Chapter 31 Money and food are the foundation of the country
When Zhu Zhanzhen came back from Hu Shanwei, he received a summons from the emperor.
This time I went not to Zhu Di's study, but to the main hall of Fengtian Hall.
The main hall is so large and empty. Standing in front of the door, you feel small. Once you step in, you still have to walk a long way to reach the emperor.
Today, Zhu Di did not meet him as a grandfather, but as the country's supreme leader and emperor.
"Join Your Majesty..."
"No more false courtesy."
Next to Zhu Di is the prime minister Yao Guangxiao in black, and below, standing next to Zhu Zhanyi are the crown prince Zhu Gaochi, the grandson Zhu Zhanji, and Xia Yuanji, who is in charge of the household department.
"I heard your thoughts about food stamps. Do you have more specific details?"
"Back to Your Majesty, my grandson just went to Hu Shang Palace in the morning, and he had the idea that the denomination of food stamps should be small. The largest denomination may only be one stone, or even smaller."
"Why? If officials' salaries were paid in food stamps, it would cost several thousand."
"Food stamps should be for civilian use. If ordinary people can have a surplus of ten stones a year, it is a good year. It would be good if they are for official use."
Zhu Di was not very proficient in money. As an emperor who was good at conquering and fighting, he always only cared about spending money, not making money, let alone saving money. The emperor easily made thousands of dollars for anything, but in his heart, he only cared about how many copper coins a day the common people had.
There is no way to feel the same way while living with a coin.
How many ancient emperors like Zhu Yuanzhang were able to understand the hardships of the people? Unless they had personal experience, even the emperors who were most considerate of the people's sentiments could not truly empathize.
At this time, Hube Xia Yuanji stood up and supported Zhu Zhanzhen's idea: "Your Majesty, the Fifth Young Master is very good at this detail. If you want to issue food stamps, it must be like this."
Zhu Gaochi also nodded.
When Zhu Di saw his two money bags nodded, he naturally knew that the method was excellent.
"Weizhe."
"I'm here."
"Do you think the food stamp method is feasible?"
"I think it's feasible."
Zhu Di was stunned. He didn't expect Xia Yuanji to answer in the affirmative so resolutely. In his heart, Xia Yuanji was the most intelligent person and the most understanding person in Ming Dynasty officialdom, so his opinion was very important to Zhu Di.
Xia Yuanji went on to say: "The linking of food stamps and grain mentioned by Taisun and Fifth Young Master can fundamentally solve the problem of depreciation and implementation of treasure banknotes. Food is the most important thing for the people, as long as the food stamps can be exchanged for grain in the government granary
, then the actual value of the food stamps will always be retained.”
He had been thinking of ways to solve the problem of treasure money, but even after all his efforts, he could not imagine that Zhu Zhanzhen's food stamps really gave him a new idea.
Let the treasure banknotes have actual value, and it is a practical value that is closely related to people's livelihood.
Prime Minister Yao Guangxiao, dressed in black, spoke in a low voice: "What do you think, His Royal Highness?"
Because it was something his two sons thought about, Zhu Gaochi thought about it and naturally knew it was good, but he couldn't express it too obviously.
"Zhan Ji and Zhan Yi are still young, and the method they came up with is unusual, but it will take a certain amount of time to try and explore. It is impossible to do it with great fanfare from the beginning."
Just tell the emperor that you agree with it in your heart.
Zhu Di nodded and ordered someone to fetch the account books in the palace warehouse at this time: "You two will use the food stored in the palace warehouse to see if food stamps can be implemented in the palace, the form of food stamps, and the denomination.
, make a calculation on the distribution scale.”
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty," everyone saluted.
When Zhu Di saw Zhu Zhanzhen, he chuckled again, with the same expression as when he asked for money.
"Do you have anything to say?" Zhu Di felt a little unhappy in his heart.
"Grandpa Huang, can you ask Mr. Xia Yuanji and several officials from the Ministry of Household Affairs to help us implement it?"
