"Since human beings have developed civilization, primitive transactions have given rise to coins. In the beginning, coins were sharp stone tools..."

"Then the question is, which little guy can answer me, why was the first currency of mankind a sharp stone tool?"

In the quiet courtyard, Gu Tianya's voice was gentle.

He did not directly talk about the importance of coinage. Instead, he first asked an interesting question, as if he was really giving a lecture, and he was earnest and good at attracting children to think.

But it's not just the children who are thinking.

The adults were obviously deep in thought.

For example, Li Shimin's eyes were a little confused at this time. It was obvious that he had never considered this kind of problem before, so he was confused for a moment.

Another example is Li Jiancheng, who is also meditating at this time. As the eldest brother of the Li family, what he is best at is coordinating money. However, although he is good at coordinating money, he seems to have never thought about the nature of money.

So Gu Tianya's question first stumped a group of adults.

On the contrary, the children were innocent and lively, and did not care whether the question had any profound meaning. However, when they saw a group of little guys making noises, they rushed to raise their little hands to express their desire to answer.

"Uncle and uncle, let me answer..."

First, a young boy grabbed the first place, ran to Gu Tianya like a man, and replied hurriedly: "I know, I know, my uncle told us the story of the Stone Age before, and the tools used by humans at that time.

They are all stone tools. Since stone tools are tools, they will appear to be very important. For example, the sharper the stone tools, the more they can help humans work at that time, so they are more important than ordinary stone tools, so they are very, very popular.

"

The little guy spoke triumphantly, held his little head high and made a concluding speech, loudly saying: "When everyone likes something, this thing has a conventional value. As time continues to develop,

Gradually, it will serve as an intermediate for equivalent exchange. For example, the sharp stone tools of ancient times will inevitably become the currency used in human transactions at the beginning... The reason is very simple and everyone recognizes it."

All the adults in the courtyard looked shocked.

Li Shimin stood up suddenly and strode forward suddenly. The emperor subconsciously reached out his hand, touched the little guy's forehead, and said in amazement: "Qingque, are these your own thoughts? Tell Father, you have

There is no fraud. For example, did your uncle teach you to recite these words in advance?"

It turned out that this guy was Li Tai, whose nickname was Qingqueer. When the little guy heard Li Shimin's question, he immediately turned his little head to the side and said in a very aggrieved tone: "I definitely didn't lie. This is the answer I thought of myself.

"

"You can actually think of this?"

Li Shimin was obviously still doubtful and couldn't help but added: "You are only ten years old this year..."

The emperor was only halfway through his words when he suddenly felt that this statement hurt the child's heart, so he quickly stopped and said with emotion: "A ten-year-old child actually knows more than me."

Draw red envelopes!

Li Tai became obviously excited, his little head turned back anxiously, and he said proudly: "We study with my uncle, and we learn a lot every day."

Li Shimin nodded heavily, his tone was full of solemnity, and he said slowly: "Okay, very good, really good. Qingqueer, you have learned really well."

At this time, another little guy ran over, raising his little head full of grievances, and shouted in a milky voice: "Father, father, father, actually I also know the answer, but I was beaten to it by Brother Qingque, and I couldn't."

Be the first to come over and answer questions."

Li Shimin laughed loudly, reached out and caressed the little guy's forehead, and praised: "The child slave is also very good."

After the emperor said this, he turned his eyes to more children and said solemnly: "You are all very good, and you are all good children worthy of praise. I have decided to give rewards to all the royal children studying in Youzhou.

Everyone will be rewarded with a piece of money. But this money is not given to you, but directly to your mother."

"The reason why I did this is because this is the first money you have earned. I gave this reward directly to your mother, which counts as the first filial piety in your life."

Li Shimin walked back to the wine table with emotion, suddenly reached out and patted Gu Tianya on the shoulder, and said solemnly: "Brother, thank you."

The emperor's words came from his sincerity.

As for what I'm thankful for, it's all hard to say.

Gu Tianya smiled slightly and nodded to express his acceptance.

He looked at the children and spoke again in a gentle voice: "Qingque just answered my question, which can be regarded as a perfect answer. The so-called coins are just general equivalents. When everyone recognizes it,

At that time, it has the substitutability of item trading."

He paused for a moment, then continued: "And it is precisely because of this substitutability that the most important attribute of money is reflected. What is it? It is purchasing power. What does purchasing power mean? It means that it can dominate

economy."

"I once told you that the economy is the most important part of human society. Then conversely, it can also be said that money is also the most important part of human society."

"From a country to a family, as long as anyone is still in a social group, they are absolutely inseparable from the influence of money."

"Coins are so important!"

"So throughout the ages, every dynasty has paid great attention to coinage. Only by mastering coinage and promoting it can we control the country and stabilize the economy."

"But I once said that not every dynasty's coins will be recognized by others. For example, the money of the Jin Dynasty."

