After the founding of the Great Xuan Empire, its first priority was the minting of a new currency.0

At that time, private minting ran rampant, and inferior coins flooded the markets, causing severe chaos in circulation and difficulty in conversion. Thus, a reform of the currency system stabilized livelihoods, improved tax collection, and eradicated fire loss. This fire loss referred to the melting loss that occurred when small nuggets of silver were recast 0

“Fire loss” referred to the melting loss that occurred when small pieces of silver were recast into sycees. Since taxes were collected in silver, the melting process resulted in inevitable deductions. Over time, this practice degenerated into corruption. Officials began overcharging a surplus for fire loss so that they could keep the difference as personal profit.0

By the late Wei Dynasty, fire loss had become excessive. In many counties, a 20% to 50% surcharge was taken as fire loss. In remote areas with fewer taxes, fire loss even exceeded the base levy. Though the court had issued bans, they were ineffective. Over time, it was tacitly...0