In the fourth year of Wei Xing'an, just after the first month, Xie Xian, the left minister of the Ministry of Industry, who was supervising the "New Capital Luoyang City" project in Sanchuan County, reported the construction progress of the new capital to the imperial court.
The Sichuan-Luoyang Alliance is quite wealthy. The new capital Luoyang they built by enclosing the land covers an area as large as nearly two girders, and is almost adjacent to Luocheng in the east. This completely overturned the original expectations of the Ministry of Industry.
Of course, this doesn't matter. After all, the officials of the Ministry of Industry and the Metallurgical Bureau are similar. They are often scolded by officials of the Ministry of Household Affairs as "people who don't know how expensive firewood and rice are". They never pay attention to the amount of funds consumed. It is not their responsibility.
Fortunately, the cost of building the new capital this time was entirely funded by the Sichuan-Luo Alliance. Otherwise, I believe officials from the Ministry of Revenue would definitely rush to the headquarters of the Ministry of Industry and start a fight with those guys who spend money lavishly.
However, even if there is no need to use funds from the national treasury, when looking at the huge flow of funds, the officials of the Ministry of Household Affairs also feel heartbroken. At the same time, they secretly curse the rich locals in the Sichuan-Luo Alliance who are quick to make money.
The next day happened to be the day when Wei King Zhao Run was on duty at Chui Gong Hall. When the Wei monarch yawned and appeared in Chui Gong Hall, the Minister of Internal Affairs Xu Guan immediately handed the young monarch a report from Xie Xian, the left minister of the Ministry of Industry.
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"Huh? Luoyang's construction report."
Sitting on the throne, Zhao Hongrun looked through the report.
Zhao Run has been paying attention to the construction progress of the new capital Luoyang, but he also knows that a new capital like Luoyang, which covers an area of about two girders, can be built so fast? Therefore, he has no idea.
No rush.
As he guessed, Xie Xian, the left minister of the Ministry of Industry, wrote in the official report that Luoyang has gradually encircled the city walls in four directions. It is only a preliminary encirclement. To put it bluntly, it is to lay a foundation, and then it will be based on it again.
Building it higher and thicker will probably take a few more years.
However, the city is tentatively called the city, and various areas have been planned one after another, such as the land area of the royal palace, the location of various government offices, various streets, and residential areas for residents in the city, etc. Among them, the residential areas for common people are being constructed the fastest.
, those people who moved from several other counties in Wei State to the Luoyang area of Sanchuan a few years ago quickly formed residential groups.
In response to this, Xie Xian, the left minister of the Ministry of Industry, suggested in his memorial that the imperial court should quickly implement a series of officials such as "Fu Yin", "City Lieutenant", and "City Order" to maintain public security.
"The public security in Luoyang? Isn't Marquis Anping in charge of this matter?"
Zhao Hongrun flicked the memorial in his hand with his fingers, and asked casually with some confusion.
The Anping Marquis in his mouth, namely Anping Marquis Zhao Tan, is also a very capable son of the Zhao family Wang Guizhong. Although the blood relationship with the Zhao family is far away, this person has a good character and is brave and cheerful.
Therefore, Zhao Run quite admired this distant clan uncle.
After listening to Zhao Run's words, the ministers in the palace looked at each other in a tacit understanding. Then Lin Yuyang raised his hands and said, "Didn't Your Majesty ask Anpinghou to be responsible for "the security work during the construction of the city"? And the governor, the city captain,
City orders, etc., belong to the rule of the people. I think that the Marquis of Anping may not be proficient in this matter, so it is better for the imperial court to send people..."
Zhao Hongrun raised his head slightly after hearing this and glanced at the ministers in the palace. Of course he understood what these ministers were worried about. They just didn't want Anping Marquis Zhao Tan to have too much power. It wasn't that it was a threat to the country. It was just that Anping would be destroyed in this way.
The Wanggui of the Zhao family represented by Hou Zhaotan had too much power in the new capital Luoyang, and the gentry did not want to see this situation.
It must be said that amidst these domestic class conflicts, Zhao Hongrun finally realized the difficulty of being a king.
Just imagine, the royal family, the public family, the nobility (not the Zhao family), and the noble family must not only balance these people, but also twist these people with their own interests into one to promote the development of the entire country. This is the art of the emperor, but It's really not that easy.
