Chapter 594: Silver Price Collapses
What can Gao Gong say?

With Yan Shaoting coming forward and Yang Bo and Gao Yao successively pointing out the current situation in the Hetao and Yinshan new borders, Zhang Juzheng's request for levying taxes in copper coins would naturally not cause any major problems.

Especially since the emperor asked for his advice twice today.

This made Gao Gong, who had originally thought that the emperor was no longer respectful to him as he was when he was in Prince Yu's mansion, and that after he ascended the throne, all matters big and small were decided by him in a dictatorial manner, which inevitably made him sad and worried, feel a little happy.

After all, the emperor still felt that his teacher was reliable.

At this moment, the emperor was asking for his opinion again.

Gao Gong immediately nodded and replied: "Since there is no worry about the new border, the request of Jiangsu and Zhejiang to collect taxes in exchange for copper should be feasible, which will benefit the people and demonstrate the wisdom and benevolence of our emperor!"

With Gao Gong's support again, Zhu Zaigui nodded and looked at Zhao Zhenji and Gao Yao: "Ministry of Revenue."

Zhao Zhenji stepped forward first and said, "The grain in Jiangsu and Zhejiang is not as abundant as that in Huguang. The rice produced in Jiangsu and Zhejiang is also mostly supplied to Nanjing and Zhongdu. There is nothing wrong with the two places collecting summer taxes and autumn grain in exchange for copper."

Then Gao Yao added, "In the Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas, the crafts are flourishing and there are many merchants and travelers. According to the Ministry of Revenue, among the two capitals and thirteen provinces in the imperial court, the circulation of money and goods is the most prosperous in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. There is a way to make money here, and it is very appropriate to collect taxes in copper."

The emperor still nodded and looked at Li Chunfang indifferently.

As the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, he naturally knew that Jiangsu and Zhejiang were important tax collection areas for the imperial court. Most of the country's fiscal revenue came from these areas.

Where there are interests, there will naturally be conflicts of interest.

Zhu Zaigui was well aware of the open and covert struggles between the imperial court and Jiangnan in recent years.

Now that he saw that Gao Gong and others' arguments outweighed Li Chunfang's, he was naturally happy.

After Zhao Zhenji stepped out to make his proposal, he thought for a moment and spoke again: "Your Majesty, since Jiangsu and Zhejiang can collect taxes in copper, can we follow the same practice in places like Yunnan, Guangxi, Guizhou, Shanxi, and Shaanxi where the production is relatively small and it is difficult to transport grain, so as to relieve the local people's difficulties in transporting grain and save the local areas from the pain of transportation?"

The provinces he mentioned were either long and difficult to access, with high mountains and long distances, where more than half of the grain would be lost during transportation, or had sparse arable land and low grain production.

Gao Yao immediately followed him and said, "Your Majesty, the affairs of the world are nothing more than money and grain in the court. The grain and grass used by the court are mainly for military use, but the court provides rice and grain for Huguang, Jiangxi, Shandong, Henan, and Hebei to ensure that the country has no shortage of money. In addition, in remote areas, we collect taxes in copper coins and use money to purchase general merchandise. The two are in harmony, which can be discussed as the relationship between yin and yang."

This is the truth.

After all, every year local governments have to transport grain, which not only results in huge losses on the road, but also requires countless corvée laborers and local people to transport grain.

However, when Li Chunfang heard this, he was shocked.

Now the collection of copper in Jiangsu and Zhejiang is basically a foregone conclusion. If all the provinces follow what Zhao Zhenji said, their losses this time will be incalculable.

"His Majesty!"

Li Chunfang had already made up his mind, and bowed again and said, "Jiangsu and Zhejiang are currently measuring the land, and now we are proposing to collect taxes in exchange for copper, so that the two policies can complement each other. But if all provinces follow suit, when there is a disaster, even if there is money in the treasury, there will be no grain, and I am afraid that the victims will be left with no food. This matter must not be initiated lightly without a foolproof plan."

After saying this, he hurriedly looked at Zhao Zhenji and Gao Yao.

