Zhu Yunxi frowned slightly.

Of course, he had heard about the problem of Daming treasure banknotes.

In the early years of Hongwu, the Ming Dynasty used copper coins as legal tender.

However, at that time, the war with the Yuan Dynasty was still ongoing, and a large amount of copper was used in warfare and other aspects, and the raw materials for making copper coins were seriously insufficient.

On the other hand, the weight of copper coins also limits its circulation.

Small money transactions are fine.

A large number of copper coins are quite inconvenient.

So, in the seventh year of Hongwu, the Ming Dynasty set up a treasure money lifting division.

In the eighth year of Hongwu, the Ming Dynasty officially began to print the treasure banknotes of the Ming Dynasty to replace the copper coins.

The Ming treasure banknote played a vital role in the consolidation of the political power and the recovery of the economy after the establishment of the Ming Dynasty.

As a result, financial difficulties were alleviated and huge military expenditures were raised.

And through the printing of treasure money, the minting and circulation of money in the society are also controlled by the government.

Thus control the economic lifeblood of the country.

But although Lao Zhu is a ruthless man who has won the world as a beggar, his ability is strong, and he is the best in ancient and modern times.

But the inch is long, and the ruler is short.

Lao Zhu has no knowledge of modern financial knowledge.

The Daming treasure banknotes did not have any gold or silver goods, as collateral, and there were no reserves, but were printed out of thin air.

Lao Zhu's direct domineering regulations stipulate that treasure banknotes are only issued and not withdrawn, and the people must use them.

There is no strict limit on the number of prints.

When the imperial court needed money, it started the money printing machine and printed it desperately.

At its peak, the amount of treasure money printed in a year was much higher than the taxes collected by the whole country.

It is equivalent to printing money and collecting several times more taxes out of thin air.

At this time, the Ming Dynasty was still in an agricultural society and did not need so many circulating banknotes.

The financial difficulties of the imperial court were temporarily solved, but the common people did not buy it.

The value of the treasure banknotes depreciated rapidly, and the people refused to use them.

In this regard, Lao Zhu not only did not reflect on the problem of the currency issuance system, but ordered local governments to use state violence and force the people to use it.

This has led to a number of cases, many of which have been convicted, but with little success.

The laws of economics are difficult to fight.

The depreciation of treasure banknotes is getting faster and faster, and the people are more and more resistant to using them.

Before this, Zhu Yunxi had actually thought about this problem more than once.

But for a while, he didn't think of a good solution.

Therefore, he did not write to Lao Zhu and give advice.

It's easy to see the problem.

Many officials in the court of the Ming Dynasty pointed out that this was due to the excessive issuance of treasure banknotes, and the imperial court should greatly reduce the printing of treasure banknotes.

But how?

The annual income and expenditure of the household department are all placed there.

The income from the printing of treasure money accounts for half of the total income of the household.

After the reduction, what did the imperial court use?

Do you want to be a good guy?

Does the army still need military pay?

Should the construction of various projects be carried out?

Therefore, even though the treasure money is depreciating more and more, the imperial court has never been able to stop printing money.

Instead, more and more are printed.

Because after the depreciation, only by printing more can the same value be achieved as before.

So a vicious circle is formed.

Everyone knows that this is not the solution, but there is no solution for everyone.

In fact, it's not just Daming.

The Song Dynasty, the Yuan Dynasty, and the famous Zimbabwean currency in later generations...... Isn't it all like that?

No wonder some people say that printing money is like taking drugs.

I know that if I suck it again, I will die, but I can't help but take another sip.

If Suzhou wants to develop commerce and trade, it is inseparable from currency.

However, the current situation of Daming treasure banknotes is difficult to assume the role of the general equivalent of currency.

Naturally, it will greatly hinder the development of Suzhou's commercial economy.

somewhat has a little financial knowledge of later generations, and Zhu Yunxi sees it more deeply than them.

The currency has become like this, and it is not only the country's finances that have been affected.

Daming's entire financial system is actually on the verge of collapse.

It's just that because the Ming Dynasty is still an agricultural society, its impact will not be so great.

But he wants to take Daming into a new era, industry to develop, and commerce to take off.

He knew that currency reform was necessary.

But how easy is it to say?

At present, Daming's financial situation does not even know how to raise reserves.

That's not a small amount.

