Volume 1: Little Yuanba Chapter 39 Answers to Universal House
Wannian Dusi is the name of the common people, and its official title is "Wannian Fendusi" under Jiangxi Dusi.
Due to frequent mine supervision and tax revolts and miners' uprisings in the Shangrao and Quzhou mining areas, this sub-capital department was set up to be responsible for monitoring, suppressing and military dispatching of the mining areas nearby.
The top person in charge of the branch capital division is the commander of the Jiangxi capital division. Below him are the staff (reconnaissance intelligence), experience (staff officer), marching (dispatch and logistics), ordnance (weapons), subjugation (military discipline), judgment (trial), division
The seven functions of the jail (prison) correspond to the configuration of the Jiangxi Dusi Official Office in Nanchang.
However, on the capital side, the chief officials of each division have the title of Qian Shi, while the sub-du divisions are all one level lower, and the chief officials of each division are Qianhu.
Two sets of teams in one place are established based on local characteristics. The county government is responsible for administration, and the branch office is responsible for military and security.
Sure enough, there was someone in the yamen who was easy to do. When the people from the Marching Department heard that Jiao Baihu's uncle had arrived, they immediately received them warmly and invited them into the guest room for tea. Soon Jiao Conghu came to meet them.
Wu Kun introduced Li Dan and told him that the group of people who robbed people at the Fire Temple a few days ago had been driven away by Li Sanlang.
Jiao Conghu was overjoyed when he heard this. He said that the marching commander had a headache because of this group of people. After preparing to send the civilian workers and guards to set off, he freed up his hands to work with the government to eliminate them. Since they had been driven away, that was the best!
After saying that, he took Li Dan to see General Manager Qian of the Marching Department and successfully received the official documents and license plate.
Mr. Qian heard that he was a former magistrate's son and he attached great importance to team leadership, so he hurriedly went out to greet him personally.
I was very happy to hear that they had brought a carriage, because everyone had a husband, and few servants were willing to bring their own carriages and horses, so I commended Li Sanlang for his service and wrote a letter on the spot to Geyang Han, who he knew well.
He asked him to take care of him, and also allocated 200 kilograms of bran to Li Dan, telling him to go back and have a good rest, and set out at nine o'clock tomorrow.
Li Dan thanked Qianhu, and then thanked Jiao Conghu and Wu Kun again when he came out.
The two brothers said it was past dinner time and wanted to have something to eat, so they took him to Sihaiju not far away to have a drink and see him off, and sent someone to call Wu Xiao and Wu Ji to get to know Li Dan.
Li Dan couldn't resist, and he also wanted to see the quality of my two brothers, so he agreed. He asked Mao Zaidi and an old soldier from the Jiao Baihu sect to go to the west gate first with documents and find Ma Jiu to settle the team.
The two of them traveled all over the world.
It turned out that Wu Xiao's shop was in the next street, and the college where Wu Ji studied was not far away. The two brothers soon heard the news and came there.
Hearing that Wuxiao was doing fodder and soybean meal business in the city, Li Dan asked him to buy it for him.
"Originally, I wanted to leave some brothers to take charge of this matter for ten thousand years. It would be great if Erlang could take the responsibility!"
Wuxiao was very happy to have such a big deal and immediately agreed. Although Li Dan was thinking about Ma Jiu and others, in order to win over my brothers and Jiao Baihu, he patiently had a few drinks with them.
We observed carefully at the table and found that Wu Kun was more arrogant and more loyal among them.
Jiao Conghu is a military attache who is rough on the surface but meticulous on the inside. He is worried about the fact that he has no chance of promotion on the battlefield.
Wuxiao is a shrewd businessman. He can understand the pros and cons, profits and losses without turning his eyes. It is a pity that this person only engages in the grain and grass business. Li Dan plans to observe more in the future.
The youngest Wu Jiwen Zou Zou didn't speak much, but when he helped his second brother record the categories and quantities of Li Dan's purchases, his beautiful calligraphy made him couldn't help but cheer.
"Silang's calligraphy is really good. If I were an examiner, I would take you first because of this!" Li Dan praised with a thumbs up.
"It's just a small talk, how can I get such ridiculous compliments from my brother." Wu Ji waved his hands modestly. He was two months younger than Li Dan, so he called him brother.
