I want to be a grandson

Chapter 511 Eunuch, Unreliable...

The courtiers looked at each other, everyone knew that the head of Zhu Yuanzhang was on the coin.

The reason why the bust of Zhu Yuanzhang was cast is because Emperor Hongwu was the founding monarch of Ming Dynasty.
He has a very high prestige among the civil and military officials and the people of the world, and his avatar is worthy of the name.

And I am only the new king who succeeded to the throne, so far I have not made any achievements, and I have nothing to be famous in history to be told by future generations.
If you print your own avatar...

Besides, those vassal princes and uncles of mine are still alive, if they really want to leave Zhu Yuanzhang aside and put gold on their faces, will they really be convinced?

Zhu Yunxi really doesn't have such a big face...

Enjoying such a great honor... shameless.

And Zhu Yuanzhang is just right, no one can fault it!
"Look, ladies and gentlemen, how fine is this silver coin?"

"Your Majesty wants to relax the ban on gold and silver?" Qi Tai couldn't help asking.

Seeing that all the courtiers were looking at him, Zhu Yunxi also showed doubts, so he explained: "It doesn't count, but I was deeply touched when I heard you love ministers discussing the financial currency of the Ming Dynasty.

These things should serve the Ming Dynasty and be convenient for the people to use. If they are shelved, it is not the blessing of the people and the court, and it is not the original intention of the emperor..."

"Besides, I know that among the people, silver is still circulating, but it's done in the dark, and it's not made public.

Since the people want to use it, the imperial court should follow the public opinion, so I ordered people to mint these silver coins to show you how good they are. "

Zhu Yuanzhang once stipulated that the use of gold and silver transactions was prohibited when the banknote law was established, so for a long time, the circulation of silver went underground.

Since it can't be banned, why should it be banned again?

The result of the prohibition is that the common people are struggling to use currency, commerce and trade are difficult to develop, and a large amount of silver remains in the private sector and cannot be returned to the government for use.

Zhu Yunxi wanted to use silver, but he could not be charged with overthrowing Zhu Yuanzhang's strategy.

It is necessary to relax the ban on using silver, but it cannot be clearly stated.

To put it another way...

Zhu Yunxi looked at the crowd and said: "And the silver coins I ordered are not the weighing currencies of previous dynasties, but minted coins!"

Everyone nodded, and they all understood what it meant to weigh currency.

Weighing currency is also called weight currency. When metal was first used as currency, it was not cast in a certain form, nor did it have a certain composition and weight. When circulating, it must pass the fineness appraisal and weigh the weight to determine the value of the currency.

Since each transaction is settled according to the value of the actual weight and fineness of the currency metal, the weighing currency is also a typical "full value currency".

The metals used as weighing currency are mainly silver and silver ingots, so silver and silver ingots are called weighing currency.It is quite inconvenient to weigh and inspect the color for each transaction.

To put it simply, it is to use enough weight copper or silver to trade, and it is as much as it is weighed.
Moreover, since the content of metals is not the same, it is necessary to have professionals to judge the fineness, which will cause errors and inconvenience.

Zhu Yunxie glanced at Tie Xuan, and Tie Xuan immediately said: "Your Majesty is wise, if you cast silver into coins, the weight and fineness of each coin will be the same.
This avoids the need to weigh back and forth and check the quality repeatedly every time there is a transaction in the past. It is really very convenient and can be described as a great innovation!I congratulate Your Majesty! "

Without waiting for everyone to speak, he quickly asked: "Your Majesty, this silver coin in my hand is beautifully minted, with clear pictures and texts, it is really rare, it is really a rare good coin, but I don't know the fineness of this silver coin..."

Wang Zhong replied: "My lords, the Ming silver coins minted by Your Majesty weigh seven cents and two cents, containing eighty-nine percent of pure silver, that is, six cents, four cents and eight cents, copper [-] percent, and platinum [-] cent..."

Platinum is actually tin.

Zhu Yunxi ordered people to make silver coins that imitated Yuan Datou of later generations. The reason why they were added was to solidify and prevent oxidation, and to keep the printing from being worn out.

Because of silver, your air will turn dark brown when it comes into contact with it, because it is ugly,

And the silver coin represented Daming's face, who would want his face to be black?

If it turns from white to black after a period of time, it would be a joke!
"This coin costs seven cents and two cents per cent, and the price is one tael!"

This means that the total weight of this coin is seven cents and two cents, but it can be used as one tael of silver.

This is also the difference between coining and weighing money.

Qi Tai expressed his agreement: "Your Majesty, this coin is so exquisite, it is added with platinum anti-wear, it must be able to be used for a long time and keep it new, it is really rare!"

