The shopkeeper Cui Xin didn't know the person in front of him, and thought he was a shopkeeper from other businesses. He clapped a stack of brand-new Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes in his hand and said: "This banknote is very tight, not to mention the bright color, and the size is suitable. Best What is gratifying is that the emperor is also on the banknotes. With the emperor’s blessing, business will surely become smoother in the future.”
Chen Ning was a little unwilling and asked: "Isn't there any shortcomings?"
Cui Xin looked at Chen Ning and his face darkened: "You have such a dark mind. You have to find out the bad things about the imperial court's good treasures? You don't know what to say about being picky!"
After saying that, Shopkeeper Cui rolled up his sleeves and left.
Chen Ning gritted his teeth with hatred, but he did not dare to explode in front of Zhu Yuanzhang.
When Zhu Yuanzhang saw Chen Ning making a fool of himself, he just laughed and disapproved, and walked into Daming Bank.
The five windows and five counters were all drawn by Gu Zhengchen, and Fei Zhen hired someone to build them. Because the problem of high-strength glass had not yet been solved, the sides and upper part of the counter window were all solidified with blue bricks.
Inside the counter are clerks and clerks. There are chairs outside each counter, and there are clerks issuing license plates at the door.
The person in charge, Xiao Yi, was recording and calculating in the room next to the counter. He was informed by the officials that the emperor was coming. Before he could go out to greet him, Zhu Yuanzhang, Hu Weiyong and others had opened the door and walked in.
After some etiquette, Zhu Yuanzhang sat down, looked at Xiao Yi and asked, "How is it?"
Xiao Yi took the account book and handed it over respectfully: "Your Majesty, so far, more than 260,000 yuan of Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes have been cashed out, and the amount is still increasing."
Zhu Yuanzhang took the account book and looked at it. This account book was no longer a four-column inventory, but a four-legged account with two upper and lower styles. The upper part recorded the payment of Ming Dynasty treasure notes, and the lower part recorded the income of gold, silver and copper coins.
In half a day, 260,000 Ming Dynasty treasure notes flowed to the people. This amount is astonishing.
Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang was smiling, Hu Weiyong walked out and said: "Your Majesty, I see that the Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes can be recognized by businessmen and people so quickly, and Gu County's male contribution is indispensable. If he hadn't personally done it, he decided on these five editions of treasure banknotes." , and repeatedly offered suggestions and proposed three concise and to-the-point foreign policy measures, I thought it would not go so smoothly."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded repeatedly and looked at Gu Zhengchen: "Although you are not in Jinling, you are indeed indispensable when it comes to meritorious deeds."
Gu Zhengchen felt a little cold all over.
Hu Weiyong actually asked for credit for himself. What kind of medicine was he selling in his gourd?
Oh, I see.
Sow discord!
Ma Gui and Yu Pu, the Ministers of the Ministry of Revenue, are here and they are busy.
Fei Zhen, the chief treasurer, took charge of the overall situation and was involved in everything. The deputy chief Zengzong coordinated and reviewed everything, going here and there.
When Hu Weiyong said that the relationship was all his own, the Ministry of Revenue, the Baochao Office, and the Daming Bank only did trivial and inconspicuous things. Didn't these guys bring hatred to themselves?
Gu Zhengchen immediately said: "Your Majesty, I don't dare to ask for credit. In terms of merit, naturally Fei Tiju, Baochao Tiju, Ma Shangshu, and Yu Shangshu are the biggest. Even Xiao Yi, the principal, has paid a lot."
Hu Weiyong glanced at Gu Zhengchen. This guy was no longer a newcomer to officialdom. He could judge other people's intentions in a very short period of time.
The original intention was to divide the hostility, but now that Gu Zhengchen said this, the people in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, the Baochao Office, and the Ming Dynasty Bank had a more favorable impression of Gu Zhengchen.
Zhu Yuanzhang was very satisfied with Gu Zhengchen's performance: "I have a clear account of who has contributed and who has faulted. Since the Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes are flowing smoothly, you can prepare to return to Quanzhou Mansion."
