Faced with Fang Jun's question, everyone here looked at each other.
I have always been used to seeing money, but I have never thought about the nature of money so deeply. Even Tang Jian, the Minister of Civil Affairs, was a little confused...
After a moment of silence, Tang Jian asked tentatively: "Is it essentially precious metal or rare cloth?"
Fang Jun shook his head: "In the Shang Dynasty and even before, shells were used as currency."
Everyone looked puzzled, and Tang Jian could only sigh and said: "I am a vegetarian. I am really ashamed that I know nothing about such knowledge related to economics. I would like to hear the details." Fang Jun did not beat around the bush and said bluntly: "
The essence of a coin has nothing to do with what kind of material it is made of. The material used only depends on whether it is rare and easy to exchange. It does not matter what it is: gold, silver, copper, shells, or silk.
It’s important. There is only one essence of money, and that is its general equivalent.”
It's okay not to say it. The more he goes on, the more confused everyone becomes. It is obvious that they cannot understand the meaning of this word that comes from thousands of years later.
Fang Jun took a sip of tea and continued without asking anyone: "The so-called 'general equivalent' is simply a measure of the value of items. When everyone agrees on the same measure, then money is born."
Ma Zhou thoughtfully said: "In other words, money is the intermediary between items. It allows everyone to recognize the value of item exchange."
Fang Jun reminded: "The logic is established, but the order is reversed. The exchange value of items was recognized first, and then coins were born."
Ma Zhou nodded to show his understanding.
Fang Jun continued: "So the essence of coins also lies in circulation. It doesn't matter whether the material itself is gold, silver, copper, iron or jade, silk, or shells. As long as it can be recognized by everyone, it can be circulated..."
He pointed at the paper in Li Chengqian's hand: "...even if it's just a piece of paper." Coins themselves are useless. What is useful are the production materials that can be exchanged for coins, so it doesn't matter what material the coins are made of, only what they can do
Can they be exchanged for equivalent means of production? If so, the coins will have value.
Even if it is just a piece of paper; if not, the coin is just waste paper, even if it is gold.
Gold cannot be eaten or used, and neither can paper, only the means of production that can be exchanged.
Tang Jian's eyes burned brightly: "So what Duke Yue means is that as long as everyone recognizes it and it can be circulated, then even a piece of paper can become the same coin as Kaiyuan Tongbao?"
If this is the case, wouldn’t it mean that there is no longer any risk of the treasury being empty?
If you are short of money, just print it!
In the past, gold and copper were needed to make money. These two metals are scarce and difficult to obtain. But as long as you have the formula and raw materials for paper, you can't make as much paper as you want.
With an endless supply of paper, why can’t we just print as many coins as we want?
Hiss...the truth is this, but something doesn't seem quite right.
The wealth of the world is constant, but if the number of coins required to be printed means unlimited wealth, isn't it contradictory?
It's definitely not as simple as it seems... Fang Jundao: "Theoretically yes, but the value of an item is constant, it's just expressed by us using coins. For example, a piece of paper, whether it sells for one penny or ten pence,
It's still this piece of paper, and its value remains unchanged, it just becomes the value we assign to it. When the number of items increases, the money becomes less; when the money becomes more, the value of the items increases sharply, so no matter how many coins you make, it won't be enough.
Change the essence problem, because the object is the essence, instead
And it will cause prices to skyrocket... When a piece of paper is sold for a hundred cents, or a bucket of grain is sold for a hundred cents, can you imagine what kind of hell it will be on earth?"
All the wealth in the world will be looted.
A specious, superficial and rough "financial lesson" shocked everyone present, and then took a breath... Tang Jian understood a little more, and said to Li Chengqian: "Your Majesty, although the issuance of banknotes is simple, it is
It relies on the credibility of the country and your Majesty, so you must be cautious. A small amount of issuance can fill the shortage of national treasury expenses, and can also alleviate the "money shortage" situation, which is a good thing. But once it is issued indiscriminately, it will not only be
It is to lose the credibility of the country. The credibility of the emperor is so simple, it will directly destroy the economic system of the entire empire. No matter how powerful the empire is, it will have to bombard it.
Then it collapsed and fell apart!"
In his crude understanding, once paper money is distributed in large quantities, it is equivalent to a scourge.
This is indeed the case.
Li Chengqian's face turned pale, he looked at Fang Jun and asked: "Is it really so serious?"
Fang Jun nodded and said in a deep voice: "It's ten times more serious." Li Chengqian's voice trembled a little, he swallowed, and put the paper in his hand on the table: "Since it is so dangerous, why covet its temporary benefits? Why not?
It is better to end it completely and establish laws. From now on,
It will not be released forever!"
Ministers: "..."
Your Majesty, have you ever heard of the idiom "no food due to choking"?
It's obviously a good thing. You just need to keep it within a controllable range. You just need to be aware of its harm and use your strengths to avoid weaknesses. Why do you need to completely eliminate it?
Fang Jun shook his head and said: "Wei Chen has just explained that the essence of money is not paper money or copper coins... Even if your Majesty stops the issuance of paper money today, someone will definitely use copper coins to issue it in the future."
Li Ji was puzzled: "But copper coins themselves are valuable, how can they be the same as banknotes?"
