After Zhao Xu returned to Qingshou Palace, he naturally discussed the matter with the two palaces.

After hearing this, both palaces were very happy.

The Empress Dowager even said: "I was originally worried that Sixth Brother might be too busy with all the complicated things in Kaifeng Mansion. Now, with the help of all the banquet officials, Sixth Brother can feel much more relaxed!"

The Empress Dowager also smiled and said: "I used to be worried about this, but now I can rest assured!"

The officials of the banquet are all chosen by them.

Of course they can trust it.

Zhao Xu smiled and sat next to Liang Gong, holding one in each hand.

But I was thinking in my heart, how should this system of banquet officials, accompanying readers, and leaders and governors develop in the future?

In the Song Dynasty, the people who were in power used to be selected from among the powerful magistrates of Kaifeng Prefecture, Hanlin scholars, three ministers (now Shangshu of the Ministry of Household Affairs), and Yushi Zhongcheng.

Because these people have the closest relationship with the emperor.

Either they were dealing with the Kaifeng Mansion for the emperor himself, they were helping the emperor look after his money bag, they were biting people for the emperor, or they were following the emperor day and night.

However, under the current situation, the pattern of ministers who have the closest relationship with Zhao Xu has changed.

Through the banquet officer, Quan knew that Kaifeng Prefecture still had official affairs within the Kaifeng Prefecture, and he was promoted to a bureau specializing in the manufacture of weapons.

This is the minister who has the most contact with Zhao Xu and is also the closest.

Naturally, as long as Zhao Xu is willing, power will be concentrated in these places.

Just like Shen Kuo, now Shen Kuo writes notes to the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ordnance Supervision, asking for people and money.

Do they dare not give it? Do they dare to neglect it?

If you don't dare, then Shen Kuo is already the superior of these three departments in a sense.

This situation lasted for ten or twenty years.

One of the future prime ministers must be sent by someone who will lead the "Dedicated Ordnance Manufacturing Bureau".

Because at that time, if the prime minister in the capital hall does not have this mission.

Then, the power of the capital will not be complete.

Thinking of this, Zhao Xu said in his heart: "Let's do this for now..."

He looked at the Empress Dowager who was still smiling.

Zhao Xu knew very well that he couldn't irritate her too much for the time being.

…

The second day is Ding Chou in February (the eighteenth day).

In the Qingshou Palace, Zhao Xu and the two palaces received Shen Kuo and Li Xian who had entered the palace to present the prepared "Jiaozi of Song and Liao" prints.

The prepared three sets of prints were placed in boxes and presented to the emperor.

Zhao Xu and the two palaces opened all three sets of seals and looked at them one by one.

All prints are copper plates, and they all have different face values.

This is natural!

Jiaozi in the past already had face value.

Generally, it ranges from five guan, ten guan, and twenty guan. Because in the past, Jiaozi used iron coins as the face value, so its face value was roughly equivalent to the copper coins of one, two, and four guan.

The Jiaozi being prepared now uses the annual coins given by the Song Dynasty to the Liao Kingdom as a deposit, and copper coins are used as the monetary unit.

As a result, its face value has naturally shrunk.

There are different denominations such as one string, five strings, ten strings, twenty strings, fifty strings, etc.

The patterns for each denomination are also different.

For example, the traditional Jiaozi copper plate is engraved with a pattern of peonies that was very popular among the nobles of the Song and Liao Dynasties. Its size is about the same as the palm of the Empress Dowager Xiang's hand.

There is also a text written by Shen Kuo in regular script according to Zhao Xu's intention: The trade of the Song Dynasty and Liao Dynasty was made by Jiaozi, which promised to facilitate the public and private transactions of merchants all over the world. Holding Jiaozi and handing it over to Bianjing will be exchanged for copper coins.

Continuing to browse, the Jiaozi copper plates of other denominations also have patterns of flowers, grass and mountains and rivers.

