"Also set up a trading center?" Li Mu was really surprised at this time. He did not expect that Qin Huaidao could think of this level. He wanted to test Qin Huaidao, so he asked: "What is the purpose of setting up a trading center?"
When Qin Huaidao saw Li Mu asking this question, he was even more sure of what he was thinking. It was impossible for his teacher to not think of this level. He was testing himself. Qin Huaidao replied seriously: "Teacher, the student thinks that it can be divided into two aspects."
"Tell me more about it."
"First, if we want to build a trading center, convenient transactions are the prerequisite. With the example of Luoyang, we can see the strategy of our mentor, who has tried every means to make transactions more convenient. Banks are proof of this. With banks, large transactions do not need to be
It’s so complicated. In the past, if there was a large-scale transaction, copper coins were not necessarily much less than the goods. Let alone one thousand guan, which is also one hundred thousand copper coins. How many boxes could be packed in, and it would take an ox cart to load it?
Walking through the market with such swagger is extremely risky no matter where you go."
"In order to ensure the safety of the transaction, we must prepare some servant guards, which is also the cost. When we arrive at the place, in order to calculate the number, we have to count it from the beginning. Just count it once, and we also need to check whether the copper coins are rotten.
Whether it's a five-baht coin from the North or Southern Dynasties, what's the quality? Just this one transaction, from start to finish, probably won't take half a month."
"But now that there is a bank, a thousand-guan glazed treasure banknote can be solved. There is no need for servants to guard it, no accounting room to count the money, and no need to check the quality. Even the treasure banknote does not need to be exchanged, and it can be directly debited at the bank.
Done. Banks made transactions simple, and business naturally flourished. Yangzhou Port gathers goods from all over the world, and there is no place like this that needs to complete transactions quickly. Completing transactions quickly can avoid the hoarding of goods at the port. Transactions
The faster it is, the more goods will circulate. The value of my mentor's vigorous efforts to build Yangzhou Port will be higher."
"Businessmen from foreign countries can deposit their wealth in banks to facilitate transactions, and banks can also help Datang to prevent wealth from flowing out. This will help Datang establish a standard for other countries to follow, so that not only this generation, but also the next generation
For one generation or even for thousands of generations, as the standard setter, Datang has been in an invincible position."
Li Mu nodded slightly, and Qin Huaidao was encouraged and continued: "In addition, Yangzhou Port also needs a trading center like Luoyang, just like the orders from the Ministry of Internal Affairs." This discovery was something Qin Huaidao had been thinking about for a long time, and he was about to pass it.
This opportunity made Li Mu correct: "It's like an order from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The order must be signed before both the buyer and the seller have the ability to complete the transaction. There are two benefits. First, the seller no longer has to worry about not being able to sell.
, only needs to be produced. It can also allow the buyer to buy the goods he needs in advance and save money. Place the order first, wait for the seller to produce it, and then it can be shipped directly to the buyer, saving a lot of time.
.”
"And, during this process, the buyer can become an intermediary at any time and sell the goods exclusively -"
Li Mu was dumbfounded when he listened to Qin Huaidao's endless talk. This kid is really a genius. Although he has pointed out a direction for futures trading by running the Ministry of Internal Affairs, this is definitely not something that ordinary people can think of. Qin Huaidao is such a genius.
Boy, you can guess your true purpose at a glance. Why didn't you see that he had this ability before?
"...Based on these reasons, my disciple feels that Yangzhou should be built into a trading center." After Qin Huaidao finished speaking, he looked at Li Mu expectantly. He had been preparing for this scene for a long time. His performance just now, he thought, was not bad.
More than good? Li Mu almost clapped his hands. He had already raised his palms, but after thinking about it, he lowered them. He couldn't let this kid get too carried away, or he would have to dampen his energy.
Li Mu coughed lightly and said: "What he said makes sense, but it is not necessarily true in practice. There are still many problems that need to be solved, and the time is not yet ripe." He glanced at Qin Huaidao and said, "You know the timing is bad.
Where is it?"
Qin Huaidao thought for a moment and shook his head. After all, given the limitations of the times, it was very difficult for him to think of so many things.
Li Mu acted like a master, and Shi Shiran said: "The problem is that there is a lack of money!"
"Lack of money?" Qin Huaidao couldn't understand and showed a confused expression.
