Zhao Zhen faintly felt that Zheng Lang and Jia Changchao were at odds, and said, "I don't know, you come and listen." ”

"The Khitan people laughed at my cowardice in the military, but they saw the beauty of my court robes, the wealth of hundreds of officials, the food and fruit mash, the scorching sweetness, the clothes and utensils, the fragrance and the brightness, all admired it, and learned the Chinese style. Even boasted to each other, including the Khitan Emperor himself, who believed in the Buddha, studied Confucian classics, and regarded himself as Chinese. This stimulated them to spend extravagantly, so they needed more gold and silver. However, they consulted with our court in huge quantities, and a lot of silver was circulated back to our court. Not only the New Year's coins given to them by our dynasty, but also some of the silver produced in their country also flowed into our dynasty, which is the reason why the Khitan banned felt silver in the second year of Qingli and discussed with our dynasty. Song Qi said that this is a plan to trap China. No, it was not deliberately aimed at our dynasty, but a large amount of silver flowed back to our dynasty, and they lacked currency in the country, so they had to do so. ”

"What does that have to do with iron money?"

"In the era of the Khitan Emperor Shengzong, my dynasty and the Khitan discussed, the amount is not large, and there were more copper coins in my dynasty before, and the amount of currency was sufficient, although the Khitan minted several currencies, the most was Chongxi Tongbao, which has not been put into the market. Later, the two countries reconciled, and many of our goods flowed into the Khitan, and the copper money was insufficient, so I put the money out, but it was still insufficient. The Khitans saw the opportunity and cast a large number of iron coins on the border, because the exchange price was lower than that of our dynasty, so that the smuggling merchants could bring them into the country. Almost half of the iron coins in circulation on the market are minted by the Khitan. Although the iron money is used, it seems that the imperial court has obtained some benefits, but it has caused the people to worry constantly, and the pros and cons are mixed, and there are many disadvantages. As a result, the Khitan obtained greater benefits, so the ministers took it as a plan to immediately recover and destroy the iron money circulating in the market. Otherwise, it will be the harm of the Khitan. ”

The question is a bit complicated.

The latecomers only saw the wars, but they did not know that there were many wars in these countries that could not see the smoke of gunpowder. Especially currency wars.

The Song Dynasty has not done very well, whether with the Khitan or with the Jin Dynasty, they have lost the battle.

When it comes to currency, there are several countries that have insufficient currency. In later generations, some people compared how much silver was used in the Qing Dynasty. This is not right, the purchasing power of one tael of silver in the Qing Dynasty is far less than that of the Song Dynasty.

Because it is expensive, it should not be underestimated, that is, when buying odd and broken goods, gold and silver are difficult to come in handy. But it has many uses, not only to make utensils and jewelry, but also to facilitate bribery, gifts, almsgiving, compensation, redemption, and loans. In commerce, it can also be used for telecommunications, road fares, price payments, price expressions, fees, storage, bulk transactions, etc., and can also be used as tax payment, monopoly income, supply, contribution, military expenses, rewards, and general expenses with the state.

Although it cannot be "used for a small purpose", gold and silver have been used on a large scale, production is increasing, and the supply has been in short supply, so the price has been rising, and many large families have treasured gold and silver, resulting in more and more shortage of gold and silver. The price rose even faster, and it was not until the appearance of the safety prison that the price barely stabilized.

as the currency itself. Copper coins are still mainstream.

Because of the lack of money, silk is still used in many cases instead of currency transactions, or barter. Therefore, later generations have not been able to accurately count the income of the Song Dynasty, some people say that the highest income of the Song Dynasty reached 180 million guan, and some people say that 160 million guan, which is the case.

Even if Zheng Lang is asked to count now, there are no accurate figures, there are copper coins, silk, and grain. There is grass, which is the main one, as well as gold, silver, tin, iron, lead, charcoal, wood, stone, jade, all kinds of fruits and vegetables, and the four treasures of the study. Local specialties, which was also the official income of the Song Dynasty.

Ping'an came out and eased slightly, but most of the gold, silver and copper were used as utensils and jewelry, and did not flow into money into the people, and even if they were turned into money, they were far from satisfying the huge economic aggregate of the Song Dynasty. And with iron money for copper money, the Song Dynasty was an absolute loss-making business. In the past, there was no war between the Khitan and the Western Xia, but Zheng Lang never brought it up, for fear of arousing the disgust of the Khitan. Until the outbreak of war, there was no need to allow this bad momentum to develop. …,

Zhao Zhen turned to Wang Gongchen and said, "You send someone to check." ”

Wang Yaochen was worried about returning home because of his mother's funeral, and the vacancy was filled by Wang Gongchen, and Zhang Fangping was moved to the middle of the imperial history. In general, Zhao Zhen still focused on protecting the Jia Chang Dynasty, and used the Jia Chang Dynasty to quickly pacify the various influences brought by the Junzi Party, especially the Friends Party.

