Chapter 010 The World is So Vast

Take the gold-backed coins from Nanjili as an example. Due to their exquisite minting and substantial materials, they are more favored than other local copper coins. Consequently, a single gold-backed coin is often worth two, three, or even five or ten of the other copper coins

Even coins minted in the same region can have differing values

Shells are surprisingly more trustworthy than silver, can you imagine

This broken place in Guizhou has no such twists and turns

Master Shen calculated: "The elementary reading materials and the Four Books and Five Classics, due to their widespread printing, belong to the cheapest category of editions. In the Jiangnan region, approximately five or six chickens could be exchanged for a set of the official edition of the 'Four Books with Commentaries.' If it were a privately printed inferior edition, one or two chickens could suffice for a set. Of course, this was the price in the early Hongzhi period; I am not very clear about the current prices."

If calculated in copper coins, how many wen would it take to buy a complete set of the "Four Books with Commentary"? Wang Yuan continued to inquire

How did a deity from the Jiangnan region come to be worshipped in the Southwest region

Furthermore, during the imperial examination, each newly appointed scholar would receive a stack of awarded banknotes. These items cannot be used for purchasing goods; they can only be taken home and stored away, and even for wiping oneself, they are deemed too uncomfortable.

Tributary states present their offerings, and the emperor bestows rewards in return. The items given as rewards are diverse, but they invariably include the shadow of precious banknotes. At times, the emperor may grant rewards amounting to hundreds of thousands in a single occasion—indeed, there are a few small nations that have taken the banknotes of the Ming Dynasty back to their lands, where they were once circulated as high-value currency, such as the Ryukyu Kingdom.

This is one thing, but the court issues its own currency and still has to repurchase it at a high price from the people, allowing those hoarding cash to take advantage of the situation

The outside world is so complicated! Wang Yuan couldn't help but exclaim

Is it true that shark fin existed as early as the Ming Dynasty

According to historical records, in the twenty-seventh year of the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty, there was a military household in Yunnan named Dong Yiyan, who sold his house to another military household named Zhong Dayong for a price of twenty-four taels of silver. However, fearing that the silver might be adulterated, he decided to change the transaction to shells, which were calculated to be two thousand one hundred and sixty shells.

Subsequently, Master Shen spoke about the situation of copper coins, which completely refreshed Wang Yuan's understanding of currency

Can a chicken still be used as a unit of currency

Wang Yuan was even more curious about the Ming Dynasty and quickly asked about other common knowledge of daily life

In the evening, all the residents of the village gathered at the sun-drying platform, where the shaman, wearing a mask, recited incantations and led everyone in performing the Miao dance, praying for the blessings of the Five Manifestations God for a bountiful harvest this year

This does not yet account for counterfeit money, as counterfeit coins made of copper-clad iron and copper-clad lead are everywhere. Sometimes, even experts who specialize in currency appraisal can be deceived. There are also those who take advantage by scraping the edges of copper coins, which causes the remaining coins to instantly depreciate.

The officials of the court often act erratically, suddenly mandating that a certain tax must be paid exclusively in banknotes

Under Wang Yuan's probing inquiries, Master Shen elaborated in detail, and it was only then that he realized the monetary system of the Ming Dynasty was exceedingly chaotic

Wang Yuan walked over, sat down on the ground to drink with Shen Fuceng, and laughed, "Why doesn't the gentleman join us for a dance?"

Five families? Master Shen did not calculate it clearly

Until the Chongzhen period, the Great Ming banknotes were still in use, primarily for rewards and tax collection

The official legal currency of a country has a printing cost that surprisingly exceeds its circulation value

Master Shen reminisced about his splendid first half of life and remarked: "When it comes to the scenery of Jiangnan, the most unforgettable is still shark fin. Its taste is exquisite, and it can also invigorate the spirit, truly a fine tonic!"

During the Tang and Song dynasties, copper coins were also used without fail in the Ming dynasty

Let us put it this way: a farmer from the mountainous region of Southern Zhili, carrying agricultural and sideline products to sell in Nanjing, would be bewildered by the value of copper coins alone, and it would be remarkable if he were not swindled to the point of near ruin.

Master Shen sat by the sun-dried terrace, watching the villagers perform the Nuo dance, shaking his head repeatedly. In his disdain, he could not help but take a sip of sweet wine, savoring it and exclaiming: "The lewd rituals are not to be taken seriously, but the sweet wine brewed by the Chuanqing people is truly delightful"

At the same time, the Five Manifestations deities worshipped by the Qing people differ from the main deities in Jiangnan, having also absorbed the belief in Erlang Shen from Sichuan, and further incorporating the customs of releasing the Five Zhang advocated by Zhu Yuanzhang

In the village of Chuanqing, on the eighth day of the fourth month, every household puts on new clothes and takes out their treasured corn to cook "flower rice"—that is, rice dyed golden yellow by boiling water filtered through yellow flower grass.

Master Shen sighed, "I am also unaware of the prices in Guizhou"

There are also various "Kaiyuan Tongbao" and "Qingli Tongbao", along with a large number of counterfeit ancient coins circulating in the market

These individuals hoard treasure notes at the price of buying grass paper, and then sell them to the taxable populace at the official price, reaping profits that are thousands of times greater. They even sell notes to the court, as the court does not print notes either; where else can they find treasure notes to reward the vassal states and the successful candidates?

