The special paper was ready, and the "paper money" was printed very quickly. It was completed in less than a month. Fang Jun took Liu Shi into the palace to meet the emperor and asked him to present the "paper money" to His Majesty.
This kind of opportunity is what every official dreams of. Liu Shi was so grateful that he said a bunch of disgusting words of gratitude and expressed his loyalty again and again...
The banknotes were placed on the imperial case. Li Chengqian and the ministers looked over and over again, marveling at the exquisite patterns. The banknotes were painted with complicated patterns in various colors to prevent counterfeiting. In fact, it is superfluous and insignificant.
In the case of large-scale issuance, the serial number in the lower left corner of the banknote is enough to prevent counterfeiting, because each banknote issued is
All inflows into the treasury will be registered...
But the dazzling colors and complicated patterns do give the banknotes a luxurious and high-end feel.
Liu Ji pointed to a spot on the banknote: "This color is 'ultramarine'? Why is it so bright?"
"Ultramarine" is not cyan, but a dark blue with a slight red light. However, the "ultramarine" on the banknotes is extremely bright, which is very different from what you usually see. Liu Shi glanced at Fang Jun and saw that the latter was slightly
Nodding, he explained: "It is indeed 'ultramarine', but after dozens of dyeing craftsmen from the foundry bureau studied and tested it, some special mineral powder was added to it.
The color becomes brighter and more vivid. This is a very confidential formula, and all craftsmen involved in the development and testing have been issued a hush-hush order. Even their own nephews are not allowed to reveal it, otherwise they will be severely punished."
Liu Jie had no intention of exploring the formula and asked in surprise: "There are still dyeing craftsmen in the Foundry Bureau?"
As the name suggests, the "Foundry Bureau" is definitely related to steel and has nothing to do with dyeing... Liu Shi was a little angry. Today, the achievements of the "Foundry Bureau" involve all aspects and have unparalleled promotion for the entire empire. However, these ministers above the court
But they refused to take a second look, and habitually used "strange skills and obscenities" to
In the eyes of these people, the efforts of countless people at the top and bottom of the "Foundry Bureau", Fang Jun's huge expenditure of money and hundreds of research results were always regarded as inferior.
"There are not only dyers, blacksmiths, carpenters, leatherworkers... there are even talented people who are proficient in arithmetic. There are more than 20 types of work, more than 3,000 craftsmen, and tens of thousands of apprentices."
In addition to being angry, there is also a hint of pride. Where these high-ranking officials and great scholars have never paid attention, the "Forging Bureau" has relied on countless research results to change the empire, change the world, and even change this era, military, agriculture, and navigation.
Wait for all aspects
They are all undergoing changes, and until one day they suddenly wake up, they will realize that the "Forging Bureau" is incomparable.
Therefore, Liu Shi admired Fang Jun who single-handedly created the "Foundry Bureau" and insisted on investing huge amounts of money and silk.
What kind of unique and sharp vision and courage transcends the times? In comparison, what have these high-sounding and dignified ministers in the court done? They fight for power and profit all day long, care about small profits and forget the great righteousness, and they are nothing more than righteousness at best.
There are only a few words in history books, like this
That's all.
And under the leadership of Fang Jun, he will make a mark on the history of history...
Everyone was surprised by Liu Shi's words. They knew that the "Forging Bureau" was now very large, but they did not know that it was so big.
Who would usually pay attention to such "wonderful skills" and "despicable" things?
Even though the "Foundry Bureau" is responsible for the research and development and manufacture of various firearms, it is the work of craftsmen after all. How can the big bosses in the court have the energy to care about this? Liu Ji frowned: "Such a huge scale consumes countless manpower and material resources.
, at present, the empire is waiting for prosperity, countless people are still hungry, and even the administrative salaries of many state governments are unsustainable, should we give
To reduce? At least reduce the scale, and unnecessary waste should be saved."
