The Fierce Teacher of Zhenguan: Starting with Teaching the Crown Prince to Make a Comeback

Chapter 160 This is Heaven's Blessing for the Tang Dynasty!

This scene, more directly demonstrating his authority than any good news or auspicious omen, serves as a powerful testament to his authority.

He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze falling once again on the report of the successful issuance of the "Zhenguan Yuguo Certificates".

The corners of his mouth involuntarily turned up slightly, revealing a complex and indescribable smile.

That smile contained the composure of an emperor, the joy of a long-cherished wish fulfilled, and even a hint of... a sense of subversion of past perceptions after being overwhelmed by tremendous success.

"So... financial matters can be resolved in this way."

He muttered to himself.

There was a time when, in order to raise funds for a war, he and his trusted ministers, including Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, stayed up all night.

He meticulously calculated every copper coin in the national treasury, weighed every expenditure, and even had to suspend projects in some areas and cut palace expenses.

During that time, he deeply understood what it meant to "make bricks without straw".

Expansion versus consolidation, ambition versus financial resources, are like an invisible pair of shackles, constantly restricting his steps.

Especially Goguryeo.

His gaze involuntarily fell once again on the huge "Map of the Tang Dynasty" hanging on the side hall wall, his eyes fixed on the Liaodong region.

There, like a thorn, it was deeply embedded in his heart.

The Sui Dynasty launched three campaigns against the Sui, but failed to achieve victory. Millions of lives were lost, the national treasury was emptied, and the eventual collapse of the dynasty was inevitable.

He was intimately familiar with this history and took it as a warning.

Since ascending the throne, he has focused on internal governance and pacified various foreign tribes, accumulating national strength. However, deep in his heart, the idea of ​​eliminating Goguryeo and ending the troubles on the northeastern border has never been extinguished.

However, this required massive financial and material support, and the strength of the entire nation. He had been waiting and enduring.

Now, the key of "bonds" seems to have instantly opened the door to a treasure trove for him.

“Five hundred thousand strings of cash is just the beginning…” Li Shimin’s eyes grew brighter and brighter, like burning flames.

"If we issue another one next year... no, issue a million strings of cash! Or even more!"

Once this idea takes hold, it grows wildly like weeds.

The next day, he attended court.

Inside the Taiji Hall, all the officials stood solemnly.

But unlike the usual dull and routine atmosphere, there seemed to be a subtle restlessness and excitement floating in the air today.

Many officials looked at the emperor on the throne with an unprecedented fervor.

Li Shimin sat upright on the dragon throne, taking in the expressions of the ministers below.

He did not immediately mention the bonds, but instead, as was customary, dealt with several routine administrative matters.

However, when the topic inadvertently shifted to border defense and projects in various places, the atmosphere suddenly became lively.

Minister of War Li Ji was the first to step forward, his voice booming like a bell.

"Your Majesty! Although we defeated the Xueyantuo last year, the intentions of the various tribes in the northern frontier, such as the remnants of the Turks, the Khitans, and the Xi, are difficult to fathom. We still need to pacify them with heavy troops and take strict precautions."

"Currently, the armor and weapons in the army are mostly old and damaged, and the warhorses also need to be replenished. I request that special funds be allocated to upgrade the military equipment and train elite troops in preparation for any eventuality!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Duan Lun, the Minister of Works, stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, I also have a memorial to present. The Guanzhong Canal has not been repaired for many years, and the waterway is silted up, making transportation inconvenient. In years of plenty, it is difficult to quickly transport grain from Guandong to the west, and in times of war, it is even more of a hindrance."

"There are still several dangerous sections of the Yellow River. The annual minor repairs are not a long-term solution. If they breach, disaster will affect several prefectures. These issues concern the national economy and the people's livelihood and cannot be delayed. We must immediately raise a large amount of funds to carry out large-scale construction projects!"

Following this, officials from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Ministry of Rites, and even the Imperial Clan Court also spoke up, some stating the importance of border defense, others emphasizing the crucial role of water conservancy, and still others suggesting that palace repairs and sacrificial ceremonies should not be neglected.

In their conversations, the amounts of money and grain required became increasingly enormous, and the reasons given became increasingly grandiose, as if failing to meet these demands would immediately shake the foundations of the nation and endanger the state.

Li Shimin listened quietly, his face revealing neither joy nor anger, but his heart was cold.

How could he not see that the sudden surge in demand for money stemmed from the success of the 500,000 strings of "Yuguo bonds"?

These officials saw a "new way" for the court to make money, and the huge plans that they dared not think of or mention in the past were now eagerly put on the table.

What gleamed in their eyes was not just the so-called "pleading for the country," but also the desire and calculation for the huge sums of money that might flow out again.

"I am aware of what you have said."

After the hall quieted down, Li Shimin spoke slowly, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable air of authority.

"The affairs of the nation are numerous and complex, and require overall planning. However, the use of funds and provisions also needs to be prioritized according to their importance and urgency."

