Three Kingdoms.

  Chapter 2046 Theory of Gold and Silver, Superficial Economy

  Chang'an.

Since Huaxia entered the farming road, food has basically been the most important thing. The people's obsession with food often surpasses other things, so there is a saying that "the people regard food as the sky", of course there are also some Part of it is the intentional propaganda of the ruling class, but on the other hand, it also shows the people's thirst for food when productivity is low.

  And such desires are often used by the ruling class, such as emphasizing agriculture and suppressing business.

  So when Zheng Xuan began to try to express his advice on business, many people couldn't help it...

   Then a formal debate was triggered, that is when Fei Qian gathered everyone to discuss the development of the Western Regions.

  For China, the Western Regions have basically been under the jurisdiction of the Huaxia Dynasty. There is no doubt about this. Since Han Wu operated the Western Regions, this kind of jurisdiction was not just a simple restraint. Guards, etc., all have officers and garrisons to guard the north and south. Even when the Central Plains was in turmoil, the Western Regions were often still guarded by officials and soldiers sent by the Central Plains dynasty to prevent nomadic countries from the north or northwest from entering.

  The Western Regions as a whole broke away from the control of the Central Plains of China, which is roughly the Song Dynasty, but if the Khitan and Liao Kingdoms are also part of the great integration of the Chinese nation, then it can be said that the Western Regions have basically never been separated from China.

  The Western Regions are remote and sparsely populated, and the limited land cannot support large-scale farming. Therefore, for ancient China, which valued food production, this area was often like a chicken rib, and it was not paid much attention to.

At present, Hussar General Fei Qian potential Western Regions re-established the Western Regions, but if only relying on the land produced by the Western Regions, it is difficult to maintain the expenditure of soldiers and horses, especially the expenditure of the elite cavalry led by Lu Bu, so It is necessary to use commercial trade.

  In fact, most of the time in history, the main way to maintain the Western Regions was also through commerce.

  『Since the opening of the Western Regions in the early Han Dynasty, it was known as the "Thirty-six Kingdoms". After that, it has increased and decreased successively. In the east of Congling today, there are six major kingdoms in the north and south...』

  As the chief military advisor under Fei Qian, Pang Tong pointed to the map of the Western Regions and talked eloquently.

"The six countries of the Southern Road in the Western Regions, from east to west are Shanshan, Qiemo, Jingjue, Tangmi, Khotan, and Shache; the six countries of the Northern Road, from east to west are Gaochang, Cheshi, Yanqi, Qiuci, Wusun and Shule; there are dozens of other small countries, so it is unnecessary to count them...』

  『Nowadays, the southern roads of the Western Regions are basically pacified. Among the northern roads, only Wusun is indifferent. Because of its vast land and numerous soldiers, it gathers the enemy and rebels, and refuses to come and surrender...』

  In fact, Wusun has always been greatly influenced by the Han Dynasty. Perhaps because of his many marriages, his customs, culture, and official system have been deeply influenced by China.

Pang Tong spoke in high spirits, and everyone couldn't help leaning forward, pricking up their ears for fear of missing something. After all, this information is very new to most of the gentry children, especially when Pang Tong talked about countries in the Western Regions. When the geographical location, population specialties, and the number of soldiers, etc., everyone couldn't help but secretly glanced at Mao Feiqian. Unknowingly, General Hussars had already got such a thorough understanding of the Western Regions. Could it be that he was going to attack Uzbekistan? Sun, completely unite the Western Regions?

However, the geography of the Western Regions is mostly desert, and it is common to see no people for hundreds of miles. If a large army attacks, it will be difficult to transfer materials. Back then, Li Guangli sent 6,000 soldiers from the country and tens of thousands of vicious youths from the county for the sake of the Dawan horse. Going back and forth for more than two years old, not one out of ten died...

   Such a conquest is obviously not worthwhile, right?

  Everyone exchanged glances with each other.

  Pang Tong finished introducing the situation, then turned his head and bowed to Fei Qian, and returned to his seat.

   Fei Qian turned to look at Xun You.

  Xun You cupped his hands, stood up, and then signaled to the guards outside the hall to bring up some lacquer trays. "These gold and silver coins are all used by countries in the Western Regions. Most of them have no holes, and they are mostly decorated with flower and bird patterns, mixed with their main heads. You may wish to take a look..."

  Actually, the gold and silver coins of the Western Regions are not very unfamiliar to all ethnic groups in Guanzhong, and some even have some at home, but since Xun You said so, everyone took a look at it one after another.