Gu Tianya paused for a moment while speaking here, his tone gradually became serious, and he slowly continued: "The Jin Dynasty inherited the Three Kingdoms at the top, and the Northern and Southern Dynasties at the bottom. Since it was the Sima family who usurped the country, and the imperial power at that time was

The division of aristocratic families, social unrest, and extreme instability of people's hearts led to the fact that although the Sima clan minted coins after the founding of the country, the common people did not recognize their new coins, and they still used the currency of the previous dynasty for transactions...

So kids, do you know what this means?"

This time, a little girl raised her hand first and said crisply: "Uncle, can I answer?"

Gu Tianya took a look, nodded with a smile and said: "It turns out to be Changle. Congratulations on getting the first place. Tell me, what is your answer?"

The little girl was Princess Changle. She seemed very happy after receiving the permission. She stood up hurriedly and said: "The Sima clan of the Jin Dynasty minted coins, but the people did not agree. When trading goods, the currency of the previous dynasty is still used. This means

The foundation of the country is not stable enough, and the Sima family cannot control the power of the country."

The girl paused for a moment, thought for a while and then whispered: "As a royal family, we have already established a country, but the currency used in the country is actually that of the previous dynasty. Such a royal family is simply a source of laughter for thousands of years."

"Hahahaha!" Gu Tianya suddenly laughed loudly, looked at Changle and joked: "You little girl, you really dare to speak and discuss. On the surface, you seem to be talking about the Jin Dynasty, but in fact, I'm afraid you are talking about our country.

Tang Bar."

Changle quickly lowered his head and said cautiously: "Uncle, you wrongly blamed me. Changle doesn't have the guts. I was really just talking about the Jin Dynasty, and I didn't mean to talk about our Tang Dynasty."

Gu Tianya chuckled and said suddenly: "Even if you don't say it, uncle, I will say that the situation of the Sima family in the Jin Dynasty also exists today in our Datang Dynasty. The people of the Jin Dynasty are using the money of the previous dynasty, and our Datang Dynasty

The people are also using money from the previous dynasty..."

These words involve important national affairs, and a little girl from Changle obviously does not dare to take up the issue.

Fortunately, Gu Tianya did not mean to be mean to the little girl, but turned to look at Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng, and said in a deep voice: "Eldest brother, second brother, as the head of the royal family, you should know this matter well, right?"

Sure enough, Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng nodded solemnly and said helplessly: "After all, the Tang Dynasty was founded not long ago, so the implementation of coins is quite difficult."

Li Shimin paused slightly, then added: "But I have been working hard, and the officials in the court are also working hard!"

"Really?" Gu Tianya smiled slightly and suddenly asked: "Since we are all working hard, why is it still difficult to promote coins?"

Li Shimin hesitated for a moment and said with a hint of defense: "It's mainly a matter of public recognition and the fact that people's habits are hard to change."

Gu Tianya followed closely and asked again: "Which habit of the common people is difficult to change?"

Li Shimin glanced at him and sighed: "For example, in remote areas, such as Jiannan Road and Jiangnan Road, the people only recognize old money but not new money. They like to use old coins when doing transactions."

The emperor paused and then continued: "I and the court are very puzzled about this matter. It is clear that new money is the currency of the Tang Dynasty, why do people prefer to use old money? If they say it is because of nostalgia

The previous dynasty was the Great Sui Dynasty, so this statement must be pure fart. The Great Sui Dynasty caused so much suffering to the people, who would miss it as long as they are not fools. But the strange thing is here, why do the people have to use old money?"

Li Shimin's eyes were full of confusion, and it was obvious that he really couldn't figure it out.

Gu Tianya laughed loudly, suddenly stretched out three fingers, and said leisurely: "There are three reasons..."

"oh?"

Li Shimin's eyes visibly lit up, and Li Jiancheng next to him subconsciously moved forward. The two brothers almost said in unison, saying hurriedly: "Tell me, what are the three reasons?"

But Gu Tianya slowly exhaled and said: "First of all, the first point is that you have not paid attention to the worries of the common people. What are they worried about? What they worry about is that wealth will lose its effectiveness. For example, for small households in the private sector,

Said, maybe the total wealth of a family is only a few hundred copper coins. But these hundreds of copper coins are probably accumulated over many years, and some of them are even left by their parents' frugal living... And they

Most or even all of the copper coins in my home are money from the previous dynasty."

He stopped as he spoke, looked at Li Shimin, and smiled: "Second brother, can you realize anything through what I said?"

Li Shimin looked thoughtful and said subconsciously: "In other words, what the common people are worried about is the failure of their money. They have accumulated through hard work for generations, but the copper coins in their hands are all the money of the previous dynasty. If they do not recognize the old money when making transactions,

money, then it means that their wealth will be emptied instantly..."
Chapter completed!