Zhu Di was confused. He originally thought that Zhu Zhanyi wanted to ask for money. He was afraid that Zhu Zhanyi would think of a way to ask him for a share of the money. Such repeated repeated remarks would make him completely dissatisfied with his grandson.
Lose favor.
Even if this grandson is extremely intelligent.
From the bottom of his heart, he hates businessmen who care about everything.
But I didn't expect that Zhu Zhanzhen didn't ask for money this time but asked for people.
Zhu Di looked at Xia Yuanji. Xia Yuanji saluted before Zhu Di could speak and said, "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue will send people to cooperate with the two highnesses. I wonder how many people the two highnesses need?"
Zhu Zhanzhen looked at Zhu Zhanji, and now it was the good brother's turn to speak: "Mr.
Three people like this."
Xia Yuanji glanced at Zhu Di and nodded before replying: "We will make arrangements today."
After discussing it, Zhu Di asked all the eunuchs and maids in the palace to cooperate with the two. As long as it runs well in the palace, there is a great chance that it will be implemented among the people. If it succeeds, it will be regarded as an unprecedented achievement.
All dynasties have tried to promote paper money, but without exception they have failed.
"You all go down first, Zhan Ming will stay here for a while."
Zhu Di left Zhu Zhanzhen alone, and of course Yao Guangxiao, who was standing beside him, did not leave either.
After making sure that everyone was out, Zhu Di asked: "Zhan Yu, why didn't you mention the money this time? If this thing is done, it will make more money than the security department and the steam engine."
"Grandpa Huang, the matter of steam engines and food stamps in the security department are very different. My grandson can still tell the difference."
"Oh? How different?"
"Money and food are the foundation of the country, and my grandchildren are not so ignorant."
As soon as Zhu Zhanzhen's words came out, Zhu Di smiled with satisfaction, but immediately added: "The country has more money, and the emperor's salary will naturally be more for us."
"Hahaha, you kid, you are really naughty. Go ahead and work hard. If you succeed, I will reward you."
"Thank you, Grandpa Huang."
After Zhu Zhanzhen also left, Zhu Di looked at his leaving figure and said to Yao Guangxiao: "This kid is really smart."
"The Fifth Young Master is only ten years old. Although his words and actions are a bit eccentric, he is more like an adult than his peers. People who are precocious are mostly geniuses." Yao Guangxiao still did not hesitate to praise Zhu Zhanyang.
"Your opinion of him is getting higher and higher. Otherwise, in addition to teaching Zhan Ji, you can also teach Zhan Yi."
Yao Guangxiao shook his head and smiled: "Even if I wanted to, according to the smart temperament of His Highness the Fifth, I would find a way to refuse."
"I gave an order, how could he refuse?"
"It's possible to pretend to be sick, pretend to be stupid, pretend to be crazy, or even break your own legs and lie on the bed."
"ha."
"Ha ha."
"It's really interesting what you said about my grandson."
Yao Guangxiao clasped his hands together and said, "Your Majesty, your great grandson and your five highnesses are very kind and respectful to each other as brothers and sisters. It's very good."
Zhu Di's expression changed and he thought of his elder brother: "Yes, it's good to be brothers and sisters, but things in the world are unpredictable. Who can predict the future?"
"Your Majesty's children and grandchildren are all outstanding people, and the future of Ming Dynasty will be prosperous."
After thinking carefully, Zhu Di came up with another idea and said: "You can either accept him as a monk's apprentice."
"Your Majesty, your six sense organs are very impure and you cannot become a monk."
Zhu Di himself came from a rebellious family and was very afraid that his children and grandchildren would fight. He went on to say: "Lay disciples are also good."
"Your Majesty, don't worry too much. Just reward the Fifth Highness with more money, less errands, and select some girls of the right age for the Fifth Highness."
"Zhan Yi will be ten years old next year. Why don't we take advantage of this time to choose a princess for Zhan Ji and look for one for Zhan Yi?"
A good grandfather's love for his grandson is far-reaching.
Zhu Di seemed to have thought of something and said: "By the way, when the time comes to choose the Grand Concubine Zhanji, please give them a fortune."
