Chapter Seventy-One: Iron and Copper Coins

He Xi also knows a lot of things and can't be moved easily. For example, conscription, conscription, is the foundation of the Ming Dynasty. I can only immediately change my thinking and think of other ways to get money.

He Xi thought about it, and said secretly in his heart: "It's a pity, you can't print treasure money indiscriminately, in fact, printing treasure money is the most profitable." ”

Printing money? He Xi suddenly thought of something. said: "Your Majesty, the minister thought of a way to make the Taiping Iron Works profitable. ”

He Xi said: "Ma'anshan Iron Mine is a copper-iron mixed mine. ”

"Copper?" Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Cast copper coins." How much copper can be where? ”

He Xi said: "The copper mine is incidental. Iron ore is the main thing. He Xi casually took out a one-yuan steel hammer from the money bag on his body. said: "Actually, iron money is also possible. ”

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head and said: "What is the difference between cast iron money and printing treasure money?" ”

He Xi said: "If it is said that the price of iron money is above the price of iron, it is big money, but if the value of iron money is below the price of iron, then it is not." ”

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned for a moment and said, "What do you mean?" ”

He Xi said: "The iron money we built is actually a steel money. Steel itself has a price. Far above the price of iron, with today's steel price, a hundred steel hammers are about a catty. Today's one or two pieces of silver probably can't be sold for ten catties of steel. ”

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned for a moment and said, "One penny, ten iron coins?" ”

He Xi said: "This price can be negotiated again." ”

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Can this be done? ”

He Xi was silent for a while and said; "Probably it can be done."

Before He Xi reformed the Ordnance Bureau, this could not be done. Because minting money is not just about the price of iron. It still depends on the cost of casting. But now the iron armor can be forged. Why can't just a coin. As a result, costs are drastically reduced.

This can support He Xi's iron money plan.

And for many people, small denominations of iron coins are also needed. Because people in many places can't get much money a year. Many people in remote rural areas are bartering. However, with the same problem, the profits of the Iron Money Project are also limited.

It can only be considered a stopgap measure.

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "This matter is accurate. You don't have to do it all. The imperial court can also squeeze out some expenses, after all, steel is still needed everywhere. ”

He Xi actually knew that his method, in essence, was still wool from the common people. After all, steel prices will depreciate rapidly in the next decade or so. It is hoped that the credit of the Ming Dynasty will be strong and it will be able to support the currency system of iron coins.

He Xi said, "Your Majesty." ”

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "However, there is one more thing to discuss with you. ”

He Xi said: "Your Majesty, please speak." ”

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Which yamen should you be in charge of this stall in Taiping Mansion?" ”

He Xi was stunned for a moment, and understood in his heart. Although these inheritances were handed down by him one hand and one foot, and the foundation was laid. However, he could not have been under his own command all the time. They must be part of the Ming court and be a formal institution of the Ming court.

The reason is simple, this is the most important weapon of the state.

Zhu Yuanzhang also did not allow him to monopolize it.

Yes, Zhu Yuanzhang allowed him to be influential in this. After all, there are many factions in the imperial court. Not more than one of Ho Xi. Even Zhu Yuanzhang still intends to cultivate He Xi's faction. But each faction must be within the framework of the imperial court, and the people under He Xi must know that they are Ming officials, and then He Xi's party. And not the other way around.

Therefore, the things on the side of the Taiping Mansion must be the yamen of the imperial court.

Actually, you don't have to ask. Naturally, it is from the Ministry of Works.

It's just that Zhu Yuanzhang emphasized this point to He Xi.

He Xi said: "Naturally, it will return to the Ministry of Industry. ”

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "What department of the Ministry of Industry? ”

He Xi frowned slightly and said, "This ------, the four divisions of the Ministry of Industry: Yingxi, Yuheng, Dushui, and Tuntian. It doesn't seem to be the right one. ”

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Then set up another division." It is called the Coal and Iron Division, which is in charge of the world's mineral deposits. Do you have the right person? ”

This matter, for Zhu Yuanzhang, is not a whim. Instead, he paid more and more attention to the coal and iron industry. So the court must be in charge. Therefore, it is inevitable to establish a new yamen to be responsible for this matter.

