eldest son of Ming dynasty

Chapter 876: Taking advantage of victory to control the vassals

There are three sets of new currencies, and each set is divided into four types. For copper coins, they are half a coin, one coin, two coins, and five coins.

Currency reform will not be implemented only temporarily in some areas, like the establishment of a new defense force.

Instead, it will be promoted nationwide, but there will be a transition period.

The transition period is one year. After one year, all private money and official money circulating throughout the Ming Dynasty will be invalidated.

Everyone has to find a way to exchange their old money for new money.

The banknotes can be retained, but the face of the banknotes can no longer be marked with 'liang' as the unit, but must all be marked with new coins.

Once the transition period is over, the production and use of all unofficial coins will be classified as a crime.

This thing seems easy,

It seems to be an imperial edict, and then everyone throws away the old money, uses new money, and then uses the old money to arrest you.

Zhu Houzhao nodded,

These are the truth.

So can these 10 silver dollars really buy the goods that silver can buy in the market?

This currency reform will also be like many reforms in history, which is a bad thing done with good intentions.

Even in less developed modern times, it was a long way to the county seat.

"explain."

The basic concept of currency itself is general equivalents. Now if we want to change it to general equivalents, it will cause such confusion.

"Yes, father, don't worry." Zai Yan muttered, "Father, I have one more thing to report to my father."

There are similar examples in modern countries. For example, India directly abolished the old currency, which caused a large number of people to run on banks and caused market chaos.

Zhu Houzhao closed the box containing the three sets of coins, "Pay attention to the composition of the three sets of coins, and don't make a joke about taking copper coins and smelting them into copper, which then becomes more valuable."

In other words, the imperial court asked all the people to exchange all the coins in their hands into new coins. But how many silver dollars could I exchange my five taels of silver for?

If the court stipulates a 10 silver dollar.

In this way, a good government becomes bad government.

For many people in mountain villages, a trip out of the village or into the city is an expense and burden. But all the money exchanges are done in the county government office. With the government's style...it is inevitable for petty officials to ask for bribes. If the bribes are not accepted, they will deliberately make things difficult for the people to make another trip. This will inevitably boil the public's resentment, and in Xinxin The promotion of coins is also no blessing. "

But this 'level' always has to be overcome.

But actually this is a very big test.

Because how to define the specific value of a silver dollar?

If you don't understand what's going on, just go home and come back next time. Such back and forth will make a good family unable to breathe for two or three years.

"It's about exchanging old money for new money. I have been thinking about it recently. Our Ming Dynasty has a vast territory and many mountains and hills. More than half of the area has very inconvenient transportation.

In his previous life, his hometown was more than a hundred miles away from the county seat. He couldn't walk without breaking his legs, right? Some people may not go to the county seat for several years if nothing happens.

Don’t talk about ancient times.

And it’s very difficult to get things done by the government. If they give you an excuse and send you away, what do you do? Can you still force your way in?

Those who understand the matter can just spend money and get over it.

"What do you think you're going to do?"

"I think we should expand the connotation of the transition period."

Zhu Houzhao was a little interested, "What do you mean?"

"After the transition period, the old coins can still be used in the few remaining scenarios. For example, when paying taxes, the old coins will still be accepted. After the court receives the taxes, they can be replaced in a unified way. This is not only more efficient. , and also relieves the burden on the people.”

Zhu Houzhao's eyes lit up.

That's fine.

This is where the saying goes that governing a big country is like cooking a small one.

A small change, but because of more careful consideration, many problems will be avoided.

People always have to pay taxes. If it is too late to exchange old coins, or it is difficult to exchange them for various reasons, then use them to pay taxes.

The same is true if taxes are uniformly transported to the capital or exchanged centrally in several big cities.

"Good." The emperor rarely praised him like this.

Zai Yan just smiled slightly, showing some composure beyond his years.

"Not only is it convenient, but it can also be seen from the different proportions in different places. It is the officials in those places who have corrupt governance and will ask for bribes from the people whenever they find an opportunity!" Zhu Houzhao said with squinted eyes.

Because the official style of the county government is not good, it will inevitably lead to people being unwilling to exchange.

In fact, normally, most people will choose to redeem it first. After all, this is all the wealth, and it is of great concern. Now that the court wants to abolish these and use new money, it will definitely be safe.

Timid people are not willing to take any risks.

And it needs to be replaced more or less, otherwise what will happen to daily expenses?

Zai Yan kept silent about these things.

"Father, if this new set of coins is available... I would also like to ask my father to set an auspicious date so that it can be officially implemented."

Zhu Houzhao asked: "There is no need to rush. We always have to make enough coins and transport them to various counties and cities across the country. I'm afraid it won't work without half a year."

Fortunately, we should be able to see hope in the 21st year of Zhengde.

After the monetary and military reforms are completed, and the grand strategy proposed by Zaihe can be designated as the guiding ideology of diplomacy in a few days, the Ming Dynasty can gradually transform into a modern country.

Although the political system remains unchanged, its fundamental shortcomings still exist, causing various problems such as incomplete reform. However, Russia's serfdom reform was not complete, but it did not affect Russia's becoming one of the great powers. The conditions of the Ming Dynasty were even better.