Jing Qing also said: "Your Majesty's use of silver to mint coins is really carrying forward the past and ushering in the future. If this coin is put into use, it will surely make the people ecstatic. From then on, the pain of weighing and checking the quality will be avoided, and the goods can be traded freely. It is really a great good governance!"

Everyone more or less expressed their agreement, and they also expressed their approval of Daming's use of silver coins.

Because Zhu Yuanzhang put silver aside, prohibiting its use is really a bad move!It has brought a lot of inconvenience!

Due to Zhu Yuanzhang's majesty, the courtiers did not dare to make too much admonition on this matter, but everyone knew that Baiyin could not be banned.

In fact, the monetization of silver had already begun during the Hongwu period.

From Hongwu to Jianwen period, the banknotes have shown a rapid decline, and the trend of silver monetization has appeared, but this stage is mainly carried out among the people.

It belongs to the people and does not raise officials.

Open one eye and close the other.

From the Yongle period to the Xuande period, Baochao experienced a process of redevelopment and then decline, and the use of silver was expanded.

From the orthodoxy to the Chenghua period, precious banknotes gradually disappeared in private land transactions, and during the Chenghua period, silver became the currency for all large-scale land transactions.

Those who do not conform to the times will eventually be eliminated.

"Wang Zhong, you are responsible for casting this silver coin. You told the courtiers how to distinguish the real from the fake."

"Yes! The servant obeys!"

Wang Zhong felt that his waist was very strong today, and he was able to speak in front of the courtiers, and he said it with confidence. This opportunity is rare!

So he turned to the courtiers, took out a silver coin from his pocket, and said to everyone: "My lords, the silver coin I hold in my hand is fake, and it is the same size as the real silver coin in your hands.

It's just that because more copper and tin are added, the weight of silver is relatively less, so it wins four points compared to the real silver coin..."

Ru Yu took it over, weighed it in her hand, shook her hands while holding the real coin, frowned slightly and said: "There is a difference in the weight, but there is only a difference of four cents in the middle, not even a cent. If not, it may be difficult for ordinary people to tell the difference..."

A few points difference, such a gap is really not obvious enough.

"Ru Butang, don't worry..."

Wang Zhongxin smiled confidently: "Because the thing to be made is exactly the same as the real coin, at least in appearance, so even if too much copper and platinum are mixed in, it can only save four cents of silver at most.
That is to say, if someone wants to mint counterfeit coins to the point of confusing the real ones, they can only get a quarter of the silver profit, and the manpower and material resources that are wasted and wasted will be removed in the process, and the result will be even less.

With such a low income, and the risk of ransacking the family and exterminating the family, the gain is not worth the loss, so it is also beneficial to prevent someone from forging privately..."

After all, the so-called private minting of silver coins is just seeking money. If the loss and labor costs are removed, and the money earned is not enough, who is willing to take risks?
Wang Zhong continued: "In fact, there is a very good way to distinguish the authenticity of silver coins..."

As he spoke, he picked up the counterfeit coin and blew it close to his lips, but there was no sound.

Everyone couldn't help frowning slightly at his actions.

Is the way to distinguish money is blowing?
Even if real money is different from fake money, the sound is not too different, right?
The key is can people tell the difference?

Isn't this grandstanding?
Eunuch...

Unreliable...

Wang Zhong ignored everyone's strange eyes, but took out another real coin and said, "My lords, this is not a real coin..."

He brought it to his mouth again and blew it suddenly, the silver coin immediately made a sound of clanging in the palace!
"My lords, this is the way to distinguish serious authenticity from fakes! The ones that can make a clear sound are genuine coins! You can try it, my lords..."

Hearing what he said, everyone immediately became interested.

They held the real coins and the counterfeit coins back and forth, and the real silver coins were indeed buzzing in their hands, but the counterfeit coins were silent.

Tie Xuan said in surprise, "Your Majesty, with this good coin, Ming Dynasty will definitely mint coins selflessly from now on. All the coins will belong to the imperial court. It is really an unprecedented thing. I congratulate Your Majesty!"

"Congratulations to Your Majesty!"

How could the courtiers not know that all dynasties have had the tendency of private casting, since it is difficult to crack down, it is also difficult to ban it.

The reason is because the minted money sometimes looks the same!
Moreover, the anti-counterfeiting means are too low, which is why private casting is rampant, and it has been repeatedly banned.

If it's really loud when you blow it, who can imitate it? !

Looking at the crowd, Zhu Yunxi said with satisfaction: "My dear friends, when Wang Zhong was in charge of minting coins, he once discovered that once the silver content in the silver coins is insufficient, even though the appearance looks exactly the same,
But not only will it increase in weight, but it will also not make a buzzing sound. Daming silver coins should be set as a rule and will never change! "

Currency anti-counterfeiting has been a headache for all dynasties.

