A small soldier of the frontier army in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 646

Chongzhen sighed, although the silver coins in his hand were slightly inferior to the government's folded silver, but it was so convenient and standardized, presumably the common people would not care about this difference, a silver coin can definitely be used as a pair of folded silver.

Not to mention that the fineness of silver taels commonly used among the people is far worse than that of folded silver, ranging from [-]% high to [-]% to [-]% low.

Wang Dou started to move again. Emperor Chongzhen didn't know what it was like. Unlike other places in Ming Dynasty, after Wang Dou became a marquis, Jinyiwei, who had not been out of the capital since the early years of Chongzhen, began to be active in Xuanfu Town. Therefore, Wang Dou's movements, Emperor Chongzhen was able to learn about it the fastest, and tried every means to get some silver coins.

Wang Dou said that the standard for making money by the imperial court was issued by himself in the first year of Chongzhen. Why, he had a feeling of gloating.

Due to the flood of private money, the Ministry of Households is increasingly unable to issue copper coins every year. Now, most of the copper coins in circulation in Ming Dynasty are from local money bureaus and private money merchants. Private money merchants, this is what Emperor Chongzhen was happy to see.

However, Wang Dou only recognized the money made in the first year of Chongzhen, which made Emperor Chongzhen feel a little ashamed and angry. What Wang Dou meant was that in the following years, all the money issued by the imperial court was bad money?Not even qualified to circulate in Xuanfu Town?
Moreover, I was able to issue fine coins back then, why not after that?Could it be that Ren Wangdou is there to buy people's hearts, but he does nothing?

He glanced at Wang Dehua, this eunuch was happily playing with the silver coins in his hand, perhaps all eunuchs have one thing in common, that is, they love money.

Emperor Chongzhen admitted that the silver circles and white flowers in his hands are dazzling, especially holding a stack of them in his hands, which gives him a strange sense of satisfaction.

After thinking about it, Emperor Chongzhen said, "Zhao, Minister of the Household Department Ni Yuanlu."

Soon, Ni Yuanlu came in a hurry, and before he could finish his salute, Emperor Chongzhen stopped him directly: "The Marquis of Yongning issued silver coins in Xuanzhen, what's Ni Aiqing's opinion?"

After receiving the silver coins handed over by the eunuch on duty, Ni Yuanlu's mind turned sharply. Ni Yuanlu knew about the silver coins issued in Xuanzhen, and tried every means to get a few silver coins. Not to mention, this matter has already caused heated discussions in the capital. There are all kinds of opinions, and there are many people discussing the shape and value of silver coins.

The silver coins in Xuanfu Town, except for the "fen" on the label, the other "circle, corner" and other values ​​are hard to understand. It is because some silver coins have flowed into foreign barbarians in the past dynasties, although the shape is quite similar. The silver coins in Xuanfu Town, however, do not have round or angular values.

Well, this "round" is okay to say, the silver yuan is a round thing, and it is made of silver, so it is understandable to call it a silver yuan, but the corners don't know what it is. External interpretations may suggest that Yongninghou wanted to express his own coins. It's unique and impressive.

The first time she saw the silver coins, seeing the unified fineness and appearance, Ni Yuanlu knew in her heart that the convenience of this thing will be widely circulated in the world in the future, if the Marquis of Yongning has the financial resources.

Moreover, Ni Yuanlu knew that after seeing the silver coins, the emperor became anxious. How does it feel to be a dignified court, not a mere local general?Presumably the ruling and opposition parties are in the same mood.

He bowed in fear: "I am guilty, I invite the emperor..."

Chongzhen frowned: "Zhen, I don't want to punish you, but I just want to ask Aiqing, is there a good way?"

He rubbed the silver dollar in his hand, and said anxiously: "The money bureau of the household department, can you imitate this one?"

Facing the emperor's expectant eyes, Ni Yuanlu pondered for a long time, and finally sighed: "It's difficult."

Emperor Chongzhen was disappointed and displeased: "Why? The dignified household department is not as good as the local money bureau?"

Ni Yuanlu spat out a few words: "Private money, fire consumption."

