Bringing the Railway to Daming

Chapter 46: Treasure Notes? Hundred Years Later, Worse Than Toilet Paper [Seeking Follow-up Reading]

Zhu Yuanzhang was surprised again.

If the telescope really has the function of seeing far as if it were near as Liu Kuan said, and there is only one, it is completely different from the fact that the Ming Dynasty can produce as many as it wants!
He asked in disbelief, "Can our Ming Dynasty craftsmen really make that telescope? How good is the simplified version of it compared to the one you carry?"

Liu Kuan smiled and said, "In fact, things similar to telescopes have long existed in the Ming Dynasty."

As he spoke, he pointed to the eyes on the bridge of his nose.

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned for a moment, then asked in surprise, "Are you talking about 叆叇?"

Liu Kuan nodded. "In later generations, glasses were also called spectacles. They could correct a person's vision with lenses. This is actually similar to how a telescope helps people see far away as if they were near. Both involve a discipline called optics."

"Although the Ming craftsmen are not familiar with optics, since someone was able to build a telescope, I believe it will not be difficult for them to imitate a simple version of the telescope if I provide the information."

"Of course, the shuang at this time should all be made of natural pure transparent crystal, almost like a treasure."

"If we use crystal as the raw material to make a telescope, not only will it be expensive, but the production volume will also be very limited."

"Therefore, if Your Majesty wishes to produce telescopes without restrictions, he must order the development of transparent glass."

The 菆菆 had already existed during the Song Dynasty. At this time, some old ministers of the Ming Dynasty also wore 菆菆, such as Li Shanchang, the Duke of Korea, who had a pair.

Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang still knew about Xixiong.

He also knew that natural, pure, transparent crystal was rare. After hearing Liu Kuan's words, he asked in surprise, "What is glass?"

Liu Kuan said, "Things similar to glass are actually available in the Ming Dynasty now, such as colored glaze and medicinal jade."

"Since China has revered jade since ancient times, artisans who craft colored glass and medicinal jade often prioritize colored or gorgeous colors. They have no interest in studying the occasional pure, transparent colored glass, and thus, to this day, have never mastered the art of glassmaking."

"But as long as Your Majesty has the relevant craftsmen diligently develop this method, it shouldn't be difficult to master it."

"Pure, transparent glass can be used not only to make telescopes, but also to make various chemical and biological instruments. It contributes to the development of science and can be said to be of great use to the nation."

"Furthermore, glass can be used to make silver mirrors—silver mirrors are so beautiful that they reveal every detail. If they could be made, they would undoubtedly replace bronze mirrors."

"If the imperial court could master the method of making silver mirrors and sell them to wealthy families and gentry, or even export them overseas, they could make huge profits and continue to make money."

"Glass can also be used to make utensils. If the craftsmanship improves, the potential of glassware in the domestic and overseas markets may be no less than that of porcelain, and it can also become a huge source of income."

If Liu Kuan wants to develop science and build railway infrastructure in Ming Dynasty, he will definitely need a lot of money.

Now that glass was mentioned, he simply explained the economic value of glass to Zhu Yuanzhang, so that Ming Dynasty could master the relevant ways of making money as soon as possible.

As for leaving it to his own family to master the method of making silver mirrors and use it to make money, Liu Kuan had also thought about it.

But it was ultimately rejected.

In this era, the method of making silver mirrors is like a treasure trove. If he keeps it in his hands and keeps it secret, it might become a way to bring disaster.

Besides, he has many more ways to make money, and he can choose a safer method.

Zhu Yuanzhang already knew the importance of financial resources to the country. After learning from Liu Kuan that the Ming Dynasty would eventually perish in poverty, he attached even greater importance to the control of financial resources.

After hearing about the economic value of glass, Zhu Yuanzhang was overjoyed.

"So glass is actually a type of colored glaze. So, it's really not difficult to master the method of making pure, transparent glass."

"Speaking of which, there's a government-run colored glass market in Boshan that specializes in supplying all kinds of colored glass ornaments needed by the imperial court. Occasionally, items similar to crystal are included in the tributes."

"Later, we'll issue an imperial decree to have them research glass-making techniques... Well, do you know how to make silver mirrors?"

Although Zhu Yuanzhang was not a person of later generations, he knew that if silver mirrors could replace bronze mirrors, they would be needed by thousands of households and would surely sell well, so he was still very concerned about the silver mirrors.

He originally wanted to let the craftsmen study it, but since Liu Kuan brought it up, he might as well ask a few more questions, which might save him a lot of effort.

Liu Kuan said, "I do know a thing or two about the method of making a silver mirror. I will write it down and give it to Your Majesty along with the method of making a telescope."

"That's very good." Zhu Yuanzhang smiled with satisfaction. Then he felt Empress Ma pat his thigh and said, "Liu Kuan, although you will soon become my son-in-law, you have contributed two invaluable secret recipes for the telescope and the silver mirror, and even presented a telescope of later generations. I must reward you in some way."

