Chapter 515 The Emperor's Order Altar (Second update, please subscribe)
Phoenix rising from the ashes!
This is the main background pattern of the "Central Voucher". The reason for choosing the phoenix instead of the dragon is, of course, to commemorate the history of Nanhua respecting the "Suzaku". Moreover, the "rebirth from the ashes" symbolized by the phoenix rising from the ashes also corresponds to the national destiny!
China's journey from decline to revival is like rebirth from the ashes!
Of course, in addition to the red "Phoenix Rising from the Ashes" on the left side of the banknote, there are also figures, but they are not Zhu Xianhai's head portrait, but two people, a man and a woman. The two heads are a Chinese man and a European woman, which symbolizes the spirit of unity (min), oneness (rong), and heart (he) of all ethnic groups in South China.
The design of the Fire Phoenix banknote is very exquisite. To be honest, the design of this banknote is entirely based on Zhu Xianhai's idea.
This set of banknotes was copied completely... No, it was borrowed from the fourth set of 10-yuan banknotes, except that the two heads of Han and Mongolian men were replaced with a man and a woman. The background was replaced with Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Andes, which is also magnificent.
To be honest, Zhu Xianhai really thinks this version of banknotes is good, otherwise he would not have copied it.
"Your Majesty, in accordance with your request, the Central Bank will issue 10 yuan, 5 yuan, 2 yuan, and 1 yuan banknotes as well as silver 50 cents, 20 cents, 10 cents and copper 5 cents, 2 cents, and 1 cent coins. Because we have always used silver pesos, the gold content of the future central banknote of 1 yuan will be 1.5038 grams and the silver content will be 24.057 grams."
Since the Spanish discovered silver mines in America, from Spanish silver dollars to the Bank of Mexico, it has become a global currency, stronger than the British pound and the US dollar. As for the US dollar... it is not as strong as the Mexican silver dollar. The silver peso is also the most important currency in the Americas. Even when the United States issued US dollar silver coins, it used the silver peso as the standard. Of course, the same is true for Nanhua.
From silver peso to silver dollar, it is just a change of name, the weight is perfect and consistent, and the Ming Dynasty is naturally following the old custom when issuing paper money now. In fact, Zhu Xianhai wanted to issue aluminum coins, but electrolytic aluminum still had to be put into the market. Once electrolytic aluminum was supplied in large quantities, the price of aluminum would drop, which would definitely cause economic turmoil. For the sake of future economic stability, he had to give up this plan and use traditional gold and silver.
“Use the gold standard!”
Thinking of the rapid drop in silver prices in a few years, Zhu Xianhai made the decision without hesitation.
"From now on, we will also use gold coins for settlement. As for silver dollars, we should try to use them to purchase supplies from abroad and try to spend all the silver we have."
"Your Majesty, why is this?"
Hu Xueyan was surprised.
"With the development of industry, the output of silver will only increase, and it is normal for the price of silver to fall. In order to avoid economic turmoil caused by currency depreciation in the future, it is more stable to use gold coins."
As a banker, Hu Xueyan certainly knew whose decision was final. Even if he was not happy about it, he had to agree with the decision made by His Majesty and flatter him. After praising His Majesty's suggestion as a far-sighted one that was beyond the reach of ministers like us, Hu Xueyan looked happy again, carefully took out a sample banknote, and then presented it with both hands.
"Your Majesty, look, this is the commemorative banknote that I ordered the Banknote Printing Bureau to prepare for your accession to the throne!"
Commemorative banknote for the coronation!
Looking at the auspicious banknotes with dragon and phoenix in his hand, especially at the "Altar of Mandate" below the dragon and phoenix, Zhu Xianhai's expression was extremely rich. It took him a long while to realize something extremely important.
The emperor is about to ascend the throne!
In fact, long before Zhu Xianhai went to war, Zuo Zongtang and others had begun to prepare for his ascension to the throne. According to the original plan, they were going to requisition land in the southern suburbs of Yingtian to build the "Temple of Heaven". The ancient Chinese emperors called themselves "Sons of Heaven" and they had great respect for heaven and earth, and this respect was expressed through offering sacrifices to heaven and earth.
Of course, at the same time, land had to be expropriated to build the imperial palace, but in the end all of this was refuted by Zhu Xianhai with just one sentence.
