Chinese New Year

Chapter 1471 Practical Application
Shao Xun did receive the letter; it was already late winter.

In the summer, he sought refuge from the heat at Xiyuan.

In late autumn, they hunted and practiced martial arts in the West Garden, which lasted until last month.

This month, he also received envoys from various city-states of Kangju.

These Sogdians must have been disappointed, because he was only willing to grant them titles and honors, but explicitly refused to send troops to intervene in the Central Asian situation. The reason was simple: the conditions were not yet ripe—as of last month, the 3,500 infantry and cavalry in Kucha had not yet been fully recruited.

The bad news is that the last group of people left just last month.

The good news is that the number of troops has exceeded the initial plan, and the number of troops in Kucha will reach 4,000. The adjusted number of troops is 3,000 infantry and 1,000 cavalry.

The organizational structure of Kucha Town is already very complete, and the Protectorate of the Western Regions has been operating there for quite some time.

The former vassal states of Kucha, Weitou and Wensu, have completely disappeared. Yang Qin refused the return of the King of Weitou and the King of Wensu who had fled abroad, and merged the two countries into one town, which was directly managed by the Protectorate of the Western Regions.

However, this group is still in the process of reorganization and cannot fight a major battle. In fact, "reorganization" is a euphemism. They spend most of their time farming and only start training after the autumn harvest. It just so happens that the equipment is almost finished being made by then.

Besides farming, it's said that the area gets quite messy and chaotic.

Imperial Censor Shao Fan privately reported that fights among women over husbands were frequent in Kucha, damaging the prestige of the state. Fortunately, after more than three thousand men had been sent, the shortage of able-bodied men had lessened. With the arrival of the last group, a stable four thousand households had been established in Kucha, giving the Great Liang Dynasty a relatively stable foothold in the Western Regions, from which it could gradually expand its influence.

It will take at least two more years for the troops of Kucha to be able to fight.

Therefore, he is powerless to help at this moment, although he really wants to do something—given that stabilizing the local situation is of utmost importance, any other unforeseen actions are not advisable and it is not the right time yet.

"Lizhi, why don't you take the Kangju people around?" Shao Xun said casually as he walked through the mountains and forests. "Let's first visit Luoyang, and then go to Bianliang. If they're not in a hurry to leave, we can also go to Yecheng and Guangling. If they are in a hurry to leave, then forget it."

"Yes, sir." Wang Feng, the Minister of State Ceremonies, replied respectfully, but in his heart he thought that these people would definitely not be happy to wander around aimlessly. Since he could not get any help, he should hurry back to report.

"Have you received all the books?" Shao Xun asked again.

“I accepted it,” Wang Feng replied.

What's the big deal about accepting or not accepting? If you're willing to give, they're willing to accept; it's not like you're losing anything.

As for what to do after returning, that's a matter for later. Moreover, it is said that only the southern part of Kangju is relatively peaceful now, and this part of the territory was actually acquired during Kangju's period of strength through expansion. It is mainly inhabited by Sogdians, while Kangju's "land of origin" is in the north (in present-day Kazakhstan), which is now frequently invaded by Xiongnu tribes. Thank goodness, after so much time, the Court of State Ceremonies finally knows where the Kuaihu people usually operate, which is why they appeared behind the first batch of western expeditionary forces.

"It's good that you accepted it," Shao Xun said.

Books, sometimes, seem like nothing more than a piece of paper, worthless.

For example, during the reign of Emperor Wu of Jin, Sima Yan, an envoy from the King of Kangju came to Luoyang to present tribute and receive investiture, but it was just a piece of paper, because the Sima Jin dynasty did not even have the Western Regions, and the Kangju envoy had to borrow a route to get there.

Things were a bit different during the Liang Dynasty, because they actually attacked the Western Regions just like the Former Qin and Northern Wei in history, and went even further by establishing a military garrison in Kucha.

"The prestige we gained during the Han Dynasty has faded with time. If we don't work hard to maintain it, the Western Regions will no longer be ours," Shao Xun said, standing on the hilltop and looking down at the galloping horses of the Western Regions on the grassland.

In truth, he didn't know why he was so determined to control the Western Regions; perhaps it was just an inexplicable obsession.