Fang Jun said with a smile: "If I mint a copper coin and use the power of the country to stipulate that it can be worth ten, one hundred, or even one thousand, how should Ying Gong respond?"
Li Ji was stunned: "'Ten coins'?"
Is this still possible? Fang Jundao: "So we must realize the nature of money. A small amount of issuance can make up for the shortage of the national treasury, stimulate the economy, and solve the money shortage. But once an excessive amount is issued, it is tantamount to drinking poison to quench thirst, and the consequences will be huge disasters. Only
Only with real awareness and self-control can we avoid the harm of excessive issuance of coins."
What is the use of the legal system?
All it takes is a word from the emperor to abolish it...
Only by making the emperor understand and be afraid can it be possible to prevent this situation. Li Chengqian breathed a sigh of relief and understood that relying solely on laws was of little use. As long as he could be deeply afraid and never get involved, he then looked at the table
paper on the paper, asked: "This kind of paper has excellent texture and is convenient for
Can the calligraphy and painting be provided for the palace expenses?"
Fang Jun looked troubled... Liu Ji also liked this kind of paper, and he could probably guess what Fang Jun was worried about, so he said: "Don't worry, Duke Yue, this kind of paper will definitely have a strict purpose after entering the palace, and will never be left outside."
Used by people with ulterior motives to print counterfeit paper
currency."
If you say you won't live outside, then you won't?
Who gave you confidence? loadAdv(10,0);
This Tai Chi Palace is basically a big sieve, nothing is impossible to happen...
He could only say melancholy: "It's not that I'm afraid of this. In fact, this kind of paper uses the latest formula and has dozens of raw materials, including many rare plant roots. The cost... is a bit expensive."
Li Chengqian didn't take it seriously: "The paper is flexible, smooth but not slippery, and the texture is much better than bamboo paper. It is of course expensive to make."
It’s just a piece of paper, no matter how expensive it is, how expensive can it be?
I am rich all over the world, but I can't afford a piece of paper? Fang Jun said: "It's not just that it's expensive, it's just that this thing can already be regarded as a 'luxury'. Once the palace adopts it, I'm afraid the imperial censor will impeach it."
His Majesty's extravagance and waste of national funds are unknown to the people of the world.
, will also think that Your Majesty is arrogant and extravagant, has no regard for the people's strength, and is extremely harmful to His Majesty's remaining wealth."
"this……"
Li Chengqian was immediately startled. Although he ascended the throne as the crown prince, it was justifiable, but after all, Emperor Taizong wanted to change his wealth several times and was not optimistic about him. This made Li Chengqian extremely eager to prove himself, just like when Emperor Taizong "killed his brother"
Kill
"Brother" was later reviled and criticized by the world, and he wanted to prove that he was exactly the same...
It is not worth it no matter how you look at it, to bear the reputation of being "extravagant" just for a few pieces of paper.
…
After the meeting dispersed, Li Chengqian returned to Wude Hall, feeling depressed.
Wang De didn't know what happened in the previous court, so he asked cautiously: "Why is your Majesty so depressed?"
Li Chengqian always regarded Wang De as his confidant, and did not hide his thoughts. He sighed: "The Duke of Yue is really smart and quick, unparalleled in the world, and I am not as good as him." From ancient times to the present, people only know how to use coins.
Has anyone ever made such a profound analysis and understanding of its nature? Fang Jun’s words were like an enlightenment, allowing him to understand a completely different world.
The plane was shocked and lost consciousness for a while. Wang De comforted him in a low voice: "Your Majesty, there is no need to belittle yourself. There are people in this world who are infinitely powerful. Some people travel thousands of miles a day. Some people are well versed in government information. Some people have a photographic memory... There are all kinds of wonders in this world. And
Your Majesty is in heaven
Your Majesty’s son is the Lord of the world, and all strangers and strangers will eventually serve Your Majesty.”
If you are not a saint, how can you be invincible in everything?
Being an emperor does not necessarily require literary talent or military strategy. It is unparalleled in the world. You only need to know people well and assign them well...
Li Chengqian also knew this truth, but for a while he was jealous and depressed, but now he feels better.
No matter how capable you are, don't you still want to be my subject?
Seeing Li Chengqian's relaxed expression, Wang De whispered: "There was a message from the Li Zheng Palace just now, saying that the Queen got two jars of good wine and had some good dishes prepared. I hope Your Majesty will come over and taste it after going to court.
"The emperor and empress are at odds. The atmosphere in the palace is solemn and people are in panic. This is not a long-term solution. The empress is virtuous and takes the initiative to lower her body and invite your majesty. It is equivalent to bowing her head and admitting her mistake. If your majesty can just go down the steps, this turmoil can be eliminated.
Get rid of it, natural disturbances will subside, and people will be at peace...
Li Chengqian was silent for a while and shook his head: "You ask someone to tell me that I'm a little tired and I need to rest for a while after taking a bath. I won't go through today."
"...Here."
Wang De had no choice but to accept the order.
After coming out of the palace, after thinking for a while, he did not appoint other chamberlains, but went to the Risheng Palace himself. If His Majesty refused, he got off the road. I am afraid that the turmoil in the palace will continue...