"It's just the lack of money." Li Mu didn't beat around the bush and said straightforwardly: "All the things you just mentioned are actually far away from the people. Buying and selling, trading, stocks, etc. are not something that ordinary people can participate in. We are big
The Tang Dynasty is now full of waste, but in fact the people don't have much money in their hands. Most of the transactions between the people are barter. The business taxes you collect cannot be collected from their heads. This is why I want to
The reason why commercial taxes should be vigorously promoted is that if you engage in commercial activities, you will gain many times the profits, but the court will not collect taxes from them, but will collect taxes from the common people. Wouldn’t it mean that you will get richer and richer, and the poorer and poorer you will become?"
"I am definitely not being alarmist when I say this. Go down to the village and see what the transactions between the villagers are like. The extra eggs from my family can be exchanged for the cloth woven by your family, or I can use it for you.
I will work for a few days and you will weave a basket for me... There will be such a thing. Firstly, the villagers really have no money. Secondly, if they have money, they are not willing to spend it."
"Why don't you want to spend it?" Qin Huaidao couldn't understand, and wondered: "Isn't making money just for spending it? They make money, but they don't want to spend it either?"
"Because the more you save copper coins, the more valuable they become. Why spend money? If you can barter, just barter. Isn't it good to save copper coins and wait for them to appreciate in value?"
This was another blind spot for Qin Huaidao, so he quickly asked for advice: "Disciple doesn't understand, mentor, why can copper coins appreciate in value?"
"Because, first of all, copper coins are currency, and secondly, copper coins are scarce and getting rarer."
Qin Huaidao didn't understand again and said: "Teacher, how come there are fewer and fewer copper coins? The imperial courts of all dynasties have mined copper mines, more or less, the total amount should be increasing, how can it be less?"
"Let me ask you." Li Mu did not explain, but chose to ask questions: "Who is the transaction between?"
"Businessmen, aristocratic families, nobles, and clans. According to what my mentor just said, most transactions are conducted between these people."
"Then let me ask you again, how does a family, from a noble family, to an aristocratic family, to a distinguished family, to a powerful family, complete this transition? One of the most important ones is the accumulation of wealth?"
"Yes..." Qin Huaidao suddenly understood and said: "What does my teacher mean, these wealthy and aristocratic families have stored up all their copper coins?"
"Yes, let me give you an example. For example, if there are ten cows on the market worth ten thousand guan, then each cow is worth one thousand guan. Now someone has stored 5,000 guan in the cellar, and there are only 5,000 guan on the market.
, then a cow is worth 500 guan. In other words, in the past, you used to buy a cow with 1,000 guan, but now you can buy a cow with 500 guan. The purchasing power of a guan is twice the original. In this way, is it a copper coin?
Is it more valuable?"
"The same principle applies to ordinary people hoarding copper coins. They may not think so profoundly, but they are smart enough to figure out the rules. When they have money, they save it and spend it later, so that they can make a profit without losing money. In this way,
Copper coins on the market are becoming scarcer, transactions are more difficult to complete, and copper coins are becoming more and more valuable. How can business develop if this vicious cycle continues?"
Li Mu sighed and said: "The overall commercial prosperity of the Tang Dynasty cannot be achieved by the prosperity of one city or two cities, but needs to reflect a whole. Now this country is not without money, but the money has been hidden.
.If you want business to prosper, you have to let this hidden money see the light of day.”
"This..." Qin Huaidao didn't know how to answer this. In his limited financial knowledge, he couldn't think of a way to solve this problem. But looking at Li Mu, he must have found the key to solving the problem. He bowed to the end immediately.
: "Please ask my teacher to clarify my doubts."
Li Mu helped him up and said: "This question is hard to say, easy to say... Why do people save money? Of course they know that money can appreciate in value, so they have to save money, but what if the money does not appreciate in value? Or
, has the money depreciated?”
Qin Huaidao was stunned for a moment. He quickly ran through the recent news in his mind. He suddenly opened his mouth and said: "So my mentor asked my senior brother to explore for mines, so my mentor went to Japan to mine... It's still silver. Silver is ten times the price of copper. If there is a large amount
The inflow of silver into the market will inevitably cause the price of copper to depreciate. This will definitely cause panic. No one will dare to save money anymore. They will take the money out and buy any useful items, just like they have followed the trend before and save money.
