Chapter 246.

Zhu stood up.

He sighed before saying, “Hey …… I was once dispatched by Emperor Taizu Gao to Fengyang, the central capital, to experience the hardships of the people and know the hardships of the people. After that, I also fought in Liaodong, knowing how bitter the generals were when they fought in the freezing cold. Only then did I realize that in order to rule a great nation and prosper the country, money and grain are fundamental.”

He said here, paused, the next moment, but fixedly looked at Zhang Anshi, said: “Give me a good talk about casting money.”

Zhang Anshi then said, “Your Majesty is kind and generous, and is able to sympathize with the people’s hardships, and when I heard this, I only felt that I had no place to go …… This money casting …… has several benefits, one of which … . the minting tax.”

Zhu raised his eyes and said, “Like a treasure bill?”

“It’s not as obvious as treasure notes.” Zhang Anshi patiently analyzed, “Pure gold and pure silver are softer, for example, this gold coin of mine, although it is one or two, in reality, the gold used is nine cents and three percent. The same goes for silver coins. However, when this gold and silver coins are issued, they are counted as one tael. This is because in order to increase the hardness of the gold and silver coins, I ordered the smiths to add other materials to them, which made them strong.”

Zhu Di frowned and said with slight hesitation, “If the gold and silver cannot be sufficient, will the people of the army and horses be able to accept it?”

“Can.” Zhang Anshi didn’t hesitate and said with a look of certainty, “If the rivals of silver and gold dollars were pure gold and silver, the people would definitely not dare to accept them. But in fact, I have investigated, the vast majority of gold and silver on the market have a large number of impurities, and the transaction is extremely inconvenient, and the cost of this cumbersome, is staggering.”

After a pause, he continued, “And the gold and silver dollars, well made, excellent texture, with the formula that I carefully made, so …… at any time, just wipe, can shine like new. The people have no reason not to accept it.”

Zhu Di nodded his head and nodded his head, Zhang Anshi’s words, Zhu Di is convinced, this guy if there is no certainty of things, he will not tell him.

At this point, he couldn’t help but bow his head slightly in a thoughtful manner before slowly saying, “How much silver can you earn for one silver coin?”

Zhang Anshi immediately said, “After taking out the cost, you can earn five percent.”

Hearing this, Zhu Di looked violently at Zhang Anshi again and frowned, “Only five percent? My Great Ming’s fire consumption is at least two or three cents, and the black-hearted ones are four or five cents.”

Zhang Anshi hurriedly said, “Your Majesty, that is the work of stolen officials who lack great virtue.”

Zhu Di dawned, he suddenly remembered, yes, I am a saintly king.

Only to see Zhang Anshi added: “Although five percent is small, if all the coins in the world come from His Majesty’s minting, the profit here will be big. What’s more, this is just the appetizer.”

“Appetizers?”

Zhang Anshi said, “The most important thing about issuing this is that it lays the foundation of credit for the silver and gold coins; in this world, the most valuable thing is credit.”

Zhu smiled and said, “Is that your trick at the money changer?”

“Somewhat different.” Zhang Anshi said.

Zhu Di then sank his eyebrows, once again thoughtfully slightly lowered his head, and then said: “In fact, these, I do not quite understand, just full of civil and military, I’m afraid that refuses to, I even if the edict, the next head is also more than Yang FengYinYinYin.”

Zhang Anshi since also know, Zhu Di said these are very realistic problems, do not solve these problems, it will be difficult to achieve things.

Of course, Zhang Anshi was prepared for this, so it was very calmly said, “Good, then do not go without an imperial edict, simply directly bypass the cabinet, the six ministries, handed over to the merchant bank to cast.”

Zhu couldn’t help but be surprised, “The merchant bank casts its own issue?”

“Why not!” Zhang Anshi said, a look of confidence on his face.

Zhu Di mused and mouthed, “Is it feasible?”

“It’s not feasible, it’s also feasible.” Zhang Anshi cried and laughed.

Zhu raised his eyebrows, “Why?”

