Chapter 38: Economic Crisis, New Five-Yen Coin!

  Cao sat in the main seat, looked at the housekeeper, his face sank, and the housekeeper didn't dare to make a sound, only lowering his head, not daring to look straight at Cao. Cao clenched his fists, extremely angry in his heart, can't even handle small matters, what's the use of you?

  Killing intent! The housekeeper felt Cao's killing intent and, with a thud, knelt down, saying: "Sir, spare my life, spare my life. Indeed, the task you entrusted to me is difficult?"

  "Hmph, what's so difficult? You just need to prepare some white cloth, white strips, and some sacrificial items. How hard can it be? You still can't even do that right? What's the point of having you?"

  "Master, it's not that I'm incompetent in handling matters, but rather there are no merchants providing goods, and I really have no way to do anything about it!"

  "No merchant selling goods? What a joke! I've searched everywhere in Dangdang, but can't even find a store that sells white clothes?"

  "Old sir, is it really so? Dong Zhuo's small five-zhu coins are circulating in Yanzhou, the people's lives are unbearably bitter, a dan of rice still needs tens of thousands of wen coins, everyone is struggling to fill their bellies, where do they have the heart or mind to plan for trivial matters?"

  Cao Cao listened and was stunned for a moment, asking: "Is this true?" Originally, the prices in Yanzhou had skyrocketed. During the battle with Lü Bu for control of Yanzhou, Cao Cao had already known about it, but he thought it was caused by Lü Bu's chaos. However, now that Yanzhou was pacified, such a thing still existed?

  "Your Excellency, I dare not deceive you. If there is any falsehood, please take my head, and I will have no complaints!"

  "Alright, you go prepare a bag of silver coins, Rui'er, you come with me for a walk!"

  "Yes, Uncle!"

  Cao and Lü Rui changed into ordinary people's clothes after leaving the Minister of Works' mansion, they arrived at the market in Xuchang.

  "Boss, how much for this pancake?"

  "May I ask if you are paying with copper coins, or perhaps silver and gold? Or would you like to barter for it with grain?"

  Cao was taken aback for a moment, buying a roasted cake is so complicated?

  Cao asked: "Boss, what's the difference? What is Dong Qian?"

  "Sir, you appear to be a stranger. Dong Qian refers to the five-zhu coins cast by Dong Zhuo. They are of poor quality, numerous, and have unclear patterns. If it's Dong Qian, our store won't accept them."

  "Four out and five in is the currency cast by Emperor Ling. If it's this money, five coins can get two buns."

  "Real gold and silver? Or food, then you can take away all of my pastries! We can discuss the price!"

  "Alright, boss, two roasted flatbreads." Cao handed over five wen and four liu coins to the boss.

  This taste is still pretty good! Lü Rui thought as he ate his roasted flatbread.

  "Boss, why do you have to differentiate between these banknotes?"

  "Sir, you don't know that Dong Zhuo has newly minted coins, extorting the wealth of the common people, causing prices to skyrocket. It's still okay in Xuchang, but in most parts of Yanzhou, a dou of rice is being sold for 100,000 to 500,000 coins. How can the common people survive? We merchants have come up with this method to maintain market stability, but unfortunately, it's just a drop in the bucket. Many common people can only fill their bellies by eating wild plants, and money has become useless!"

  Cao nodded after listening, and for the Cao family with business operations, this meant something. Old Cao knew it. Later, Cao visited many more merchants, all of whom were similar. Cao didn't say anything and took Lü Rui back to the Sima Mansion. As soon as they returned to the Sima Mansion, Cao convened a meeting with everyone to discuss!

  "Gentlemen, now the prices in Yanzhou are soaring, and the people are suffering unbearably. What do you gentlemen feel about this?"

