My Brother-in-law is the Prince

  Chapter 246 Prosperity

  Zhu Di stood up.

He sighed, and then said: "Hey... I was once sent by Emperor Taizu Gao to Fengyang, the central capital, to experience the hardships of the people and know the hardships of the people. After that, I fought in Liaodong, and I know how the soldiers fought in the freezing weather. What a pain it is. Only then do we know that money and food are fundamental to governing a great country and prospering the community.”

  When he said this, he paused for a moment, but the next moment, he looked at Zhang Anshi fixedly, and said, "Tell me about the coin casting."

  Zhang Anshi said: "Your Majesty is benevolent and able to pay for the sufferings of the people. After hearing this, I feel ashamed... There are several advantages to making money, one of which is... seigniorage."

  Zhu Di raised his eyes and said, "Like a treasure?"

"It's not as obvious as treasure notes." Zhang Anshi patiently analyzed: "Pure gold and pure silver are softer. For example, although this gold coin is one tael, in fact, it is nine cents and three cents in gold. The same is true for silver coins. However, when the gold and silver coins are issued, they are calculated as one or two taels. This is because in order to increase the hardness of the gold and silver coins, I ordered the craftsmen to add other materials to them to make them stronger."

  Zhu Di frowned, and said a little hesitantly: "The gold and silver cannot be paid in full, can the soldiers and horses accept it?"

"Yes." Zhang Anshi said without hesitation, with a determined expression on his face: "If the opponents of silver dollars and gold dollars are pure gold and pure silver, the common people will not dare to accept it. But in fact, after investigation by the minister, most of the Gold and silver have a lot of impurities, and the transaction is extremely inconvenient, and the cost of this kind of tediousness is astonishing."

After a pause, he continued: "As for the gold and silver coins, they are exquisite in workmanship, excellent in quality, and use the formula carefully prepared by the minister, so... at any time, just wipe it, and it will be as shiny as new. Common people They have no reason not to accept it.”

  Zhu Di nodded and nodded. Zhu Di believed what Zhang Anshi said. If this guy was not sure about something, he would not tell him.

   At this time, he couldn't help but slightly lowered his head, looking thoughtful, and then slowly said: "How much silver can you earn with one silver coin?"

  Zhang Anshi immediately said: "Excluding the cost, I can earn 5%."

  Hearing this, Zhu Di suddenly looked at Zhang Anshi again, frowned and said, "It's only five cents? My Ming's fire consumption is at least two or three cents, and the unscrupulous ones also have four or five cents."

  Zhang Anshi hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, that is the work of corrupt officials who lack virtue."

  Zhu Di was stunned, he suddenly remembered, yes, I am the Holy King.

  I saw Zhang Anshi said again: "Although five cents is small, if all the coins in the world are minted by His Majesty, the profits here will be great. Besides, this is just an appetizer."

"appetizer?"

  Zhang An Shidao: "Issuing this, the most important thing is to lay a credit foundation for the silver and gold coins. The most valuable thing in this world is credit."

  Zhu Di smiled and said: "Is it your trick in the bank?"

   "It's a little different." Zhang Anshi said.

Zhu Di frowned, lowered his head slightly thoughtfully again, and then said: "Actually, I don't know much about these things. It's just the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty. I'm afraid that if I don't agree, even if I issue an edict, it will mostly be obedience and disobedience. "

  Zhang Anshi also knows that these are very realistic problems that Zhu Di said, and if these problems are not resolved, it will be difficult to achieve success.

  Of course, Zhang Anshi had already prepared for this, so he said calmly: "It's easy to handle, then don't issue an edict, and simply bypass Taige and the Sixth Department and hand it over to the trading firm for casting."

  Zhu Di couldn't help being surprised and said: "The commercial company casts and releases itself?"

   "Why not!" Zhang An Shi said, his face full of confidence.

  Zhu Di pondered, and said in his mouth: "Is it possible?"

   "It's not feasible, but it's also feasible." Zhang Anshi couldn't laugh or cry.