Zhu Yunxi looked at Liu Hanmo and asked, "Could it be that you have any good ideas?" ”

Liu Hanmo took a deep breath, bent down and arched his hand: "The lower officials suggest that the passage of Daming treasure banknotes be abolished in Suzhou, and silver and copper coins will be used as currencies instead. ”

Zhu Yunxi was silent.

This is indeed a way to draw wages from the bottom of the kettle.

Historically, the Daming treasure banknote completely collapsed in a few years.

In later generations, the Ming Dynasty became silver as the main currency.

But this brings with it a series of serious problems.

There were very few silver mines in the Ming Dynasty, and silver mainly came from overseas trade.

As a result, the state loses the right to issue and control the currency.

The impact on future generations is extremely far-reaching.

He had been thinking about how to save the Ming Treasure Banknote instead of abolishing it.

While gold and silver are natural currencies, coinage rights are vital powers, and the state must keep them firmly in their hands.

Zhu Yunxi sighed softly: "The imperial court is underspent, and it needs to be printed to maintain it. ”

Liu Hanmo said: "Your Royal Highness, the lower officials have a way. After the abolition of the Ming treasure banknotes, the imperial court could borrow money and grain from wealthy merchants to raise expenses. ”

These words were like a flash of light in the darkness, which made Zhu Yunxi's eyes suddenly light up.

One word immediately flashed through his mind - national debt!

"Tell me about it!" He hurriedly said.

"This is actually the method used by the Suzhou government over the years." Liu Hanmo said: "Suzhou is extremely difficult to collect because of excessive taxes. ”

"Every year, when the last date comes, there is still a large amount of money and grain taxes that have not been collected, but the deadline stipulated by the imperial court has arrived, and the money and grain must be escorted into Beijing."

"The prefect's yamen will borrow a sum of money and grain from the wealthy merchants in Suzhou, temporarily advance it, and send it to the imperial court first."

"Then, continue to urge the families who have not paid the tax and grain, and return the money and grain collected in the future to the wealthy merchants in Suzhou."

"It's just that now a lot of taxes and money and grain can't be paid, and rich businessmen don't want to lend money and grain to the yamen."

"According to the lower officials, the imperial court borrowed money, which is very different from the situation in Suzhou Mansion."

"Since His Royal Highness Taisun is determined to revitalize commerce and trade and use commercial taxes to make up for the expenses of the imperial court, then this money will definitely be able to be repaid."

After he finished speaking, he found that His Royal Highness Taisun had fallen into deep thought.

Suddenly, Zhu Yunxi slapped back and said, "Hahaha, there is, there is!" ”

He looked up at Liu Hanmo and said, "Governor Liu, your suggestion today has given Gu Da a great inspiration. ”

"The Ming treasure banknote must continue to be implemented, and the imperial court cannot lose the right to issue and control the currency."

Liu Hanmo was stunned for a moment, puzzled.

His Royal Highness Taisun said that he was inspired, or insisted on issuing Daming treasure banknotes, what does it mean?

Zhu Yunxi didn't explain to him, but asked: "At present, how much is the actual value of the Daming treasure banknotes on the market in Suzhou?" ”

Liu Hanmo thought for a while, and said: "It's not a secret, the current value of the treasure banknote is extremely confusing. ”

"Although the imperial court stipulates that the new banknotes are of equal value to the old banknotes, it is not allowed to raise the price of the old banknotes buyers."

"But among the old banknotes, there are countless counterfeit banknotes, and it is difficult for the court to prohibit them."

Therefore, private businessmen are reluctant to accept old banknotes. The actual value of old banknotes is often only one-fifth, one-tenth, or even less than that of new banknotes. ”

"As for the new banknotes, they are now only worth more than two hundred yuan."

It's not bad.

It's not too outrageous yet.

The new banknotes are equivalent to one-fifth of the face value, which is already a good performance compared to the gold yuan bills.

In this way, the difficulty of his reform will be much reduced.

At least the problem of counterfeit money inside old banknotes.

He now has a technical research and manufacturing bureau, and the craftsmen are highly motivated to study technology, and I believe that it will not be difficult to solve the problem.

Zhu Yunxi thought in his heart.

There is already a calculation of what to do next.

Monetary reform is imperative.

Ahhh

Ask for a monthly pass at the beginning of the month!

(End of chapter)