Chapter 908: Not Accepting Treasure Notes

Chen Xun circled the spinning machine, muttering excitedly: "Brilliant, brilliant—added more spindles, what's this? Why does the machine move so easily with just a light touch?"

Yu Qian had already tilted his head to look at the ceiling; nothing was visible inside, but he'd noticed it when he entered the workshop: "It's the wind!"

After examining the spinning machine, Chen Xun turned to the loom and saw the female workers weaving double-sided brocade; he immediately leaned close to Pan Yun and asked eagerly: "State Master, did you design these new spinning and weaving machines?"

Pan Yun: "It's the achievement of the Ministry of Works' Textile Bureau officials and craftsmen."

"But your guidance was indispensable," Chen Xun rubbed his hands: "Since you came to the Ministry of Works, you've not only built wind-powered water wheels and improved all kinds of farm tools, but also created these spinning and weaving machines—truly a blessing for the nation, a blessing for the nation~~"

If past emperors' trusted Daoist Priests had spent state funds not to deceive them into taking elixirs and building temples, but instead, like Pan Yun, devoted themselves to inventing tools beneficial to the state and people, why would they have been so wary of Daoist Priests entering politics?

Chen Xun asked cautiously whether the new looms and spinning machines could be supplied to the Jiangning Weaving Bureau; he'd already quickly calculated: "With the maritime ban lifted, our Great Ming's cloth is wildly popular overseas—the Maritime Trade Office could take over part of the commerce; Jiangning Weaving, besides producing silk tributes, could also make ordinary silk and cloth for export, filling not only Your Majesty's private treasury but also the state treasury."

The Jiangning Weaving Bureau sounds grand, but it produces goods solely for the emperor and high officials.

Even so, it employs thirty thousand workers and supports twelve thousand residents, with an annual output value of eight million taels of silver.

Of course, this is the Ministry of Revenue's statistical figure.

With the state treasury strained and labor surplus severe in the south, Chen Xun's idea of involving Jiangning Weaving in maritime trade to earn foreign exchange was already rare—but to Pan Yun, it wasn't enough.

Pan Yun said: "Why not publish the new looms and spinning machines so everyone can order and purchase them? That way, not only Jiangning Weaving's output increases, but the entire Great Ming's textile capacity rises."

Chen Xun's mouth dropped open: "But then where's Jiangning Weaving's advantage?"

Yu Qian glanced at him and said to Pan Yun: "The key is, if production suddenly surges, many workers will lose their jobs, and demand for cotton, hemp, and silk will rise—within two years, it may encroach on grain farmland."

Chen Xun instantly understood, nodding rapidly: "Yes, yes!"

Pan Yun asked: "First, my lords—is Great Ming's labor surplus truly due to excess people, or because people aren't being put to proper use?"

Yu Qian and Chen Xun fell silent.

Pan Yun said: "Roads, bridges, houses, mines—all need labor. If corvée labor were abolished and these tasks paid wages like farming or weaving, would there still be refugees?"

Chen Xun's eyes widened: "How is that possible? How much money would that require?"

Pan Yun spread her hands: "So the root issue is lack of money—if the imperial court had enough money?"

Chen Xun swallowed hard and looked at the emperor.

The emperor, still ringing in the ears: "Corvée labor… Our China has had this system for over two thousand years—if I abolish it on my watch without harming the state treasury, then…"

Pan Yun replied calmly: "Your Majesty will be remembered for eternity!"

Yu Qian was slightly calmer than the others and said gravely: "It's not just about money—money must be backed by physical goods, such as grain!"

"So increasing agricultural output is crucial," Pan Yun said: "National development must be comprehensive; no single sector can be elevated alone, or the balance tips, and a single tree cannot stand."

Yu Qian's mind filled with calculations, Chen Xun lowered his gaze, the emperor brimmed with ambition, and even Empress Wang felt her blood boil—her cheeks remained flushed all the way home.

Once they entered the city, Pan Yun invited the emperor and empress to lunch.

Since entering the Kunning Palace, Empress Wang had never walked the streets; now seeing the bustling market, she immediately looked at the emperor.

The emperor could still fulfill this wish—he took her hand: "Come, what do you want to eat? I'll treat you."

Pan Yun pulled out a stack of treasure notes: "I just received my salary—I'll treat you."

Yu Qian and Chen Xun saw the treasure notes in Pan Yun's hand; their expressions turned complex, lips parted but silent, and upon closer look, clearly embarrassed.

Pan Yun pretended not to notice and led the emperor and empress to stroll and eat.

Seeing skewers, Pan Yun ordered ten; the vendor beamed, and as soon as they were grilled, Pan Yun reached for her treasure notes.

The vendor's smile froze: …

He awkwardly turned the skewers in his hands, timid yet resolute: "Miss, I don't accept treasure notes—do you have copper coins?"

Pan Yun looked disappointed: "You don't take treasure notes? But I didn't bring any copper coins today~~"

The vendor hesitated: "Perhaps you could come back next time with copper coins?"

Pan Yun stared longingly at the meat skewers: "Why not take treasure notes? Aren't they money too?"

The vendor sighed: "Your attire clearly marks you as wealthy and powerful—someone in your household holds office, right? Your treasure notes can still be spent, but for ordinary folk like us, they're just worthless paper—no one accepts them."

Pan Yun turned to look at the emperor, empress, and the two officials beside her.

Zhu Qiyu knew treasure notes were unpopular, but he didn't realize they were so despised they couldn't even be spent—he was both embarrassed and astonished.

Cheng Jing, quick-witted, immediately stepped forward clutching his money pouch: "I have copper coins!"

Cheng Jing paid for the ten meat skewers.

Pan Yun gave one skewer to each of them, kept three for herself, and walked on while eating.

Stopping at a stall, she picked up a beautifully carved wooden hairpin and asked the empress: "Young Master Zhu, does this wooden hairpin suit Lady Wang?"

Zhu Qiyu studied it carefully and nodded: "It's beautiful."

Pan Yun moved to buy it for Empress Wang, asked the price, and pulled out treasure notes again.

Everyone: … Again? Pan Yun was politely refused once more—finally, Cheng Jing paid.

Pan Yun wasn't discouraged at all; she pulled them toward the next shop.

At the general store, the shopkeeper glanced at them and refused treasure notes—again, Cheng Jing paid.

Pan Yun led them to the silk shop; when she pulled out treasure notes again, the shopkeeper didn't refuse outright but asked: "Do you have a wooden token? Or are you from which family?"

Pan Yun said: "My father is Right Assistant Director of the Honglu Temple."

The silk shop refused, politely: "Miss, your treasure notes are not accepted here. If you truly wish to spend them, go to a money exchange house and convert them to silver or copper."

Pan Yun asked: "Whose treasure notes do you accept?"

The silk shopkeeper smiled without answering: "Only those of fourth-rank officials or higher—and even then, not all fourth-rank officials' notes are accepted. Each trade has its own rules."

Pan Yun nodded; finally, Cheng Jing paid for the silk Pan Yun had chosen.

The shopkeeper was delighted and kindly pointed them toward the money exchange house, adding: "Visit several—exchange rates vary. If you have a higher-ranking official in your family, mention them—you'll get a better rate."