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

Chapter 82 still seems to have too many unanswered questions.

“Assuming it’s possible,” Li Yichen continued his deduction.

"So, what will happen? First, all transactions within the empire will tend to use this currency or certificate because people believe it has a real anchor as a guarantee and will never depreciate. Thus, this currency becomes an absolutely hard currency."

"Secondly, neighboring countries and merchants will rush to transport their goods, gold, and silver into the empire to exchange for this stable currency in order to conduct trade or to accumulate wealth. As a result, the empire's wealth will continue to grow!"

"Furthermore, because this currency has extremely high credit, the imperial government can even issue such currency or certificates in advance, exceeding the current national treasury revenue, to fund water conservancy projects, build up the army, and develop the frontier! Since everyone in the world believes that the empire can redeem these certificates with 'anchors' in the future, they are willing to accept them. This is equivalent to the empire taking future wealth and using it now!"

Li Chengqian's breathing quickened and his face flushed.

He seemed to be witnessing a myth of turning lead into gold!

"This...this is simply...If this is true, wouldn't the empire never have to worry about financial difficulties?"

"It will not be gone forever, but its mobilization capacity and ability to withstand risks will far exceed those of all previous dynasties."

Li Yichen affirmed, "However, the core of this system lies in the fact that the anchor must be absolutely reliable, and the empire must strictly adhere to its redemption promises. Once there is a problem with the supply of the anchor, or the empire issues vouchers indiscriminately, making them unredeemable, then the entire credit system will collapse instantly, and the resulting disaster will be devastating."

Li Chengqian was so engrossed in the grand vision described by Li Yichen that he could not calm down for a long time.

He originally thought that Li Yichen was just going to teach him some clever ways to make money, but he never expected that he would be touching on such profound knowledge that was related to the lifeline of the country!

This was far more shocking and exciting to him than those classics, historical texts, philosophical works, or political strategies!

“Yichen… what you call the anchoring method, this credit system… I… I seem to understand some of it, yet there seems to be so much I don’t understand.”

Li Chengqian's voice trembled slightly.

"But this truly gave me hope! A hope that... a hope that breaks with convention and truly solves the financial and food shortage crisis!"

He looked intently at Li Yichen: "What do you need me to do to find that suitable anchor? Just tell me! I will do my best to cooperate!"

Seeing the flame that had reignited in Li Chengqian's eyes, a flame more intense and clearer than ever before, Li Yichen knew that the groundwork had been laid enough.

The prince has already developed a basic understanding of credit and anchoring, and has developed a strong desire to explore and a sense of dependence on them.

"Your Highness's determination is very gratifying to me." Li Yichen bowed slightly.

"The search for an anchor must be conducted covertly and with utmost caution. Your Highness's current task is to continue stabilizing the situation in the Eastern Palace, maintain vigilance in the court proceedings at Xiande Hall, and take the selection of personnel for the development of Xizhou even more seriously. Only by allowing His Majesty and the court officials to see Your Highness's calm and pragmatic side will Your Highness's 'potential credibility' continue to rise. At that time, when we find the right anchor, we can unleash its full potential!"

The next day, just after dawn, Cui Dunli, Dou Jing, Wang Yu, and Li Suli were already waiting outside the Xiande Hall of the East Palace.

The first rays of dawn shone on the four faces, each with a different expression.

The eunuchs led them into the palace.

They filed in single file according to rank, without exchanging words with each other; their eyes occasionally met, but they quickly looked away.

Li Chengqian was already seated in the main seat of the hall.

He was still dressed in plain clothes, his face calm. He glanced at the four people bowing below and nodded slightly.

"The princes are at peace."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

The four men rose and stood on the left and right sides in the hall.

There was silence in the hall for a moment.

Cui Dunli lowered his eyes, not feeling particularly nervous.

He was a member of the Cui family in Shandong, and although not a direct descendant, he held himself in high esteem.

When he learned yesterday that the Crown Prince was going to personally examine him, he felt it was unnecessary.

