I'll steal Gao Qiu's life and lead the Song Dynasty to prosperity.

Chapter 110 Zhao Mingcheng's New Appointment: Commander of the Border Defense Division

The next day, at the crack of dawn, after leaving his wife's embrace, Zhao Mingcheng changed into his court robes, carrying a photo album of his business dealings, and went to the palace early to request an audience.

He did not request an audience at the Chuigong Hall court assembly, but rather at a side hall of the Funing Hall—the place where Zhao Ji (Emperor Huizong) lived and governed.

After the eunuch announced his arrival, he was quickly led inside.

The side hall was warm and cozy. Zhao Ji had just finished breakfast and was admiring an ancient calligraphy scroll when he saw Zhao Mingcheng enter. He put down the scroll and smiled.

"Defu's here? Please have a seat. You've come so early today, is there something you need?"

After Zhao Mingcheng finished bowing, he sat down halfway on the embroidered stool at the lower end of the table, took out a simply bound but thickly printed book from his bosom, and presented it with both hands.

"I hereby report to Your Majesty that the accounts and profits for the first quarter of the third year of the Yuanfu era, including the incense from the Hehuang region, furs, and medicinal materials, have been settled and are hereby submitted for review."

"Oh? Quickly, let me see it!"

Zhao Ji's eyes lit up, and Liang Shicheng quickly stepped forward to take the booklet and present it to the emperor.

Emperor Huizong opened the account book. At first, he was somewhat casual, but the more he looked at it, the more focused he became, even showing a hint of surprise and joy.

The first page of the booklet prominently summarizes: the total turnover of all businesses in the first quarter reached 420,000 guan, and after deducting costs, labor, transportation, management and other expenses, the net profit was a staggering 170,000 guan!

According to the 50/50 split agreed upon with Zhao Mingcheng, this emperor could receive 85,000 guan of net profit in just one quarter without doing anything!

This is almost equivalent to the annual business tax revenue of a medium-sized state!

Most importantly, this money did not go into the national treasury or pass through the Three Departments; it was entirely Zhao Ji's personal slush fund.

"170,000 strings of cash—net profit?"

Zhao Ji tapped the number with his finger, looked up at Zhao Mingcheng, his eyes filled with surprise.

"Defu, your business—it's really booming! And it's only been a quarter!"

Zhao Mingcheng humbly replied, "It is all thanks to the Emperor's good fortune that the border is temporarily at peace, trade routes are open, and goods are selling well. It is also thanks to the diligent efforts of Wang Shan, Liu Zhongwu, Tong Guan, and others over there, and the skillful management of the shopkeepers in the capital."

"Good, good!" Zhao Ji nodded repeatedly, closed the account book, and couldn't hide the smile on his face.

"With this income, I will have much more freedom to build a garden, collect antiques and paintings, or reward my officials in the future, without having to worry about the stingy attitude of those officials in the Ministry of Revenue!"

Emperor Huizong's words were straightforward. Although the emperor possessed the wealth of the entire country, the imperial treasury and the national treasury were ultimately different. If the national treasury were used to fund the emperor's personal hobbies, it would easily draw criticism from the censors.

Now that he has stable and generous business dividends, Zhao Ji can spend money on his hobbies more easily without having to worry about anyone else's opinion.

"If the emperor is pleased, that's all that matters."

Zhao Mingcheng smiled and said, "The business is just getting started. Ningxiang has already established a good reputation in Bianjing City, and demand exceeds supply. Fur products and medicinal materials are also selling well. I am thinking that we may be able to expand the business appropriately."

"Expand? How to expand?" Zhao Ji asked with great interest.

Zhao Mingcheng analyzed the situation clearly and logically.

"Firstly, we can choose a prime location in the capital and open three or four new branches, still specializing in incense and leather goods, but at different price points to meet more needs."

Secondly, once the Bianjing model matures, it can be gradually extended to wealthy prefectures and circuits such as Luoyang, Yangzhou, and Hangzhou, establishing branches or seeking reliable merchants for cooperation. The supply of goods from the Hehuang and Qinghai regions is stable; as long as the channels are smooth and management is proper, the profit potential is enormous.

After hearing this, Zhao Ji nodded repeatedly.

"These words are exactly what I wanted to say! In business, one should naturally strive to grow bigger and stronger! Defu, I entrust this matter entirely to you. Just ask if you need anything!"

"Hmm—you have rendered such a great service and planned for my future; I must reward you handsomely! Tell me, what reward do you desire? A promotion? A noble title? Or gold, silver, and land?"

Zhao Ji spoke in a friendly tone, completely in the manner of treating a trusted and meritorious official.

Zhao Mingcheng rose from his seat, bowed deeply, and spoke with sincerity.

"Your Majesty's trust in me and your permission to manage this business is already an immense favor. It is my duty and an honor to be able to do my part to help Your Majesty and share your burdens. How could I dare to ask for any further reward? I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's great kindness."

These words warmed Zhao Ji's heart, making him feel that Zhao Mingcheng was truly understanding and considerate.

He stepped down the imperial steps, personally helped Zhao Mingcheng up, and patted him on the shoulder.

