In the summer of the third year of Jianwu in the Song Dynasty, outside Jinling City, on Bailuzhou, the Jiangnan Machinery Manufacturing Department was located.
Jiangnan Machinery Manufacturing Division, separated from Jiangnan Ordnance Manufacturing Branch, covers an area of thousands of acres, has thousands of craftsmen, and employs more than 2,000 workers. Just because it was also a research site for steam engines, it was named the Machinery Manufacturing Department. This also shows that Zhao Hong attaches great importance to this place.
There was an endless stream of horse-drawn carriages carrying goods, merchants and entourages of all colors and from all over the world. Zhao Hong couldn't help but be stunned for a while, as if he had returned to the Canton Fair Hall in later generations.
Jinling, in fact, has become an international metropolis and can be the center of the world.
Amidst the deafening roar, the steam engine drove the crankshaft, and the machine continued to stamp out. The silver coins were stamped out one by one, and the cycle continued. After polishing, sorting, ** and other processes, they were transported to the newly established bank for release.
With the advent of the steam engine, steam engines replaced manpower in many production processes and departments of the Machinery Manufacturing Division. This is also true for many processes in the Arms Manufacturing Department.
Zhao Hong held a silver dollar in each hand, pressed the tips of the thumb and index finger of his right hand against the center of the silver circle, and gently struck it with the other silver dollar in his left hand, making a clear and soft sound.
Then pinch the center of the silver circle with the tips of the thumb and index finger of your right hand, blow hard, and quickly put it to your ear. A slight rhyme comes out, and the sound is clear and crisp.
That’s it!
Zhao Hong laughed knowingly.
In later generations, he collected several "***s", only one of which was genuine, and the others were all fakes. He has some knowledge of ***.
In this era, there is no laser plate making technology, so it may not be easy to imitate it.
"Your Majesty, the method of touching silver coins against each other or blowing silver coins is really clever. It is easy to distinguish the authenticity. Your Majesty uses this method to prepare for the world exchange. It is really a good idea."
"Quasi Prime Minister" Zhen Dexiu shouted, sincerely complimenting Zhao Hong.
The imperial court was at war one after another, the imperial government's finances were almost completely empty, the treasury was empty, and the financial crisis was very serious. Yang Guizhi's death was just an introduction. There was no money in the treasury. This may be the reason why Zhao Hong had to stop the Northern Expedition.
Changing the world can remove counterfeit currency, which can naturally solve part of the financial crisis. However, the proliferation of huizi is just a substitute for gold, silver, and copper coins, which are exchange certificates. Without copper coins and gold and silver as backup and widespread circulation, it will be difficult to establish the credit of huizi. .
The silver dollar and the copper dollar were born based on this, and it was also the inevitable result of Huizi's change of world.
Society changes, paper money becomes popular, and money cannot be used. 10 million silver dollars are popular in the world, and 10 million copper dollars are used as reserves. The change of world should be implemented smoothly.
"Master Zhen, have you ever thought about the real benefits that only silver and copper coins are allowed to be used in the market and no silver is allowed?"
Zhao Hong took the silver dollar and asked a question.
In "Water Margin", those heroes and scoundrels throw out a fifty-tael silver ingot every time they want to eat. This is pure nonsense and cannot be taken seriously.
According to the income level of the Southern Song Dynasty at this time, ordinary people had 5 taels of silver a month, and 1 tael of silver was discounted to 3 guans, which was equivalent to the common people working hard for half a year to earn 10 taels of silver, and a 10 tael silver ingot was just one.
In future generations, if you just carry a 30,000 yuan note when you go out, I'm afraid you will feel panic.
"Your Majesty, silver is inconvenient to carry, and even more troublesome to use. With long-term use, silver will turn black. If you use silver coins, it will be better used and will be beneficial to the prosperity of all industries."
"Whether it is a wealthy family or ordinary people, there is a custom of saving, so the silver will be stored instead of being traded. Only silver coins are allowed to be used in the market, and the silver of the entire Song Dynasty will see the light of day. Your Majesty, just this fire If you waste the profits, our government will be able to reap the full benefits!"
