Chapter 95 (Bicycle)
Qin Liusong recounted the merchant's experiences as an amusing anecdote during a visit to the Prince's residence, describing them vividly.
Qi Chengming chuckled: "If you can't sell them, then what?"
Heaven knows, Mr. Huang's salt ponds weren't even finished yet. The reason why salt prices were low in Liuzhou was purely because he, the government, and the wealthy families in the city had reached an agreement to painstakingly maintain the high value of "ration coupons" and prevent them from fluctuating with prices.
The wealthy didn't have such a keen business sense; they couldn't discern whether ration coupons were valuable or not, or what the advantages or disadvantages were of selling copper coins. They simply lived off their social standing and status. These days, the most valuable thing was having ration coupons; everyone valued them, and possessing them gave one a sense of superiority. Who would be tempted by earning such a paltry sum of copper coins…
Ugh, just thinking about it makes me lose face. At most, some people who are completely broke might do it secretly, but they have to maintain a facade of prestige no matter what.
“Unless they offer the same market price as us in Liuzhou, no one will buy,” Qin Liusong said with pity. “Some shrewd merchants have lowered their prices on the spot, but they require payment by voucher.”
Even a ten-coin note can buy much more things than a string of copper coins.
But here's the problem... they absolutely can't exchange the vouchers for copper coins at the money exchange anymore. The vouchers are only valid in the nearby states where Wang's Money Exchange is located; otherwise, they'll lose money. And the price they pay is...
"They can't leave?" Qi Chengming slowly realized.
"It's not just merchants; wealthy families, accountants, scholars... they've all flocked to Wuling recently," Qin Liusong said, listing them off as if they were old friends.
Liuzhou and Lingnan were ultimately too far and too dangerous. Those with a keen sense of smell, or those who were forced to get involved with the rationing system, gradually gathered in the Wuling area.
Qi Chengming reacted quickly: "Any movement from Guizhou and Yongzhou?"
Caught between Wuling Prefecture and Liuzhou Prefecture, only Guizhou Prefecture and Yongzhou Prefecture remain. Guizhou merchants are now all staying in Liuzhou; can the people of Yongzhou Prefecture resist Wuling? Are their officials so oblivious that they can just watch their achievements slip away?
"That's what I wanted to say. The prefects of Guizhou and Yongzhou have come to see Prefect Mu for tea." Qin Liusong shook his head, not optimistic about this meeting. "I have a rumor that they probably want to... use both copper coins and vouchers in their territory."
"That sounds good, but it's impossible," Qi Chengming said outright.
What is the current subordinate relationship? It's that you can't even get these tickets by begging outside. Qi Chengming hires a group of accountants at a high price every month to work hard on the books and then limit the amount that can be transferred out by ticket. It's not like a few prefects come to him wanting tickets and Qi Chengming has to eagerly hand them over.
"Oh, I see." Qi Chengming stroked his chin, not angry at all, but instead laughed in realization, "They are afraid of the court's subsequent repercussions."
"Yes, everyone feels that His Majesty's decree allowing private minting of coins... won't last long," Qin Liusong said tactfully. Whether or not one understood Emperor Hongren's intentions, everyone knew that this decree was merely a temporary measure.
Now that this storm has passed, what's next?
The people of Liuzhou were willing to use the vouchers issued by the prince, because that was the prince's fiefdom. Wuling was the Bai family's ancestral home, and they only used the vouchers through their shops; the government didn't take any action. But the Bai family had considerable influence; even the Wuling county magistrate's words had little effect. Guizhou and Yongzhou were left in a bind.
If they don't use copper coins and instead rely entirely on vouchers issued by local princes, the situation is far too sensitive. What will His Majesty think of them afterward? If they use copper coins, they can't just stand by and watch their local talent pool drain away; they can't even retain them, which is pure torture.
"Those who waver on the sidelines never end well." As Qi Chengming said this, he inexplicably thought of Shen Shuzhi from the original book. "What does Prefect Mu intend to do?"
Tsk tsk, look at this! Doesn't Lord Shen's fate prove anything? All his investments failed! Even if he was lucky enough to bet on the original male lead, the Seventh Prince, could the Seventh Prince, with his petty nature, have been indifferent to the fact that the Shen family members were scattered and serving different factions? In the end, he didn't have a good ending.
“The prefect is very clear-headed.” Qin Liusong chuckled, his tone meaningful. “He will persuade them to switch to using tickets.”
It must be said that Qin Liusong, who was capable of doing the work of ten people while being split into several, greatly reduced his workload after Prefect Mu arrived. He no longer had to worry about working himself to death. He was ambitious, but being so busy that he had no time to talk to the new emperor was not what he wanted.
The current level is just right.
"That's good." Qi Chengming was dizzy from looking at the income report. He closed the thick booklet and prepared to rest for a while. "Next... we just have to wait for the palace's reaction."
Qi Chengming thought calmly.
He had already made an estimate.
In the early stages of the issuance of coins, even as its influence gradually expanded and reached the palace, it wouldn't immediately attract attention. This was because various regions would begin minting their own coins, and the real threats came from powerful families, nobles, and relatives of the imperial family. The capital city couldn't afford to worry about Qi Chengming for the time being.
As for what comes next...
We'll see how Emperor Hongren decides to handle this situation a few years from now.
Qi Chengming had a plan for the future, and it would be a lie to say he wasn't, but he felt a sense of urgency. He could only make the most of these few years to strengthen himself. By the time the Seventh Prince began to take center stage, the struggle for the throne would be reaching its climax and nearing its end.