Before the two of them could speak, Li Chunfang bowed deeply and said sincerely, "Your Majesty, why don't we discuss this matter later?"

As Li Chunfang spoke, several other people in the hall came out to second the motion.

Zhu Zaigui thought about it for a while and decided not to agree to Zhao Zhenji's request to extend the collection of copper coins to all provinces.

"This matter will be discussed after the land survey in Jiangsu and Zhejiang is completed."

With the emperor's decision, today's court meeting came to an end.

All the officials asked to leave and return to their respective departments.

When everyone left Wenhua Hall.

Gao Gong immediately found Zhao Zhenji and Gao Yao.

"If the two places of Jiangsu and Zhejiang are to be taxed in copper, it will have to start from this year's summer tax and autumn grain. In your opinion, how much copper can be taxed in copper? If we want to transport it back to the capital, do we still need to use the canal? How many boats are needed? When can we arrive?"

This is the Prime Minister asking questions.

The two slowed down their pace slightly.

Other people around couldn't help but walk slower.

After all, as the Minister of Revenue Gao Yao said just now, being an official in the court and governing the country is nothing more than money and grain.

Zhao Zhenji smiled and looked at Gao Yao: "Minister Gao has been in charge of the Ministry of Revenue for many years, so he is naturally well aware of this matter. Yuan Fu might as well let Minister Gao reply."

Gao Yao cupped his hands and explained, "If we talk about the summer tax and autumn grain tax in Jiangsu and Zhejiang this year, I still need to send people back to calculate and get the number of copper coins to be converted to. And if we collect the tax in copper and send it to the capital, we have to go to the canal, but the required canal boats are probably only 10% to 20% of the previous years. And from the countryside of the two places, we can save 90% of the grain transportation and corvée, and 90% of the river workers. We only need to collect the copper in the two places and transfer it to each prefecture, and then the canal guards will transport it to the canal ferry for loading, and then send the canal guards to escort it to the capital by boat. However, it still needs to be shipped from Jiangsu and Zhejiang and go up the canal, and the time required will not be much faster than in the past."

Gao Yao spoke very carefully.

Gao Gong also listened very carefully.

"If we can exempt 80% to 90% of the grain transport and corvée labor, the people in Nanzhili, Jiangsu and Zhejiang will have fewer coolies this year and can do more to earn money at home. The officers and soldiers of the grain transport guards can also be spared some hard work, which is also a good thing."

As for how much copper could be exchanged, it was actually not a big deal in Gao Gong's opinion.

The most important thing would be to save the people in Jiangsu and Zhejiang from unnecessary hard labor and corvee.

With the Prime Minister saying this, everyone present naturally agreed.

After all, everyone knows that doing so is a real good thing for the people.

But of course some people are unhappy.

For example, Li Chunfang.

Yan Shaoting followed quietly behind, observing the reactions of these people, all the way out of the imperial city and heading towards the Ministry of Rites.

Today, the issue of collecting taxes in Jiangsu and Zhejiang in the form of copper coins was discussed in Wenhua Hall. Later, there will surely be an imperial decree from the palace to be issued by the cabinet.

He also had to wait in the Ministry of Rites to see the reactions of all parties after the imperial edict was passed on to the court.

The officials of the Ministry of Rites were naturally very curious about the new Shangshu, who had rarely been to the yamen since taking over, but suddenly returned to work.

A group of officials, led by Wang Xilie, the Left Vice Minister of Rites, and Chu Dashou, the Right Vice Minister, gathered to greet Yan Shaoting, who rarely returned to the government office.

"Young Guard."

"Shangshu."

"Budo."

Everyone has a different name for Yan Shaoting, but no one is rude.

Yan Shaoting looked around and took in everyone's expressions, then calmly walked into the government office surrounded by everyone.

Wang Xilie, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, immediately stepped forward and asked, "I wonder if the Minister is back to sit in court today, but does he have any important matters to tell us?"

The Right Assistant Minister Chu Dashou stood aside, without saying a word, but his eyes showed curiosity.

Yan Shaoting looked around the government office.

Wang Xilie immediately turned around and looked at the people behind him: "Minister, please come back to the court and prepare tea for him."