To be honest, this is not what he is good at.
Fortunately, in this matter, he has a greater advantage than his father, Wang Zhao Si, and that is deterrence.
Although Zhao Run has many rights under his control, in fact, no one can shake his status as the monarch of Wei. As long as he makes a decision, no one dares to raise objections. The only one who can influence him is Empress Dowager Shen. Interfering in state affairs.
Furthermore, during the era of his father, King Zhao Si, there was still a clan that restricted the royal power. But now, the clan has long lost its original glory and has been reduced to mediating internal or external conflicts of the Zhao family, trying its best to serve the Zhao family. The clan's official office, which seeks the welfare of one clan, has long since lost the power to dictate state affairs.
All in all, in the hands of Zhao Run, the royal power has expanded to an unparalleled peak.
In this case, the monarch's attitude is crucial: whether he favors the royal family or the nobles.
This attitude has little impact on the entire country, but it is crucial for the royal family and nobles who have a clear stance.
No, in the afternoon of the same day, the Zongfu Zong ordered Zhao Sheng, the king of Yao, to come to see Zhao Run.
Under the solemn gazes of the ministers in the inner court, Zhao Hongrun led Zhao Sheng out of Chui Gong Hall and walked a few steps in the garden outside the hall. During this period, he smiled and asked Zhao Sheng the purpose of his visit.
Zhao Sheng smiled and said that among the local princes of the Zhao family, there were also several talents who could be developed, and he hoped that the majesty in front of him could take time to meet them.
Zhao Run looked at Zhao Sheng for a moment, then asked with a smile: "Have you heard the news?"
Zhao Sheng smiled slightly and did not deny it.
Although the imperial court is now basically controlled by the nobles, and the energy of the clan is not as good as before, in the final analysis, the clan still has its own connections.
Let’s not talk about the distant ones, let’s talk about the Zongwei, including Wei Jiao, the president of the Imperial Guard, Lu Mu, the deputy commander, and Zhou Pu, who is now serving as the jailer in the Ministry of Punishments, etc. These people who were born in the Zongwei of the Zongfu, in fact They can also be included in the category of the royal family. Of course, as "retainers of the royal family", they are also the connections of the clan and the nobles of the Zhao family.
"I thought the second uncle would come to teach me in person." Zhao Run said with a smile.
Zhao Sheng, Lord Yao, cupped his hands and said: "Master Zongzheng is getting old anyway, and his physical condition is not very good recently. Therefore, Master Zongzheng has handed over some affairs of the Zongfu to me one after another... "
Zhao Hongrun glanced at Zhao Sheng and said nothing more.
In fact, Zongzheng Zhao Yuanyan is still in good health, but it cannot be denied that Zhao Run's second uncle rarely preaches to Zhao Run as he did before. The reason is very simple, because the greater the power of Zhao Run as a monarch, the more powerful he becomes. Zhao Yuanyan was worried that his upright self might make his nephew feel disgusted by his inappropriate words. Zhao Hongmin, the eldest son of Zhao Yuanyan, repeatedly reminded his father.
But to be honest, Zhao Run still has a good impression of Zhao Yuanyan, his second uncle, because Zhao Yuanyan is upright and upright. He will only favor the Zhao family a little when the interests of the Zhao family are involved. He is only doing it for the interests of the clan. rather than himself.
"Indeed, the second uncle is already over sixty years old..." Nodding, Zhao Hongrun sighed melancholy and said with a smile: "Looking back, I will go visit him and hope that the second uncle will recover soon."
Zhao Sheng was stunned for a moment, and then he realized what the His Majesty in front of him meant: He had no ill intentions towards Zhao Yuanyan, and the latter did not need to be so cautious, and could just carry on as usual.
While chatting, the two inevitably came up with the topic of the new capital of Luoyang. This was exactly the purpose of Zhao Sheng's visit. He hoped to add a few members of the Zhao family to the vacant general quota in Luoyang.
Children.
The reason is quite convincing: the children of the Zhao family are the most trustworthy. They may not have much ability, or they may be greedy for money and lazy, but it is basically impossible for them to do anything that would harm the country or endanger the rule of the Zhao royal family.
