Winter passes and spring comes, and everything revives.
In early February, merchant ships launched into the sea.
The imperial court reopened ocean trade, and dozens of large ships set sail for Japan.
In the past, the maritime cause that three generations of Zhu Di's ancestors and grandsons devoted themselves to has once again appeared on the stage of history after being dormant for nearly ten years.
Li Qing was pleased, Zhu Qizhen was delighted, and the ministers were heartbroken.
After all, the market is limited. Without Japan, the officials and gentry will lose a way to make money.
In May, the Luchuan rebellion subsided and the army was reorganized.
Zhu Qizhen rewarded the three armies and spent a large sum of money.
The national treasury was almost depleted of silver. The huge Ming dynasty treasury had less than one million taels of silver, which was really shabby.
However, for Zhu Qizhen, this is not a big problem.
He also has a trump card.
——Da Ming treasure banknote!
Ever since, Zhu Qizhen began to print seals.
Li Qing's efforts to protect the credit of Ming Baochao failed to meet his expectations, and the purchasing power of Ming Baochao continued to decline.
Facts have proved that the decline in the purchasing power of treasure banknotes is not entirely a bad thing.
The depreciation of treasure banknotes has stimulated consumption, and at the same time, it has also increased the frequency of use of treasure banknotes. There is almost no need for government control, and the private sector uses treasure banknotes exclusively.
Hoarding money has become the consensus of almost everyone.
Because with the depreciation of treasure notes, the exchange rate between silver and treasure notes is getting higher and higher. Hoarding silver can appreciate, but treasure notes... will only depreciate.
High-frequency transactions have greatly prospered the economy.
Daming's GDP has grown rapidly. Under this trend, various industries have developed vigorously, creating many elite industries.
With blessings come misfortunes. Under prosperity, there are also hidden causes of disaster.
If things continue like this, the Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes will sooner or later be abandoned by the people.
The imperial court's large-scale printing of money ultimately reaped the wealth of the people. When one day, the people completely lose trust in the Ming Dynasty's banknotes, the consequences will be almost unbearable.
The market best embodies the survival of the fittest. This cannot be controlled by human forces, let alone Zhu Qizhen. Even if Zhu Yuanzhang comes, he cannot control it.
In fact, what Li Qing didn't know was that the depreciation rate of Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes in history was much greater than it was at this time.
In the eighth year of Hongwu's reign, Guanchao = one tael of silver = one thousand copper coins.
In the 23rd year of Hongwu's reign, Guan Chao = 250 Wen.
In the twenty-seventh year of Hongwu's reign, Guan Chao = one hundred and sixty Wen.
…
In the 13th year of Orthodoxy, consistent banknotes = two cents.
During the Chenghua period, consistent banknotes were worthless.
Because of him, Zhu Yuanzhang did not print money mindlessly, Zhu Di also printed money in a controlled manner, and so did Xiao Pang and his son. In addition, the ocean trade was opened up, which to a large extent slowed down the depreciation rate of treasure banknotes.
But if it is not remedied in time, it will become worthless sooner or later.
Lao Zhu's family doesn't understand economics, but Li Qing still knows that currency loses credibility, and the impact on the economy is devastating.
It must be saved, at least until a large amount of silver flows into the Ming Dynasty and the silver cannot sustain the economy, the Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes cannot fall.
Otherwise, this prosperous scene will fall apart in an instant.
Qianqing Palace.
Zhu Qizhen was confused as he listened to Li Qing's detailed explanation of the pros and cons.
"Is it as serious as you said?"
"Of course." Li Qing said seriously, "Your Majesty, do you think that if everyone does not recognize the currency being traded, will there still be transactions?
Without buying and selling, people would barter, and economic circulation would decline off a cliff. This is inevitable. Li Qing said, "Currency was invented to facilitate transactions. For example, when people went to the city to buy things, they could use currency before. But when the currency is gone, they can only use food.
However, grain cannot be stored for a particularly long time, and merchants cannot eat so much. If they collect it, they cannot guarantee that they will be able to sell it. If they do not collect it, they will have to close down.
In order to ensure that he would make a steady profit without losing any money, he could only raise the price from the ground up. "
"Isn't there still silver?" Zhu Qizhen said.
"That's the problem." Li Qing sighed, "Now that the Ming Dynasty's economy is prosperous, there is simply not enough silver. The only possibility is that the economy drops back to the same size as silver, but in that case, the Ming Dynasty will no longer be prosperous."
Zhu Qizhen still felt that Li Qing was being alarmist and said, "What if I force people to use treasure banknotes?"
Lao Zhu's family really didn't understand economics... Li Qing was a little tired, so he had to use the same tactics he used to persuade Zhu Yuanzhang in the past.
