Insufficient balance

  After Gao Ze Yan had spoken for about half an hour, Chen Jing Yun finally roughly understood. When he learned that several fields under Gao Ze Yan's name were all planting opium, the idea immediately sprouted!

  "Even you, High Commissioner, must understand that our military government is in extreme financial difficulties. If we don't do something about it, the military government will collapse tomorrow!" Chen Jingyun said, watching High Zehan's reaction closely.

  "I want to set up a business department and organize the promotion of opium poppy cultivation. I don't know if Mr. Gao is interested in this!" As soon as Gao Ze-yin heard this, he was stunned. He himself was an opium merchant and wasn't afraid of losing his reputation or anything like that. Rather, he knew very well that the profits from cultivating opium were enormous, and if it were to be promoted, it would be worth tens of millions at least! And yet, such a huge matter was entrusted to him to handle, which left Gao Ze-yin utterly astonished.

  However, he quickly reacted and the joy on his face could not be concealed: "Your subordinate will definitely not disappoint your trust!"

  Chen Jingyun nodded: "The species returns to the species, and it is also necessary to have a chapter. According to my idea, it is concentrated in one place for large-scale cultivation, and then unified collection after unified processing, and sold to various places, forming a specialized operation system network! Except for this, no other place in Fujian Province is allowed to plant opium!"

  Chen Jingyun's idea was understandable to Gao ZeYan, as opium was a highly profitable item that would naturally bring in more money if monopolized. Gao ZeYan said: "If it's like this, I suggest establishing a special anti-smuggling bureau to investigate opium cultivation and smuggling in other areas. Additionally, for the sake of the government's reputation, I think we can establish a specially supervised commercial enterprise to manage poppy cultivation and sales. The government can then collect taxes on opium!"

  Chen Jingyun thought it was feasible after listening, and immediately made a decision: "Then you will take on the work of the tobacco prohibition department. As for the tobacco company, since you are familiar with this line of business, I'll also have you handle it!"

  Gao Ze-yang was so excited that he couldn't even hold his teacup steady, and after putting it down, he said: "Thank you, Commander!" But then he realized that a simple thank you wouldn't suffice, so he immediately added: "I am willing to donate another 500,000 to support the military funds!"

  Then he said: "The tobacco company's shares are humble and dare not occupy alone, so I still ask the governor to take the lead, 80%!"

  Chen Jingyun had already given him benefits, and Gao Ze Yan was not one of those pedantic people who didn't understand. He naturally knew that Chen Jingyun wouldn't give himself this benefit for nothing, so he donated 700,000 without hesitation, and then gave Chen Jingyun 80% of the dry shares! However, these investments were insignificant compared to the potential profits in the future. Even if he only had two layers of shares, he would still have a substantial income in the future!

  Chen Jingyun nodded: "I'll take the military expenses, and as for the dry shares, I'll just take 30% of them. The remaining 50% will be used to establish a military personnel fund to improve the lives of soldiers and the resettlement of disabled soldiers!"

  "I understand!"

  "Alas! Let's go down!" After saying this, Chen Jingyun felt a bit tired. He had a feeling of exhaustion.

  Seeing Chen Jingyun's unpleasant expression, Gao Ze also retreated!

  After lunch, Chen Jingyun, who was feeling a bit stuffy in his heart, ordered Chen Cai: "Notify the secretariat to postpone all arrangements for this afternoon!"

  Chen Cai saw that Chen Jingyun's face didn't look good and didn't dare say more: "I'll go inform the secretariat right away!"

  Next to Luo Li, Chen Jingyun seemed to be in a bad mood. Several times she wanted to remind Chen Jingyun: You promised me yesterday to go to the backyard and play, and also said you would drink together, but after all, it was a little girl who saw Chen Jingyun's bad mood and didn't dare say anything, so she could only pout on one side, feeling a bit depressed in her heart.

  "Financial and military expansion" - these two things almost suffocated Chen Jingyun every day, almost making him breathless. Outsiders only knew that Chen Jingyun became the governor at a young age, seemingly invincible, but who would have thought that Chen Jingyun often woke up in the middle of the night, his dreams frequently filled with scenes of himself being defeated or assassinated by opposition forces? Shaking his head to clear these worrisome thoughts, Chen Jingyun prepared to go out for a walk.

  Chen Cai, who had just returned, saw Chen Jingyun wanting to go out for a walk and hastily arranged the guards. However, Chen Jingyun stopped him and said: "Don't make too much noise, I just want to take a walk outside, let them wear casual clothes!"

  Chen Jingyun wanted to go out and take a look at Fuzhou to clear his mind, but he wasn't the kind of person who would risk his own safety for a casual private visit. After all, being a warlord was a high-risk profession in those days, with too many people wanting Chen Jingyun dead, such as the former Qing nobles whose family fortunes had been confiscated by Chen Jingyun, the remnants of the Qing dynasty who still harbored loyalty to the fallen empire, and those who had lost their livelihoods due to tax reform... there were just too many!

  Chen Jingyun also changed into a Western-style suit, tie and hat, and took the Ruger pistol from the table. Since he knew he had traveled back to the Xinhai era, Chen Jingyun had never left his gun behind. Previously, it was an old-fashioned six-shot pistol, but later he switched to a Ruger pistol.

  He put away his gun, adjusted his collar and felt better, then prepared to walk out. However, as he lifted his foot, he saw Luo Li beside him looking at him with a pitiful expression, which was extremely cute, and the sulky look instantly improved the somewhat irritable mood in his heart.

  "Want to go out together?" Chen Jingyun asked, actually there was no need to ask, Chen Jingyun already knew she was willing.