  『In the land of China, there is more copper and less silver. In the past, copper mining in Luliang and gold digging in the Yinshan Mountains were beneficial, but they were not enough. Now the exchange of gold and silver with silk may make up for the shortage in China. This kind of gold and silver is abundant in the Western Regions, and the nobles of other countries think that jewelry and utensils will lose their value and cannot be used...』

  Since the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period in China, copper has been used as money. There are gold coins and silver coins, but most of them are like commemorative coins of later generations and cannot be directly circulated in the market. This is mainly because the price of gold is too high for ordinary people to use, while the production of silver is low, so the value is also inflated and it is also difficult to use.

After thousands of years of accumulation, it gradually formed a habit. Even in the Ming Dynasty, a large amount of silver goods from Japan and the New World flowed in, and even the imperial court already collected all taxes in silver taels, but they didn't even think about minting silver coins. It is first cast into ingots and then cut into pieces for use, which is extremely inconvenient.

  After Feiqian switched to gold, silver and copper as the three-level metal currency, with the expansion of the territory, the output of copper is relatively good. After all, there are copper mines in the south and the north, and the reserves are not low.

As for gold, there are the gold mines in the north of Yinshan Mountain, and the Yongchang gold mine in the south. As for the value of Zhengxi silver coins on the market, it has already been exaggerated a lot.

Silver mine, because the silver mine at Zhuti Mountain is an associated mine, and the smelting technology is limited by technology, so the output is very small, and the specific location of the rest of the silver mines, Feiqian was just a company employee before, where? care about that? How can I remember? So at this stage, Fei Qian can only send personnel to continue to investigate, and it is far from being able to achieve the level of large-scale mining.

Even if Fei Qian knew that there was gold and silver in the Lingnan area of ​​Yunnan, and found the mine, he had to dig into the mountains and go in, and he had to organize a large-scale manpower to continue digging and refining. Isn't it delicious?

If you are not sensitive to the economy, you may not think this is a big problem, or even take it seriously, but of course it is impossible for Fei Qian to ignore this problem, so the development of gold and silver in the Western Regions must be put on the agenda. Otherwise, it is very likely that the supply of gold and silver coins will not be available, and eventually Huaxia will have to return to the copper standard currency system.

Xun You continued: "Now we should encourage merchants and circulate things. First, we can enrich the poverty of the Western Regions and Liangzhou, and second, we can give more gold and silver to fill the gaps in China... Now there is a chamber of commerce to set rules and reach merchants in the Western Regions. Bring more gold and silver back to China...』

  When Xun You said this, one of the subordinates said loudly: "Your Majesty's words, I think it's inappropriate!" 』

What Xun You meant was to reduce the import of various items from the Western Regions and expand the carrying capacity of gold and silver. After all, the carrying capacity of a caravan is not unlimited, so making more space for transporting gold and silver is relatively speaking for merchants. Yes, after all, compared to transporting bulky and low-value commodities, it is not as cost-effective as transporting gold and silver, which are small in size and high in value...

As long as the corresponding policies are introduced, the rest of the business will naturally wait for the merchants to do it themselves. Once the large-scale trade with the Western Regions is completed, the three-level currency system of gold, silver and copper from the Western Regions to Chang'an will gradually stabilize and normalize. Then naturally it can gradually radiate to other regions, and then China's overall precious metal currency system is basically completed.

   Fei Qian turned his head to look, but it was Xi Ji.

Of course, this is what it should mean. After all, Xi Xi is a disciple of Zheng Xuan. Zheng Xuan put forward his advice on business a few days ago, and now Xun You mentioned something about the Dahan Chamber of Commerce. As a disciple of Zheng Xuan, he couldn't help but speak up. objected.

  Xun You frowned slightly, and was about to criticize Xi Ji, but saw Fei Qian stretching out his hand to signal, then smiled and said: "Hongyu has something to say, you should speak it out, don't hide it"

  Xi Li got up, saluted and replied: "Xun Lingjun just said that he wanted to make Western merchants export more gold and silver for circulation. However, I think that farming is the foundation, business is the end, and the hussars aim to relieve difficulties and rejuvenate the country. They should pay attention to farming and weaving, pay attention to land and water conservancy, and save grain and grass for emergencies, instead of paying attention to the end of merchants. Before, Dr. Zheng had expressed admonitions that hussars encouraged industry and commerce. If there is any gain, give more to the magnate. I secretly thought that this is the harm of shaking the country's foundation, and it should not be a common practice! Hussars also hope to think twice! 』

  Zheng Xuan has officially become an admonishing doctor, and Xi Xi also has the status of a Yi Lang, so it is not a kind of arrogance in terms of etiquette for Xi Xi to stand up and express his opposition.

