Chapter 228: Ming Dynasty Gold Coin, Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang
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"These are all types of gold and silver coins that can be seen in the world." Zhu Han said.
"What do you plan to do, Your Highness?"
"I plan to mint a new version of Ming Dynasty gold and silver coins!"
"Many painters are unable to achieve the desired effect."
"It seems that this matter can only be decided by you."
Zhu Han looked at Xi Xuan expectantly.
When Zhou Zhiruo saw this, he suddenly felt a little proud.
As a result, her position in the palace will become even more important.
Under Zhu Han's guidance, Zhou Zhiruo quickly drew the Ming Dynasty's own gold coins based on the collected portraits of gold and silver coins from various countries.
The image on the gold and silver coins is naturally that of Zhu Yuanzhang, the Hongwu Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.
After Zhu Han showed the picture drawn by Zhou Zhiruo to his brother, his brother Zhu Yuanzhang was very satisfied.
Ever since Zhu Han led the Ming Dynasty fleet to the Western Ocean and returned, he immediately realized a very important issue.
That is, the Ming Dynasty will have more and more maritime trade in the future, and today's gold and silver currency issuance is seriously insufficient.
The Ming Dynasty has mastered the rich gold and silver mines on the Japanese island, and sent Hu Dahai and his son to discover the American continent. There will be even richer gold and silver deposits in the future.
However, copper coins are still in circulation in the Ming Dynasty, and only gold and silver coins are used for large transactions.
The reason for this is that on the one hand, common people and businessmen are accustomed to using copper coins, and on the other hand, the number of gold and silver coins issued by the imperial court is not sufficient.
Zhu Han saw with his own eyes in Yingtian City that many merchants used cart after cart of copper coins when conducting large transactions.
Therefore, after the cloudy day of Zhu Xing's meeting, he immediately proposed to his brother Zhu Yuanzhang his idea of promoting the new version of Ming Dynasty gold and silver coins.
Compared with the previously issued Ming Dynasty silver coins, the new gold and silver coins that Zhu Han wants to issue this time will all have the portrait of Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang printed on them.
At first, my brother Zhu Yuanzhang was not interested in having his face printed on coins.
In fact, I once felt that having the emperor's face appear on the currency was really unworthy of the emperor.
However, this problem is simply a small problem for Zhu Han.
Zhu Han used his sharp tongue and quickly convinced his brother Zhu Yuanzhang with his own reasons.
If all the people in the world could know what the emperor looked like, it would definitely greatly strengthen the importance of the emperor in the minds of the people in the world.
After all, in the minds of the people, the emperor is already tied to money, so how can it be unimportant?
Zhu Yuanzhang immediately realized that this would bring another huge benefit.
Since ancient times, due to backward knowledge and transportation, many people in remote areas only have a vague concept of the emperor and the court.
The concept of "mandating from heaven" that gentlemen and literati have repeatedly praised is simply a concept that is difficult to understand for the vast majority of ordinary people.
but.
If the emperor's image can appear on coins, ordinary people will have a clearer and clearer understanding of the emperor.
This is a huge bonus for the people to support the emperor.
So after taking this into consideration, my brother Zhu Yuanzhang readily agreed to Zhu Han's request.
Moreover, Zhu Yuanzhang also plans to promote gold and silver coins first.
If the issuance of gold and silver coins works very well.
Then, all the copper coins from the Ming Dynasty were replaced with the same style.
After all, for ordinary people, gold and silver coins are too valuable and difficult to see in daily life. Copper coins will be more popular.
So when Zhu Han asked Zhou Zhiruo to draw the pictures of the gold and silver coins, the old man was very satisfied with the portraits on the drawings.
The portrait of the Ming Emperor on the coins is extraordinary and graceful.
After getting his brother's approval, Zhu Han immediately arranged for the craftsmen in Yingtian City to test the production of the latest version of gold and silver coins.
Traditional metal currencies use casting methods.
As the name suggests, the casting method is to melt the metal into a liquid first, and then pour it into a clay mold. After cooling, the poured metal currency can be obtained by opening the rice.
However, although the cost of the metal currency made by this method is relatively low, the clarity of the graphics is seriously lacking.
Especially for portraits, which require fine casting, the clay model will become moldy due to wear and tear after being used several times.
Therefore, for the new batch of gold and silver coins minted in the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Han ordered his craftsmen to use the latest methods provided by him.
This is the machine casting method invented in later modern times.
The manufacturing method of this kind of metal currency is to use a huge pressing machine to press the shape and pattern of the currency on pieces of metal plates.
It's just that this kind of machine requires a lot of power, otherwise it would be difficult to carry a pressure hammer weighing several thousand kilograms.
However, this problem did not trouble the craftsmen of the Ming Dynasty at all.
