Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 122 Issuing Currency

The release of the "Spark Examination" results caused a shockwave in Spark Fortress and its surrounding areas that was no less significant than a military victory. When the list of successful candidates, still wet with ink and bearing the seals of the Civil Administration and the Examination and Merit Department, along with copies of the exam papers of the top ten "outstanding" candidates, was posted on the notice board outside the main gate of Spark Fortress and in prominent places in the major fortified villages, countless people crowded in front of the list, craning their necks to find their own names or the names of familiar neighbors.

Those who passed were overjoyed, incredulous, and speechless with excitement; those who failed were either dejected or clenched their fists in silent encouragement, vowing to try again next year. But a deeper impact was quietly brewing. Those scholars from humble backgrounds, and even ordinary literate people, who had initially harbored doubts and adopted a wait-and-see attitude towards the new regime, began to have their judgment shift when they saw that the list indeed included many names of people from humble origins, even former members of the Black Mountain rebellion, who had been selected based solely on their talent. They realized that here, one could truly succeed regardless of background, solely based on talent!

The opening of the selection process for clerks was like injecting new lubricant and power into the somewhat sluggish administrative machine. The two hundred-plus newly recruited clerks, after a brief period of intensive training—primarily to familiarize themselves with the framework of the *Star Laws*, the procedures of the three ministries, and basic document formats—were assigned to various departments within the Military and Civil Administration Ministries, as well as to grassroots positions in the new territories. Although inexperienced, they were young, energetic, and cherished this hard-won opportunity. More importantly, they had been selected through relatively fair examinations, possessed a natural affinity for the Starfire Fortress system, and demonstrated strong execution capabilities. The pressure on Zhao Tiezhu and Wu Xuejiu's shoulders immediately eased.

However, with the improvement of administrative efficiency and the increasing frequency of economic activities, another more fundamental and more intractable problem has emerged.

On this day, Zhao Tiezhu hurriedly arrived at Chen Xing's meeting room carrying a stack of account books and several heavy bags, his face showing obvious trouble.

"My lord, take a look at this." He spread out the account book, opened several bags, and poured out their contents.

On the table, besides a few silver ingots of varying purity, were many copper coins of all kinds: some with neat edges and the inscription "Da Yan Tong Bao," but heavily worn and with blurred characters; others thin and of poor quality, "trimmed coins" or "bad coins" privately minted by local powerful figures, almost half the size and weight of normal copper coins; there were also old coins from previous dynasties, and even coins from more ancient dynasties mixed in. In addition, there were some cloth and grain promissory notes used as general equivalents, and even records of direct barter.

"These are the tax revenues and transaction receipts collected by the various tax offices and market bureaus this month," Zhao Tiezhu said with a bitter face. "My lord, things are in chaos! The currency systems in different regions are chaotic, with vastly different purity, weights, and values. People argue endlessly when trading, and unscrupulous merchants take advantage of the situation. Tax collection is even more difficult; officials struggle to determine the value of currency, easily leading to disputes and opportunities for embezzlement. Our prefecture's calculation of income and expenditure is so labor-intensive, just estimating and converting these various currencies, that it often results in errors. If this continues, commerce will struggle to flourish, taxes will be difficult to regulate, and the finances will be a complete mess!"

Chen Xing picked up several copper coins of different styles and weighed them in his hand. He then glanced at the rough silver ingots and the messy accounts, his brow furrowing deeply. He knew all too well the importance of a unified currency for the economy and even the regime. A chaotic monetary system would severely hinder internal market circulation, increase transaction costs, affect fiscal stability, and further undermine the establishment of the regime's authority. Just think, how could one effectively govern if one couldn't even unify the currency circulating within one's own territory?

"What kind of currency is mainly used in the market? How is its reputation?" Chen Xing asked.

"The previous dynasty's 'Da Yan Tong Bao' coins were still reasonably reputable, but their quantity was limited, and they were severely worn and counterfeited. Private minting of inferior coins was rampant in various places, causing great harm to the people. Large transactions were mostly conducted using silver ingots or cloth, which was extremely inconvenient. In the old Black Mountain region, there was even bartering," Zhao Tiezhu replied.

Chen Xing pondered for a moment, then asked, "What is the state of our own copper reserves?"

"We previously received supplies from Montenegro, including a considerable amount of copperware and raw copper. Combined with our existing reserves, the smelted quantity is quite substantial. There's also some silver, but not much." Zhao Tiezhu's eyes lit up. "My lord, could it be that you intend to…?"

"Excellent," Chen Xing said decisively. "It's time to issue our own currency! Currency is not only a medium of exchange, but also a symbol of the regime's credibility! We must mint a high-quality, pure, stable-value, and counterfeit-proof coin to gradually replace all old and bad currency, and completely seize control of the economic lifeline!"

He turned to Wu Xuejiu, who was standing to the side, and said, "Mr. Wu, you should immediately gather skilled craftsmen proficient in smelting and casting, together with relevant officials from the Civil Affairs Bureau, to form a 'Ministry of Finance and Law' to specifically handle this matter. I have a few requests:"

"First, the form of the coins. Copper coins will be the main type, and large-denomination coins with deceptive value will not be issued for the time being. There are two types of copper coins: one is the 'Xingyuan Tongbao,' which is one coin and serves as the basic unit. The other is the 'Xingyuan Zhongbao,' which is worth ten coins. The form must be uniform, neat, and beautiful, so that people can immediately feel that it is more reliable than the old coins."

"Secondly, the purity and weight. 'Xingyuan Tongbao' coins must be cast in fine copper, with a purity of at least 70%, and weigh one qian (approximately 3.5 grams). 'Xingyuan Zhongbao' coins will weigh ten times that of the Tongbao, with the same purity. We want the people to know that Xinghuobao's money is genuine and honest!"