Zhang Anshi then said, “Since ancient times, bad coins would eliminate good coins, if the merchant bank’s money bank issued these gold and silver dollars, the people would inevitably collect them and not be able to use them up if they got them. They would rather find ways to spend the broken silver that has more impurities.”

After a pause, Zhang Anshi continued, “But if, for example, this currency had an anchor, it would be different.”

“Anchor point?” Zhu felt like he was getting more and more confused by the minute.

And then, directly waved his hand, Zhu Di is very dry and direct: “You’ll say it straight, in the end feasible or not?”

Zhang Anshi was also direct, so he said, “Feasible!”

Zhu Di, however, glared at him, “Why did you say it wasn’t feasible again just now?”

A trace of embarrassment appeared on Zhang Anshi’s face, then he said, “I am just revealing some difficulties.”

“Difficulty a bird.” Zhu Di still glared at him and said, “I only want results.”

Zhang Anshi had to say, “I do my best.”

“Try it first.” Zhu said.

In fact, this Zhao Wang Zhu Gao Suo on the side, but also listen to the cloud.

Zhu Di was already considered financially illiterate, while Zhu Gao Suo apparently inherited Zhu Di’s excellent genes and was not even as good as an illiterate.

At this time, and Zhang Anshi played half a day of Zhu Di, but is ringing the son, glanced at Zhu Gao Su, then said: “quickly prepare, two months later, ready to become a line, when I give you a strong line, you have four martial arts guards, the text of Xie Jin and other ministers of the sixty-four people, if it is in Java, can not build a successful career, will be ashamed to do my son!”

The King of Zhao was just scolded by Zhu Di, and was already having palpitations, at this time, listening to Zhu Di’s aggressive words, where he still dared to say anything, he could only say yes in a hurry.

Zhu Di is a temper comes fast, also go a fast person, see Zhu Gao Suo attitude is good, the face also gradually ease some, then said: “these days, more to the palace to walk around, and properly accompany your mother, as well as your royal brother, you are very sick, he for you to hold your heart, you should also go to see him more.”

Zhu Gao Suo busily said, “Obey the decree.”

Zhu Di looked at him deeply, then patted his shoulder, his face with a rare use of a father’s concern for his son, said, “Hey …… son has grown up, it is time for you to let yourself go through the experience.”

Said, Zhu Di revealed the color of despondency, after all …… there are still feelings.

Zhu Gao Suo also looked lost, but still said, “My son will definitely do no worse than my second brother.”

Zhu Di nodded: “Go, go, I should also take a break, today a shock, stirring up my headache.”

He turned around and waved his hand like he was shooing away flies.

Zhang Anshi then took his leave along with King Zhao Zhu Gao Suo.

When he was out of the hall, Zhu Gao Suo but discreetly said towards Zhang An Shi, “I am grateful for the favor of saving his life.”

On the contrary, Zhang Anshi laughed, “No need, no need, I still have things to do, Your Highness, the King of Zhao, next time, I will pay a visit.”

Said, Zhang Anshi looks anxious appearance, actually a smoke of fast steps out of the palace.

Outside the palace, there was a group of guards waiting for Zhang Anshi. As soon as they saw Zhang Anshi come out, some of them immediately led their horses forward.

Zhang Anshi rolled onto his horse and, without hesitation, swung his whip, “Giddy up ……”

…………

“You mean …….”

At this time, Yao Guangxiao was frowning as he spoke, and he continued, “This Zhang Anshi …… actually wants to hit the idea of fire consumption? He is not small in guts.”

This is a small temple in the inner city.

At this point in time, the evening sun was already showing with a mild glow, and it was getting late.

Yao Guangxiao was the chief official of the Monk Records Division and could be summoned by the Emperor at any time, so on weekdays he had to stay at a small temple in the inner city, and only when he was busy did he go back to his lair at the Jiming Temple.

Now in this small temple, although it is in the downtown area, it is extraordinarily quiet.

Today he this small temple, ushered in a guest, is just off duty military minister Jin Zhong.