"Defu, you are always so humble. Since you have made contributions, how could I not reward you? Even if you don't want it, I will feel bad. Think carefully, is there any difficulty or thing you want to do? Just say it, and I will definitely grant it to you."

Zhao Mingcheng's eyes flickered slightly, as if he pondered for a moment, then he looked up at Liang Shicheng standing to his side, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.

Zhao Ji understood and waved to Liang Shicheng.

"Liang Banban, you may step back and wait outside the hall. Do not allow anyone to approach without being summoned."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Liang Shicheng respectfully responded, lowered his head and obediently withdrew, gently closing the palace door behind him.

Only the emperor and his minister remained in the side hall.

Zhao Mingcheng then lowered his voice and spoke slowly.

"Your Majesty, I have indeed considered this matter for a long time. It may be somewhat presumptuous, but it may be beneficial to the country and Your Majesty. Therefore, I dare to present it."

"Speak freely, it's just the two of us here." Zhao Ji sat down again, his expression becoming serious.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhao Mingcheng gathered his thoughts and spoke clearly.

"Now that the Hehuang business has reached a certain scale, it will expand to various sectors in the future. The larger the business, the wider the scope of involvement, and the greater the risks."

With unrest in the border regions, powerful figures and corrupt officials from the Xia and Liao dynasties, as well as within the borders themselves, might covet commercial profits, resorting to sabotage or extortion. Relying solely on local officials and border troops for protection would likely be insufficient and leave them vulnerable to manipulation.

Zhao Ji nodded: "That makes sense. In business, military force is indeed necessary. Are you worried about the safety of the Hehuang trade route?"

""

"It's not just that." Zhao Mingcheng's gaze sharpened slightly.

"Safety of trade routes is only one aspect; intelligence is even more important."

What is the current situation within the Xia state, which has just suffered a defeat at Black Stone Beach? Has the Liao state's attitude towards Xia and our dynasty changed? What is the sentiment of the various border tribes?

Furthermore—in Bianjing (Kaifeng), which officials harbored dissent against the government's policies and border trade, or had improper connections with outsiders? Information that relied on local reports or rumors at court was often delayed, distorted, or even deliberately concealed.

Zhao Mingcheng emphasized his words slightly.

"The Emperor has just ascended the throne and is busy with countless affairs of state. He is keenly aware of the situation in the realm, especially the hidden undercurrents. If he had a pair of eyes and ears that could directly reach the Emperor's ears, bypassing the Secretariat and the Privy Council, and not relying on officials with their own ulterior motives, perhaps—it would help the Emperor to see through the subtle and make wise judgments from afar."

Zhao Ji's eyes slowly brightened, and his body involuntarily leaned forward slightly.

Zhao Mingcheng's words struck a chord with him.

As a young emperor who had just ascended the throne with the support of the Empress Dowager and some ministers.

Emperor Huizong of Song (Zhao Ji) did indeed have a natural sense of insecurity and a desire for control regarding the true situation both inside and outside the court and on the distant borders.

He longed for the power to be completely loyal to him and to gather information for him.

Previously, he trusted Zhao Mingcheng, Liang Shicheng, Gao Qiu, and other former retainers from his time as a prince, but this trust was more based on personal relationships and did not form a systematic framework.

"Defu, what do you mean—" Zhao Ji's voice also lowered.

"I dare to suggest that a new government office be established."

Zhao Mingcheng said cautiously.

"This government office has no public offices, is not listed in the official staff of the imperial court, and does not require the national treasury to cover its salaries. Its personnel are secretive, their duties are special, and they are responsible only to the emperor, and are led by someone whom the emperor absolutely trusts."

"What are your specific ideas?" Zhao Ji asked, intrigued.

"My initial idea is that this government office can be divided into four departments."

Zhao Mingcheng clearly had a plan in mind, and he spoke fluently and confidently.

"The first is the Intelligence Section," which is responsible for investigation and espionage, collecting information on the border situation between Xia and Liao, as well as the dynamics of foreign states, and then compiling and analyzing the information before promptly reporting it to the secret authorities.

The second is the "Action Section," which is responsible for matters that should not be made public, such as protecting important trade routes and personnel, eliminating hostile spies that are detrimental to the Song Dynasty, and, when necessary, turning, instigating, or eliminating enemy forces.

The third department was the Trade Department, which was responsible for the specific management of various businesses, making money for the government, and also providing operating funds for the department.

The fourth department, the Investigation and Surveillance Section, was responsible for secretly monitoring the words, actions, social interactions, and financial movements of important officials within the department, as well as those in the capital and local areas, to determine if there were any illegal activities or collusion with internal or external forces, and to report these findings to the higher authorities.

Zhao Mingcheng paused briefly before adding.

"This government office is different from the Imperial City Bureau. It has more functions than the Imperial City Bureau, and all the expenses of the government office are drawn from the income of Ningxiang trade. It does not use a single penny of the national treasury and does not rely on the three departments for funding."

Personnel selection prioritized competence and loyalty, drawing either from elite border troops or from the inner palace's eunuch bureau, choosing those known for their shrewdness and reliability. Everything was conducted covertly; nominally affiliated with some insignificant government office, it operated independently and vertically.