  Zhu Di raised his eyebrows and said, "Why?"

Zhang Anshi said: "Since ancient times, bad coins will eliminate good coins. If the banks of commercial banks issue these gold and silver coins, if the common people get them, they will definitely collect them and are reluctant to use them. They would rather find a way to use the broken silver with more impurities. Spend it."

   After a pause, Zhang Anshi continued: "But if this currency has an anchor point, it will be different."

   "Anchor point?" Zhu Di felt that the more he listened, the more confused he became.

   Then, with a big wave of his hand, Zhu Di said straightforwardly: "Just say it straight, is it feasible or not?"

  Zhang Anshi was also direct, and said, "It's possible!"

  Zhu Di glared at him: "Why did you say it was not feasible just now?"

  Zhang Anshi showed a trace of embarrassment on his face, and then said: "I just revealed some difficulties."

   "It's difficult." Zhu Di still stared at him and said, "I just want results."

  Zhang Anshi had no choice but to say: "I will do my best."

   "Let's try it first." Zhu Di said.

  In fact, Zhao Wang Zhu Gaosui was beside him, so he was even more confused.

  Zhu Di is considered financially illiterate, and Zhu Gaosui obviously inherited Zhu Di's excellent genes, and he is even worse than illiterate.

At this time, Zhu Di, who had been playing against Zhang Anshi for a long time, heard the son, glanced at Zhu Gaosui, and said, "Get ready quickly. After two months, you will be ready to go. When the time comes, I will give you a strong trip. You will have four guards." , Wen Youjie, Jin and other sixty-four ministers, if they are in Java and cannot make contributions, they will be ashamed to be my sons!"

   Zhao Wang had just been scolded by Zhu Di, and he was already in lingering fear. Hearing Zhu Di's menacing words at this time, he dared not say anything, but hurriedly said yes.

Zhu Di is a person who comes and goes quickly. Seeing that Zhu Gaosui had a good attitude and his face gradually eased, he said again: "These days, come and walk around the palace more often, and spend good time with your mother, queen, and you. Brother Huang, when you were seriously ill, he worried about you, so you should visit him more often."

  Zhu Gaosui hurriedly said: "Observe the order."

  Zhu Di took a deep look at him, then patted him on the shoulder, with a rare expression of his father's concern for his son, and said: "Hey... my son has grown up, it's time for you to experience it yourself."

   As he spoke, Zhu Di showed a look of loneliness, after all... still has feelings.

  Zhu Gaosui also seemed disappointed, but he still said: "My son must be as good as the second brother."

  Zhu Di nodded: "Go, go, it's time for me to take a rest, today I was surprised and gave me a headache."

  He turned around and waved his hand like a fly.

  Zhang Anshi and Zhao Wang Zhu Gaosui bid farewell together.

  After leaving the hall, Zhu Gaosui said to Zhang Anshi cautiously: "I am grateful for the kindness of saving my life."

   Zhang Anshi smiled and said: "No need, no need, I still have something to do, His Royal Highness Zhao Wang, next time, I will visit again."

   As he spoke, Zhang Anshi looked anxious, but he walked out of the palace quickly.

   Outside the palace, a group of guards had long been waiting for Zhang Anshi. As soon as Zhang Anshi came out, someone immediately led the horse forward.

  Zhang Anshi got on his horse and waved his whip without hesitation: "Drive..."

  ...

   "You mean..."

  At this time, Yao Guangxiao was frowning while talking, and he continued: "This An Shi... is actually trying to make a fire? He is not small."

   This is a small temple in the inner city.

  At this point in time, the sunset glow has already appeared with a gentle light, and it is getting late.

  Yao Guangxiao is the chief official of the Senglu Department, and he may accept the emperor's summons at any time, so he has to stay in a small temple in the inner city on weekdays, and only returns to his old nest in Jiming Temple when he is busy.

   Now in this small temple, although it is in a busy city, it is extraordinarily quiet.

