Emperor Ming Dynasty

Chapter 598

"Food stamps have to be issued on a large scale!"

If the banknotes in the Song, Yuan and Ming Dynasties were credit currency, then food stamps were at best an exchange voucher.

Although it is just an exchange voucher and not a real currency, it is precisely because of this that the circulation value of food stamps has greatly increased.

Napoleon was finally defeated at Waterloo that year, and the long-term war against France also dragged down the British economy. The pound depreciated on a large scale, so gold flowed rapidly to the European continent, resulting in the lack of gold in Britain.

That is, the price of gold in Europe was higher than the price in Britain, which led to the flight of gold.

In this case, the pound sterling was officially born, which is equivalent to a bank roll, which can be exchanged for gold at will, thus shaping integrity.

The same is true for food stamps, which can be exchanged at any time, giving them great integrity in lending and payment.

It is left over to the present, such as the Hong Kong dollar, which still has the words instant exchange, and many people say that it is not a currency under false rumors.

If it becomes a real currency, one more item must be added: allow grain to be freely exchanged for grain coupons.

But Zhu Yixi understands that this is unrealistic, and he does not want food stamps to be issued on such a large scale in a short period of time.

Besides, food stamps are only a temporary solution. Is it uncomfortable to issue pounds?

Therefore, silver mining areas such as Japan and South America must be included in the bag.

The [-] shi of grain in Taicang is enough to issue [-] shi of grain coupons.

After making up his mind to issue food stamps on a large scale, the emperor's decree reached the cabinet.

In this regard, the cabinet immediately had a dispute: Taicang must not be allowed to become a tool for the emperor to collect money.

That's right, although the three members of the cabinet could not foresee the huge economic boost that food stamps would bring to the economy, they deeply understood that there are a lot of benefits hidden in food stamps.

Having been in charge of the Ministry of Accounts for many years and single-handedly creating the Department of Commerce and Taxation, Yan Chongxin raised his head and said decisively:
"Although food stamps are redeemed immediately, Beijing and Tianjin are far away from granaries such as Tongzhou. Furthermore, even if they are redeemed, those people will not all be crowded."

"With such a difference in distance, time, and number of people, it is more than enough to issue twice as many grain coupons for three hundred shi in Taicang."

"You mean, as long as 1 million shi grains are needed, 3 million shi grain coupons can be used?"

Zhang Shenyan was startled, his face moved.

For a Confucian official like him, such a business method is as terrifying as a ghost.

"If Your Majesty acts recklessly and issues tens of millions, or even 20 million, Taicang will definitely not be able to exchange them, and the court will not only lose its trust with the people, but such good things as food stamps will be wasted."

Speaking of this, Yan Chongxin looked nervous.

"It's fattening the internal money and losing money to the court. Is that what you mean?"

Zhao Shu didn't shy away from it, and blurted out directly.

Yan Chongxin smiled: "I also feel that it's a pity. If the food stamps are in hand, the imperial court will naturally be more comfortable in those disaster years. This is a few million living money."

"Yes, this is living money, something that can save lives in times of famine."

Zhao Shu sighed, showing a thoughtful look.

After a long time, he stomped his feet and said with a snort, "Forget it, for the sake of the imperial court, how can I spare myself?"

After saying that, he swaggered out of the cabinet and asked to see the emperor directly.

Zhu Yixi was taken aback at first, then suddenly realized.

Maybe it's because the cabinet is worried about the storage of grain in Taicang. Fortunately, I have already prepared.

"Let Zhao Shoufu come in!"

Putting down the "Pipe" in his hand, Zhu Yixi said.

Soon, Zhao Shu walked in well-behaved.

Since Chongzhen served as the head of the Military and Political Department for 17 years, and then as the chief assistant of the cabinet, Zhao Shu has been the head of the hundred officials for more than five years. It can be said that he has worked hard and tried his best.

Although he is only fifty years old, he now has gray temples and a lot of wrinkles, but he still has a relaxed smile on his face, and his demeanor remains the same as before.

"The old minister has seen His Majesty!"

"Be flat!"

Zhu Yixi waved his hand. They were old acquaintances, and he was offered a seat directly.

"Zhao Qing is here for food stamps?"

"Your Majesty Shengming!"

Zhao Shu said with a smile: "A few days ago, it was only hundreds of thousands of shi. Today, His Majesty is going to distribute the food in Taicang. The cabinet is tense, and all officials are puzzled. We can only come here to ask His Majesty for advice."

"Although these are all old grains, the quantity is huge after all, so it is necessary to be cautious."

Zhu Yixi nodded and praised her before explaining.

When he fully knew from the emperor that 3 million stone grains were enough to pry tens of millions of silver, Zhao Shu was startled, but calmed down soon.

"Your Majesty, the price of grain in the market varies. Although the price of grain is a little higher this year, it is only because of the relocation of the capital. When the peace comes, I am afraid that the price of grain per stone will drop to eight cents, or even five cents."

"That's right, it's pretty good that you can think of this level."

Zhu Yixi admired from the bottom of his heart: "It's normal to have ups and downs."

As he spoke, he chuckled: "When grain prices are high, food stamps are issued, and when grain prices are low, more grain can be bought, and food stamps are returned at market prices."

"From time to time, there will naturally be a price difference, which is exactly what the court needs..."

Zhao Shu was completely shocked that there was such an operation.

Not only can food stamps be issued to make money, but they can also be bought up and down to earn a difference in price.

"All right!"

As he said that, the emperor said directly: "It was originally to solve the imperial court's money and food, so the food stamps should be hung under the cabinet!"

Taicang was originally under the banner of the Ministry of Household Affairs. It was inconvenient for the emperor to get food stamps, but it was more appropriate to hang them in the cabinet.

Besides, with the customs in hand, he is not short of money, except that the imperial government's finances have been weak recently, and he needs to support them.

The inner court and the outer court are originally one. If the imperial court collapses, no matter how rich the emperor is, he will just let others slaughter him.

Zhao Shu's mouthful of words was instantly blocked in his throat. After holding back for a while, he could only speak:
"There is nothing more holy than Your Majesty!"

Obviously, he saved the belly of a gentleman with the heart of a villain.

But he can't be blamed either. The stingy image of the Wanli period had a far-reaching impact, so that the emperor, whom everyone thought of, was holding on to money and not letting go.

Zhu Yixi smiled and waved his hand, and the two chatted about some trivial matters.

The three members of the cabinet understood this operation, and immediately issued another million shi of food stamps, which hit the market in one fell swoop.

In order to preserve the value of food stamps, the Ministry of Household Affairs directly announced in the Daming Gazette that Tongzhou warehouses, Tianjin warehouses, and Yangzhou warehouses can all be exchanged for grain with tickets.

Now, the food stamps have completely rushed out of Shuntian Mansion and came to the south.

At this time, Zhu Jing, who had just finished her wedding, followed Lu Daqi to review the army, and was going to go to the Nine Sides to inspect the military town.

Obviously, although Lu Daqi wanted to join the cabinet, he still had a deep understanding of his own safety.

Taking people's money is like killing their parents. Those generals who have taken the courage of a leopard are absolutely likely to intercept and kill him.

At that time, just put any crime on the Tartars, and it will be impossible to find out in the wilderness.

Coupled with the fact that Zhu Jing, who was in his twenties, followed him, he felt even more unconfident, and only Jingying could give him confidence.

(End of this chapter)