Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World-Chapter 635: Military Scrip 4

TL: Rui88

Eileen’s proposal made Paul chuckle.

He waved his hand and said, “Theoretically, it is entirely feasible, but at the current stage, it is completely impractical.”

Eileen was not convinced and asked with a pout, “Why?”

Paul shrugged his shoulders and explained, “Did I not just say? The amount of currency in society and the amount of material wealth must maintain a dynamic balance. More money and fewer goods will lead to inflation; less money and more goods will lead to deflation. I do not think humans yet possess the ability to reasonably quantify the total wealth of society. Therefore, we cannot determine how much paper money should be printed each year. A single misstep could completely destroy the credibility of the kingdom’s government.”

“Moreover, public acceptance is also a major issue. To rashly take out a pile of paper and claim it has the same value as real gold and silver, everyone will just think the kingdom’s government is robbing them.”

“So, for now, we can only test it in a place with a high degree of obedience like the army. The scope is also small, so if any problems arise, they will be easy to control and fix.”

“Alright!” Eileen was a little dejected. “It seems we cannot be too hasty. I wonder if I will ever see the day when people on the streets use paper money.”

“Ahem, Paul.” Catherine looked at her fiancé, her gaze unprecedentedly gentle. “You should present this idea to His Majesty the King as soon as possible.”

—

“In summary of the above, I believe this method can effectively solve the kingdom’s government’s predicament of insufficient military funds and is worth a try.”

At the royal council meeting convened by King Rodney XVIII, Paul spoke eloquently, detailing his concept of military scrip.

After his discussion with the two princesses that day, at Catherine’s urging, Paul had immediately found the king that very day and presented his immature idea to him again.

Rodney XVIII had listened attentively to Paul’s account and was very interested in his idea.

He went back and pondered it alone for a day, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt that using paper military scrip to replace military pay was a highly feasible method.

After endorsing it in his heart, Rodney XVIII eagerly convened the royal council meeting.

After having Paul explain it once more in front of all the ministers, Rodney XVIII asked, “Gentlemen, what do you think? I will state my opinion first. Count Grayman’s concept is a good remedy, and I think we can give it a try.”

The ministers’ reactions were varied. Paul’s speech contained too many novel things…what with general equivalents, inflation, and deflation. Some were lost in a fog, their faces bewildered; some frowned deeply; and others had a sudden realization.

After a round of whispers, Count Nayik Scarlett stood up and echoed, “I agree with Your Majesty’s and Count Grayman’s views. We can give it a try.”

He was the kingdom’s Minister of Finance. Any idea that meant less money leaving his coffers was a good idea.

Count Merlin, the head of intelligence, said, “Your Majesty, if this is not handled well, it could lead to a soldier mutiny, which would be disastrous.”

As the person in charge of intelligence, he was instinctively wary of any potential dangers.

Rodney XVIII said, “But we cannot abandon a good idea because of a dangerous event that has not yet occurred.”

“Oh, you are right, Your Majesty. My meaning is that we must proceed with caution in this matter.”

Lord Chamberlain Rupert said, “I also believe Count Grayman’s concept is worth a try. And from a certain perspective, military scrip is equivalent to binding the soldiers to the kingdom’s government.”

“Binding?” Everyone present looked at the Lord Chamberlain with puzzled gazes.

Rupert explained, “Think about it. The military scrip issued by the kingdom’s government is currently only recognized by the kingdom’s government. If a soldier were to desert and take his military scrip to Jars’s territory, would he be able to buy what he wants there? He would not. The military scrip would be worthless paper there. His wealth would essentially be nullified!”

“Well said!”

Rupert’s words made everyone’s eyes light up.

Even Paul was surprised. He himself had not thought of this point. His initial idea for military scrip was purely to solve the problem of insufficient metal currency.

The Lord Chamberlain was truly an old fox.

Rodney XVIII was very pleased. He had discovered another ingenious use for military scrip.

He glanced at the crowd. “Does anyone else have any other opinions?”

No one raised any further objections. It seemed that Rupert’s words just now had made everyone choose to agree.

“Alright, since that is the case, Count Scarlett.”

“Your Majesty!”

“It shall be up to you to study what denominations the military scrip should have, what their face values should be, what patterns should be printed on them, and what goods they can be exchanged for. I think you should consult with Count Grayman as much as possible before he leaves the capital.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The Minister of Finance accepted the order.

“As for who should be entrusted with printing the military scrip…”

They needed to develop a new type of paper material, and it had to be mass-produced…

So they needed to find a workshop that had some proficiency in both papermaking and printing…

Rodney XVIII looked at Paul. “If we need to use the military scrip as soon as possible, it seems we have no other choice.”

Everyone looked at Paul. By now, everyone knew that Northwest Bay’s papermaking and printing technologies were the most advanced.

The concept of military scrip was proposed by Count Grayman. It was hard not to suspect that he held some private interests in this matter.

Many people even looked at Paul with teasing gazes.

Damn it!

Feeling the gazes of the crowd, Paul cursed inwardly. If he had known, he would have let Rodney XVIII present the idea himself at today’s meeting, and he would have hidden his own contribution and fame.

“Count Grayman, I think you should be prepared for this. I hope that after Count Scarlett has perfected the plan, you will be able to print it immediately.”

Since the king had spoken, would it not be very hypocritical of him to refuse?

Paul could only reply, “Since Your Majesty trusts me so much, I will start preparations when I return. I just hope you can recommend a highly skilled seal-engraving master to me.”

Rodney XVIII nodded. “I will have him go to your place with the plan.”

Paul leaned closer to the king…he was sitting right beside him…and whispered in his ear, “That… Your Majesty, I would like to confirm. This… this is a business transaction, right?”

Rodney XVIII frowned and also replied in a low voice, “Of course. I certainly will not let you work for free, but I hope you will give me a good price.”

“Oh, certainly, Your Majesty. I will not include the research and development costs in the price.”

Paul was relieved and straightened up in his seat.

Although he had given the job to Paul, Rodney XVIII still felt a bit strange in his heart.

To actually have to exchange real gold and silver for a pile of paper. If it were his former self, he would definitely think this was the idea of a madman.

‘Sigh, I hope this military scrip can truly play the great role it is envisioned to.’