Chapter 2047: The Theory of Gold and Silver, Superficial Economics
Chang'an.
Since China entered the agricultural road, food has basically been the most important thing. People's obsession with food often surpasses other things, so there is a saying that "food is the first thing for the people". Of course, there are
Part of it is a deliberate propaganda by the ruling class, but on the other hand it also shows the people's thirst for food when productivity is low.
And this kind of desire is often exploited by the ruling class, for example, by focusing on agriculture and suppressing business.
So when Zheng Xuan began to try to express his opinions on business, many people couldn't help it...
Then there was a formal debate, which was when Fei Qian gathered everyone to discuss the development of the Western Region.
For China, the Western Regions have always been basically under the jurisdiction of the Chinese Dynasty. There is no doubt about this. Since Han Wu managed the Western Regions, this kind of jurisdiction is not just a simple restriction. In the Han Dynasty, the capital of the Western Regions was established.
Protectors, the Chief Historian of the Western Regions, Wuji Xiaowei, etc. Later in the Tang Dynasty, the Anxi Protectorate, Beiting Protectorate, etc. were also established, with appointed officers and garrison troops to guard the north and south. Even when the Central Plains was in chaos, the Western Regions also
They are often still guarded by officials and soldiers sent by the Central Plains Dynasty to prevent nomadic countries from the north or northwest from taking advantage of the situation.
The era when the Western Regions as a whole broke away from the control of the Central Plains of China was generally during the Song Dynasty. However, if the Khitan and Liao Kingdoms can be considered part of the great integration of Chinese nationalities, then it can be said that the Western Regions have basically never separated from China.
The Western Region is remote, vast and sparsely populated, and the limited land cannot support large-scale farming. Therefore, for ancient China, which valued food output, this area was often like a useless area and did not attach much importance.
At present, the Hussars General Fei lurked in the Western Regions and re-established the Western Regions Protectorate. However, if we only rely on the land output produced by the Western Regions, it will be difficult to maintain the expenses of soldiers and horses, especially the expenses of the elite cavalry commanded by Lu Bu. Therefore,
Commercial trade is bound to be involved.
In fact, most of the time in history, the main way to protect the Western Region was through trade.
"Since the opening of the Western Region in the early Han Dynasty, it has been known as the "Thirty-six Kingdoms". It has been increased and decreased since then. To the east of today's Congling, there are six major kingdoms in the north and south..."
As the chief military adviser under Fei Qian, Pang Tong pointed at the map of the Western Region and talked eloquently.
"The six countries on the southern route of the Western Region, from east to west, are Shanshan, Qiemo, Jingjue, Mumi, Khotan and Shache; the six countries on the northern route, from east to west, are Gaochang, Cheshi, Yanqi, Qiuci,
Wusun and Shule; there are dozens of other small countries, so there is no need to count..."
"Now the South Road of the Western Region is basically peaceful. Among the North Road, only Wusun is standing still. Taking advantage of its vast territory and numerous soldiers, it has gathered the enemy's rebellion and refused to surrender..."
In fact, Wusun has always been greatly influenced by the Han Dynasty. Perhaps because of many marriage relationships, its customs, culture, official system, etc. are all deeply influenced by China.
Pang Tong spoke with great energy, and everyone couldn't help but lean forward and prick up their ears for fear that they might have missed something. After all, this information is very new to the vast majority of the nobles, especially when Pang Tong talked about the countries in the Western Regions.
When looking at the geographical location, population, special products, and the number of soldiers, etc., everyone couldn't help but secretly take a look at Fei Qian. Unknowingly, the Cavalry General had already understood the Western Region so thoroughly. Could he be preparing to attack Wu?
Sun, completely return to the Western Regions?
However, the geography of the Western Region is mostly desert, and it is common to see no human habitation for hundreds of miles. If a large army attacks, it will be difficult to transport materials. Back then, Li Guangli sent 6,000 national soldiers and tens of thousands of bad boys from the county for the Dayuan Horse.
He was more than two years old back and forth, but not one of his ten soldiers survived...
Such a conquest is obviously not cost-effective, right?
Everyone exchanged looks.
Pang Tong finished introducing the situation, then turned to Fei Qian, saluted, and returned to his seat.
Fei Qian turned around and looked at Xun You.
Xun You cupped his hands, stood up, and then motioned to the guards outside the hall to bring up some lacquer plates. "These gold and silver coins are all used by countries in the Western Regions. They are many without holes, mostly decorated with flower and bird patterns, and mixed with their main figures. You may wish to take a look."
Of……"
In fact, the gold and silver coins of the Western Regions are not unfamiliar to all ethnic groups in Guanzhong, and some even have some in their homes. However, since Xun You said so, everyone started to take a look at them.