His gaze swept over the assembled officials, finally settling on Li Ji and Duan Lun.

"The Ministry of War's request to upgrade military equipment and the Ministry of Works' request to repair canals and river works are both urgent. The two ministries shall calculate the needs in detail and draft specific proposals to be submitted to me for review."

"Your Majesty, we obey!" Li and Duan bowed and accepted the order, their faces beaming with joy.

At this moment, Cen Wenben, the Vice Minister of the Chancellery, stepped forward and spoke in a loud voice.

"Your Majesty, the issuance of the 'Zhenguan Yuguo Certificate' was met with enthusiastic response from all over the country and the people followed suit. This demonstrates Your Majesty's power and virtue throughout the land, as well as the abundance of wealth among the people."

"With the nation's finances so vast and all industries needing to be developed, relying solely on annual tax revenue will inevitably lead to financial strain."

"In my humble opinion, it would be better to plan ahead and issue a new 'Yuguo Currency' next year, with the funds earmarked for specific purposes to meet the needs of military and national affairs. In this way, we can avoid delaying border defense work and avoid increasing taxes on the people, which is a win-win solution."

These words instantly caused an even greater uproar in the imperial court.

Most officials, especially those who saw departmental benefits or personal opportunities in it, wore expressions of deep agreement and echoed the sentiment.

"Minister Cen is absolutely right!"

"This is an excellent strategy for opening up new sources of revenue; Your Majesty is wise!"

"If we can issue more bonds, then everything will be settled!"

For a time, the hall was filled with anticipation and advocacy for the re-issuance of bonds.

It was as if all the problems could be solved simply by printing those paper coupons.

An overly optimistic, even fanatical, sentiment permeated the officials.

Watching this scene, Li Shimin felt immense satisfaction for the ambition that had grown due to the successful bond issuance.

He hadn't experienced this feeling of being able to command a large following and being seemingly omnipotent in a long time.

He even had a vague feeling that his careful budgeting and living within his means over the years might have seemed a bit...too conservative.

"It seems that you all share the same thoughts as me."

Li Shimin finally spoke, his voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of pride.

"The effect of the previous 'Yuguo Certificates' has indeed exceeded my expectations. The people are united in their hearts, and the financial resources are available. This is truly a blessing from Heaven for the Great Tang!"

He paused slightly, his gaze becoming sharp and profound.

"Order the Secretariat, the Chancellery, and the Ministry of Revenue to begin planning immediately for the issuance of a new 'Zhenguan Yuguo Bonds' next year! The amount... must be sufficient to meet the national needs!" "Your Majesty is wise!" the ministers shouted in unison, their voices echoing throughout the palace.

Amidst the cheers, Li Shimin seemed to envision a magnificent scene of banners waving and an army marching eastward the following year.

He had even imagined that he would personally lead the army into battle!
Not only should we bring along capable and experienced generals, but we should also bring along Crown Prince Li Chengqian!

Let him witness firsthand the mighty military might of the Tang Dynasty and personally experience the glory of expanding its territory!

This is the best way to cultivate a crown prince!
The morning assembly ended in an atmosphere that seemed to be full of optimism and ambition.

As the officials left the court, many had flushed faces with excitement, discussing their grand plans for the future in small groups, their words filled with anticipation of unlimited wealth.

The Eastern Palace, Xiande Hall.

He dismissed all the servants, leaving only Li Yichen sitting opposite him.

"Sir, you saw it all."

Li Chengqian's voice carried a hint of weariness and anxiety.

"The court is now in such a state. The Emperor has made up his mind to issue huge debts again to fund the war effort. Seeing this 'convenient' source of income, various government departments are sending out memorials requesting money like snowflakes. It seems that overnight, every place in the Tang Dynasty has become a 'critical matter' that requires huge investments."

He clenched his fist, his knuckles turning slightly white.

"I did a rough calculation yesterday, and if all the items mentioned in the court today were approved, the required funds and provisions would already far exceed the current amount of 500,000 strings of cash!"

"This is just the beginning! ...Sir, I am truly uneasy!"

Li Chengqian raised his head, his gaze fixed on Li Yichen, seeking support and answers.

"The students know that you said before that you would 'wait.' But given the current situation, can we still wait?"

"Once the imperial bonds are issued indiscriminately and the credit collapses, the first to be affected will be the bonds of our Crown Prince's Palace! What will happen to those merchants who trust the students and have invested their family fortunes in them? Will the little bit of prestige that the Crown Prince's Palace has worked so hard to build go down the drain?"

Li Yichen listened quietly, his face showing no surprise, as if everything before him was within his expectations.

He only spoke slowly after Li Chengqian finished speaking.

"Your Highness's concerns are clear to me. The situation has reached a critical juncture."

