Needless to say, Zhuge Liang knew that Fa Zheng was naturally clear, and the people of Yizhou would definitely be resistant.
The price of grain in Yizhou is about one thousand yuan per dou of grain.
After Liu Ba's suggestion, he only needed ten new coins to buy a bucket of grain.
But the problem is that the copper content of these ten new coins is only equivalent to ten five-baht coins.
This is like using ten five-baht coins to buy a bucket of grain.
Unless they are fools, how can anyone be so willing?
"So what if you don't accept it? The imperial court unifies prices and implements a public sale system."
Fazheng smiled nonchalantly.
"Takanao's thinking is still too naive!"
Zhuge Liang smiled bitterly.
"Let me ask you, the people dare not disobey the imperial court, but privately they will definitely resist the new money!"
"They either hid the copper coins secretly, or used good copper coins to mint the same new straight hundred coins."
"This will only drive bad money away from good money, causing prices to skyrocket and inflation!"
Seeing that he spoke so seriously, Fazheng also put away his smile and frowned,
"Since Kong Ming knew there was such danger, why didn't he persuade His Majesty just now?"
"It's not that I don't want to persuade His Majesty, it's just that there is no other way at the moment."
Zhuge Liang sighed softly,
"Since ancient times, those who win the hearts of the people win the world. Although my Lord's actions can fill the national treasury, it is only temporary."
"Over time, it will inevitably lose the support of the people!"
"That's why I say that this is drinking poison to quench thirst!"
"This Yang Ling is really good at it!"
Zhuge Liang felt deeply helpless in his heart!
At this moment, he became more and more certain that this plan was definitely done by Yang Ling!
Only Yang Ling can come up with such an insidious and cunning method!
Although Zhuge Liang was no match for Yang Ling in the previous battlefield battles, he still had a way to deal with it.
But in the face of economic suppression, even though Zhuge Liang was smart, he was unable to do anything for a while!
The two sat in silence for a while, looking at each other in silence, unable to think of any good way to break the situation.
"Forget it, let's take it one step at a time."
Fazheng consoled him.
"That's all it can do."
Zhuge Liang nodded slightly.
…
The days that followed were exactly as Zhuge Liang expected.
With the issuance of the new currency Zhibai Qian, the people in Yizhou can be said to be full of complaints.
But due to the imperial decree, they had to swallow their anger.
On the other hand, the Shu Han court's treasury was full because of this.
The king and his ministers celebrated each other, and Liu Bei rewarded Liu Ba heavily for this.
Zhuge Liang and Fazheng saw all this and sighed in their hearts.
The only solution for now is to wait for the coming year, when Cao Wei takes the initiative to attack Yizhou.
If we can defeat them, seize Hanzhong, and divert the conflicts within Shu Han, then all problems can be easily solved.
If not, all that awaits Shu Han is defeat!
…
Huang Quan followed a eunuch through the corridor and came outside the palace.
"Your Majesty, General Huang Quan would like to see you."
"Let him in."
Huang Quan felt a shiver in his heart, walked into the palace cautiously, and said respectfully,
"I pay my respects to Your Majesty!"
"There is no need to be polite, Mr. Heng. Please sit down quickly!"
Liu Bei in the hall greeted with a smile.
It was already the twelfth lunar month of winter, but with the stove lit in the hall, it was as warm as spring.
After Huang Quan sat down, Liu Bei said with a smile,
"Originally, after I ascended the throne, I should have met with Gong Heng as soon as possible, but I was busy with political affairs and couldn't get away."
"I finally had some free time recently, so I invited Gong Heng here. Isn't Gong Heng unhappy?"
Huang Quan hurriedly said,
"Your Majesty's words are serious. Your Majesty is busy with business, how can I complain?"
"That's good!"
Liu Bei nodded with satisfaction, and after a few more pleasantries, he smiled and said,
"Gong Heng is a loyal man and a talented man. I plan to appoint you as General Guard. What do you think?"
Huang Quan was stunned for a moment and said a little flattered,
"Your Majesty has such great love for me. How virtuous and capable can I be to shoulder such an important responsibility?"
The General of Wei is in the second rank, just below the Three Dukes, the Hussars General and the Chariot General, which is not unimportant.
Liu Bei promoted Huang Quan from a side general to a guard general, but he was suddenly promoted to five or six ranks!
"Gong Heng is too self-effacing. With your ability, let alone General Wei, even a general is more than enough."
After reforming the currency according to Liu Ba's suggestion, Liu Bei began to win over the local nobles in Yizhou.
Today we called Huang Quan and promoted him to General Wei because Huang Quan is quite prestigious among the Yizhou nobles!
"My lord...thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty!"
Huang Quan quickly thanked him.
Seeing how grateful he was, Liu Bei breathed a sigh of relief.
Since I am so kind to Huang Quan, he must be very knowledgeable, right?
In addition to promoting Huang Quan to the rank of partial general, Liu Bei also rewarded him with a large amount of money.
Carrying large and small bags of belongings, Huang Quan bid farewell to Liu Bei and left the palace.
The road from the palace to the mansion was not too far, but along the way, Huang Quan saw many unkempt people selling themselves with straw tags on their heads.
Huang Quan saw this and couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
The aristocratic families hoarded a large amount of copper coins, copper utensils and grains, and Liu Bei's currency reform could not hurt them at all.
But people who didn't have copper money savings suffered deeply.
Nowadays, prices in Shu are skyrocketing. Although the official price is still one thousand yuan per dou of rice, privately it has increased nearly fifty times!
Under such circumstances, many poor people cannot survive and have to sell their sons and daughters!
With a heavy heart, Huang Quan returned to his mansion.
As soon as he entered the door, he saw Ma Zhong, Qiao Zhou and others coming towards him and said with a smile,
"Congratulations, sir, on your promotion!"
It turned out that they had received the news that Liu Bei promoted Huang Quan and came here to congratulate him.
But Huang Quan didn't feel happy at all. Instead, he looked serious and said,
"Let's go in and talk!"
After several people entered the lobby and Huang Quan asked the servants to retreat, he smiled bitterly and said,
"What am I happy about?"
After hearing what he said, a few people felt relieved.
They were afraid that Huang Quan would change his original mind after being rewarded by Liu Bei.
"Now under Liu Bei's rule, the people are poor and weak, and the people are in dire straits. The tasks entrusted to us by King Qi have been successfully completed."
Qiao Zhou smiled.
"In that case, please ask Yun Nan to reply to Deng Ai and the others."
Huang Quan ordered.
"Here!"
Qiao Zhou took the order and left.
…
A few days later, Luoyang City.
Yangling Mansion.
"Your Highness, Your Highness..."
Zhou Cang called Yang Ling and walked quickly into the backyard.
Yang Ling was accompanying his wife and children, admiring the plum blossoms blooming in the heavy snow. When he heard Zhou Cang's voice, he smiled and said,
"Da Mahou, what's the matter?"
"A message came from Hanzhong saying that the Yizhou nobles have completed His Highness's instructions!"
Zhou Cang said respectfully.
"Zun Du Fake Du Oo?"
"How dare I deceive His Highness? Here, this is a letter sent by Shizai and the others."
