Chapter 127 Bad Money
The Dagan copper coin Zhaoming Tongbao is made of 70% copper, 1% tin and 2% lead.
The standard copper coin should weigh one qian and two fen, and the error should not exceed half a grain of millet.
Canglan discovered the problem as soon as he started, the weight was wrong!
The copper coins may be worn out, soaked in oil, or stained with dirt during daily use, so it is normal for the weight to deviate, but this is not the case with the copper coins selected by Que Yu.
Canglan rubbed the three copper coins carefully.
The outer edge is engraved with twelve short teeth, symbolizing the twelve hours of the day; the inner contour is cast with wave patterns, which symbolizes the thoroughfares of rivers and seas.
The obverse has four characters of "Zhao Ming Tong Bao" in regular script, and the four corners of the square hole are engraved with four characters of "Yong Chang Tian You" in seal script.
The coins feel clear to the touch without any bumps or scratches, almost like new coins, but the difference in weight cannot be ignored.
Except for one whose weight meets the standard, the rest are heavier than the other!
One of them wasn't too bad, but the last one...
"I calculated the heaviest lead content, and it was about 45%."
Canglan took a deep breath. The cost of lead was about one-seventh of copper, so 20% became 45%...
“What is the scale of bad money?”
As Que Yu transmitted the message, he couldn't help but sigh, "The slightly heavier ones are everywhere on the street, and the extremely heavy ones are still okay, but only one in ten survives."
Canglan didn't know what to say.
Originally, she was sent to contact Queyu and ask if there was any news.
Who could have thought that the first piece of news would be like the sky falling.
The theft of iron ore, the assassination of corruption, the counterfeit currency case, such bizarre waves are hidden under the prosperous times!
No wonder Partridge is so cautious.
While eating noodles, Que Yu explained her verification process.
Most people won’t notice the problem with the slightly heavier copper coins, and ordinary people won’t care about them in their daily use.
Perhaps because Bailu Prefecture's flood control and disaster relief work was very complete and timely, life was not affected much, and merchants from surrounding prefectures flocked in.
Although water routes are limited and land transportation costs are much higher, it is still profitable when floods occur in the other two states.
She pretended to be Ms. Sang, who was good at making umbrellas, and umbrellas were also within the scope of bulk purchases.
Na Fangzheng was a kind-hearted man. After verifying her identity three times and checking her umbrella-making skills, he introduced her to a business deal.
Because the orders from other states were urgent, the umbrella shop in the workshop could not keep up with the delivery schedule even if it worked at full capacity, so it outsourced the work.
With Fang Zheng as guarantor, Queyu also received a small order.
Three days before the delivery, she met the merchant who placed the order and learned that it was a centralized purchase and sale organized by the Chamber of Commerce of several counties in Qingyao Prefecture.
The overall transaction was presided over by an assistant officer under the provincial government's Sishi Cao, and the officials from each block assisted, ensuring a busy yet orderly process.
Among them was a merchant who had a large accumulation of goods. He had a ship full of various dry goods.
Eating has become a problem in many places in this area, and all food is unsold. The only place where there is a way to survive is Bailuzhou.
Bailu County organized all the major restaurants to buy up this batch of goods together, but something unexpected happened.
Transactions of moderate size were either paid in silver or copper coins, and this transaction involved both.
The stranger was a very penny-pinching person. He counted the copper coins one by one and found that there was always a little less in each string.
Que Yu followed secretly, but the Fang Zheng came forward and took the merchant away, and the state government took over the matter.
Officials always had absolute advantages over merchants. In the end, they made some concessions on the price and paid some copper coins, and the matter was settled.
But the meaning behind it made Que Yu shudder.
After much investigation, she finally came to a jaw-dropping conclusion:
The entire Bailu County, from the state and county governments to the common people and peddlers, all knew about the counterfeit currency!
No one reported it, everyone was indifferent and even took the initiative to cover it up.
When Que Yu told Canglan this conclusion, he was dumbfounded.
“This… How is this possible!?”
Que Yu was not surprised at her sisters' reaction at all, and even she herself still couldn't digest it.
"Anyway, this is the information I have collected. Just report it truthfully."
"All right……"
On the other side, Qin Zhaoqiong and his party spent the entire afternoon walking along the river to check on water control matters.
No problems were found throughout the process of reinforcing the river embankment, diverting ditches, demarcating flood discharge areas in advance, and relocating villages.
If the three states were as comprehensive as Bailu County, the court would not have to send imperial envoys to provide disaster relief.
The entire county town, including all the villages within its jurisdiction, seemed to be twisted into a rope.
Qin Zhaoqiong felt that they were all proud to live in Bailu County and to be from Bailu County, and they would always inadvertently show their inherent confidence as masters of the country.
At five minutes past three in the afternoon, the team returned to the provincial government office.
"Your Highness, where are you planning to rest? The provincial government office is a bit crowded, but there are some unused houses in the city, or..."
Before the governor Yan Wenyuan finished speaking, Qin Jingzhan rushed forward.
"Eldest sister, I have been staying at Prince Rui's Manor these days. Why don't we go together?"
Qin Zhaoqiong glanced at him and said, "Nonsense! I should have paid a visit, but I didn't send a visiting card. Besides, it's unreasonable to come in the afternoon."
Yan Wenyuan smiled and waved his hand, "Your Highness, you are worrying too much. Our Prince Rui hates red tape the most.
Not to mention someone as noble as Your Highness, even if officials like us from the prefecture or county government wanted to see you, we wouldn't need a visiting card.
It's not considered rude to visit at noon, and the prince might even invite you to dinner."
"this……"
Qin Zhaoqiong hesitated.
It is indeed necessary to pay a visit, but I don’t want to waste any more time.
She has sent scouts to various places. Whether the flowers are blooming only here or throughout Bailu State remains to be verified.
Looking to the side, Qin Zhaoqiong thought that since his fifth brother had been here for some time, he must not have made a mistake.
Just as she was about to agree, she suddenly paused for a few breaths.
Seeing that the eldest sister's eyes were fixed on his face but she didn't say a word, he didn't know why. The next moment he heard her say:
"Etiquette cannot be abolished. Sending a visiting card today and paying a visit tomorrow is already impolite. However, I have received an imperial envoy, so I have to act hastily."
Qin Jingzhan was about to persuade him again, but was interrupted by Qin Zhaoqiong, "Let's do this. I'll visit you tomorrow morning."
Then he turned to Yan Wenyuan and said, "Please, Governor Yan, arrange a house for me."
"Yes, I obey your command."
Without bothering the governor, he asked the historian under the Ministry of Household Affairs to lead him to the house arranged in advance.
It's close, just one block east of the provincial government office, and those who can live here are considered wealthy and powerful.
A house with five courtyards is enough to accommodate them.
When Qin Zhaoqiong arrived, a man who looked like a housekeeper was waiting in the front yard with a group of servants.
She said she didn't need anyone to serve her, and Wenshi didn't seem to mind at all and agreed readily.
The guards quickly deployed their forces and searched the inside and outside thoroughly, all as per their familiar routine.
Qin Zhaoyue had just sat down for a while when he saw the vanguard beside his elder sister coming to invite him.
She entered the east wing for the third time and closed the door. She saw Canglan coming back, with an indelible worry between his brows.
Qin Zhaoyue's heart skipped a beat. No way, could something have happened again?
"Why do you want me to stay in the city?"
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