  Today, in his small temple, a guest was ushered in. It was Jin Zhong, Shangshu of the Ministry of War who had just arrived.

Jin Zhong's expression was a bit exaggerated, and he said: "Yeah, the old man was shocked at that time. This guy... really didn't know what to do. He was going to fight against all the officials in the world. Such a person will not end well! No wonder this guy... A few days ago, I saw that Zhang Anshi Yintang was turning black, so it was like this, and I expected that this boy would be **** in a few days."

Yao Guangxiao smiled and said: "Amitabha, you old donkey, how can you curse people like this? Zhang Anshi is still a child after all, so I don't know the depth of it. My Buddha is merciful, and poor monks hate such things. Hey, don't mention him, don't mention him Well, he's going to die...don't let the poor monk see him."

  Jin Zhong obviously didn't intend to stop here, and said: "Speaking of which, if this matter can be done, it will really be a great achievement."

Yao Guangxiao calmly said: "It can't be done, such a drastic change, the resistance encountered is extraordinary. Back then, Wang Anshi was just a small repair, and it didn't do anything good. What's more Is that so?"

Jin Zhong smiled wryly and said: "Everyone says they don't love money, but everyone loves money like life. Everyone talks about the righteousness of spring and autumn, but everyone only knows how to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages. Things in the world are bad because of this. Full of absurd words, full of fame and fortune."

  Yao Guangxiao glared at him and said, "Who are you scolding?"

  Jin Zhong said: "Whoever is such a person, who will I scold?"

  Yao Guangxiao frowned, and finally said quietly: "That's good, that's good."

  Jin Zhong seemed rather depressed.

  He was just a mere physiognomy warlock, and his status can be described as humble.

   But the best policy that I can even see is the only one that is opposed by those who are full of benevolence.

  Although he has seen through the world a long time ago, when he really witnessed all kinds of strange things, he still felt uneasy.

   It's just these, and there is no one to resolve it. The only person who can tell a thing or two is the monk in front of him.

Yao Guangxiao knew what Jin Zhong was thinking, but he seemed indifferent: "You, after all, you still haven't figured it out. You want to do everything, and you want to achieve anything. This is of course good, but you don't have superpowers, and there are people everywhere in the world. What you want to do?"

"The poor monk is different from you. From the perspective of the poor monk, as long as a person accomplishes one thing in this life, it is enough to comfort his whole life. The poor monk has already done this thing. There is no regret in this life. There is only one thing. One of the most worrying things for the poor monk is whether there will be any relics burned after death, but unfortunately...by then, the poor monk will never see it."

  Old Jin Zhong blushed: "I don't want everything to come true, and everything goes according to my own wishes. It's just... seeing the officials eating at both ends, all fat and oily, it's really nothing to the eye."

  Yao Guangxiao said: "If you can't see it, just escape into the Buddhist door. After you escape into the Buddhist door, as long as you accept that all living beings are suffering, you will be born to suffer. When everything is empty, your heart will be peaceful."

  Jin Zhong looked at him contemptuously, and said with a sneer: "You monk, you have a reputation for being a villain outside, but you are actually a rat."

  Yao Guangxiao was not angry, but just smiled, noncommittal.

  But at this time, a little monk hurried in and said, "Marquis Annan is here to visit."

  As soon as these words came out, Yao Guangxiao, who was still calm, became slightly stiff.

  Jin Zhong: "..."

  After their eyes met, Jin Zhong immediately stood up and asked, "Where is the back wall of your temple?"

  Yao Guangxiao roared: "Quick, get out of the way, don't let him in."

  The little novice could not help but be astonished.

He often heard Master Yao talking about this Marquis of Annan Zhang Anshi. Master Yao was good at appreciating all kinds of people. The Marquis of An Nan is already a rare figure that Master Yao can look up to. Why did he react so excitedly when he came to visit today?

   Just as the little novice was stunned, the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside, accompanied by Zhang Anshi's voice: "Master Yao, I miss you so much."

  The loud voice reached Yao Guangxiao's ears directly.