The Later Han dynasty was actually in a state of contraction in the Western Regions, but it still maintained a presence.

Cao Wei and Sima Jin did try, but they were powerless to do so.

The awe that the Western Regions countries have for the Central Plains dynasties may have diminished to a certain extent, and they need someone like Shao to "recharge" it.

Historically, Lü Guang of the Former Qin Dynasty made a significant investment and conquered Kucha. However, due to Fu Tianwang's defeat at the Fei River, the country was lost, and he had to withdraw with the looted wealth. The remaining balance in the "investment card" was not much. It wasn't until the Tang Dynasty added a large amount of money to the card, restoring the prestige of the Han Dynasty and further expanding control through immigration, garrisoning troops, and appointing officials, that the Tang Dynasty achieved even more thorough control than the Han Dynasty.

"I have done this right, and I have done my duty to those who come after me," Shao Xun said to Wang Feng with a smile.

Wang Feng gave an apologetic smile.

He couldn't understand the profound meaning behind the emperor's words because he hadn't considered the issue from a historical perspective.

"Let's go down the mountain," Shao Xun said with a wave of his sleeve.

After doing all this, it's not unreasonable for me to continue playing music and dancing, is it?
******
After returning to the courtyard of the hermitage, Shao Xun first held Shan Yinan and teased her for a while, then sat down and wrote a reply to Nian Liu.

His first few sons were all well-versed in classics such as "Guanzi," "The Book of Lord Shang," and "Discourses on Salt and Iron," and had a certain understanding of finance. Therefore, Shao Xun first began with a sentence from "Guanzi": "If the currency is too heavy, the people will die for profit; if the currency is too light, they will refuse to use it. Therefore, the weight of the currency should be adjusted to a certain level and then stopped..."

"Gaochang has recently seen a surge in silver and currency, causing prices to soar; this is an inevitable consequence. To alleviate their predicament, there are three methods—"

"One of them was to spend money in foreign lands and distribute their surplus."

"Secondly, the money was collected into the government treasury and private coffers, and its circulation was restricted."

"Thirdly, we should focus on our primary occupations, expand our fields, and increase livestock production so that millet and wheat are plentiful, dried meat and dairy products are abundant, cattle and horses are plentiful, cloth and silk are plentiful, ironworks are well-maintained, and the means of livelihood are plentiful. Then, prices will naturally decrease."

"The second and third methods can be used simultaneously, but you must be careful! You must take integrity as the foundation, for if you lose your integrity, you will be despised by all people, and there will be no greater disaster!"

"The method is simple: establish a Quanhuofu (a government office for collecting silver) to collect surplus silver from the people, issuing vouchers called 'Quanhuofu vouchers,' which can be redeemed at a specified date with interest. At that time, you can take about 50-60% of it for your own use." "As for how to use it, I will show you a way: you can take this silver to the Central Plains to buy slaves, return to Gaochang and be given land, freeing them from slavery and allowing them to live a normal life. In this way, many will flock to it."

"With a large population, agriculture and animal husbandry flourish, granaries are full and treasuries are overflowing, and the nation's resources are increasing daily. The foundation of good governance lies in benevolence and trustworthiness; you should understand this!"

"Finally, I have another plan to tell you: If you are trustworthy and well-regarded by the people, you can use the annual revenue of Gaochang as collateral to issue bonds to the people, called 'Quanfu Public Bonds,' with a repayment of principal and interest on schedule. The collected silver coins can then be used to buy slaves in the Central Plains market."

"However, this method is essentially using tomorrow's taxes to pay for today's expenses. It should not be attempted lightly unless absolutely necessary! It is only a temporary expedient when a powerful enemy is pressing in, the treasury is empty, and there is no money to rely on when offering rewards to recruit soldiers. Be careful! Be careful!"

“However, my son is always intelligent and must have already seen through this! Now, Persian silver is pouring in, and the official mints are producing more and more coins every day. As a result, the value of the coin will gradually become less and less valuable.”

"For example, if we borrow money today, it can be exchanged for 100,000 bushels of grain; however, after three years and five harvests, the amount of money we repay will probably not be worth that amount again! Although this is a deliberate act of undermining the creditor's rights, it is also a clever tactic that may be suitable for both superiors and subordinates."