Jin Zhong s expression was a bit exaggerated, said, “Yes, at that time, the old man was scared, this guy …… really does not know how to die, this is to go against the hundred officials in the world, such a person, will not have a good end! No wonder these days, I see Zhang Anshi seal hall black, original so, I expect this kid, in a few days there will be a blood disaster.”

Yao Guangxiao instead smiled and said, ”Amitabha Buddha, you old ass, how can you curse someone like that? After all, Zhang Anshi is still a child and does not know the depths of this. My Buddha is merciful, poor monks can’t see such things. Hey, don t mention him, don t mention him, he is going to die …… also don t let the poor monk see.”

Jin Zhong obviously didn’t intend to stop there, saying, “That said, if this matter can be accomplished, it will truly be a feat for a thousand years.”

Yao Guangxiao calmly said: “can not be, such a drastic change, the resistance encountered, extraordinary. When that Wang Anshi, but only a small repair, the tiger’s mouth to take a little bit of food, also did not fall into what good. Not to mention this?”

Jin Zhong laughed bitterly: “Everyone says they don’t love silver, but everyone loves money. Everyone said that the spring and autumn justice, but everyone only knows to avoid harm. Things in the world, bad in this full of ridiculous words, full of fame and fortune on the head.”

Yao Guangxiao glared at him and said, “Who are you cursing?”

Jin Zhong, however, said, “Whoever is such a person, who will the old man scold?”

Yao Guangxiao frowned and frowned, and finally said quietly, “Good, good.”

Instead, Jin Zhong looked a little frustrated.

He was but a mere magician of face reading origin, and could be described as having a humble status.

But the only thing that I can still see is that I am opposed by those who are full of benevolence and righteousness.

Although he has long seen through the world, but really witnessed all sorts of strange situations, but still can not help but be difficult to calm.

Just these, and can not find someone to solve, the only can tell a thing or two, but also only in front of this monk.

Yao Guangxiao knew what Jin Zhong was thinking, but he looked indifferent: “You, after all, you still haven’t seen through, you want to do everything, you want to accomplish everything. This is certainly good, but you do not have three heads and six arms, the world can be everywhere want to accomplish things?”

“The poor monk and you are not the same, in the poor monk’s view, people this life, as long as to do a thing, will be enough to comfort life. This thing, poor monk has been done, this life has no regrets, the only thing to teach poor monk hangs on to things, precisely whether after death can burn out what relics to, unfortunately …… to then, poor monk never see.”

Jin Zhong’s old face red: “I am not trying to be successful everywhere, everything is to my liking. Just …… see that the officials eat at both ends, one fat flowing oil, really not eye.”

Yao Guangxiao said, “If you can’t see it, you should vanish into the empty door. After you vanish into the empty door, as long as you accept the fact that all beings are suffering, and that life is meant to be sinful, and that everything will become empty, your mind will be peaceful.”

Jin Zhong looked at him contemptuously and laughed coldly, “You monk, your fierce reputation outside is great, but in reality you are a rat.”

Yao Guangxiao didn’t get angry, he just smiled and didn’t comment.

But at this moment, a small shaman suddenly hurried in and said, “The Marquis of Annan is visiting.”

As soon as these words came out, Yao Guangxiao, who was still in a state of tranquility, slightly began to stiffen his face.

Kim Chung: “……”

After a collision of eyes between the two, Jin Zhong immediately stood up and said, “Where is the back wall of this temple of yours?”

Yao Guangxiao, however, growled, “Quickly, quickly block the driver, don’t let him come in.”

The little shaman couldn’t help but be dismayed.

But he often heard Master Yao talk about this Annan Marquis Zhang Anshi, Master Yao is good at tasting all kinds of characters, most of them are cursed, the Annan Marquis will also curse, but after cursing will also be praised for a few sentences, according to reason, this Annan Marquis, has been Master Yao rare to see on the characters, how to visit today, but will be such an excited reaction?

Just as the little shaman was stunned, the sound of hurried footsteps had already come from outside, accompanied by Zhang Anshi’s voice: “Master Yao, I’ve missed you to death.”

This voice was loud and clear, and it directly reached Yao Guangxiao’s ears.

Yao Guangxiao, however, looked like he was about to choke.