  Yao Guangxiao looked like he was about to suffocate.

Jin Zhong on the side seemed to be very powerless for a while, put away the bewilderment just now, and finally sighed, lamenting again and again: "I was wrong, I was wrong, I thought it was Zhang Anshi who had a **** disaster, now look, it is you My Yintang has turned black, and I have the appearance of a catastrophe."

   Just finished speaking, Zhang Anshi had already stepped in.

Zhang Anshi looked at the two people here, grinned immediately, and said courteously: "Look, Master Yao, what did I bring you? This is the best tea, and the price is more expensive than gold. I usually can't bear it." Eat... ah, Jinbutang is here too?"

  Yao Guangxiao clasped his hands together, squinted his eyes slightly, and bowed his head to chant sutras.

  Jin Zhong smiled wryly and said, "Marquis Annan misunderstood the two of us!"

  Zhang Anshi said with an innocent face: "Why, why did I miss you when I came here to visit? What are you talking about?"

  Yao Guangxiao's face was livid, and then he opened his eyes, glared at him and said, "Stop pretending."

  Zhang Anshi still looked very innocent, and with a bit of grievance, said: "This is unreasonable. I came to visit with good intentions, but in the end not only did I have to shut the door, but now I am so harsh."

  Jin Zhong looked at him angrily and said, "Don't pretend to be confused, Marquis Annan."

  Zhang Anshi put the tea leaves aside, he was not polite, and followed the example of the two, kneeling down on a futon.

  Jin Zhongdao: "Did you just come out of the palace?"

   "That's right." Zhang Anshi said, "I just came out of the palace."

  Jin Zhong's face became even uglier, he gritted his teeth and said: "You came to this temple just after you came out of the palace. Isn't that telling the world that you have a conspiracy with us?"

  Zhang Anshi intends to be innocent to the end, and said: "What's the plot?"

Jin Zhong was furious, and unconsciously raised his voice: "Hmph, you said you wanted to mint coins when you saw him, and then you met His Majesty in private, and you turned around and came here... Who can't understand? Zhang Anshi, what are you doing?" You missed the monk and the old man."

  Zhang Anshi said: "Jin Gong, this is because you are unreasonable."

   Jin Zhong said angrily: "You still have to quibble!"

  Zhang Anshi said calmly: "I came to this temple, where Master Yao rested, and I didn't go to your house! Even if it was a mistake, it was a mistake to Master Yao. What does it have to do with Jin Gong?"

Jin Zhong was taken aback for a moment, and then suddenly laughed: "Yes, your matter has nothing to do with the old man. The old man just happened to pass by. Oh, I'm sorry, Marquis Annan, the old man misunderstood you. It's okay, sit down, Come, go and make that tea and eat it."

  Yao Guangxiao could only smile bitterly in silence.

   Too bad.

  All the people in the world are afraid of Yao Guangxiao, thinking that Yao Guangxiao is a demon monk, and some even think that Yao Guangxiao has a bad stomach.

   Today, Zhang Anshi directly announced the minting of coins, and the city was full of turmoil, but as soon as this guy left the palace, he immediately ran to Yao Guangxiao. Yao Guangxiao knew that he would not be able to clean up if he jumped into the Yellow River now.

  It's completely conceivable, and people can only think that this must be a bad idea concocted by Yao Guangxiao and Zhang Anshi.

   And it is very possible that Yao Guangxiao was instigated by that monster monk.

  This is really...inexplicably becoming an accomplice, and based on the impression of Yao Guangxiao, people in the world may even think that Yao Guangxiao is the mastermind!

  Zhang Anshi looked at Yao Guangxiao who was frowning, and said with a concerned look: "Master Yao, are you okay?"

  Yao Guangxiao sighed, then fixedly looked at Zhang Anshi, and said, "I want to give money."

   "What?" Zhang Anshi asked in surprise, "What does this have to do with money?"

  Yao Guangxiao said seriously: "You deliberately dragged the poor monk into the water, and you still want to do business without money?"