Zheng Lang didn't attach much importance to this, but Jia Changchao's various practices did make Zheng Lang very disgusted.

Although Lu Yijian rejects dissidents, he does not need to be accused of all kinds of crimes, so that the minister will be confronted by the court, and he is still a minister who has made meritorious contributions. Jia Changchao did just that. First Ouyang Xiu, then Yin Su.

Zheng Lang made up his mind and said: "I heard that since the beginning of this year, the wind and rain have been smooth, the country and the people have been safe, and the treasury has been slightly surplus, which is a blessing for the country. However, His Majesty's kindness was too heavy, and the minister thought it was inappropriate. Enwei needs to be moderate, too favorable, once thin, unless the courtiers with good virtue and good morality, there is no resignation. The rest of the ministers were resentful. The former, even if His Majesty is not too preferential, will be conscientious, loyal to the king and love the people. The treasury has a slight surplus, and the ministers think that there are three ways to use it: one is to prepare grain to prevent possible disasters, and the other is to reserve the treasury to save the treasury in case of accidents. The third is the people, since the use of troops in Shaanxi, the minister in Zhengzhou heard that there are many names in the nearby states and counties, there is additional consumption, additional consumption and consumption of rice, warehouse consumption, provincial consumption, official consumption, scale consumption, foot consumption, Kangding year when all the money of the head of the official, not allowed to be used in the state, since the beginning of the war, some of the state capital and again the head of the money for the state of public use, exploitation of the people, and there are contacts, city money, starting money, use money, cost money, comparison, survey money, Suo Mo money, Cao juice, state use, repair warehouses, add points, Zhuo, some names even the ministers can't think of it. This is only the amount plus expenses in addition to the two taxes, and the conversion, transfer, and purchase, and the discount money, even the exempt money generated by the new law also produces a lot of free money, body tax, and other names, as well as commercial tax and city tax, etc., the imperial court issued an edict to restore the original state, but there are officials in various prefectures and counties who are leviing and extorting money. There are also Tugong, for example, Bao Zheng in Duanzhou into the Yantai play, Tugong court should not be much, such as Duanzhou Yan, southeast orange, but the local officials in the name of the court, and all kinds of names, this is hundreds of fresh oranges, the cost is not much, the meaning of praise is far greater than the intention of trying the new, but it has become a big drawback below, bringing a heavy burden to the people. If there is a slight surplus in the treasury, please send your courtiers to discuss whether these names can be abolished one by one, which is the foundation of charity. ”

What Zheng Lang said exists. But it can't be said that Zhao Zhenchao is very dark.

The exploitation of the common people in the name of ingenuity is what the officials of that dynasty are doing. No system can avoid it. (Regarding this situation, I posted a repost in the related work to explain some progress in the Song Dynasty)

Of course. If these obscure names were reduced, the people's lives would be better.

And Zhao Zhen has one of the biggest characteristics, which is also a bad habit and can't save money. At the beginning of the war, the Song Dynasty's various taxes and revenues once reached more than 130 million yuan, and later reduced the tax power. Ease the burden on the people. However, various expenditures amounted to more than 120 million yuan, and they have been unable to make ends meet. Song Yingzong was forced to be anxious and tried to reform.

But at that time, Han Qi and Ouyang Xiu presided over the government, and in order to maintain their status, the two became brazen, and dared to offend many powerful people and initiate reforms. These difficulties were left to Song Shenzong. After Song Shenzong became the emperor, he rushed to the third division to read the account books. I was dumbfounded, and I screamed in a hurry. That's desperate to support Wang Anshi's change. Forced.

This admonition is not just as simple as loving the people.

Zhao Zhen replied: "I accept it." ”

Zheng Lang said: "A few years ago, the minister and Song Xianggong discussed the matter of the newspaper. Song Xianggong left the court, and many major events happened, and this matter could not be done. Song Xianggong wrote to me some time ago to ask me that the minister today asked His Majesty to allow Song Xianggong to preside over the newspaper affairs. Only two cases need to be filed, and the ten rebellious behaviors must not be publicized, and they must not be vulgar and obscene, if so, the imperial court can convey some public newspapers and edicts to the people through newspapers, so that the common people can understand the movements of the imperial court, the monarch's thoughts and orders. Cooperate with the courtiers to supervise the illegal acts of some officials. The people can also use newspapers to write out the thoughts of the people, and the court can use them as reference and understanding. This is a major event that is quite beneficial to the country, which is equivalent to setting up countless ministers for the imperial court without pay to assist the country, and it is a great achievement. ”…,

The matter of the newspaper dragged on for a long time, when the Gentlemen Party was in power. Zheng Lang is not at ease, this tool is in the hands of the Gentlemen's Party, God knows what it will become?