Jin Zhong on the side seemed to have a very powerless look for a while, putting away his hands and feet of the party, he finally sighed and said with a continuous sigh, lamenting, “I saw it wrong, I saw it wrong, I originally thought that it was Zhang Anshi who had the disaster of blood and light, but now I see that it’s you and I who have blackened our halls of imprints with the face of a great catastrophe.”

Only after saying this did he see that Zhang Anshi had already stepped in.

Zhang Anshi looked at the two people here, immediately grinned and smiled, attentively said, “Look, Master Yao, what I brought you here, this is a top quality tea, the price is more expensive than gold, I usually can not afford to eat …… ah, the Golden Ministry of the Church is also in?”

Yao Guangxiao clasped his hands together, narrowed his eyes slightly, and bowed his head to recite the sutra.

Jin Zhong laughed bitterly, “The Marquis of Annan has wronged both of us!”

Zhang Anshi said with an innocent look on his face, “Why, I came here to pay a visit, and how did I wrong you? What kind of words are these?”

Yao Guangxiao’s face turned blue before he opened his eyes and glared at him, “Don’t pretend.”

Zhang Anshi is still very innocent look, also with a few points of aggression, said: “This is not reasonable, I came to visit with good intentions, the result is not only to let me eat the door, and now also this kind of harsh words.”

Jin Zhong also didn’t look at him in a good mood and said, “Don’t pretend to be confused, Marquis Annan.”

Zhang Anshi set aside the tea leaves and was not polite, he also followed the example of the two and sat down on a futon on his knees.

Jin Zhong said, “Did you just come out of the palace?”

“Yeah.” Zhang Anshi said, “Just came out of the palace.”

Jin Zhong’s face became even more ugly and he gritted his teeth, “You just came out of the palace and came to this temple, isn’t this a clear indication to the world that you are scheming with us?”

Zhang Anshi intended to be innocent to the end and said, “What’s the plan?”

Jin Zhong was furious, and the tone of his voice unconsciously raised a few points, “Hmph, you said you wanted to mint coins when you met the driver, and after that, you privately played to see His Majesty, and then you turned your head and came here …… Who can’t see it? Zhang Anshi, you are mistaken monk and old man ah.”

Zhang Anshi said, “Duke Jin, this is you being unreasonable.”

Jin Zhong huffed, “You still want to argue!”

Zhang Anshi calmly said: “I came to this temple, is Master Yao’s resting place, and did not go to your home! Even if it’s a mistake, it’s still a mistake for Master Yao, what does it have to do with Jin Gong?”

Jin Zhong was stunned, and then suddenly laughed: ”Right, what does your matter have to do with old me, old me just happened to be passing by. Oh, I’m sorry, Marquis of Annan, it’s the old man who misunderstood you. It’s fine, you sit, come on people, go and brew that tea to eat.”

Yao Guangxiao could only laugh silently and bitterly on the side.

It’s too pitiful.

This is full of the world, are afraid of Yao Guangxiao, that Yao Guangxiao is a demon monk, and some people think that Yao Guangxiao a belly of bad water, after all, is encouraging the feudal king rebel people, and have been in the Zhu Di behind the advice.

Today, Zhang Anshi directly said the casting of coins, a storm, but this guy out of the palace, immediately to his Yao Guangxiao here, Yao Guangxiao know that he is now jumping into the Yellow River can not be washed.

It is entirely conceivable that people will only think that this must be a bad idea by Yao Guangxiao and Zhang Anshi in collusion.

And most likely, it was instigated by that demon monk Yao Guangxiao.

This is really …… inexplicable to become a cohort, and in terms of the world s impression of Yao Guangxiao, it is not allowed to recognize that this Yao Guangxiao is the mastermind!

Zhang Anshi looked at the worried Yao Guangxiao and said with a concerned look, “Master Yao, are you alright?”

Yao Guangxiao sighed, and then after looking at Zhang Anshi fixedly, he said, “You have to pay.”

“What?” Zhang Anshi was surprised, “What does this have to do with money?”

Yao Guangxiao said in a serious manner, “You intentionally pull poor monks into the water, and you still want to do a no-brainer deal?”