"My little brother lives with the oil lamp every day, but I don't know what the outcome will be. I have led a team of my own to serve the country. I'm ashamed, I'm ashamed!"
"I cannot agree with what Si Lang said." Li Dan shook his head and said:
"Both civil and military forces are indispensable to the country. In the late Tang Dynasty, civil society was suppressed and military power was promoted. In the Song Dynasty, civil society was used to control military affairs. In the end, the building was turned upside down, and yin and yang were not balanced.
Only when the civil and military ministers cooperate with each other can the balance be properly balanced, and the Holy Emperor will not be far away from the rule. Just like that small scale, whichever way the scale beam falls, the hand holding the rope will have difficulty.
So dear brother, don’t think like this. As long as studying can be used to benefit the country, it is not a waste of time!”
"Well said!"
A shout of cheers startled a few people, and there was a sound of chairs in the next cubicle. The door curtain here was raised by a folding fan, and a tall man with a short beard wearing a long gown came in, cupped his fists and cupped his hands and said:
"Zhao Chongxian came unexpectedly to Xiatongguan. I would like to ask who has the opinion on the "balance between civil and military affairs" just now?"
Others may not recognize him, but Jiao Conghu is a member of the government. Although he has a lower position, he is still very familiar with the main leaders of the government office and the branch office.
He immediately stood up, saluted, and said loudly: "General, Jiao Conghu, a hundred households in the marching department, would like to pay tribute to you." After speaking, he put his four fingers together and pointed his thumb downward, pointing at Li Dan who had already stood up:
"This is the third son of the late Mr. Li, the former magistrate of Dongchang. This time, by order of Yuqian County, he led a team to report to Wannian Fendu Division as a team leader.
At the end of the day, the general served a special drink to welcome Mr. Li, but his words after the drink did not alarm the Lord, please forgive me!"
Unexpectedly, the man was not angry, so he smiled and waved the folding fan and said: "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter, I happen to be taking a nap next door, and I can have a drink after hearing this eloquent talk!"
Dare I ask Li Sanlang, I have a question, can you try to explain it to me?"
Li Dan heard this man say "I" every time, and tilted his head slightly towards Jiao Conghu. Jiao Baihu quickly introduced softly: "This is Mr. Zhao, a fellow magistrate of Raozhou Prefecture, who travels to Jiangxi to participate in politics."
The Tongzhi of the government was at least a fifth-rank civil servant, but his title of "Exerting Right to Participate in Government" indicates that he was more likely to be from the fourth rank.
"Xing" means concurrently, and his position as "Xingjiangxi Right Participant in Political Affairs" is a concurrent position. It was probably placed to facilitate coordination between the government office and the provincial government.
After hearing this, Li Dan knew that this person was not playing a major role in the government, but was placed here to play a dispensable role of coordination and communication between up and down, left and right.
After quickly weighing it in his mind, Li Dan decided that it was worthy of his position. He quickly took a half step back and bowed, saying:
"Student Li Dan, I have met Mr. Tongzhi! I wonder what the "confusion" you mentioned is? The student is willing to do his best to help Mr. 1 and 2."
Zhao Chongxian said "Sorry" and walked forward unceremoniously. Wu Ji stood up and offered his seat to him, standing behind his brother Wu Kun.
"Li Sanlang came from Yu Qian, and I heard that the imperial court had praised our ancestors and respected fathers. It can be said that they belong to a loyal family.
However, this dynasty has been troubled by three discords: civil and military discord, north-south discord, and monetary discord.
When the world is peaceful and the country is unified, why are there still so many discords? Take what you just talked about about civil and military matters. It is easier said than done to balance them!
Sanlang, do you have any thoughts on this? You might as well discuss it over drinks and tea." He said this in a leisurely manner, but it made Wuji break out in cold sweat on his back.
Unexpectedly, this person actually knew about his senior. Li Dan was a little surprised and immediately answered:
"In the eyes of students, there is only one word behind these three things that adults talk about: human desire."
After Li Dan finished speaking, Bi Tongzhi's face was calm. Wu Kun, Wu Xiao and Jiao Baihu looked at each other, but Wu Ji was sweating like rain on his back.
"How to talk about human desire?"
"The world is in ruins, and profit comes and goes." Li Dan said: "The scholars, peasants, industry and merchants are all fighting for the word 'profit'. The three discords that your Excellency just mentioned are nothing more than this."
