It is not easy to establish a bank and develop Ming Dynasty treasure money.
When Zhu Xuan and Zhu Yuanzhang proposed reforms, they all proposed various theories. Now that part of the bank is placed in Guangzhou and let him implement it, there are many things to consider.
But the first thing is to print money. Zhu Xuan put part of the proceeds brought back by Zheng He in the bank as a reserve fund, and then based on the value of this part of the reserve fund, he printed the corresponding Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes to fix his purchasing power, etc.
After preparing reserves and banknotes, merchants and people must also believe in the value of Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes.
This way it won't depreciate in value.
Xu Qi arranged for a group of people to help Zhu Xuan do this, and Zhu Xuan bought a piece of land near the government office to build a bank.
Zhu Xuan's approach was based on the content of the emperor's letters. If he encountered any errors, he would correct them.
When the Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes are printed, Zhu Xuan has another plan.
If you want to promote and fix purchasing power, you have to start with merchants. As long as merchants use more, the value can go up, and the treasure banknotes can be circulated on a large scale. So he ordered Wu Yongfeng, Cen Jing and others to gather a group of people to stay in the trading port. , businessmen from the Ming Dynasty were meeting in a conference room in the trading port.
There are also some foreign businessmen, but they are only observing, and the Ming Dynasty banknotes are not issued to the public for the time being.
If you want to issue overseas, you also need to set up a bank in Old Port.
Meeting room in the trading port.
There were more than fifty businessmen invited to attend the meeting, all of whom were well-known merchants in the trading port. They had strong capital and had a certain influence inside and outside Guangzhou. Some of them were even from Lingbei.
"His Highness invited us to a meeting. What do we want to talk about?"
A businessman raised this question.
But no one could answer his question, and soon the businessmen in the field started talking about it.
"I don't know either."
"There won't be any adjustments, right? For example, taxes, etc."
"There may be another tax increase..."
…
The increase in taxes last year caused them to cry out, but they did not dare to resist. Because of the consequences of resistance, the Chaozhou merchants and Luzon merchants showed themselves clearly, and they were all wiped out by the Ming emperor's grandson.
Their income from the trade port last year was indeed considerable and they could make a lot of money.
One year of business operation in Daming is better than the previous two years!
As a result, no one wants to leave despite having to pay extra taxes.
"Quiet!"
At this time, Wu Yongfeng walked into the venue, listened to their discussion, and shouted.
The venue suddenly became quiet.
After Wu Yongfeng appeared, Zhu Xuan also came.
Cen Jing followed Zhu Xuan to the podium in the conference room.
All the merchants were sitting under the podium.
The area here is large and can accommodate more than 200 people. There are tables and chairs to sit on, as well as a supply of tea.
"Greetings to Your Highness!"
All the businessmen said in unison.
"No gift!"
Zhu Xuan waved his hand and said: "Cen Jing, please distribute our Ming Dynasty treasure notes!"
Ming Dynasty treasure banknote?
The businessmen below were all shocked when they heard these four words.
Could it be that the little emperor grandson wants to restart the Ming Dynasty Baochao?
You know, that thing is almost a piece of waste paper, and its value depreciates very quickly. If it is restarted, who is willing to use it?
They had a lot of guesses in their minds. When they saw Cen Jing arranging for people to deliver the banknotes one by one, they were really Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes, with the amount on them being one hundred taels.
"You must be confused in your hearts, right?"
Seeing that the distribution was almost complete, Zhu Xuan said, "You may be guessing, am I going to implement Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes in the trading port? Use Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes?"
The businessmen became quiet again, and they really thought so.
"You guessed it right, that's exactly what it is!"
"Not long ago, I received an imperial edict from the Emperor to reform the Ming Dynasty's treasure banknotes. The reform will first start in our trading port."
As soon as Zhu Xuan said this, the merchants present started to wail.
The Ming Dynasty treasure note is really worthless, it is just a piece of paper.
"Everyone be quiet!"
Wu Yongfeng saw him and shouted again.
Only then did the wailing sound subside.
Zhu Xuan added: "From today on, the taxes you hand over to me, as well as all transactions with me, must be carried out with Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes. The current one hundred taels of treasure banknotes are given to you, the first one I issued. A batch of treasure banknotes, the number is five million taels, and our bank also provides deposits and loans..."
He briefly explained the business scope of the bank.
In addition to exchange, there are many other businesses that ensure the bank's income.
"Okay, do you have any other questions?"
"If so, just raise your hand."
Zhu Xuan said, looking around the venue.
Give them an opportunity to ask and answer questions to facilitate the subsequent implementation of Ming Bao Banknote.
"Your Highness, me!"
A businessman raised his hand first and asked: "As we all know, the Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes are not valuable. One hundred taels of treasure banknotes can't buy fifty taels of things. The imperial court promotes the Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes. His Highness asked us to use these to trade. Not only We lost money, and His Highness also lost money!”
Zhu Xuan nodded slightly and said, "This is a very good question!"
"Here, I can assure you that a hundred taels of treasure banknotes will definitely have a purchasing power of one hundred taels."
"No more, no less."
"The depreciation of treasure banknotes is due to the inability to exchange enough money."
"I hereby assure you that the treasure money of this reform will not happen again like before."
Zhu Xuan said loudly.
Loud voices echoed in the conference room.
The businessman who asked the question hesitated for a moment and had to sit down.
"Your Highness, I have a question."
Another businessman asked: "What if I can't exchange ten thousand taels of treasure banknotes?"
Zhu Xuan said: "This situation will not exist in our trading port, or even in Guangzhou! I just said that the first batch of issued treasure banknotes is five million taels, and I prepared five million taels in the bank Only with a fixed amount of money can we print corresponding amounts of treasure banknotes based on this amount.”
As soon as this statement came out, the businessmen present felt that there seemed to be no problem with the treasure money.
If this fixed amount is available and can be exchanged for corresponding amounts of gold, silver and copper coins, the Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes should still be usable.
After all, Zhu Xuan's credibility is still very high in the trading port and Panyu Chamber of Commerce, and he basically does what he says.
They can trust.
"Any more questions?"
Zhu Xuan continued to ask.
"Can Your Highness guarantee that there must be five million taels?"
The third businessman raised his hand and said.
Zhu Xuan patted his heart and said, "I can guarantee that there will be one!"
They were silent again.
Occasionally, there would be a few businessmen who had good relationships and were sitting close to each other, whispering to each other, and discussing whether they should believe it or not.
But even if they don't believe it, it's useless.
Zhu Xuan wants to implement it forcefully, and they have no way to object, unless they have no business intersection with Zhu Xuan and have the courage to evade taxes.
Tax evasion is a serious illegal act in the trading port, and in worst cases, the house may be confiscated. They do not dare to evade taxes easily.
"Your Highness, I also have questions."
The fourth businessman raised his hand at this time and said again: "What do you mean by the loan that His Highness just mentioned?"