It's just that the face value is larger and there are more patterns.

Zhao Xu looked at it and put it down.

Then he looked at the copper plate that the two palaces were admiring in their hands.

In the hands of the Empress Dowager, she held a Jiaozi copper plate with outlines of cities.

What Empress Dowager Xiang holds in her hand is a Jiaozi copper plate that looks like a man in official uniform.

Obviously, the two sets should be based on the size of the city and the level of official position to distinguish the face value of Jiaozi.

The two palaces enjoyed it and were very satisfied.

These copper plates are exquisitely carved and have rounded details. They are obviously superior in art and material to the Jiaozi copper plates of the past!

Zhao Xu put down the copper plate in his hand and asked: "Li Douzhi, Shen Tiju, and Jiaozi's anti-counterfeiting skills are safe?"

Shen Kuo paid his respects now and said: "Your Majesty, I am informed that I have adopted the techniques of Jiaozi to prevent counterfeiting, and adopted the methods of Jiaozi from all generations, and also modified them into various colors..."

"For example, the main color of the pattern of Yiguanzhi Jiaozi is blue, two strings are green, five strings are scarlet, and if there are more than ten strings, purple is used, twenty strings, fifty strings, all are golden and purple!"

Zhao Xu laughed when he heard this: "You are ranked based on the color of your official uniform?"

Shen Kuo paid homage: "Your Majesty is wise!"

"Only in this way can we distinguish between noble and humble...and be accepted by the world!"

This is a good idea!

During the Song Dynasty and the northern barbarians, they all shared similar civil and military ranks and colors of uniform insignia.

Basically everyone accepted the order of cyan, green, crimson, purple and gold.

So, Zhao Xu turned around and asked the two palaces: "Mother and Queen, which set of Jiaozi seals do you think is better?"

Both palaces were somewhat stuck in the difficulty of making a choice and began to ponder.

Zhao Xu then said: "Mother-in-law, mother-in-law, why don't you give it to your son-in-law and print one set each first to see the effect?"

The two palaces nodded.

So, the next day, Shen Kuo and Li Xian entered the palace again and sent three sets of Jiaozi with different denominations printed by them to the emperor.

This time, with physical comparison, the choice was much easier.

Three sets of Jiaozi with different styles are placed in front of you. It is clear at a glance which set looks good and which set does not look good.

Zhao Xu and the two palaces unanimously chose the one with flowers, grass and mountains and rivers as the face value.

This is not only because this set of Jiaozi copper plates prints more beautiful Jiaozi, but also because of political considerations.

Flowers, grass, mountains and rivers are more easily accepted by the government and the public than cities and officials.

In this way, the matter was settled.

Zhao Xu ordered Shen Kuo and Li Xian to print a million coins and reserve them first.

As for the remaining two sets of copper plates, there is no need to melt them.

It's still useful if you stay.

Maybe next year’s new friend will be able to use it!

After sending Li Xian and Shen Kuo away, the two palaces took the Jiaozi placed in front of them and started to enjoy it.

They all like these jiaozi, mainly because the colors are very rich, and some of the colors are even unprecedented.

Even if it is a consistent Jiaozi, although the main color is blue, there are still many traces of pink and red in the drawn patterns.

The colors of the fifty-seventh-level coin, which has the highest face value, are even brighter, and there are many never-before-seen colors.

This is natural.

Zhao Xu taught Shen Kuo all the paint and pigment mixing techniques he had learned in modern times.

The coloring of these colors is naturally added manually at a later stage.

The rich colors give people a naturally different visual impact.

Zhao Xu believed that the people of Liao would also like these Jiaozi.

Merchants will also like them.

…

It’s pretty much what Zhao Xu thought.

On the northern border, the Liao envoy was clearing customs.

This is already the eighth wave of Liao envoys arriving since May last year.

This time the official envoy was Yeluju, the envoy of the Fengguo Army of the Liao Kingdom.
To be continued...