As soon as the Left Assistant Minister gave the order, someone immediately went out to prepare.

Yan Shaoting smiled slightly and looked at the two people closest to him, the left and right assistant ministers of the Ministry of Rites.

Although he had hardly worked in the Ministry of Rites since taking over, he had some understanding of the personnel and affairs in the ministry.

Wang Xilie, the Left Vice Minister, was a native of Nanchang, Jiangxi Province. He was a Jinshi in the 32nd year of Jiajing. He was initially appointed to the Hanlin Academy and later transferred to the Imperial College as the chief academic officer, which was considered a noble official career.

The Right Vice Minister Chu Dashou was a native of Shanyin County, Zhejiang Province. He was the top scholar in the 35th year of Jiajing. He was initially appointed as the editor of seal characters in the Hanlin Academy. He was also known as one of the Ten Sons of Yuezhong along with Shen Lian, Xu Wei and others.

It is also extremely noble.

Yan Shaoting now looked at the two of them and said softly, "I am in the palace today to hold a meeting. There may be an imperial decree later."

He didn't tell the whole story.

Wang Xilie had an idea: "The minister has been in charge of state affairs and has made countless achievements. I think the emperor's order this time is to have the minister take charge of the task." Chu Dashou on the side glanced at his colleague and still did not speak.

He knew that Wang Xilie was close to the Yan family because he was born in Jiangxi, so he was naturally trying to please Yan Shaoting.

But I don't like this.

Actually, he was older than Wang Xilie, but he became an official one year later than Wang Xilie. This was because he was very smart when he was young and passed the imperial examination in the 22nd year of Jiajing. However, he failed in the imperial examinations since then. He passed the Dingwei, Gengwu and Kuichou examinations before he won the top spot in the Bingchen examination in the 35th year of Jiajing.

But that's just his personality, not impatient or irritable.

It can be said that he has no desires or demands.

Even the Zhejiang Party, which has been making some noise in the court in recent years, did not participate.

It was also at this time.

Tea was delivered.

Not only did Yan Shaoting have tea in front of him, but the two assistant ministers also each held a cup of tea.

Take a sip of tea.

Yan Shaoting then smiled and shook his head and said, "This task today is not for me to handle. This year, I only need to handle the imperial examination."

Wang Xilie couldn't help but look puzzled.

But just at this moment, there was a commotion outside.

There was a special messenger department responsible for issuing imperial edicts.

"The emperor is destined to be carried by heaven, and the edict says:"

"I have inherited the throne and nurtured the people. I have worked hard day and night to ensure the safety of the people. Recently, I have read reports from local governments that taxes are mostly collected based on the actual amount of taxes, causing the people to suffer from hardships. Sometimes the roads are dangerous and long, causing the grain to rot; sometimes the clerks are difficult and the fire is expensive. The common people have to sell their property and pawn their wives, but still cannot pay the taxes. I feel sorry for them."

"Now the imperial edict is to implement the copper-for-copper system in Nanzhili and Zhejiang. All summer and autumn tax grains can be paid in copper coins. The price of each stone will increase or decrease according to the current price, and it must be fair and set as a fixed rule. In remote counties and prefectures where it is difficult to pay in cash, all can be paid in copper coins. The relevant departments will publish the copper prices and post them on the bulletin board. Anyone who dares to make up a pretext and collect more will be charged with corruption. All inspectors will strictly inspect the counties and prefectures and report them annually for implementation."

"In the past, the Hongwu Emperor made the law, which was convenient for the people and became a clear law. Now we are following it, in order to eliminate the difficulties of transportation and stop the corruption of corrupt officials. You officials inside and outside the country should understand my painstaking efforts and make sure that the people are not disturbed by the police and that the granaries are well stocked. If you are lazy and lazy, and pretend to obey but actually disobey, I will impose severe punishment and will never show leniency."

"Appreciate this."

An imperial edict in an impeccable format.

After the messenger from the Ministry of Public Security finished delivering the order in public, he respectfully placed the copy of the imperial edict on the desk in front of Yan Shaoting.

"Master Yan, I have finished delivering the message. I have many things to do in the office, so I will take my leave first."