  Zhang Anshi did not continue to argue, but simply said: "You tell me the number."

  Yao Guangxiao said, "Let's go with fate."

  Follow the fate, it sounds casual, but there is a great mystery.

  Zhang Anshi timidly said: "I've been relatively poor recently."

  Yao Guangxiao glared at Zhang Anshi: "One fate is 50,000 taels."

  Zhang Anshi: "..."

  It wasn't until Zhang Anshi nodded that Yao Guangxiao showed a friendly look: "Marquis Annan... What do you plan to do with the coinage?"

  Zhang Anshi didn't hide anything, and told them what he said to Zhu Di here again.

  Yao Guangxiao frowned and said: "This is difficult, but... since you plan to do it, then you will never stop doing it, and you must kill everyone first..."

  Zhang Anshi nodded and said: "Speaking of this, I came here to ask Master Yao for advice. After all... I don't understand such things."

  Yao Guangxiao gave Zhang Anshi a meaningful look.

  Jin Zhong stood up at this moment: "Forget it, you guys talk. I have something to do..."

Zhang Anshi hurriedly said: "Jin Gong, you don't have to go. It's useless to go now; just now I saw your carriage and horses, and I specially called your groom to put your carriage beside mine. It's been so long..."

   The meaning here, understand!

  Jin Zhong was taken aback for a moment, then sighed emphatically and said, "Then I'd better listen to this old man, how to make an example to others."

  ...

  The mint officially opened, and the craftsmen have already been trained. This is Zhang Anshi's consistent work style, so-called planning for a rainy day!

  On that day, the bank began to use silver dollars, gold dollars, and copper dollars for settlement.

   Many people couldn't help feeling that it was something new when they heard it, so they went to redeem it one after another.

   After taking a closer look, I was surprised to find that the quality and fineness of this coin are much better than many popular gold and silver.

  The most important thing is that it is very exquisite. For ordinary merchants and ordinary people, they are willing to accept it.

  Of course, acceptance is one thing, but there are very few people who actually trade with others.

  Merchants and common people in this era will subconsciously collect silver coins with better quality.

  Of course, Zhang Anshi had anticipated this situation a long time ago, so he was not in a hurry, and he was slowly waiting for the opportunity.

   It’s just that for many people, this is unacceptable. Fortunately, at this time, more people just wait and see.

  The third day of July in the fifth year of Yongle.

  The Zhang family's mansion has begun to take shape.

  Of course, this scale is just the foundation. The foundation is so deep that it has already exceeded the scope of the house.

  When Zhang Anshi is not busy, he walks around the construction site, feeling relaxed and happy.

  Just at this time, news came that the Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas were flooded.

   This time, Jiangxi was particularly affected by the disaster, and it is said that starvation has begun.

  Actually, disasters are the norm for Daming. Daming has a vast territory. It would be a strange thing in a year when no place was affected by disasters!

   But Jiangsu and Zhejiang are a little different. This is an important grain producing area of ​​Ming Dynasty, but the meaning is different.

The reason for this is that the water network in this area is dense, and the transportation of grain is convenient. Through water transportation, the loss is extremely low. If grain is transported from Henan to the capital, so many people eat and drink all the way, and this hundred catties of grain can be sent to the capital. Forty or fifty catties in Nanjing is not bad. But in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, it can reach about 80 catties.

  A few years ago, the Songjiang disaster had severely damaged the imperial court.

  Now...Jiangsu and Zhejiang have been hit by a disaster again, which makes the whole court can't help but worry.

  This year’s autumn grain may not be handed in on time, and the court even needs to try its best to allocate money and grain to the relief. This input and output may cause a huge deficit in the court’s grain reserves.

  If the money is short, the imperial court can still put it badly, and simply issue Daming treasures indiscriminately to tide over the difficulties.

   But if the food is short of food, it will be a big deal.

   For this reason, the palace decreed that the emperor and the empress should set an example. Before the disaster eased, all food and clothing expenses in the palace would be halved.

   As a result, the ministers also expressed that they should save money on food and clothing.