  As soon as Cao said this, everyone began to discuss it. The commodity trading in the Three Kingdoms period was flawed. Since Dong Zhuo's chaotic policy, many people in the Central Plains had begun to barter. Historically, until the Battle of Red Cliffs, Cao Wei truly restored currency, which was relatively stable for Cao Wei. However, Wu and Shu were different, with prices soaring continuously until their demise. The rapid fall of Wu and Shu was also influenced by economics. With non-unified currency and poor living conditions for the people, who would be willing to sacrifice themselves? Only economically stable Cao Wei could win people's hearts!

  Xun Yu stepped forward and said, "My lord, after Dong Zhuo's chaotic rule, the economy was in disarray, and the people began to recover through bartering, but there were many things that remained unchanged, and even those under him had no way to change it!"

  Guo Jia stepped forward and said, "My lord, I was born into a poor family and am not as talented as Wen Ruo or Gong Da. Today, my household has no food, so I can only come to your house to borrow some rice. My wife and children will also come to the Prime Minister's residence to eat!"

  Lv Rui looked at Guo Jia with an envious gaze, "Wow, Master is really awesome! He actually dares to speak to Cao Cao like that. Isn't this a slap in the face for Cao? I work for you and don't even have money for food, what are you going to do?"

  Cao's face showed a hint of embarrassment, and he smiled, saying: "Alright, today everyone is having dinner at the Sikuang manor, so Sikuang will definitely treat us to a full meal!"

  "Thank you, Sir!"

  "The issue of your food and drink has been resolved, but how will the problems of the common people of Yanzhou be solved? Do you have any good strategies?"

  Everyone was silent, none of them had studied economics after all. This kind of question, of course, they couldn't answer! After a long time, Wei Jue finally cupped his hands and said: "Your Excellency, I have a plan, perhaps it can solve this problem!"

  Cao said, "What plan?"

  Wei Zifu said: "In the past, during the Han Dynasty, there was no distinction between copper and iron coins. Emperor Wu collected all the coins in the world, re-cast them, stabilized the market, and the five-zhu coin system has been used ever since. Can our army also re-mint coins?"

  "Re-mint the coin?"

  "How will our army recover the five-copper coins that Dong Zhuo had minted?" Man Chong raised a question!

  What a fool, always thinking about how to collect money, do the common people agree? Although Dong Zhuo's five-copper coins are worthless, they are still money, and the common people won't give it to you for nothing. Emperor Wu of Han used violence to promote currency, but that was because he unified the country and had a strong army, does Yanzhou have such conditions now? Fool!

  As soon as Man Chong's problem came out, everyone started discussing it again!

  "Why charge for minting, can't directly make new coins?"

  Everyone was shocked by these words. Were they really spoken by Lü Rui? Directly minting new coins? This is something that nobody had expected!

  Cao asked: "Rui'er, directly minting new coins? What about the old wu zhu qian?"

  "In territories under our control, abolish the old five-cash coins and use only new five-cash coins!"

  Everyone who heard it nodded and whispered to each other about the feasibility of this method!

  "Wei Wuji was the first to speak up and say: 'Your Excellency, perhaps we can try Lord Hou's method!'"

  "What does 'Bo Ru' mean?"

  "My lord, the people of Yanzhou no longer use Dong Qian's currency. We can mint new coins. If the people do not accept them, we will still barter. But if they do accept them, it will bring many benefits to our military rule!"

  Heh heh, Wei Wu is indeed a businessman who knows how to do business. Since there's no other way, why not try Lü Rui's method?

  Cao was not a pedantic person, his motto was "only talent is promoted", since there's no other way, trying is also an option. Cao asked: "Rui'er, if we issue new five-zhu coins, what standards should they meet? And how many should be produced?"

  Lv Rui nodded and said: "Zhang Fu, the new five-cash coin is even more refined than the four-out-five cash, and its weight is heavier! The production quantity can be unrestricted, but the circulation quantity must be controlled in Zhang Fu's hands!" "Why is that?"

  Grandma's, Old Cao doesn't understand economics? What to do?

  "Wei Wuji stepped forward and said: 'Your Excellency, Lord Hou's method is feasible, please grant your consent!'"

  Haha, Old Wei, indeed a businessman, not bad, clever!

