Wentang

Chapter 721 Origin of Salt Ticket

The imperial court issued this kind of paper credential?
Changsun Wuji was shocked and said: "It must not be done, sage."

Originally, Li Shimin just mentioned it casually, but he was a little surprised to see such a big reaction from Changsun Wuji, and asked, "Why?"

Changsun Wuji said: "The salt ticket is a piece of white paper, and it is worthless in itself. The reason why it is valuable is because of Yue Hou's reputation and the guarantee of Dizhou Salt Farm."

"Once Yuehou's reputation collapses, or the Dizhou Salt Farm closes down, these salt tickets will become worthless. At that time, those who hold salt tickets will lose at least a piece of meat, or even their families will be destroyed."

"Conversely, if there are too many salt tickets on the market, which exceeds the range that Yuehou's reputation and the Dizhou Salt Farm can bear, the salt tickets will also depreciate accordingly. This will in turn affect Yuehou's reputation, ruin his reputation, and make his Dizhou Saltworks closed down."

"What guarantee does the imperial court use to issue this kind of bill? Reputation? The imperial court's reputation is hard-won, how can it be used easily."

"And the actual gold content of our gold, silver and copper coins is only one-third of the face value, and the two-thirds of the deficiency is all guaranteed by the imperial court's reputation, so that it can pass through the world."

"If we issue this kind of bill, once there is a problem, it is likely to affect the stability of gold, silver and copper coins, leading to the collapse of the entire country."

"Besides, Yuehou's salt tickets are only used for large-scale trade, and are of no use to ordinary people."

"And what my Tang Dynasty lacks is the small amount of copper coins for ordinary people, and the large amount of consistent gold coins, one hundred Wen coins, and even fifty Wen silver coins are enough."

"The imperial court can't issue bills with denominations of one penny, two pennies and five pennies, can it? Issuing large bills will not help people's livelihood in any way, and will only take unnecessary risks."

"In recent years, a steady stream of wealth has flowed into the Tang Dynasty through trade, coupled with the mining of gold, silver and copper mines, the pressure brought by the money shortage has been greatly relieved."

"In a few years, as more gold, silver and copper flow into the money shortage, it will only get lighter. So there is really no need for the court to take this risk."

Speaking of this, Changsun Wuji was afraid that he would not be able to dispel Li Shimin's thoughts, so he said in a more emphatic tone:

"The sage still remembers Zhuge Liang's promotion in Hanzhong during the Shuhan period was worth a hundred dollars? It made the local people miserable, and the people even started bartering."

"Up to now, the people in Hanzhong are still swearing at the matter worth a hundred dollars, and the harm of the bill is still worth more than a hundred dollars."

There is no serious money bank in this era. Huang Shanghang opened a bank a few years ago, but not many people are willing to use it. People are still not used to putting money in other people's hands.

Naturally, there are no words such as deflation, inflation, run, etc.

But Changsun Wuji is the elite of this era after all, he was keenly aware of the shortcomings of paper money, and expressed it to Li Shimin in words he could understand.

As for Zhuge Liang's worth a hundred dollars... During the Shu Han period, the people's livelihood was in decline, and the Shu Han regime's finances were unable to make ends meet. Zhuge Liang thought of an idea that the issuance was worth a hundred dollars.

What does it mean, that is, one penny is used as one hundred cash—I don’t know if this is the earliest credit currency, although it is made of metal, but the denomination exceeds the actual value by one hundred times.

But the Shuhan is only a local government, and no one will recognize this kind of money when it comes out of Hanzhong, and the people are naturally unwilling to ask for it.

But if you don’t want a word from those in power, you have to. For a while, the people in Hanzhong were miserable, and the dignitaries in Hanzhong also gritted their teeth with hatred for Zhuge Liang.

Why did Zhuge Liang leave Qishan six times in his later years?Doesn't he want to recuperate and wait for the soldiers to be strong and strong to fight again next year?

No, he was very clear.It was necessary to do so because it was clear.

If there is no war, the economy will be dragged down, and the country will be destroyed in a few years.The purpose of fighting is to divert internal conflicts, and by the way, fight for the slim chance of survival.

If you are lucky enough to play out, then the whole game of chess will come to life.

It's a pity that Sima Yi is not a simple character, and he has pinpointed this point.I won't fight you head-on, and drag you down alive.In the end Zhuge Liang was boiled to death and the Shu Han was destroyed.

Changsun Wuji used the analogy of bills worth a hundred dollars to be appropriate, and there was one sentence he didn't say, because that sentence violated a taboo.

Writing on paper can be used as money. What if the imperial court’s finances are tight one day, and the emperor uses his brains to use indiscriminate receipts to plunder the people’s wealth?
That is really going to perish.

Although he didn't say this sentence, Li Shimin knew this brother-in-law very well, how could he not understand what he meant.Besides, the history of the Shu Han has only passed a few hundred years, so he is familiar with it.

Therefore, being able to understand the meaning of Changsun Wuji's words, the interest that was only occasional was completely dispelled.Bills really aren't viable.