The Ministry of War is Fang Jun's territory, and it is difficult for outsiders to interfere. The "Foundry Bureau" is the core of the Ministry of War, where all resources are focused. Not to mention intervening, not everyone can enter to find out what's going on.
Having such an influential workshop in Fang Jun's hands is equivalent to giving Fang Jun a third boost. How could Liu Jie be willing to do so?
Liu Shiqi said: "Don't Zhongshu Ling know that the Foundry Bureau is responsible for its own profits and losses to this day? Whether it is the central government or the treasury, there has never been any investment in the Foundry Bureau from the beginning to the end, so how can it be reduced?
explain?"
Liu Ji's face darkened: "Isn't the 'Foundry Bureau' the government office of the Tang Dynasty? Nowadays, all the industries in the empire are waiting for prosperity, and it is one step away from the real prosperous age. How can you and other officials only care about your own one-third of an acre of land, but ignore it?"
The grand plan of the country?" Liu Shi shook his head repeatedly: "The so-called holding one's position and planning for the government, the lower official is just a doctor in the Ministry of War, and his responsibility is only in the 'Foundry Bureau'. The grand plan of the country is the business of you, the ministers, how can it be for us?
Small officials can participate in its
Zhong? Zhongshu Ling is too flattering and loves the lower official. I would never dare to be a lower official."
Neither humble nor arrogant, he was outspoken and without restraint, he pushed Liu Jie back without any need for Fang Jun to take action.
However, in this situation, how could Fang Jun let his subordinates charge forward while he huddled behind? He smiled and said to Liu Jie: "Liu Langzhong has an upright temperament. If there is anything offensive in his words, Zhongshu ordered you not to say anything."
I'm surprised... but Liu Langzhong's saying, "In his position, he will seek his own government" is very good. You are Zhongshu Ling, and it is your responsibility.
The responsibility should be borne by you yourself and cannot be ceded to others. If you think you can't afford it, it's okay, just ask His Majesty for a job."
After a pause, he looked at Liu Jie with a smile: "The official position of Zhongshu Ling is your Majesty's support. If anyone feels that he can't do it well, just go down and there will naturally be someone who can do it well."
You actually tried to stretch your hand towards me. Do you really think I dare not chop it off for you?
Liu Shi felt extremely happy, this is Shangguan! His subordinates were targeted and wronged, but Shangguan stepped forward without hesitation about others. Even when facing Zhongshu Ling, he spoke fiery and aggressive words.
How can you not love such a superior official?
Li Chengqian waved his hand to stop Liu Ji who wanted to say more, and said warmly: "The 'Minting Bureau' is a matter of the Ministry of War, and it has always been the responsibility of the Duke of Yue, so outsiders don't have to participate... How to issue this kind of banknotes?" Fang Jun said:
"You can send people to escort directly to Henan, Hedong, Shandong, Jiangnan and other places. As long as the land measurement in each place is completed, you can sign a contract with the local aristocratic family, and use banknotes instead of money to lend money, and then the aristocratic family will
He paid the amount of land he needed to redeem with banknotes, and then took the banknotes back to Chang'an and paid them into the treasury."
Coming and going, going in and out, the center never took out a penny, only printed a few banknotes, and earned tens of millions in loans from famous families.
What you borrow is not paper money. When you repay it in the future, it must be real gold and brass...
This operation is naturally praised by everyone.
Tang Jian then recommended himself: "Quinzi Jiahui, now I am a doctor in the Ministry of Finance. I have always been quite smart and can handle this matter."
Everyone was speechless for a moment.
The "Ministry of Finance" is one of the agencies under the Ministry of Civil Affairs. It is mainly responsible for auditing the cashier's accounts of money and silk in the country's treasury, as well as the minting of coins...
In fact, printing "banknotes" should have been the responsibility of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and the "Ministry of Finance" controlled by Tang Jian's son Tang Jiahui was even more responsible. As a result, Fang Junlai acted like this, and the "infringement" effect was extremely serious.