"What's the point of building a Temple of Heaven or an Imperial Palace? It's not certain whether the future capital will be in this city!"
The reason why Zhu Xianhai said this is that in his heart Buenos Aires is not the best choice. After all, no one can tell how big the country will be in the future. Compared with the coastal areas, there are still more vast inland areas that need to be developed. As for Putrajaya, it is more suitable as a commercial center.
Since this may not be the future capital, there is naturally no need to build a royal palace. As for the royal palace, the "Palazzo Rose" backed by the La Plata River will do. It was the former presidential palace of Argentina. However, considering that the "Palazzo Rose" is not large in area, it was still expanded on its south side, turning the former main building into the north building.
"Your Majesty, the Altar of Heaven and Earth must be repaired. After all, Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, and you should offer sacrifices to the Heaven and Earth at the Altar of Heaven and Earth!"
In response to their persuasion, Zhu Xianhai refuted it.
"What's wrong with offering sacrifices to the Emperor of Heaven and Earth? Emperor Chengzu built the Temple of Heaven and Earth but failed to establish the Ming Dynasty for 500 years. But Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, ascended the throne on a mound in Dingtao and founded the Han Dynasty, which lasted for more than 400 years."
In his opinion, this principle is very simple. At present, instead of spending millions of yuan to build a house for the emperor to live in, or to build a so-called Temple of Heaven for the emperor's enthronement, just to tell the non-existent God a word,
Is it worth it?
This is definitely not worth it. If you have this money, wouldn't it be better to build more warships and factories?
Of course, not everyone thinks so. For example, the Empress Dowager Cixi would rather spend tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of taels of silver to build a garden than spend a few million to buy some warships.
What can a warship do? Can he enjoy it? Obviously not.
What does it matter if we lose a war? Losing a war can weaken the strength of the Han people who are a threat to the court. Even if we lose, we can measure the material resources of China and make everyone happy. It is not right to use the money of the Han people to please foreigners.
As long as those foreigners are happy, it doesn’t matter if the common people are unhappy.
But people are different. Zhu Xianhai would definitely not be willing to use the money that could be used to build factories and warships to build a garden. Even if it was a place for the emperor to ascend the throne, there was no need to build a large-scale project there.
Wouldn't it be enough to just build a dirt platform?
Liu Bang did not build the Temple of Heaven to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth. But it still opened up the longest-lasting dynasty in Chinese history!
God...if he has eyes, then why would he do this? So it makes no difference whether you worship him or not.
Of course, we still have to respect traditions and worship properly.
So, on December 2, 1870, in the wilderness of the southern suburbs of Yingtian, a mound that cost tens of thousands of yuan to build... No, it should be said that the "Altar of the Mandate" had already stood on the grassland. This "Altar of the Mandate" was built entirely of rammed earth, about three zhang above the ground, or almost ten meters, and covered an area of about one acre.
When the car stopped in front of the "Altar of Mandate", Zhu Xianhai's expression was serious and solemn. In a few days, he would ascend the throne and become emperor here.
"The Emperor of the Ming Empire!"
The reign title, uh, the reign title has not been chosen yet… Recalling the several reign titles given by Zuo Zongtang and others, none of which satisfied Zhu Xianhai. After ascending the "Altar of Mandate", gazing at the fertile land in front of him, Zhu Xianhai was silent for a while. At this moment, he seemed to have the answer in his heart, and then he said.
"Chandeshan."
"I am here!"
Qian Deshan, who followed closely behind him, bowed deeply.
"The Book of Changes says: 'To be rich is a great undertaking, and to improve day by day is a great virtue.'"
After saying this sentence from the Book of Changes, Zhu Xianhai said.
"Daily improvement is called Shengde. Making progress every day is called "Shengde"... If the empire wants to stand at the top of the world, it must make daily progress and seek innovation every day to achieve a long-lasting foundation. If so, then my reign title will be "Shengde"."
In an instant, Qian Deshen was dumbfounded. Not only did His Majesty not choose one of the four reign titles they gave, but he also gave one of his own. More importantly... Qian Deshen was anxious and knelt down and kowtowed.
"The establishment of a country's name is related to the fate of the country for thousands of years. It is for the sake of the Ming Dynasty's national destiny! I ask Your Majesty to revoke your order!"
After saying this, he kowtowed repeatedly.
"Your Majesty, please take back your order!"
(End of this chapter)
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