Prime Minister of Great Qin

After leaving Ji Heng's residence, Fusu went straight to the Shaofu.

Today, Zhang Cang has already established a firm foothold in the Shaofu, and has accumulated great prestige. After all matters in the Shaofu were arranged, he selected six capable scribes for himself, and two scribes were responsible for connecting the Shaofu's subordinates. In all matters, four scribes assisted in working in their study.

The rules set by Zhang Cang.

As soon as he leaves home on the tenth day, he spends a day and a night inspecting the affairs of all parties and making decisions about the backlog of pending documents. During the rest of the day, no officials will be seen.

From now on.

Zhang Cang then dived into Rushan's account books.

I began the most strenuous writing career in my life, writing and calculating various accounts day and night.

"Zhang Cang, you're fine."

Zhang Cang, who was immersed in the book desk, seemed to hear a familiar voice in his ears. He subconsciously raised his head and saw Fusu's face moving from far to near. He quickly shook his face to make sure that he was not hallucinating. He quickly supported the desk with his hands, stood up and saluted, saying: "Zhang Cang sees your highness."

Fusu strode into the study, smiled and said a joke, and then suddenly stopped.

He ignored Zhang Cang, who was still a little immersed in confused thoughts, with deep and elegant eyes. Instead, he looked at the bamboo slips piled up like a hill in surprise, and the shock in his heart was unreservedly reflected in his eyes.

At this time.

Zhang Cang finally squeezed out from the pile of bamboo slips, carefully walked out of the sea of ​​words in Shushan, and stood in front of Fusu.

His face looked slightly embarrassed and reserved.

His current appearance is really embarrassing.

Real oily scalp.

Ever since he took over the Shaofu, Zhang Cang has basically not been out in public except going to court, and he rarely goes out. He spends all day in his study, sorting out past accounts. He certainly has his own reasons for doing this.

He knows.

The idea of ​​"increasing revenue and reducing expenditure" that he proposed was very controversial in the court.

Many officials have objections to this.

When he first took office as the Young Master, if he was out all the time, he would inevitably be talked about and even be impeached, so he simply locked himself in the study, out of sight and out of mind.

Of course, more importantly, I am afraid that other government agencies will come to ask for money.

Under the efforts to increase revenue and reduce expenditure, the imperial court more or less saved some money and food.

Therefore, many government offices were eyeing this little money and food, and from time to time they sent people to inquire, or complained to themselves, hoping that they would allocate more money and food. He was also well aware of the pain, and in the end he could only shirk the problem on the grounds of sorting out the account books. All meetings.

Only in this way can I barely escape from this vortex.

Fusu withdrew his gaze and said solemnly: "Young Master, I have to work so hard, how can I bear it?"

"I dare not take this responsibility." Zhang Cang hurriedly handed over his hand, "Your Highness has been diligent in his work, how dare I not do my best? I am able to reach this point because of Your Highness's love. Now that the world is in trouble, I should try my best to cope with it."

"This is also my duty."

Zhang Cang suddenly smiled, revealing his slightly yellow teeth.

Fusu Su measured Zhang Cang, sighed softly, and said with emotion: "It's only been more than a month, and Zhang Qing is old."

Zhang Cang laughed and said nonchalantly: "I just spent a little more energy. When I eat enough, drink enough, and cultivate myself well in the future, my energy will naturally come back. Besides, I don't feel that I am lacking energy."

Zhang Cang was calm and composed, talking eloquently.

At this time, Zhang Cang's beard and hair were scattered messily on his shoulders. He only wore a very simple bamboo crown on his head. He did not wear the jade crown that symbolized Jiuqing's status. He was wearing a linen and cotton robe clinging to his body. His originally plump cheeks, At this moment, there were also dark circles under his eyes, and his fleshy palms were stained with ink stains.

The whole person looked as slovenly as a commoner begging on the street.

If it weren't for this study room in the young master's house, if it weren't for the wisps of red light on Zhang Cang's pale cheeks, and if it wasn't for those piercing eyes, radiating with the light of wisdom, no one would be able to recognize this. The most popular minister of the Nine Qing Dynasty.

Rao is so.

Fusu couldn't laugh at all.

For the first time, sincere admiration and emotion appeared in his eyes.

Just thinking about what he had to do on this trip, he couldn't help but show a hint of hesitation and shame in his eyes, but it was quickly suppressed by a cold look.

Everything should be based on national affairs.

He straightened his eyes and said in a deep voice: "Zhang Qing has worked hard for the country. I am coming here this time to discuss important matters with Zhang Qing."

Hear the words.

Zhang Cang's eyelids suddenly jumped.

He raised his head slightly, glanced at Fusu secretly, and had a bad feeling in his heart.

He knew it.

Fusu would definitely be in trouble with him.

This time I am afraid that I will have to fight against the ministers alone again.

His face suddenly wrinkled into a bitter melon.

See this.