The position of Crown Prince is teetering on the brink of collapse, and it remains to be seen whether he can hold onto it today. Ultimately, the appointment of the Xizhou Promotion and Removal Commissioner depends on the will of His Majesty and the ministers.
He even felt that the Crown Prince's actions were nothing more than a futile struggle to save face. He made up his mind to answer whatever was asked, without making any mistakes or showing any brilliance, and simply get through it smoothly.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Dou Jing standing beside him, his back ramrod straight. He couldn't help but sneer inwardly. Did Dou Jing really think he could show off in front of this lame prince?
Dou Jing did indeed straighten her back.

Having spent a long time in the border region of Xia Prefecture, he had many dealings with the Qiang and Hu peoples, which gave him a tough and unyielding nature.

He looked down on these nobles in Chang'an, especially the Crown Prince with his poor reputation.

The prince's foot ailment was seen by him as a physical defect, making him unfit to be a ruler.

I have come here today simply to obey orders from above.

He only intended to tell the truth about the situation on the border, and he didn't care whether the Crown Prince understood or was satisfied.

If one can obtain this position of promotion and demotion, it can be considered as contributing one's own strength to the court.

If not, he can return to his Xia Prefecture.

Wang Yu stood to the left of Dou Jing, his expression the most serene.

He came from the Wang clan of Taiyuan, and the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel had given him advance notice, saying that this was just a formality and His Highness had no right to make a decision.

He was already certain that all he needed to do today was to speak earnestly and be respectful, slightly modifying the same rhetoric he used to handle state and county affairs.

Li Suli stood at the very end, but felt the most uneasy.

He is a distant relative of the imperial family, and his current position is entirely due to his cautiousness and prudentness.

He had heard rumors that the Crown Prince had been behaving erratically in recent years.

On this occasion, he was terrified that a single wrong word would bring trouble upon himself.

He made up his mind to listen more and speak less, and never speak unless asked by the Crown Prince.

If asked, they would only give answers that were perfectly plausible and without any flaws.

Li Chengqian took in the subtle changes in the expressions of the four people.

He cleared his throat, breaking the silence.

"The Western Regions are remote, yet strategically vital. Relocating people to populate the border regions is paramount, with the primary task being to ensure their well-being. If you gentlemen were to assume your posts, what should be your priority?"

Cui Dunli stepped forward first, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Highness, I believe that we should first demonstrate the court's benevolence and strictly enforce the law. This will make the relocated people aware of the court's care and also of the strictness of the law, so that they will not dare to cause trouble."

He quoted a few lines from the Book of Rites of Zhou, using ornate language, but they were all generalities without any specific strategies.

After listening, Li Chengqian neither agreed nor disagreed, and turned his gaze to Dou Jing.

Dou Jing stepped forward, her voice loud and clear.

“Your Highness, the border regions are different from other places; relying solely on the Xuande and Mingfa laws is not enough. I know from my time in Xia Prefecture that to pacify the people, we must first secure their homes and ensure they have enough food. We should prioritize the construction of houses, distribute grain, seeds, and oxen, and organize laborers to build simple irrigation canals before the ground freezes to ensure spring planting next year. At the same time, we need to use elite troops to suppress bandits and prevent them from harassing us, so that the relocated people can settle down and cultivate the land with peace of mind.”

He spoke directly, with the roughness characteristic of a border general.

Li Chengqian nodded slightly, but still did not express his opinion, and looked at Wang Yu.

Wang Yu remained calm and bowed, saying, "What Chief Secretary Dou said is absolutely right. A stable home and sufficient food are fundamental. However, the cost of money and grain is enormous, and we must be careful with our spending. I believe that we can have the relocated people participate in the construction of houses and irrigation canals as a form of labor relief, and pay them according to their labor. This will not only speed up the process but also save on expenses. In addition, we can make preliminary contact with local Hu merchants and exchange tea and silk for their cattle and sheep to supplement our meat supply, which will also appease the surrounding tribes."

His words not only echoed Dou Jing's sentiments but also offered a seemingly more "economical" solution, covering all aspects.

Finally, it was Li Suli's turn.

He carefully stepped out of line.

(End of this chapter)