The Song Dynasty has always been short of both copper and silver. If it can really accomplish this great thing.
For Zongze, it is definitely an outstanding achievement.
However, all of this will have to wait until he goes to Dengzhou to take office and try the salt-drying method to see if it really works.
"Today, someone came here specifically to thank that worthy brother Guizhang, but unexpectedly, he gave Zong a big surprise."
"Zong really can't repay this kind of friendship..."
"Brother Rulin, don't think so. What you should consider is how to achieve outstanding results. Only in this way can you live up to the hard work of the prodigy."
"……Um!"
#####
Just then, the messenger Xiao Fengxian sent out traveled all night and night to get back to Daliao in the shortest possible time, and then rushed to Nanjing in the Liao Kingdom to rest for a day.
After that, we continued all the way north, and finally met the Emperor of Liao Kingdom who liked to hunt everywhere.
After receiving the urgent message from Xiao Fengxian, the Emperor of Liao was immediately furious.
After being furious, I felt scared, and even a little bit lucky.
He was furious that the Xixia dog thief dared to flirt with the Song Dynasty without telling him, and secretly shook hands and made peace.
What I'm most afraid of is that if Xiao Fengxian, the uncle-in-law, is not smart enough, the Liao capital will be kept in the dark by the false news released by the Xixia thieves.
Fortunately, the original plan was just to let my uncle Xiao Feng go to the Song Dynasty as an envoy first and get gilding on the way.
Unexpectedly, Concubine Ai's brother is actually a very intelligent pillar of the country.
Although not all of the ministers and workers of the Liao Dynasty who were summoned to discuss the matter raised objections.
However, it was not just Xiao Fengxian who was making nonsense, but there was also evidence from Yelu Hongguang, the chief officer of Daliao Guoxin who had been fully responsible for the diplomatic affairs of the Song Dynasty for more than ten years and had always been trusted by the court.
It couldn't be that the chief and deputy envoys joined forces to deceive the Emperor of Liao, right? After all, that would be of no benefit to them at all.
What's more, the fast horse they sent also brought physical evidence, a brand new Xia Guo sword.
This thing, even in Daliao, doesn't have many handles. Isn't this enough proof?
A group of ministers argued for a long time. In the end, Emperor Tianzuo made the decision in person. Xu Xiaofengxian took full responsibility and made a decision on the fly.
In addition, Xiao Fengxian was appointed as the privy envoy of Tongzhi Beiyuan because of his merit.
Furthermore, in order to retaliate against Xixia, they decided to ban the sale of Xixia tea and sent envoys to blame each other.
Because Xixia had no way to obtain tea from the Song State, the tea leaves from the Xixia State were either smuggled or obtained from the Song State through the hands of the Liao people.
Once these necessities of life are lacking, it will be a huge blow to the half-nomadic and half-agricultural Xixia people.
#####
"... Originally, His Majesty intended to send troops to attack, but the traitors in the court persuaded Your Majesty to do so on the grounds that they should not use troops indiscriminately and waste the country's strength."
"Some people even used the previous two battles of Daliao to conquer Xia during the Xingzong period to persuade Your Majesty."
Xiao Fengxian picked up the wine in front of him and took a big sip with an indifferent expression.
How the big guys in the court behave is not something he should worry about now.
Fortunately, because I saw through the truth about Song Xia's secret truce and friendship, I finally gained His Majesty's favor and became a Privy Envoy of Tongzhi Beiyuan.
As long as I can handle the two major things I agreed with Gao Zhang and accomplish them, after returning home, I can let my sister blow my pillow more. I'm afraid a Privy Envoy of Zhibeiyuan (the second-in-command of the Privy Council of the Liao Kingdom) can do it. Get it safely.
"Tomorrow, I will go and have a good chat with my second-year high school brother in person. I don't know how well prepared he is."
Having said this, Xiao Fengxian couldn't help but reached into his arms and took out two beautiful coins made in the Song Dynasty and looked at them.
As for books, Gao Zhang said he was afraid it would take some time. For Xiao Fengxian, it didn't matter, as long as the Song Dynasty could provide enough books and coins by then.
Then, Daliao will provide a sufficient amount of wool, sheepskin and other items for trade according to the market price.
No matter how much he needs, Daliao, whose entire territory is mostly vast grassland, can get it.
#####
"I really didn't expect that this iron coin could be made so beautiful."
Official Zhao Ji looked at the iron coins pressed by the hydraulic forging press placed on the table and was amazed.
When I heard Gao Zhang say that the cost of this kind of iron money was less than one-tenth or even less than that of copper money.
The cost of making Yiguan is about eighty cents, official Zhao Ji couldn't help but sigh.
"I remember that the Ministry of Accounts reported earlier that the money-making cost of the Money Supervisor has increased a lot this year. It is already two to three hundred yuan per year, and the system is consistent."
"Sigh... It would be great if I, the Song Dynasty, could make money as easily as you, Xiao Gao, can make iron money."
After hearing Master Zhao Ji's emotion, Gao Zhang touched his nose and hesitated, but finally couldn't help it.
"Master, I think that if we in the Song Dynasty can make money not from bronze but from brass, then the cost can be reduced by at least 50%."
"Make money from brass?" Official Zhao Ji and Yang Jian both repeated this sentence in unison.
"Exactly, my disciple remembers that I once made some bronze coins in the Song Dynasty..."
As he spoke, he reached into his money bag, took out a yellow copper coin and placed it on the table.
That's right, these are copper coins made of brass. Gao Zhang didn't know until he came to this era that the Song Dynasty not only had bronze, but also brass.
Even during the reign of Emperor Renzong of Song Dynasty, "green brass money" was issued in some areas, that is, money made from a mixture of brass and bronze, probably to prevent forgery.
There were also separate copper coins, but they were not in large quantities. Gao Zhang was also wandering around the market and saw this thing before he realized that brass had already appeared in the Song Dynasty.
When he learned that brass existed in this era, and brass was even used to make copper plates, Gao Zhang had a bold idea.
But considering the nature of his master, Gao Zhang, he kept silent.
But since Master Hunjun expressed such emotion today, this is definitely a good opportunity for Gao Zhang.
"You mean, if you use this brass to make money instead of bronze, you can save at least half of the cost?"
"Little Gaoqian isn't joking with my teacher, is he?"
"Master, what did you say? How dare I make a joke about such a big matter?"
Gao Zhang pointed at the brass money he took out with a serious look on his face.
PS: I’m seriously stuck on ideas and have spent the entire night. Let me think carefully about it tomorrow.
(End of chapter)
