People in the early Tang Dynasty: I compete with Wu Zhao for the throne

Chapter 1759 Kaiyuan Ruyi Money, Financial War Begins
The winter wind was rarely warm. Li Xuan had just walked out of the side hall of Liangyi Palace when a familiar voice came from behind him: "Your Majesty."

Li Xuan stopped and looked at Di Renjie who had chased after him in surprise. He nodded and asked, "Is there something wrong, Mr. Di?"

Di Renjie stood at the door and bowed to Li Xuan, saying, "May I ask Your Majesty, did you originally intend to grant two Ruyi money tonight?"

Li Xuan's eyes suddenly narrowed, and no light could be seen in them.

Di Renjie continued calmly, "The reason why I stopped Your Majesty is because once Ruyi Money becomes too abundant, it may endanger the order of the world. Please be careful, Your Majesty."

It turns out to be this.

Li Xuan waved his hand, turned and walked towards Ganlu Gate, and Di Renjie hurriedly followed.

"As for the matter of the Ruyi money, it is indeed as you said. I deliberately gave out two portions of Ruyi money." Li Xuan walked calmly towards Ganlu Gate. Di Renjie followed and Li Zhu stepped aside.

The ministers walking out of the Liangyi Hall and the bustling lights of the entire Chang'an City suddenly appeared in Li Xuan's eyes.

"Di Qing has been in Yingzhou for a year. Did you notice that last autumn, the counties of Youzhou kicked the ball twice when collecting taxes from the people?" Li Xuan couldn't help gritting his teeth.

What he hated most in his life was oppressing the people.

If kicking once is considered a rule of thumb, then kicking twice is like asking for the lives of the people.

Di Renjie's face darkened, and he saluted with a serious look and said, "I was not in Youzhou, so I was negligent."

"It's none of your business." Li Xuan's expression became indifferent, and he continued, "This kind of thing doesn't just happen in Youzhou and Hebei, it also happens in Jiangnan, Shannan, Jiannan, Hedong, and Yongzhou. It's just a matter of how many there are. Only the northwest is a little better."

Li Xuan was born in the northwest and has always been very strict about this matter. As for the south of the Yangtze River, only Wuzhou is better.

"Your Majesty." Di Renjie bowed with some guilt.

"Governing the country is difficult. I have always known this and have always been cautious." Li Xuan calmly waved his hand, sighed, and said, "I can only solve the people's affairs within the court system, but I still have some means to deal with the officials above the people."

"Just like this Ruyi Money." Di Renjie understood it immediately.

"That's right, just like this Ruyi coin, the Kaiyuan Ruyi coin." Li Xuan lowered his right hand, and then an exquisite Kaiyuan Ruyi coin appeared in his hand.

Facing the fire not far away, Li Xuan raised the Kaiyuan Ruyi Coin and said, "Mr. Di, look, how does my Ruyi Coin compare to the one during the reign of Emperor Gaozong?"

Di Renjie took a subconscious look and then said thoughtfully, "Your Majesty's Ruyi Money seems to be made of much more expensive materials."

"Yes, I added a few more cents of silver." Li Xuan sighed softly, and the Kaiyuan Ruyi coin began to spin rapidly in his hand: "This coin is more precious, more valuable, and more difficult to copy."

"Imitation?" Di Renjie immediately grasped the key point of Li Xuan's words.

Li Xuan nodded and said, "Well, the financial system of the world is based on copper coins. However, copper coins are counterfeited all over the world, harming the people, deceiving the people, and robbing the people in order to seize the wealth of the world, especially the officials and aristocratic families. However, copper coin reform is extremely difficult. I still remember the story of Qianfeng."

In the first year of Qianfeng, Emperor Gaozong Li Zhi changed the casting of Qianfeng Quanbao. However, after only eight months of casting, the court had to melt it down and recast it into Kaiyuan Tongbao.

When Li Xuan was in Yangzhou, he had encountered a similar counterfeit money case. Later, after investigating the case to the Shen family in Yangzhou, he could not investigate further because he would only be in Yangzhou for a few days and would leave soon. The follow-up could only be handed over to the Internal Security, but unfortunately, there was no follow-up.

However, later on, Li Xuan made a few moves and the Shen family was immediately implicated in Li Jingye's treason case, and eventually fell into a slump.

When Li Chongzhao arrived in Yangzhou, the Shen family tried to attach themselves to him again, but unfortunately, Yangzhou under Li Chongzhao was conquered and Empress Wu's men immediately rushed in to kill their way in.

After that, there was not much news about the Shen family.

……

"So, Your Majesty, how much Kaiyuan Ruyi money do you want today?" Di Renjie couldn't help but take a step forward at Ganlu Gate. The guards around him immediately stared at Di Renjie.

Li Xuan waved his hand slightly, and the soldiers retreated slightly.

