Chapter 287 The solution to the money shortage (2)
"A complete monetary system should have three levels of currency: gold, silver, and copper. But in the Song Dynasty, we only have copper coins as the only currency. The total price of all commodities needs copper coins to offset the value, and because the value of copper coins is too high
Low, the amount required is too large, which leads to a money shortage. Although gold and silver that are not minted into coins can also participate in transactions, fundamentally speaking, they cannot be regarded as currencies and can only be said to be a valuable metal. If
Casting it into coins, using gold coins as the base currency, and establishing a three-level currency system of gold, silver, and copper can not only solve the problem of money shortage once and for all, but also bring great convenience to the people... At the same time, the imperial court's control over finance
, will also be greatly strengthened.”
Chen Ke spread his hands and said: "To be honest, the coinage process contains huge profits. The imperial court can easily earn more than 30% of the profits by casting gold into gold coins. It is completely unreasonable to exclude gold and silver.
Outside of legal tender."
The official listened to Chen Ke's suggestions attentively, thinking silently that although he had never been exposed to finance, he understood those simple principles... If it is true as Chen Ke said, a monetary system can be established and a currency can be minted.
A silver coin is equivalent to one hundred copper coins, and a gold coin cast is equivalent to a thousand copper coins. This is to introduce gold and silver into coins, which can naturally greatly reduce the burden of copper coins.
From then on, copper coins were only used for small daily exchanges, silver coins were used for large-scale transactions, and gold coins were used for huge transactions. Moreover, large households will definitely choose to store gold coins with higher value and smaller size, thereby ensuring that copper coins and silver coins are in circulation.
quantity.
No matter how you think about it, this is a wonderful method, but why has no one thought of such a simple method before?
There must be something wrong. The official frowned and thought for a long time, and suddenly said: "Since we want to mint gold and silver coins, we must have a lot of gold and silver, right? But these two things are even rarer than copper in our Song Dynasty!"
"It doesn't matter if the Song Dynasty is short of money, there is plenty of real gold and silver in the Japanese country and in Nanyang. I, the Song Dynasty, can obtain gold and silver that can be used by the country either by cleverness or by robbery. It doesn't require a lot of effort." Chen Ke said in a deep voice:
"This is the foundation of eternity. Since the beginning of the world, our country has never had gold, silver, and copper coins running side by side. Your Majesty created this situation and lifted the shackles of hundreds of years, and you will be admired by eternity!"
Zhao Zhen was excited for a while when Chen Ke said it. After a while, he suppressed his excitement and spat: "You kid, you are inciting me to send troops again!"
"Your Majesty knows clearly that it does not have to be achieved through war." Chen Ke shook his head and said: "The prosperity of industry and commerce in our Song Dynasty is beyond the reach of other countries. Everything produced in the Song Dynasty will be sought after by other countries. Once it is shipped to other countries, its price will immediately increase.
Ten times the price, it will be out of stock in an instant. We can sell porcelain, silk, tea and other products overseas to earn their gold and silver."
"Isn't it this way all the time?"
"The intensity is far from enough. The maritime routes are mainly monopolized by the Arabs. Our industry and commerce in the Song Dynasty are still too weak and there are not enough products for export." Chen Ke talked eloquently: "The population of the Song Dynasty now exceeds 100 million.
The cultivated land has been completely developed, land annexation has become more and more serious, and a large number of people have lost their land. If these people have no livelihood, they will become refugees and endanger the country of the Song Dynasty. And the industry and commerce that require a lot of labor are exactly where these people should be resettled.
…”
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That night, the official listened to Chen Ke's talk for four hours. Hu Yandui tried to persuade the official to rest several times, but Zhao Zhen refused. The more he listened to Chen Ke's words, the more the official understood what he was talking about.
The number one scholar he selected was so different. All the strange things he said were all new to him, but it was like opening a window, allowing him to examine the shortcomings of the Song Dynasty from a new perspective.
It is clear and easy to understand, not mysterious at all.
More importantly, Chen Ke has a specific solution, which is simple, concrete, and highly operable. What particularly pleases Zhao Zhen is that Chen Ke has been doing additions instead of subtractions. This is the reform of any previous minister.
Plans are incomparable... The reform measures of those ministers are, to put it bluntly, 'to make up for the deficiencies when there is more than is lost'. This is certainly true in theory, but in practice, the problem arises. Because 'there is more than enough to make up for.
'It is often a powerful class, and any damage will inevitably encounter resistance from them. This is also the fundamental reason for repeated failures.
And as Chen Ke said, everyone can benefit, it’s just a matter of how much profit they get. In this way, the resistance to reform will naturally be greatly reduced and the chance of success will be greatly increased.
Maybe this is the good strategy to save the country that everyone has been waiting for? Zhao Zhen, who had been in a lazy mood since the Qingli New Deal, actually cheered up.
"Listening to your words is worth ten years of studying." Dongfang was slightly pale as a fish belly, Zhao Zhen's eyes were bloodshot, but his energy was surprisingly strong and he said: "The number one scholar in my family is really a star from the sky descending to earth!"
"The humble minister is terrified."
"Don't be afraid." Zhao Zhen waved his hand forcefully and said: "Collect everything you said. Don't rush to submit it. Think about it carefully and write it more thoughtfully."