It's also about doing things quietly. Not for the limelight. This is called the Coal and Iron Division. In fact, it is okay to call it the Mining Division or the Industrial Division.

He Xi smiled bitterly and said, "Father will arrange it himself." There is really no suitable candidate. ”

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "I'll look for the chief officer." You can't just let it go, though. There are two things to do. ”

He Xi said: "Father, please speak." ”

This is He Xi's painstaking sent. It's impossible to let He Xi go. He even had the heart to serve as a coal and iron shiro himself. It's just that Zhu Yuanzhang didn't let him take the position, thinking that he had a useful intention. He Xi could only obey.

He Xi is very satisfied with doing something for the newly built coal and iron division.

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "First, you have to draft the charter of the Coal and Iron Division. ”

He Xi said: "There is no problem. It's just that Your Majesty wants to rectify the world's minerals? ”

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "What do you mean? ”

He Xi said: "Establish a license system. Those who want to mine must report to the imperial court, and the imperial court will issue a license. Pay a fixed amount of tax every year. As for how to pay taxes in a fixed amount. I'm going to look into it again. But in any case, the mining industry cannot be ignored. Nor can it be completely banned because of the shortcomings of the mining industry. It's always going to be managed. ”

"This future may be an important pillar of Daming taxation."

The mining policy of the Ming and Qing dynasties has always been between the forbidden and the prohibited.

During the Zhu Yuanzhang period, he was self-mined, but he also secretly suppressed large-scale mines. And after orthodoxy, it was once banned, and once it was loosened. Anyway, in a word, mining is a thing that non-powerful people can't operate.

This point, even after 600 years, cannot be considered wrong.

Is there less fire and murder in the north for the sake of mines?

But He Xi still feels that there is a clear policy. It can promote the development of mining and reduce the cost of mining. A large number of black mines, which seem to be tax-free, but in fact, the cost of maintaining them privately is much more than on the surface.

After all, with the development of industry, the mining industry will also develop.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "Okay." Do what you want. Write a charter and come up. ”

He Xi said: "Yes." ”

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Another thing is to ask you to preside over the special examination of the Coal and Iron Division. ”

He Xi was stunned for a moment and said, "Coal and Iron Division special exam? ”

He Xi understands every word of this sentence, but when they are put together, they don't understand.

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "I don't know, how did you get the civil service exam in later generations. Just that? ”

He Xi was stunned for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, this is not a big deal, right?" ”

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled lightly and said, "Didn't you say that you despise the enemy strategically and attach importance to the enemy tactically?" The Great Doctor has not yet grown up. Less than 20 years have passed since the chaos in the world, and it can be said that the Great Ming Doctor and the Great Yuan Imperial Court are inextricably linked, which is one of the reasons why I look down on them, and this is the reason why they have a heart knot with me. ”

"There are only a handful of ministers in the world who dare to offend Yan Zhizhi. As soon as Song Ne went, Liu Sanwu and others went their separate ways. Now they will wait and see what they do. ”

Speaking of this, there was some melancholy in Zhu Yuanzhang's tone.

Although Zhu Yuanzhang has now parted ways with these people, he has to admit that Song Ne and others can be regarded as loyal ministers and filial sons. It's just that Laneige is the door and has to be removed.

Zhu Yuanzhang kept saying: "In the Yuan Dynasty, nine beggars and ten Confucians shattered the integrity of I don't know how many people. Now that the Ming Dynasty has been a scholar for fifteen years, there are not many people with backbone. Most of them just want to be officials, and they care about the channels of being officials, not what they test. ”

"Don't do it at the moment? When to do it? ”

"However, this time the exam is limited to the students of the country. Strive to finalize this piece as a custom, and in the future, if there is a shortage of court officials, they will have to be specially recruited. Therefore, you have a great responsibility this time, because in the future, what should you do for the special recruitment of Daming? It's all based on your example. ”

"So, do it well."

He Xi took a deep breath and said, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty." I'm going to do my best to do that. ”