Chapter 588: Ming Dynasty version of financial war!
Snowing.

Although winter had just begun, in Shuntian Prefecture, north of the Yellow River and on the southern foot of Yanshan Mountain, crystal clear snowflakes were still falling amidst the dark clouds.

The court has a day off today.

Because of the snowfall in winter, the temperature dropped sharply.

The Li family also lit the incense charcoal early.

It's warm as spring in the study.

After taking off his official robe and court dress and changing into his homely silk gown, Li Chunfang walked into the house with a relaxed and comfortable look on his face, attended to by several young maids.

When I pushed the door open, I saw that my staff had been waiting for a long time.

Li Chunfang smiled and walked into the inner room gracefully: "I heard that the Beijing Gold Bank has stopped withdrawing gold, silver and copper coins from the outside?"

The lawyer also smiled and nodded, saying, "Your Excellency is in control of the world. Before it got dark yesterday, the gold shop closed its doors and posted a notice."

With a proud look on his face, Li Chunfang sat down calmly.

The lawyer quickly poured him a cup of tea.

Li Chunfang picked up a small tool from the table and fiddled with the potted plants on the wooden rack.

The moss is green and the water is so lovely.

Li Chunfang raised an eyebrow and asked, "What's the excuse?"

The lawyer replied, "The gold shop is doing year-end accounting. It will only be open for one hour in the morning. Only 30 people are allowed to line up to withdraw money."

"Withdraw money?"

Li Chunfang raised his eyebrows again, a look of doubt on his face.

Immediately, he relaxed his brows and chuckled, "Don't they have enough gold coins?"

The master shook his head and nodded again: "It shouldn't be, but they may be worried that if they keep running to withdraw cash, they will eventually run out of gold and silver in stock. But the strange thing is... although the gold shop has now imposed various restrictions under the pretext of checking accounts, it has not limited the amount of money that can be withdrawn."

This is the most confusing part for the master.

If the gold bank is facing the risk of cash withdrawal now, since various restrictions have been made, the amount of cash withdrawal should also be restricted.

Li Chunfang, however, looked calm: "Why shouldn't I understand this? I think it's to maintain the situation and not expose the truth. The unlimited withdrawal of money is to stabilize people's hearts."

The master frowned and thought for a moment, and felt that this was probably the reason.

He couldn't help but ask in a low voice: "There is no useful information in the palace yet. Since the reign of the previous emperor, the palace has experienced several turmoil and many people have been expelled from the palace. But judging from Jin Xing's current actions, the subsequent rumors are true."

This refers to the rumor that the gold bank's deposits had long been secretly emptied.

Li Chunfang didn't show any reaction. He just re-thought everything before saying, "No matter what, since there's a problem in Beijing, the situation in the south won't be much better. This is a great thing for us."

The master nodded and said with a smile: "I have also deduced it several times. No matter how you look at it, it is a good thing that has come to your door. I have also sent a message to the south, asking them to wait for an opportunity to act. If this matter is done well, not only will the gold bank be dragged into the water, but even the so-called money department and the new money system will have big problems. By that time..."

The master lowered his voice slightly, a hint of excitement appeared on his face, and a sneer came out of his throat.

Li Chunfang had already picked up the teacup and was savoring the flavor of the tea.

He placed his other hand on the table, tapping it lightly.

"Speaking of which, we still have to thank Yan Shaoting."

Li Chunfang put down the teacup and the smile on her face became even wider.

He shook his head. "If he hadn't come up with the new currency system, there wouldn't be such an opportunity now. Tell others to pass on the message to the south. They must do their best this time. As long as the gold bank collapses and the money bureau suffers, Yan Shaoting and the Yan family will be implicated. If this matter is handled carefully, the land measurement in Nanzhili and Zhejiang can also be stopped."

Li Chunfang narrowed his eyes, but the brilliance in them could not be hidden.

The lawyer nodded with a smile.

"This time it really was a piece of cake."

"Who would have thought that when I felt sleepy, the other party would deliver a pillow to my door."

……

Another half month passed.

It was almost the twelfth lunar month.

Changping Academy.

At the closing ceremony of this semester at the academy, Yan Shaoting publicly awarded the first Changping Scholarship, worth one thousand taels.

The students who received this scholarship are from the School of Engineering of Changping Academy.

The reason for the award is that the student greatly increased the power generated by the gear set by improving the gear ratio and combination sequence and adding corresponding components.

Through repeated comparison.

The new gear set has 50% more power than the old one.

Therefore, after a vote by the entire Changping Academy’s top management, it was decided to award this 1,200-ounce scholarship.

As the representative of the Ming Gold Shop, which had invested 100,000 taels in sponsorship of the Changping Scholarship, the eunuch Huang Jin from the Imperial Household Department personally handed over a commercial bill worth 1,000 taels to the student.