Looking at the Chang'an City in front of him, Li Xuan said, "The Kaiyuan Ruyi Money will be distributed four times in total. One is tonight, one is for the celebration banquet after the enthronement ceremony tomorrow, another is when I marry Wang Zhaoyi on the sixth day of the first lunar month, and the last time is on the Lantern Festival."

Di Renjie's expression changed slightly.

"Today, these Kaiyuan Ruyi coins have completely fallen into the hands of royal family members and the masters of the prime minister and the ministers of the temple; tomorrow, these Kaiyuan Ruyi coins will fall into the hands of one hundred provincial governors across the country and officials above the ninth rank in the capital." Li Xuan's gaze fell in the direction of the Taiji Hall.

Di Renjie nodded slightly. Tomorrow is the emperor's coronation ceremony, which happens to be New Year's Day. There will be a banquet after the ceremony.

All officials above the ninth rank in Chang'an will appear.

Li Xuan suddenly sneered and said, "On the sixth day of the lunar calendar, when I get married, more of these Kaiyuan Ruyi coins will be distributed. On the Lantern Festival, these Kaiyuan Ruyi coins will fall into the hands of foreign envoys, but they will get the least."

Di Renjie raised his eyebrows and finally couldn't help asking, "Your Majesty, are you focusing on these foreign envoys?"

"The Tang Dynasty is prosperous and admired by all foreign countries. The Kaiyuan Ruyi Coin is naturally one of the key points. My Ruyi Coin is the most exquisite and the most valuable. How can I not be greedy? But how can a greedy person ask for money? It's nothing but money." Li Xuan sneered lightly. Now in the Tang Dynasty, apart from the aristocratic families, the richest people are these foreign envoys.

Li Xuan calmed down and continued, "Let the foreign envoys use their money to exchange for Ruyi Money. When the time comes, we can find someone to impersonate one or two people and set a high exchange rate. Then the money of the foreign envoys will flow into the Tang Dynasty in an endless stream."

"Your Majesty, are you going to secretly give out all the Kaiyuan Ruyi money accumulated in the palace?" Di Renjie immediately understood that Li Xuan had even more Ruyi money in his hands, as well as in the palace.

"This is not a one-year thing. We need to do it slowly. We can't put too much in at once. When these foreign envoys and merchants leave the Tang Dynasty and return to their homeland, we will stop the operation and wait until the next time they come back with large quantities of goods." Li Xuan made a light cut with his hand, and then it would be time to harvest again.

"Because this money cannot be circulated, the harm to the people is almost zero. And this is the annual blessing money issued by Your Majesty. Ordinary people dare not easily counterfeit it, and it is difficult to make it so exquisite. Even if someone really counterfeits it, Your Majesty can catch them quickly." Di Renjie immediately understood the benefits of it.

"On the charge of treason." Li Xuan's eyes were cold. If anyone dared to counterfeit the New Year's money he distributed during the New Year, it would be considered treason and the entire family would be beheaded.

"But Your Majesty, in this way, the money of our Tang Dynasty will flow out of the country." Di Renjie was worthy of being a doctor of the Ministry of Finance, and he caught the only flaw in this.

"It doesn't matter. Money is meant to be used. If you can use it to buy more goods, that's what you earn. Otherwise, it will be like the Ruyi money in previous years. It was distributed, but it did not benefit the country." Li Xuan shook his head slightly and said, "As for the rest, I control the distribution here. And don't forget, there is a gold mine on the north side of Yinshan Mountain."

Gold mine, the gold mine that will be obtained after the battle with the grassland today.

"Your Majesty has planned every step carefully and without any mistakes. I admire you very much." Di Renjie bowed solemnly.

Li Xuan smiled with satisfaction.

…The night was getting dark and the banquet was over.

After leaving Taiji Palace, Tang Jianri opened his eyes and got rid of some of his drunkenness. Then he followed everyone and walked towards Daming Palace.

He had seen through what happened today.

None of these Tang royal family members were useful. Not even one of them could speak loudly in front of the fake emperor.

Now, the only person he can truly count on to restore order in the world is Her Royal Highness Princess Taiping.

Only Princess Taiping could help Tang Jianri advance further in the court.

Many people don’t know that although Tang Jianri is now assisting in the construction of the Lingyan Pavilion, as the grandson of Emperor Taizong, he can’t say a word in this matter.

After all, the one at the top was the Minister of Rites, the Crown Prince of Han, and the Prince of Wuling, Li Ne.

Even the person who was first transferred to assist in the construction of the Lingyan Pavilion was not him, but other doctors from the Ministry of Works.

Tang Jianri could almost foresee that his future prospects would reach their peak during Li Xuan's reign. The only person he could count on was Princess Taiping, because she needed help...

Unknowingly, Tang Jianri had arrived at the foot of Daming Palace. Today might be his only chance to contact Li Chengqi in such a long time.

