The Tubo and Turks wrote letters to Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan, asking about the details of the Sword Meet on Mount Hua.
Both sides were clear that the so-called sword competition was definitely not about whose sword was better, and it was not just about words. They reckoned that they might encounter a full-on martial arts competition when they arrived at their destination, so they needed to prepare in advance to avoid losing face when the time came.
If they did not do so, they would not only lose face, but also the face of the country.
Zuzan Chide had already decided to personally enter Tang. He had thought it through. Wasn't it just to see Li Longji? Could it be that Zhang Xiaobao really dared to leave him behind? In any case, Tufan had already been tormented to such a state by that bastard Zhang Xiaobao. If he went to the Great Tang to take a look, everyone would say that the Great Tang was extraordinary.
At the same time, he could also make Princess Jincheng return home. If he could compete with Tang in the Sword Meet, Li Longji would probably compromise on the Tubo issue.
As he pondered, Zuzan Chide began to try to interact more with Zhang Xiaobao. Only by understanding the enemy could he have a chance to defeat the enemy.
Zhang Xiaobao was not in a hurry. He watched as Wang Juan tormented the forty thousand soldiers, stood in formation, and planted trees. The soldiers were gradually getting used to these things.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Chong acted as if they had something to say about the letters from the Tufan and Turkic Khaganate. They didn't mention the specifics, but instead emphasized the benefits that the people from both sides could enjoy after arriving at the Great Tang. They were simply avoiding the topic.
The two were most concerned about whether the paper money could be accepted.
The news from the country had already spread, and the circulation of the suppressed iron and copper coins among the common people was greatly hindered.
Now that there was more food in the country, the living standards of the common people had increased. The purchasing power of one copper coin was very large, and the coins made of iron and copper became the small type. Not only was the amount small, but the size was also small. Ten of the new coins were equivalent to the value of a standard Kaiyuan Tongbao.
It was a very good move, but the common people did not appreciate it and were not enthusiastic. Sometimes, they used copper coins, and sometimes, they directly bartered. No one was willing to take the initiative to go to the bank to exchange.
"Looks like we have to start from the merchants." After receiving this news, Zhang Xiaobao started to worry. "It's not easy to change a habit of spending. Businessmen are good and flexible."
"You made a mistake, didn't you? I knew you would make mistakes. Most of the banknotes issued now are circulated between merchants. The amount is too large. Who would carry a ten-coin banknote on them for no reason? What if they lose it? Do you think ten coins is a small amount? "
Wang Juan was standing by the side, not helping to come up with ideas. She even angered Zhang Xiaobao.
"Alright, don't use such a strategy on me. Even if you don't provoke me, I will think of something. Isn't it just a matter of consumption philosophy? It's simple. I'm prepared to transition naturally. Do you understand?
Write a letter back and issue an order to all the schools that we have opened in various places. In the future, we will not directly give the students things in the schools. Instead, we will give them money. When it comes to food, we will spend their own money to buy it. When it comes to rewards, we will not give them books. We will let them buy their own paper.
However, they have to buy it in our stores. It's too expensive to buy it elsewhere. Let them get used to using new money. Give them the kind of money that is worth one copper coin for ten coins. When the time comes, they will tell their families.
In this era, the uncultured value the cultured very much. Sometimes, the words of literate children are more effective than the words of adults. Let's use children's diplomacy. "
Zhang Xiaobao did not need to spend too much time thinking and came up with a solution. This strategy was used by many people. For example, if a new place was developed and no one went there, what would they do? If they moved a key school there, it would not take long before the surrounding houses would be sold.
Wang Juan pondered for a moment and felt that something was wrong. After blinking a few times, she finally understood.
"If you directly give money to the children, have you thought about the consequences? Usually, food is provided for free. It's a waste if the children don't eat it. It's the same for clothes. But once you let the children buy their own things, the consequences will be … "
"Among the children, some of them are filial. They don't want to eat good food and just casually buy things to fill their stomachs. They save money to buy things that can be used at home, right?"
Without waiting for Wang Juan to finish, Zhang Xiaobao added.
"Yes, if you know, why do you still do that? Let's see what you can do when the children lack nutrition. "Wang Juan was very dissatisfied.
Zhang Xiaobao chuckled, "You only think about the children being filial. Why don't you think about how the adults have deeper feelings for the children? Many adults can do anything for their children to have a good life. I'm waiting for the children to do that. When the time comes for the parent-teacher meeting, they will tell the parents that their children are starving to death. What do you think will happen? "
"What will happen? Zhang Xiaobao, you are too insidious. " Wang Juan immediately understood the meaning. "The result will be that the children's parents, in order to let the children eat well in school, find out that the children don't have enough money, and take the initiative to exchange money. You are using the weakness of people to do things. It's too immoral."
"When the time comes, we will compensate. This is the function of the government. A normal and qualified official doesn't have to have a creative mind. He only needs to guide, coordinate, and supervise well. But many officials can't even do this and fail."
Zhang Xiaobao didn't care about Wang Juan's responsibilities. Of course, he hoped that all the officials could be like him and find the resources in every place and use them creatively.
"No wonder so many civil servants want to learn political economy. These days, Tubo and Turkic didn't sell a lot of livestock. They seem to be worried that the currency will depreciate. Although we know that the currency must depreciate."
Seeing that this problem was solved, Wang Juan changed the topic and talked about the recent trade.
Zhang Xiaobao exclaimed, indicating that he understood. He continued, "From tomorrow onwards, stop the trade of food with Tubo. Ship the food over and bring in more weapons from Great Tang. Tell the Tubo and Tujue that they have to use currency to purchase. They will definitely work hard to collect foreign currency. If you don't believe me, let's take a look."
Actually, Wang Juan knew that it was feasible even without looking.
As expected, after Zuzan Chide found that the trade of food with Great Tang was affected, and after seeing a few technologies and a large number of weapons that were good for Tubo, he happily accepted the new concept of currency.
A large number of local specialties were sold at a lower price than the original trade. After exchanging for currency, he went to buy the technologies first, even though he knew that the technologies were outdated for Great Tang.
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