"If Ming Dynasty had five oranges..."
A quarter of an hour later, Zhu Qizhen believed it.
"Then what should we do?" Zhu Qizhen said, "Now the treasury has no money. How can we build ships, do business, and keep the Ming Dynasty running without printing treasure banknotes?"
Li Qing sighed helplessly: "Let's print it first, but after getting through this time, we have to stop for a while, and at the same time, save the treasure notes."
"What do you mean?"
"This means that before a large enough amount of silver is accumulated, the banknotes cannot lose their credibility," Li Qing said.
"Then how to rescue him?" Regarding this, Zhu Qizhen had no clue.
I can't blame him for this, for God's sake, he really has never learned this!
Zhu Qizhen studied classics and history, the art of emperors, checks and balances of power, and had nothing to do with finance.
Li Qing asked: "How many notes can one tael of silver be exchanged for now?"
"It was about twelve guan at the beginning of the year, and now... it's probably about fifteen guan." Zhu Qizhen said sarcastically.
"Then I'll die. One tael of silver will be exchanged for fifteen guan."
"Is this it?" Zhu Qizhen was a little incredulous.
Li Qing smiled bitterly and shook his head: "Of course not. This is just the first step. First, limit the exchange rate between silver and treasure notes."
"what's next?"
"Cast copper coins." Li Qing said, "In between silver and treasure banknotes, set up another insurance to combine the treasure banknotes and copper coins to strengthen their status;
Japan not only has many gold and silver mines, but also more copper mines. Copper coins are minted in large batches. While strengthening the relationship between treasure banknotes and copper coins, it weakens the connection between treasure banknotes and silver, which helps treasure banknotes live longer. "
Zhu Qizhen was puzzled, "What's the point of doing this? Is it just making more money?"
"Copper coins cannot be spent directly, and people can exchange them for free with treasure banknotes." Li Qing explained: "Switching from one currency to bear inflation to two can effectively alleviate market pressure."
Zhu Qizhen didn't know the details, but he was instinctively convinced of Li Qing's discussion.
"We also have copper mines in the Ming Dynasty. I will order people to mine them vigorously and continue to explore." Zhu Qizhen said, "But these are not the most important. Now that the unrest has subsided, we must prepare for the voyage to the West as soon as possible."
Zhu Qizhen said: "The weaving bureau and porcelain kiln have been stagnant for many years. The top priority is to put them into operation first."
"Your Majesty is wise." Li Qing nodded, "The Ming Dynasty hoarding enough silver is the best way to resist risks."
Zhu Qizhen rubbed his swollen head and said: "The imperial court wants to go to the West, and it has to build ships. The ministers are not fools, and they can definitely see it. Sir, how do you think they will respond this time?"
Li Qing thought for a while, then his expression suddenly changed: "No, they may have secretly destroyed the route map of Sanbao's voyage to the West. Your Majesty, please have someone check it immediately. If there is no route map, there will be many detours. "
"Don't worry, sir, I have thought of this a long time ago. I found it three years ago and made a backup." Zhu Qizhen said with a smile.
Li Qing breathed a long sigh of relief and said with a smile: "Then they can't afford to make trouble."
After all, even the turmoil has been suppressed, what else can they do, it is just to cause more chaos.
But after learning a lesson, if they try to do the same thing again, the effect will not be as good as before.
In this battle, the imperial court showed its dominance and strength.
If they want to find trouble again, they will have to think carefully, and the cost of making trouble will be much higher.
Therefore, as long as we fight steadily, it is only a matter of time before we can suppress the ministers.
Li Qing thought hard and couldn't think of any other methods the ministers could use, so he said:
"Your Majesty, as long as you don't give them a chance, they can't win."
"What do you mean by giving a chance?" Zhu Qizhen asked.
"Don't leave the center." Li Qing said seriously, "As long as you stay in the palace with Jin Yiwei and Dongchang around, they can't do anything to you, but if you run out, given the current situation, they may really trick you. .”óΠъ.oяＧ
Zhu Qizhen nodded slightly and said with a wry smile: "I am an emperor who is really frustrated. I can't even go out of my house, and I can't patrol thousands of miles of mountains and rivers. Alas...!"
"The Emperor is still young and has plenty of time." Li Qing comforted, "One day, the Emperor will make them completely surrender. At that time, who can stop the Emperor?"
"Haha... That's good!" Zhu Qizhen slapped the table, exhaled a breath of depression, and hummed: "We'll see in the future!"
After calming down, Zhu Qizhen smiled happily and said: "Sir, you are a great talent, I... will give you another important errand."
Li Qing:?
You call this a reward?