Then he will...
Qi Chengming decided to put these worries aside for the time being.
The young man rose and went into the courtyard. He braced himself against a large wooden object and began to walk clumsily, working with great effort. Wherever he went, the eunuchs and servants hurriedly removed the thresholds. The other knowledgeable palace maids and servants marveled at his progress, all turning their heads in astonishment.
"This is..." Qin Liusong quickly ran a few steps to catch up, the hem of his shirt swaying, he was also somewhat surprised.
This was yet another thing he had never seen in his previous life.
Qin Liusong felt a complex mix of emotions, tinged with a touch of tenderness... To see things that didn't exist in his previous life in this new one, and to witness the changes brought about by his and the other people who had experienced these extraordinary encounters, was truly moving.
"This is a bicycle, made of wood." Qi Chengming's voice trembled slightly, a sound from the bumps he made while riding. He was also surprised. "I mentioned it to the craftsmen when they had nothing to do before, I never expected..."
Qi Chengming's initial intention was to get the people of Liuzhou to make as many products as possible that could be sold elsewhere, so he racked his brains and spent a lot of time searching through books. But he never expected that so many intricate chain parts for bicycles, including wheels and connections, would eventually be figured out by the craftsmen. The bicycle they made was almost the same as a modern bicycle, except that it lacked a basket, bell, and brakes.
Who dares to underestimate the wisdom of the ancients?
In any case, Qi Chengming was always amazed.
However... this wooden bicycle was far less agile and stable than a modern bicycle. Qi Chengming found it very difficult to ride and the ride was very bumpy. He soon became breathless.
"It's still quite difficult to get everyone to use bicycles for transportation," Qi Chengming stopped, panting as he pondered.
One of the eunuchs noticed the problem from a distance and whispered as Qi Chengming passed by, "Your Highness, it's the ground. The ground is uneven and bumpy!"
Qin Liusong then turned around and looked towards the main courtyard: "Hmm?"
The path they traveled along was paved with fine bluestone bricks. The surface wasn't perfectly smooth, but rather displayed the unique patterns characteristic of bluestone bricks. Normally, walking on them with boots was comfortable and looked quite nice, but when they switched to bicycles without rubber, the ride became bumpy.
"You have to ride it on a cement road," Qi Chengming chuckled.
In Liuzhou today, roads are divided into official roads and paved roads. Paved roads were specifically designed for horses to pull carts, minimizing damage to their hooves. The official roads, paved with cement, were smooth and for the general public to use. Now, things are much better; even the official roads have vehicles for transportation!
"Your Highness, this 'bicycle' is so fast!" Qin Liusong couldn't help but say, somewhat envious. Although it looked a bit difficult to control, the speed of riding it alone was comparable to that of a slow-moving carriage. Just thinking about it was fun and convenient; who could resist?
"You try it." Qi Chengming readily got out of the car and generously let Mr. Qin play.
After testing the device, he went to the side and instructed a young eunuch to find Song Gu and give the craftsmen the rewards they deserved. He kept his word; as long as the craftsmen figured out something useful, they could be promoted or given titles under his tutelage—as long as they didn't get involved in politics and remained purely technical personnel.
Now, Qin Liusong was having a great time, even though he couldn't maintain his balance and would sway from side to side after riding for a short while, at most he could only slide a few steps. His shaky appearance frightened the servants around him, who all wanted to go over and protect him. The most worried person was Qin Liusong's servant, whose hands were shaking as he followed closely all the way.
"Go stand over there, I'm fine." This actually hindered Qin Liusong's learning to drive. He directed the servants, maids, and eunuchs to move away and continued to try with great enthusiasm. Even repeated failures could not dampen his spirits.
"Liuzhou is short of craftsmen," Qi Chengming sighed, stroking his chin as he watched the scene. Even if it wasn't lacking before, it's going to be now. Fortunately, a large influx of people from other places has recently arrived in Liuzhou, so the shortage can be filled.
How should I sell the bicycle? Sell it to outsiders... in exchange for silver and silk.
The parts for an all-wood bicycle are intricately crafted, requiring the selection of high-quality wood, followed by drawing, carving, calibration, sanding, polishing, and assembly… This is something that ordinary people cannot afford for the time being. Even with subsidies based on ration coupons, it will have to wait until carpenters recruit more apprentices and the industry chain stabilizes before it can be considered.
It is estimated that in the future, the "bicycle" will become like it was in the last century, an expensive item that every household would want to save money to buy, and one of the three essential items for getting married.
As Qi Chengming watched Mr. Qin learn to ride a bicycle in the Prince's mansion with increasing enthusiasm and shouts, he used his toes to invisibly trace a few words on the ground:
Food, talent, money, and soldiers.
He casually used the sole of his boot to lightly smear a layer of dust on the character for "money," then pressed it against the character for "grain."
Afterwards, the coinage turmoil gradually stabilized amidst the jubilation and growing pains in other regions... Qi Chengming should no longer lack money, and he shouldn't even lack manpower. This refers to ordinary laborers outside of the truly influential officials in the court.
Now we can start looking ahead to his next goal.
...This year's new batch of potatoes and the newly acquired corn have already been planted in Liuzhou. He needs to find a way to complete tasks and obtain more grain seeds.
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Author's note: First update.
After more than half a year of time travel, Xiaoming is finally about to achieve one of his goals! Let's thank Emperor Hongren for the right to mint coins!
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