With the widespread use of iron coins in Chang 'an, the situation of iron coins was officially opened. Then, Luoyang, Kaifeng, Yangzhou, and other big cities were all spread to small and medium-sized cities, and even to rural areas.
Banknote transactions were usually large transactions, while iron coins were daily consumption, which was indispensable to everyone. When the people saw the convenience of iron coins, iron coins were no longer blocked from being popularized. Under the promotion of the courier stations, iron coins were spread all over the country overnight.
Carts of iron coins were sent to various places in the Tang dynasty with the courier stations, and then carts of copper coins were sent back to Chang 'an. A large amount of money was accumulated in the imperial treasury in a short time.
"This is a scene that only happens during the autumn harvest!"
A young official of the Ministry of Civil Affairs exclaimed. Usually, the imperial treasury would only be so full during the autumn harvest. But now, the imperial treasury was short of money, and so much money came into the imperial treasury, which was simply amazing.
"Mo Jiazi's simple policy is equal to half a year's tax of the imperial court." His colleague beside him exclaimed.
"It's a pity that we can only look at the money but can't use it!" The young official said regretfully.
Mo Jiazi's special policy made the officials of the Ministry of Civil Affairs stare at the money helplessly. Otherwise, they were sure to spend all the money in one day.
…
In the imperial court.
"Reporting to Father! Now the courier stations have exchanged 1.2 million strings of cash for the imperial court. "Li Chengqian said excitedly.
The courier stations used to be the biggest burden of the imperial court because of the continuous losses. Now, in the hands of Li Chengqian, they not only revived and turned the losses into profits, but also made contributions and became an important department of the imperial court.
"Your Majesty, the Bank of Village Mo also exchanged 400,000 strings of cash for the imperial court." Meton followed.
Most of the strongholds of the Bank of Village Mo were concentrated in the big cities. In terms of strongholds, they were far less than the courier stations banks all over the world. The fact that they could exchange 400,000 strings of cash was not to be underestimated.
"1.6 million strings of cash!"
Suddenly, the civil and military officials were in an uproar. No one had expected that a 1.50 jiao iron coin could be exchanged for 1.6 million strings of cash.
"Good!" Li Shimin was very excited. The imperial court had gained 1.6 million strings of cash in a short period of time. Even if half of the capital was deducted, there was still a profit of 800,000 strings of cash.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, as the iron coins have just been introduced, there is a lot of money to be exchanged. Eight hundred thousand strings of cash is only this month's income. As the iron coins are accepted by the people, there will be an endless stream of iron coins to be exchanged. I believe that the iron coins will be able to raise three million strings of cash for Xin Shu Road in the near future." The Minister of Civil Affairs, Tang Jian, said excitedly.
That was three million strings of cash. Even the entire Tang dynasty could not take out such a sum in a short period of time. But now, they could wait for the day to come. Tang Jian even believed that the profit of three million strings of cash was not the limit of the iron money, and that the money in many places would naturally belong to the imperial court.
"Your Majesty, now that the court has money, the Minister believes that it is time to start the construction of the new Shu Road," Meton said solemnly.
Suddenly, the breathing of the entire court stagnated. A mega project that cost three million strings of cash was about to officially start. Regardless of whether the investment of three million strings of cash would cause a series of chain reactions, not to mention the significance of the new Shu Road after its completion, the economic stimulus to the Tang dynasty would be unparalleled.
Li Shimin slowly nodded and said, "Li Tai, you will lead the geography department and be responsible for surveying the terrain of Xin Shu Road and designing the route of the new Shu Road."
"Your son obeys!" Li Tai answered and stepped forward. Surveying the terrain was the specialty of the geography department. This task was only suitable for him.
"Meton! You will be responsible for preparing the gunpowder. If you encounter a mountain, you will open the mountain. If you encounter a river, you will build a bridge and open up the new Shu Road as soon as possible. "
"Minister obeys!" Meton said seriously.
"Minister Zhang! The Ministry of Works will be responsible for gathering migrant workers and enlisting corvee labor to ensure that there is enough labor in Xin Shu Road. "Li Shimin finally ordered.
