Many people think that at this time, Goryeo was thousands of miles away, a province with poor products and a population of only a million. However, this was only relative to the Central Plains, and compared with the Southern Han Dynasty, the national power was not much different.

Gold, silver, copper, ginseng, poria, pine nuts, fur, yellow paint, sulfur, damask, ramie, linen, horses, saddlery, robes, mattresses, sesame oil, gold and silver bronzeware, mother-of-pearl utensils, literary seats, fans

, writing brushes, ink, etc. are all exported goods from Goryeo, and they are relatively popular products in both the Central Plains and Lingnan.

Although the profit is not much, it only takes ten months to travel to the Central Plains. The profit is twice as much, so Li Jia will naturally not let this route pass.

What's more, the amount of gold and silver in Goryeo was extremely large, and the exchange ratio was very small compared with that in the Central Plains. The price difference was comfortable to earn.

Unexpectedly, Li Jia also made friends with the envoy Shuang Ji of the Later Zhou Dynasty in the capital. This civil servant who stayed in Goryeo due to illness was outstanding in talent and learning. He was promoted from Hanlin to Wenheng. Finally, he went to Guangzong in the ninth year.

(958) proposed the Korean imperial examination system, which had been popular in Korea for 936 years until 1894, making it the longest foreign examination system in China.

In order to monopolize Goryeo's trade, just the name of a royal merchant was of little use. Li Jia actively tried to win over this important minister and did what he liked. He fished out some from his private collection and gave him a large amount.

book signatures.

Finally, he spent a lot of money to buy a hundred knots of land (the Korean peninsula learned from Guan Zhong's measurement method from Qi State since the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. Each knot refers to land that produces twenty shi of rice per mu), and then he could reluctantly persuade him to persuade him.

Guangzong.

What they did was just to monopolize the coinage rights of Goryeo, so as to control Goryeo financially. This was often more obscure and more profitable than political control.

The King of Goryeo sat on the mattress, with personal attendants kneeling on both sides, responsible for conveying the king's decree. The ministers met every five days. Since Goryeo was still governed by the joint rule of nobles and kings at this time, there were very few affairs. Li Jia, the royal businessman, was

In Goryeo, it also depends on whether the nobles will give you face.

"Please come up——"

Li Jia accompanied Shuang Ji and stood outside the door. Looking at this narrow palace with the flavor of the Tang Dynasty, Li Jia felt quite emotional.

Then, the conductor came out of the palace, saw Shuang Ji who was revered by the saint, and called out to him intimately.

Staring closely at the pace of the old man, Li Jia followed step by step, with his head lowered, his waist slightly bent, and his knees bent, with a respectful look on his face.

"Saint——" Shuangji knelt down and shouted, and Li Jia also shouted. Goryeo followed the Tang system. Although he was a king to the outside world, he still regarded himself as the emperor. He wore a yellow robe and practiced the "Tang Code".

"Sparse Discussion".

"What is the purpose of the Qing family's request for a meeting this time?"

Goryeo Guangzong sat on the mat, leaning slightly to show that he valued this Confucian minister.

"I have looked around all the countries, and those who were governed by Confucius and Mencius minted coins to spread the world and show their orthodoxy. Our country, Koryo, is thousands of miles away and has a population of more than one million. Confucianism is prosperous and the country is victorious in the east of the sea. It is known as the Little Central Plains!"

"In this way, our country barters for things and uses silver bottles. Doesn't it mean that we are inferior to other countries?"

"Moreover, although my king is the emperor of Haedong, the common people in the prefectures and counties of Goryeo only know the governors and envoys, but do not know the saints. If you mint coins, you will be able to declare your orthodoxy and declare the power of my king!"

As expected of a scholar, Li Jia really admired him very much when he talked.

"What you said is indeed reasonable!" Guangzong chatted with his attendants, nodded, and affirmed:

"However, although our country is large, it does have few copper mines. If it is possible to forge iron coins, the forging is not as good as that of the Central Plains!"

Although it learned from the Central Plains and attracted the Han people, Goryeo was still in the transition stage from slave society to feudal society. No matter the system, population, technology, etc., it was still inferior to the Central Plains, and even some places were still practicing slash-and-burn farming.

Guangzong's words were echoed by many of his ministers. It was precisely because he was aware of the gap that he advocated Confucianism and governed the country with Tang laws. However, after all, there was a thousand years of difference.

"Exactly as expected, I recommend Li Sanlang to Your Majesty!" Shuangji stepped aside and revealed Li Jia's figure. "Oh? Li Yushang? Do you know how to forge copper coins?"

"Sage, I am from Lingnan. Although I am far away from the Central Plains, if there is enough copper material, I can forge copper coins for the saint!" Li Jia glanced at Guangzong who was sitting on the mattress and felt the king's affection.

majesty.

"Oh? But our country is also short of copper materials. If we just rely on imports from other countries, it will be a lot of waste!" Guangzong spoke authentic Central Plains Chinese with a slight Bianliang accent. He must have learned a lot about Chinese culture.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I have dedicated people under my command to search for mountains and mines. Our country is rich in treasures, has outstanding people, and the Holy Emperor is here. Some copper mines will definitely be found!"

Li Jia lowered his head and flattered him sincerely.

However, what he said is indeed true. In the north of North Korea, near Changbai Mountain, there is the largest copper mine in Asia with an astonishing storage capacity. Although it is under the control of Hou Bohai State at this time, it will be stolen by Goryeo in the near future.

"Water from afar cannot quench the thirst of the nearer, and it is not easy to find copper ore and mine it!" Guangzong shook his head and rejected this seemingly good proposal.

At this time, Goryeo was still in the aristocratic alliance stage. If copper mines were discovered on the territory of those nobles, it would be very detrimental to the central court. Naturally, it would not be possible for Guangzong, who had always been committed to centralizing power.

"In this case, your majesty, please promise me to serve as a minister with full power to purchase copper from the south with grain, gold and silver from Goryeo. The copper purchased every year will be enough to supply the whole country!"

"After the issuance of copper coins, your majesty will be able to collect taxes from domestic merchants' transactions and fill the national treasury!"

Who would have thought that the prevailing currency in Goryeo at this time was silver bottles, barter, and there was no commercial tax. Except for those directly controlled by the central government, other places only paid tribute to some grains and specialties every year. There was no limit to the amount. It all depended on

Is the central government strong?

"Business tax?" Guangzong pondered. If copper coins can be issued to tax merchants, the central government will naturally have money to expand the army and continue to widen the gap with the nobility. This is a good strategy to strengthen the weak branches!

"The talents of the Qing family are rare, but doing business is nothing more than a waste. It is better to be an official. I will not begrudge the land and title!"

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. My talents are only for doing business and serving as an official to govern the country. It is not what I can do!" Li Jia quickly declined. I don't want to do the important thing of reviving the Tang Dynasty. I come here to be an official. It's funny.

"In this case, I will grant you the title of Jincao Yuanwailang (sixth grade) of the Ministry of Household Affairs, specializing in copper coin casting!"
Chapter completed!