As for Yue Shan's salt ticket, he can send it out as he wants.He will take care of himself if something goes wrong in the future.

Even Li Shimin still has his own small calculations deep in his heart, since these big businessmen all recognize Yueshan's salt ticket.Then the court will be short of money in the future, and it is entirely possible for him to write a few sheets to meet emergencies. I don't believe he dares to refuse.

The benefits are falling from the imperial court, and the back of the mountains in the black pot, perfect.

The conversation ended with Li Shimin's words: "Go to Huangshang and find out what happened to Cuilan's Yanyin."

……

Yue Shan in the next room didn't know that the father-in-law had started plotting against him again, and now he was on the verge of getting dizzy.When he first found out what was going on with the sale of salt tickets, he was in a daze.

Isn't this just Shiotiki?Why are you still playing with flowers?

When he woke up, there was only one voice in his head: Changsun Wugou, you tricked me.

Why?Because the salt tickets circulating in the market are all for the grandson Wugou to leave.

Long story.

The earliest monopoly system implemented in Dizhou Salt Field, only the designated salt merchants can get the goods.But there is one exception. With the salt guide issued by him, anyone can get the salt.

How did the salt come from?
At that time, he didn't have enough money and wanted to build infrastructure, so he came up with the idea of ​​Yanyin temporarily.He issued a task and the businessman paid in advance to do it. When the task was completed, he issued a salt guide, and the businessman took the salt guide to the salt farm to extract salt.

At that time, salt was very valuable. Even if they needed to pay up front, many merchants still tried to do it.

After doing this several times, they found that the Yanyin opened by Yueshan could indeed get the full amount of salt, and even get the salt in advance, and everyone was relieved.There is also enough trust in Yueshan's reputation.

Later, those businessmen discovered that doing tasks for Yue Shan was a profitable job in itself, even if there was no salt, they still made some money, not a lot, when they settled the bill with cash.

If you count Yanyin, you will earn more, so more businessmen flock to take up the task.

When Dizhou was short of money in the early stage of development, Yanyin did play a vital role.

Later, the technology of drying salt was spread, and many salt farms appeared in the coastal areas of Datang, and the monopoly of salt industry became an obstacle instead.Yueshan adjusted his strategy in a timely manner, canceled the monopoly of the salt industry, and fully liberalized the salt business.

And at this time, Dizhou's general situation has become a reality, and the mall has become the business center of Datang.He didn't need to use the method of issuing tasks to build infrastructure, so naturally he didn't plan to issue salt quotations.

But... At this time, Sun Wugou, the head of the largest business group on earth, Huangshang, came to find him.

The business of the Royal Commercial Bank is very large, and the salt industry naturally also intervenes.And they needed more salt, Changsun Wugou used the excuse of getting the salt as soon as possible, and asked him for some salt from time to time.

Now that I think about it, I know that this excuse is full of loopholes. With the status of the Royal Commercial Bank, if they want salt, which salt farm would dare to shirk it?There is no need for his salt at all.

Just out of trust in his eldest grandson Wugou, he didn't think too much and let it go.

Moreover, Changsun Wugou didn't take his salt for nothing, he would pay Dizhou Salt Works exactly as much as he raised, and he didn't owe him a penny.

He didn't take it to heart, and checked the accounts with Dizhou Salt Farm regularly after the opening, and passed without any problems.

Thinking about it now, she didn't ask for Yanyin to raise salt at all, but to use it as a check.

In the past, he had privately heard that someone used salt to lead the current large-scale trade, but such cases were rare.

At that time, salt was still a franchise, and the profit was too high. Anyone who got the salt would immediately exchange it for salt, and the profit would be several times or ten times when they were resold. No one would be stupid enough to use it as money.

It is estimated that the eldest grandson Wugou found out about this matter somehow, so he moved his mind.After all, the 'cheque' is so convenient to use, and the Royal Commercial Bank often conducts large transactions, so this kind of thing is most needed.

Of course, the above are all his own guesses, and he has to go back and ask Changsun Wugou personally about the specific situation.But he was sure that it would definitely have something to do with her.

It can even be said that Yanyin can be recognized by so many people, and Huangshang is the biggest trader.

But what puzzled him was how Changsun Wugou came up with the idea of ​​replacing currency with salt, it was too advanced.

But this question can only be asked after returning to Beijing, and now he is only lucky for one thing.

Fortunately, all the first Yanyins sent out have been collected, and the Yanyins that are currently on the market are all made of dragon head paper.

Longshou paper had not been produced when Yanyin was first issued, and it was written on a piece of paper at random, which was easy to forge.

Later, the dragon head paper was made and even watermarked, so he began to use dragon head paper to write, which eliminated the possibility of counterfeiting to the greatest extent.

Otherwise, he would definitely have a terrible headache now—although it is already very big now.

But it is estimated that the salt tickets he has issued in the past few years are only a few million guan, and after excluding the part that has been withdrawn, the circulation on the market is about one million guan.Even if something goes wrong, he can afford it with his family property.