"Tell me, what reward do you want?" Liu Kuan also knew that the value of the things he donated was immeasurable - things like telescopes and the method of making silver mirrors were fine, but he felt a little sad to give away the telescope he brought from the future.

After all, even if the Ming Dynasty could make a telescope, it could not make one exactly the same as his.

That was something from later generations and always had a certain commemorative significance to him.

If Fu Youde and others were not about to send troops to the southwest, he might not be willing to give it up. He would most likely let the Ming craftsmen slowly develop a simple version of the telescope.

Thinking of this, Liu Kuan bowed and said, "I, Your Majesty, would like to ask for a reward of 1,000 taels of gold, 10,000 taels of silver, 1,000 acres of fertile land, and a papermaking workshop and a printing workshop in the capital."

After hearing the reward Liu Kuan asked for, Zhu Yuanzhang, who was used to being frugal with money, was not angry, but his smile became even more intense.

He was not afraid that Liu Kuan liked gold, silver and treasures - if Liu Kuan did not like worldly things such as gold and silver, and behaved like a saint with a pure heart, he would be wary.

He pointed at Liu Kuan and smiled, "You're quite bold, boy. How about this? I'll reward you with 100,000 strings of precious coins, 10,000 acres of fertile land, and the two workshops you mentioned?"

Liu Kuan was stunned when he heard this.

I thought to myself, Old Zhu, did you know that the treasure notes would become worthless later on, so you kept giving me treasure notes?
Zhu Yuanzhang noticed Liu Kuan's strange expression and asked curiously, "Why, are you dissatisfied? What are you dissatisfied with?"

Liu Kuan gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, you gave me banknotes last time, so this time you should give me gold and silver."

Zhu Yuanzhang finally noticed Liu Kuan's resistance to the treasure notes and said, "A thousand taels of gold and ten thousand taels of silver are now worth less than a hundred thousand strings of treasure notes. Why don't you want them?"

"Could it be that you, like some ignorant officials and merchants, think that our Ming Dynasty treasure notes are unreliable?"

Anyway, the matter of the treasure notes will have to be discussed sooner or later. Although this may anger Zhu Yuanzhang, it is a good opportunity now that Empress Ma is by his side.

In addition, the longer this matter is delayed, the greater the remaining problems will be.

And from a selfish point of view, Liu Kuan did not want Zhu Yuanzhang to reward him with treasure notes again and again.

He bowed, looked at Zhu Yuanzhang sincerely, and said, "To be honest, Your Majesty, the current currency system of the Ming Dynasty has huge shortcomings."

"The Ming Dynasty's treasure notes have been depreciating continuously since your Majesty's reign. After your Majesty's death for several decades, the treasure notes will have depreciated to the point where no one will want to use them. A hundred years from now, they will be worth less than toilet paper!"

Worse than toilet paper after a hundred years?!
Zhu Yuanzhang's face turned pale when he heard this.

Then, he flew into a rage and slammed the imperial desk, saying, "Nonsense! How could our banknotes be worth less than toilet paper?!"

Facing Zhu Yuanzhang's anger, it would be a lie for Liu Kuan to say that he was not afraid, but he finally held on and looked at Empress Ma.

This famous virtuous queen in history did not disappoint him.

She held Zhu Yuanzhang's hand and said, "Zhongba, Kuan'er risked your anger by telling you about this future event because he wanted to help you correct your corrupt policies. How could you be so angry with him?"

Zhu Yuanzhang suppressed his anger and said with a flushed face, "Sister, I'm not angry at him - I just find it incredible. How could the Ming Dynasty's treasure notes be worse than toilet paper?"

"That's not right. In later generations, are ordinary people so extravagant as to use toilet paper instead of side chips?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao, who had been eating in silence, almost couldn't help laughing out loud.

Who could have imagined that his father was discussing toilet paper and side chips in the Dashan Hall where the emperor was entertaining ministers for a royal banquet?

Liu Kuan felt like laughing, but he explained seriously, "Your Majesty, what I have said is all recorded in history books and is absolutely true. As for why this phenomenon occurred, it is very simple."

"At that time, the Baochao (treasure notes) had depreciated to zero value. If someone had one guan (a Chinese coin), I wonder how many kilograms of toilet paper they could have bought."

"If he exchanged this one guan of money for one guan of treasure notes, it would be worthless. I don't know how many pieces of toilet paper he would have lost."

"In other words, if this person exchanges one guan of money for one guan of treasure notes, it would be better to buy a pile of toilet paper to preserve its value. This is why the saying that treasure notes are not as good as toilet paper is popular."

Although Liu Kuan made up this statement on the spot, it vividly illustrates the severity of the devaluation of the treasure notes.

Zhu Yuanzhang's anger was aroused by this, but because Empress Ma held his hand, he suppressed it. He snorted and asked, "Then tell me, why did our Ming Dynasty treasure notes depreciate so drastically?"

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(End of this chapter)