The villagers descend the mountain to engage in trade, primarily in the form of bartering. Not to mention silver, even copper coins are rarely used, and there is no occurrence of receiving counterfeit money

The official currency is the Da Ming Bao Chao, but this item is essentially worthless, having ceased to be printed as early as the Xuan De period. Moreover, one reason for the cessation of the Bao Chao's printing was that the cost of printing exceeded its circulation value

Copper coins minted in Zhili generally circulate only in the Zhili region. Each province has its own minted copper coins, which vary in value, making it difficult for merchants to convert them at times

Wang Yuan said: "The Fang village chief asked me to inquire, how much will it cost to purchase those items?"

Master Shen soon welcomed the first festival after his ascent to the mountain

The "Jiaomaochong Festival" is similar to the Han people's "Tiancang Festival", primarily aimed at praying for a bountiful harvest of grains

This is a lewd sacrificial rite, indeed it is the act of barbaric outsiders

One is a world where shark fin is already popular, and the other is a world of primitive tribes, simply belonging to two different realms

Wang Yuan's long-dormant spiritual world suddenly became vibrant; he was unwilling to remain in Guizhou and was eager to go out and see the world!

In the early years of the Zhengde era, peanuts had not yet been introduced to China, and the drinking habits of the Ming people followed those of the Song dynasty. They either paired their drinks with dried fruits or candied fruits. Had it been a few decades later, Master Shen would certainly have used peanuts to make his point.

Thus, a new profession emerged: the house of currency hoarding

They are all part of the Ming Dynasty, but the differences between Jiangnan and Guizhou are quite significant

Wang Yuan asked: "What about the prices in Jiangnan?"

Master Shen was indifferent to this: "Alright, it doesn't matter, after all, those two are not significant."

Master Shen shook his head repeatedly: "It is impossible to clearly define the value of copper coins; only silver can be used to set the price."

The temperature in Guizhou is inherently low, and the Qiang people live in the mountains, which causes their spring plowing to occur much later than in other regions. It is not until around the eighth day of the fourth month that the true busy season of spring begins, driving away caterpillars to prevent them from nibbling on the seedlings, and praying for a bountiful harvest this year

If we further study the beliefs of the Chuanqing people, it will become even more intriguing

"Yes, five families. The Wang family, the Fang family, the Yuan family, the Liu family, and also the He family," Wang Yuan explained, pointing to the shaman dancing by the bonfire. "The He family has always been in charge of the sacrifices and is also the doctor in the village. Old Master He wants to send his two grandsons here to study and is willing to cover all daily expenses"

April 8, the Festival of Marrying Caterpillars

Wang Yuan was left speechless, exclaiming in his heart how extraordinary it was

Wang Yuan said, "I have discussed with Master Fang that the expenses for purchasing ink, brushes, paper, inkstones, and books will be shared equally among our five families"

Wang Yuan felt that his cognitive limits were about to be completely refreshed today

However, although the issuance has been suspended, it remains the official currency, and its legal status will always be superior to that of silver and copper coins

Moreover, although the people of the Qingshan region do not particularly believe in Buddhism, a popular saying associated with the Caterpillar Wedding Festival goes: "Buddha was born on the eighth day of the fourth month, today the caterpillar gets married. Once married deep in the mountains, it shall never return home!" Later, they even involved Taoism, writing this saying on yellow paper talismans and crossing them to paste on the front door to ward off insects

As for taxation, that is the most exploitative!

How many hidden agendas are there, how much collusion exists, one can understand it even by thinking with the heel of one's foot

Pay your sister's taxes!

In fact, not only during the Ming Dynasty, but even during the Qing Dynasty, the use of shells as currency was still prevalent in Yunnan

The Five Manifestations revered by the Chuanqing people belong to the folk deities of Jiangnan during the Tang and Song dynasties. Throughout the ages, they have been referred to by various names, and it was not until the reign of Emperor Huizong of the Song dynasty that they were officially conferred the title of "Lord of the Five Manifestations" by the emperor

But that's paper money! Just print it quickly

It is highly likely that some of the ancestors of the Qingshan people came from Jiangnan, some from Sichuan, and others were soldiers of the official army during the early Ming Dynasty

They celebrate the "Maochong Festival" together with the Tujia and other ethnic groups, the "Duanwu Festival" with the Zhongjia and other ethnic groups, and the "Chongyang Festival" with the Han people. (Note: The Zhongjia is the predecessor of the Zhuang and Bouyei ethnic groups, and the Qingshan people refer to zongzi as "Zhongba," which is likely inherited from the Zhongjia.)

Master Shen smiled and said, "Speaking of currency, it reminds me of an interesting anecdote. Several years ago, I attended a banquet with my benefactor, where a scholar from Yunnan mentioned that they are still using cowrie shells as currency over there"

The complexity of the lineage of the Chuanqing people can be glimpsed through their traditional festivals

"Drinking is sufficient," Master Shen said as he took a sip while enjoying the fried pine nuts, praising, "Although there are no dried fruits or candied snacks to accompany the wine, these fried pine nuts have their own unique flavor."

The Great Ming banknotes have long ceased to be printed, where can one find taxable banknotes in the short term?