"What do you think is the essence of money?"
Faced with Fang Jun's question, everyone here looked at each other.
I am used to seeing money, but I have never thought about the nature of money so deeply. Even Tang Jian, the Minister of Civil Affairs, was a little confused...
After a moment of silence, Tang Jian asked tentatively: "Is it essentially precious metal or rare cloth?"
Fang Jun shook his head: "In the Shang Dynasty and even before, shells were used as currency."
Everyone looked puzzled, and Tang Jian could only sigh and said: "I am an old corpse, and I know nothing about such economic knowledge. I am really ashamed. I would like to hear the details."
Fang Jun did not beat around the bush and said bluntly: "The essence of a coin has nothing to do with what kind of material it is made of. The material used only depends on whether it is rare and easy to communicate. It does not matter what it is, whether it is gold, silver, copper, shells, or silk. It’s important. There is only one essence of money, and that is general equivalent.”
It's okay not to say it. The more he goes on, the more confused everyone becomes. It is obvious that they cannot understand the meaning of this word that comes from thousands of years later.
Fang Jun took a sip of tea and continued without asking anyone: "The so-called 'general equivalent' is simply a measure of the value of items. When everyone recognizes the same measure, then money is born."
Ma Zhou thoughtfully said: "In other words, money is the intermediary between items. It allows everyone to recognize the value of item exchange."
Fang Jun reminded: "The logic is established, but the order is reversed. The exchange value of items was recognized first, and then coins were born."
Ma Zhou nodded to show his understanding.
Fang Jun continued: "So the essence of coins also lies in circulation. It does not matter whether the material itself is gold, silver, copper, iron, jade, silk, or shells. As long as it can be recognized by everyone, it can be circulated..."
He pointed to the paper in Li Chengqian's hand: "...even if it's just a piece of paper."
Coins themselves are useless. What is useful are the production materials that can be exchanged for coins. Therefore, it does not matter what material the coins are made of. It only depends on whether they can be exchanged for equivalent production materials. If it can, the coin has value, even if it is just a piece of paper; if not, the coin has value, even if it is gold.
Gold cannot be eaten or used, nor can paper, only the means of production that can be exchanged.
Tang Jian's eyes burned brightly: "So what Duke Yue means is that as long as everyone recognizes it and it can be circulated, then even a piece of paper can become the same coin as Kaiyuan Tongbao?"
If this is the case, wouldn’t there be no danger of the treasury being empty?
If you're short of money, just print it!
In the past, gold and copper were needed to make money. These two metals are scarce and difficult to obtain. But as long as the formula and raw materials for paper are available, it is not possible to make as much paper as you want.
With an endless supply of paper, can’t we just print as many coins as we want?
Hiss...the truth is this, but something doesn't seem quite right.
The wealth of the world is constant, but if the number of coins required to be printed means unlimited wealth, isn't it contradictory?
It's definitely not as simple as it seems...
Fang Jun said: "Theoretically, it is possible, but the value of an item is constant, and it is just expressed by us using money. For example, a piece of paper, whether it is sold for one cent or ten cents, is still the piece of paper, itself. The value does not change, it becomes just the value we assign to it. When the number of items increases, the money decreases; If there is more money, the value of items will skyrocket. Therefore, making more coins will not change the essential problem, because items are the essence. Instead, it will cause prices to skyrocket... When a piece of paper is sold for a hundred cents a piece, or a bucket of grain. If you sell it for a hundred cents, can you imagine what kind of hell it will be?”
All the wealth in the world will be looted.
A specious, superficial and rough "financial lesson" shocked everyone present, and then took a breath...
Tang Jian understood something better and said to Li Chengqian: "Your Majesty, although the issuance of banknotes is simple, it relies on the credibility of the country and your Majesty. You must be cautious. A small amount of issuance can fill the shortage of the national treasury. Can better alleviate the money shortage 'This is a good thing. But once it is spread indiscriminately, it will not only lose the credibility of the country and the emperor, but also directly destroy the entire empire's economic system. No matter how powerful the empire is, it will collapse and fall apart."
In his crude understanding, once paper money is distributed in large quantities, it is equivalent to a scourge.
This is indeed the case.
Li Chengqian's face turned pale, he looked at Fang Jun and asked, "Is it really so serious?"
Fang Jun nodded and said in a deep voice: "It's ten times more serious."
Li Chengqian's voice trembled a little, he swallowed, and put the paper in his hand on the table: "Since it is so dangerous, why do you need to covet its temporary benefits? It is better to stop it completely, and establish the law. From now on, I will never have it forever. Ready for release! ”
Ministers: "..."
Your Majesty, have you ever heard of the idiom "no eating due to choking"?
It's obviously a good thing, you just need to keep it within the controllable range, you just need to be aware of its harm, use your strengths and avoid weaknesses, why bother to eliminate it so completely?
Fang Jun shook his head and said: "Wei Chen has just explained that the essence of money is not paper money or copper coins... Even if your Majesty stops the issuance of paper money today, someone will definitely use copper coins to issue it in the future."