Gu Zhengchen nodded and said: "The Daming Bank in Quanzhou Prefecture, I estimate, requires at least 200,000 guan of silver and 500,000 guan of treasure notes."
Zhu Yuanzhang pointed to Fei Zhen: "You are responsible for this matter, and the Ministry of Revenue will assist."
Fei Zhen quickly agreed.
Quanzhou Prefecture is a maritime special zone, and the banks there really need to reserve more silver and treasure notes.
There is no shortage of money now, and 260,000 taels were deposited in half a day. This money can be transferred to Daming Bank in Quanzhou Prefecture. The headquarters of the Ming Dynasty Bank is supported by the Ministry of Revenue and the royal family. There is a large amount of gold, silver and copper stored there. Even if everyone wants to exchange their treasure notes for gold, silver and copper coins tomorrow, the headquarters can handle it calmly.
Businessmen and people still had a strong trust in the imperial court. There were signs from the Ministry of Revenue and the royal family. In addition, the imperial court did not prohibit gold, silver, and copper coins and allowed free exchange. These all allowed the Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes to be successfully circulated.
In particular, the exquisiteness of the Ming Dynasty banknotes far exceeds that of Song and Yuan banknotes. The color, anti-counterfeiting, local details, emperor's portrait, etc. make the Ming Dynasty banknotes a good currency.
It is an instinct that good money drives out bad money.
Although this trend is not yet obvious, Ming Dynasty banknotes have really begun to be accepted in Jinling, especially the rule that does not allow the rejection of Ming Dynasty banknotes except for small transactions, which has protected the circulation of Ming Dynasty banknotes in the transaction process. Some The shopkeepers and merchants were a little reluctant at first, for fear of losing money. After accepting the treasure notes, they arranged for the clerk to go to Daming Bank to exchange the money.
Over time, merchants also discovered that the Ming Dynasty banknotes could indeed be freely exchanged for money, so they simply kept the banknotes in their hands, stopped exchanging them frequently, and even used the Ming Dynasty banknotes to trade with others.
On this day, it was rainy.
There is a hazy misery among the flowers, bamboos, trees and rocks.
Liu Ji sat in the chair, which was placed at the door.
Look at the rain, motionless.
Suddenly, a heartbreaking pain shot out from between his right ribs, causing Liu Ji to groan. He raised his old hand to touch it, and there seemed to be a knot in his right abdomen.
When Liu Lian saw his father sitting at the door, he hurried over from outside and complained: "Father, it is inevitable to get wet and cold on rainy days. How can I still sit here?"
Liu Ji waved his hand and refused to leave: "It's good to hear the spring rain. I'm afraid I won't be able to hear the spring rain next year."
Liu Lian looked sad: "Father, don't say that. The imperial doctor said that as long as you take care of him for a while, he will get better."
Liu Ji shook his head: "I'm afraid you have forgotten that my father once said that the only person who can cure the world is a doctor? Doctors know the symptoms by checking the pulse, and judge the symptoms to find the prescription. If you don't know some medical skills, how can you make these remarks? How is this body? , I know it better than any of you. Have you not approved the coupons sent to His Majesty?"
Liu Lian lowered his head.
My father was seriously ill, so he wrote a note announcing his retirement and returned to his hometown, but the emperor said nothing for several days.
Liu Jing came over holding an oil-paper umbrella. After bowing, she said, "Father, a man from Gu County is here for a visit. He is right outside the door."
Liu Ji raised his eyebrows slightly: "It's late spring in March, and there are few visitors on rainy days. I'm such a bad old man. Others are afraid of avoiding me, but he dares to come to the door. Haha, let him come."
Liu Jing went to invite him personally.
Gu Zhengchen took Xiao Cheng into Uncle Chengyi's house and went to the backyard. Looking at Liu Ji, who was sallow and thin and looked sick, Gu Zhengchen saluted and said, "I have met Uncle Chengyi."