Yan Shaoting nodded and watched the other party leave, then turned to look at everyone in the government office.

"it is good!"

"This decree is truly beneficial to the country and the people, and relieves the suffering of the people in Jiangsu and Zhejiang in transporting grain. Your Majesty is wise and unparalleled, and your administration is virtuous and benevolent!"

Suddenly, there was a cry of admiration and praise from the government office.

Everyone followed the sound and watched.

It turned out to be the Right Vice Minister Chu Dashou, who was usually cautious in his words and actions.

When Yan Shaoting saw that it was him who exclaimed, there was a hint of surprise in his eyes.

According to his understanding, most officials who came from Jiangnan came from wealthy families.

Just like Wang Xianchen, a Jinshi in the Hongzhi period and a censor of the Censorate in the Zhengde period, he was only inspecting border affairs in Datong, Yansui and other places while serving as a censor, and was imprisoned and dismissed from office a few years later.

After he was dismissed from office and returned to his hometown, he invited Wen Zhengming to participate in the design. It took 16 years and an estimated cost of no less than several million taels to build the famous Humble Administrator's Garden, which is known as one of the four famous gardens along with the Summer Palace, the Mountain Resort, and the Lingering Garden.

During the Ming Dynasty, there were countless officials like these who were born in Jiangsu and Zhejiang and served in the court and returned to their hometowns to build gardens and houses after resigning.

The man in front of him, Chu Dashou, who had already risen to the position of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, actually expressed his praise for the copper-for-copper tax collection in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.

It's really rare.

This was somewhat beyond his expectations.

After Chu Dashou spoke, Wang Xilie, who was a little slow at first, immediately reacted: "Brother Duanfu is right. Jiangsu and Zhejiang already have heavy taxes. Now they can collect taxes in copper coins, which can alleviate the suffering of the people in the two places in transporting food and grass every year. It is really a rare good policy."

They are all veterans in the officialdom, so they naturally praise such good governance from top to bottom.

But Wang Xilie immediately added: "I think this method must have been participated in by the Ministry."

This means that after praising the emperor, one should then flatter the official in front of him.

Yan Shaoting just smiled slightly and looked at the other officials from the Ministry of Rites behind the two of them.

really.

After the imperial edict was issued, many officials from Jiangsu and Zhejiang in the Ministry of Rites had their faces changed drastically.

Everyone knows that gold shops have been suppressing silver prices since the beginning of the year.

Now that Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces have decided to levy taxes in the form of copper coins, it will inevitably lead to an increase in the value of copper coins, which will once again indirectly suppress the price of silver.

If Yan Shaoting had not been in court today, these people would have probably gone out immediately to investigate the situation.

but.

In Beijing.

But it was also a mess.

Although the decree to collect copper in Jiangsu and Zhejiang was issued to various ministries and government offices, the news had already spread outside.

For a moment, people were greatly moved.

Everyone knows that copper prices are going to rise.

Then the value of silver and money will inevitably depreciate accordingly.

as predicted.

Not long.

Just after noon.

The gold shop once again posted the latest notice.

"I respectfully obey the imperial order. The two places of Jiangsu and Zhejiang will collect taxes in copper. This will benefit the people and will benefit future generations. The gold bank will hold banknotes according to the money law and will not deprive the people of their benefits."

"From now on, one ounce of silver can be exchanged for eight hundred copper coins, and one ounce of gold can be exchanged for twelve ounces and five cents of silver."

moment.

The price of silver collapsed, losing 20% ​​for no reason!
The court's latest notice to collect copper and gold from the gold shops in Jiangsu and Zhejiang also swept out of the capital like a whirlwind and flooded into various places.

Everybody knows.

This time, those who had previously gone to the gold bank to withdraw cash are likely to be in trouble.

Because according to the imperial court's decree and the gold bank's notice.

The ratio has now dropped to one tael of silver being exchanged for only eight hundred copper coins, and it will expand again due to the turmoil.

Silver prices collapsed!

It's only a matter of time before the complete collapse.

…………

Monthly PassMonthly Pass
(End of this chapter)