Zhao Hongrun shook his head and smiled without saying a word.
After a while, he asked: "Those guys, are they interested in those official positions?"
Zhao Sheng did not dare to hide it and said truthfully: "Probably he is a lieutenant."
Lieutenant officers are generally referred to as "duwei" or "wuwei". Locally, they are the commanders of the security guards. However, in capital cities like Daliang and Luoyang, lieutenants are equivalent to thousands of generals in the army, two or more generals.
After all, there are presidents such as Wei Jiao and Lu Mu above the thousand-man general level, but it cannot be denied that they are also senior generals in charge of military power.
What's more important is that, as lieutenants whose duty is to protect the capital, they are generally not in any danger and are very honorable. For example, when the Imperial Guard suppressed the ranger forces in the royal capital and local areas some time ago, these lieutenants were basically the ones leading the troops.
It's not hard work, there's money to be made, and it's very honorable to lead the guards under his command on inspections and patrols on weekdays. A position like this will certainly make the children of the Zhao family flock to it.
In this regard, Zhao Hongrun's reply was also very simple. As long as those people could withstand the training of the Imperial Guards and strictly abide by the laws of the Imperial Guards, he would not mind promoting those brothers. After all, they were the Guards.
, there is no need to promote only those brave soldiers like the Shang Shui Army, Wei Wu Army and other elite garrison troops. It doesn't matter if you take a little care of your own brothers.
But the premise is that those people must be obedient.
"Ask those who are interested to report to the Imperial Guard," Zhao Hongrun said.
"Yes! Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhao Sheng raised his hands in thanks.
After getting Zhao Hongrun's reply, Yao Lord Zhao Sheng was quite happy.
It didn't take long before a group of Zhao family's Wanggui descendants rushed to Daliang and joined the Imperial Guard noisily. However, within half a month, some of them were crying and shouting to go home, and some of them,
Angrily, they went to the Zongfu together to sue Wei Jiao. Lu Mu, the two commanders of the Imperial Guard, were too harsh on them and did not let them off at all because they were descendants of the noble family of the Zhao family.
In their opinion, Wei Jiao and Lu Mu were Zong Wei and should be their Zhao family's slaves. How could they treat their masters like this?
The Zongfu also felt a headache for such childish remarks: it is undeniable that Wei Jiao and Lu Mu are indeed servants of the Zhao family, but the problem is that this "Zhao family" is limited to Wei Wang Zhao Run and his family members and children.
, In addition, I didn’t see Chengling King Zhao Shen and others being polite when they met Wei Jiao and Lu Mu?
It has to be said that Zongzheng Zhao Yuanyan still has quite a lot of authority in front of these Zhao children. He scolded these people severely: "You can't even endure the daily drills of the imperial guards. Useless people like you,
How dare I recommend it to His Majesty?!"
Afterwards, the old Zongzheng locked up these incompetent Zhao family disciples in a meditation room, and no one could plead for mercy, but to no avail.
Of course, the children of the Zhao family are not all useless. For example, Zhao Chengrui, the son of Chengling King Zhao Shen, has experienced the hardships of the battlefield in several "Wei-Korean Wars", although he has not established any brilliance.
Although he has a lot of achievements and no talent that attracts much attention, he can still be regarded as a qualified general.
Therefore, when the Zongfu recommended Zhao Rui to the imperial guards, Wei Jiao and Lu Mu were not embarrassed, so they appointed Zhao Rui as one of the captains of the imperial guards, and would later recommend him as a patrol lieutenant in Luoyang City.
In addition, those guys from the Xiang Anling Zhao family who had been taught a lesson by Zhou Pu also changed from their old dandies and passed the test of the Imperial Guard.
Of course, in fact, the people Wei Jiao and Lu Mu are most keen to promote are their Zongwei juniors who came from the Zongfu. Just like Bailiba, Sima An, Xu Yin and other Zongwei seniors taught them back then, they are also now
Gradually began to support the younger generation, which is why the clan is not worried about Zongwei Yulinlang's future future.
But to be honest, Zongwei Yulinlang really does not need to worry, because they have been taught and raised by the Zongfu since they were young, and they have always been the most loyal soldiers to Wei.