"Huh? Isn't that right?" Zhao Chongxian frowned slightly and put the folding fan in his hand on the table.
"If the money feud is caused by businessmen's profit, I can still agree with it. How can other things be related to it? Is Saburo trying to fool me with his big words?"
The expressions on those few people's faces were a bit off, but Li Dan smiled and handed over his hand again: "Sir, please listen to the student's detailed explanation. The ancients said: In the beginning, human beings are inherently good. This is true!
During the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors era, people just wanted to have enough to eat, so what other ideas did they have?
Later, when the output increased and food and clothing were solved, there were gradually more beautiful clothes, singing and dancing, and slaves. The expansion of territory required management, and only then did the skills of controlling subordinates and the way of governing the country come into being.
And this word "idea" is human desire.
The Taizu of our dynasty rose up with force, expelled the Tartars, and restored the Han family. However, the country was established immediately, but the world could not be ruled immediately, and governance still needed to be implemented by the civil service system.
At this time, a situation occurred, the so-called advancement of culture and retreat of force.
Although every dynasty has to go through this stage after the founding of the country, it is certainly uncomfortable and unaccustomed to it when it is your turn, so the generals who have always directed the country and conquered cities and territories were unhappy when they were restrained. This is the origin of the discord between civil and military forces."
"That's thorough, good!" Zhao Chongxian patted the edge of the table with his hand, a look of admiration on his face, and urged: "Then, why are the north and the south at odds?"
"The discord between the north and the south is due to history and is rooted in regional differences. Under the Tatar rule, northerners were respected and valued more than southerners, and hidden dangers were planted at that time."
After thanking him, Li Dan sat down at his signal and continued:
"The dividing line between the north and the south is the Qinling Mountains and the Huaihe River. Generally speaking, the Tatars retreated from the grasslands, leaving the northland with an unpredictable climate, vast land, few people, lack of food, and a lot of waste to be redeveloped.
The south returned to Han rule twenty years earlier than the north. In addition, the climate was mild and rainy, and the land was fertile, so it recovered quickly.
For example, silk from Jiangsu and Zhejiang, rice from Hunan and Hunan, tea and salt from Sichuan and Guizhou, minerals, timber, and gems from Yunnan and Guangzhou, as well as spices and gold brought by sea trade from Guangdong, all contributed to the prosperity of the south.
The Northern Expedition of the three generations of emperors Taizu, Taizong, and Ren made them unify. Whether in the army or in the court, there were more southerners than northerners.
The southerners, who were richer and had restored Han rule earlier, felt proud and looked down upon the northerners. The northerners believed that they were no different from the southerners and should not have fewer people in the imperial examination than the southerners.
This resulted in the fact that there were fewer northerners than southerners in the court, and those with weak voice were often at a disadvantage, and the contradiction between the north and the south became prominent.
Although this situation has eased slightly after Emperor Taizong Gao was in trouble, since Emperor Xuanzong, the number one scholar in four consecutive subjects has all come from the south, and this trend has become stronger again.
Your Excellency comes from the North and has some understanding. I wonder if what the students heard is true?"
"Indeed, indeed!" Zhao Chongxian patted the edge of the table twice and asked excitedly: "Then what's going on with the money feud? Tell me quickly!"
Li Dan took a sip of tea, thought for a moment, and said: "In ancient times, copper was rare and expensive, and its status was comparable to gold.
During the Shang Dynasty and the early Zhou Dynasty, copper was only used for casting heavy treasures and inscriptions in the homes of noble officials, and was difficult to circulate.
During the Warring States period, all the heroes came together. Although rituals collapsed and princes merged, the vast territory brought security and developed transportation. Business prospered, exchanges were promoted, copper became currency, and credit was available to the world.
After the Qin and Han dynasties, China was unified, its productivity increased, and it developed much more. Half liang, five baht, Zhenguan and Kaiyuan Tongbao were made of copper. Because of their preciousness, they were specially used as currency for circulation in the world.
After the Tang Dynasty, the world was in turmoil, and a lot of China's copper overflowed. For example, it reached the Western Regions, the southeastern countries, the Japanese and Koreans in the east, and the Hu in the north, so there was no shortage of copper for China.
So Song Renzong made Jiaozi out of paper.