Therefore, it would be more fair to have a good old man like Song Zhen to preside.

"Hey, why don't I know?" Zhao Zhen asked strangely.

Zheng Lang said hastily, first it is governmental, but it is not forbidden to run privately, and it is possible to publish poems and songs, articles, scriptures, novels, wild history, and even gossip, which is necessary, otherwise it will not attract readers. Then there is the news, which is what Zheng Lang said can be made public, and the people talk about it, and the income is the money from selling newspapers and advertising. As soon as the advertisement was said, the monarch and the ministers were thundered. Fortunately, some primitive advertisements have appeared in the Song Dynasty, widely distributed flags, with the name of the bookstore on them, to attract customers to the door, and they can be understood.

The Song Dynasty was very lenient about the speech, Zhao Zhen pondered for a moment and said, "Quasi." Song Qing, after you go back, write a draft and submit it, and the secretaries will discuss the draft. ”

"Oh," Song Zhen was overjoyed, this is also a merit, he is honest, he can't compete with others, this is his rare opportunity to make meritorious contributions.

Zheng Lang continued: "Last time Lan Yuanzhen talked about seeds with the minister, the minister wrote a book. ”

"Why don't you trust the officials?" Jia Changchao asked coldly.

"Jia Xianggong, it's a pity, the court needs officials, but I am pessimistic about officials, my two mothers have passed away, and I am in a bad mood, otherwise I will write a theory of benevolence and righteousness at this time, a view on human nature, I hold a balanced opinion, but self-interest is inside, benefit others outside, and there are very few officials who can really do it for the country and the people, regardless of their own interests. You say you don't believe it, but I agree. For example, Jia Xianggong has done various things since he became prime minister. ”

You yourself have become the prime minister, and your butt of dirty things has not been wiped clean, so how can you clean the officials below?

In fact, Zheng Lang's proposal is very sensible and can be implemented without the approval of the imperial court. The imperial court only played a few thrifting roles in it. Cultivating seeds has seen results, but he is pessimistic about the official Zheng Lang, because he sees more, no matter what kind of system, it is not easy to let the official be the legendary Bao Qingtian. In particular, China's official-oriented thinking is very serious, and the Song Dynasty is slightly better, but there are still many corrupt officials and corrupt officials. So it was proposed to leave the matter to a private person.

But there are three conditions. The first is the good households, the second is to divide the seeds into four grades according to the quality of the seeds, and the selling price is two to five times the price of the local grain, and the third is not to use any coercive means to force the people to buy the seeds.

In the Song Dynasty, there were many large households that treated tenant farmers well, set up township schools and schools, and relieved the poor people, and even some large households took out a lot of money to buy food when the disaster came, and took the initiative to cooperate with the imperial court for disaster relief. The scale is no less than that of later generations.

After Zheng Lang's young man proposed. Zhao Zhen agreed, and received five or six batches of good households before and after, Guan Jian Zheng Lang did not serve as prime minister at this time, otherwise a gentleman would add a picture. This idea of universal goodness is even more prevalent. But Zhao Zhen's several meetings also played a leading role. There are a number of good families in various places who have done touching deeds.

And then to the technical problems, intensive cultivation, the selection of the best seeds, closed environment planting, so as not to dry up the pollen, the nature of the seed company of later generations. Profit is a supplement. Improving seeds is the main thing, so good households have become the primary premise. If the matter is completed, the court will give some more rewards. Directly avoid this link of the government to avoid bad drawbacks. But when it came to Jia Changchao, he was stuck. People take food as their sky, how can they think of making this money?

Don't say that you can't twist this bend, but in this era, it's really hard to twist around.

"Let's talk about it." Zhao Zhen said. At this time, he did not want Zheng Lang to clash with Jia Changchao.

But today Zheng Lang talked about many aspects, and some of them persuaded the monarch. There are military, diplomatic, tax, financial and agricultural aspects, and there is a faint demeanor of a prime minister, Zhao Zhen is very pleased, and said: "Zheng Qing, you have been in Beijing for a long time, I have some confusion in Confucianism, go to the Ying Pavilion to talk to me." ”…,

Everyone is interested and automatically quits.

The two of them walked towards the Ying Pavilion, and Zhao Zhen asked, "When is Qing Ding worried?" ”

The question is very strange, and Erniang is willing. But among Zheng Lang's seven mothers, one is the eldest mother and the other is the fourth mother, and they must be very solemn. Zhenzong has a system, twenty-seven months. At least there is more than a year to go, if you pay attention to it. Erniang also has to worry about Ding, so it will take longer.