Fusu coughed slightly and was quite embarrassed, but he pretended not to see it and said to himself: "You have heard and seen the recent situation in the DPRK. Meng Yi has made a lot of noise in Guandong. Now the local officials are dissatisfied. Emotions were running high, various impeachments were presented to the palace like snowflakes, and courtiers also had many doubts.”

"even."

"The courtiers have written a letter to stop the affairs with Guandong."

"But since the matter has been done, how can it be stopped midway?"

Zhang Cang didn't answer.

Waiting quietly for Fusu to say the follow-up.

Fusu did not have any secretive thoughts and said straight to the point: "I intend to write to your majesty and ask your majesty to agree to 'decentralize the power of minting'."

Hear the words.

Zhang Cang, who was still trembling in fear, suddenly widened his eyes and looked at Fusu in disbelief. His eyes were full of shock and confusion, and he couldn't even believe that these words came from Fusu's mouth.

Decentralize minting power?

Does Fusu know what he is talking about?

"No." Zhang Cang, who had never directly rejected Fusu, said these two words for the first time without even thinking. Suddenly he felt that it was inappropriate and said quickly: "Your Highness, the right to mint money is a matter of concern. The authority of the imperial court is an important weapon of the country, how can it be left aside? How can it be surrendered to the world?"

"Zhang Cang cannot agree to this suggestion."

"I will never approve it."

Zhang Cang's attitude was extremely determined.

There is no room for maneuver.

As the young master, he could not possibly agree to such a ridiculous suggestion.

It's ridiculous.

Fusu's expression remained as usual.

He had thought of this scene when he came.

After Zhang Cang finished speaking, Fusu continued: "Zhang Qing is right to be worried, and Fusu agrees with it. Fusu also knows that the right to mint money involves the power of the empire, and will also lead to the proliferation of bad coins, leading to more and more Many people went to engage in mining and metallurgy, which led to agricultural decline, skyrocketing prices, economic collapse, etc."

"Fusu understands these."

"Since Your Highness knows everything, why do you insist on going your own way?" Zhang Cang looked indifferent.

Fusu said in a deep voice: "Did Zhang Qing know what Meng Yi did in Dang County during this period?"

Zhang Cang nodded.

Fusu added: "And Meng Yi's memorial directly stated that among the properties confiscated by the imperial court, there were a large amount of coins from the six countries. This also means that the currencies of the six countries in Guandong are already in circulation. The currency promoted by the Qin Dynasty Unification has not been truly achieved.”

"The reason is actually that the number of Qin Banliang is too small."

"Not enough to supply the world."

“In the final analysis.”    “Actually, the Qin Dynasty did not have enough control over the world, and insisted on changing the world’s currency to Qin’s half liang. It was a bit too hasty, and it was too much. It did not take into account the actual situation of the world, and then gave the currency of the six countries. Take advantage of this opportunity so that it can continue to circulate in the world in a high-sounding manner."

"But if the imperial court decentralizes the right to mint coins and at the same time announces the complete abolition of the use of the currencies of the six countries, what impact will it have on the world?"

Zhang Cang said nothing.

Fusu answered it himself.

He said slowly: "The currencies of the six countries will continue to depreciate and even become worthless."

"Qin Banliang, which is insufficiently minted in the world, will truly spread throughout the world and become the unified currency and the only currency recognized by the world."

"The wealth in the hands of nobles and powerful men who originally held a large amount of currency from the six countries will shrink significantly with this decree, or even directly disappear. This may take a long time, but as the young master, you, It should be understood that the number of Qin Banliang created by Da Qin accounts for the usage of the entire world economy."

"This is not enough to describe it."

"But barren!"

"The Qin Banliang created by the Qin Dynasty can't even circulate in Guanzhong, let alone the whole world?"

"I understand your concerns."

"But compared to the court's loss of power, the first people to receive a wake-up call when the power to mint was decentralized were actually the nobles and powerful men who had a large amount of currency from the six countries. At the beginning of the decentralization of the power to mint, their losses were the heaviest. Qin Ban What the two occupy is also the circulation of the currencies of the six countries in the world in the past."

"The convenience of money is actually far greater than that of food and cloth."

"Therefore, after Qin Banliang in the world completely occupied the circulation of the currencies of the six old countries, what was squeezed was the circulation of grain and cloth in the past. Only when these are saturated can the currency continue to be minted. It will cause a sharp devaluation of the currency and a sharp collapse of the economy."

"This will undoubtedly take some time."

"During this period, as long as the imperial court can integrate the world, completely clean up some of the long-standing abuses, and complete some reforms, the strength of the integrated Great Qin will undoubtedly increase by leaps and bounds, and then the coinage rights will be taken back."

"even."

A cold light flashed in Fusu's eyes.

He said solemnly: "We can give up Qin Banliang and use a new currency."

Hear the words.

Zhang Cang's face changed in shock.

