The Central Bank opened the door, and a clerk took out the sign and hung it high.
The sign reads:
One silver is equivalent to 830 copper coins, and one banknote is equivalent to 300 copper coins.
The businessman waiting outside was shocked when he saw this scene. If he deposited copper now, the loss would be even greater.
Liang Wenxing was sitting in a teahouse not far away. He didn't need to read clearly the words on the sign. He just looked at the people beating their chests and stamping their feet and crying loudly. He knew that copper was cheap again.
"Sir, Mr. Zhao's carriage team has left."
The shopkeeper Liang Chu reported in a low voice.
Liang Wenxing turned his head, glanced at the dozen or so carriages turning back, and sighed: "The copper shortage is no longer serious. It is impossible to make profits by relying on the low price of silver and the high price of copper."
Liang Chu said happily: "It is my foresight that I deposited most of the copper coins in the bank as soon as possible and exchanged them for silver coins. It has only been a while now, and silver has become a lot more expensive. Looking at this situation, when silver and copper return to the right track, I will definitely make a lot of money." Pen."
Liang Wenxing chuckled, stood up and said: "There is a sage monarch in the stall, so naturally we have to follow suit. Let's go, the Heroes Chamber of Commerce has convened countermeasures, and we will also go and have a look. I heard that this time King Dai and King Min will show up, which is unusual. .”
The Chamber of Commerce for Heroes and Martyrs is located outside Jubao Gate. It is a three-story high-rise building. It is not only a business center for coordinating various supplies for the Great Baoen Temple and the Heroes Monument, but also a high-end inn for businessmen from other places to stay in the capital.
At the beginning of its establishment, the Heroes and Martyrs Chamber of Commerce determined its basic purpose, which was to build a monument to the heroes and martyrs and provide support and care funds for the families of the Ming Dynasty heroes and martyrs.
It is precisely because of this purpose that merchants have gained a good reputation among the people.
Although the support and care funds of the Heroes Chamber of Commerce are first handed over to the Ministry of Household Affairs, and officials from the Ministry of Household Affairs give them to the families of heroes, the Heroes Chamber of Commerce will always conduct a survey and feedback afterwards. If the Ministry of Household Affairs pays less or no money, the Heroes Chamber of Commerce will "Troublemaking".
Those who have the ability to cause trouble are naturally not ordinary businessmen, but the three kings.
The three kings have said that there is their own money in it. According to the regulations of the Ministry of Revenue, how much money should be given to the martyrs of the Ming Dynasty who died. That is from the Ministry of Revenue. It must be given by the Chamber of Commerce. It must not be less than a penny. Whoever takes his own money will be punished. Twist someone's head off.
Regarding the threat from the merchant lord, the Ministry of Revenue did not dare to be careless, not because the prince had prestige, but because the money was too hot.
No matter what money you get, you can't use the pension money for the heroes of the Ming Dynasty. These people have shed all their blood for the Ming Dynasty, and they can't make his family shed any more tears.
The reason why the vassal king's threats are useful is not the threat itself, but the fact that they have the right to reach heaven.
Although the three kings in the Heroes Chamber of Commerce do not often appear, the influence of the three kings is immeasurable. Now that the merchants are in trouble, they will naturally not forget these three. However, King Zhu Zhi of Liao went to Nanyang with the fleet and has not yet returned to Beijing. The merchants They had no choice but to find King Zhu Gui and King Min Zhu Geng.
When Liang Wenxing entered the assembly hall of the Heroes Chamber of Commerce, there were already more than thirty people standing inside, all of whom were wealthy businessmen from the capital, including Zhao Dayu and Hu Yuan.
Zhu Gui and Zhu Geng finally arrived amidst everyone's anxious waiting.
After everyone sat down, Wei Mang, a wealthy businessman, took the lead and lamented: "Two princes, if the Central Bank continues to do this, we will suffer too much loss. Please ask the prince to come forward and send a message to the palace. We merchants are willing to give us copper coins. I just hope it is calculated as one tael of silver for seven hundred coppers."
Zhu Gui looked at Zhu Geng, and Zhu Geng motioned to Zhu Gui to speak.
Zhu Gui did not refuse, and said with a cold face: "How things evolved into the current situation, you all know very well. When the imperial court set up a central bank, it was already very clear.
It is clear that we want to change the value of silver to the value of copper, but what about you? "
"You didn't want to share the worries of the court. Instead, for personal gain, you took a large amount of money to the bank and ran on the copper coins. As a result, the central bank was almost completely closed! There were even people who deliberately hoarded copper and collected copper coins from the people to aggravate the copper shortage. !”
"How bold are you in what you have done? The court has not held any guilt, and cutting off your heads is already a grace. Now you want to restore the past?"
Wei Mang's face looked a little ugly, and other businessmen also lowered their heads.
Although Zhu Gui's words are unpleasant, they are also true.
At the beginning, everyone was blinded by profit and sucked the blood of the Central Bank. But now that profit is no longer a thing that irritates people and hurts people's teeth, it is natural to change the tune.
Wei Mang said without confidence: "Your Majesty, we made mistakes in the first place and should not go against the imperial court. We were confused. But now we want to make corrections and share the imperial court's worries, but we have no way out."
Zhu Gui slapped the table and shouted: "What do you mean there is no way out? After leaving this chamber of commerce, you can't walk a few steps. Isn't it the Central Bank? The words are high-sounding, but the actions are not popular."
Wei Mang's face was pale. If others had accused him like this, they would have turned the table over. But now that he had someone to ask for, and since he was a prince, he couldn't fall out no matter what.
"Right now, if we deposit copper coins in exchange for silver, we will lose a lot. Please save us, Your Majesty, so that we can reduce our losses..."