There was sufficient water in the south of the Yangtze River, so craftsmen of the Ming Dynasty developed a huge waterwheel.
The water wheel is used to drive the heavy hammer on the machine, and then as the heavy hammer rises and falls, the rolled gold and silver plates are turned into gold and silver coins one by one under the pressure of the heavy hammer.
After several fine-tunings, the success rate of manufacturing this kind of gold and silver coins has reached 99%, and damaged coins can also be remanufactured without waste.
After such research, the fire cost of gold and silver coins turned out to be lower than that of bronze coins.
Brother Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help laughing after getting the latest version of gold and silver coins.
"so amazing!"
"My Ming Dynasty is really full of talents!"
"Our avatars here are so similar!"
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at these gold and silver coins again and again, and it can be said that he couldn't put them down.
These gold and silver coins have exquisite pictures, with the side profile of Emperor Hongwu printed on the front, the word "Yuan" next to it, and the reign name of Hongwu of the Ming Dynasty on the back.
Moreover, there are dense jagged marks on the side of the forearm.
These jagged marks can be specially used to prevent some criminals from cutting the corners of gold and silver coins to remove the wool.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Any gold and silver coins with seriously unclear jagged marks can be treated as damaged currency and re-weighed for recycling.
After Zhu Yuanzhang read it, he handed these coins to the queen Ma Xiuying next to him.
At this time, Queen Ma Xiuying had just given birth to a little prince, who was considered the fourth child according to the ranking.
Queen Ma took these gold and silver coins and looked at them carefully.
Queen Ma couldn't help but admire it after reading it.
"Qi Wu is still very capable. This is the first time I've seen such a beautiful coin!"
Zhu Han felt a little embarrassed. He just provided an idea. From drawing graphics to making tools, everything was done by others.
At this time, my sister-in-law gave all the credit to herself.
I have to say that my sister-in-law really regards her as her own brother.
"Sister-in-law, it was Zhou Zhiruo in my palace who drew the pictures, and the craftsmen in Yingtian City who made the coins, I just talked." Zhu Han said with a smile.
"After all, it is you who deserves the most credit. However, Zhou Zhiruo in your palace is a smart woman. This time you have merit. Men's affairs belong to the front court, and women's affairs belong to the back. This week
If only I had to reward her properly!"
As Empress Ma spoke, she ordered the maid next to her to take some rare treasures from the inner treasury and give them to the Queen of England's concubine Zhou.
In fact, Zhu Han's Prince Ying's palace is not much different from the royal palace, and there are almost all kinds of rare treasures.
However, the gift given by Empress Ma personally was of great significance. Even if it was just a goose feather, it would definitely make that little girl Zhou Zhiruo happy for several days, and she would serve Zhu Han wholeheartedly.
When Zhu Han saw this, he thanked his sister-in-law on behalf of Zhou Zhiruo.
At this moment, a baby cried from the cradle next to him.
Wow wow wow!
The baby's cry was extremely loud.
Brother Zhu Yuanzhang and sister-in-law Ma Xiuying walked over quickly with smiles, and Zhu Han followed behind to watch the fun.
"The fourth child looks hungry!" Zhu Yuanzhang teased the crying baby with a smile.
"Chongba, you two brothers, let's talk. I'll take Xiaosi back to the back first." Queen Ma said, and asked the palace maid to take the baby to the back for feeding.
"By the way, brother, what did you name Xiaosi?"
According to the tradition of my hometown, children will only be given a formal name after the full moon. Before, they would only be called by nicknames such as cats and dogs.
"We have decided, let's call him Zhu Di!" Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile.
Then he explained why he was named Zhu Di.
but.
Zhu Han was no longer in the mood to listen to his explanation of the origin of the name.
"Oh, Zhu Di, this name sounds very good." Zhu Han could only say with a little embarrassment.
but.
He thought carefully again that because of his own existence, the Ming Dynasty in this world would never let his eldest nephew Zhu Biao die young like the tragedy that happened in history.
As long as the eldest nephew Zhu Biao is alive and well, then the fourth brother Zhu Di will never dare to rebel against Jing Nan even if he is very capable.
Brother Zhu Yuanzhang thinks Zhu Han is a little weird, but he just doesn't understand why he reacts this way.
Just when Zhu Yuanzhang was confused, a report from the guard suddenly came from outside the door.
"Your Majesty, good news...good news!"
Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Han immediately looked at each other, and they both guessed the same possibility.
"Send it up!" Zhu Yuanzhang said loudly.
Several guards and a hurried imperial guard walked in quickly from the palace gate.
The eunuch next to him opened the secret report in Jin Yiwei's hand and presented it to Zhu Yuanzhang.
Old Guo Zhu Yuanzhang took a quick look and immediately smiled from ear to ear.
"This guy Xu Da, hahaha, really didn't disappoint us!"