As long as he could contact Li Chengqi, he would have the capital to rely on from Princess Taiping.

At this moment, a commotion came from the Danfeng Sect in front.

Tang Jianri quickly squeezed over, grabbed Gao Jin who looked dissatisfied, and asked in a low voice: "Duke Shen, what happened?"

Gao Jin looked at the guards at the palace gate with some anger, and then gritted his teeth and said, "Empress Dowager Zheng Xian has ordered that His Royal Highness Prince Wei is not feeling well, and only members of the royal family above the rank of Prince or Princess are allowed to enter the palace tonight, no one else is allowed."

Tang Jianri frowned: Is Queen Zheng crazy?
No, this was not necessarily Queen Zheng’s order.

This was most likely an order from the Emperor.

"Then what about Prince Xiang? Will we not be able to see Prince Xiang either?" Tang Jianri couldn't help but grabbed Gao Jin's sleeve.

Gao Jin nodded and said, "The Queen Mother has ordered that the Prince of Xiang stay at Daming Palace tonight and attend the morning court tomorrow to participate in the coronation ceremony of His Majesty."

Tang Jianri raised his eyebrows and gently loosened Gao Jin's sleeve.

From Gao Jin's tone, he could hear Gao Jin's dissatisfaction with Zheng, but he did not hear any dissatisfaction with Li Xuan.

This person can no longer be won over, he can only be used.

"Brother Gao, if this is the case, you and I may have to go back tonight. However, the Prince of Xiang will hold a court tomorrow, so we will still have a chance to meet." Tang Jianri sighed helplessly. He knew that Li Xuan would not easily let outsiders come into contact with Li Chongjun and Li Chengqi.

The daughter of Emperor Taizong, the daughter of Emperor Gaozong, and even the son of Prince Hengshan Li Chengqian have all acknowledged the throne of the false emperor tonight. This news will spread throughout Chang'an City tonight.

For Tang Jianri, he could only wait patiently.

At the same time, there is an endless call in my heart.

Your Highness Princess Taiping, where are you?
……

Under the lights, Tang Jianri finally returned home.

After a quick wash, he went into the bedroom to rest. There would be the pseudo-emperor's coronation ceremony tomorrow, so he had to get up early.

Just as Tang Jianri lay down, suddenly, a cold wind blew and the lights in the room suddenly went out.

"Who is it?" Tang Jianri immediately clenched the long knife on the inside of the bed.

A man in black suddenly walked out from the corner, looked at Tang Jianri with a hoarse voice, and asked doubtfully: "You are not as stupid as you were in Liangyi Palace today?"

"What did you say?" Tang Jianri's face immediately became extremely gloomy.

"You've been targeted for a long time, idiot." The man in black looked at Tang Jianri and sneered, "With your cunning, after three cups of wine, your expression can no longer be concealed. Today in the palace, King Peng has already seen through you clearly."

"What?" Tang Jianri couldn't help but sit up and looked at the man in black in disbelief.

"King Peng is a powerful figure. No matter how you try to cover it up today, you have lost your composure and have fallen into his eyes. You will be closely watched in the future. If you make a mistake, you will be immediately arrested, convicted, exiled, and then die of illness on the road." The man in black sneered. Tang Jianri's future was all in his hands.

Tang Jianri shuddered suddenly, but then he raised his head and asked through gritted teeth: "Who are you and why are you reminding me of this?"

"Because I don't want to see you die like this." The man in black looked at Tang Jianri with a hint of interest in his eyes: "Because now you are finally of some use."

"Use?" Tang Jianri looked confused. Since he was already being targeted by someone, how could he still be useful?

“Remember, your greatest mission in the future is to stay alive, even if you have to compromise and pretend to repent, you must survive no matter what. This way, you can leave Chang'an alive.” After the dark man finished speaking, he gently retreated into the darkness.

"Alive!" Tang Jianri pondered over these two words. Seeing the man in black was about to leave, he quickly said, "Wait a moment."

The man in black paused and looked at Tang Jianri with a frown.

Tang Jianri took a deep breath, bowed and asked: "Thank you for your reminder, but I don't know what I can do for you?"

"Haha!" The man in black laughed. He looked at Tang Jianri and said, "If you are interested, then keep an eye on the allocation of military equipment by the Ministry of Works, or inquire about the transportation of military rations by the Ministry of Revenue, and the movement of soldiers by the Ministry of War. Write it down on your desk before going to bed every night, and burn it the next morning."

"Is that so?" Tang Jianri nodded, his eyes flashed, and the man in black in front of him had completely disappeared.

Tang Jianri suddenly relaxed all over, and then his eyes were filled with excitement. Although he might have been targeted now, he had finally waited for the person he was waiting for.

As for what happens next, it doesn't matter whether you bow your head and become a dog or struggle to survive.

Stay alive and leave Chang'an.

(End of this chapter)