  Bo Ru understood so quickly? Alright, since Bo Ru supports me, I'll give it a try!

  "Rui Er, Bo Ru, this matter is now entrusted to you both for handling. If you need any imperial decree, just ask me directly. If the matter succeeds, both of you will be heavily rewarded!"

  "Got it!" Haha, Old Cao is going to show you the power of economics!

  In no time, three months passed and the new five-copper coins were in use throughout Yanzhou. The people of Yanzhou called them "Cao's Five Coppers". Old Cao sat in the Prime Minister's mansion, smiling as he read through the reports from various regions, feeling extremely pleased!

  Rui's method is actually feasible, not only has it stabilized prices, but also made the economy of Yanzhou flourish. Now people all over Yanzhou are praising Cao, and today Cao has come to reward the two!

  Cao looked at Lü Rui and said: "Rui'er, you are indeed clever. This method will make the state of Yan flourish greatly. Your contribution is not to be ignored!"

  Guo Jia also said on the side: "What the lord says is very true, filial piety is not used to mix rice in the empty house!" As Guo Jia said, prices were flat, and Guo Jia didn't have to worry about eating. He could go find a girl, but if there was no money in his pocket, how could he go?

  The various dignitaries in the Imperial Palace were also astonished by the changes in Yanzhou, especially the prosperity of Xudu's commerce. They had never seen such a thriving scene before!

  Xun Yu glanced at Lü Bu and asked: "Lü'er, how did you think of this method? Wen Ru is worried that he can't get the key!"

  Grandma, you wouldn't understand, you didn't receive modern education and aren't a businessman, but a politician! Lü Rui turned his eyes and said: "Mr. Wenruo, I recently obtained an ancient book, which recorded the methods of Guan Zhong to make Qi State prosperous back then. At that time, Jin State had Jin money, Chu State had Chu money, Qin State had Qin money, and Qi State's currency was in chaos. Guan Zhong used the new currency method to recreate the prosperity of Qi State. I have some thoughts on this, so I proposed this suggestion!

  "How did Rui'er come across such an ancient book? Where did he get it from?"

  "What? No way! I don't even have this book, it's a scam, how did you get it out?"

  Cao saw Lü Rui's appearance, thought for a moment, and then said: "Wenruo, Rui'er getting the book is Rui'er's good fortune, no need to ask about its origin!"

  Everyone listened, could it be Cao's and Lü Bu's plan? The actual person behind the scenes is Cao? Thinking of this, Xun Yu bowed his hands and said: "What you said, my lord, is absolutely right!"

  Cao turned his eyes and said with a smile, "Rui'er? An ancient book? Isn't it the one you got by having Cao Jin steal from the tomb? I know about this, Zhongfu! Cao looked at Wei You and said: "Bo Ru has achieved this great merit, the governor will report to the emperor and make Bo Ru a marquis!"

  "Thank you, Sir Cao!" Wei Jie was excited at this moment. Since the death of Wei Qing and Wei Zi's husband from the Hedong Wei family, the Wei family had been in decline. Although it was a big clan, it was not successful in the political center. Now that Old Cao appreciated him, the Wei family had the opportunity to reappear on the highest peak of the political stage!

  "Rui'er, what reward do you want?" Alas, Lü Rui's reward is also a problem. Originally, Lü Rui's title couldn't be any higher, and granting him a fiefdom? This is something only the Emperor can do. Although I am in charge of all officials, there will still be obstacles. Let Lü Rui say it himself, what he wants, Cao will try his best to give it to him!

  Lü Rui was also very clear about his own situation, and he thought of Guo Jia's instructions to him. Lü Rui rubbed his nose and said: "Uncle Zhong, I've heard that the mint is often busy with work and the speed of coin production is slow. I, Rui, want to open a new mint in Fan County, do you think it's feasible?"

