“This forms a perfect closed loop.”
Fang Yuegong lowered his head and thought seriously.
Why was silver expensive and copper coins cheap in the Ming Dynasty?
To put it bluntly, it is because the imperial court only collected silver when collecting taxes.
In order to collect enough silver to pay taxes, common people could only accept the exchange standard where silver was expensive and coins were cheap.
If the imperial court accepted copper coins, the exchange rate between silver and copper coins would quickly fall back to normal levels.
For those with more money, the loss is not small.
But for the people, it is a great thing.
After understanding these principles, Fang Yuegong bowed deeply to Chongzhen and said, "I have understood them now. Thank you for your teachings. Your Majesty's talent is beyond my reach."
Chongzhen raised his lips and said, "Okay, stop the flattery. Mint the silver coins as soon as possible and show them to me. If there is no problem, then we can settle this matter."
"Before this matter is confirmed, it must not be leaked, especially the issue of collecting copper coins from taxes."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will keep my mouth shut."
After Fang Yuegong left, Chongzhen summoned Wang Zhixin to the Qianqing Palace.
"Wang Zhixin, how many copper coins can one tael of silver be exchanged for outside now?"
"Your Majesty, it can be exchanged for 1,500 copper coins."
"Withdraw one million taels of silver from the treasury and quietly take it outside to exchange it all for copper coins. Don't rush this, just exchange it before August 15th, and try not to let the news leak out."
Wang Zhixin was stunned. He keenly sensed that something was going on here.
The specific circumstances are unknown.
As the emperor's eunuch, he did not ask, let alone dare to ask, he knelt down and accepted the order, saying: "Your servant accepts the order."
With Wang Zhixin's departure, the Qianqing Palace returned to peace again.
Wang Chengen stood beside Chongzhen and hesitated for a while, then reminded him, "Your Majesty, you just told Wang Zhixin to try not to let the news leak out."
"Well, is there a problem?"
"Based on my understanding of the king's intentions, this matter will definitely leak out."
"That's why I said try not to let the news leak out."
"Ah..." Wang Chengen's mind was a little confused: "Why did the emperor do this?"
“Only by disrupting the old monetary system can new currencies have a chance to enter the market and gain the trust of the people!”
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