   Zhang Anshi will be miserable. As a loyal minister of Ming Dynasty, he will also start to save food.

   No more drinking, less meat on weekdays, although rice is enough, but Zhang Anshi has always been used to eating and drinking, so after a few days like this, he really can't bear it.

  Of course, it’s okay to eat secretly on weekdays.

As a result, Zhu Yong and Qiu Song secretly came to look for the eldest brother every day. As the descendants of the government, they strictly implemented the standard of lowering the food. After all, this is also an attitude. If they are exposed by the censor, It will inevitably cause trouble.

  Zhang Anshi sighed and sighed with emotion, and then the halazi flowed out.

  In the backyard of Zhang’s family, a barbecue grill was secretly set up. Several chickens had already been peeled clean, and now Zhu Yong was turning over the grill with an iron skewer.

  The chicken marinated with spices is roasted over a warm fire, and the tempting taste buds will be released little by little.

The smell of the meat was so strong that Zhang Anshi couldn't help swallowing, and said: "If it wasn't because you want to grow up, I wouldn't be willing to join hands with you. The people are too miserable. I heard that there are people in Ji'an Mansion who starve to death. This is a land of fish and rice."

  Zhu Yong's eyes were fixed on the grilled chicken that had been roasted to a golden color, but he said in his mouth, "Brother, do you want to eat it or not?"

  Zhang Anshi seemed to have tears in his eyes, and he gritted his teeth and said, "Eat, I want to live strong and replenish my brain nutrition. My brother will rely on this brain to walk in the rivers and lakes."

   After finishing speaking, he snatched a chicken that looked freshly roasted from Zhu Yong's hand, regardless of the hotness, and started tearing it up with his hands.

Zhu Yong said dissatisfiedly: "Everyone says to save money on food and clothing, but I heard that everyone is secretly eating meat, so we are unlucky. My father said that other people can eat meat secretly, but Cheng Guogong's mansion does not." Same, how many eyes of the censor are watching..."

  Zhang Anshi said: "Stop rambling, do you think they don't keep an eye on Big Brother?"

   "Brother, here... is it safe? There are hundreds of guards outside, and no flies can fly in." Zhu Yong said with a smile.

Zhang Anshi ate the chicken with gusto, but still couldn't help but said with emotion: "Hey, I can't eat meat by myself, so many people will starve to death. I will ask Zhu Jin to go to Jiangxi Chief Envoy to recruit When some refugees come, it can be regarded as going through the difficulties with everyone..."

  He was talking, when someone came in a hurry outside: "Master Hou, Master Hou..."

   It was Zhang San who came.

  Zhang San excitedly said: "Master Hou, there is the farm, there..."

   Zhang San looked out of breath, couldn't help but took a few deep breaths, and then said again: "Eunuch Deng, please...please...he said...he said..."

  Zhang Anshi said in surprise: "Deng Jian?"

"Yes Yes…"

  Zhang Anshi turned over immediately in surprise, he seemed to have thought of something, and the sad eyes just now were a little brighter now.

   Throwing aside the leftover chicken skeleton in his hand, he said, "Let's go, take a look. Also, put out this fire."

  Let's talk, led the people, and rushed to the farm excitedly.

  Here is the field of dozens of acres of experiments.

  At this time, many farmers here are gathering together.

  People looked suspiciously at the lush 'crops' under their feet.

   It's just more people, but there are many doubts.

  This thing... can it be eaten?

  It is really unheard of to look so weird.

  Deng Jian seemed calm and composed. He carefully looked at the crops and walked carefully between the field ridges, as if he wanted to find traces of weeds.

  But at this time, someone exclaimed loudly: "Eunuch Deng, Eunuch Deng, Lord Hou is here, here..."

  Deng Jian was unaware of this. He was covered in mud and dusty bunt clothes that were convenient for working. Looking at him now, he was not much different from a farmer.

  Having been exposed to the sun and rain for nearly half a year has already changed him into a different look.

  (end of this chapter)