At the end of Song Dynasty: I want to be the master of ZTE

Chapter 74 Guns and Money

"I, Chen Nan, paid homage to Your Majesty. I didn't know His Majesty was coming. The general and the prisoner did not greet His Majesty. I am guilty of this." Chen Nan paid his respects.

"No courtesy, let's go in and talk."

After some routine operations, Zhao Shi entered the weapons inspection, and then followed an angry Ma Tingluan.

In the morning, the emperor sent someone to withdraw [-] yuan, but he didn't say what it would be used for. He almost asked the Minister of Household Affairs to resign on the spot.

Ten thousand guan, when has the center ever seen such a large sum of money?Even if it's all money exchanged by the emperor's seller, there has to be an explanation. How can it be just given away by saying "it has its own magical effect"?

After sitting down, Zhao Shi said: "It's all thanks to you that the prisoner is on the right track for the first time!"

"Your Majesty's compliments are all the result of His Majesty's care and concern." Chen Nan replied.

Zhao Shi said: "Don't talk nonsense, and invite the general supervisor who is good at casting and is loyal and trustworthy to meet you. I have arrangements."

"Your Majesty, please wait a moment. I will come as soon as I leave." Chen Nan left.

After a while, he led an old man in.

"Old man Lu Er pays homage to Your Majesty, long live my emperor." The old man bowed.

After the ceremony, Zhao Shi asked: "Are the craftsmen without official status?"

Chen Nan replied: "Your Majesty, there are indeed none. They are all white."

Zhao Shi said: "The five elements of a country are scholars, farmers, workers, merchants, and soldiers, just like the five internal organs of a human being. Each of them is indispensable. Generals are responsible for supervising the production of national weapons, and craftsmen are the foundation. How can there be no grades?"
When the imperial edict is drafted, the Ministry of Personnel discusses with the generals, supervisors, and young officials, and determines the grade and treatment according to the ability of each worker, and does not make the talented people look down upon. "

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Your Majesty." Lu Er bowed again.

Ma Tingluan moved his mouth and swallowed his words of dissuasion.

If there is no imposition of an edict, it is a discussion; if there is an imposition of an edict, it is a decision. Although he does not value fancy skills and tricks, the emperor has to give them face.

Zhao Shi took out a scroll and invited Chen Nan and Lu Er to come forward and take a look.

Ma Tingluan also came forward and saw a pipe painted on it. It was thin at the front and thick at the back. There was a hole at the end. I don't know what it was used for.

"This is a cannon. An artillery uses thunder from the sky to activate iron balls to kill the enemy. It can reach three to five miles. If it hits, nothing can stop it!" Zhao Shi explained.

"Your Majesty, why didn't you make such a magical weapon earlier?" Chen Nan was pleasantly surprised.

The emperor knew about the existence of Thousand Years Thing. If he said this cannon was powerful, it must be powerful. If you don't believe it, just look at the thunder.

Did Zhao not want to do it earlier?

I have been thinking about it since 800 years ago, what should I do if I have no money and no one?
Now that the generals and supervisors are in place and a large amount of money has been obtained, I can finally start research and development. Wait a few years and let Kublai Khan taste the taste of thousands of artillery fire. It will definitely be very exciting.

However, Lu Er thought carefully for a while and said: "With such a thickness, I'm afraid there are holes in the wall, which is not enough for use, and it will cost a lot and take a long time."

"It doesn't matter, I will give you [-] pieces of copper, and you can use it as you wish." Zhao Shi said.

One thousand coins weigh five kilograms, and ten thousand and fifty thousand kilograms. According to a cannon weighing five hundred kilograms, theoretically hundreds of cannons can be cast.

Of course, this was just the beginning of research and development. Taking into account material loss and scrap, Zhao Shi's psychological expectation was fifty doors.

So, all guns blazing is just a dream?
Zhao Shi said: "The bronze cannon is simple, but it is heavy and inconvenient to use, and the price is high. After you become familiar with it, you will also think about how to cast the iron cannon."

In addition, take on as many apprentices as possible, and do not hide anything. When a craftsman is promoted, the number of apprentices should also be taken into consideration. "

"I obey the order." Lu Er agreed, and added: "I will lead people to study immediately, and we will definitely build this cannon soon."

"There is no rush." ​​Zhao Shi stopped Lu Er and said, "Ma Hubu happens to be here, I still have some ideas."

Zhao Shi took out a handful of copper coins and an ingot of silver and said, "Because of the lack of credit in the imperial court, Jiaozi has long been abandoned and only traded in copper coins. It is heavy and inconvenient. Gold and silver are of different colors and weights, and it is also inconvenient to use."

Now the imperial court has received [-] gold and silver, of varying quality and size, and must be recast.

I would like to imitate the example of copper coins and cast silver coins. One tael of silver coins weighs seven coins and two cents in total, containing eighty-nine silver coins and one copper coin. It is decorated with beautiful patterns of mountains and rivers. What do you think? "

"Your Majesty is wise, I will give you your full support!" Ma Tingluan immediately expressed his stance.

Why were local private minting of copper coins strictly prohibited in all dynasties?Because there is too much profit here.

For example, with money, the profit of nearly 30.00% is comparable to going overseas, and there is no risk.

People are unwilling to accept it?
Don't be ridiculous, Jiaozi's depreciation rate back then was as fast as jumping off a cliff, but people still use it. Why?Qian Huang!

Nowadays, if there is real gold and silver, people will definitely be willing to use it.

Lu Er replied: "It is not difficult to cast silver coins. I just ask Your Majesty to confirm the shape."

Zhao Shi looked at Chen Nan and said: "You have designed it, and I will make a few for you to see before we talk." "Your Majesty, I think it is not necessary, so I can start casting it directly." Ma Tingluan said impatiently.