He naturally understood the weight of this sentence.

Once Fusu really decides to abolish the circulation of Qin Banliang in the world, it also means that the Qin Banliang that was minted in large quantities in the past will suddenly become useless money, and the wealth accumulated by many people will suddenly disappear. It is no longer a robbery by force, but a direct robbery.

If Fusu really dared to do this, many people in the world would be upset.

But if it is true as Fusu said, Da Qin can take advantage of this period of time to settle the world's affairs, then the court's prestige will reach a peak that cannot be shaken by the local government. Even if the court abolishes Qin Banliang, it will directly There is nothing the local government can do to steal wealth from local residents.

It just had a great impact on the people of Great Qin.

"This is absolutely unacceptable." Zhang Cang quickly advised him.

Fusu chuckled lightly, with a hint of slyness in his eyes, and said with a smile: "Don't worry, Zhang Qing, but how could I, Fusu, do something so compromising? But the coinage rights will definitely be taken back in the future."

"There's no doubt about it."

Fusu's tone was firm and unquestionable.

Zhang Cang looked worried and said gloomily: "The risk of decentralizing the power of minting is too great. It is equivalent to handing over the country's important weapons to others. In the past, when local governments accumulated money, they had to do some cover-up due to Qin laws. But this Once the decree goes down, I'm afraid their wealth will accumulate very quickly, and they may not be able to threaten the imperial court by then."

"I think you should think twice."

Zhang Cang still didn't dare to agree.

Fusu frowned, took a deep look at Zhang Cang, and said coldly: "The matter in Guandong cannot be left half-way. Now that the arrow is on the string, it has to be launched. This is the only way for the court to break the situation at present, and it is also the one that really disrupts Guandong. Good strategy.”

"You're right to be worried."

"But I also have my own persistence."

"But naturally I will not delegate the right to mint money so easily. Instead, I will try it out in Guanzhong first, press the time step by step, and delay the process as much as possible to buy more time for the court."

"The general trend lies with Qin."

"In a time when the world is crazy about making money, the whole world will be at peace."

"With the help of this incident, the imperial court has a certain degree of control over the economy of Guandong, and casting money means spending money. Otherwise, the pile of Qin half liang is just a pile of scrap copper and iron. When the world is at peace, , commodity trading will increase significantly."

"The imperial court can also obtain a large amount of commercial taxes from it."

"The commercial tax in Da Qin is very high, which also means that the world mints money and the court collects it."

"When the treasury is completely full, when the imperial court takes action against Guandong again, all the copper mines there will fall into the hands of the imperial court."

"The imperial court is just borrowing the help of the world to speed up the progress of monetary unification."

"Come together!"

"Besides, I believe the courtiers will understand."

"after all."

"They don't have the currency of the six countries in their hands, and for some meritorious officials, the imperial court may reward them with one or two small copper mines and let them mint coins privately."

"Under the heavy reward, I, Fusu, don't believe it, and some people won't be tempted."

Fusu's eyes were cold.

Hear the words.

Zhang Cang's face turned even pale.

Why are you asking for your own advice?

It’s clearly a notification!

And if there are really ignorant ministers in the court who take over these copper mines and mint coins on a large scale, how can these people escape when the court starts to collect copper mines in the future?

He doesn't believe it.

Fusu can make these people escape unharmed.

After all, once the minting power is devolved, it will take a long time, and the accumulated coins will also be huge. The imperial court will not allow a powerful minister to hoard mountains of money.

Zhang Cang could also see it.

Fusu's determination cannot be questioned at all.

a long time.

Zhang Cang said helplessly: "I would like to ask Your Highness to be careful."

Fusu was silent for a while and said in a concentrated voice: "Zhang Cang, why do I, Fusu, want to take risks? But sometimes, we have to take risks. If we don't take risks and let the world continue to be so corrupt, who knows what will happen to the world in the future? "

"Although devolving the power to mint coins will cause endless harm, as long as it is handled properly, it will be beneficial to the country."

"I, Fusu, agree that this risk is worth taking."

"What do you think?"

Zhang Cang showed bitterness on his face, cupped his hands and said, "I will obey His Highness's orders."

Fusu waved his hand and said with a smile: "Okay! Then I will ask Zhang Qing to come forward for the meeting tomorrow. If Zhang Qing is willing, Fusu is willing to ask your majesty for a reward and give you a few copper mines. How about it?"

Zhang Cang's face changed slightly and he quickly shook his head in rejection.

He didn't dare to take this hot potato.

See this.

Fusu looked teasing.

He told Zhang Cang about the matter again and left directly.

Zhang Cang was left with a troubled mind.

Zhang Cang stood in the study and let out a long sigh, "There will be a court meeting tomorrow. As soon as I make this suggestion, I, Zhang Cang, will really be in trouble in the court."

"Delegating the right to mint money"

"This is to tap the economic lifeline of the powerful nobles!" (End of Chapter)