Emperor Chongzhen was speechless at once, yes, the words "private money" and "huo consumption" immediately let the imperial court's silver coins be implemented, but they were in vain. He felt sad, why is it always so difficult to do one thing?
Ni Yuanlu observed his words carefully, and said cautiously: "However, although it is not feasible for the imperial court to cast silver coins for the time being, copper coins are possible. Minister, please restore the old system in the first year of Chongzhen, and start casting high-quality coins to solve the embarrassment of the imperial court's money shortage."

After the news of Xuanfu Town came, Ni Yuanlu was trying to figure out how the household department should deal with it. Naturally, the majestic imperial court could not let the local warlords outshine them, so they must do something about the money system.

Due to the problem of fire consumption, silver coins are not feasible for the time being, but copper coins and Xiaoping coins with a face value of one penny are still possible, if they can get the strong support of the emperor.

The "Chongzhen Tongbao" in the first year of Chongzhen is the pride of the household department. Even now, in the very picky Xuanfu Town, it is the only court-made coin that is allowed to circulate. It can be seen that the coins in the first year of Chongzhen are exquisite.

"Is it possible?"

Emperor Chongzhen was a little hesitant.

In the first year of Chongzhen, he stipulated that for every penny that was minted, two coins of copper were needed. However, not long after, due to financial problems, the excessive casting of money bureaus in various places, and the flood of private money, the issuance of exquisite coins was not possible. How long, it will not go on.

Ni Yuanlu said harshly: "The cheapness of making money is mostly due to the excessive mixing of private money. If the imperial court wants to mint new money, it must first crack down on those private money dealers who make money and sell fake money!"

He said: "Nowadays, in various places, you can make huge profits by casting money, and you can get several times the profit after selling a hundred catties of copper materials. Therefore, there are many people who mint coins privately, that is, court officials love you, and they can do more."

"The minister is from the south of the Yangtze River, and in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Huguang and other places, white lead is abundant. The local price of white lead is only two taels of silver per load. However, merchants transport it to Guangdong and get six taels of silver per load. The sea merchants then sell the white lead. The lead is transported to the country of Wo, and every load of white lead can be refined to get 18 taels of silver."

"The remaining white lead is refined, and then transported back to the country. Each load can be sold for six taels of silver. Local officials, generals, and gentry participate in it, and all the benefits of the court are paid to others."

When this matter was brought up, Ni Yuanlu was heartbroken, and Emperor Chongzhen also had a look of hatred in his eyes. Judging from Wang Dou's confiscation of his home, it's not that the people of Ming Dynasty had no money. Why did the court become poorer and poorer?
"So, if you want to mint new money, you must first attack private money traders!"

Ni Yuanlu kowtowed repeatedly to Emperor Chongzhen.

He knew that if he did this, he would definitely suffer an unimaginable wave of attacks. It's just that we have read the books of sages and sages, so why should we cherish this body?
Emperor Chongzhen looked at Ni Yuanlu. After he became Minister of the Household Department, he became much emaciated. A few days ago, he promoted the strategy of saving money and saving money, which offended many people and encountered great resistance, especially many people who were empty-paid and drank. The bloody warrior was extremely dissatisfied with him.

Due to the depletion of money and food in the treasury, he postponed the proposal to train the new army, which also caused many people to complain. The memorials to impeach him piled up higher and higher. In [-], because he offended too many people, he had no choice but to stay idle.

Emperor Chongzhen got up and paced, and finally said: "Qing, what's the strategy?"

Ni Yuanlu had already prepared the relevant memorial in detail, and he submitted it, explaining beside him: "The minister's policy is to set up nine censors in the nine gates to supervise the affairs. Every money table in the street has private money. Those who have one level of money will be whipped, those with two levels will be apprentices, those with three levels will be dispatched, and those with four levels will be beheaded!"

"The price is limited, one to two or six hundred, and if there is more than one penny, it will be chopped off. A stone mortar and iron pestle will be set up. When private money is seen, it will be smashed immediately to eliminate its shadow. Anyone who enters the door will be killed if it is found. The small people's trade remains. , Xu Songna Yushitai, reward him, so, private money can be banned!"

Emperor Chongzhen pondered, and Ni Yuanlu said again: "Under the feet of the Son of Heaven, the most benevolent place, this method can be implemented in the capital first, and when it is effective, it will be implemented throughout the country."

Emperor Chongzhen pondered for a long time and said, "Good."

(End of this chapter)