"You are always good at knowing when to advance and when to retreat, and adept at grasping the key points. I only hope that you will carefully observe the proper measure and not go too far. Strive for it!"

After writing the last character, Shao Xun put down his brush and let it dry.

Yamashita sat beside him, watching in disbelief.

"You actually have so many ways to make money..." she murmured.

“This can only be used in Gaochang.” Shao Xun laughed smugly: “Grain prices are rising every day, and money is becoming less and less valuable. Anyone with a brain has to come up with a solution. Generals may be able to do business, but what about ordinary people? It would be good enough if there were a way to make their money earn interest.”

Shao Xun predicted that with the increasing prosperity of trade along the Silk Road, the fiscal revenue of the Gaochang Kingdom would see a significant increase, and the amount of currency issued would also increase day by day.

The practice of depositing money in banks and raising funds by issuing bonds, when the mints are constantly producing cash, is, to put it bluntly, a form of defaulting on debts. Deposits depreciate, debts are diluted—it's a classic case of defaulting on debts.

However, the Great Liang Dynasty did not actually have the foundation to implement such financial measures.

Firstly, there isn't enough currency. If physical bonds are issued, there's still a possibility that they won't be able to repay them.

However, in Gaochang Kingdom, the conditions were initially met, and the money raised was invested in real industries, such as buying slaves to increase the population, building passes and beacon towers, digging irrigation wells and canals, and even recruiting soldiers—military assets are also assets, and if Nian Liu were ruthless enough, he might be able to revitalize the army, which was often considered a liability.

Finally—and most importantly—Shao ​​Xun can back him up.

Even if the Silk Road trade suddenly stopped and gold and silver from the outside world no longer flowed into Gaochang in large quantities, causing a financial crisis, Shao Xun could still clean up the mess—Gaochang was only two counties with a population of more than 60,000, which was nothing in the face of the huge Central Plains dynasty. Moreover, the possibility of a financial crisis was very small, because even in the most war-torn years, the Silk Road trade was not completely interrupted.

Shao Xun felt like a mischievous child, using Gaochangguo as his toy, scribbling on it and testing his various methods.

Of course, once Nian Liu grows up, he might not completely follow his ideas. He's currently in a state where he's both short of money and not short of money. This kid will most likely only send people to the Central Plains to buy slaves, but he might not deal with the Quanhuofu (bank) or Quanhuofu public bonds (national bonds), because he's unfamiliar with them and is timid.

Whatever, let it be.

Shao Xun summoned the female official Yan and said, "Make a copy of the letter and archive it."

“Yes,” Yan replied.

Originally, it was Ying's turn to be on duty today, but she vomited incessantly yesterday, and after examination by the imperial physician, it was found that she was pregnant, so someone else was chosen to take her place.

"Have the previous letters been compiled into a book?" Shao Xun asked.

"The first volume has been compiled," Madam Yan replied. "The Minister of the Imperial Household even sent someone to inquire whether it should be printed."

"Not for now." Shao Xun hesitated for a moment before saying, "We'll have the printing plates made after the second and third volumes are released."

"Yes." Madam Yan bowed and withdrew.

Shao Xun smiled with satisfaction.

His and his son's practical financial training, with its details, examples, and even feedback from actual implementation, is far better than simply explaining principles.

The sound of a baby crying came from the side hall on the left.

Shan Yinan hurriedly got up, ready to breastfeed her son again.

Last August, she gave birth to a son, her second child with Shao Xun.

In July, Duan Mi'e gave birth to a daughter. In June, Zhuge Wenbao gave birth to a son, but unfortunately, the son died young.

Yao Laoqiang, that fellow, got drunk in Bianliang and boasted that he had nearly fifty sons, more than the emperor. Shao Xun felt slightly displeased when he heard this.

But—even though he was unhappy, Shao Xun felt he couldn't compare to Lao Yao, so he gave up the competition.

You little brat, I can get the queens and queens of Liu Han, Sima Jin, Tuoba Xianbei, and Murong Xianbei to bear my children. Can you do that?

After shaking his head for a while, Shao Xun stood up and prepared to return to Luoyang.

(End of this chapter)