But... in the future, it is absolutely impossible to prescribe salt to the eldest grandson Wugou again.No, not only can't prescribe salt to her, but also get all the previous ones back.

Millions of coins in large denominations depend entirely on his reputation and the Dizhou Salt Works to maintain it. It is too dangerous. If his reputation is not good, his reputation will become scum.

……

Everyone was not talking about Yanyin, it seemed that this matter just passed away.

The next day, Li Shimin did not visit in private, but went to Dizhou Academy, the Military Academy and the Naval Camp to inspect and express his condolences.On the third day, I went to the shipyard and the salt field for investigation.

Naturally, Yue Shan accompanied him all the way, and he also made a suggestion during the inspection of the shipyard: cancel the craftsman's registration and give the craftsman a free life.

This proposal was opposed by many people, on the grounds that the release of craftsman registration would lead to the loss of craftsmen and affect national construction.

Yue Shan questioned them on the spot, why did the craftsmen lose?Why are they unwilling to let their descendants inherit their craft?
Why do folk craftsmen pass on their craftsmanship to their children as treasures, and even pass it on from male to female?The same craftsman, why do they make completely different choices?

He even went back to the root and talked about Guan Zhong's original intention of setting up the craftsman's register: it was not just to restrain the craftsmen, but more to improve the status of the craftsmen and stimulate their enthusiasm.

At that time, the status of craftsmen was very high, equivalent to the status of half an official.

In that era when everything was about birth and blood, ordinary people could obtain the status of half an official, that is to honor their ancestors.

Later, Confucianism came up with scholars, farmers, businessmen, and craftsmen were degraded and listed as the third class. Craftsmanship has lost its original meaning. It is no longer a means to encourage craftsmen, but has become a shackle to enslave craftsmen.

And in fact, are craftsmen really that bad?impossible.

Where did the pens, inks, papers and inkstones you use come from without craftsmen?Who made the pots and pans used?Where did the strong bows and swords, cannons and warships come from?
Without craftsmen, everyone is still living a barbaric life of drinking hair and blood, how can there be a civilized society today.While enjoying the benefits, belittle them at the same time, it's just picking up the bowl to eat and putting down the bowl to scold their mothers.

Those who opposed it were ashamed.

However, even so, Li Shimin did not easily agree to cancel his craftsmanship. After all, this is a matter of great impact and cannot be easily decided.

Although he is the emperor, there are really many things that cannot be done arbitrarily.

Yue Shan also understood his concerns, and did not force him to give an answer now.

Craftsmanship has been implemented for thousands of years, and the interests involved are too wide to be abolished casually.

For example, the craftsmen under the name of the Ministry of Industry are simply slaves, and they are required to do various major projects of the imperial court.Whenever someone with a certain status needs it, they can also ask the Ministry of Industry to borrow someone to do the work.

What's more, they don't get paid for their work, and they are punished for poor work.

With this kind of status, they are actually required to pass on the inheritance from father to son from generation to generation. I can only say one thing, the evil old society.

Yue Shan had wanted to liberate the artisans a long time ago, but he knew that the matter of the artisan's identity was too involved, and he would only be opposed by everyone if he raised it hastily.So I have been accumulating strength and looking for the right time.

Now he thinks that the time is almost ripe-the giant ships and cannons have been built, and the steam locomotive is about to come out. There is no more suitable opportunity than this.

That's why he took advantage of Li Shimin's opportunity to inspect the shipyard and brought it up.

It is expected to be opposed by others. As long as Li Shimin does not object on the spot, [-]% of the success will be achieved, and the remaining [-]% will depend on how the two sides fight.

But Yue Shan was full of confidence, reckoning that Tian Shungu and the others should have already produced the train.When the time comes, take a stroll in front of Li Shimin, no amount of words will work.

On the fourth day, Li Shimin boarded the ship with a group of civil and military ministers, and set foot on the road back to Chang'an again.

This time he only stayed in Luoyang, the eastern capital, for one day. Li Shimin didn't even get off the boat. He only met the local dignitaries on the boat and continued on his way home.

All the way without stopping, he entered the border of Guanzhong within a few days.

Looking at Tongguan again, everyone's mood is completely different.Li Shimin read out the poem carried by Yue Shan again, praising it as a famous poem through the ages.

At the same time, he also said that this poem should be a warning to the king, don't be arrogant because of the victory in front of you, Qin and Han are also very powerful, so they will perish.

As soon as this remark came out, everyone understood that this matter was over, and this poem could be spread widely without giving it a taboo.

Yue Shan also heaved a sigh of relief, and at the same time felt happy for this poem.

Another day, the majestic city of Chang'an was in the distance, but the fleet stopped—to take a rest.

The triumphant return of the sage has come to Chang'an, and the news that he will return to Beijing in a few days has spread throughout the city of Chang'an.

Gao Shilian led the remaining civil and military officials out of the city to the Weishui River to meet Shengjia.

(End of this chapter)