Li Ji was puzzled: "But copper coins themselves are valuable, how can they be the same as banknotes?"
Fang Jun said with a smile: "If I mint a copper coin and use the power of the country to stipulate that it can be worth ten, one hundred, or even one thousand, how should Ying Gong respond?"
Li Ji was stunned: "'Ten coins'?"
Is this still possible?
Fang Jundao: "So we must be aware of the nature of money. A small amount of issuance can make up for the shortage of the national treasury, stimulate the economy and solve the money shortage. However, once excessive issuance is tantamount to drinking poison to quench thirst, the consequences will be huge disasters. Only true awareness and Self-control can prevent the harm of excessive issuance of coins.”
What is the use of laws and regulations?
It only takes a word from the emperor to abolish it...
Only by making the emperor understand and fear him can this situation be prevented.
Li Chengqian breathed a sigh of relief and understood that relying solely on laws was of little use. As long as he could be deeply afraid and never get involved, he then looked at the paper on the desk and asked: "This kind of paper is of excellent quality. For the convenience of calligraphy and painting, can you provide the palace expenses? ”
Fang Jun looked troubled...
Liu Ji also liked this kind of paper and could probably guess what Fang Jun was worried about, so he said: "Don't worry, Lord Yue, this kind of paper will definitely have a strict purpose after entering the palace, and will never be left outside and used by people with ulterior motives." Printing counterfeit banknotes”
You said you won't be living outside?
Who gave you confidence?
This Tai Chi Palace is simply a big sieve, nothing is impossible...
He could only say melancholy: "It's not that I'm afraid of this. In fact, this kind of paper uses the latest formula and has dozens of raw materials, including many rare plant roots. The cost... is a bit expensive."
Li Chengqian didn't take it seriously: "The paper is flexible, smooth but not slippery. The texture is much better than bamboo paper, so it is of course expensive."
It’s just a piece of paper, no matter how expensive it is, how expensive can it be?
I am rich all over the world, but I can’t afford a piece of paper?
Fang Jun said: "It's not just that it's expensive, but it can already be regarded as a 'luxury product'. Once adopted by the palace, I'm afraid the imperial censor will accuse His Majesty of being 'extravagant' and a waste of national money." If the people don't know the truth, they will think that your majesty is extravagant, arrogant and disrespectful of the people, which will be extremely harmful to your majesty's legacy."
"This..."
Li Chengqian was immediately startled.
Although he ascended the throne as the crown prince, it was justifiable, but after all, Emperor Taizong wanted to change his position several times and was not optimistic about him. This caused Li Chengqian to desperately want to prove himself, just like how Emperor Taizong was reviled by the world after he "killed his brother and his brother". Criticism, bent on proving that he is the same...
It is not worth it no matter how you look at it, to bear the reputation of being "extravagant" just for a few pieces of paper.
……
After the meeting dispersed, Li Chengqian returned to Wude Hall, feeling depressed.
Wang De didn't know what happened in the previous court, so he asked cautiously: "Why is your majesty so depressed?"
Li Chengqian always regarded Wang De as his confidant, and he did not hide his feelings. He sighed: "The Duke of Yue is really smart and quick, unparalleled in the world. I am not as good as him."
Coins have been around for thousands or tens of thousands of years, and people only know how to use them. How has anyone ever conducted such a profound analysis and understanding of their essence? Fang Jun's words were like an enlightenment, making him realize a completely different dimension, and he was shocked and lost his mind for a while.
Wang De comforted him in a low voice: "Your Majesty, there is no need to belittle yourself. In this world, there are people who are infinitely powerful, some who travel thousands of miles a day, some who are well versed in government information, and some who never forget... There are all kinds of wonders in this world. And Your Majesty is the son of God and the king of the world. Lord, all strangers will eventually serve His Majesty.”
If you are not a saint, how can you be invincible in everything?
Being an emperor does not necessarily require literary talent or military acumen, or being unparalleled in the world. You only need to know people well and handle them well...
Li Chengqian also knew this truth, but for a while he was jealous and depressed, but now he is calm and feels much better.
No matter how capable you are, don't you still want to be my subject?
Seeing Li Chengqian's relaxed expression, Wang De whispered: "There was a message from the Li Zheng Palace just now, saying that the Queen got two jars of good wine and had some good dishes cooked. I hope Your Majesty will come over and taste it after he goes to court. ”
The emperor and empress were at odds, and the atmosphere in the palace was solemn and people were in panic. This was not a long-term solution. The queen is virtuous and takes the initiative to lower herself and invite your majesty, which is equivalent to bowing her head and admitting her mistake. If your majesty can go down the steps and eliminate this turmoil, the turmoil will naturally subside and people will be at peace...
Li Chengqian was silent for a while and shook his head: "You ask someone to tell you that I am a little tired and need to rest for a while after taking a bath. Today will not be over."
"...here."
Wang De had no choice but to accept the order.
After coming out of the palace, after thinking about it, he did not appoint other chamberlains, but went to the Risei Palace himself. Your Majesty will give up if you don't agree. I'm afraid this turmoil in the palace will continue...