Liu Ji raised his hand to return the gift, and said with a forced smile: "When I saw the Gu County man coming, I knew that the Gu County man was about to leave. I came here to see Liu on his last journey, right? Don't give me a jade pendant this time." , Zhan Tong broke his promise, I don’t want to break his promise."
Seeing that Liu Ji was still joking at this time, Gu Zhengchen nodded: "It's true that I'm giving Uncle Chengyi a ride, but it's not the last one. That depends on Uncle Chengyi himself."
"what for?"
Liu Ji was puzzled.
Gu Zhengchen looked at Liu Lian and Liu Jing.
Liu Ji raised his hand: "You two, go out and let me talk to Gu County man."
Liu Lian and Liu Jing had no choice but to leave.
Gu Zhengchen picked up the crutches from the side and helped Liu Ji to the study. After Liu Ji sat firmly, he took out a decree from his sleeve, shook it, and handed it to Liu Ji who was about to get up: "Your Majesty, your permission You return home.”
Liu Ji held the imperial edict in his hands and opened it tremblingly. What came out of the door was: I have heard from the ancients that a gentleman should never say anything evil when he breaks off a relationship; a loyal minister should leave his country and his name will be unclean...
What this means is, even if you have broken off friendship, don't speak ill of someone unless you are not a gentleman. Even if you are wronged or wronged, don't shout out unless you are not a loyal minister.
"When you are old and sick, you should go to your hometown to take care of your life and talk to your children and grandchildren. When you are a king and a minister, I will not leave you but I will have mercy on you. When I will not leave you, I will have to say goodbye. I ordered Gu Zhengchen, a man from Quanzhou County, to escort him back. He will return in good health. Come to Jinling and plan something thousands of miles away with me..."
Gu Zhengchen has read this imperial edict, which has three typical paragraphs:
First paragraph: Let’s get together and disperse easily, so don’t talk nonsense.
Second paragraph: I have reused you, and you have helped me.
Paragraph 3: You go back, I will find someone to take you off. Goodbye.
The corners of Liu Ji's mouth trembled, but in the end he did not say any words of complaint. He just smiled and said to Gu Zhengchen, "It's a gratifying thing for you to send me back to Qingtian."
Gu Zhengchen raised his hand: "It is Gu's honor to send Uncle Chengyi back to his hometown. Can we leave Jinling by boat the next morning?"
Liu Ji nodded, stood up with difficulty, put the imperial edict on the table, and then saluted Gu Zhengchen solemnly: "Thank you."
Gu Zhengchen did not avoid it.
Liu Ji straightened up and looked at Gu Zhengchen and smiled.
The thank you here is not to thank Gu Zhengchen for escorting, but to thank Gu Zhengchen for sending the news.
Many people are not optimistic about the opening of the Ming Dynasty Bank. At this time, the emperor will see whichever official or family member appears.
The reason why Liu Ji asked his wife to go to Daming Bank was because Gu Zhengchen sent someone to deliver a message to Liu Ji. Otherwise, with Liu Ji lying in bed due to illness, he probably wouldn't have much interest in paying attention to Daming Bank.
Zhu Yuanzhang is a person who pays attention to details and is prone to overthinking. Seeing that Uncle Chengyi was seriously ill in bed, he did not forget to support the Ming Dynasty Baochao. Thinking of Liu Ji's service and strategies over the years, although this person was a bit straight-talking, but he was not smart. The loyalty is still there. Since he was loyal, why did he have to let him die in Aurous Hill?
Out of this mentality, and because the imperial doctor said that Liu Ji's days were numbered, Liu Ji was allowed to return to Qingtian.
Qingtian County is the prefecture capital of Zhejiang Province, next to Wenzhou Prefecture.
When Gu Zhengchen wants to return to Quanzhou Prefecture, he needs to pass by Wenzhou Prefecture. From the mouth of the Yongning River in Wenzhou Prefecture, he can go upstream to Qingtian County directly.
This time I was sending off a dying man.
