After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 622 - 616 New Money

The Xiliang army left the merchants who depended on them at the pass and first took the documents to meet Fu Zhi.

The merchants of Xiliang first presented their goods and paid the commercial taxes before passing through. Some of them headed to Chang’an, where they would purchase goods and look for partners to return to Xiliang.

Most, however, planned to follow the Xiliang military convoy to Luoyang and even take a trip to Yu State, having heard that Governor Zhao gave them a Liuli goblet made in Yu State.

There is desire.

Fu Zhi now firmly stands in Chang’an. His competency is unquestionable, far outperforming Prince Nanyang, who remains uninformed and complacent.

Since his arrival in Chang’an over four months ago, although Chang’an is still suffering from famine, it is no longer lifeless.

With him as an intermediary, the Emperor dispatched grain from Yun City, and Zhao Hanzhang also supported Chang’an with two batches of grain, specifically for the refugees.

Fu Zhi came to Chang’an a bit late, but still managed to organize a group to cultivate the land and sow millet and beans. Now the beans are being harvested; the millet yield isn’t great, but there is some harvest.

With the harvest, the listless Chang’an slowly started to regain vitality.

And now, even Xiliang has sent supplies in support. Seeing the furs and horses, Fu Zhi’s eyes welled up slightly, and he quickly had them stored.

Coming here, he originally intended to build a grand army for the Emperor. Unexpectedly, he found himself deeply engaged in civil affairs instead of recruiting soldiers.

Now with horses, he finally has the capacity to start forming a grand army for him and the Emperor.

Upon seeing a box of money sent along with the supplies, he was slightly taken aback. The money seemed too new.

He picked up a coin and weighed it, lowering his eyes to conceal his thoughts. When he looked up again, his demeanor was unchanged, and he asked, "What are these coins?"

The envoy who led the troops immediately bowed and presented a letter, saying, "This is a letter from our governor to the Secretary’s office."

He continued, "After the rebellion, we Xiliang people have more goods and less money. Transactions among civilians mainly relied on silk and cloth, which are hard to define in value; some are difficult to preserve, either dampened or moth-eaten, significantly devaluing them. Therefore, our Governor has minted Five Coin Money, aiming to regularize transactions within Xiliang."

Now Xiliang is under Zhang Gui’s control; neither Fu Zhi nor even the Emperor can interfere.

Thus, he could only nod and say, "This is a good move."

Further details were written in the letter by Zhang Gui, hoping Fu Zhi would recognize the new currency in Xiliang and encourage the merchants in Chang’an to accept its value, matching it with the court’s currency.

Fu Zhi weighed the new currency and said, "But this new money seems lighter than the court’s Five Coin Money."

"It is slightly lighter," the messenger bowed and said, "approximately two gui (grams) too light."

The envoy only heard about this, not knowing the precise weight difference, but Fu Tinghan was aware.

Once the new money and gifts arrived in Luoyang, Zhao Hanzhang and her team began weighing them.

The scale was crafted under Fu Tinghan’s direction during their time in Yu State; it has two measuring systems: one for the current era’s units, and the other for his converted units.

He weighed ten units in total, averaging out the results: one side with the new money, the other with the court’s old money.

He said, "Each Xiliang new coin is approximately 0.5 grams lighter than the court’s Five Coin Money, which equals roughly 2.4 gui."

Fu Tinghan divided new money and old money into separate piles and told Zhao Hanzhang, "Our previous design matched the court’s money in weight and volume, but if we recognize Xiliang’s new money promoting tighter commercial activities, we will lose out."

Ji Yuan pondered, "Judging by Zhang Gui’s character, he wouldn’t reforge the currency for deceit."

Fu Tinghan replied, "I don’t trust people, only systems."

Zhao Hanzhang also nodded, "I trust Zhang Gui, but I trust the system more, especially,"

She looked up at Ji Yuan, "Zhang Gui isn’t in good health; who knows when he might pass the position to Zhang Shi?"

Ji Yuan understood, "Miss, you don’t trust Zhang Shi?"

Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him.

Ji Yuan pondered for a moment and said, "True enough, it’s wise to prepare; so our new money..."

"Also reduce its weight," she said, "matching it to Xiliang’s new money."

Ji Yuan worried, "Wouldn’t it affect commerce this way? As it stands, there aren’t many merchants coming to Luoyang. If they find out our new money is lighter, they might avoid coming altogether."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled slightly, "As long as I, Zhao Hanzhang, stand firm, this new currency will too. Why does Zhang Gui have confidence to write a letter asking me to support Xiliang’s new currency? It’s due to his prestige in Xiliang."

"With him here, the new currency can circulate smoothly in Xiliang, and given the Zhang Family’s prestige, even if he passes, as long as his successor is a grown offspring, they won’t be too lacking. The currency’s value will remain stable for at least ten years."

Fu Tinghan also nodded, "Our money isn’t a floating rootless. Central State is a plain area, a grain-producing region. Previously turbulent due to wars, but now Zhao Hanzhang has provided a peaceful environment, allowing products like grain, silk, hemp, glass, ceramics, and paper to be sold externally. With these products, the newly minted money in Central State holds stable value, compelling external acknowledgment."

Zhao Hanzhang raised her chin with pride and nodded, "Xiliang is secluded, sparsely populated, and lacks sufficient resources; hence, its new currency needs external recognition for trade, unlike here. This is Central State. By providing stable conditions, the resource richness attracts people from everywhere, naturally granting this currency acceptance."

The essence of currency’s value lies in its representation of backing. Zhao Hanzhang possesses this confidence.

Ji Yuan was persuaded, nodding, "Then lessen the weight, minting coins according to Xiliang’s new currency weight."

Zhao Hanzhang stated, "Since there’s a weight difference, let’s modify the pattern as well, making this Five Coin Money genuinely new."

She said, "It belongs to me, to the Zhao Family Army’s new currency."

Ji Yuan’s eyes flashed, excitedly looking at Zhao Hanzhang.

Though Zhang Gui’s new currency is slightly lighter, its style imitates the court’s coinage, indistinguishable in the market between new and old currency if unnoticed.

Originally, Zhao Hanzhang intended to keep a low profile, crafting coins identical to the court’s, but now she changed her mind.

Since she wasn’t the first daring to mint new currency, she wants to be the first to issue her currency.

Thus, the mold was altered again. This time, they decided to add a "Zhao" character on the Five Coin Money.

Copper mining began recently, and Fu Tinghan had already smelted copper. Craftsmen were ready, simply waiting for the mold to try minting copper coins.

Once the mold arrived at the heavily guarded workshop, within a few days, the new coins were minted.

The workshop overseer personally escorted a basket of money to meet Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan. Kneeling on the ground with head bowed, he said, "Following the young master’s orders, we first minted ten thousand coins, and after verifying their quality, further production will continue."