  As expected, after hearing Chen Jingyun say this, the look of grievance on Luo Li's face instantly disappeared, and she jumped up "I'll go!"

  "Wait for me!" Luo Liao said as he ran back to his room to change clothes, perhaps afraid that Chen Jingyun would have to wait too long. He came out again in just five minutes.

  When Chen Jingyun saw Luo Liao, who had changed into a new set of clothes, he couldn't believe his eyes that the little girl in front of him was actually Luo Liao. At this moment, Luo Liao was wearing a white Western-style suit, with a round pink hat on her head, low-heeled leather boots on her feet, and a small leather bag in her hand. Her entire outfit was completely different from what she usually wore.

  The whole person looks full of a strong youthful aura.

  "When did you put this on?" Chen Jingyun still found it somewhat unbelievable.

  "Doesn't it look good?" Luo Li asked with some concern, his expression a bit awkward, as if he wasn't very comfortable in what he was wearing: "They said that Young Master is the Governor, and when you go out, you can't dress like a servant! This clothing was even made by a foreign tailor invited by Fifth Uncle!"

  "You look great! You're so pretty that anything looks good on you! It's just that I've never seen you like this before, and it takes some getting used to!" Chen Jingyun said with a smile.

  "Or should I go back and change?" Luo Li said, but her feet didn't move.

  The foreigner's clothes are uncomfortable to wear, especially the tight-fitting top which is extremely uncomfortable. However, every time she puts it on and looks in the mirror, even Luo Li herself sometimes can't help but stare. But normally Chen Jingyun wouldn't take her out, and at home it's not suitable to wear such clothes, so she never had the chance to openly wear them outside.

  "It's nothing, it's just fine like this!" Chen Jingyun looked at Luo Li's clothes with interest, and it had been almost two months since he came to this world. However, he hadn't had the chance to see a woman from this era wearing Western-style clothing up close. Although he occasionally saw some on the street when going out, they were always too far away to get a clear look, but today his curiosity was finally satisfied.

  "Try wearing different clothes later, don't limit yourself to the old ones, yeah, you can wear them at home too!" Chen Jingyun knew that the little girl loved beauty and estimated that if she didn't say anything, she wouldn't dare to dress like this at home.

  As expected, after hearing Chen Jingyun say this, Luo Liu nodded vigorously: "Uh-huh!"

  Chen Jingyun took Luo Li out, Chen Cai and three or four plainclothes guards followed closely behind, while more than 20 other guards in plain clothes followed around.

  At that time, Fuzhou was a medium-sized city. Especially in the early years as one of the five commercial ports, the foundation left behind was still there. Although it couldn't compare with the prosperity of big cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, it wasn't bad either. As he walked along, there were many shops along the street, and pedestrians hurried past. To be strict, Chen Jingyun didn't have a deep impression of Fuzhou city. In the past, he had always passed by in a hurry, without any thought to pay attention to the surrounding streets. Now that he had the opportunity, Chen Jingyun looked very carefully.

  Like Chen Jingyun, Luo Liao was also a maid who had no chance to go out before. This time she came out extremely happily, her big eyes looking around here and there, although she didn't make any excessive movements because of being by Chen Jingyun's side, but it could be seen that she was in a very good mood.

  The beauty is smiling, and Chen Jingyun's mood is also good. After turning around, he didn't encounter any reckless thugs to cause trouble.

  Luo Rouqian stopped moving after rolling around everywhere, Chen Jingyun asked: "Are you tired?"

  Luó Liú nodded, with a wronged expression again. Chen Jingyun stretched out his hand to hold hers, then looked around but didn't find any taverns or places to rest. He turned his head and glanced at Chen Cai.

  As the captain of the Imperial Guard, Chen Cai was a perceptive person and didn't need to ask before guessing what was going on. He immediately stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Not far from here is our family's silk shop. Although it's a bit small, you can still rest your feet there!"

  It's a family business, Chen Jingyun nodded: "Well, let it go!"

  "Uh-huh, I'll send someone to take a look first!"

  Chen Caipai sent someone ahead to the silk shop to make arrangements, while Chen Jingyun walked slowly with Luo Lian's hand in hers. But as they strolled along, they found themselves near Huaxiang and not far from Sun Daoren's residence.

  His own fiancée seemed to still be living in the Sun Mansion, and he hadn't met her yet. Since he had come today, he might as well go see her! After making up his mind, he told Luo Li: "You go sit in the shop at home for a while, I'll go take care of something and then come back!"

  Luō Liú nodded and didn't ask Chen Jingyun what he was going to do, just said: "Mm, I'll wait for you!"

  After instructing someone to send Luo Li to the shop, Chen Jingyun took Chen Cai to Sun Fu. The gatekeeper of Sun Fu recognized Chen Jingyun, so when he opened the door and saw a group of people standing at the entrance, led by a young man in a Western suit, he immediately rushed up: "Governor!"

  At this time, Chen Cai took a step forward and asked: "My family's commander has come to visit Mr. Sun, why haven't you reported it yet?"

  Unexpectedly, the housekeeper said with some trepidation: "My master went out to visit friends this morning and hasn't returned yet!"

  Hearing that Sun Dao Ren was not at home, Chen Jing Yun didn't think much of it. Anyway, he hadn't come today specifically to see Sun Dao Ren, so it didn't matter if he wasn't there. He immediately spoke up and said: "No problem, I'll wait for him inside!"

  Having said that, Chen Cai took the lead and led several guards into the house, while Chen Jingyun followed behind. The gatekeeper of the Sun Mansion was initially unaware of what was happening, but when he finally reacted, he didn't dare to delay and quickly ran to inform the steward.