In March, the Ministry of Revenue reported something to Chui Gong Hall, which attracted the attention of Wei King Zhao Run and the inner court.
This incident is aimed at the current currency chaos in Wei State.
There are roughly two types of coins in circulation in the Wei Kingdom. One is the coins minted during the reign of the late king Zhao Si, which has the largest number. The second is the coins minted by Zhao Run before and after the opening of the "Sanchuan Trade".
The new coin is a new coin with Wei characters on the front and a "sheep" pattern on the back.
This new currency was initially only circulated in Luocheng, Sanchuan. However, due to the gradual increase in the influence of Sanchuan trade in the Wei State, this new currency gradually circulated within the Wei State, and even now, it has gradually circulated to
Of course, the countries in the Central Plains are still limited to large cities such as Shouying and Linzi and remote counties for the time being, and most of them still cannot recognize this new Wei currency.
In addition, in fact, there is even currency in Wei State that was made by Zhao Run and his grandfather Zhao Kang during his reign. However, this kind of currency only circulates in remote areas and is difficult to see anymore.
In addition to the local currency of the Wei State, the currencies of South Korea, Qi, and Chu actually also flowed to the Wei State. This mess of currencies will inevitably cause some confusion in the Wei State's market.
Therefore, the Ministry of Revenue hopes to improve this situation.
The best way to improve this situation is to mint new coins and scrap old coins. Of course, the scrapping of old coins mentioned here must allow people to have channels to exchange new coins. Otherwise, this will be the same as the previous ones in Korea and Chu.
There is no difference between the royal family and the nobles who make money by minting coins. This is simply passing the country's losses onto the people, which is extremely bad and can even cause public resentment.
"The monetary system...?"
After seeing this memorial presented to the Ministry of Finance, Zhao Hongrun thought for a long time.
Perhaps the Ministry of Accounts is only considering integrating the domestic currency system to prevent old currency and foreign currency from affecting the country's market and transactions, but Zhao Hongrun looks further.
For example, why is the currency of the Wei State limited to the mainland of the Wei State? In fact, nowadays, the currency of the Wei State has gradually flowed to other countries. Even in large cities in other countries such as Linzi and Shouying, it can
to replace its local currency.
So let me ask, why can’t we take a step closer?
This is not a kind of cultural export, and at the same time it can once again improve Wei's status and popularity in the Central Plains.
After hearing Zhao Hongrun's opinions, Li Liang, the former Minister of Household Affairs, and Du You, the Minister of Rites, both had their eyes lit up.
The difference is that Li Liang was attracted by the word "unified currency", while Du You was attracted by Zhao Run's phrase "cultural export". Yes, when people in other countries began to use Wei coins, wasn't it a gradual process?
Accept his Wei culture?
Just imagine, if you want to use Wei’s coins, you must first understand Wei’s writing, right?
Otherwise, if you don't know the value of Wei's currency, wouldn't you be deceived?
In addition to Li Liang and Du You, there was another person in the palace who was greatly inspired, and that was none other than Meson Ou, whose goal was to "make Zhao Run the common master of the world."
In Jie Ziyu's view, if the people of all countries in the world really gradually accept Wei's currency, doesn't this mean that they are also gradually accepting Wei itself?
As a result, he immediately expressed his strongest support for Zhao Hongrun's proposal.
Again, it is easier said than done. After deciding on this matter, Nei Chao first started to get busy.
What are you busy with? Of course, designing new coin styles.
After all, this is the first batch of currencies minted by Zhao Run after he ascended the throne as queen, and it is also the first batch of currencies minted by the Wei State after becoming the overlord of the Central Plains. Not to mention the issue of whether it is embarrassing or not if the minting is not good, the internal ministers themselves are
He is very eager to make some changes to correspond to his current status in Wei.
As a result, one said that the pattern should be "Heaven and Sun", and the other said that the pattern should be mountains and rivers. In the end, Zhao Run regretfully told them that even the molds forged by the Smelting Bureau for casting new coins could not be used.
It cannot reach this level of precision.
In the end, the ministers of the inner dynasty decided to just inscribe the word "Wei" on the new coins and no longer thought about the fancy ones.
As for the back, Zhao Hongrun thought about it for a long time and decided to use the traditional Wei Dynasty pattern "Si Ma Chariot", which is a two-wheeled chariot drawn by four horses. Although this kind of chariot has long been eliminated, as a tradition, it is still very traditional.