  Do I mint my own currency? This was not impossible in the Eastern Han, as previous emperors had also delegated the right to mint currency to noble families. Due to the limited manufacturing technology and craftsmanship of the Three Kingdoms era, producing wu zhu coins required a large amount of manpower and resources. Entrusting the production to noble families while having the court supervise was a common practice. With Lv Rui's wealth, it wouldn't be difficult to achieve. Thinking of this, Cao smiled and said: "Since Rui'er is willing to contribute to the imperial court, I won't stop him. Tomorrow, I'll submit a memorial to the imperial court, allowing Fan County to mint currency under supervision!"

  "Thanks, Uncle!" Hehe, this is equivalent to being able to print money, playing economic warfare? Who in the great Han dynasty can be my opponent?

  Nobody else knew the subtlety of it, anyway private manufacturing and imperial supervision were common things, so nobody opposed it either, and it was considered a reward for Lü Rui. Lü Rui would rely on this trick to bully all the vassals!

  Lü Bu and Wei Xu's reward is over, Xun Yu started speaking. "I venture to report to the lord, since the lord issued the policy of replacing old coins with new ones, our treasury has accumulated a lot of Dong coins, and there are some old coins, now I don't know how to deal with them? Should we re-melt and make new coins?"

  Lü Rui listened and nodded his hands, saying: "Uncle Zhong, this money has a great use!"

  Cao heard this and thought that wasteful spending still had a great use? Cao stroked his beard and said: "Quickly tell me, Rui!"

  "Uncle, Dong Zhuo has newly minted five-zhu coins, but they have only been in circulation for two years. Although they are widely used in the Central Plains, they have not caused trouble to the nine provinces, Hebei, Xiliang, Shu, Wu, Jingzhou, and Xuzhou, where old coins can still be used! Uncle, why doesn't our army use old coins when purchasing military supplies in various places? The disaster of Yanzhou has also made all the lords taste it!"

  This was a plan that Lü Rui had been thinking about for a long time. When Lü Rui read the history books of the Three Kingdoms, he found that although the business of the Three Kingdoms was not smooth, it was also divided into periods. During the period of Emperor Xian of Han, the areas under Liu Zhang and Liu Biao were very rich, otherwise Liu Bei would not have been able to establish Shu. Dong Zhuo's five-zhu coin, although a great disaster, only occurred in the Central Plains area and had little impact on the south. Jingchu and Xichuan still used the old version of the five-zhu coin, and even consumed Dong coins.

  After the secret envoy sent by Lü Rui reported back, except for the Central Plains region, other places still use the old currency. In history, Cao Pi unified the currency of Wei State, but Lü Rui has brought it forward and can harm the vassals!

  "My lord, this plan is feasible. Bo Ru is willing to assist you in completing this task. The Wei family's merchant group will follow your instructions at any time!" Ah, come on, Old Wei, can't you not be so business-minded and know that there's a big profit to be made inside? Are you trying to steal my business?

  Cao looked at the two of them, smiled and said: "Alright, since that's the case, I'll let you two split this useless money. As for the military expenses, just submit it to the Yanzhou government treasury as usual!" Anyway, the Wei family had also supported him with a lot of money, so consider it compensation!

  "Thank you, Sir Cao (Uncle)!" Alas, half of it was taken away by Old Wei, but this is also Cao's way of using people, can't let one person dominate! "Lord Hou, this is the latest thing bought with scrap money, and this is the last expense!" Xin Pi handed over the account book to Lü Rui.

  Haha, finally done, these wastes have been distributed to various lords. Yuan Shao, that big fool, has consumed the most, and will not even know how to die later! Looking at the lucrative account book, Lü Rui nodded and said: "Good, Sarge, you can go down now. Tell our merchant group that from now on, when going to various places for large-scale goods procurement, all transactions must be made in gold and silver. I don't want these worthless coins coming back here again!"

  "Understood, Your Lordship!"

  The economic crisis in Cao's Yanzhou has been lifted, and the prices in Yanzhou have stabilized. Lü Rui took advantage of the situation to make another fortune from the various lords, and the life of the carefree marquis is becoming more and more prosperous!