   Fei Qian smiled, sighing in his heart, after so many days, these old tunes are still playing around, so there are no new arguments? I thought I could have some unique insights into monetary policy...

   But this is what it should mean. Zheng Xuan can’t just amplify his moves as soon as he comes up, just like playing chess, how can he use his generals as soon as he gets started? Always send out a soldier to explore the way first.

   Fei Qian didn't speak directly, but looked around first, his eyes stopped at the head of the little carrot behind him, "What do you think of what Hongyu said?" 』

  Zhuge Liang stood up next to him, and said loudly: "What Xi Yilang said is that the country should be based on agriculture, which is not wrong, but those who emphasize agriculture should despise business?" There is a saying in the book, "If the agriculture does not go out, there will be no food, if the work does not go out, there will be no work, if the business does not go out, the three treasures will be lost, and the danger will not be out, then the wealth will be scarce." Nowadays, the whole country is in chaos and the society is in decline. All industries, so that the people can accumulate a lot, so that the country can be rich and the army strong! 』

  Xi Li cupped his hands and said, "Those who are concerned and know these four things should not be dismissed." However, just like a tree has roots, trunks, branches, and leaves, it cannot be shortened, but if the roots are not firm, how can the branches and leaves survive? Therefore, agriculture is the foundation of the country, and all industries prosper at the same time as the foundation is thick. If the cart is turned upside down, the roots of the tree will rot, and the vertical branches and leaves will be ten feet high, and they will wither and die not far away...』

  Xi Li still wanted to continue to expand his argument, but was interrupted by Zhuge Liang: "Did Xi Yilang ever plow the fields and plant trees beside the road?" 』

"Ok? ’ Xi Ji was stunned for a moment.

  『Bright but not talented, he once farmed in Nanyang by himself. Zhuge Liang smiled and said, "What Xi Yilang said is true, the roots rot and the wood withers naturally, but let me ask you, what do you use to plant trees in the forest and plant crops in the fields?" The fruit is luscious, and the corn and wheat are fragrant and sweet. Are they all made from their roots? If there are no branches, leaves and fruits, what is the benefit of blindly seeking the roots? 』

   Xi Xi was a little stuck, and didn't know what to say for a while.

  Guoyuan on the side stood up and said, "Emphasis on agriculture is the root of protection." The roots are solid but not cut down, the branches and leaves are naturally luxuriant, and all industries are self-prosperous. There are priorities, and the government of the country should also be prioritized. I am not saying that business and industry are useless, but that they should not be paid special attention to, and they should not be honored. If they are all merchants and merchants, who would be willing to fight? That is to say, based on today's theory, when the country is in decline, it should be a matter of emphasizing agriculture and production, and merchants. What's the point..."

  Then without waiting for Zhuge Liang's rebuttal, he continued hastily, "When the first emperor was in Luoyang, merchants could get officials by offering losses. Isn't this an evil government?" Merchants value profits over righteousness. If they are appointed as officials, they will inevitably strip the people, make the court dirty, people compete for extravagance, punishments are too harsh, and even be convicted of defamation. The root cause is this! Therefore, it is okay to emphasize agriculture, but not to emphasize commerce. I hope Huqi will think twice! 』

  『You are mistaken! Zhuge Liang pointed to Guoyuan and said with a smile, "A merchant who loses millet to become an official is not the first emperor alone, but the beginning of filial piety, literature and martial arts. Could it be that this is also evil?" The government is good at first, but how to use it as evil, it is even evil! Too much politics? Overuse? 』

"However, the foolish generation hates them for their filial piety, salt and iron, and resents them when they lose millet to win nobles. They don't know that when they were filial piety, they were oppressed by the Huns outside and harassed by princes inside. Kong Sang and others are in charge of politics, how can they drive the Xiongnu in the north, settle Ouyue in the south, and achieve prosperity? Everything has pros and cons, like agriculture, business like this, talking about its disadvantages and denying its benefits, is it that there is a good way of teaching and profound scriptures? It's so strange! 』

   Guoyuan blushed, and even Zheng Xuan coughed unavoidably.

"All right! Fei Qian said, "Kong Ming must not be rude!" Still haven't apologized to Zheng Gong! 』

  Zhuge Liang quickly turned around and bowed to Zheng Xuan, "Young man speaks nonsense for a while, I hope Zheng Gong will forgive you..."

