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

Chapter 188 This is the essence of governing a country!
"Furthermore, wooden plowshares and plow tips require tough wood, which woodcutters need to identify and cut, and carpenters need to saw, plan, chisel, and mortise according to the drawings. The carpenters' tools, such as saws, planers, and chisels, also need to be made by specialized toolmakers."

"The combination of iron and wood requires iron nails and hoops, which brings us back to the blacksmith's work. Even the ropes used for securing it, if involving leather, require butchers and tanners..."

He peeled back the layers, revealing the miners, charcoal miners, blacksmiths, bricklayers, woodcutters, carpenters, tool makers, and even the farmers, weavers, and butchers behind a single farm tool...

Like an invisible chain, it was clearly displayed before every noble in the hall.

"This is only one aspect of the manufacturing process."

Li Chengqian paused briefly and observed that many people had thoughtful expressions on their faces, and some were even somewhat bewildered.

How could they, holding such high positions in the court, have ever thought so meticulously about the origin of a single object?

“The design of the plans required someone proficient in mathematics and fine brushwork. The delivery of imperial edicts required couriers to travel long distances.”

“Each prefecture organizes artisans, which requires the management of officials and the allocation of money, grain and materials by the granary officials.”

"The Crown Prince dispatched craftsmen to provide guidance. These craftsmen themselves learned their skills through apprenticeship, and their salaries and sustenance came from national taxes and the labor of the people..."

He slowly cast that vast and intricate network of cooperation, woven from countless strangers and industries, over the Liangyi Hall.

"From this perspective, the creation of a single agricultural tool is not simply a matter of a document from the Ministry of Works or the efforts of a few craftsmen."

"Behind them are tens of thousands of strangers, each with their own job and expertise, relying on many ties such as market transactions, government orders, and the inheritance of skills."

"Only by forming an invisible order and cooperation can we ultimately create something useful that benefits the fields."

He concluded, his tone grave.

"This system, in which countless people collaborate efficiently based on a fine division of labor to produce all kinds of materials and create wealth, I will tentatively call the 'network of a hundred trades'."

"The density and smoothness of this network directly affect a country's production capacity and whether the court can quickly and effectively transform good policies into tangible benefits for the people!"

There was silence in the hall.

You can hear the needle drop.

Changsun Wuji stopped stroking his beard and stared sharply at the Crown Prince.

He vaguely sensed that the Crown Prince's words touched upon something far more fundamental than the balance of power.

Fang Xuanling frowned. As the prime minister, he naturally knew that the operation of the country required everyone to perform their duties.

However, no one has ever elevated this division of labor and cooperation to the level of "foundation of national strength" or "cornerstone of credit".

This perspective is too novel, and... too real.

Gao Shilian, Chu Suiliang, and others also looked shocked. They had studied the classics and believed in the great principles of self-cultivation, family management, governing the country, and bringing peace to the world.

Who would have thought that such a subtle yet crucial principle of "craftsmanship" was hidden within the very act of "governing a country"?

Military generals like Li Ji and Cheng Zhijie were not very knowledgeable about economic matters.

However, he also understood the wide-ranging implications behind these farm tools and was secretly amazed.

They only knew that fighting required provisions and equipment, but they didn't realize how difficult it was to obtain these supplies.

The smug look on Li Shimin's face had long since vanished.

He sat upright on the imperial couch, his face calm, but his slightly constricted pupils and the hand that unconsciously gripped the edge of the imperial desk betrayed the intense tremor within him.

He originally thought that the stability of the Zhenguan Certificate was a natural manifestation of the prestige of his Heavenly Khan and an inevitable result of the court's authority.

He was even prepared to go with the flow and agree to the issuance of the new two million guan in bonds, once again demonstrating his control to the world.

But now, the prince explained to him in detail that the restoration of his confidence was not due to his prestige, but to the successful promotion of agricultural tools!
The success of promoting agricultural tools was not due to his decree, but rather to the smooth operation of the invisible yet real network of "all trades"!

This was tantamount to punching a hole in his newly inflated confidence!
An indescribable sense of frustration and a hint of offended anger began to grow in his heart.

But he couldn't lash out, because the Crown Prince's words were earnest, his logic clear, and every sentence reasonable, elevating him to the level of "wise and decisive."

Li Chengqian took in everyone's reactions and knew that the time was right; he had to seize the opportunity to explain his reasoning clearly.

"Therefore, I believe that the previous fluctuations in the Zhenguan bonds stemmed from the fact that the war with Goguryeo raised doubts about the court's future repayment ability, which shook the foundation of credit."

"The key to its recovery lies in the successful promotion of new agricultural tools, which demonstrated to the world the court's outstanding ability to organize, mobilize, and optimize this network of 'all trades'!"

