Only when the imperial court truly begins to use paper money as its source of revenue will the people have further confidence in paper money, and at the same time, the money supply can be regulated.

Only in this way can the fate of the imperial court and the people be truly linked, and only then will the prime ministers of the imperial court have a greater sense of crisis.

This is also why Xu Churen was unwilling for the people to use Jiaozi as tax payment currency; Xu Churen intended for the court to simply print money and not collect it.

In this way, the money held by the imperial court will never depreciate.

However, Zhao Huan would absolutely not allow them to act recklessly like this. Such actions would be like drinking poison to quench thirst, enriching the court while causing suffering to the common people.

If this happens, his policy of simultaneously promoting national wealth and people's wealth will essentially be stillborn.

The policy of minting large coins, like that of Cai Jing, was even more disastrous.

Even with Zhao Huan's new version of the Jiaozi (paper money) in large denominations, the issuance had to be controlled to a very small quantity.

Zhao Huan's own idea was that one hundred strings of paper money should ideally only account for one percent of the total number of paper money, so that, when calculated, it would be equivalent to the value of one string of paper money.

After sneaking out of the palace.

Zhao Huan's attire remained as flamboyant as ever. Walking down the street, he acted as if he were the center of attention, behaving like he was the sun and everyone should come and worship him.

This time, he first went to the vicinity of the Royal Bank of the Great Song Dynasty, and found a shop nearby to sit down and have a drink.

No one here recognized him as the current emperor, but every woman who passed by turned her gaze toward Zhao Huan.

Some even shamelessly came over to say hello, but Xie Dahai blocked them.

Han Chenchen was somewhat surprised that her husband was so charming. Even without revealing his identity, he could attract the attention of all the women around him just by sitting there.

Ignoring the women who were trying to seduce him, Zhao Huan's mind was entirely on the Great Song Bank across the street. Before long, a newsboy selling official newspapers came over to sell them.

Zhao Huan asked Xie Dahai to buy a copy, and then began to read it.

The most prominent page in the official gazette contained detailed information about paper money.

When you use Jiaozi to shop at various restaurants and grain stores, you can also find information about discounts published on it.

Zhao Huan's doubts grew. The policy of uniting major restaurants and grain shops in the capital city to promote paper money was actually quite good.

Take grain shops, for example. Using paper money would be cheaper. People need to eat every day, so there should be people who would be willing to exchange it at the bank.

Why are there so few people in front of the Song Dynasty Bank?

Could it be that this policy is not working?

As the emperor watched one or two people occasionally enter the Great Song Bank, his brows furrowed.

Why are there only so few people coming to redeem their money?

That's not right! The policy clearly states that Jiaozi (paper money) can be used to pay taxes, and it's even cheaper to buy rice!

Zhao Huan was filled with doubt. He walked to the bank entrance, just as an old man was about to go in.

Zhao Huan then asked, "Old man, what are you doing here?"

The old man was taken aback by Zhao Huan's noble bearing, and quickly replied, "Young sir, you may not know this, but the imperial court has introduced paper money in the capital city of Dongjing."

"Jiaozi? What is Jiaozi?"

"Young sir, Jiaozi is the same as Qianyin, but I've heard that Jiaozi is better than Qianyin."

"Oh, how would you like to do that?"

"I heard that it's cheaper to buy rice at Aunt Tian's rice shop."

"Wow, such a good thing actually happened?" Zhao Huan feigned surprise. "Then why are there so few people exchanging them?"

"I'm not too sure about that."

Just then, a passerby said, "It's obviously a scam. Yesterday I exchanged 500 coins to eat at Chunhua Restaurant. If I had paid with coin, Chunhua Restaurant would have given me a different price for the dishes. In the end, it was still the same price. I wouldn't dare use such a dishonest place."

Upon hearing this, the old man decided not to go in to exchange his money: "I see, then I won't exchange it either."

Zhao Huan quickly added, "Old man, even if eating rice isn't cheap, it's more convenient to carry paper money, isn't it?"

"What if I can't exchange it back for currency? Wouldn't I be at a loss?"

Zhao Huan, like a patient salesman, continued, "How could that be? I saw in the official gazette that it can be exchanged back."

"Young sir, this is money! What is money? Money is the lifeblood of us poor people. Do we dare gamble with our lives?"

After saying this, the old man turned and left.

Zhao Huan, his face dark, had Xie Dahai exchange some paper money for silver coins, and then headed towards Donghua Gate.

Upon arriving at Donghua Gate, Zhao Huan casually found a large restaurant, went in, ordered a few dishes, and quickly paid the bill.

"Sir, it's two strings of cash in total."

Zhao Huan looked at the servant and asked, "Can you use paper money for payment here?"

The waiter paused slightly, seemingly reluctant, but still managed a smile: "Yes, we can accept paper money for payment."

"Okay, I'll settle this with Jiaozi (paper money)."

"Okay, that's two strings of cash in total."

Zhao Huan asked doubtfully, "I heard that it's cheaper to settle accounts with paper money?"

The servant still forced a smile: "Yes, sir, it is indeed cheaper to settle with paper money. This two strings of cash has already saved you two hundred coins."

"Then why is it two strings of cash when I pay with iron coins, and also two strings when I pay with paper money? Where did the extra two hundred coins go?"

"Sir, paper money is prone to spoilage and devaluation. If you wish to settle accounts in paper money, our shop will add a 10% preservation fee!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Huan was about to fly into a rage, and said coldly, "Who set this value preservation fee?"

"That's our store's rule."

"I pay for my meals, but I'm still being asked to pay some kind of 'value preservation fee' that I don't even know anything about. This rule is unreasonable."

"Sir, this is the shop's rule. Please don't make things difficult for me."

Zhao Huan said, "I've already said this rule is unreasonable. I won't give you those two hundred coins. Not only will I not give them, but you're also not allowed to accept them from others!"

The servant's smile vanished, and he ignored Zhao Huan, leaving instead.

You could tell he was going to complain just by looking at his toenails. Large restaurants in Tokyo had people specifically assigned to watch the place, because they not only served as places for everyday meals, but also had upstairs areas for drinking and arguing with geisha.

Sure enough, a short while later, a middle-aged man in his early forties came over. Judging from his clothes, he was the manager.

“Sir, paying for meals is not only a matter of course, but also the law of the Song Dynasty. I believe you are an aristocrat and would not be the kind of person to renege on your debt.”

"Paying for meals is indeed a matter of course and is in accordance with the laws of our Great Song Dynasty. However, I have to pay a value preservation fee when I use Jiaozi for settlement. This is not a matter of course and there is no such provision in the laws of our Great Song Dynasty."

"But that's our store's rule!"

"This rule is a disguised form of extortion!"

Upon hearing Zhao Huan's forceful tone, the innkeeper immediately lost his temper. Their Jiangnan Chun restaurant was a renowned establishment in the capital city, and its profits directly affected the court officials.

Why would I be afraid of a mere young master?

What an ungrateful brat! Does he think that just because he's dressed richly, he can act so recklessly?

P.S.: Don't hold back, shower me with all your recommendation votes!