Good money will drive out bad money, and sometimes bad money will drive out good money. This is what really happened in history...

In order to prevent such a thing from happening again, it is necessary to ensure the amount of silver contained in the Daming silver coins!

"Qinbutang, Wang Zhonghui will bring the craftsmen from the silver work bureau in the palace to the Ministry of Industry, and if they are ready, they will start minting the first batch of Ming silver coins!
I am going to take out part of this batch of silver coins as salaries and distribute them to civil and military officials. Please be careful, the silver coins you mint must be exquisite! "

Before Qin Kui could answer, everyone saluted in unison: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

This is Daming's first batch of silver coins!

If it enters the market, it will inevitably cause panic buying, and even be bought by others at a higher price!

Who doesn't like courtiers?
After all, silver can be used in a legitimate way, and it is the first batch, so it is meaningful to collect it...

As for whether "scalpers" will be born, that is not what Zhu Yunxi cares about...

Zhu Yunxi's expression was quite severe and he said: "According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, those who privately mint gold, silver and copper coins will be punished by death, and they will be exiled for three thousand miles!"

"Yes, Your Majesty is wise, I will obey your orders!"

It is imperative to promote the silver currency step by step, so that the monetary and financial system of the Ming Dynasty can be gradually established. This is a national policy that can affect future generations!

There is no room for sloppiness.

If Ming did not use silver as currency, then the status of silver would never be important enough,
Now Zhu Yuanzhang adopts the policy of "banning the sea" and does not trade with other countries, so the silver from the people can still fall into the pigsty of the rich and powerful,

Once the sea ban is lifted, it will inevitably be accompanied by an outflow of silver!

After all, silver cannot be used openly and in large quantities in Daming, but when it comes to other countries, there is no such concern!
This was also before Longqing was switched on and off, the status of silver in Daming had been greatly improved, and it had almost replaced the status of treasure banknotes as the main currency.

Otherwise, the loss of silver will inevitably become a foregone conclusion.

Ren Hengtai said with some doubts, "Your Majesty, if Daming silver coins are promoted, I wonder if all the silver in Daming will be enough..."

Hubu Langzhong Baozhao replied: "Renbutang, I don't think Mr. Butang needs to worry. There is a lot of silver in the imperial treasury, and there is also a lot of silver among the people.
It’s just that the common people follow the laws of the country and keep the silver and don’t use it. If the circulation needs are to be met, there must be no problem…”

The lack of silver was not the main reason why Zhu Yuanzhang banned the use of silver.

In fact, Daming has a lot of money, but it's just not flowing.

The most intuitive evidence is that the currency system of precious banknotes and the prohibition of gold and silver established and implemented by Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, has a very short "historical lifespan", ranging from half a century to more than [-] years.

"History of the Ming Dynasty" records: In the early orthodox years of Ming Yingzong, "the ban on using silver was relaxed" and "all the ruling and opposition parties used silver", which marked the establishment of the silver currency system in the Ming Dynasty.

In [-], Zhou Chen’s reform of “payment of tax and service into silver” indeed started the silverization of the Ming Dynasty’s finances.

When Zhang Juzheng created the "One Whip Law", the main content was the merger of taxes and servitude, the collection of silver for all land taxes, counting the amount of taxes and servitude in units of counties, and the direct collection of tax and servitude silver by local officials, which further established the status of silver as the main currency.

So now there is a question: Where did the "silver" that "relaxed the ban on using silver" and "use silver in both the government and the public" come from during the Zhengtong period of the Ming Dynasty?
We must know that the development of local silver mines in Daming was very limited at that time, and some silver mines produced only a few thousand or tens of thousands of taels, which was a drop in the bucket!
If it is said to be from overseas trade, then during this period, it can be said that before the opening of Longqing, Ming Dynasty had been implementing a sea ban policy, and it was simply unrealistic to use the power of the people to obtain silver.

Only by relying on tribute trade, the silver obtained from overseas is also very limited.

Therefore, according to the logic of history, the most reasonable explanation is that the silver that was popularized during the orthodox period of the Ming Dynasty mainly came from the folks and the imperial court's deposits!
It is also these silver that supported the use from the Ming Dynasty to the Zhengtong period of Ming Yingzong and before the Longqing switch.

Bao Zhao saluted and said: "Your Majesty, it is precisely because Daming now has a lot of silver left among the people that it is difficult to use it in large quantities.

Therefore, I implore Your Majesty to show mercy and allow the people to exchange the useless silver in their hands for the silver coins of Ming Dynasty! "

(End of this chapter)