Whispers filled the hall.
The use of banknotes for exchange has a long history. Usually, when the same business goes to another place to do business, a trustworthy manager will carry the banknotes to their own bank in that other place to exchange for money.
This was done primarily to reduce the burden of carrying money along the way, making the journey more convenient and also reducing the risks of the trip.
But why do the Lu and Gu families, both located in Shuojing City, still need to use vouchers to conduct business with each other?
"Father, our country's commerce is developing rapidly, and many items and treasures are emerging one after another, with prices getting higher and higher."
Prices are soaring, no new mines have been discovered, and coinage is already at a fixed rate. If this continues, it will likely hinder trade and weaken the nation's power.
If commercial bills were used instead, the Ministry of Revenue could control the total amount of commercial bills issued and select an appropriate number, which could alleviate the current risk of currency shortage...
"absurd!"
Before Prince Qing could finish speaking, some senior officials in the court couldn't help but loudly object.
The person who spoke was a man with a pale face and white hair, but whose eyes gleamed with a sharp light. He was none other than Liu Xiangguo, a very important figure in the court.
Realizing his words had been offensive, he quickly knelt down and begged for forgiveness: "Your humble servant misspoke!"
The displeasure on Prince Qing's face vanished in an instant. The Emperor did not hold it against Prime Minister Liu, but simply waited for him to continue.
Liu Xiangguo was quite agitated: "If commercial notes are used instead of silver and can be directly used for trade, wouldn't that encourage people to use a piece of paper to cheat others out of money? Since ancient times, trade has been based on the principle of value matching, and scarcity drives up prices. Only silver can be exchanged for goods. How can paper be compared to gold and silver now that it is so readily available!"
However, some people are quite optimistic about commercial drafts: "Nowadays, the amount of gold, silver, and copper coins circulating in the market is already insufficient, and they are not convenient to carry. If commercial drafts could replace them, wouldn't this crisis be alleviated?"
"Commercial bills are convenient, but in the end, they're just a piece of paper. How can they reassure the people?"
"Before the official minting and use of copper coins from the previous dynasty, how many people thought copperware was valuable? This value was bestowed by the imperial court. If we introduce commercial notes, we can simply follow the same method!"
"Lord Lin makes it sound so easy! How can we bestow this upon them? Nowadays, papermaking technology is highly advanced, and paper is affordable and accessible to everyone. If we were to replace gold and silver with paper, how could we convince the public?"
"Lord Liu, you are overthinking it! Since you acknowledge the benefits of commercial notes, it means this strategy is feasible. As for how to win over the masses, that is a matter for us to discuss in order to serve the court! I believe that with His Majesty's wisdom and martial prowess, and with the abundance of talented people in our court, we will surely be able to devise a perfect plan!"
After he finished speaking, he didn't forget to flatter the sage.
Liu Xiangguo was so angry that his beard trembled, and it seemed that the two sides were about to start arguing in the court!
"Enough!"
The sage's voice wasn't loud, but everyone in the hall was familiar with it. Amidst the noise, upon hearing the sage's ambiguous words, they all fell silent, lowered their heads, and dared not utter a sound.
The sage twirled the jade pendant in his hand, lowered his eyelids, and fell silent. Silence descended upon the hall, and just as everyone was filled with trepidation and about to kneel, he finally spoke: "Enough! This matter will be discussed later."
Liu Xiangguo was about to speak again, but the Emperor gave him a sharp look and silenced him. The Emperor remained silent, without asking if there were any further memorials, and simply rose and left the Mingde Hall.
The court officials hurriedly knelt down: "Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty!"
Princess Ruining seemed to be deep in thought as she followed the group of court officials out of the palace.
Prince Qing glanced at her, hesitated for a moment, but still stepped forward as usual and walked outside with her side by side.
Princess Ruining gazed at her younger brother, who had grown up with her in Changqiu Palace since childhood. Time flies, and the child of yesteryear has now grown into a robust young man.
In the past, he was the one who competed with Empress Lu for her favor, and he was also the one who stood in front of her when she was punished for being naughty.
Those beautiful memories, like sparkling pearls, are embedded in her heart, shining brightly.
She almost forgot that they were born into royalty, and were not like ordinary siblings who could support each other throughout their lives without any resentment.
For some reason, I suddenly felt a pang of sadness.
Seeing her silence, Prince Qing wondered if she truly didn't know, was feigning ignorance, or was like her, afraid of facing her accusations. He seemed somewhat flustered, his hands quietly clenching together his wide sleeves, then loosening them, then clenching them again.
Princess Ruining felt a flutter in her heart when she saw his little gesture.
This was a little gesture her younger brother would make whenever he was nervous. Now that they were both adults, she hadn't seen Zhao Yang describe himself like that in a long time.
Her heart softened again.
Perhaps he just thought the same thing as me?
It was no secret that the Gu and Lu families traded commercial notes with each other. As a prince who also served in the Ministry of Revenue, it was normal for his younger brother to discover this and conceive of having the Ministry of Revenue take the lead in issuing commercial notes.
Just as she was about to speak, a voice came from behind her: "Princess, please wait!"
The delicate atmosphere between Princess Ruining and Prince Qing was broken, and both of them secretly breathed a sigh of relief and turned around to look back.
Seeing that it was Eunuch Dengbao who was hurrying up with small, quick steps, he bowed hastily in front of the two of them and said, "Princess, His Majesty has summoned you."
"Did Father say what it was about?"
Princess Ruining had a guess in her mind and glanced subtly at Prince Qing beside her. Seeing that Prince Qing was also looking at her, she looked away.
Eunuch Dengbao looked troubled: "Princess, this... this servant dares not ask."
"Sister, you should go quickly."
Prince Qing smiled broadly and urged Princess Ruining on.
Princess Ruining did not delay and followed Dengbao towards the inner palace.
As the two walked away, the smile on Prince Qing's face completely vanished.
Father Emperor is still so biased! Even today, when I brought up such an important matter as commercial drafts, he still only kept my sister behind and didn't even think of including me!
I am also his child, why can't we be treated equally?
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