Chapter 8 Chapter Three Currency from the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties to the Sui Dynasty

At the end of the Han Dynasty, there were disputes among heroes, the economy declined, and the currency system collapsed. The folks used grain and silk as a medium of exchange.In the second year of Huangchu, Emperor Wen of Wei Dynasty (AD 221), the five baht money was reused. It took only seven months, but it failed, so the money had to be scrapped and the grain silk was still used.Because the folks "competed for profit in the wet valley, and made thin silk as a market", Emperor Ming resumed casting five baht coins.Due to Cao Wei's vast land, large population, and rich resources, Cao Cao's economic effect in Xuchang's farming was good, so its economic situation was better than that of Wu Shu, and the currency system was relatively stable.

However, the currency systems of Shu Han and Sun Wu were unstable. They both minted large amounts of money, implemented inflationary policies, and made officials and people difficult.When Liu Bei first took Bashu, due to insufficient military use, he used Liu Ba's suggestion to cast "Zhibaiwuzhu" first, and then cast "Qianwei Wuzhu", with the word "Wei" on the back of the coin.It is the earliest square hole round coin with place names.Small coins that weigh more than eight grams at the beginning and then lose weight to about two grams are commonly known as "Shu five baht".The Shu Han also successively minted many coins in the shape of five baht, such as Chuanxing five baht, iron straight five hundred gold, straight hundred coins, small straight hundred coins, straight one coin, Dingping hundred coins and so on.The large number of changes in these currencies reflects the weak economic strength and financial difficulties of the Shu Han.Although Sun Wu is located in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and the Fujian-Guangzhou area, its economic situation is relatively good.However, the military is used every year, and the monarchs and ministers are extravagant. In order to make up for the financial constraints, they resort to making big money.From 232 A.D., Daquan five hundred, Daquan Dangqian, Dang two thousand and Dang five thousand were cast successively, all of which were made of red copper. It was enforced for more than ten years, but was opposed and rejected by the people. In the ninth year of Chiwu ( 246 AD) was withdrawn.

The Sima family unified the Three Kingdoms, established the Western Jin Dynasty, and continued to use Wei Wuzhu coins.Due to the extravagance and corruption of the monarchs and ministers of the Jin Dynasty, the "Taikang Reign" was short-lived, and immediately the "Eight Kings Rebellion" broke out for 16 years.This great chaotic battle within the royal family caused great turmoil among the Five Hu and Sixteen Kingdoms and a larger-scale melee among various ethnic groups and regions, causing catastrophe in all parts of the north and reducing cities to ruins. , The production was completely destroyed, the countryside was barren, the merchants were depressed, the land was thousands of miles away, and the people were devastated.The folks split silk into pieces for market transactions, and minted coins withdrew from the market.However, coins are still minted in a few areas.The former Liangzhanggui cast "Zhanggui five baht" in Liangzhou to correct the disadvantages of cloth trading.Later, Zhao Shile once ordered the Central Plains area under his jurisdiction to mint "rich money", but it failed because the people were not happy to use it.Cheng (Han) Li Shou cast "Han Xing Qian" in Chengdu area, there are two kinds of straight and horizontal, Han Xing, both weighing one gram, it is the earliest year money in my country. In 1983, Shaanxi unearthed the "Liangzao Xinquan", which was shaped like a small five baht and weighed 1.5 grams.Therefore, during this period, either no money was used, or small money was used, and barter exchange was resumed in most areas.

The Eastern Jin Dynasty was on the left side of the Anjiang River, and the economic and cultural center moved southward and developed.Fortunately, Feishui battle saved half of the country.However, the government and the public advocate pomp and extravagance, are arrogant, talkative, only care about the present enjoyment, how can limited production be able to cope with unlimited consumption, financial resources are withered, and there is no way to remedy; currency.Many powerful ministers and nobles advocated the abolition of coins, and the debate was fierce.And shrink the currency, use more small money, and parallel grain and silk.The Eastern Jin Dynasty continued to use the old money of Sun Wu, including the big money "Bilun", the middle money "Siwen", and the small five baht made by Shen Chong, which was called "Shen Lang money" at that time. It weighed only one gram and was as thin as an elm pod.In terms of monetary policy, the Eastern Jin Dynasty had to implement deflation, and did not dare to cast large amounts of money to aggravate inflation.For example, Lu Bao and Cheng Gongsui wrote two articles "On the God of Money", which criticized currency fetishism and advocated limiting the power of currency.The deflationary policy carried out in the Eastern Jin Dynasty developed in the Southern Dynasties, which was forced out of the long-term currency chaos.