But Tang Jian was very human after all. Not only did he not get angry or complain, he even asked his son to run errands for Fang Jun...
Under such circumstances, no one could say what Tang Jian wanted his son to do as his subordinate. Li Chengqian nodded: "Then let Tang Jiahui handle it. If you are successful in this matter, you can go to the East Palace and resume your old post in the East Palace after you come back."
Qianniu, after all, he was a military commander, so what was he like hanging around in the Ministry of Civil Affairs all day long? After all, back then
He has also protected me, and his hard work has made him more meritorious."
He had a complicated mood about Tang Jiahui. In the early years of Zhenguan, Tang Jiahui's official position was "Thousand Bulls of the East Palace", and the prince of the East Palace was Li Chengqian. Logically speaking, Tang Jiahui should be Li Chengqian's confidant and fully trust him. In fact, this was not the case.
First wife Yuanshi passed away
Very early on, Xu Xian's wife was Yan Lide's second daughter, and Yan Lide's eldest daughter married Wei King Li Tai. Tang Jiahui and Wei King Li Tai were brothers-in-law...
Therefore, Li Chengqian did not trust Tang Jiahui, but he tolerated it because his father Tang Jian was a veteran of two dynasties and had made great contributions to the founding of the country.
It's just that Tang Jiahui has never been disrespectful. Later, he asked for external transfer and never participated in those rebellious things. Today, the throne is stable, and there is no need to worry about the past thoughts.
Tang Jian left the table, bowed his hands to the ground, and said gratefully: "Thank you, Your Majesty." He had many sons, most of whom were able to start their own families. However, Tang Jiahui was jealous of Li Chengqian because he was the "Thousand Bulls of the East Palace" but became a brother-in-law with the King of Wei.
There was no chance to go further, so I had to arrange it myself at the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
I'm afraid that without my eyes, I will be tricked into doing something stupid and bring down the family.
The real purpose of taking this opportunity to recommend Tang Jiahui is to test His Majesty’s attitude. Seeing that there is no barrier between His Majesty and His Majesty, I am naturally overjoyed...
***** Returning to the Zhongshu Provincial Office, Liu Ji sat alone in the check-in room. The more he thought about it, the more bored he became. Today, the "Foundry Bureau" has unknowingly become a behemoth with great influence.
, all sources of funds come from “
"Self-financed", this "self-financing" operating method makes it completely free from central control and becomes self-contained, and outsiders cannot get involved at all.
More importantly, will anyone follow suit?
Liu Ji couldn't sit still anymore, got up and left the official office, went straight to Wude Hall, asked for an audience, and was taken to the imperial study by the chamberlain.
Li Chengqian changed his clothes, washed his hands and face, and met him in the imperial study.
He raised his hand for Liu Ji to drink tea and said with a smile: "Just after we parted, Zhongshu Ling was eager to ask for a meeting, but just now did he miss something?" Liu Ji did not drink tea either, and went straight to the point and stated the many shortcomings of the "Casting Bureau" one by one. Finally,
, said worriedly: "If it is just a 'Foundry Bureau', that's it. After all, the Duke of Yue has the ability to support the utensils and set the cauldron, and to protect the cauldron from the dragon. If His Majesty orders him to abolish the 'Foundry Bureau', it will inevitably be suspected of being ungrateful. But this is the case.
The wind must not last long. If the various yamen of the Six Ministries and Nine Temples are trying to create this "bureau" and that "department", they will commit corruption and malfeasance in the name of "taking responsibility for their own profits and losses".
, if things go on like this, where will the center be placed? And where will your majesty be placed?"
This is a bit heartbreaking. Why can Fang Jun set up a "casting bureau" within the Ministry of War and "take responsibility for its own profits and losses"? Isn't it because he is self-proclaimed and ignores the court's laws, not just once or twice. But if this continues.
, the "Forging Bureau" only knows Fang Jun, who still remembers that there is a center and His Majesty?