"I obey the decree." Chen Ke said respectfully.
"Of course, your main task is to solve the problem of Yunnan Copper first," Zhao Zhen looked at Chen Ke with a smile and said: "Only when this matter is fruitful will your subsequent proposals be convincing."
"Wei Chen understands."
"Go, the Emperor's Sword is still with you, go ahead and do it Saman." Zhao Zhen said to him expectantly: "I believe in you!"
"I will definitely live up to the trust of the officials!"
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Early the next morning, Chen Ke got up and left the capital. Just as he came and left quietly, no more than ten people in the entire Bianjing city knew about his return.
We traveled all the way under starry night and arrived at Guizhou City on Guangnan West Road in more than ten days.
Guizhou City is where the Guangxi Transport Envoy Yamen is located, which is also known as Guilin in later generations. Its beautiful scenery is unparalleled in the world, and it is really a paradise-like place on earth. However, Nong Zhigao's rebellion six years ago turned this place into a military city. Five
Years ago, with the great victory at Kunlun Pass and Di Qing's rebellion, for the big bosses in Bianjing City, the suppression of bandits was already a victory. But for the civil and military soldiers and civilians of Guangxi, the chaos was far from over... After several years of arduous suppression,
, Nong Zongdan led his troops to surrender last year, and the military disaster in Guangxi was finally stopped.
Before people could take a breath, news came that Nong Zhigao was making a comeback in Dali and might come back at any time. Guangxi suddenly became nervous again, and the picturesque Guizhou became a military city.
The houses of the common people in the city were all requisitioned as barracks, and there were soldiers of the Song Dynasty wearing soft hats everywhere, archers from Shaanxi, swordsmen from Hebei, the sharpshooting battalion of the Forbidden Army, Xiang troops from Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and Dong soldiers recruited from the local area.
The soldiers are divided into different places in a chaotic manner, and military discipline can be imagined.
Along the way, Chen Ke saw several fights and robberies of people's property. Liu Yue'e's eyebrows stood up when he saw her. She wanted to fight against the injustice several times, but was stopped by Chen Ke... He showed off his power when he first arrived. Do you want to do it again in the future?
Where?
We walked until we got outside the government office of the Guangxi Transportation Department and saw that there was order. On both sides of the stone lion gate, there were two splayed walls, with a row of tall sergeants in bright armor standing on each side, guarding the government office closely.
, no collision.
When Chen Ke and his party arrived in front of the Yamen, they immediately caught the guard's attention and shouted loudly: "Everyone who comes here is named!"
"Chen Ke, the new transfer judge of Guangnan West Road, came to the transfer envoy to report!" Chen Ke announced his name loudly, and Zhang Cheng handed over his name.
The guard hurried in to report. After a while, the middle door opened wide, and an old man wearing a purple robe with white beard and hair came out of the yamen with a big smile: "I just received the imperial document the day before yesterday. I didn't expect Zhong Fang to arrive today."
, came so quickly!”
Chen Ke hurriedly turned over and dismounted, and sang fatly: "I'm here to pay my respects to the transfer envoy!"
"Hey, Zhong Fang doesn't have to be polite, just call me brother." Wang Han, the transfer envoy, is Wang Gui's uncle. Naturally, he feels very close to this little fellow countryman who won the first place in the imperial examination. When he sees his figure
After becoming tall and brave, he was even more happy.
Chen Kexin said that this would not disturb the seniority. He smiled bitterly and said: "How dare you? Let's call you old man."
"It's up to you." Wang Han took Chen Ke's hand with a cheerful face, entered the office and said, "Don't say anything before you come, so that I can summon the civil and military forces of Guangxi to pick you up."
"It's absolutely impossible." Chen Ke said with a smile: "The official is a dead man, so it's better to keep a low profile."
"Oh?" Wang Han asked curiously: "What do you mean?"
Chen Ke then gave a brief and concise explanation of how he pretended to be dead after being assassinated and forced the Duan family in Dali to donate soil to the Song Dynasty and request the Song army to enter Yunnan.
Hearing this, Lao Wang Han burst into tears with laughter, patted Chen Ke on the back and said, "You really are a kid, but can you scare my eldest nephew to death?"
"Wang Neihan was calm and calm, and he didn't show any fear." Chen Ke said with a smile.
"Don't put powder on his face," Wang Han shook his head and said with a smile, "I watched him grow up, how could I not know his courage?"
While they were talking, the two entered the main hall and sat down separately. Wang Han asked someone to serve him tea, exchanged a few words, and then talked about the situation in Dali. Chen Ke asked: "I am in a hurry these days, what's the latest news?"
progress?"
"There has indeed been a big change." Wang Han twisted his beard and said: "The spies came to report that Yang Yunxian had escaped from Dali and returned to Zuotong..." After a pause, he said: "In addition, the Gao family has arrested Nong Zhigao and will not be killed.
It can be sent to Guizhou in a short time."
"Oh..." This was all expected. Chen Ke nodded and said, "It seems Gao Zhisheng has made up his mind and won't give us an excuse to enter eastern Yunnan."
"Yes." Wang Han nodded and said, "If people want to focus on internal fighting, they will naturally have to clear the place."
