Insufficient balance

  "You say, should we support Hubei or Shanghai?" Chen Jingyun asked in a low voice, while the people in the main hall were all key members of the current military government.

  "According to my idea, it's better to go to Shanghai. Hubei is now in a state of war, and the safety of representatives from so many provinces in the south is not guaranteed!"

  Zheng Zuoyin said so Chen Jingyun didn't think it was strange, because Chen Jingyun also felt that Hubei was not a good place, and if they were to hold a large-scale meeting, they should go to Shanghai.

  At this time, Foreign Minister Lin Changming also said: "I think Shanghai is more convenient!"

  "In that case! After the meeting is over, I will reply to Shanghai and say that our province will send someone to attend the meeting!" Chen Jingyun said, looking at Lin Changming: "This time, please trouble Mr. Lin to take a trip!"

  Lin Changming's face showed a happy expression at this time: "The Shanghai talks are the greatest event in Chinese history, I will set off this afternoon!"

  If Lin Changming was previously somewhat indifferent to the military government and once wanted to resign, then now that the Southern Republic has become a fait accompli, as a Chinese person, Lin Changming feels excited about participating in the preparation of the provisional government, while also having a kind of inexplicable sense of pride.

  This government will be China's first republican government in thousands of years, the first to be decided by the people, rather than a monarchy.

  After the meeting was dismissed, An Hualin did not leave but was kept behind by Chen Jingyun.

  The first thing to ask is about the salt administration, Chen Jingyun was very clear that relying on Fujian's current financial revenue, it is impossible to support a large number of troops, so they can only rely on external forces.

  "Governor, I've roughly organized the salt administration. Based on previous data and integration, I estimate that the salt administration brings in nearly 4 million annually, accounting for 30% of our financial revenue. If used as a loan, it's not a small amount!"

  He said, taking out another document: "The Ministry of Finance has made some budget estimates, which have been reviewed and approved. Since the recovery of Fujian is not long ago, all levels of states and counties are gradually being incorporated into the military government's jurisdiction, and tax reform is also underway. In addition, Jianning has not yet been taken down, so the entire account is estimated, and there will be a gap in reality!"

  Chen Jingyun nodded and took over the file, carefully looking at it. Although Chen Jingyun didn't know much about accounting and found the various accounts on the file a bit dizzying, he could still understand the final summary table. According to the data in the chart, Fujian's provincial financial revenue is mainly divided into five major categories. The first one is land tax, which has always been an important source of income for the government, with annual revenues of around 3 million yuan. The second item is salt administration, which generates the most revenue, with annual revenues of approximately 4 million yuan. The third item is likin, which also generates 1.5 million yuan. The fourth item is tea tax, and although Fujian's tea economy has declined in recent years, it still generates around 500,000 to 600,000 yuan per year. The remaining miscellaneous taxes add up to around 1.5 million yuan.

  All these add up to only 10.5 million yuan! The above figures do not include customs duties, and the total customs revenue of Fujian Province is over 7 million yuan, but after the Xinhai Revolution, all customs were controlled by foreigners, and the surplus was also handed over to the central government, with no relation to local governments.

  What about Jiangsu's finances during the same period? Eight hundred million (the national total was 540 million)! Even after excluding the 250 million in customs duties after the Xinhai Revolution, there were still 550 million; Guangdong's revenue, not counting customs duties, also exceeded 400 million. Zhejiang had more than 300 million as well.

  This comparison will reveal how poor Fujian's economy is, and it can be understood why Chen Jingyun wants to expand his army and occupy Zhejiang and Guangdong.

  The above figures are all open data of provincial finance, and the taxes intercepted by corrupt officials in state and county governments are even more. It's just that no one has the ability to clean up for a while.

  An Hualin continued: "According to the current fiscal revenue forecast of Fujian Province, it is 1.05 billion yuan. If the tax reform is successful, it is expected that the tax revenue will increase by about 20% to around 1.3 billion yuan!"

  He paused and continued: "However, the current fiscal expenditure is even greater. The military government and various local governments need about 5 million yuan in expenses each year. The expenses of the Fuzhou Arsenal are also 1.8 million yuan, and the military expenditures have not been counted yet!"

  "The government and the arsenal side will take nearly seven million every year, so it's said that only four or five hundred thousand are left for the military?" Chen Jingyun was somewhat dissatisfied, the military was his reliance, without the military what use would this military government be to him?

  The military expenditure is quite high, according to the end of Qing dynasty's full-scale calculation, each year it costs about 2.5 million yuan. This is still in peacetime, during wartime when fully mobilized, the cost will increase significantly. Fujian currently has four brigades and four regiments, although they are not as expensive as the Beiyang Army's six divisions, but still considerable, just the current troops' monthly military expenses reach 600,000 yuan, and annually it exceeds 7 million! Chen Jingyun also plans to expand into six infantry brigades, one guard regiment, one artillery regiment, and four garrison regiments. These added together will cost no less than 9 million yuan per year, if the war continues as it is now, various war expenses will be astronomical figures. Soldier's consolation money, consumed bullets, shells, military equipment, etc., all require money.

  Moreover, Chen Jingyun did not have an arsenal that could manufacture cannons and guns. Later on, if he wanted to expand his troops, the external procurement of military equipment would require at least 3-4 million yuan per year.