Zou Yingyuan and Xuan Zhen sighed one after another.
The silver is returned to the treasury (bank) and needs to be recast into silver coins. This is called fire consumption. The treasury charges 1.5% of the fire cost, which means that 20 taels of silver can only be exchanged for 17 silver dollars.
The purpose of replacing silver dollars with broken silver ingots of different sizes is to speed up currency circulation in the market and stimulate consumption.
Compared with silver coins, silver ingots and silver collars ranging from 5 taels to 50 taels are difficult to really become popular in the market, which is also a major drawback.
"If you're afraid, be afraid. Silver is exchanged for silver coins and copper coins, and people are complaining."
Zhen Dexiu sighed faintly.
Not to mention anything else, there are tens of thousands of taels of silver in his home alone. If you exchange it for silver dollars, you will lose more than two thousand taels.
However, it is a national policy to exchange silver for silver yuan. As the ruling minister of the imperial court and the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, he cannot refute it.
"Silver is just a metal at best. If you don't use it, it is worse than a piece of toilet paper! Changing silver coins is a national policy that benefits the country and the people. No one can stop it."
Zhao Hong laughed and was very satisfied.
When the silver turns into silver dollars, there must be a lot of complaints, but the losers are all wealthy families. Ordinary people have a few taels of silver.
When the silver yuan came out, many people would definitely continue to save it. However, because the currency value of the silver yuan was unified and the denomination was small, it would inevitably circulate in the market in large quantities, which would be of great benefit to the economic development of the Song Dynasty.
"Your Majesty, the high-pitched voice is the counterfeit currency made of steel, the hoarse voice is the counterfeit currency made of copper-tin alloy embryo, the dull voice is the counterfeit currency made of silver-coated copper stuffing, and the silent one is the counterfeit currency made of metal powder. Your Majesty's identification The method can be described as appropriate. Everything is ready for this world change, just waiting to be announced to the world!"
Wang Gang, the envoy of Jiangnan East Road, also shouted loudly so that the emperor could hear clearly.
The total weight of one dollar silver coin is seven cents and two cents, eighty-nine silver coins and one-one copper coins.
Silver accounts for 89%, copper accounts for 10%, and tin accounts for 1%. This is the weight of a silver dollar, seven cents and two cents, and pure silver is only six cents, four cents and eight cents.
1 tael of silver is exchanged for 0.85 silver dollar, and 1 silver coin is worth 3 strings, which is worth 660 Wen.
Just by converting silver into currency, the imperial court could enjoy the benefits of tens of millions of fire losses. Not only was it a good start for the change of borders, it also alleviated the pressure caused by the losses caused by the war in the west.
Tens of millions of coins can just solve the problem of pensions for the soldiers killed and injured in the Northwest War.
As for copper coins, there are mainly ten copper coins, which are divided into nine types: one, two, five, ten, twenty, fifty, one hundred, two hundred and five hundred. They are exquisitely made and are eye-catching. Can't put it down.
Once implemented, it will quickly promote the popularity of Song Dynasty currency throughout the world.
The emperor is so despicable!
"Once the silver dollar is released, I am afraid it will become a collection of many people."
Zhen Dexiu shook his head and said, feeling helpless.
On the front of the one-yuan silver dollar is "one yuan" surrounded by plum blossoms, and on the back is the Great Wall. There are "ten characters" on the front of the copper coin, and several plants such as plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum on the north. Not only is the silver dollar valuable, it is as exquisite as a handicraft. Given the Chinese people’s habit of saving, the first 10 million silver coins may be in short supply.
"The bank cannot wait any longer."
The bank was originally conceived in the second year of Xingqing, the second year after he ascended the throne, but it was delayed until the fourth year of Xingqing. It took a full four years to change boundaries these two times. Banks, silver dollars, and currency circulation are finally on the right track after eight years on the throne.
In a war in the northwest, nearly 30,000 soldiers were killed and injured, and their muscles and bones were injured. The pensions and food and grass alone amounted to tens of millions.
This does not include the expenses of annihilating Li Quan, as well as losses caused by domestic unrest, drought and floods, and the Lin'an fire.
