Early February, Chang'an.
In the nine cities of Chang'an, the imperial court had already established banks in various relatively prosperous neighborhoods. They were under the responsibility of the Ministry of Household Affairs, which was a serious national institution.
Today is the first day of the issuance of new currency. Not long after the major banks opened their doors, countless people have already gathered.
Because the monetary unification policy was announced at the end of last year, after two months of fermentation, it has already been known to the world.
Everyone wanted to exchange the old coins in their hands as soon as possible, so this was such a grand occasion.
Inside the bank, there are facilities similar to several counter windows, and the staff inside are very busy.
"Fellow, according to the previous market conditions, your old coins can only buy about 100 kilograms of grain and rice. If you exchange it for copper coins, it will be 300 Wen."
"Okay, okay, trouble." The old farmer couldn't wait.
"Then what amount of copper coins do you need?"
"100 pieces worth 1 cent, 10 pieces worth 10 cents, and 1 piece worth 100 cents, is that okay?"
"OK."
The people inside didn't say much, put away the old coins, counted out another 300 copper coins and handed them to the old farmer.
The latter took it, thanked Lian Sheng, tied the money bag and left here happily.
These old coins contain brass. After the country recycles them, they will recast them into new coins, so there is no loss. Of course, there will be some profit. This profit is put into the recasting process, which is equivalent to the handling fee.
As soon as the old farmer left, the people waiting behind him immediately came up and took out a few small grains of silver.
The clerk took it, and after identifying the authenticity, he weighed it and said, "Do you know the exchange rate between silver and copper coins?"
"I know, I know, one tael of silver can be exchanged for 300 copper coins." The visitor said with excitement.
"Well, your broken silver totals a little more than two taels, which is 655 Wen. Can you exchange it for me?"
"Change, change, please."
After finishing this work, the clerk felt quite helpless. He felt that many of these people were doing it just for the sake of freshness. Just like this, gold and silver are also hard currencies. There is no need to exchange them for copper coins. This would be a big delay.
So, he said wait to the person who came up behind him, and then found the person in charge of the bank.
The person in charge of this bank is a minor official under the Ministry of Household Affairs, from the seventh rank.
After listening to the report, the official thought for a moment, nodded and said: "What you said makes sense. These broken silver can also be bought in the market. The store can just ask him for copper coins. It will really delay things to exchange it at the bank."
It will be fine in the future, mainly because the workload is too heavy now. The clerk immediately agreed: "Yes, sir, the main task of the bank is to take back the old coins in the hands of the people with new coins, and at the same time, it plays the role of spreading the new coins in the market." ."
"In this case, I will do as you say. In the early stage, we will only be responsible for the exchange of old coins. I will report this matter to the superior immediately."
The official made a quick decision and shouted to the guards: "Look at what a mess it is outside! Go out and maintain it quickly, and tell the people that there is no need to exchange broken silver for copper coins."
"Yes." The soldier responded, left the bank, looked at more and more people gathering outside, and said loudly: "Quiet! Everyone, be quiet! Don't crowd! Enter the bank in an orderly manner, otherwise we will arrest you!"
The soldiers wore Wuweifu armor and spoke with great weight. Although the crowd was noisy, it quickly became orderly.
Seeing this, the officer and soldier said again: "In addition, some folks who bring silver to exchange for copper coins should stop queuing up. During this period, the bank will only recycle old coins!"
"Ah?" Someone couldn't help but said at this time: "Doesn't that mean the broken silver can't be used anymore?"
"What nonsense are you talking about!" said the officer and soldier: "Gold, silver, and copper coins are the currency determined by the country. If any store dares to refuse to accept silver or copper coins, you can just report it to the government directly. I guarantee that he will not be able to eat and walk around!"
"Then why don't you change it?"
"If you go shopping with broken silver, won't the store be able to give you change in copper coins? If you still need to go here to change it, won't it delay other people's time to exchange old coins?"
"Ah, yes, yes, I am confused. I just want to get the new coins as soon as possible."
At this time, everyone understood, there was nothing to worry about, and those who originally brought the silver to exchange slowly left here.
A certain village in the area around Chang'an.
The old farmer returned to the village carrying a small bag of grain, rice, and some daily necessities such as oil, salt, and so on.
"Hey, old man from the Zhou family, he's entering the city." Someone said hello.
"Yeah, what the hell are you doing?" the old farmer said with a silly smile.
"As you know, my man was injured when he went up the mountain two days ago, and he was going to the city to get some medicine for him. Didn't he hear that new coins were also coming out, so he thought about going to Chang'an City to take a look. "
"I just went to exchange for new coins today. No, I just bought these with copper coins."
"Really? Do you still have any copper coins? Show me what they look like so that you won't be deceived later."
"Look." The old farmer took out a penny and handed it to the woman and said with a smile: "Don't be deceived. Those banks are all managed by the government. Also, I heard from those scholars that His Majesty the Qin Emperor wants to unify the world's currency. Yes, these old coins may no longer be usable."
"Ah? Really? Then you have to exchange the old coins quickly. This copper coin is so beautiful, much better than the old coins."
A few days later.
After the issuance of new coins in the past few days, the entire Chang'an market has changed. It is no longer the messy scene of currencies from various countries before.
Widow Zhao’s Tea Shop.
A merchant came into Chang'an to rest. After drinking tea to quench his thirst, he took out a pile of old coins and said, "Boss, check out."
Widow Zhao came over in a charming manner. When she saw the old coins, she couldn't help but said: "Hey, my guest, this is still a cool coin."
"Yes, I came from the north to visit relatives and friends. I just arrived in Chang'an. Do you have enough money?"
"That's enough, but do you have any copper coins? If not, you can also use broken silver. I'll give you change." Widow Zhao was confused.
"Copper coins?" The merchant was stunned for a moment, then immediately responded: "Yes, yes, I know the imperial government's decree on new coins, but I didn't expect it to come out so soon."
As he said that, he took out a piece of broken silver.
Widow Zhao gave him some copper coins and said, "I think the guest must have a lot of old coins with him. If you walk more than three hundred steps forward, there will be a bank where you can exchange old coins for new ones."
"Thank you for telling me." The merchant looked at the copper coins in his hands and nodded secretly, thinking that the amount on them was clear and easy to carry. It was indeed much more convenient than the old coins.
Not far away, there was a drunken man who was drinking. His shouts could be heard far away: "In that tavern on East Street, a bottle of wine only costs 6 cents, but here you have to pay 8 cents."
The unified currency is proceeding in an orderly manner, starting from Chang'an and slowly spreading throughout the world.