"Third, anti-counterfeiting. This is of paramount importance!" Chen Xing emphasized. "We need to design unique, difficult-to-counterfeit markings on the coins. For example, the inscriptions should use a special font or seal script, with samples personally written by me. The edges of the coins can be marked with a meander pattern or a spark symbol. We could even consider incorporating trace amounts of special metals or processes that only we possess, making it impossible for counterfeiters to replicate. At the same time, we must enact strict laws; anyone who privately mints Spark coins will be severely punished!"

"Fourth, exchange and implementation. Establish 'official money shops,' initially in Xinghuobao and major fortified villages. Allow the people to exchange old money, silver, cloth, and even grain for new money at a fair ratio. All government revenue and expenditure, military pay disbursement, and market transactions must gradually adopt the new money. A six-month transition period will be given, during which old money can circulate proportionally, but the government will only collect taxes in new money or the full amount of silver. After the transition period, old money will cease circulation and will be uniformly collected and melted down by the government."

"Fifth, stabilize the currency value. Strictly control the amount of new money issued, linking it to the government's reserves of grain, cloth, and other goods to ensure the currency's purchasing power remains basically stable and to gain the people's trust. In the initial stages, it's better to issue less and more slowly, just to establish credibility!"

Chen Xing gave out instructions one by one, his thinking clear and his consideration thorough. Zhao Tiezhu nodded repeatedly, his eyes shining. Wu Xuejiu quickly jotted down the key points, preparing to get started immediately after the meeting.

"This matter concerns the foundation of the economy and the support of the people, so we must be extremely cautious and thorough," Chen Xing concluded. "Once the coin design is complete, present it to me first. Have a batch of coins trial-minted to test the purity, craftsmanship, and anti-counterfeiting measures. Once everything is ready, choose an auspicious day for the official promulgation!"

"Yes, sir!" Zhao Tiezhu and Wu Xuejiu replied in unison, leaving with full enthusiasm and a sense of mission.

In the days that followed, the "Coinage Department" operated at high speed under Wu Xuejiu's coordination. The top coin-making craftsmen from the Imperial Workshop were gathered together to repeatedly experiment with the copper-tin-lead ratio, striving to ensure that the coins were beautiful in color, hard in texture, and had a clear sound while maintaining their purity. Chen Xing personally wrote the coin inscription samples for "Xingyuan Tongbao" and "Xingyuan Zhongbao" using his unique font that blended modern aesthetics with an ancient style, and designed a set of hidden patterns of stars and flames around the square hole, with fine lines that were extremely difficult to imitate.

The craftsmen produced exquisite master coins and coin molds according to the requirements. After numerous trial castings and adjustments, the final "Xingyuan Tongbao" coin was determined to be about one inch in diameter, with uniform thickness, clear and upright characters, and fine meander patterns along the edges. It gleamed with a warm copper luster in the sunlight, and produced a clear and resonant sound when struck. In both appearance and feel, it far surpassed any old coin circulating in the market. The "Xingyuan Zhongbao" coin was even thicker and slightly larger, and equally exquisite.

At the same time, the Minzhi government promulgated a detailed draft of the "Currency Law," which clearly defined the form, fineness, weight, exchange rate with the old currency, implementation steps, and strict anti-counterfeiting and punishment clauses for the new currency. Li Shu's supervisory forces also began to intervene, monitoring for any potential signs of illegal minting in advance.

A month later, everything was ready.

On this day, a high platform was erected again outside the main gate of Xinghuo Fortress, but this time it was not for proclaiming laws, but for "showing off money." The crowd below the platform was just as huge, with the people looking on curiously.

Chen Xing stepped onto the stage, holding a tray covered with red silk, on which were neatly arranged brand-new, glittering "Star Yuan Tong Bao" and "Star Yuan Zhong Bao".

"People of Starfire!" Chen Xing proclaimed loudly, "Today, I present this item to you all! This is the coin minted by my Starfire Fortress—the Star Element Coin! The Star Element Treasure!"

He picked up a coin, held it high, and let the sunlight shine on it: "This coin is cast from fine copper, with a purity of seven percent, and weighs a full one qian! The inscription was personally written by me, and the hidden marks on the edge are unique, with superb anti-counterfeiting features! From this day forward, it will be the only legal tender of Xinghuo Fortress!"

He detailed the exchange policy, implementation steps, and key points of the "Currency Law," concluding with: "The credibility of this currency is tied to the credibility of Xinghuo Fortress! In the name of the Lord of Xinghuo Fortress, I swear: Under my rule, Xingyuan currency will have a constant value, and will be used fairly and impartially! The government will do its utmost to uphold its credibility, crack down on illegal minting, and ensure its circulation! I hope everyone will actively exchange and use it, jointly prospering Xinghuo's commerce and strengthening the foundation of our homeland!"

After speaking, he personally poured the first basket of brand-new "Xingyuan Tongbao" coins into the money trough of the "official money shop" that had been prepared and was guarded by officials from the Minzhi Prefecture. The copper coins clinked together, producing a pleasant and solid sound.

Several reputable merchants who had been notified in advance and had exchanged a small amount of new currency for old money or goods were the first to put up signs that read "We welcome the use of Xingyuan Tongbao" and offered small discounts for using the new currency.

Curious, the people gathered around the official money shop, looking at, inquiring about, and touching the brand-new coins. Their neat design, exquisite lettering, weighty feel, and the backing of the government quickly won over most people. Small merchants and ordinary farmers, especially those who had suffered from bad money, were filled with anticipation for the new currency.