In order to pay the mercenaries, a certain prince had to develop a kind of Ming Dynasty silver dollar, and use silver to pay the wages. At first, people didn't recognize this at all, and they had to weigh the money when they got it. Secondly, it’s hard to get change, so you have to prepare a lot of loose silver.
Not only is it difficult to pay mercenaries, but it is also difficult for the court to pay salaries to civil and military officials and even minor officials. The Ministry of Household Affairs has no money, and Li Shiwen has a headache. Now that he has money, Li Shiwen has an even bigger headache, because he still has to pay Ding Mao. It is Mao who has prepared silver of various sizes.
A few days before the pay day is the busiest time for everyone in the Ministry of Finance. Not only must they prevent some worms from slipping through the net and filling their pockets, but they must also verify the monthly salary of each official to be paid one by one, whether it is rewards or punishments. Changes must be made promptly.
In view of the current situation in the Ministry of Household Affairs, a certain prince could only implement the silver dollar strategy. In the early stage, officials in the Jifu area were the main targets, and their salaries were changed to silver dollars. In this way, the salaries would be easily distributed.
Refer to the most popular Spanish double-column silver dollar as an example and template. Each coin weighs about 25 grams to 27 grams and is often used by merchants in the capital for transactions.
The weight of the Ming Dynasty silver dollar is set at 25 grams. It is not mixed with copper and is all pure silver. There are twenty pieces per pound. The exchange ratio with the Spanish double-column silver dollar is one to one, and the exchange ratio with the Ming Dynasty's one tael of silver is six cents and seven cents.
The large text on the front is "Da Ming Silver Yuan" and the small text is "Shi Yuan". The upper position on the back is the Shen character, and the lower position is the "10 Yuan" mark. There is the full pinyin DAMINGYINYUAN in capital letters on the margins of the front and back.
The all-powerful armed warlock Lao Tang also participated in the design of this currency. Lao Tang was very satisfied with the sample provided by a certain prince because it included Latin letters and cross patterns. This was a very significant initiative for Rome!
Lao Tang said that he would ask his companions to introduce a set of minting machinery from the Spanish Governor in the Philippines, which would be in place as soon as two months later, ensuring that the quality of the Ming Dynasty silver dollar would be at the same level as the Spanish silver dollar.
In the eyes of Laotang's church members, the Ming Prince is closer to Rome than the previous emperors. This is undoubtedly a very good sign. As long as this friendly relationship is maintained, they will spare no effort to support this lovely man. Dear Prince.
Whether it is in the field of currency, military, or science and technology, Rome will give the Ming Dynasty all the help it can. If the crown prince needs mercenaries to fight for him, the warlocks will travel thousands of miles back to Europe to recruit people.
It is undoubtedly the lifelong wish of the sorcerers to use their best ability to influence the crown prince and create a Ming Empire that loves Rome, and now, they have seen a gratifying start.
It doesn't matter even if the Governor of the Philippines refuses to transfer the coin-minting machinery. The craftsmen here in the Ming Dynasty also have the corresponding molds, but they have no experience in casting silver coins. However, the casting principles of copper coins and silver coins are separated by a wall, and it is easy to understand them.
After all, ten yuan is a currency with a relatively large face value, and it is not commonly used by ordinary people. Even the families of officials are accustomed to using copper coins when going out to purchase non-staple food, so it must be matched with at least one style with a face value of one yuan.
In order to facilitate the distinction, the weight of one dollar is set at 20 grams, and the surface area is one circle smaller than that of ten dollars. Since the silver content is only 0.56 grams and the copper content is 19.44 grams, the value is just close to one-tenth of the 25-gram silver dollar.
Since copper accounts for more than 97%, the color of the coin is dark red, which is very different from the bright white ten yuan, and can be recognized instantly with the naked eye.
With these two new currencies, coupled with a large amount of copper coins, it will be much easier to pay wages, both internally and externally.
Gold coins were not considered for the time being. A certain prince planned to hoard all the gold stored in Taicang, the household department, and prepare to use it to issue banknotes.
This time, we can't just print it casually like the treasure banknotes of the past. In the end, it will be flooded and even ruined our own reputation. We must strictly control it and formulate a complete set of feasible plans before it can be implemented.
Before preparations were made, there would be no consideration at all in restarting the production of Baochao, lest the Ming Dynasty's economy, which was on the verge of collapse, fall directly into the abyss.
At least it requires extensive anti-counterfeiting technology. The highest technology at this stage is applied to the face of the ticket. Later generations of lasers and metal strips cannot do it, but hand-engraving is the strength of the craftsmen of the Ming Dynasty.
It must be carved to a level that is difficult for others to achieve in order to achieve the original intention of anti-counterfeiting. Add in some special plant fibers and ink dyes that are difficult for ordinary people to prepare, and it should be enough.
However, there is no rush. The plate can be carved slowly, and the ink and fiber must be carefully manufactured. It can be completed within five years. If you are not fully prepared, you cannot easily try banknotes again.
