As for the second article, starting from the Qin and Han dynasties, ancient China has been in the process of slowly transforming from the grain-cloth standard to the copper standard. Generally speaking, during the unification period, especially the relatively prosperous middle and early stages, the copper standard was more dominant, while the split During the war period and the late period of unification, the Gubu standard was more dominant.
The reason is that ancient China not only lacked precious metals, but also had few copper mines. The few copper-rich mines were mostly distributed in Yunnan, Guizhou, Hunan, Mongolia, Xinjiang and other provinces far away from the core areas of ancient China, which were not conducive to development.
However, the handicraft industry and agriculture in ancient China were extremely developed. As a result, once the war ended, the unification was restored, and the economy recovered rapidly, the demand for full-value currency would grow rapidly, rapidly exceeding the amount minted by the government, and "money" would form. "Expensive goods are cheap" phenomenon.
This typical deflation phenomenon is very common in history books. Rich people such as monasteries and nobles stored valuable currencies in cellars. This further reduced the amount of currency in circulation, which in turn exacerbated deflation. This will not only hit commerce and handicrafts, but also increase the burden on farmers (peasants must sell agricultural products in exchange for copper coins to pay taxes). In order to solve deflation, ancient governments generally minted inferior coins (copper coins with larger face values, adding more copper coins to the coins). Add more base metals such as lead, or iron money) to artificially create inflation, but the result is that the people often reject these newly minted bad coins and switch to physical transactions.
The final solution to this problem was not until the middle of the Ming Dynasty. Due to the advent of the Age of Discovery, China was included in the world trading system for the first time in the Ming Dynasty. Massive amounts of silver produced by gold and silver mines in America and Japan poured into the southeastern coast of China at that time. This stimulated the developed local textile, sugar, tea, and ceramic industries. This was later referred to as the "germination of capitalism" in history textbooks.
Of course, Wang Wenzuo was not able to go to America to mine the Potosi silver mine at this time, but Japan's Sado Gold Mountain, Iwami Silver Mountain, Ashio Copper Mountain, and Besshi Copper Mountain were already in his pocket. These gold, silver, and copper mines It is not only rich in reserves and of high taste, but also buried shallowly. The mining and smelting technology at that time was enough to mine a large amount and use it to cast a large number of valuable coins.
Trade routes and abundant currency alone do not necessarily lead to prosperous trade; there must also be a large amount of goods and demand. In fact, in Wang Wenzuo's view, the trade conditions in Northeast Asia at that time were actually very good. In modern economic terms, Tang's Hebei region had comparative advantages with Liaodong, the Korean Peninsula, the Japanese Islands and the Far East. The Hebei region in the Tang Dynasty was the region with the most prosperous population and the most developed agriculture and handicraft industries in the Tang Dynasty, while Liaodong, the Korean Peninsula, the Japanese Islands and the Far East were areas to be developed with sparse population and rich natural resources.
Then, raw materials or primary products such as fur, wood, medicinal materials, fish products, oils, and ores are exported to Hebei from Liaodong, the Korean Peninsula, the Japanese Islands, and the Far East, while Hebei exports handicrafts such as cloth, utensils, ceramics, and medicines to the above regions. , this trade is beneficial to both parties. In the long run, it will also promote economic ties and personnel exchanges between Hebei and the above regions, which will also lay a solid foundation for the formation of a new unified East Asian country. Wang Wenzuo did not want to be regarded only as a conqueror in history.
"Of course I hope that brothers don't have to worry about money in the future!" Wang Wenzuo said with a smile: "But I also don't want you to become a farmer and a rich man in the future, counting how much money you have in your cellar all day long. , How many stones of grain are there in the warehouse, that was not my original intention to do this!"
"What did Sanlang say?" Shen Faseng's face turned red: "You also know that I am not that kind of person. This is for everyone!"
"That's good!" Wang Wenzuo said with a smile: "Although Goguryeo has been destroyed, there may be other battles to be fought next. We are all warriors and we must not forget the foundation of our family!"
"Here!" everyone responded in unison.
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"This is the guest list of your family!"
There was a quarrel between women and children outside. Gao Sheji lowered his head and presented the roster with both hands. He felt extremely humiliated. Even when the King of Goguryeo was at its most powerful, his ancestors did not treat the guests who were attached to their family. Handing over the roster is related to the glory of the family - since someone else has entrusted everything to you, how can you hand him over again? But this time it was different. The mysterious Japanese proposed to distribute food and allocate land according to the number of family members. He had no choice.
