Daming: Lend the system to Emperor Hongwu at the beginning

Chapter 83 Preparations for the Construction of the First Railway in Daming

The implementation of treasured banknotes throughout the Ming Dynasty and the replacement of silver coins was the first national event that Zhu Biao truly led.

It is different from dealing with the affairs of the rivers and lakes before and setting up a steel firm. This matter really involves all aspects of the national economy and people's livelihood.

To be honest, with such a big event, let Zhu Biao take the lead, he was really a little afraid that he would not be able to do it well.

But there is no way, this was ordered by Lao Zhu himself.

He could only try to do it.

Now it seems that at least the first step is not bad.

Next, we can only wait for the people to get used to it. This kind of policy related to currency will not be able to see results in a short time. It can even be said to be a century-old plan.

However, Zhu Biao believes that as long as there is enough money in the bank and there is no risk of running on the banknotes, which will affect the credit of the treasure banknotes, the treasure banknotes will be popularized throughout the Ming Dynasty within three years.

At that time, both officials and the common people will appreciate the convenience of using paper money.

The country will also benefit from it.

such as tax increases.

In the original history, all the gentry and noble families in the Ming Dynasty had the habit of storing silver, which resulted in a huge amount of silver reserves in the late Ming Dynasty, but the country still could not collect taxes, and the poor would die.

There are of course a variety of deep-seated reasons for this, but after silver fell into the hands of the gentry, most of it stopped flowing.

When Zhu Yuanzhang ransacked his home, some people even had several million taels of silver hidden there. The silver was hidden there for hundreds of years, and it was passed down from generation to generation. It was unbelievable.

And if the currency is changed from silver to banknotes, and the state has the right to issue currency, then as long as a portion of the currency is appropriately issued every year, so that the treasured banknotes of the Ming Dynasty are always in a state of benign depreciation, it can encourage everyone to hold hands money spent.

Because if you don't spend it, you can only depreciate when you put it in your hands, and it becomes less and less valuable.

And as long as the money is spent, whether it is doing business or building a factory, the money will flow, and as long as the money flows, the country can receive taxes.

This is the biggest advantage of the state holding the right to issue currency.

Old Zhu, who is an aboriginal, doesn't even understand these things, but Zhu Biao is clearer.

Therefore, he attaches great importance to the issuance of treasure banknotes, and has been guarding the Royal Central Bank with Shen Wansan to check the hidden dangers and loopholes that may arise during the issuance of treasure banknotes.

A month later.

Shen Wansan came to report to Zhu Biao with a happy face.

"Happy occasion, Your Highness!"

"Our Nanjing Central Bank's silver has not decreased, but has increased by 20 taels. Some people deposit silver in the bank in exchange for precious notes!"

"Okay!" Zhu Biao was also quite happy to hear that.

If someone deposits silver, then basically the treasure banknote has been a big success, and the next thing to do is to maintain it carefully.

It seems that the court is still deeply trusted by the common people.

This is the solid foundation of public opinion that Lao Zhu laid down for him!

Zhu Biao sighed with emotion, and then continued: "Then it seems that we can prepare for the next plan."

Three months later, Zhu Yuanzhang, the apse of Fengtian Palace, used to summon ministers to discuss matters.

"what?"

"Fix the railway?"

"And it's still from Nanjing to Peiping?" Li Shanchang shook his head when he heard Zhu Biao's words.

"His Royal Highness, it's too much work and money!"

"I don't think it's right!"

At this moment, Li Shanchang was not brought home by Zhu Yuanzhang in the fourth year of Hongwu. Zhu Yuanzhang not only brought him to the end of the Ming Dynasty to see the tragic end of his history, but also let him continue to be the Prime Minister of the Right, and even transferred Hu Weiyong to the Ministry of Household. Book of households.

But because of this, Li Shanchang, who was well aware of Zhu Yuanzhang's temperament, became more cautious.

"It's a bit of a waste of money, but the laborers won't!"

"This time, instead of expropriating civilian households and forcing them to serve corvée, I will provide remuneration and use treasure money to recruit workers to work!"

Zhu Biao said with a smile: "And I have already agreed with the royal father on this matter, and he also supports it."

Of course Zhu Yuanzhang supports it, and now Zhu Yuanzhang's vision is no worse than Zhu Biao's.

Since he entered the late Qing Dynasty, he has been studying the development history of the Xiyi people, especially after 1840.

He found that it was only in the past few decades that the Xiyi people really developed, and the root cause of all this was the steam locomotive, which was the most critical source of power for the development of the industrial system.

Only when the road is repaired can the resources of the huge Ming Empire be revitalized, and the Ming Empire can be upgraded from an agricultural country to an industrial country.

How could he not let Zhu Biao try to do these things!

Perhaps it was because he saw Zhu Biao's courage to try all kinds of new things that he let go of Zhu Biao, the prince, to supervise the country.

In Lao Zhu's words: "Dad wants to conquer another world, and he has to manage a lot of things over there. You are very thoughtful in doing things, and you have been with me for seven or eight years in government affairs, and this year is also [-] years old. , In order to be sympathetic to Dad, you have to bear some burdens bravely."

What else can Zhu Biao do?
There was no way, I could only throw off my arms and accompany Lao Zhu to work together.

"Mr. Li, the current grain output in Daming is sufficient. The imperial court has just issued a treasure note and has a lot of funds in hand. The steel output is sufficient, and all the conditions for starting this major project have been met."

"So Mr. Li don't have to worry, everything is in the plan."

Hearing this, Li Shanchang was speechless.

It is impossible for him to refuse what Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao jointly decided.

"However, Your Highness, you have to pave this road entirely with iron ingots. How much iron ingots will it cost!" Li Shan's face was full of worry.

"There are now more than 60 steel smelting workshops under the jurisdiction of the Royal Iron and Steel Firm, and they are evenly distributed throughout Daming. As long as I give an order, these places will continuously produce iron ingots. "

"In this regard, Mr. Li doesn't need to worry about it."

"I just need Li Gong to arrange enough officials for me to be the management staff!"

"I'm even going to set up a separate railway administration agency to manage this matter!"

Looking at Zhu Biao, who was talking eloquently in front of him, Li Shanchang looked inexplicably dazed. He saw the shadow of Zhu Yuanzhang when he was young in Zhu Biao.

"Okay, the old minister knows about this matter, and he will do his best to accomplish this for His Highness."

After negotiating with Li Shanchang about the first railway of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Biao entered the Xumi Illusion World non-stop.

He would also come back to approve the memorial sent by the Hanlin Academy, as well as the major discoveries made two days before the inspection of the Academy.

So, I should have to work overtime again today...

(End of this chapter)