It is commemorative and very well-known. You can tell at a glance that it is the currency of the Wei State. After all, the flags of the Wei State basically have this kind of horse and chariot pattern.
After deciding on the style of the new currency, the next thing to consider is the entire monetary system.
Yes, Zhao Run is not satisfied with just casting a copper coin, because with the current transaction flow in Wei State, in fact, copper coins can no longer meet the needs of trade, so that in recent years, Wei merchants have been arguing among themselves.
In transactions, it is more likely to use "paper deeds" instead of heavy boxes filled with copper coins.
However, there is no guarantee in the "paper contract". If the other party insists on cheating, even if it is brought to the government, it will be difficult to punish the other party in accordance with Wei's criminal laws because there are no relevant laws and regulations.
This phenomenon is not conducive to trade and needs to be eradicated.
As for the method of eradication, on the one hand, it is of course to add corresponding criminal orders to the criminal law of Wei State; on the other hand, it is to mint currencies with higher purchasing power than copper coins, such as silver and gold coins.
But the problem is that if this kind of monetary system is to be implemented, the exchange ratio of the three round currencies of copper, silver, and gold will become a top priority.
If the material is more valuable than the coin itself, some speculators are likely to collect the coins and melt them back; if the material is cheaper than the coin itself, then those speculators may mint coins privately and profit from it.
Although it is said that in the Wei State, privately minting coins was a crime of beheading, this could not completely eradicate the greed of some people.
Therefore, this aspect needs to be considered carefully.
However, Zhao Run put forward his suggestion on this matter, that is, adding other metals to silver, gold and other coins can, on the one hand, increase the hardness of the coin itself, and on the other hand, it can also balance the material itself and the coin.
The value of the two should be made equal as much as possible. In this way, there is no profit, which can greatly reduce the possibility of speculators going back to the furnace to smelt the coins or mint the coins privately.
A few days later, the Smelting Bureau quickly cast a batch of samples of copper circle coins and quickly sent people to Chui Gong Hall and presented them to Wei King Zhao Run.
That day in the Chui Gong Hall, Zhao Hongrun and the ministers of the inner court carefully examined each coin.
It has to be said that there is really no need to elaborate on the technology of the Smelting Bureau. The copper coins they forged, both in terms of handwriting and the pattern of horses and chariots on the back of the coins, are quite clear. Compared with those cast during the reign of the late king Zhao Si,
I don't know how clear those coins are.
"Are there only copper circles? What about silver circles and gold circles?" Zhao Run asked the official of the Smelting Bureau who sent these coins.
The official from the Smelting Bureau expressed embarrassment that the craftsmen within their Smelting Bureau were still adjusting the material ratios of silver and gold circles.
After all, in order to facilitate statistics in the future, Zhao Hongrun adopted the "decimal system" instead of the original "hexadecimal system" of this era. This almost subverted the original weights and measures standard of Wei State.
Fortunately, the "Su's Weights and Measures" improved by Zhao Run had a certain foundation in Wei State, otherwise, he would not have dared to do it.
It has to be said that it is indeed a very difficult task to adjust the material selection ratio of silver and gold coins. The craftsmen of the Smelting Bureau debugged it for three full months before they were cast according to the standards of Wei Wang Zhao Run.
The first batch of samples of silver and gold coins were released.
As for the quality issue, of course there is no need to go into details: the products produced by the Smelting Bureau must be high-quality products.
"Very good! Just follow this and hand it over to the Ministry of Household Affairs for casting."
After seeing the samples, Zhao Run said with satisfaction.
Immediately, the Smelting Bureau handed over the racks of molds they had forged for casting coins to the Ministry of Household Affairs, who then minted new coins.
At the same time, the imperial court promulgated relevant regulations to promote new coins and abandon old coins. At the same time, it also restricted the circulation of foreign currencies in Wei.
Just as the imperial court predicted, despite all the discomforts, the new coins quickly spread and circulated, even carrying the writing and culture of Wei to other countries in the Central Plains such as Korea, Chu, Qi, Qin and so on.
.
This made far-sighted people in other countries gradually feel that something was wrong.