"There are 635 men and 793 women, including 320 strong men! Not bad, not bad!" Yijirenbod flipped through the roster casually and said with a smile: "I didn't expect that we could still be here at this time. With so many people following you, it seems that you are pretty good at running the family business!"
"Thank you! It has been nine generations since our ancestors moved to this area. We have followed our ancestors' instructions for generations and never bullied guests!"
"Very good!" Yijilianbod nodded: "This is the deed to grant the land. You should read it first. If you agree, sign it!"
Gao Sheji thanked him and took the deed and read it. He saw on it the conditions for granting the land, the taxes to be paid every year, and if something happened, he would have to send out three knights, ten archers, and spearmen. Twelve people applied for the army, and prepared their own weapons, food and fodder for the expedition. Gao Sheji was born in a family that has been in the military for generations. He was mentally prepared for military service, so he borrowed a calligraphy brush and stamped his fingerprints. The deed was returned.
"This is the situation of the territory. There are still six or seven pieces left. Take a look and pick one you like!" Igilian Bod said with a smile.
Gao Sheji thanked him, took the book and looked at it, he couldn't help but was stunned: "Why is this territory in the Japanese country?
"That's right!" Yijilianbod said with a smile: "There is not much free territory in the Xiongjin Governor's Mansion. Even if there is space, it must be reserved for the meritorious soldiers who attacked Goguryeo this time. On the other hand, there are many large areas in Japan. You’re going to leave your hometown anyway, why don’t you go to a place with a better future?”
Gao Sheji was stunned by Yijilianbode's words. He smiled bitterly and said: "The Japanese country is really too far away. If you want to go there, even those who have followed it for generations will have to go!"
"Okay!" Yijilianbode sighed with some disappointment: "I still have a piece left here, but it is far worse than those in the Japanese country. If you have so many families, I'm afraid you won't be able to feed so many people. Not to mention supporting military service!”
Gao Sheji looked at the book, then at the territory that Ijirenbod finally gave, and finally gritted his teeth: "Okay, then I'll choose this one. It's called Echizen Country Getsweizhuang, right?" ?”
"You made a good choice. I've heard about this place. The land is very fertile. As long as your people are willing to work hard, they will be rich in just a few years!" Igilian Bod said with a smile.
Not long after choosing the territory, Gao Sheji took his tribe aboard the ship. When he saw the familiar land finally disappearing under the sea level, he felt as if there was an extra hole in his body. This was not hunger. , but a kind of nothingness. The original land, houses, and fortresses had disappeared. He felt a headache. The doctor said he had a cold and suggested that he lie down and rest more. Gao Sheji did what the doctor said, but he knew that the pain would eventually get better, but the hole in his heart would never get better.
During the voyage, Gaosheji didn't want to wake up at all. He would rather curl up under the blanket all day long, close his eyes tightly, and fall asleep again. If no one woke him up, he would sleep like this day and night.
In the dream, he was riding a horse and hunting deer on his hunting ground with his hounds. They whistled to drive the wild deer out of the forest, then surrounded it, surrounded it and shot it. He laughed loudly, took off his hat, and let the wind blow his hair and beard. His companions moved quickly and in unison, and no wild deer could escape their hunting until they woke up.
After arriving at the port of Japan, an official gave them a wooden sign and asked them to follow the road northeast. Gao Sheji didn't know where the final destination was. He only knew that he was moving forward day after day. The Japanese farmers working in the rice fields looked at these foreign guests curiously. Fortunately, Japanese officials along the way provided food and vegetables, so Gaoshe Chicken arrived at its destination a month later.
"This is your territory!" The local Japanese official pointed his horsewhip at a small village not far away: "There are five other families in the village who are also members of your tribe. You can dispatch them as you like!"
"How big is my territory? And where are the fields?" Gao Sheji asked.
"Everywhere you can see, from the foot of the mountain to the river, it's all there!" The Japanese official showed a playful smile: "As for the fields, there are none yet. You have to pick up the ax to cultivate them yourself. As long as you cultivate and harvest for three consecutive years, it will be your field!" Then he slapped the horse's butt: "I have to leave beforehand. If you have anything, go to the Guosi Yamen to find me!"