"In the land of China, there is more copper than silver. In the past, copper mining in Luliang and gold mining in the Yinshan Mountains were beneficial, but they were particularly insufficient. Now, gold and silver can be exchanged with silk, which may be able to make up for the shortcomings of China. This gold and silver can be found in the Western Regions
There are so many noble people in various countries who think that jewelry and utensils have lost their value and cannot be used..."
Since the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period in China, copper has been used as money, gold coins, and silver coins, but most of them are like commemorative coins of later generations and cannot be directly circulated in the market. This is mainly because gold is expensive and ordinary people cannot afford it, and silver coins
The output is low, so the value is artificially high, and it is also difficult to use.
After thousands of years of accumulation, it gradually formed a habit. Even in the Ming Dynasty, a large amount of silver goods from Japan and the New World flowed in, and even the court already used all silver taels to collect taxes, but there was no thought of minting silver coins.
It is first cast into ingots and then cut into pieces for use, which is extremely inconvenient.
After Fei Qian switched to gold, silver, and copper as the third-level metal currency, as the territory expanded, the copper output was relatively acceptable. After all, there were copper mines in the south and north, and the reserves were not low.
As for gold, there are gold mines in the north of Yinshan Mountain and Yongchang gold mine in Nanzhong. Although it is difficult to transport, there is still some shortage, but it is not a big shortage. Only silver has always been in short supply.
As for the value of Zhengxi silver coins on the market, they are already much inflated.
What about the silver mine? Because the silver mine at Zhuti Mountain is an associated mine, and the smelting technology is limited by technology, so the output is very small. What is the specific location of the other silver mines? Fei Qian was just a company employee before. Where?
Do you care about that? How can you remember it? So at this stage, Feiqian can only send personnel to continuously explore, and it is far from being able to achieve large-scale mining.
Even if Fei Qian knew that there was gold and silver in the Lingnan area of Yunnan, and found the mine site, he had to cut through mountains and ridges to get in, and he also had to organize large-scale manpower to continue digging and refining. The difficulty was actually not small, so he directly engaged in the Western Regions. Could it be that
Doesn’t it smell good?
If you are not sensitive to the economy, you may not think this is a big issue, or even take it seriously, but of course Fei Qian cannot ignore this issue, so the development of gold and silver in the Western Regions must be put on the agenda.
Otherwise, it is very likely that the supply of gold and silver coins will be insufficient, and China will eventually have to return to the copper-standard currency system.
Xun You continued: "Now we should encourage merchants to circulate things. Firstly, they can enrich the Western Regions, which are barren in Liangzhou. Secondly, they can collect more gold and silver to fill the vacancies in China... Now there is a chamber of commerce to set rules and reach the merchants in the Western Regions."
, Bring more gold and silver back to China..."
When Xun You said this, one of the people below said loudly: "I think your words are inappropriate!"
What Xun You means is to reduce the import of various items from the Western Regions and expand the carrying capacity of gold and silver. After all, the carrying capacity of a caravan is not unlimited, so it is relatively happy for merchants to make more space to transport gold and silver.
Yes, after all, it is more cost-effective to transport gold and silver, which are small in size and high in value, than transporting large and low-value commodities...
As long as corresponding policies are introduced, the rest will naturally be left to the merchants themselves. Once large-scale trade with the Western Regions is completed, the gold, silver, and copper three-level currency system from the Western Regions to Chang'an will gradually become stable and normalized.
Then it will naturally gradually radiate to other regions, and then the foundation of China's overall precious metal currency system will be basically completed.
Fei Qian turned around and looked, but it was Xi Lu.
Of course, this is what it should be. After all, Xi Lu is a disciple of Zheng Xuan. Zheng Xuan put forward his advice on business a few days ago, and now Xun You mentioned something about the Han Chamber of Commerce. As a disciple of Zheng Xuan, he naturally couldn't help but speak out.
Objected.
Xun You frowned slightly and was about to criticize Xi Xi when he saw Fei Qian extending his hand to signal, then he smiled and said: "Hongyu has something to say, you should say it directly, don't hide it."
Xi Lu stood up and bowed before replying: "What Xun Lingjun said just now is that he wants the Western merchants to export more gold and silver for circulation. However, Xi Lu believes that farming is the foundation and business is the last. Xiu Qi aims to alleviate the difficulties and rejuvenate the country, so he should pay attention to farming."
Farmers and mulberry weavers should pay close attention to the land and water conservancy, and store grain and grass for emergencies, instead of paying attention to the decline of merchants. Previously, Dr. Zheng had given advice, and Qingqi encouraged industry and commerce. If you get anything, give more to the magnates. I thought this was the reason.