"First defeat Guanghan and then defeat Chengdu within three days!"
Zhu Han couldn't believe it when he heard the news.
They had obtained internal support from Sichuan before, and the best result they could think of was to let Xu Da lead his army to break in from the north, first seize the Hanzhong gateway into Sichuan, and then slowly advance into Chengdu from the frontal battlefield.
Never expected it.
Xu Da actually captured Chengdu in one breath!
"Is this true?" Zhu Han still couldn't believe it.
Brother Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and stuffed the good news into Zhu Han's hands.
"Qiwu, look it up yourself, you can't fake it!"
Zhu Han took the good news and read it immediately.
really.
In it, Xu Da gave a quick and brief description of his battle, and then the final results.
"Our army has occupied the front line of Guanghan and Chengdu. The Chen thief crown prince Chen Li led the remaining troops to abandon the city and fled to Yunnan. Most of the prisoners in Chen Youliang's harem and family were captured."
Zhu Han looked at the final result and couldn't help but sigh in his heart. Xu Da, a general who has left his name in history, really has extraordinary military talents.
No one could have imagined that the natural danger of Sichuan, which everyone thought was impregnable, would be easily conquered under Xu Da's rapid march with his army.
"Now Xu Da only occupies the front line of Chengdu and Guanghan, and the outer city gates have not yet been controlled. We must send troops immediately to respond. Otherwise, if Chen Youliang leads an army to counterattack, Xu Da is likely to be surrounded in the isolated city." Zhu Han immediately realized.
to this issue.
Brother Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and nodded, "Haha, we have already thought of this matter. Before Xu Da marched, I sent him another imperial edict, giving him the right to mobilize all the troops in the surrounding Huguang and Guanzhong. Now
I think these soldiers and horses should have already started marching towards Sichuan, and Chen Youliang has no chance to fight back to Chengdu!"
The Ming army deployed heavy troops in the east and north of Sichuan. The number of troops alone was nearly 200,000, and there was sufficient food and military pay. The combat effectiveness was already high.
Now that Xu Da is leading his army to raid Chengdu, the surrounding Ming armies will definitely advance together to attack the defense lines outside Sichuan.
With Xu Da's military capabilities, Chen Youliang's frightened troops were definitely no match for the Ming army.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! The Ming army’s victory over Sichuan is already a certainty.
As for the escape of Chen Youliang's son Chen Li and other participants, it was simply a harmless matter.
"Hehe, if we take down Chengdu Chen Youliang, we will only be left with a remote Yunnan!"
Brother Zhu Yuanzhang said while looking at the map screen behind him.
All the mountains and rivers in the world can be seen on this map.
Yunnan is located in the most remote place in the southwest. Although the local products are rich, there is still a big gap compared with Sichuan.
Chen Youliang's defeated army relied solely on Yunnan, and it was very difficult to feed the 100,000 men under him.
I'm afraid it won't take long.
A governance crisis will break out within Chen Youliang.
"Chen Youliang still has some tricks up his sleeve. Although Sichuan is lost, he will probably cause trouble for us with Yunnan. We should let Xu Da go and kill him as soon as possible!" Zhu Han said beside him.
Brother Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, "That's right, but we have to wait until we have Sichuan under control first!"
Zhu Yuanzhang immediately ordered his Jin Yiwei to go to Sichuan with his imperial edict and hand it over to Xu Da.
In this imperial edict, Zhu Yuanzhang not only emphasized Xu Da's dispatching and command authority over all Ming armies in Guanzhong and Huguang, Sichuan, but also granted him the right to manage the administrative taxation of these three regions, allowing Xu Da to use the three regions with ease.
use military and financial resources to deal with Chen Youliang.
at the same time.
The Ming court did not relax its support for Xu Da at all.
Zhu Yuanzhang issued several more imperial edicts in succession.
Almost all the ships in the Jiangnan and Jiangbei areas were recruited to transport large quantities of military supplies to Sichuan.
Everyone in the world has already seen that Ming Dynasty will use its thunderous power to completely eliminate the separatist power of Chen Youliang.
The unification of the world is really just around the corner.
Although the Ming Dynasty's successive actions were huge, they did not really use much national power.
All the materials, equipment and money consumed were actually the wealth that Ming had accumulated over the past few years.
You can imagine how wealthy the Ming Dynasty has become in recent years. Even for such a war involving hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses, there is no need to increase taxes on the common people.
Not only that.
When Xu Da led the Ming army to pacify the southwest, Emperor Hongwu of the Ming Dynasty formally issued an imperial edict to reform the currency.
The standard currency of the Ming Dynasty was officially changed from copper coins to silver coins.
In other words, the copper standard that has been circulating in China for thousands of years has become the precious metal silver standard.
This is not only a currency change, but also symbolizes that the Ming Dynasty's commercial prosperity has reached a new height.