Wei Man had to keep a low profile.
Seeing this, other businessmen also begged.
Zhu Gui still wanted to get angry, but was stopped by Zhu Geng. Zhu Geng stood up and said: "In the final analysis, you don't want to suffer losses, but the question is, if you don't eat the losses, who will lose it? It's the court. ! It’s the Holy One! Dare I ask you, do you really want to cut your flesh on the imperial court and the Holy One?”
With one sentence, the whole room was shocked and no one dared to speak.
Liang Wenxing nodded slightly. The two kings were right. The process of silver from being cheap to being expensive and copper from being expensive to silver and copper always requires someone to lose money. Originally, the court was responsible for the loss, but now, this loss is "actively" taken over by businessmen. passed.
All I can say is: reap the consequences.
Boom boom.
There was a knock on the door, and everyone in silence couldn't help but look up.
Zhu Geng explained: "We and the King of Liao are also merchants, and we are also aware of your losses. Although you are angry that you will not fight, you cannot ignore death. Before coming here, I invited an important person. You are trying to survive with a broken arm." It’s up to him whether he wants to cut his flesh to survive, so please come in.”
The door opened and Liang Chengtong walked in.
Liang Wenxing's eyes widened, this was the head of Royal Central Bank!
When such a character appears here, it can be said that he does not represent him personally, but the person behind the Central Bank - the emperor!
Ranwen
Other businessmen also recognized the chief executive and stood up to greet him.
Liang Chengtong simply bowed to Zhu Gui and Zhu Geng without giving a big salute. Then he sat next to Zhu Geng and said to a group of businessmen: "We have fought against each other. Fortunately, Liang won a little bit, haha, Everyone, please sit down."
Wei Meng lamented and said to Liang Chengtong: "I was confused for a moment and made a big mistake. Please be magnanimous and give us a way to survive."
Liang Chengtong sat with his body upright and said warmly to Wei Mang: "The emperor generally knows what you all think. Since I came here, I was invited by the two kings and approved by the emperor's order. Before that, , I entered the palace to meet the emperor
Your Majesty, your Majesty has issued a decree. The copper shortage has been resolved, and the bank has sufficient copper reserves. One tael of silver can be transferred to nine hundred copper coins. "
"What?"
The expressions of Wei Mang, Zhao Dayu and others changed. Not long ago, one tael of silver was exchanged for 830 wen, but now it has changed again? If this continues, won't one tael of silver soon be exchanged for a thousand copper coins!
The copper coin in my hand completely burned my hand!
Looking at the panicked people, Liang Chengtong smiled slightly, arched his hands to the north, and said: "The emperor said that whether the currency is stable or not is related to the lives of the people. Although businessmen are pursuing profits and talking about business, they should not forget it. It is the people who gave the merchants the opportunity to make profits. If it harms the people in turn, the people will not dare to say anything, but the court will not sit idly by."
"Everyone, the emperor takes Jianwen as his title and rarely uses force, but you should also know that the emperor values the people and will never use weapons for the sake of the people. He will treat the imperial court as his enemy and eat the imperial court's flesh. Haha, are you not afraid of filling your stomach?"
The businessmen broke into cold sweat.
Some timid ones have knelt down and begged for mercy. At this point, others couldn't help but kneel down.
When Liang Chengtong saw that everyone was so frightened, he said: "The imperial court does not intend to accuse you of any crime and confiscate your homes, so there is no need to be so coy. Get up and sit down. The emperor has arranged a new strategy. Whether you can solve the current difficulties depends on your actions." chosen."
After Wei Man heard this, he breathed a sigh of relief. Zhao Dayu and others also wiped the sweat from their foreheads and sat down carefully.
Liang Chengtong said calmly: "It is impossible for the silver-to-copper ratio of Royal Central Bank to go down and will only return to normal levels. But the copper coins in your hands will not suffer too much."
"My lord, how do you say this?"
Zhao Dayu asked.
The silver-to-copper ratio is already like this, how can we not suffer big losses?
According to Zhao Dayu's calculation, one hundred thousand copper coins would be reduced by 30,000 coins out of thin air. Isn't this a big loss?
Liang Chengtong did not drink, but poured a cup of tea, sipped it, and said: "Before I tell you the way out, I need to tell you that the imperial court is preparing brand-new Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes, and Hongwu faint banknotes will be gradually recycled and discarded, and new versions of coins will be used. If you want a way out and reduce your losses, there is only one condition. When the court issues new Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes, all merchants under your sect will cooperate with the central bank to circulate the new banknotes."
"New Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes?"
Wei Mang, Zhao Dayu and others looked at each other.
Liang Chengtong nodded heavily and said: "Don't worry, the new version of the banknotes will be directly linked to silver and copper, and there will never be the possibility of indiscriminate issuance. When circulating in the future, you can take the new version of the banknotes to the bank at any time to redeem the corresponding silver and copper. Even if it’s a lost money, I won’t charge half a penny.”
"If this is the case, we will fully cooperate."
Wei Meng accepted it calmly.
It's okay not to accept this kind of thing. Who can violate the imperial decree? It's just the difference between active cooperation and passive acceptance.
Liang Chengtong looked at the others. All the businessmen had seen the financial strength of the Central Bank. In addition, the emperor and the court were behind the Central Bank. They would never break their promises, so they all nodded in agreement.
Liang Chengtong was very satisfied, which paved the way for the issuance of the new version of Ming Dynasty banknotes.
"Sir, what should we do?"
Zhao Dayu was worried.
With a smile on his lips, Liang Chengtong said slowly: "Royal Central Bank will set up branches in the copper wasteland of Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Peking in one month. If you can seize the opportunity..."