   Zheng Xuan twitched his face, "It's okay, it's okay..."

   Fei subtly motioned Zhuge Liang to sit down, and then said: "The people of ancient times were free and unrestrained, and there were no rules. Only when the Duke of Zhou established wells, there was taxation, and it has been passed down to this day. Is the taxation and labor stipulated by the Duke of Zhou good? Evil? If it was good, why would the rituals and music of the Warring States period collapse, and the Zhou Dynasty collapse and not exist today? If it is evil, how can there be people who spread and sing the Book of Songs to prolong Guozuo for eight hundred years? 』

  『There may be sages, the words must be like in ancient times, like in the Spring and Autumn Period, or in the early Han Dynasty, some were full of righteous indignation, and some were regretful and complaining. However, in the world, if there are advantages, there must be disadvantages. If you don't do anything because of the disadvantages, you will just hang your hands and wait for death. When the state is governed, it must be educated and guided according to the weather, customs, and people's sentiments. Now that the Quartet is exhausted and all industries are not thriving, it should be the most important thing. Why should we divide agriculture and business? For example, in times of drought, weirs and rivers should store water, but some people say that too much water will cause floods and damage countless fields, so water should not be stored. Is it possible to say? 』

   Fei Qian’s remark is also implicitly expressing that the current policy of re-commercialization is temporary. Since it is temporary, don't get too excited. At the same time, it also implies that if the development of commerce affects agricultural production, it will naturally tighten the mouth, and if such a crisis has not yet emerged, then it will just talk about this and that.

Fei Qian's words are reasonable, but extremely slippery. Although some people still feel that there are some problems with this "temporary", it is difficult to find any veto for a while, so they can only focus on the small problems before, "In this case, Why did the hussars ask Xijia to import gold and silver? Money is a thing, it is only for circulation, it cannot be eaten by the hungry, it cannot be clothed by the cold, it is not what the people are anxious about. 』

Fei Qian laughed loudly, then motioned to Huang Xu who was at the side, took several empty tea bowls, placed them on the table one by one, then pointed to these empty tea bowls and said: "The way of gold and silver, originally It is the law of the country, which has always been kept secret. Today, seeing the virtuous and talented people, it is too much to say...Everyone, don't spread it to the outside world...」

   Everyone couldn't help but agree in unison, and then each stretched their necks.

  Fei Qian pointed to the first empty tea bowl, "If you generalize it, it is too vague, so I will use an example to explain... This bowl is the station in the west of the city..."

  Fei Qian took a gold coin and put it into the empty tea bowl, there was a clanging sound. "Today I have a guest who wants to stay. I don't know if the room is good or bad, so I will pay a hundred qian. If the room is good, I will stay there. If the room is not suitable, I will return it..."

   After Fei Qian finished speaking, he looked around.

  Everyone nodded, frowned, or stroked their beards.

Fei Qian took out the gold coins from the first tea bowl and put them in the second empty bowl, "Sometimes a farmer from a village outside the city came to the post station and said that the post station bought vegetables on credit as a knot, and the post chief took the hundred coins and gave them to him. farmer…"

   Jingle! The gold coins went into the third empty bowl, "The farmer got a hundred coins, entered the Chang'an market, and paid back the money owed for salt, vinegar and wine..."

Fei Qian continued to slowly fish out the gold coins from the third empty bowl, and then put them into the fourth empty bowl, "This merchant who sells groceries owes a hundred dollars to the clothes shop and has not paid off. After receiving the money, I gave it to the clothes shop...」

"The clothing store uses ox carts to buy Ge linen cloth, and often stops at the post station, and owes a hundred dollars for fodder. After getting the money..." Fei Qian picked up the gold coin again and put it back into the first empty bowl , "then settled the fodder money of the post station..."

  Everyone can't help but feel a little sluggish...

  Fei Qian took the gold coin in his hand again, and then threw it to Huang Xu, "The guest at the inn said that the house is so humble and unbearable, so he refunded a hundred dollars and stayed elsewhere..."

  Fei Qian looked around again with great interest, pointed at the four empty bowls on the table, and said, "And ask, who was damaged?" Who benefits? Money and wealth are things that cannot be used for clothing or food, so what should they be used for? 』

   "This is a superficial study of economics..." Fei Qian looked at the people who couldn't help but fall into the "strange circle" and said, "Is there anyone who says gold and silver in the Western Regions are useless?" 』

  Most of the people were at a loss, and they were speechless for a moment...

  (end of this chapter)