This calligraphy and painting contest was originally to solicit materials for the design on the back of the new silver ticket of the Daming Rixing Bank, and it is a coincidence that when Xu Erjue went to discuss with Xu Guangqi, Xu Guangqi was discussing with Huang Daozhou about the promotion of Chinese.

Xu Erjue was born in a scholarly family, although he has never been famous, he still understands the respect for teachers, so he did not ask Huang Daozhou to avoid it, but respectfully said the reason for finding Xu Guangqi, but I didn't expect that Huang Daozhou listened to it on Monday, but he was also interested.

This calligraphy and painting competition, how can painting alone, calligraphy is more conducive to the promotion of the Chinese language, so, at his suggestion, calligraphy was also added to the competition, Guozijian and Daming Xinglong business also entered the ranks of the organizers.

It is said that this contest has been a complete success, and the award-winning works have also been judged, the protagonist of this contest, Luo Yangxing of Da Ming Rixing Bank should be very excited, but at this time, he has a sad face, and even a little nervous, what is going on?

After Zhu Cijiong discussed the prosperous move with everyone, he finally found that Luo Yang's expression was a little wrong, and he couldn't help but ask curiously: "Taihe, what's wrong with you, why do you look like this?" “

When Luo Yangxing heard this, he replied ashamedly: "The emperor forgives the sin, Weichen, Weichen was negligent for a while, and miscalculated the quantity!" “

Zhu Cijiong was even more curious, and he couldn't help asking, "What quantity is wrong?" “

Luo Yangxing explained stubbornly: "The denomination of the emperor's new silver ticket, according to your meaning, should be as small and complete as possible, and the maximum should not exceed one hundred taels, specifically one hundred taels, fifty taels, twenty taels, ten taels, five taels, two taels, one tael, five coins, two coins, one coin, five cents, two cents, and one cent." “

There's nothing wrong with this, Zhu Cijiong couldn't help but nod and said, "Well, yes, that's it." “

Luo Yangxing said with a crying face: "Your Majesty, these are thirteen, not twelve!" “

When Zhu Cijiong heard this, he counted them carefully in his heart, there were really thirteen kinds, and he didn't pay attention to it for a long time, so he couldn't help but say embarrassedly: "It's okay, just add a painting jackpot." “

The emperor Chrysostom said that if there is no need, everyone will naturally not object, but what about the question?

There are 100 second prizes, and Zhu Cijiong is really difficult to decide, he thought about it, and simply said: "In this way, let's discuss it together, arrange the twelve jackpots that have been selected according to the denomination, see if the denomination is lacking, and then make a decision." “

Everyone nodded in agreement, and Zhu Cijiong asked everyone to do it together, lined up the twelve jackpot works in four rows on the conference table, and then thought: "According to the denomination, the one hundred taels should be listed separately, and you think that one hundred taels is more appropriate?" “

Unexpectedly, as soon as his words fell, everyone looked at a picture scroll in unison.

Zhu Cijiong followed everyone's gaze to take a look, this is a picture scroll depicting the Forbidden City, painting the scene of the early dynasty, the huge Forbidden City in the morning glow shining golden light, thousands of officials lined up in the square in front of the Imperial Palace, kneeling to welcome the emperor's dragon chariot, the brocade guards and eunuchs looming in the clouds, the scene is spectacular.

The Forbidden City is a symbol of imperial power, the whole world is not the king's land, and it is understandable to rank the Forbidden City at the top, Zhu Cijiong nodded and said: "Well, then this one, who painted this, so majestic, so vivid, the Forbidden City is painted alive, it should be an official in Beijing who often participates in the early dynasties, right?" “

When everyone heard this, they all looked strange, and they seemed to be a little unspeakable, only Xu Guangqi said without hesitation: "Back to the emperor, it is the masterpiece of Liu Ruozai, the left attendant of the ministry." “

Zhu Cijiong heard this, smiled, took the picture scroll handed over by everyone and took a closer look at the signature, "At the end of the summer of the twelfth year of Chongzheng, Yinping", well, Yinping is Liu Ruozai, since he became his own painting teacher, his position is like sitting on a rocket, swishing up, no wonder everyone has this expression.

Is this cronyism? In fact, this is not necessarily the case, this Liu Ruozai is not only talented, but also has a unique vision for talents, and often recommends some talents in front of him, and the evaluation is very pertinent, so Zhu Cijiong simply mentioned it to the position of the left waiter of the ministry, and everyone can be regarded as making the best use of their talents.

Fortunately, everyone was very interested in not mentioning this stubble, but honestly continued to discuss, and the next fifty taels, twenty taels and ten taels of the back pattern was quickly selected, respectively, the Yangtze River Bridge, the Yellow River Bridge and the Great Wall, the Yangtze River, the Yellow River, and the Great Wall are all significant representatives of the Ming Dynasty, and they are all meandering like dragons, and it is appropriate to classify them as a category.

When everyone discussed the background of five taels, two taels, and one taels, they finally found out what was missing, and everyone agreed that the north and south should be used next, but the capital and Jinling add up to only two cities, and there is still a picture of a city.

Zhu Cijiong thought about it, and among the 100 paintings of the second prize, what impressed him the most was a picture scroll depicting the Nanda Camp, which was painted by the author standing on a wall of the Nanda Camp, with dense military camps nearby, then commercial streets, and then countless docks and waterways, as well as forts, fortresses, and warships on the sea, which were extremely spectacular.

Everyone took out the painting and looked at it, and they all praised the emperor's wisdom, and the background of the five taels, two taels, and one tael was thus set.

Next is the back pattern of five coins, two coins, and one coin, which are used to use the treasure ship giant ship, super battleship, and fortune ship battleship.

Finally, there are the back patterns of five, two, and one points, which are used for railways, stations, and trains.

The background is determined, and then the template should be carved, ready to print, this process to be replaced by the later generations, it will take at least a few months, because the later generations of science and technology are too developed, and the engraving technician is not easy to find.

The template of this banknote must be carved out by hand, and it is also a metal template, and the technology is so developed in later generations, there are really not many people engaged in the engraving industry. The Ming Dynasty was different, I don't know how many craftsmen specialized in the carving industry, and the carving skills were also passed down from generation to generation, not to mention more than ten templates, even hundreds of pieces can be quickly carved out.

The paper used to make the new silver stamps was also settled, and the paper made of short cotton wool was used, which was smooth and delicate, tough and fold-resistant, and was suitable for making new silver stamps. In fact, this kind of paper is not newly developed, it has existed before, but because the cost is too high, it is generally only used by the super rich masters, so it is almost difficult to find it on the market.

Think about it, paper made of short cotton wool is almost the same as the cost of cloth, although short cotton wool is not a good weaving material, but it is also cotton!

Of course, if it is used to make silver tickets, then the cost problem is not a problem, it happens that the cotton output of the Ming Dynasty has grown explosively in recent years, and the short cotton lint material is sufficient, just make a silver ticket, but do not worry about the supply of goods.

Paper and templates have been prepared, the next is printing, the current Ming printing industry is simply not too developed, brush brush, a piece of dragon coins were quickly printed, that exquisite appearance, at a glance people have an impulse to want to collect.