Generals of the Great Song Dynasty.

Summary

Silver was not the primary currency in the Song Dynasty, but it was crucial for large transactions due to the limitations of copper coins. The Song Dynasty minted vast amounts of copper coins, but their weight and low value made them impractical for big deals. Silver was used as a pricing standard, even for taxes and international tributes. The Liao Kingdom, rich in gold and silver, benefitted from Northern Song tributes. The Cui family amassed wealth through smuggling. The chapter describes a chaotic scene at Wolf Valley, where soldiers and locals loot gold and silver from hidden caves. Zhu Tong tries to pursue Liang Dagang but is blocked by Wang Liangjing, who outnumbers him. Meanwhile, Bao Zheng arrives with troops, declaring that all treasures must be turned over to the treasury and executing those who resist. Zhu Tong is forced to comply. Despite Wang Liangjing's group's loyalty, Bao Zheng remains suspicious. Back at Earth Tower Village, Liang Dagang presents warhorses. Wang Ning cleverly hides the best ones before Bao Zheng arrives to seize them. Bao Zheng takes the horses, offering compensation and promising to report the merit to the court. Zhu Tong, hoping to benefit from the horses, realizes too late that only four of the ten seized horses are exceptional, while the others are ordinary. Wang Ning had tricked them by offering eunuch horses.

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