For a moment, the scene was boiling.

The student who actually received the commercial bill worth one thousand and two taels of silver was naturally surrounded by countless students.

Cheers came and went.

The teachers in the academy were also very pleased.

The officials from the Ministry of Industry who were invited to receive the new technology had smiles on their faces from beginning to end.

While everyone was celebrating, Huang Jin went to find Yan Shaoting who was standing in the corner watching.

"Young Guard."

"Eunuch Huang, there's no need to be so polite. It's an honor for the academy that you can come here today to personally present awards to the students. It's the coldest time of the year and there's a lot of snow outside. Eunuch Huang, why don't you stay overnight at the academy?"

Yan Shaoting extended an invitation to Huang Jin who came over.

He smiled and raised his eyebrows, "When they cleaned the pond a few days ago, they caught a lot of big fish. I made a few pots of fish jelly in advance. Although it's ordinary, it tastes really good. I wonder if Eunuch Huang would be so kind as to give me a chance?"

Huang Jin also showed a sincere smile on his face.

It was Yan Shaoting's character that attracted him.

Others thought that those who worked in the palace only cared about power and money.

But looking at the entire Ming Dynasty court, Yan Shaoting is the only one who never uses these things to win over himself.

Instead, I prepare some seasonal food every now and then.

Although others may think it’s nothing, I just like it this way.

Only in this way can it seem real.

If you ask someone you don't know well to treat you to a bowl of fish jelly, the other person will probably get angry.

This is only possible if the relationship is close enough.

Huang Jin nodded immediately, and couldn't help but imagine what the fish jelly he would taste like tonight.

I thought about it for a while.

Huang Jin took Yan Shaoting outside, away from the noise of the award ceremony, and whispered, "The Beijing Gold Bank is still restricting people, but as you said, the limit has been reduced from 30 people per day to 50 people per day. You can still only withdraw silver coins, no limit on the amount. The Beijing Gold Bank also sent the news to all provinces. From Beijing to Nanjing, all the gold banks in the provincial capitals can only withdraw silver coins now, no matter the amount."

Yan Shaoting folded his hands and said, "Thank you for your help, Eunuch Lu."

Huang Jin shook his head: "When I left the palace to come to Changping today, Eunuch Lu said that although we have shortcomings, we must do our part. Since this is for the Ming Dynasty, then this matter must be done well and beautifully."

Yan Shaoting nodded, understanding that Lu Fang was doing his best to help him this time.

Huang Jin whispered: "But my family is still a little worried..."

"Oh? What are you worried about?" Yan Shaoting showed curiosity. Huang Jin shook his head again: "I'm not really worried, I just feel that if we don't change the situation and let them take the silver coins from the gold shop, there will be no silver coins left in the gold shop's warehouse."

Yan Shaoting's eyes lit up, and then he asked with a smile: "How much silver is left in the warehouses of gold shops? I think there should be very little left in Beijing and Nanjing."

“The remaining amount is not small, but it is not much either.”

Huang Jin replied.

Then he pulled Yan Shaoting and continued to walk out.

Not long after.

There was no one else around the two of them.

Huang Jin then spoke: "The latest news is that the silver deposits in Beijing Gold Bank can still last until around the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month. The latest news from Nanjing has not yet been reported back, but according to the last news we received, there may not be a single silver coin left around the 20th of the twelfth lunar month."

Yan Shaoting snorted immediately.

really.

He spread out the bait, and the old party members of the Qingliu clan and the gentry and wealthy families in the southeast immediately swam over following the scent.

How could they give up such an opportunity to drive the gold bank into bankruptcy?
He could even imagine how happy Li Chunfang and other members of the old party would be when the news that the gold bank had been emptied spread.

As long as the gold bank is gone, the money bank will be just a decoration in name only.

Even if the Ministry of Revenue would eventually step in and use the silver in the national treasury to support the gold bank, I, the person who proposed to reform the currency system and request the establishment of the Ministry of Finance and the Gold Bank, would inevitably be impeached by countless people.

And there was such a big mess in the court.

The land measurement in Southern Zhili and Zhejiang will also inevitably be affected and will have to be temporarily suspended.

It can be said.

He personally handed the knife to the other party.

Huang Jin was still a little worried when he saw Yan Shaoting remained silent, so he couldn't help but whisper, "Are you sure about this? If there are any loopholes, you have to tell us as soon as possible. Even if we find a few meritorious people in the palace and throw them out to be beaten to death, at least we can put to rest the rumor that the gold bank was emptied before the situation gets worse."

He was really a little worried.

For this reason, it would not be excessive even if a few eunuchs who did something wrong were beaten to death.