In the next ten years, a large amount of gold, silver and copper will flow into the Ming Dynasty. There is no need to worry about having no hard currency. Once the preliminary work of paper currency is fully prepared and then large-scale printing and issuance is carried out, it will be twice the result with half the effort.
With the lessons learned from the past, a certain prince became much more prudent on currency issues related to the empire's economy. At this stage, playing it safe and steady is the wisest strategy.
The boat he was riding in had managed to survive in the huge waves. If he got too strong and got pierced by his pigtails, it would be useless and he would end up feeding Smith the fish.
Obtaining income through overseas trade will involve exports and customs duties. A certain prince had absolute confidence in his products, but he had just solidified his friendship with Mr. Zheng and could not bring up anything that would harm the interests of the other party at this time.
The Zheng family is not only the largest trading group in East Asian waters, but also controls the coastal areas of Fujian, Zhejiang and even Guanggu, especially the major ports and docks, more than half of which are merchant ships owned by the Zheng family.
At this time, asking the other party to pay more sea tax will undoubtedly embarrass both parties. If he really wants to pay tax at the 20% rate, Zheng Zhilong will have to turn over no less than 500,000 taels of silver to the court every year.
Then the imperial court used this money to hire Zheng's ships to destroy the Dutch, transport rice and the vassal state Zimin, etc., and I'm afraid even half a million taels of silver can't stop it.
Rather than that, it is better to avoid the important and talk about something that makes everyone happy. Otherwise, without Zheng's consent, the newly announced sea tax decree by the imperial court will be nothing more than a piece of paper.
At present, the imperial court cannot collect sea taxes at all. The Zheng Group is like the Ming Customs. All merchant ships going to sea must pay taxes to the Zheng Group, otherwise they will be detained or even sunk.
The imperial court's collection of sea tax was asking for money from the Zheng family, and in the two major fields of coastal defense and shipping, the imperial court had to rely on the powerful Zheng family, so the sea tax itself conflicted with the imperial court's established strategy.
Even if it has been announced, it is impossible to implement it now. Not only cannot tax be collected from Zheng, but a tax exemption decree must be issued for her, because Zheng is currently the one the court cannot afford to offend and still wants to make demands.
Due to the use of various means, the national treasury has been enriched, but the conditions for collecting sea tax are not yet met. The court does not have the ability to collect it for the time being, so sea tax can be shelved for the time being.
In the face of many problems such as resisting the Eastern invaders, providing disaster relief, exterminating the bandits, and moving the vassal state overseas, the collection of sea taxes had to take a back seat. It was necessary to distinguish the priority, importance, and sequence in order to solve the problems one by one.
Therefore, during Zheng Zhilong's stay in the capital, a certain prince did not mention a word about the almost ethereal sea tax matter, and all the content available for discussion focused on the current vested interests of both parties.
In order for Zheng to work for the court, he must let Mr. Zheng know that he would get great benefits. Not only would a certain prince not ask for money from him, but he would also take the initiative to give him a large sum of money.
The sugar trade with Japan was worth no more than one million taels of silver. This part was the Zheng family's net profit, and there was no need to pay taxes. They could spend it however they wanted.
Assuming that the Zheng family transports 10,000 tons of sugar to Japan every year, and the comprehensive profit per catty is only five cents of silver, the total profit is also as huge as 800,000 taels. This is still the most conservative estimate. Generally speaking, it will reach about one million taels. .
Obviously, Zheng Zhilong had already calculated in his mind the huge profits he could make, so he took over the tasks of buying rice from the South Sea, transporting people to the north, and mobilizing a fleet to fight against the Dutch.
After getting rid of the Dutch, the Zheng family will be able to dominate the sugar market of Japan, because Japan broke off diplomatic relations with the Spanish Empire fifteen years ago.
From now on, the licensed trade warrants issued by General Tokugawa to foreign maritime merchants will all fall into the hands of the Zheng family. The Zheng family will monopolize the import and export trade with Japan, and the total profit earned every year will not be less than three million taels.
It is no exaggeration to say that with its strong overseas trade strength, the Zheng Group's annual income has reached the level of the Ming Dynasty's annual income during the Wanli period, or even higher.
If there were two territory choices, one was the territory in the heyday of the Qing Dynasty, and the other was the territory in the late Ming Dynasty plus Southeast Asia, a certain prince would choose the latter without hesitation.
Because in this way, first of all, the food supply is guaranteed. Secondly, overseas trade can ensure sufficient fiscal revenue. With money in Taicang, it can support a large field force.
Controlling Southeast Asia means that the Ming Dynasty's annual income can easily reach 30 to 40 million taels. If it spends 20 million taels of silver every year as military expenditure, then all enemies will be gone.
As for the Western Regions and Menggu at the time of the Qing Dynasty, they could not be controlled without marriage. They had to fight back. And the Ming Dynasty was proud of its strategy of not marrying, so the problem could only be solved through force.