This was also the main reason why he had to postpone the Northern Expedition. War is fought for food and grass, not blood alone. Once the Northern Expedition occurs, logistics must be ensured to ensure success.
He believed that in addition to the heavy losses suffered by the Mongolian army when Ogedei retreated, there might also be logistical reasons. After all, there are a large number of Han troops in the current Mongolian army, and they must have a supply of rice and grain.
"Your Majesty, 10 million silver coins and 10 million copper coins are popular in the world. Isn't it too much?"
As the Minister of Household Affairs, Zhen Dexiu was still a little worried.
The people of the Song Dynasty had the habit of storing gold and silver. Once the silver coins were not recognized by people, wouldn't they have to be squeezed out?
"More? We can all travel smoothly, not to mention silver and copper coins? It's not enough for the army alone."
What Zhen Dexiu didn't see was that whether it was Huizi or silver and copper coins, their smooth passage was due to the credit of the court and the government.
"As our navy of the Song Dynasty traverses the world and expands overseas, you will find that 10 million silver dollars are just a drop in the bucket. In the future, there may be dozens or hundreds of 10 million silver dollars. One day, silver coins, copper coins, and Huizi, It will appear in every corner of the world.”
Not to mention, the annual expenditures of the imperial court and the salaries of officials and soldiers amounted to about 50 million yuan. 10 million silver dollars, plus 1 million copper dollars, the total is only 40 million dollars. There will be no worries about widespread currency depreciation.
"Your Majesty, our Song Dynasty has very few silver mines. The government and private sector combined only have eight or nine thousand taels of silver. If it is as your Majesty said, there is not that much silver!"
Zou Yinglong asked again unconsciously.
It is a national policy to exchange silver yuan for silver. The court benefits, the people benefit, and the market prospers.
But as silver coins are put into use, there will be more and more silver coins on the market in the future, and what if there are not enough silver mines to cast them?
"I don't have it in the Song Dynasty, but it doesn't mean that there aren't places outside the Song Dynasty. The whole of South America is rich in gold and silver, more than you can imagine. Moreover, in the end, Huizi will eventually replace the silver yuan."
Zhao Hong looked at everyone, shook the silver yuan in his hand, and smiled slightly.
"However, in today's era, compared to Huizi, the silver dollar club will quickly become popular throughout the world. If you don't believe it, please wait and see."
Food from Southeast Asia and North America, gold and silver from South America, and iron ore from Australia are all needed by China. It's just that the Song Dynasty navy is still cultivating in the Boni and Australia areas. With the Song Dynasty's strong ships and powerful artillery, one day, they can naturally seize them at will.
Zou Yinglong and others looked at each other and smiled.
The navy of the Song Dynasty dominated the world, and perhaps it could really rely on force to achieve what it wanted.
They have no doubt that silver coins are circulating in the world. During Ning Zong's time, the copper coins of the Song Dynasty were popular overseas, not to mention the influence of the Song Dynasty overseas and the exquisiteness of the silver coins.
However, the silver dollar finally returned to paper money. Is it possible that there will be another "fire consumption" benefit?
"Mr. Zhen, how are things going at the bank?"
Banks issue currency, and national wealth is accumulated here. The foundation of national economic regulation cannot of course be postponed.
"Your Majesty, the staff recruited by the Ministry of Accounts and the private sector are ready. The three Chinese banks and branches in Jinling, Sichuan, and Lin'an can open at any time. The operations of banks and banks are similar, and there will be no differences."
Zhendexiu, the Minister of Household Affairs, is also the prime minister, and of course the director of the bank.
"Have the directors of the head office and branches been selected?"
"Back to Your Majesty, Liu Hanbi, the minister of household affairs, Xu Guang, the minister of industry, and Dong Huai of Hubei prison. These three are smart, capable, and honest officials. They can be the chief and deputy chiefs of the three places."
"Let the real public handle this matter, and the real princess will catch it. The bank will be opened as soon as possible and the news will be announced to the world in newspapers."
Zhao Hong nodded and made arrangements.
Banks are of great importance in stabilizing a country's financial system. The Anti-Corruption Department must also follow up at any time to ensure the smooth operation of banks.