Instead of continuing to argue, Zhang Anshi simply said, “Name a number.”

Yao Guangxiao, however, said, “Let it be.”

The word “casual” sounds random, but there is a big mystery.

Zhang Anshi timidly said, “I’ve been rather poor lately.”

Yao Guangxiao glared at Zhang Anshi, “One edge of fifty thousand taels.”

Zhang Anshi: “……”

Until Zhang Anshi nodded, Yao Guangxiao revealed a cordial look, “What does the Marquis of Annan …… intend to do about minting coins?”

Zhang Anshi did not hide anything, and told them what he had said to Zhu Di once more here.

Yao Guangxiao frowned: “This is a difficult matter, but …… since I intend to do it, then one does not do it, must first kill a warning ……”

Zhang Anshi nodded and said, “When it comes to this killing an example, I have specially come to seek Master Yao for advice, after all, …… this and other things, I don’t understand.”

Yao Guangxiao glanced at Zhang Anshi with ulterior motives.

Jin Zhong, however, stood up at this moment, “Forget it, you guys chat. Old me has something to do ……”

Zhang Anshi busily said, ”Duke Jin. You don’t have to go. It’s useless to leave now;, just now I saw your carriage and horse, specially called your horseman, and placed your carriage and horse on one side of my carriage and horse, this has passed for so long ……”

Here’s what it means,, get it!

Jin Zhong froze, then appointedly sighed and said, “Then I’d better listen to what to do to make an example out of him.”

…………

Mint officially opened, the craftsmen are already trained, this is Zhang Anshi’s usual style of doing things, the so-called rainy day!

On that day, the money changers began to settle their accounts, using silver and gold and copper dollars.

Many people who heard it could not help but find it very refreshing, so they went to get the cash.

Taking a closer look, I was surprised to find that the quality and color of the coin was quite a bit better than many of the popular gold and silver of the day.

The most important is also very beautiful, for the ordinary merchants and people, they are willing to accept.

Of course, it’s one thing to accept it, but it’s rare to actually take it out and trade it with someone.

Merchants and people of this era would subconsciously collect silver coins of better quality.

Of course, Zhang Anshi had long anticipated this situation, so he was not in a hurry, he was slowly waiting for his chance.

Just for many people, this is unacceptable, well at this point, more people are just watching.

The third day of the seventh month of the fifth year of the Yongle.

The Zhang family’s mansion had begun to take shape.

The scale, of course, was just the foundation, which was laid so deep that it went beyond the confines of the family home.

When Zhang Anshi is not busy, he walks around this construction site with a relaxed mind.

Only at this time, but the news came, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, flooding.

This time, especially in Jiangxi was more seriously affected, and it is said that starvation has begun to appear.

In fact, the disaster, for the Ming, is the norm, the vastness of the Ming, which year there is no local disaster, that is duh!

But Jiangzhe is a little different, this is an important food production area of the Ming Dynasty, but the significance is different.

The reason for this is because this area of the water network is dense, food transportation is convenient, through the water transport, loss is also extremely low, if it is from Henan grain, sent to the capital, so many people all the way to eat and drink, this one hundred pounds of food, can be sent to Nanjing has forty or fifty pounds is good. But in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, but can reach eighty pounds up and down.

Some years ago, the Songjiang catastrophe, would have made the court’s vitality greatly injured.

Nowadays …… this Jiangsu and Zhejiang are affected again, so that the whole court can not help but worry.

This year’s autumn grain, may not be able to pay on time, the court even need to find ways to allocate money and grain to relief, this in and out, the court’s stock of grain may appear a huge deficit.

If there is a silver deficit, the big deal is that the court can still swing for the fences and simply indiscriminately issue Da Ming treasury notes to tide over the difficulties.

But if there is a deficit in food, it’s a big deal.

For this reason, the palace decree, the emperor and the empress pro-exemplary, before the disaster relief, the palace all the food and clothing used in half.

In this way, the ministers have also expressed their intention to save on food and clothing.

Zhang Anshi was then miserable. As a loyal official of the Ming Dynasty, he also had to start conserving food.