But Zheng Lang understood Zhao Zhen's mood and replied truthfully: "I'm afraid that it will be difficult for Ding Zhen to expire." In order to obtain accurate information, Zhang Kang borrowed the name of his minister and sent Guo Kui to the Khitan Emperor. The Khitan army was defeated, and the Khitan emperor looked forward to the ministers more. For my court, the minister must also go sooner or later, just when the Khitan is newly defeated, the three armies are angry, and it is a good time for the minister to go to the Khitan. If it drags on for a long time, the Khitan will recover and will inevitably take some revenge. With the national strength of the Khitan, if you are cautious and fight against the Western Xia, you will win more and lose less. At that time, it was probably difficult for the minister to escape back from the Khitan. ”

"Zheng Qing, what if it's not allowed?"

"No, at this time, our dynasty must make a false peace with the Khitan in exchange for their hatred of the Tanguts. If the Khitan is jealous and hateful because of the ministers, it is not good for the country. The minister promised to be an envoy, if the Khitan resisted the minister, it was the Khitan who was at fault, and the fault did not lie with our dynasty. Even if the ministers use a plan to escape. ”

"I'm still worried, by the way, have you rebuilt your moderation?"

"The minister has always been in a bad mood, the mean is related to Confucianism, and he is not in the mood and does not dare to cultivate. However, I plan to renovate it after I go back this time, and as for benevolence and righteousness, the minister has not thought about it, so he does not have the courage to revise it, so as not to delay others. ”

"Benevolence?"

"The main line minister has thought about it, let's talk about the good and evil of human nature first."

"Do you think human nature is good or evil?" There has always been controversy in Confucianism about this, Mencius believed that human nature is good, and Xunzi believed that human nature is evil. As a result, later generations have different opinions, and there is no final unanimous answer.

Zheng Lang replied: "It is too one-sided to judge human nature in terms of good and evil. The dragon gave birth to nine sons, each of which was different, but all of them were ancient divine beasts. Heredity is a part, but acquired growth is more crucial, so both Mencius and Xunzi attach importance to acquired education. But at the beginning of the minister's opinion, it may not be a good nature, nor is it necessarily a blank piece of paper. One is influenced by parental genetics, the other is the instinct of human nature, natural selection, all things are evolving one by one in order to grow and survive, and people are even more so, in order to consolidate their own advantages, and to pass on the ancestry, human nature is biased towards the self-interested side, which is not necessarily evil, but self-interest, altruism and outside. Therefore, the minister will focus on writing one after the symbiosis of benevolence and righteousness. ”

"The Taoist one?"

"It is not the oneness of Taoism, Taoism believes that heaven and earth are reincarnated, from nothing to one to two to all things, and finally to nothingness. The one of the ministers is not so long-term, there is righteousness in benevolence, and there is benevolence in righteousness, which cannot be simply viewed in black and white, it is a very complex coexistence and coexistence of opposites, which is the one of Confucianism, and has nothing to do with the one of Taoism. It's a bit confusing, so that at least the boundary between good and evil is not so clear, indeed, if it is written, it is more complicated than Zheng Lang's so-called Zheng Mean.

Zhao Zhen thought for a while, but he was also confused, and suddenly laughed dumbly, this, let yourself be the minister to think about it, save your brain. When the two entered the Erying Pavilion, Zhao Zhen asked a few questions about Confucianism, which was also a manifestation of preferential treatment. Otherwise, what should I do, to the official, people don't care, give money, people don't care, they can only be gentlemen and treat people with sincerity.

Walking out, a young girl was flying a kite in the autumn wind.

Seeing Zheng Lang, little Lori stared at him with big eyes.

Zheng Lang had no choice but to stop and said, "I've seen Her Royal Highness the Princess." ”

"Doesn't seem like it's a knight's salute." Zhao Niannu said.

Zheng Lang looked at Zhao Niannu suspiciously.

Zhao Niannu said: "I asked the Picky Sect (referring to the Jews in Kaifeng), and they told the story of the knight. ”

There are many Jews in Kaifeng City, but Zhao Niannu grew up in the deep palace, and God knows how she learned about Western knightly etiquette. Zheng Lang laughingly knelt down on one leg, made a knightly salute, and said, "The minister has seen Her Royal Highness the Princess." ”

Zhao Niannu happily walked around him at this time.

The little girl has grown up and is very beautiful, but Zheng Lang suddenly thought of Ouyang Xiu's poem:

Jiangnan willow, Ye Xiao is not yin

The artificial silk is light and forbearing, and the warbler is tender and tender.

Leave it for late spring.

In the 14th Five-Year Plan, I was looking for a pipa.

The hall is full of money, and the time to see each other has been attentive.

Not to mention to this day.

I definitely don't have crooked thoughts about this little Lori, but in the Song Dynasty, these scholars and doctors like to catch the wind and catch shadows, talking nonsense, if it spreads, they can't tell it clearly, or it is better to avoid it, stand up, and say to Zhao Zhen: "The minister has filial piety, it is not appropriate to come to Beijing, and I have to go back quickly." ”

Flee in a hurry...... (To be continued) RQ