People live in the Ming Dynasty, evil spirits are soaring into the sky

Chapter 18 If anyone dares to use silver, I will chop off his hand!
Everyone in the room felt cold all over after hearing Chen Han's words.

I didn't expect Chen Han to say such words.

This is treasonous.

But I don't know, even Zhang Juzheng thought this might happen.

But Chen Han is definitely not alarmist.

Because according to historical records of later generations, a big reason for the collapse of the Ming Dynasty was due to lack of money.

The Ming Dynasty relied too much on external inflows of silver as domestic currency.

There were two channels for the inflow of silver from the Ming Dynasty.

One is silver from South America, and the other is Japan.

The routes are three: Europe, America, and Japan.

The trade routes to Europe are: Lisbon - Cape of Good Hope - Goa - Malacca - Macau.

Macau is a trade hub between China and Europe;
Trade routes to the Americas: The western end starts from Yuegang, Xiamen and Guangzhou in Fujian, with Manila in the Philippines as the transit port. The eastern end is Acapulco, Mexico.

Trade with Japan: divided into two channels: direct trade and Macao-Nagasaki entrepot trade through the Portuguese.

In short, it is completely external.

Originally, if these three routes were continuous, the Ming Dynasty's silver would not be cut off.

But in the late Ming Dynasty, Europe and Japan almost all cut off the inflow of silver to the Ming Dynasty due to long-term trade deficits.

So the Ming Dynasty collapsed immediately because there was no silver available.

Chen Han would never let such a thing happen.

Chen Han said: "Our Ming Dynasty does not produce silver, but uses silver as its main currency. This is equivalent to handing over the right to mint to foreign countries.

Moreover, silver continues to flow in and depreciate, what is the difference between it and treasure banknotes?
Even if other countries continue to lose Ming's silver, sooner or later they will be unable to operate because the silver depreciates too much. "

Zhang Juzheng was in awe. He stood up and faced Chen Han with his hands clasped in his fists and said, "I didn't expect Tishuai to have such insight into business. We are really blind."

Chen Han waved his hand: "I'm not here to show off my talents to you. I just don't want my country, the Ming Dynasty, to have no currency of its own. In the end, I have to rely on foreign countries for daily money."

Zhang Juzheng nodded: "What Tishuai said is true, we will definitely listen attentively."

Now other officials also know that Chen Han's words are very useful now, and they no longer dare to underestimate Chen Han.

Chen Han continued: "Since Mr. Ge is willing to listen, I will simply tell you all about my reform ideas."

Zhang Juzheng waved his hand: "Tishuai, wait!" Then he ordered the ministers beside him: "You just listen and don't remember?"

The cabinet minister immediately slapped his forehead and said, "Yes, yes, what Tishuai is saying now is a good policy for governing the country. You must write it down."

So the ministers brought paper and pens one after another.

"Tishuai can start now!"

Chen Han said: “This is also the tax reform I want to propose. The tax reform is divided into three parts.

First: implement a whipping law and share the land, use silver to pay taxes, and establish the Ming Dynasty Bank after the court collects the taxes. "

A bank account is similar to a bank, but its functions are relatively simple.

"I just said that the reason why treasure banknotes depreciate into a piece of waste paper is because there is no reserve and the people are not allowed to exchange for silver, nor can they be used to pay taxes. This is purely a tool for the imperial court to steal people's money."

After these words came out, everyone was surprised.

Can this be said?

Even if you know that this is the case, it is not something you, a minister, can say.

It seems that Chen Han is not only powerful, but also rebellious.

This is not caring about life and death at all.

If it were anyone else, who would dare say that. Zhang Juzheng, who was listening nearby, actually agreed.

Because he has always thought so.

The emergence of treasure banknotes and the subsequent uncontrolled printing completely destroyed the economic ecology. Not only did the lives of ordinary people not improve, but they became increasingly poor.

He has read many files, all of which are recorded,

How fucked up were the lives of the people who got the treasure back then.

And this is why everyone balks at the mention of banknotes.

Zhang Juzheng also thought about issuing new treasure banknotes to replace the existing silver. He also saw a large inflow of silver, but the Ming Dynasty did not produce silver at all.

But when he thought about Bao Chao's fate, he gave up decisively.

But now Chen Han actually mentioned printing banknotes again. He felt that this matter was more difficult than imagined.

"Tishuai, I'm afraid this matter is a bit difficult. People may not believe in the court's good intentions, and the influence of treasure notes still exists even now."

Zhang Juzheng poured a basin of cold water on him.

Chen Han laughed: "So I prepared the second way to make it impossible for them to refuse to agree."

Everyone pricked up their ears to listen.

Chen Han didn't sell it and said directly: "In order to reduce unnecessary trouble, I will refer to Taizu's practice and promulgate a law. Silver is not allowed to be used for trading on the market. Anyone who dares to use it will be chopped off at least, or chopped off at worst. Directly exiled to Lingnan, under high pressure, I don’t believe anyone would dare to commit crimes."

Uh……

The ministers couldn't help but feel their hair standing on end when they heard this. Good guy, this guy is a scourge, he is the second to Taizu.

However, a minister immediately expressed his opinion: "But Tishuai, you just said that people are allowed to exchange their banknotes for silver."

Chen Han explained: "Yes, I allowed people to exchange silver, but I didn't say I allowed them to use it.

Being able to exchange for silver tells them that the court has such ability.

Not allowing them to use it is to let them know that silver can only be used as a measure of wealth and poverty, but if they dare to use one or two, don't blame me for turning against them. "

Uh……

The ministers rolled their eyes again, okay, you are the boss and you have the final say.

Zhang Juzheng now feels that Chen Han's current authority is what he wants most.

To be able to be the emperor's master is not to be more emperor than the emperor. What is this?

However, although I am not convinced by Chen Han's attitude, I have to admire Chen Han's method. Although it is a little damaging, it is definitely useful.

The ministers felt very uncomfortable hearing this.

Because which of the ministers here live on their salaries?
No one's family should have any other income.

No one should have ten thousand taels of silver in his home.

And if Chen Han does this, he will force them to take the silver out of the soil and use it.

Or maybe, as Chen Han said, it can only be used as a family heirloom, with symbolic meaning.

This trick is really poisonous.

But some ministers asked unconvincedly: "Tishuai, of course it is simple for us to sit here and talk, but if we really want to do what you said, I'm afraid it won't work."

The minister was right.

Many policies issued by the imperial court are good, but it is very important whether they can be implemented properly at the lower level.

After all, no matter how powerful the court was, how many people could keep an eye on whether the people were using silver in their transactions.

In a remote place, who cares about you...

(End of this chapter)