"Your subject obeys!" The Minister of Works, Zhang Liang, said bitterly. If it was in the past, the Ministry of Works would be solely responsible for such a project. But now, the Ministry of Works only occupied the most useless and tedious labor. The merit was not given, but there was a lot of work to be done.
With the cooperation of the Mo Family, the geography department, and the Ministry of Works, as well as the funds that were basically in place, the preparations for the mega project of Xin Shu Road had been completed.
The courtiers could not help but feel excited. Once the new Shu Road was completed, the southern artery of Chang 'an City would be opened. At that time, the disadvantage of Chang' an City's inconvenient transportation would be completely changed. The original plan of moving the capital to Luoyang would also disappear without a trace. And the driving force behind all of this was the youngest person in the court, Mo Jiazi.
And after doing all of this, Mo Jiazi silently retreated to the back of the court. He was calm and collected, hiding his merit and reputation.
Following the passing of the new Shu Road matter, the court meeting continued.
"Your Majesty, your subject has a memorial." The Minister of Rites, Linghu Defen, said.
"Approved!" Li Shimin was in a good mood and waved his hand.
"Thanks to Your Majesty's grace, the Turks have returned to their old lands. However, Simo Khan has repeatedly submitted memorials to accuse Xue Yantuo of instigating tribal conflicts and condoning the nomads to fight for the grasslands." Linghu Defen said loudly.
Li Shimin raised his eyebrows and pretended to be surprised. "There is such a thing?"
Linghu Defen nodded. "Your Majesty, it is now the turn of spring and summer. It is the time for nomads to fight for the grasslands. Xue Yantuo and the Turks have always had old grudges. I'm afraid that in the long run, the two tribes will cause a disaster."
Li Shimin's eyes flashed; he could not help exchanging a glance with Modun behind the hundreds of officials. Sure enough, just as Modun had predicted, Xue Yantuo was unwilling to bow with both hands and return the grassland to the Tujue tribes.
"How audacious. The Southern Desert used to be the old land of the Turks. Xue Yantuo took it for ten years and thought it was his. Men, pass down my decree. Send out the Tang envoy to reprimand the barbarian. Tell him not to harass the old Turks for no reason. Both sides are to guard the grasslands and not plunder." Li Shimin said righteously.
"Your subject obeys the decree!" Linghu Defen accepted the order.
Li Shimin thought for a moment and said, "Order the Turks to the south of the Great Wall to quickly return to the old land of the Turks."
Now that the Tang dynasty was in urgent need of livestock products, the return of the Turks could not only free up a large area of grasslands for the Han people, but it could also increase Li Simo's strength. Li Shimin wanted to weaken the Eastern Turks and Xue Yantuo at the same time. Naturally, he had to minimize the difference in strength between the two.
Linghu Defen nodded. He naturally knew the imperial court's strategy to deal with the Eastern Turks and Xue Yantuo. He understood and said, "Now that the country is at peace, Your Majesty's pilgrimage to Mount Tai should be put on the agenda.
If he wanted to weaken the Eastern Turks and Xue Yantuo at the same time, in addition to increasing the strength of the Eastern Turks, he also had to give the powerful Xue Yantuo a chance to make a move. And Li Shimin's pilgrimage to Mount Tai was the best opportunity.
"Mount Tai's pilgrimage!"
The eyes of all the ministers flashed. Ever since Qin Shi Huang's pilgrimage to Mount Tai, Mount Tai's pilgrimage was the highest honor for every emperor. Ordinary emperors should not be qualified to do so. They must be under the command of the heavens, and only those who were in charge of the world's peace were qualified to do so. Before this, only Emperor Wu of Han and Emperor Guangwu of Han performed the pilgrimage to Mount Tai.
Li Shimin had made great contributions when the Tang dynasty was at peace. After succeeding the throne, he worked hard to govern the country and established the Zhenguan Rule. He defeated the Eastern Turks, Tuyuhun and Gao Chang consecutively. He conquered the world and was respectfully known as the Heavenly Khan. According to his contributions, he was qualified to perform the pilgrimage to Mount Tai.
However, Li Shimin was not without weakness. His position was not righteous, and he was not under the command of the heavens.
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