Chapter 170: Yinzhou Coin

In reality, the representatives of the various Feudatory Kings of the Longyan Dynasty had arrived several days ago.

It was just that Liu Zheng had been keeping them waiting.

On one hand, he was keeping them waiting; on the other, he was letting these people spend freely within Yinzhou to appreciate the current prosperity of Yinzhou—this fellow was truly ingenious when it came to promoting his own Yinzhou.

But how could these people have the heart for that?

At this moment, gathered in this Fengming Tower, the group was very anxious.

"Oh my, Lao Wang, you've come too!"

"Lao Xu? Haha, I trust you have been well!"

"Lao Ma is here this time too? I heard that fellow is highly trusted by the Prince of Shu these days. Where is he?"

"Here, I'm here!"

These people were merchants by status, but behind them stood various Feudatory Kings.

That Lao Ma wiped his mouth and laughed heartily: "I've really drunk too much fine wine in Yinzhou these past few days. You all know I love my liquor; I truly don't want to go back!"

The crowd roared with laughter, one after another saying that he was not only fond of wine but also of women, which was why he had forgotten everything the moment he stepped into this Fengming Tower.

At this time, people also began to talk about the local customs of Yinzhou.

Everyone had said Yinzhou was an ungovernable land, but upon arriving today, they realized the city's construction had already begun to advance by leaps and bounds. High-rise buildings stood in great numbers, and the various styles of architecture were dazzling to behold.

Who would still dare to say Yinzhou was poor?

The merchants sighed with endless emotion one after another.

"Have you all seen those stone houses?"

"Yes, yes, yes, how were those built?"

"I don't know..."

"I heard that Young Master Liu of Yinzhou invented a new building material called cement!"

"Has anyone been to Yintan City?"

"I've seen it from afar, unable to go deep inside. But that road leading to Loulan is truly a miracle of the current age!"

Everyone was filled with wonder.

Since ancient times, merchants were not just out to do business; they were also there to gather intelligence. By now, the name of Liu Zheng had spread throughout the world, and everyone came out of admiration, most having the same reaction as them.

A year ago, this barren Yinzhou, once called an "ungovernable land," was now advancing by leaps and bounds in agriculture, commerce, entertainment, and manufacturing, leaving people shocked. No one could deny that Yinzhou was gradually occupying a very important position in the Longyan Dynasty.

"Prefect Liu is here!"

Just then, the manager announced.

The group stood up one after another, their eyes burning as they watched Liu Zheng, Zheng Yueru, and Du Biao walk over together.

"We commoners pay our respects to Prefect Liu!"

"Young Master Liu!"

"Greetings, Young Master Liu!"

Liu Zheng looked at these merchants in fine clothes, as if each one were a mountain of gold and silver, and became a bit more courteous: "Everyone, no need for formalities, sit, sit, sit! How have you felt these past few days?"

These people naturally praised him highly, offering flattery one after another.

That merchant surnamed Ma was the first who could not help but ask: "Young Master Liu, this Yinzhou truly makes one happy enough to forget home. It's just that we came this time under the commission of the Prince of Shu..."

"Yes, Young Master Liu, regarding the matter of the Weaponry and Equipment..."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's eyes lit up, yet they were also filled with worry.

What made their eyes light up was that whenever Weaponry and Equipment were involved, the profits were imaginable. Otherwise, since ancient times, why were arms dealers always so wealthy? What worried them was that the Baiya Army had just had an incident, and a non-existent Account Book had left many Feudatory Kings sitting on pins and needles; would purchasing these Yinzhou Weaponry and Equipment really result in an Account Book?

That would be giving others something to gossip about and providing them with leverage.

This was also why, after the Baiya Army incident, those Feudatory Kings did not come to find Liu Zheng personally, but instead sent these representatives directly to Yinzhou. In reality, these frightened Feudatory Kings were also here to test the waters.

The old Emperor was clearly not old yet.

If the Emperor were to find out about this purchase of military supplies, what would happen?

Liu Zheng laughed and said: "What you are all thinking, I, Zheng, understand."