This is harmful to the foundation of the country and cannot be a routine practice! I hope Qiaoqi will think twice!"
Zheng Xuan officially became the admonishment doctor, and Xi Lu also had the identity of Yi Lang, so Xi Lu stood up to express his objection, which was not considered an overstep in terms of etiquette.
Fei Qian smiled and sighed in his heart, after all these days, he is still playing these old tunes, aren't there some fresh arguments? He thought he could have some unique insights into monetary policy...
But this is what it should be. Zheng Xuan can't just use his big moves as soon as he comes up. It's like playing chess. How about attacking the general when he gets the hang of it? He always has to send out a pawn first to explore the way.
Fei Qian did not speak directly, but first looked around, his eyes lingering on the little carrot head in the back, "What do you think of what Hongyu said?"
Zhuge Liang stood up and said loudly: "Xi Yilang said that the country should be based on agriculture, which is not wrong, but if you emphasize agriculture, you need to despise business? The book says, "If there is no agriculture, there will be shortage.
If food and work are not done, there will be nothing to do; if business is not done, the three treasures will be gone; if there are no wars, there will be little money." Nowadays, there is chaos in various places and the decline of the country. It is necessary to focus on agriculture and commerce, revitalize all industries, and enable the people to accumulate riches.
Make the country rich and the army strong!』
Xi Lu cupped his hands and said: "Li also knows that these four things cannot be abolished. However, just like a tree has roots, trunks, branches, and leaves, it cannot be shortened. If the roots are not strong, how can the branches and leaves survive? Therefore, agriculture is the country.
The root of the tree is that it is thick and all the karma flourishes at the same time. If the root is turned upside down, the roots of the tree will rot, and the branches and leaves will be ten feet high, and it will wither not far away..."
Xi Liu wanted to continue to expand his argument, but was interrupted by Zhuge Liang: "Has Xi Yilang ever plowed the fields and planted trees along the roads?"
"Huh?" Xi Lu was stunned for a moment.
"Liang Bucai once farmed in Nanyang." Zhuge Liang smiled and said, "What Xi Yilang said is true. When the roots rot, the wood will wither. However, if Liang asks, trees are planted in the forest and crops are planted in the fields.
Why use it? The fruit is sweet, the corn and wheat are sweet, why are they all using their roots? If there are no branches, leaves and fruits, what is the use of just hoping that the roots will flourish?"
Xi Wu was a little stuck and didn't know what to say for a moment.
Guoyuan on the side stood up and said: "To emphasize agriculture is to protect the roots of the country. If the roots are strong but not cut down, the branches and leaves will naturally flourish, and all industries will prosper on their own. Things have priorities, and the government of the country should also have its priorities.
This is not to say that industry and commerce are useless, but it should not be given special attention or glory. If all are merchants and merchants, who would be willing to fight in battle? That is to say, judging from today's situation, when the country is in decline, we should focus on agriculture.
It’s a business thing for merchants. It’s not righteous..."
Then, without waiting for Zhuge Liang to retort, he continued hurriedly, "When the late emperor was in Luoyang, merchants could get official positions by offering sacrifices. Isn't this bad governance? Merchants value profits but despise righteousness. If they are appointed as officials,
It will inevitably deprive the people, make the court filthy, cause people to compete in extravagance, punish them excessively, and even accuse them of slander. The root cause is this! Therefore, it is okay to focus on agriculture, but not on business. I hope Qiaoqi will think twice!"
"You are wrong!" Zhuge Liang pointed at Guoyuan and said with a smile, "The merchants lost millet and became officials. It was not the first emperor. It was the beginning of filial piety and filial piety. Could it be that this is also evil? Government is inherently good, but how can it be used as evil?
, what an evil thing! Is the government too much? Is it too much use?"
"However, the foolish people mostly hate them because they are filial to the military, salt and iron, lose millet and win the title, but they don't know that when they are filial to the military, there are pressures from the Huns outside and disturbances from the princes inside. The country's supplies are insufficient, and the weapons are not strong. If there is no
How could Kong Sang and others be in government, drive the Xiongnu in the north, conquer Ouyue in the south, and achieve a prosperous age? Everything has pros and cons, as is the case with farmers, and this is the case with businessmen. To talk about the disadvantages in a big way, and to talk about the advantages in silence, is to teach the right way and have profound scriptures.
?It’s so strange!』
Guoyuan's face turned red, and even Zheng Xuan couldn't help but cough.
"Okay!" Fei Qian said, "Kong Ming can't be rude! You still haven't apologized to Mr. Zheng!"