  This calculation shows that Fujian's finances cannot support Chen Jingyun's large-scale military expansion plan.

  "There is actually a way, if one of the financial paths is done well, the annual income will be at least tens of millions!" An Hualin said this and immediately sparked Chen Jingyun's interest. He hastily asked: "What method?"

  "Tobacco!" An Hualin said: "The domestic tobacco market is huge now, and the annual income from growing tobacco in Yunnan and Guizhou is over tens of millions. Although we also have some in Fujian, the quantity is not large. If it's promoted extensively, not only will farmers reap a rich harvest, but also thousands of millions of yuan can be collected as tobacco sapling tax!"

  "Opium?" Chen Jingyun was very clear that it was opium, and he also knew that after the failure of the Opium Wars, the Qing government was powerless to stop opium from entering the country. So, they simply promoted its cultivation domestically, using domestic tobacco to counter foreign tobacco, in order to avoid a large outflow of silver. From a financial perspective, this policy was extremely successful. Now, at this time in 1911, foreign tobacco had already been squeezed out of most of the domestic market share by tobacco from various provinces, avoiding a large outflow of silver and also allowing local finances to gain rich revenue.

  Why did Yunnan participate in several anti-Yuan wars after the Xinhai Revolution and why was the Yunnan Army famous at home? It all depends on 'Yuntou'.

  "This is it!" Chen Jingyun wanted to be a warlord, and was even willing to mortgage Fujian's salt administration and other things for this goal. Such behavior in these times would already be considered treasonous. However, his conscience still existed - opium was something that harmed both others and oneself!

  "But this thing!" Chen Jingyun was somewhat worried!

  An Hualin then advised: "The harm of opium is known to everyone, but why are there still so many people in the country who cultivate it? On the one hand, they exclude foreign tobacco, and on the other hand, they enrich the treasury! Governor, think thrice!"

  What An Hualin said is true, opium is now grown all over the country, and the tobacco in Yunnan, Shaanxi, Guizhou and other places is very famous. Even if Fujian does not grow opium, opium from other parts of the country will still flow into Fujian. Even if the whole of China were to stop growing it, Indian opium merchants would be overjoyed. As for banning opium, the two Opium Wars have already shown that a weak China cannot ban opium, and it was not until after the founding of the People's Republic that opium was completely banned.

  "Now, Chen Jingyun thought for a long time and said: 'I have my own plan for planting tobacco. First, raise the tax on opium dens for me. Even if we can't ban opium, let's make it expensive in Fujian so that ordinary people can't afford to smoke! Then strictly investigate smuggling, and severely punish those who violate the law.'"

  An Hualin was also clueless about opium cultivation, he only knew it made money, but how to implement this plan wasn't something he could handle, increasing the tax on opium dens wasn't a big deal, he could do it himself!

  After An Hualin left, Chen Jingyun felt heavy in his heart. After thinking for a long time, he ordered Chen Cai to "go and call Deputy Minister Gao of the Ministry of Civil Affairs!"

  Soon, the Deputy Minister of Civil Affairs, Gao Ze Yan, came over. He was already in his fifties and a bit short and stout, but he had a good reputation as a local gentry in Fuzhou. However, Chen Jingyun called him today not for other reasons, but because among Gao Ze Yan's vast industries, there was an opium trading company!

  "Today I've called Mr. Gao over, there are some things I want to ask him!" Chen Jingyun asked Gao ZeYan to sit down, and after serving tea the two of them started drinking.

  Gao Ze Yan put down his teacup: "Governor, please give your orders!"

  "I heard that the Minfu Business Firm in Fuzhou is yours!" The Minfu Business Firm was a opium trading firm under the name of Gao Ze-yin, its main business was collecting and distributing Fujian's local tobacco, apart from re-exporting imported foreign cigarettes. However, as the local tobacco in Fujian was not well-known domestically and had low production volume, despite having some reputation in Fuzhou, it was not well-known in the domestic tobacco industry.

  Gao Zeyan heard Chen Jingyun mention huangtu and thought he wanted to ban smoking or extort huangjuan, so his face changed greatly: "Director, this..."

  Half a day later, he gritted his teeth: "Although the Minfu Business House under my jurisdiction is small in fame in Fuzhou, it sells local tobacco and earns little. However, due to current financial difficulties, I am willing to donate 2 million to support military expenses!"

  Surprised by Gao Ze's wealth, he immediately handed over 200,000 yuan and at the same time had a direct understanding of the huge profits in the opium industry. He said: "Since Gao Zechang has a heart for the government, I won't delay it either. This 200,000 yuan I will accept! However!"

  Upon hearing this, however, Gao Ze's heart skipped a beat: Could it be that Commander Mo is still not satisfied?

  However, when he arrived, Chen Jingyun said: "I didn't call you here today to discuss this matter, but to ask you about the opium problem in our Fujian Province. How much land is currently planted with it and what's the yield?"

  At this time, Gao Ze Yan finally put down his heart. It seemed that the governor was not going to ban opium, but wanted to cultivate it instead. His industry may not have dominated the market, but he was very familiar with the trade and immediately began explaining to Chen Jing Yun: "Currently, there are few tobacco seedlings planted in my province, and most of the opium markets in Fujian Province are occupied by tobacco from Sichuan, Shaanxi, Shanxi and other places..."