He instructed someone to pour a cup of wine for each person; the group thanked him one after another, then looked at Liu Zheng with eager eyes, waiting for his reply.

Only then did Liu Zheng say: "As everyone knows, the development of the Yinzhou Chamber of Commerce has already taken initial shape."

The crowd gave bitter smiles one after another.

It was clearly on its way to becoming the number one Chamber of Commerce in Longyan; calling this "taking initial shape" was simply too modest.

"Therefore, to avoid a repeat of the Baiya Army Account Book incident—of course, I, Liu Zheng, guarantee here that this is not aimed solely at Weaponry and Equipment transactions, but at all transactions, including fine wine, the Yinzhou Plow, as well as soap, perfume, and so on and so forth—as long as it is a product provided by the Yinzhou Chamber of Commerce, it will be like this."

The crowd became even more curious and leaned in to listen.

Only then did Liu Zheng drink a cup of wine to moisten his throat and continue: "The Yinzhou Chamber of Commerce will launch Chamber of Commerce Silver Notes, which we call the Yinzhou Coin!"

The crowd was in an uproar.

Someone asked: "Young Master Liu, do you intend to establish a Bank?"

"But, as far as I know, the Yinzhou Chamber of Commerce doesn't have a single Bank yet..."

"This..."

In the Longyan Dynasty, only Banks issued Silver Notes; in reality, they were Banks.

But the Yinzhou Chamber of Commerce did not have a single Bank.

Liu Zheng laughed heartily: "Everyone, that is not the case. The Yinzhou Coin is not a simple Silver Note, and we do not need a Bank to support it!"

Everyone was stunned.

Without a Bank, what was the point of a Silver Note? In this era, weren't Silver Notes only in existence because carrying gold and silver was inconvenient, thus ensuring that wherever one went, there was gold and silver to be withdrawn and used?

Liu Zheng explained: "Everyone, listen to me slowly!"

"From now on, the Yinzhou Coin will be the only currency for transactions recognized by the Yinzhou Chamber of Commerce!"

"Huh?"

The group's expressions changed drastically once again.

The only currency?

In other words, from now on, using gold and silver to buy things from Yinzhou won't work anymore? It must be exchanged for these Yinzhou Coin?

Liu Zheng nodded: "The only currency! No matter who it is, they can only exchange gold and silver for Yinzhou Coin, and then go to Loulan to pick up the goods!"

"Young Master, why go to Loulan?"

"Wouldn't that increase the costs significantly?"

"Young Master, why go far away when you can stay close?"

The group was confused again.

Liu Zheng smiled and said nothing.

He knew that people in this era would certainly not understand the concept of "Decentralization." But he also knew that Huaxia civilization had never lacked clever people since ancient times.

The merchants discussed it heatedly, full of excitement.

The merchant surnamed Ma suddenly had his eyes light up and slapped his thigh: "I understand now!"

Liu Zheng chuckled and looked at him: "Please, go ahead."

The wealthy merchant Ma laughed heartily: "The Young Master means that if we pick up the goods from Loulan, then these goods will no longer have anything to do with Yinzhou! There will be no trace of them in Yinzhou!"

The crowd was startled and realized it one after another.

Liu Zheng nodded: "Not only will there be no trace, but you can buy as much as you want; how much you buy will have nothing to do with Yinzhou anymore..."

He looked around and chuckled: "Everyone, I'm afraid even the Emperor wouldn't be able to find out how much your Feudatory King behind you has bought, right?"

The scene went silent.

Then, they all looked at Liu Zheng in astonishment.

How did he come up with this Method?

"But Young Master, Loulan is a long way off..."

Liu Zheng smiled: "What is my Silk Road for?"

"Furthermore, in view of the rise in transportation costs, Yinzhou will provide a certain amount of compensation in the price of the goods."

"Yintan City will also be specially equipped with transportation teams."

"You can also hire our transport teams, or find your own Method to transport them back... In short, the shipping point is not in Yinzhou, and the pickup point is not in Yinzhou either!"

"We are only responsible for production."

"Do you understand?"

The whole place was in an uproar.

Afterwards, everyone became excited.

This was the answer the Feudatory Kings wanted!