In fact, banknotes have existed for a long time, or they may have originated from deeds in the Han Dynasty and counter bills in the early Tang Dynasty.
Dan consulted ancient books and learned that when Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty ordered the princes and clans to go to Hajj, they would carry the jade with white deer skin coins. The skin coins had to be purchased from the Inner Garden Supervisor first. Each coin was worth 400,000 yuan. This was the ancestor of non-metallic currency.
Later, during the reign of Emperor Xianzong of the Tang Dynasty, there was a shortage of copper coins, and various provinces banned coins from leaving the country. Merchants in the capital came up with a way to deposit copper coins in the memorial halls of various provinces or at the homes of Jiedushi envoys, exchange them for bills, and then go back to each province to collect the money with the bills. This was called "convenient exchange"
'The origin of.
After the founding of the former Song Dynasty, money affairs were set up to control the exchange of money and banknotes in the form of government agencies.
The people of the Song Dynasty were inspired to invent Jiaozi, which replaced heavy copper and iron currencies for easy portability and circulation in different places. Thirty yuan was deducted as a fee for each currency when exchanging.
Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty set up Jiaoziwu and was the first government to issue banknotes. After that, banknotes became popular, such as Guan banknotes issued by the Tatars, Chu coins in the Southern Song Dynasty, etc.
But in any case, the one dynasty that unified China in modern times was dozens of times the size of the six kingdoms in the past;
On the other hand, precious metals are scarce and difficult to carry and circulate in remote places; these two are the main reasons for the emergence and development of banknotes."
"Well——! You really got to the root of it, please continue!" Zhao Chongxian said, grabbing the wine glass that Wu Xiao filled for him, and drank it all in one gulp.
"So, banknotes and money are not actually natural enemies. They are complementary and dependent on each other. The reason why the world suffers from money and money today is because of people."
"Ah? Why is it because of people?" Zhao Chongxian didn't understand, and he put down the wine glass in his hand involuntarily.
"Whether it's money or banknotes, they are all dead things, but people are alive." Li Dan smiled and looked at the doubtful looks of others:
"Just like the plate on the table, it is placed intact because the waiter held it steadily and placed it correctly. If it fell to the ground, it is a human problem. The waiter did not work hard and deserves to be scolded!"
Everyone understood and laughed. Li Dan continued:
"Emperor Taizu was fighting against the Tatars. He did not have enough money to reward the soldiers, and he was in danger of being exploited by others if he continued to use the enemy's banknotes. Therefore, he decided to issue new coins to replace them, and now we have our own money and banknotes.
.
Looking at the experience of Daxing Jiaozi in the Song Dynasty, we can see that:
1. Large amounts of banknotes are printed, supplemented by metal currency;
Second, the issuance of banknotes has evidence and is based on gold and silver;
3. The circulation of official copies and private seals is prohibited;
Fourth, the total amount should be well documented and overseen by a dedicated government agency;
Five, banknotes are for exclusive use, and counterfeiters will be punished!
Nowadays, there is insufficient money and the price of banknotes is getting lower and lower, and the people are complaining a lot.
Looking at the Di newspaper, some people think that the ancient system of abolishing banknotes should be used as a special currency, while others think that the devaluation of banknotes is because the people are chasing copper and abandoning banknotes, and it is better to open mines and smelt copper to increase production.
However, students believe that these statements are only generalizations and have not found the root cause of the matter, and they have not clearly seen the current situation of increasingly depleted copper mines. Simply going back to the past without new methods will not solve the problem.
From the perspective of historical development, the rise of banknotes to replace copper and iron coins is the general trend, just like the unification of Qin and Han Dynasties, when five baht coins replaced various shell coins and knife coins in the six countries.
Since this is a general trend, we can only go with the trend, how can we go against the trend and turn back? Isn’t it ridiculous to act like a chariot with a mantis’ arm!”
"Well said, good!" Zhao Chongxian picked up the wine glass and found it empty. Wu Xiao, who was listening intently, quickly filled it up for him again.
Seeing Zhao Chongxian's face glowing red after drinking, Li Dan continued:
"Although banknotes are light and thin, as long as they are issued by the government, they represent the dignity of the court, the dignity of the emperor and the credibility of the country. These three things must be maintained! And looking at today, many vassals in various places have the right to print banknotes.