"If it were just these 500,000 strings of cash bonds, with the authority of the imperial court behind them, plus the fact that they were initially hoarded by powerful and wealthy families, they might be able to maintain a superficial stability in the short term. Even if there were some fluctuations, the resources and credit currently held by the Crown Prince could still be managed, and they could even use the implicit guarantee of Snowflake Salt to back them up and hold them off for a while."

"However, Your Highness has seen the crux of the problem—reputation lies in 'expectations,' not in whether it can actually be fulfilled three years later."

Li Yichen emphasized.

"Nowadays, a dangerous expectation has formed throughout the court, from His Majesty to his ministers. They believe that by virtue of the court's authority, they can acquire wealth without limit through issuing bonds, without having to pay a substantial price immediately."

“Once this expectation becomes a consensus and begins to be acted upon, then the collapse of trust will not be a question of whether it will happen, but rather when and how it will erupt.”

Li Chengqian took a deep breath: "So, we can no longer wait passively?"

"Yes, Your Highness. We must plan ahead and take the initiative to prepare for the inevitable storm."

Li Yichen's gaze sharpened.

"There are several urgent matters that the Crown Prince needs to attend to now."

"First, we must consolidate our foundation and stockpile resources. The Crown Prince possesses the salt-making techniques, and in particular, the Shandong salt fields are already capable of mass-producing snowflake refined salt. This is our strongest asset at present."

"Your Highness, you should immediately order an increase in production at Shandong and other controllable salt fields, and stockpile large quantities of refined salt."

"At the same time, salt was used to exchange on a large scale with civilians and caravans for grain, cloth and other supplies."

"We must convert 'credit' into tangible goods that can retain their value at any time, before fiat currency may depreciate!"

"This will provide the physical foundation for the Crown Prince's ability to cope with crises."

Li Chengqian's eyes lit up.

"Bartering with salt? Great! This method is feasible! Salt is a daily necessity, and people are eager to obtain it. We can surely exchange it for a large quantity of what we need!"

"Secondly, we should utilize public opinion to offer advice and exercise restraint," Li Yichen continued.

"As Your Highness has also noticed, the Crown Prince's measures in recent years have been appropriate, especially in disaster relief in Shandong and planning in Xizhou, which have won the recognition and support of many middle and lower-level officials."

"At this moment, the Crown Prince's Palace cannot openly oppose His Majesty's grand plan for conquest. However, officials under the Crown Prince's Palace system must dare to speak out and offer reasoned and well-founded advice and opposition to the blindly expanded expenditures of various departments of the court, especially those projects that are not urgent or obviously wasteful of money and grain."

He paused, then emphasized, "This is not opposition for the sake of opposition, but to demonstrate the Crown Prince's rationality, composure, and consideration for the overall situation, in contrast to the fervor of the court."

"At the same time, this also effectively slows down the rate of credit overdraft, giving us more time to prepare."

Li Chengqian nodded emphatically.

"I understand! Tomorrow I will summon several reliable censors and officials from the Secretariat; they will know what to do."

"The third, and crucial, step,"

Li Yichen lowered his voice.

"Your Highness must find a way to gain complete control over the Ministry of Works!"

"Ministry of Works?" Li Chengqian was slightly taken aback.

“Yes, the Ministry of Works!” Li Yichen confirmed.

"The Ministry of Works is in charge of all matters related to land reclamation, mountains and lakes, artisans, water conservancy, and transportation. Although it may not seem as prestigious as the Ministry of Personnel or the Ministry of Revenue, it is actually crucial to the national economy and people's livelihood. Especially under the current circumstances, controlling the Ministry of Works is of great significance."

He explained in detail.

"Firstly, Your Highness can, in the name of the Ministry of Works, vigorously encourage and subsidize artisans in various regions to improve and refine agricultural tools and construct small-scale water conservancy projects."

"The goal is to increase grain yield per acre! As long as grain production can be increased, it will enhance the whole society's ability to cope with crises and stabilize public sentiment."

"This is the most fundamental means of dealing with potential shortages of supplies and soaring prices."

"Secondly, the rewards for artisans who have made outstanding contributions should be generous enough to shake the world! Not only money, but also titles and official positions should be granted to break down the barriers between scholars, farmers, artisans and merchants."

"Let the world see that as long as you have a skill that benefits the country and its people, you can gain the appreciation and trust of the Crown Prince!"

"This move can, firstly, motivate artisans; secondly, attract capable talents to the Eastern Palace; and thirdly... it can subtly undermine the monopoly of aristocratic families on official careers."

Li Chengqian was deeply moved.

"A generous reward for the artisans... to boost agricultural production... Sir, this is an excellent plan!"

Li Yichen pondered silently to himself.

I don't really understand the specific construction of these tools, but I can still explain the physics to people, after all, I'm a teacher.

As long as a clear direction is given.

Even if only one or two things succeed, the improvement in agricultural productivity will be enormous.

This is much more grounded than directly resorting to financial methods that are ahead of their time.

He raised his head and looked at Li Chengqian.

(End of this chapter)