people in several states.

What's even more troublesome is that in the next few years, the affected areas can't expect any tax revenue or food output.

Zhao Xu read Song Yongchen's secret report and murmured to himself: "Not bad... not bad..."

"The Liao Kingdom can also collect some seigniorage!"

The soon-to-be-issued Song and Liao Jiaozi can cover the cost of dredging every winter just from normal tax collection.

What's more, Zhao Xu would not be so stupid as to issue only three million coins of Song and Liao Jiaozi!

That’s a full 50% reserve fund!

According to the past experience of the Song Dynasty in issuing jiaozi, at least four million guanjiaozi could be issued.

Of course, for such a large-scale Jiaozi issuance, we must fully consider the acceptance of the people and the exchange pressure of Jiaozi in Bianjing City.

But quietly sending an additional three to five million yuan, there is no pressure for Zhao Xu!

This is the charm of finance.

The tax was collected quietly without anyone else knowing or paying attention.

And no one has any objections.

If you have the ability, would you like to send a jiaozi to the Liao Kingdom?

Thinking about Jiaozi, Zhao Xu asked, "How is Li Xian's situation?"

"How are the plate making and ink preparations at Jiaozi going?"

In the spring of next year, Song and Liao Jiaozi will be officially released.

So, in fact, from now on, we have to prepare for printing.

In order to keep it secret and ensure nothing goes wrong, Zhao Xu first asked Shen Kuo to be responsible for plate making, ink and design.

After Li Xian returned to Beijing, Zhao Xu appointed Li Xian as the envoy to prepare for the transfer of the Song Dynasty and Liao Dynasty, and also to serve as the official in charge of the transfer in Beijing.

Let Li Xian and Shen Kuo form a team to take charge of this matter.

Li Xian's role does not lie in technology, but in this true god, which is enough to suppress the covetousness of Jiaozi by people inside and outside, and ensure that his technology will not be leaked within three to five years!

You know, Li Xian is now known to all the internal ministers, and Wu Xinjun is staying behind.

He has successfully replaced Zhang Maoze's position in the past and became the highest-ranking minister in the Song Dynasty.

With him here, he can repel all the eyes that covet Jiao Zi.

And those who Li Xian couldn't stop, Zhao Xu would naturally take care of them.

Shi Deyi hesitated for a moment, and then replied: "As I know, everyone, Li Duzhi has been in the Gunpowder Department outside the city recently..."

"Um?"

Shi Deyi lowered his head and said: "Everyone knows that ever since he found out about Shen Tiju and the Gunpowder Department, he has been paying attention to it day and night... Recently, he has been completely staying in the Gunpowder Department!"

Zhao Xu wanted to get angry, but when the words came to his lips, he swallowed them.

Li Xian is a military general!

When a military commander sees the gunpowder Shen Kuo is improving, doesn't it mean that a pervert sees a beauty?

It’s amazing that he can walk!

Therefore, Zhao Xu could only say: "Pass on my instructions and ask Li Xian to come to the palace to see me tomorrow!"
Chapter completed!