Gaosheji looked into the distance, and everywhere he looked was a sea of trees. This was an extremely vast and intricate forest, casting thousands of dark green shadows. When the north wind blew, he heard the trees that were much older than him groaning and sighing. Millions of branches and leaves danced with the wind. For a moment, the dense forest seemed to turn into an ocean, swaying with the wind, coexisting with the ancient times.
"Master, what should we do?" someone asked.
"Give me an ax!" Gao Jishe jumped off his horse, took the iron ax from his hand, and walked towards the oak tree nearest to him: "We must build the village before the weather gets cold!"
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Chang'an City, East Palace.
The cold rain fell, dyeing the walls of the East Palace dark red, like coagulated plasma. Prince Li Hong tightened his windbreaker and walked through the corridor. Arrive in front of the heavily guarded sedan.
"Why don't you prepare horses?" the prince asked, "is it not in line with etiquette to ride in a sedan chair to meet the British Duke's coffin?"
"It's raining heavily, and the weather is getting colder!" The East Palace guard on duty replied in a low voice: "The Holy Body is ill. You are the crown prince of the country. If you are also infected with the wind and cold, I'm afraid the country will be unstable!"
"The British prince led the troops to conquer Liaodong at the age of seventy, and his body was wrapped in horse leather. As a prince, do I dare not even go out in the rain to meet his coffin? How can we talk about the importance of the country?" The prince said with an angry face: " Quick, take the sedan away and bring my horse!"
The guard of the East Palace had no choice but to have the prince's horse brought over, and ordered to choose the largest umbrella. The group left the palace gate and headed south along Zhuque Street. They would greet Li Ji at Mingde Gate. The coffin passed through Zhuque Street and arrived in front of Zhuque Gate, where it accepted the emperor's worship and was then sent to Zhaoling to accompany the late emperor to his grave.
There was the sound of horse hoofbeats, and the armored knights led by the Sixth Army of the East Palace rode in front, followed by the drummers. They played the "Qin King Breaking the Formation Music" that is familiar to the citizens of Chang'an. Pedestrians lined both sides of the road. When bright yellow umbrellas appeared, the people They all knelt down and saluted the prince who came out to greet him in the rain. Li Hong's gaze swept across the distance. Normally he could see the tower of Mingde Gate, but now he could only see the gray rain and fog. Maybe God is also feeling sad for the old man's death, Li Hong thought to himself.
The procession reached Mingde Gate, where people were standing. When they saw His Royal Highness, they all knelt down. Many of them were Li Ji's old troops, and some even followed him in dozens of battles, large and small. Looking at them, the prince felt warm in his heart - even if the British Duke was gone, there would still be successors to the Tang Dynasty.
Under a temporary wooden shed made of pine wood, the body of British Duke Li Ji lay quietly in the coffin on the platform. Li Jingye, dressed in plain clothes and with a white cloth wrapped around his head, stood beside the coffin. Bow and return the favor to every friend who comes to worship. When he saw the prince's figure, he looked hesitant on his face, whether he should kneel down or bow. Li Hong dispelled his hesitation. He lifted up the front of his robe and bowed to Li Ji in the coffin: "My father is ill and cannot come. Xiao Wang will worship on his behalf!"
Li Jingye hurriedly knelt down and sobbed: "Your Majesty is so kind and kind. If I have a soul in heaven, I will shed tears of gratitude!"
"Please get up!" Li Hong stretched out his hand to help Li Jingye up: "The British Duke died for the country! Brother Jingye, please don't hurt yourself because of your filial piety. Come, tell me how the British Duke passed away?"
"According to the order!" Li Jingye responded, stepped aside, and explained in a low voice. It turned out that Li Ji returned to Chang'an not long after he conquered Goguryeo. He was fine at first, but after passing through Youzhou, his physical condition became worse. At first, he had no appetite, and then he had trouble urinating and defecating. He asked a doctor for help. The medicine didn't help either. Li Jingye originally wanted to let his grandfather rest in Youzhou for a few days, waiting for his illness to improve before he could go on the road. However, Li Ji insisted on going on the road and had no choice but to do as he said. His health deteriorated along the way, and he finally died in Weizhou.
"Now that I think about it, Aweng must have had a premonition about his body and wanted to be able to return to Chang'an and die again!" Li Jingye sighed.
Routinely asking for subscriptions, votes, and rewards. My grades have been very poor recently.