Is it true that he is out of his wits because he issues currency without going through the political hall? Do you really want to treat Chen Yizhong as a wooden figure?
Zhao Shi ignored the Minister of Household Affairs and continued: "I have seen that there are many watermills and waterwheels on both sides of the Oujiang River, but there are no forgers using water power. You should organize hundreds of workers to study if water power can replace manpower to make weapons and armor. It will definitely save a lot.”

"I'm ashamed, I didn't think much about it." Chen Nan lowered his head.

Zhao Shi said: "Your Majesty will be the supervisor. You should read more, think more, and ask more questions. As the so-called three people walking together must have my teacher, there will definitely be benefits."

"I sincerely obey the instructions." Chen Nan responded.

After the three things were arranged, Zhao Shi stopped talking and stood up to leave.

Later, Yang Shichang came over with a deposit of one thousand yuan and handed it over to Chen Nan. Both parties signed and signed the deposit and strictly followed the procedures.

After the delivery was completed, Yang Shichang said: "Brother Chen, this is what your Majesty got from selling the chariot, and you will cherish it."

Chen Nan said: "Your Majesty has been frugal and dedicated to the public service so far. How can I fail him?"

They all came out of Lin'an with the emperor, needless to say there were many of them, I knew it in my heart.

Back in Xingzai, Ma Tingluan excitedly went to find Chen Yizhong. As soon as he went out, he saw Chen Yizhong coming towards him with Li Xiangzhi, the young minister.

Everyone looked excited. Chen Yizhong asked: "Where is Shangshu going?"

"I was about to talk to the Prime Minister." Ma Tingluan immediately told Zhao Shi's plan to send money.

Chen Yizhong clapped his hands and said: "Your Majesty is wise and wise. This can increase the income of the central government and alleviate the money shortage among the people. It is really a two-pronged thing."

Ma Tingluan said: "His Majesty is just afraid of being impatient and doing bad things, so he ordered the general to supervise the trial production."

"How can we let the general superintendent take over this job? We must explain it clearly to His Majesty. This is the responsibility of the young master!" Li Xiangzhi walked in anxiously.

The Shaofu and Jiang Zuo are both responsible for manufacturing, but in different fields. The Shaofu makes clothes, seals, cars and other royal supplies, as well as printing and coining money, while Jiang Zuojian is responsible for manufacturing and researching weapons.

It has to be said that Zhao made a mistake in handing over the right to mint silver coins to the general supervisor.

Chen Yizhong grabbed Li Xiangzhi and said, "Don't be impatient for a moment. I'll talk to His Majesty first."

Your Majesty was studying. When he heard that the Prime Minister was coming, of course he wanted to see him.

After the ceremony, Chen Yizhong took out two pieces of paper and said: "Your Majesty, the Shaofu has handed over the imitation Yuanlu Zhongtong Yuanbao. Please check it."

"Really?" Zhao Shi took it immediately and looked at it carefully.

Zhongtong Yuanbao banknotes are banknotes issued after Kublai Khan ascended the throne. They are based on silver. Every two coins can be exchanged for one tael of silver at the government. They are based on coins and wen, and there are ten coins, twenty coins, and thirty coins. Wen, Fifty Wen, One Hundred Wen, Two Hundred Wen, Five Hundred Wen, Yi Guan Wen, Er Guan Wen, taxes, salaries, transactions, loans, etc. all use treasure banknotes, and old banknotes are allowed to be exchanged for new ones.

In a few years, Kublai Khan would completely ban metallic currency, leaving paper money as the only currency in circulation.

It can be said that Yuan Ting was the real pioneer of paper money, while Song Ting's Jiaozi was not allowed to be exchanged, and could be issued at will, and the government did not collect taxes. If it were not for a serious shortage of money, it would really be hated by people.

Of course, what cannot be ignored is that Kublai Khan dared to do this because he had the confidence provided by force and he also had enough prestige.

The small court of Zhao and Song Dynasties did not have the ability to issue banknotes, and Zhao was jealous of the popularity of Yuanting banknotes. What should we do?What I didn’t say, get him!

So the young man was ordered to imitate the treasure banknotes, but he didn't expect it to happen so quickly.

What Chen Yizhong sent was an imitation of the Erguanwen denomination. Zhao knew that one was genuine and the other was fake, but he could not tell the difference.

"His skills are amazing, his skills are amazing, he deserves a big reward!" Zhao Shi was full of praise.

"Just ask your Majesty to hand over the minting of coins to the young master." Li Xiangzhi said with resentment.

After all, the majority of the profit from minting must belong to the Ministry of Revenue, but the Shaofu can get it to some extent. This is a big benefit, and Li Xiangzhi certainly has to fight for it.

After Zhao Shi thought about it briefly, he said: "The supervisor will still be responsible for the coinage. [-]% of the proceeds from the counterfeit banknotes will go to the Shaofu, and the Imperial City Department and the Ministry of Household Affairs will each share [-]%. How about that?"

"Your Majesty, don't you think about the inner treasure?" Li Xiang's resentment became more and more intense.

"The whole world belongs to your Majesty, why should you speak both inside and outside the words?" Ma Tingluan immediately said.

The inner treasury is the emperor's personal account. It used to be the responsibility of eunuchs, but now it is under the control of the Shaofu. Ma Tingluan was afraid that the emperor would kick out the household department.

Fortunately, Zhao's attitude was relatively clear and he insisted on this method of dividing the pie.

Of course, meritorious service must be rewarded, and the craftsmen involved in this matter were given official titles or titles. Li Xiangzhi also changed from Quan Shaofuqing to a real Shaofuqing.

The next step, of course, is to print it on a large scale and then find a way to bring it to Yuanting for spending.

(End of this chapter)