The shape, size, color, and paper used are all different, so people are suspicious and dare not use them, or they hear that Henan banknotes are not accepted in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
These banknotes are no different from the coins minted by the kings in the early Han Dynasty. How can they be trusted? If they can be circulated and used happily, that would be a weird thing! Furthermore, no one cares about the number of banknotes issued, and the various vassals can do whatever they want.
Since Taizu ascended the throne, banknotes are only issued but not recycled, filling the world. How can it not depreciate? What does this have to do with mining and smelting copper?
Therefore, it is not that the thing itself is faulty, but that the people who use it and manage it do not do their best, causing the thing to fail to be used to its full potential. The discord between money and money is not fundamentally a dispute between money and money, but a dispute between people.
Set the rules well, or it’s the result of not using them properly.”
The two of them asked and answered questions like this. They were so excited that Zhao Chongxian drank until his face turned red.
As he spoke, Li Dan tilted his head and noticed that the sky was getting dark. He suddenly remembered that he didn't know what had happened to his people, and quickly got up to leave.
Zhao Chongxian obviously hadn't finished enjoying himself yet, but he knew that he had official business and couldn't stay here for long, and he had been out for a long time, so it was time to go back, so he had no choice but to get up and go out together.
He met Li Dan at the street corner and called him affectionately, holding his hand: "Sanlang, I didn't expect you to see the world so clearly at such an age. It's so late to meet you! Anyway, I remember you, my little friend.
If there is an opportunity to communicate with you for thousands of years, please come to me and continue today's topic!"
"Li Dan has remembered it. Thank you for your favor. Dan will come to visit you for ten thousand years to collect documents. I will visit you then. I hope you can take the time to meet me!"
Zhao Chongxian laughed loudly, took off a brocade bag, and stuffed the jade pendant inside into Li Dan's hand as a souvenir. Then he said goodbye to everyone, turned around with the support of his family, and returned to the government office happily.
After saying goodbye to everyone, Wu Kun sent Li Dan back to the camp. Jiao Conghu also wanted to go back to Si Li, so Wu Xiao and Wu Ji accompanied him.
Wuxiao was very happy to have concluded a deal. He also listened to the exchange between Li Dan and Zhao Chongxian, and high-fived him with deep feeling:
"I didn't expect that there would be such a person in the world, who could explain everything so clearly at such a young age. Alas! It seems that I haven't read enough books, far from enough!"
After saying this, he didn't hear a response. When he turned around, he saw Wuji still looking at the direction Li Dan was walking in with a sense of loss, so he called out: "Fourth brother, stop looking, everyone is gone!"
Wu Ji then slowly moved over, lowered his head and said:
"Second brother, I thought I was smart since I entered school. Today I met Li Sanlang and heard him say that his fifth brother has actually achieved the title of scholar. Then I realized that there is a bright future in the world. I am really a frog in the well!"
After saying that, he raised his head and said, "Second brother, I have a plan. It happens that I am currently on leave from school. I originally planned to go home in two days, but..., now I have changed my mind.
I want to go on this business trip with Li Sanlang. It won’t take long and I’ll be back in ten days. It won’t delay my return home and my studies. Second brother, do you think that’s okay?”
"This..." Wuxiao wanted to object, but suddenly felt that this was fine.
When the masters are away on business, they can't take care of their family's production and business. It's easy for people to get into trouble when they're home for too long. Therefore, the masters usually spend at least one month, as many as two, or three months to suppress bandits.
Rarely extended.
It was his first time to take over Li Dan's business. If his younger brother was there to act as an eye, he could have a more detailed understanding of Li Sanlang. He put his hands behind his back and looked up, thinking about it, and then said to his younger brother:
"Tomorrow morning you take your luggage and go to Saburo. If he accepts it, I have nothing to say. I will go to Brother and talk to him.
Li Sanlang also said just now that the fodder and dry food they brought could last ten days at most, and asked me to send the rest of the supplies to Geyang, where his people would take delivery.
So in ten days you will come back with the carriage I sent to carry supplies, and there will be no delay, do you hear me?"
"Okay!" As soon as Wu Xiao finished speaking, Wu Ji bowed to the ground, then turned around and ran away.
"Hey, where are you going?"
"What are you waiting for tomorrow morning? I'm going to chase my eldest brother and Li Sanlang right now. I'll pack my bags in the evening and won't say goodbye to my second brother!"