Zhuge Liang quickly turned around and saluted Zheng Xuan, "Young man, I was just talking nonsense. I hope Duke Zheng will forgive me..."
Zheng Xuan slapped his face and said, "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter..."
Fei Qian motioned Zhuge Liang to sit down, and then said: "In ancient times, people were free and had no rules. Only when Zhou Gong established the well fields could there be taxation, which has been passed down to this day. Is the taxation and labor established by Zhou Gong good? Is it evil? If it is good, how can it be done?
The rituals and music of the Warring States period collapsed, and the Zhou Dynasty was destroyed and no longer exists today? If it was evil, how could the people spread and sing the Book of Songs and extend the country for eight hundred years?"
"There may be wise people who say that it must be like in ancient times, what it was like in the Spring and Autumn Period, or it may be that in the early Han Dynasty when Xiao Wu and Guang Wu were in power, there were some who were filled with righteous indignation, some who were regretful and resentful, and some quoted from other sources, and based on words and sentences, it seems to be very reasonable. However, things in the world
, if there are advantages, there must be disadvantages. If you don't do it because of disadvantages, you will just wait for death. When governing a country, we must ask the customs, observe the people's sentiments, educate and guide them at the right time. Today, the four directions are exhausted and all industries are not prosperous.
, this should be taken seriously by all, why should we divide it into agriculture and business? For example, when there is a drought, weirs and rivers should store water. However, some people say that too much water will cause flooding and damage countless fields, so water should not be stored. Is this true?"
Fei Qian's words also implicitly indicate that the current pro-business policy is temporary. Since it is temporary, don't get too excited. It also implies that if the development of business affects agricultural production, the policy will naturally be tightened.
And if such a crisis has not emerged yet, then we will just talk about this and that.
Fei Qian's words made sense, but were extremely slick. Although some people still felt that there were some problems with this "temporary", it was difficult to find anything to object to at the moment, so they had to focus on the previous small problem, "In this case,
Why does the Hussar want Xijia to import gold and silver? Money is a thing that can only be circulated. It cannot be eaten when hungry and cannot be clothed when cold. It is not urgent for the people."
Fei Qian laughed loudly, then motioned to Huang Xu who was on the side, took a few empty tea bowls, placed them on the table one by one, then pointed at the empty tea bowls and said: "The way of gold and silver, originally
This is the law of the country, which has always been kept secret. Today, seeing that there are so many talented people, it would be too much to talk about it... Please do not spread it outside..."
Everyone couldn't help but responded in unison, and then everyone stretched their necks.
Fei Qian pointed to the first empty tea bowl, "It would be too vague to generalize, so let me illustrate with an example... This bowl is the Chengxi Inn..."
Fei Qian took a gold coin and put it into the empty tea bowl. There was a clanking sound. "I have a guest today who wants to stay. I don't know if the room is good or bad, so I will pay him a hundred coins. If the room is good, I will stay there. If the room is not good, I will stay there."
, then retreat..."
After Fei Qian finished speaking, he looked around.
Everyone nodded, frowned, or stroked their beards.
Fei Qian took out the gold coins from the first tea bowl and put them into the second empty bowl. "Sometimes a farmer from a village outside the city came to the post station and said that the post station bought gold coins for vegetables on credit, so the post director took the hundred coins and
farmer……"
Ding dong! The gold coin went into the third empty bowl, "The farmer got a hundred coins. When he entered Chang'an Market, he paid back the money he owed for salt, vinegar and wine..."
Fei Qian continued to slowly take out the gold coins from the third empty bowl, and then put them into the fourth empty bowl. "This guy who sells groceries owes a hundred yuan to the clothing store and has not paid off, so he got this."
After receiving the money, he gave it to the clothing store..."
"For the clothing store, I use an ox cart to buy kudzu and linen cloth. I often stop at the inn. I owe a hundred coins for fodder. After I get the money..." Fei Qian picked up the gold coins again and put them back in the first empty bowl.
In, "I paid for the fodder for the inn..."
Everyone couldn't help but feel a little sluggish...
Fei Qian took the gold coin in his hand again, and then threw it to Huang Xu, "The guest at the inn said that the room was shabby and unbearable, so he returned a hundred coins and stayed elsewhere..."
Fei Qian looked around again with great interest, lit the four empty bowls on the table, and said: "Let me ask, who is harmed? Who is benefiting? What should be done with money and money, which cannot be clothed or eaten?
What is it used for?"
"This is just a simple study of economics..." Fei Qian said, looking at the people who were somewhat trapped in a "strange circle" and unable to extricate themselves, "Are there any people who say that gold and silver in the Western Regions are useless?"
Most of the people were at a loss and speechless for a moment...