"This ability is a direct manifestation of the ability to create wealth and fulfill promises!"

His eyes were clear as he looked at Li Shimin, his tone filled with utmost sincerity.

"Father, this ability is the most solid foundation of trust!"

"It is built upon the ingenuity of countless craftsmen, the sweat of countless laborers, and the smooth connection of countless links. It is not something that can be accomplished in a day, but requires years of accumulation and careful maintenance."

"This time, thanks to a good policy, the foundation has been strengthened and trust has been restored, which also shows the wisdom of the Emperor."

His tone turned cautious again.

"However, if we disregard the limits of our foundation and rashly issue another two million strings of cash in debt, the cycle will last for five years."

"What if the war with Goguryeo drags on and incurs huge costs? What if the weather is unfavorable and food production decreases?"

"What if this network of 'all trades' becomes obstructed for some reason?"

With each question he asked, the expressions on the faces of everyone in the hall grew more serious.

"At that time, when the people see this huge debt looming overhead, and the court's ability to create wealth and fulfill its promises may be hampered for some reason, how can their confidence not be shaken again? Or even collapse?"

"If the foundation of credit is shaken, not only will this new debt be difficult to maintain, but the already issued Zhenguan bonds may also be affected. At that time, where will the court's prestige remain?"

"Although the Emperor's might is great, water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. If the waters of trust are stirred up, they may not be easily calmed by mere prestige!"

"Your Majesty, I do not doubt your authority, but I am worried that if the court's credibility is damaged by excessive overdraft, it will be even more difficult to gather the people's strength when a real need arises in the future!"

"This is not an exaggeration, but a humble opinion based on the fundamental nature of 'all trades' and their connection to trust. I hope Your Majesty and all gentlemen will understand!"

After Li Chengqian finished speaking, he bowed deeply.

The entire Liangyi Hall fell into a deathly silence.

The air seemed to freeze.

The scent of sandalwood seemed to have become thicker.

The Crown Prince's discourse on "the occupations of all trades" and "the foundation of trust" was echoing in everyone's minds.

The more I think about it, the more alarmed I feel.

They discovered that their past understanding of national prestige and the way of governing the country was so superficial and one-sided!

It turns out that the prestige of the imperial court was not only based on imperial power, laws, and military force, but also on the accumulation of efficient cooperation and production capacity in countless details!
It turns out that the seemingly illusory "credit" actually has such a solid foundation behind it!
What made them feel most ashamed was that they, including the emperor, had just been immersed in the false prosperity brought about by prestige.

Li Shimin's cheek twitched slightly.

He felt a burning sensation on his face.

The Crown Prince's analysis was like a sudden jolt, pulling him back from his smug cloud to the cold reality.

His previous self-deprecating remarks about "being cautious when alone" and "establishing the world with integrity" now seem so empty and ridiculous in retrospect!

What stabilized the bonds was not his imperial power, but the practical capabilities of the court demonstrated by the agricultural tools promoted under the Crown Prince's leadership!
And this ability is rooted in the network of "the various trades" that he hadn't paid much attention to in his daily life!
This means that, from beginning to end, this matter had little to do with Li Shimin's "prestige." It was entirely the result of the Crown Prince's strategic planning on a practical level!
A strong sense of frustration welled up inside me.

But he was, after all, a monarch of great talent and ambition, and he knew that the crown prince’s words hit the nail on the head and he could not refute them.

The ministers in the hall looked at each other, their eyes filled with shock and realization.

Changsun Wuji lowered his eyes, concealing the complexity within them.

Fang Xuanling nodded inwardly, his evaluation of the Crown Prince rising even higher.

Gao Shilian, Chu Suiliang, and others had beads of sweat on their foreheads; they had just agreed to issue new bonds.

The silence lasted for a long time.

Finally, Li Shimin spoke slowly, his voice slightly hoarse.

He had to say something to salvage some of the emperor's dignity.

“What the Crown Prince said is not without reason.”

He practically spat out those words through gritted teeth, acknowledging the Crown Prince's viewpoint, which was tantamount to denying his own previous understanding.

He took a deep breath, trying to restore his usual dignified and lofty tone.

"Those in power must indeed delve into the essence of things. Credit is based on strength, and strength originates from all industries. Good governance can strengthen the foundation and enhance credit, as seen in this promotion of agricultural tools. However..."

He then shifted the conversation, attempting to steer the topic back to a more philosophical level that he was familiar with.

"However, if it is a bad government, it is like draining a pond to catch all the fish or burning a forest to hunt; it is enough to destroy the foundation of all industries, exhaust the people's trust and confidence, and in the end... the country will cease to exist!"

He cited a striking example, his voice rising sharply with a warning tone.

"Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty serves as a cautionary tale! He was not without prestige; when he first ascended the throne, he ruled over the north and south, and his prestige was certainly not lacking."

"However, his military campaigns were reckless and aggressive, and his three campaigns against Goguryeo depleted the wealth accumulated during the reigns of Emperor Wen and Emperor Yang."

“They embarked on massive construction projects, opened canals, and repaired the Eastern Capital, thus overworking the people.”

"Furthermore, the administration is corrupt and rampant with greed... Isn't this kind of evil policy precisely an act that destroys the 'businesses of all trades' and undermines the credibility of the court?"

"Ultimately, this led to the collapse of the world, his death, and the destruction of his country!"

"Therefore, I often admonish you to practice benevolent governance, good governance, and prudent governance! Good governance is like sweet rain, nourishing all things, while bad governance is like a raging fire, burning down the foundation!"

"This is the essence of governing a country!"

After saying these words, Li Shimin felt he had regained some ground. He glanced at his ministers, hoping to see their approval and respect.

However, the atmosphere inside the hall was somewhat subtle.

The emperor's words were, of course, golden rules, and under normal circumstances, they would have been praised and even recorded by historians and passed down to future generations.

But saying it at this moment, in this situation, always feels... abrupt, a bit forced, even a bit... deliberate.

It was as if they were trying to cover up their earlier embarrassment by forcibly elevating the topic to another level.

How could the shrewd Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, and others not see that His Majesty was trying to save face?
They could only bow and say, "Your Majesty is wise; we will remember this."

However, compared to when they were discussing issuing new bonds, the voice sounded less enthusiastic and more complicated.

Everyone knows perfectly well what's going on.

The real star of today's court assembly is Crown Prince Li Chengqian, who put forward the resounding theory that "the professions of all trades are the foundation of trust."

As for His Majesty, although his final concluding remarks were still insightful and comprehensive, it was clear to everyone that in terms of specific insights and analysis of the essence of trust, His Majesty was outdone by the Crown Prince.

Looking at the various expressions on the faces of the courtiers below the throne, Li Shimin felt an even greater sense of unease.

He waved his hand, somewhat dejected.

"The matter of issuing new bonds will be discussed later. Court is adjourned."

His voice carried an indescribable weariness and desolation.

As the officials left the Liangyi Hall in order, many of them lingered for a moment on the crown prince, whose figure was not upright and who even had a limp, as they departed.

Li Chengqian bowed silently and was the last to slowly exit the main hall.

Inside the Liangyi Hall.

The eunuchs and palace maids who were standing by had already been dismissed by Li Shimin, and now he was the only one left in the hall.

The intense yet silent confrontation in the court earlier was now washing over his mind like a tidal wave.

Li Chengqian's calm and earnest face, and his meticulous and insightful remarks, echoed clearly in my ears.

"All trades and professions", "division of labor and cooperation", "foundation of credit", "ability to create wealth"...

These words, when put together, form an irrefutable set of principles.

He originally thought that the stability of the Zhenguan Certificate was a natural manifestation of the prestige he had accumulated over more than a decade of diligent governance and his influence throughout the country.

It is an undeniable symbol of the imperial court's powerful strength.

He was even prepared to gladly accept the proposal from Tang Jian and others to take advantage of this "opportunity" to issue huge debts again, further demonstrating his control and the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty.

But the Crown Prince… with the calmest tone and the most rigorous logic, he tore open a crack in this facade of “prestige” that he was so proud of.

What stabilized the bonds was not Li Shimin's illustrious reputation, but the seemingly insignificant promotion of agricultural tools.

The success of promoting agricultural tools relied on the network of "all trades" that he knew existed but had never deeply considered its enormous power!
An extremely complex emotion churned within him.

Is it anger?

One point. His own son, in front of a full court of high-ranking officials, pointed out his blind spots in his understanding and exposed his self-righteous aura.

But this anger, like a fire without roots, was extinguished by stronger reason and facts as soon as it began to ignite.

He couldn't get angry at the crown prince's remarks themselves.

Because the Crown Prince is right!
Every sentence hits the nail on the head, and every link is logically sound.

The theory that "the occupations of all trades" are the foundation of credit was like opening a new window before his eyes.

This allowed him to see a neglected but crucial aspect of governance.

He had to admit that the Crown Prince's insight had surpassed that of the vast majority of court officials, and even... his own.

It was this "having to admit it" that made him even more frustrated.

He recalled that the Crown Prince had mentioned the word "trust" to him several times before. Although he had not completely ignored it, he had not paid enough attention to it either.

It turned out that the Crown Prince had already seen something deeper, while he himself was still immersed in the illusory satisfaction brought by prestige.

"Credit...is the foundation of all trades..."

(End of this chapter)