"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Zhu Yuanzhang was very curious: "Oh? It's unusual for you to take the initiative to come to us, but is there something wrong?"
Chen Jingke raised his hands and raised the memorial he had written about Bao Chao:
"I accidentally learned about the situation of some treasure banknotes when I left the palace this time, so I boldly sent a letter to ask Your Majesty to take a look."
Normally, memorials were handed over to the cabinet first, and they read them before submitting them to the emperor.
But Chen Jingke is a close minister and already has the qualifications to reach heaven.
Moreover, Zhu Yuanzhang did not object to his ministers leapfrogging his rank to report to him, and he was one of the few emperors who encouraged the people to complain to the emperor.
Therefore, it is not illegal for him to write a memorial like this.
Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to have thought of something, and his face became serious.
After reading the contents of the memorial, he showed a true expression and said:
"We also know what you said. We have ordered the officials to explain it to the people as much as possible, but they still have concerns in their hearts."
"But we believe that over time they will be able to accept it."
Chen Jingke was silent. He didn't expect Zhu Yuanzhang would view the matter this way.
But it’s normal to think about it. Lao Zhu is not a person who pretends to be wrong. If he feels that there is something wrong with his policy, he will definitely change it.
The reason why I still insist on using Baochao is because I really believe that it is useful.
At the moment, the people are just not used to it, and it is in the throes of reform.
After a few years, when people get used to it, there will naturally be no problem.
However, this may be true for other policies, but currency is another thing entirely.
Zhu Yuanzhang saw what he was thinking and frowned: "Why, do you have a different opinion?"
Chen Jingke did not answer, but said: "I recently had some insights from reading history books, and I would like to ask your Majesty for some advice. I wonder if your Majesty might take the time to listen."
Zhu Yuanzhang raised his eyebrows and said with interest: "Oh, you want to give us a lecture?"
Chen Jingke did not deny it, but said: "Your Majesty, please give me permission."
Zhu Yuanzhang was really surprised. This guy is usually very low-key.
I actually took the initiative to talk about something today, which is rare.
Zhu Biao is the same. He used to think Chen Jingke was arrogant...well, he feels arrogant now too.
The difference is that he has recognized Chen Jingke's ability.
So I am also very curious about what Chen Jingke wants to talk about.
Zhu Yuanzhang waved all the waiters to leave, and then said: "Okay, you say it. If you don't say it well, don't blame me for punishing you."
Chen Jingke cupped his hands and said: "In ancient times, there was no money, and people could only barter for transactions."
Zhu Yuanzhang showed an expression that was indeed true. Chen Jingke wanted to talk about the history of money.
Could it be that he can solve the problem of treasure money?
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but concentrate.
Zhu Biao couldn't help but look forward to it.
Last time Chen Jingke gave a history talk, solved many hidden dangers of the imperial examination, and also created a cabinet system.
I don’t know what suggestions will be made this time.
"But bartering is very inconvenient. For example, a person wants to exchange grain for a sheep, but the person with the sheep wants cloth, and the person with cloth wants fish."
"This person can only exchange the fish first, then the fish for cloth, and finally the cloth for sheep."
"The transaction process can be said to be very cumbersome. If there is a problem in any link during the process, the transaction will fail."
"At this time, something was needed to act as an intermediary, so 'money' was born."
Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao, father and son, looked suddenly enlightened. It turned out that this is how the money came from.
In fact, what Chen Jingke said was not complicated. They had also seen relevant records when they were studying.
I just never thought of connecting these fragmentary information together.
Chen Jingke did it, which is a manifestation of his ability.
This kid has crazy capital.
Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes showed appreciation.
Many people think that he hates fanatics, but that's not true. He just hates people who don't have the ability to repay their innocence.
If a person is proud of his ability, he will think it is normal.
Of course, the premise is that this person is willing to be used by the court.
He will never get used to being unwilling to serve the country and the people and showing off his presence all day long.
Chen Jingke has proven his talent and is willing to be used by the court.
Zhu Yuanzhang was naturally willing to give him more tolerance and appreciation.
"But what should be used as this medium? Some people use special fired pottery shards, some use the bones of some kind of animal..."
"The Central Plains area is far away from the sea, and shells are very rare. Slowly, shells have become 'money'."
"So many words related to 'money' have the radical "bei", such as wealth, noble, cheap, thief, earn, etc."
The father and son nodded again, that's it.
Zhu Yuanzhang even said: "If you don't say that we haven't noticed it yet, it's really like this. I've learned a lot."
Zhu Biao also nodded in agreement.
Chen Jingke said humbly: "Your Majesty is so impressed by your humble opinion."
"But the shells are fragile and difficult to carry and store."
"There are still many people who don't recognize shells. They are inedible and useless. Why should I take away the fruits of my hard work?"
"People need a better medium for money."
"It just so happened that copper was discovered...and copper became money."
At this time, Chen Jingke suddenly asked: "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness, do you know why copper can become money?"
Zhu Biao subconsciously replied: "Because copper is rare and precious."
Chen Jingke nodded, then shook his head and said: "First of all, because copper is useful, it can be cast into various utensils..."
"Then because it was rare, it was chosen as money."
"In other words, copper itself has value, so it is valuable."
Zhu Biao nodded: "That's it, I've learned a lesson."
However, Zhu Yuanzhang looked thoughtful.
Why does Chen Jingke talk about the history of money? Because of treasure money.
He also specifically emphasized why copper became money, which must have meant something.
So why did copper replace seashells?
Because it is useful in itself, even if you can't spend it when you buy it home, you can still cast it into bronze.
Shells have no use at all, they are just rare, so many people naturally don’t recognize them.
This is so similar to treasure money.
Just writing a few words on a piece of paper means taking away the fruits of people's labor, and no one is willing to do so.
Is it really wrong for us to promote Baobao?
However, he did not rush to conclusions, but said:
"Go on, what happens next."
Chen Jingke knew that it had aroused Zhu Yuanzhang's thinking, and he was very happy:
"Copper soon replaced shells as 'money' that everyone recognized."
“Slowly, people’s understanding of money becomes clearer and clearer.”
"The so-called money is actually just a medium of exchange. Copper can be used as it, but other things can also be used."
"So gold, which only had a decorative effect, became money because of its scarcity."
"It can be said that gold can become money, which is a great progress."
“It represents that mankind’s understanding of money has risen to a new level.”