At that time, I will definitely follow the trend and spend money..."
Qin Huaidao seemed to have seen the future and murmured: "The number of transactions will become more and more frequent, the volume of transactions will become larger and larger, and the commercial tax department of the imperial court will collect more and more commercial taxes. In order to supply these transactions,
More and more goods will be produced, and people will be needed to produce goods...the whole situation will be revitalized!"
Qin Huaidao looked at Li Mu in shock and swallowed: "My mentor, you are truly a god!"
Li Mu waved his hand and said: "What are you saying about gods and gods? It's just a little more thinking." He looked at Qin Huaidao and said: "You haven't listened to my teachings. You can understand so much by yourself. It's already extremely great."
It’s not easy. You have passed the test just now. From tomorrow until the end of the year, you will study with me. I will teach you these business methods, but you must also remember
, I teach you these skills so that you can help the country and the court. You cannot use them for personal gain, otherwise you will break the rules and I will deal with you personally."
Qin Huaidao was very excited and immediately said: "Teacher, don't worry, the student will definitely live up to his high expectations."
"Okay, I'm tired after talking so much. You can go down first." Li Mu nodded to Dugujiu, who took Qin Huaidao out and found a place to settle down.
…
In the evening, Li Mu received the order. Li Shimin was going to entertain Ashina Simo for a banquet, and he asked Li Mu to go with him. Li Mu knew that he could not hide, so he simply packed up, got on the carriage, and came to Li Shimin's banquet for Ashina Simo.
A place to ride.
This is the resettlement village closest to Yangzhou. Because it is the closest, it is also regarded as a pilot, and all preparations are made earlier than other resettlement villages. The resettlement area where Tongluo is located has just completed its household registration, and distribution has begun here.
Farm tools, seeds, and farming skills were taught.
Ashina Simo knew that Li Shimin had a purpose in placing the reception banquet here, and he may not have meant to humiliate him. But in the current situation, even if it was humiliation, he could only accept it. He had to wait yesterday
It took him a day and a night to get the opportunity to meet, and he couldn't miss it.
The banquet was quite sumptuous. The main course was Yangzhou's 'specialty' whale meat, which was paired with light Jiangnan dishes. Ashina Simo was a little bit unaccustomed to it, but it was still a surprise. What's more, even if it was unpalatable, he wouldn't
Dare to speak out.
After drinking for three rounds, Li Shimin waved away the singing and dancing, and retreated. Only four people, Li Shimin, Li Mu, Ashina Simo, and Eunuch Gao, were left. Li Shimin’s original intention was to ask Eunuch Gao to also retire, but because of that
In the unexpected events of the day, Eunuch Gao left for a short time, and Li Shimin almost lost his life. Therefore, Eunuch Gao made up his mind to never let Li Shimin leave his sight again, unless he died! Otherwise, even if he resisted the decree, he would not
left.
As for apologizing, Ashina Simo had already said it the first moment he met Li Shimin. Li Shimin was already a little tired of hearing it, and Ashina Simo already knew that Li Shimin was tired of it, so he didn't dare to mention it again, secretly
He glanced at Li Mu, wanting him to speak and break this embarrassing situation.
Li Mu cleared his throat and was about to speak when he saw Li Shimin looking over and had to say: "I feel a little uncomfortable in my throat."
Li Shimin said to Mr. Gao fairly: "Bake a pear for Li Mu."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Li Mu thanked him and gave Ashina Simo a helpless expression.
Ashina Simo had no choice but to speak on his own. He was sitting on his knees, got up and left the table, knelt in front of Li Shimin, prostrated on the ground, and respectfully said: "Khan Tian, regarding that matter - the current list
No one involved here has been omitted. I boldly request that your Majesty only punish the culprits and never implicate innocent people. The Turkic people are also your people, Khan, and they are also bathing in your glory——
"
"Ha," Li Shimin, who had been silent until now, suddenly shouted, and Ashina Simo was so frightened that he quickly closed his mouth. Li Shimin looked at him sideways and said, "Are they also my subjects? I don't dare to take this seriously.
Ah! If the Turks really regard me as their Heavenly Khan and are loyal to me, will they still assassinate me? If that is the case, I have really failed as the Heavenly Khan."
"I dare not—" Ashina Simo said quickly: "I made a mistake, and I hope your Majesty will punish you."