Yan Shaoting shook his head repeatedly, still smiling, and took out a letter he had prepared long ago from his sleeve and handed it to Huang Jin.

"Since we have invited Eunuch Lu to help with this matter, we certainly cannot make it a half-hearted effort, leaving Eunuch Lu and Eunuch Huang to suffer the consequences."

Huang Jin took the letter and opened it immediately.

Yan Shaoting continued to explain, "Since they are so reckless and are willing to take the risk, there is no need for us to show them mercy."

As he spoke, Yan Shaoting narrowed his eyes, revealing his sharp edge for a moment.

"This time!"

"We have to make them feel the pain thoroughly."

"They have to keep their heads down for five years."

Huang Jin, who had already opened the letter and read its contents, shuddered for no reason when he heard Yan Shaoting's voice.

He immediately looked up at Yan Shaoting, with murderous intent in his eyes: "I will ask Lu Yi to bring the Jinyiwei to check the people who were planted in the gold shop on weekdays, and throw them all into the imperial prison before anything is done, so as to prevent the news from being exposed when the work is done."

After saying this, Huang Jin was about to leave.

Yan Shaoting, however, grabbed the other person with his backhand and then clapped his hands.

Jinyiwei commander Lu Yi, who had already received instructions, immediately jumped out from the corner with a smile on his face, and in two or three steps he came in front of Yan Shaoting and Huang Jin.

This kid is now a father, but he still doesn't behave properly.

Coming closer.

Lu Yi bowed and bowed.

"This humble official greets Huang Dayong and Yan Shaobao!"

"Greetings to both of you."

Huang Jin smiled and bowed in return.

But Yan Shaoting just kicked it directly.

He glared and said, "I had only told you about this matter originally, but it is a matter of the gold bank after all. You should get the consent of Eunuch Huang first, and then do it immediately. After this matter is done, I will talk to your sister on your behalf during the New Year this year."

Lu Yi immediately nodded in response, with a flattering look on his face.

He immediately explained to Huang Jin, "Eunuch Huang, my sister... Young Master Yan informed us of the Jinyiwei when the gold shop was first established. At that time, all parties in the court were trying to get people into the gold shop, but we didn't care. We just secretly noted them down and checked their backgrounds. Now that we have to do something, we can't keep these people. We have noted down their small actions on weekdays. Now, as long as you give the order, we, the Jinyiwei, can immediately take them all down, and we will never delay your peaceful New Year."

Huang Jin glanced at Yan Shaoting, then at Lu Yi, smiling: "In this case, it will be hard for Co-Governor Lu. The Gold Bank is an important economic center of the court, and there must not be even a single termite hiding there!"

Lu Yi immediately clasped his fists and accepted the order.

"Your Majesty, take your orders!"

After saying this, the boy disappeared in a flash.

Lu Yi was seen flying high and then disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Huang Jin chuckled and turned to look at Yan Shaoting, letting out a long sigh: "Young Master, if we really do this, it will be just as you said. I'm afraid those people won't be able to stand up in three to five years."

As he spoke, he carefully put the letter in his hand into his sleeve.

Then I felt it was inappropriate and might be lost.

He then took out the letter and placed it close to his chest.

After finishing everything, Huang Jin felt a little relieved.

Yan Shaoting had already bent sideways and said, "Now that the chores are done, I can't delay you from tasting the fish jelly made by our academy."

Huang Jin looked up.

Then a laugh broke out.

……

The first year of Longqing.

The eighteenth day of the twelfth lunar month.

At the same time, gold shops in various places posted notices stating that they would suspend business on the 20th day of the 12th lunar month and would not resume operations until after the 15th day of the first lunar month in the second year of the Longqing reign, and would continue to conduct currency transactions with the outside world.

As soon as the news came out.

There was already a run on the gold banks, and more and more people were withdrawing silver coins from them.

Even though the gold shop has a daily quota limit, these people gradually figured out the way.

Since the gold bank does not limit the number of silver coins that can be withdrawn, a group of people will get together, collect all the commercial bills together, and have one person withdraw the silver coins from the gold bank.

The Gold Bank was well aware of this, but did not impose any restrictions or changes.

Just when everyone was waiting for the gold bank to announce that all the silver in the warehouse was gone.

The twentieth day of the twelfth lunar month.

Start with Beijing Gold Bank.

At the moment of closing the business, a notice with huge ink characters was posted.

"Due to the surge in Ming Dynasty's maritime trade and the discovery of new silver mines overseas, the Gold Bank has revised its currency rate in compliance with the currency law. From today, one tael of silver can be exchanged for 990 copper coins, and one tael of gold can be exchanged for 10 taels and one coin of silver."

…………

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(End of this chapter)