Not allowed to drink again, less meat on weekdays, rice is enough, but Zhang Anshi has always been used to eating and drinking, so spent a few days, they really feel unable to eat.

Sure, it’s okay to sneak it in on weekdays.

So much so that Zhu Yong and Qiu Song several, daily sneak to find big brother, they as the descendants of the public house, but also the strict implementation of the standard of reducing the food, after all, this is also an attitude, if it is uncovered by the imperial historian, it will inevitably cause trouble.

Zhang Anshi sighed on one side and lamented on the other side, while his harangue flowed out.

In the Zhang family’s backyard, a barbecue grill had been secretly set up, and several chickens had long been stripped clean, and were now being forked by Zhu Yong with an iron skewer and flipped on the rack.

After the chicken has been marinated in spices and roasted over a warm fire, the tantalizing flavor of the taste buds will come out little by little.

The aroma of this meat was pungent, Zhang Anshi couldn’t help but swallow his saliva before he said, “If it’s not because you guys want to grow your bodies, I refuse to be in the same boat with you, the people are too miserable, I heard that Ji’an Province even has starving corpses, it’s the land of fish and rice ah.”

Zhu Yong’s pair of eyes had been staring only at the roasted chicken that had been roasted to the point where it had become a golden brown color, but his mouth said, “Big brother, are you going to eat it or not.”

Zhang Anshi’s eyes seem to be filled with tears, gritted his teeth and said, “Eat, I have to be strong to live, replenish the brain nutrition, big brother will rely on this brain to walk the rivers and lakes.”

Saying that, he snatched a chicken that looked like it had just been roasted in Zhu Yong’s hand, and didn’t care if it was hot, puffing and tearing it with his hands.

Zhu Yong dissatisfied: “Everyone said to scrimp and save, but I heard that everyone is secretly eating meat, but also we are unlucky, my father said, other people can secretly eat, but only into the state government is not the same, how many eyes of the imperial censor staring at it ……”

Zhang Anshi said, “Cut the nagging, do you think they won’t keep an eye on Big Brother?”

“Big brother here …… is safe Well, the guards outside, there can be hundreds, flies are not flying in.” Zhu Yong laughingly said.

Zhang Anshi mouth nourishingly eat chicken, but still can not help but feel emotionally, “Hey, can not eat their own meat, so many people have to starve to death, turn back I let Zhu Jin, go to Jiangxi Buzhengji to recruit some of the stragglers to be, but also be considered to spend the hard times together with everyone …… ”

As he was speaking, someone outside came hurriedly, “Marquis, Marquis ……”

It was Zhang San who came.

Zhang San said with gusto, “Marquis, the farmhouse there, there …….”

Zhang San couldn’t catch his breath and couldn’t help but gasp fiercely for two breaths before he added, “Eunuch Teng has an invitation …… has an invitation …… he said …… he said ……”

Zhang Anshi said in surprise, “Deng Jian?”

“Yes, it is ……”

Zhang Anshi was pleasantly surprised and immediately rolled over, he seemed to have thought of something, and his eyes, which were still a little sad just now, were actually a few points brighter at this time.

Casually throwing aside the leftover chicken bones in his hand, he said, “Let’s go, take a look. Also, put out this fire.”

Saying so, he led the way and rushed to the farmhouse in a hurry.

This is the very field where dozens of acres of experimentation took place.

At this time, quite a few of the crofters here, were gathered together.

People looked suspiciously at the lush ‘crops’ at their feet.

Just more people, but they are suspicious.

This stuff …… it’s edible?

It’s unheard of to look this weird.

Deng Jian, however, appeared calm and collected; he surveyed the crops carefully, and passed carefully between the ridges, as if trying to find traces of weeds in them.

But at this moment, someone exclaimed loudly, “Eunuch Teng, Eunuch Teng, the Marquis is coming, coming ……”

Deng Jian this, but it is not aware of, he was covered in mud, a convenient work of the short-beaten clothes, gray, and now look, even raw and a cropper not much difference.

Close to six months of sun and rain had long since turned him into something else.