In contrast, Southeast Asia, which has many islands, is easier to control by the court. As soon as a powerful fleet arrives, the indigenous rebels will be killed directly. Even a squadron can make the indigenous people tremble.
Compared with the consumption incurred by a land expedition, the cost of a sea expedition is much lower. A large merchant ship can supply an infantry company, and a fleet can supply an infantry brigade.
All combat equipment and military supplies can be transported by sea. Even if the land area is smaller, the overall strength of the maritime empire is much stronger than that of the land empire.
In one sentence, if you have money, you can do whatever you want!
This is Ming Ting's long-term pursuit now!
With an annual income of thirty million taels, the bandits are like grasshoppers after the fall.
When the annual income reaches forty million taels, Donglu is no longer scary.
With an annual income of fifty million taels, the so-called enemies are just floating clouds.
With an annual income of 60 million taels, a certain prince can stand in the castle in the new city and shout - who else? ? ?
With an annual income of 70 million taels, the empire's territory will be larger than Menggu!
With annual income reaching 100 million taels, Ming Dynasty’s goal is to reach the stars and the sea...
Well, this is just a thought. Right now, Zha Ming is still struggling on the edge of life and death, so everything must be considered in the long term.
As for the sea tax in the southeastern coastal zone, the status quo must still be maintained. This is in the interests of the Zheng family and the court's strategy of stabilizing the overall situation. The collection of 20% sea tax cannot cause a fire in the rear.
When Zheng Laofi arrived in Beijing to meet the emperor this time, the principle of hospitality for a certain prince was to eat well, drink well, and have fun. Everyone happily talked about everything that needed to be discussed, and everything that needed to be done was decided, and then relax……
Just this one bicycle was built and given directly to Mr. Zheng. There were quite a few rickshaws. With a wave of his hand, a certain prince rewarded him with as many as twenty bicycles at once. They were all top-of-the-line models. He could take this product back. Give it away casually and look good on your face.
Soap, toothpaste, high-heeled shoes and even new beauties' personal belongings were all packed into boxes and packed in four carriages. Past issues of "Jingshi Daily" were also equipped with 500 sets, which could be distributed when they arrived.
In his spare time, a certain prince, accompanied by Lu Zhenfei, the Minister of Medicine, took Zheng Zhilong to visit the Ming Dynasty Army Hospital located in the original Marquis Mansion, and at the same time visited the sick and wounded who were being treated here.
"I humble myself to pay homage to Your Highness!"
Many generals who were playing mahjong learned that the prince had arrived at the hospital and hurriedly put down their work and knelt down to avoid being rude.
"It's okay, it's okay. You all can get out of the way and continue to have fun. I just want to take a look this time. You can play mahjong, which means you are recovering well. I am very pleased!"
Yaoji felt relieved when he saw the active generals. After experiencing life-and-death battles, if his body could recover, he could use him as his direct descendant.
"...Isn't this Su Aiqing? How is your arm recovering?"
Yaoji saw an experimental guinea pig, the former Qianzong General Su Chen, who was now promoted to a guerrilla position. However, since he himself was in the hospital, he was still in a false position, but because he had military exploits, his salary would not be reduced at all. of.
"I am deeply favored by His Highness for my humble position, and with the help of the elixir, my arm is no longer seriously injured!"
After saying that, he cupped his fists and saluted, but his movements still looked unnatural, indicating that the injury that damaged the muscles and bones indeed required long-term care to recover, and it was unlikely to be cured.
"Take good care of yourself and don't be careless, otherwise the elixir I gave you will be in vain!"
Until now, the daily output of sulfa is still only about half a catty. The pharmaceutical factory has to blow up a bunch of pressure cookers every day. The only way to increase the output is the arrival of winter.
"Zheng Aiqing, I have medicine to treat wound suppuration and infection here, but it is very irritating. You need to try it first before using it on the injured, otherwise your life will be in danger. If Aiqing is interested, I can reward Aiqing with five Jin, although this medicine is worth more than gold, if it leads to illness and death, I will not bear the consequences~!"
Yao Ji wants to say ugly things in front of him, so that Old Fart Zheng won’t hate him. To put it bluntly, sulfonamides are poisons, but unlike similar products that are harmful to people, sulfonamides still have some antibacterial effects, but they are not as effective as penicillin. Just strong.
Regarding penicillin, a certain prince did not dare to abuse it. This thing is much more powerful than sulfonamide. Even a small amount of it may kill someone. If it is really put into clinical practice, it must be cautious.
"I am deeply grateful for receiving this elixir. Your Highness, please rest assured. If something unexpected happens to the person who uses the medicine, all consequences will be borne by me alone!"
Zheng Zhilong saw the injury on Su Chen's arm. If he hadn't taken the elixir, even if the arm was cut off, the arm would be useless. But now that this man can hold his fist and salute, it has to be said to be a miracle.
