CHAPTER 333: CHAPTER 333 ENCOURAGING AGRICULTURE AND SUPPRESSING COMMERCE

"But if you observe closely, dynasties seldom last through centuries, yet merchants always thrive. Remember, being born into hardship leads to strength, but dying in comfort causes downfall."

After saying this, she glanced at the Second Prince.

If anyone else heard the Empress Dowager’s words, they might consider them outrageous.

But before the Second Prince, she revealed them openly.

It was merely to keep his mind clear, preventing him from being deceived by those in power.

Although the Second Prince did not completely understand, he memorized them firmly.

Then he pointed at those few words and asked.

"Grand Empress Dowager, what does this mean?"

"Do not underestimate those engaged in commerce; there are many intricacies within. To achieve the wealth that rivals nations, these four words are indispensable. One must have strategy, be bold and vigilant, adept in decision-making, and learn to seize the right moment; this is the most crucial."

The Empress Dowager tapped on the word "benevolence" with her finger.

Then she said.

"Merchants prioritize profit over separation and are often stigmatized due to the lack of benevolence. Take what others discard and offer when others desire; this is both the key to commerce and the principle of being human."

The Empress Dowager spoke seriously, and the Second Prince listened attentively.

Grandmother and grandson discussed world affairs in the room, while outside was a white expanse, profoundly quiet.

However, these were merely superficial appearances.

Coincidentally, the Emperor was discussing military funding with Prime Minister Lin, the Fourth Prince, the Marquis of Northwest, and the Ministers of War and Revenue.

The Fourth Prince and Marquis of Northwest each commanded the Imperial Armor Army and the Northwest Army, which consumed the most of Da Wei’s military funds.

Therefore, in today’s discussion on military funding, the presence of both was essential.

As for Prime Minister Lin, the Ministers of War and Revenue, they were merely in attendance today.

The Ministry of War needed to issue military pay, but the Ministry of Revenue found it challenging.

Prime Minister Lin had been mediating for a long time, but today he bluntly brought the matter to the Emperor.

Fortunately, the Fourth Prince and Marquis of Northwest were also in the capital, so it was best to discuss it together.

The Minister of Revenue suddenly felt that while imortals fight, the ones affected are those like him.

Thus, when speaking, he was exceedingly cautious.

"This is the surplus after this year’s tax collection, an increase of thirty percent compared to last year, but it does not fill the gap for the military pay needed by the Ministry of War. Your servant truly has no solutions, as even a clever housewife cannot cook without rice."

Anyone witnessing his tearless sorrow would feel pity.

But everyone present was experienced, so the Minister of Revenue’s act was of no use.

The Fourth Prince frowned at the Minister of Revenue and immediately asked.

"Wasn’t a ransom recently sent to the National Treasury? How is it gone already?"

The Minister of Revenue felt distressed; the Imperial Armor Army was a full two hundred thousand, but the Northwest Army was six hundred thousand.

Three times the number naturally required three times the military pay to fill.

And, inside and outside the palace, everywhere required funds, so the Minister of Revenue had to meticulously calculate.

Maintaining Da Wei’s dignity while preventing hunger among the troops returned the dilemma.

Where would next year’s military pay for the sixty thousand soldiers of the Northwest Army come from?

"How much can the Ministry of Revenue manage now?"

"At most, military pay for thirty thousand soldiers; beyond that, I truly am powerless."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor’s face also turned unpleasant.

He could not let those soldiers shedding blood and sweat go hungry while defending the borders.

This was something he could not allow.

It was unbecoming of an enlightened monarch.

After contemplating, he turned to Prime Minister Lin, passing the problem over.

"What does Prime Minister Lin think?"

Prime Minister Lin, having been in the court for decades, was like a sly fox and wouldn’t speak easily.

If he said too much, it would offend the Marquis of Northwest; too little would anger the Emperor.

He was no fool, and the prospects of the Lin Family for generations hadn’t been absolutely secured; how could he speak casually?

Thus, after some thought, he bowed and said.

"Since entering the court, I have served in civil affairs and am not well-versed in military matters, so rash suggestions might not resolve the current predicament."

The Fourth Prince nearly rolled his eyes to the ceiling; this outright shirking was truly performed vividly.

But the reason Prime Minister Lin could stand firm in the court for decades was due to his abilities.

Just then, he continued.

"However, in my youth, while serving, I heard of times when government offices and counties faced budget shortfalls, they would raise funds from merchants. The money they held initially came from the people, so if returned to the people, it seemed beneficial."

Upon hearing this, the Minister of Revenue’s eyes brightened.

Raising funds from merchants meant the money didn’t need to be repaid.

Getting military pay for thirty thousand soldiers for free, not to mention keeping one’s official hat intact.

Thinking of this, he immediately praised.

"Prime Minister’s method is excellent, reminding me of an old event when during Emperor Jing’s reign, the Ministry of Revenue faced financial strains and raised funds from merchants to alleviate the immediate crisis."

Before he finished speaking, the Fourth Prince reprimanded.

"Nonsense, even if funds are raised today to uniformly distribute next year’s military pay, what about the year after, and the year after that? Rely on merchants continuously? Ridiculous! Not to mention if merchants actually have that much money to give, even if they did, fundraising annually cannot last."

"When the people become impoverished as a result, isn’t it digging one’s own grave?"

The Fourth Prince, being a member of the Imperial Family, had his words heard by the Emperor, but the Ministers of War and Revenue and Prime Minister Lin fell to their knees.

Finally, the Marquis of Northwest spoke, having remained silent all along.

His voice seemed carried by the Northwest’s sand, sounding somewhat rough.

"Fourth Prince, be careful with your words. Are you suggesting Da Wei will fall under the Emperor’s rule?"

"Don’t falsely accuse me, ultimately our gathering to discuss this issue is due to the Northwest Army’s troubles. The Imperial Armor Army counts up to two hundred thousand, but the Northwest Army has expanded to six hundred thousand, triple its size."

"Marquis of Northwest, are you not going to offer an explanation?"

The Marquis of Northwest cast a sinister glance at the Fourth Prince and then said.

"What explanation does the Prince want from me? Are they just private troops of my Liu Family, defending only Liu territory? Laughable."

Such cold attitude caused some displeasure to the Emperor.

Recalling his rigid stance during the Ministry of War reform in the past, the Emperor became more unhappy.

Thus, he lowered his voice and said with a hint of warning.

"Marquis of Northwest, there’s no need to be aggressive. That’s not what the Fourth Prince meant, and after all, I am here too and haven’t said I wouldn’t issue military pay to the soldiers. Why are you agitated?"