Zhu Houzhao patted his legs and told You Zhi when he came back, "Send this good news to the military aircraft office, let them announce the awards throughout the army, and give titles to all the soldiers who went on the expedition to Luzon! Let the subjects of the whole country accept this together." A New Year’s gift!”

"Yes, I obey your order."

"Don't leave in a hurry. I'll give a message to the cabinet. From now on, all information about the geography and people's sentiments about our Ming Dynasty can no longer be summarized in the simple words of two capitals and fourteen provinces. The Ming Dynasty is an East with dual sea and land, and numerous vassal states. In a big country, all ministries must use new maps.

If our descendants lose the place we occupy, they will be regarded as sinners of this nation! In the Zhengde Dynasty, whoever loses territory, I will kill his head! Also, the vassal states are clearly listed one by one, which one is and which one is not? Some countries only pay tribute every few years, which is a mess. What does it mean? Is it true this year but not next year? "

Because there were too many elements in the content, You Zhi wanted to take notes when he heard it. He was afraid of delaying the matter, so he mentioned it carefully, "Your Majesty, I am stupid. Maybe I should repeat it first, so as not to miss something and delay your Majesty's important event. "

Zhu Houzhao clicked his tongue, "You are really an old fool."

Zai Yan immediately came to the rescue, "Father, the emperor and his ministers all remember it, and the left and right cabinets are not far away. Why don't we just ask our ministers to pass it on?"

"Okay, then you two go together."

"Yes."

"Boss, please sit with me for a while. It's almost noon. I'm calling you brothers. I'll reunite with you for the New Year. Second brother, if you go, come back as soon as possible."

"Yes."

After leaving the Palace of Qianqing, You Zhi thanked Zai Yan, "Thanks to Prince Yu for today. If it weren't for this, I would have to be punished by Your Majesty."

"You're welcome. I'm not tired of conveying a message."

"Prince Yu Yu is a small effort, but Yu Lao Nu can be said to be a great favor. He should be thanked."

Zai Yan smiled and did not refuse.

The two left two long footprints in the snow.

You Zhi suddenly spoke again, "Today is the good news for Lu Song and His Highness the Third Highness. The Emperor should be happy, but he doesn't know who he is targeting with these harsh words. Moreover, the Emperor's holy will is lofty, so he will not pick a fight without any reason. Those thorns of the Ming Dynasty. They are so strange."

What is said is unintentional, but the listener is intentional.

Zai Yan took a deep look at the old eunuch.

You Zhi was calm and said with a smile: "Old slave, you talk too much."

"No." Zai Yan frowned, shook his head and said, "What my father-in-law said makes sense."

You Zhi won’t say any more.

In this place, how high your understanding is determines how far you can go.

Zai Yan slowed down and began to think carefully about the details of today.

Logically speaking, if Luzon wins, then just celebrate Luzon’s victory. What does it have to do with other vassal countries?

Or just kill the chicken and show it to the monkey.

The second child is a smart person, but after being reminded and thinking about it again and again, he somewhat understood.

The emperor wanted to show all the Ming vassals this victory.

Look at how the Ming army suppressed the rebellion like chopping melons and vegetables.

In this way, on the one hand, these vassal countries no longer dare to have other thoughts, and on the other hand, they are able to accept some of Ming's requirements.

The emperor fully agreed to the strategic concept of relying on islands and leaping forward.

Therefore, these Nanyang vassal states should all agree to Ming Dynasty's conditions. If you raise troops to resist, what do you call a vassal state?

Look at it from this angle,

Luzon won the battle, and its significance was not limited to one port or one island.

This is the emperor's perspective and level of looking at problems.

Otherwise, if one port is completed in three to five years, and at most three in ten years, when will a network be formed?

"I understand. My father is going to start making demands on Champa, Manlajia, Boni and other vassal states, asking them to agree to the Ming Dynasty choosing good ports from them. But why doesn't my father say it?"

"Using victory in war as a means of coercion is not the usual practice of the Celestial Kingdom. Or maybe the emperor has not thought of what other methods to use besides this."

You Zhi could only say this far, and he wouldn't be able to figure it out if he went deeper.

Emperor Zhengde had a deep mind, and no one dared to say that he could grasp everything accurately.

But the meaning of asking other vassal states to "sit upright" is there.

In the Nuan Pavilion of Qianqing Palace, Zaihe had already given the emperor a map.

In the traditional sailing route from the southeastern coast of the mainland to the Southern Ocean, the route taken by the ship does not go straight to Luzon in a straight line.

Instead, sail along the coast - it's safer.

This would lead to what would become the coast of Vietnam, now called Champa.

This old road is also a road that navigators are very familiar with.

And if the navy travels a lot, it will be discovered that there is an absolutely world-class port along the coast of this continent.

Not only does it meet the basic principle of a small mouth and a big belly, but the entrance is formed by two mountains hugging each other on both sides.

As long as cannons are mounted on the two hills, it will be difficult for the enemy to attack from the outside. In fact, even in Zhu Houzhao's previous life, this port can be called one of the best deep-water ports in the world.

Once the construction is completed, it will also be able to face Luzon Shitang Port across the South China Sea.

The left and right are restraining each other. No matter how powerful the external forces are, they will have to control them as long as they enter the South China Sea!

(End of this chapter)