What Zhao Mingcheng described was essentially the prototype of a comprehensive intelligence agency that combined external intelligence gathering, covert operations, commercial trade, and internal political surveillance.

The Imperial City Guard was primarily responsible for public opinion and maintaining order in the capital. Zhao Mingcheng's proposal was more comprehensive and more needed by Emperor Huizong.

Emperor Huizong's imperial power is currently somewhat restricted by Empress Dowager Xiang, preventing him from exercising it fully. However, Zhao Mingcheng's vision precisely fulfills this deep-seated need within him.

"Excellent! This is a very good idea!"

Emperor Huizong couldn't help but clap his hands in admiration. He paced around the hall, finding it increasingly wonderful.

"This institution is supported by trade revenues and does not consume the national treasury; it operates secretly and does not attract attention; moreover, it is only responsible to me and is as easy to control as my own arm!"

"Defu, you are truly my Zhuge Liang! You always understand my thoughts and are quick to address my urgent needs! This government office must be established!"

Zhao Ji rubbed his hands excitedly and asked.

"Defu, in your opinion, how should this matter be handled specifically? Who should be chosen?"

Zhao Mingcheng was prepared and answered calmly.

"Your Majesty, this government office is of great importance. The person in charge must be absolutely loyal to Your Majesty and must also have the corresponding talent."

Your humble servant, though lacking in talent, possesses only a smattering of knowledge in commerce and trade management, and thus recommends himself to head the Trade Department, overseeing and coordinating all matters of the various departments for Your Majesty. As for the heads of the other departments—”

Zhao Mingcheng listed them one by one.

The "Action Section" requires boldness and meticulousness, military knowledge, and preferably experience in border areas.

Your subject recommends General Liu Zhongwu of Jingyuan Road. General Liu is brave and decisive, familiar with border affairs and the situation of the barbarians. He cooperated well with me in the Hehuang Campaign, and is loyal and reliable. He is capable of undertaking this task.

The "Intelligence Section" requires meticulousness, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to detect information discreetly. I recommend Tong Guan, the Eastern Attendant Official of the Inner Palace Secretariat. Tong Guan is quick-witted and adaptable, has served as a military officer for a long time, frequently handles border affairs, and has considerable experience in intelligence gathering. He is suitable to lead the department.

"As for the Investigation Department—"

Zhao Mingcheng hesitated for a moment, his tone cautious.

"This subject involves supervising court officials, which is extremely sensitive. If one is not careful, trouble can easily arise. It also requires someone whom the Emperor absolutely trusts."

Your subject recommends Liang Shicheng, the Eastern Attendant Official of the Inner Palace. Attendant Liang came from the Prince's residence and has served Your Majesty for a long time. He is loyal and prudent, and can temporarily take charge of this position.

However, this department's power needs to be checked and balanced. Perhaps in the future, another person could be found to supervise Liang Gongfeng and jointly manage the affairs, to prevent him from wielding excessive power.

Emperor Huizong listened and nodded.

Zhao Mingcheng's personnel arrangements were clearly the result of careful consideration.

Liu Zhongwu, a border general, was put in charge of the operations, while Tong Guan, a shrewd eunuch, was put in charge of intelligence.

The most sensitive investigations were carried out by Liang Shicheng, a close confidant, and a check and balance mechanism had already been prepared.

Zhao Mingcheng was in charge of overseeing the overall situation and controlling the finances.

This team is capable, loyal to him, and subtly checks and balances each other, demonstrating meticulous planning.

"Good! Great good!"

Emperor Huizong became more and more satisfied as he thought about it, and looked at Zhao Mingcheng with eyes full of admiration and trust.

"Defu's considerations are thorough and his arrangements are meticulous; we will proceed as you see fit! Liu Zhongwu, Tong Guan, and Liang Shicheng, I will summon them to the capital by secret decree or give them instructions in secret. This matter is entirely entrusted to you for planning!"

"Thank you for your decision, Your Majesty. Please bestow a name upon this new government office," Zhao Mingcheng said, bowing.

Emperor Huizong paced back and forth a few steps, then suddenly stopped, his eyes gleaming.

"Hmm, let me think about this. This office is responsible for border affairs, trade, and investigations, all for the purpose of pacifying the borders and maintaining internal stability—how about calling it the 'Pacifying the Borders Division'?"

"Jingbian Division————"

Zhao Mingcheng pondered the name and thought it sounded quite nice; Emperor Huizong of Song (Zhao Ji) was indeed good at choosing names.

He immediately bowed and said.

"Your Majesty is wise; this name is excellent."

"Very well! Let's call it the Jingbian Division!" Zhao Ji said confidently, sitting back on his throne with a serious expression.

"Minister Zhao, heed my decree!"

Zhao Mingcheng immediately stood up, lifted his robe, and bowed.

"I have specially established the Border Pacification Bureau to oversee all matters related to border intelligence gathering, trade protection, secret operations, and official investigations."

I hereby appoint you as the Director of the Border Pacification Bureau, in charge of all affairs of the Bureau, authorized to submit confidential reports, and accountable only to me.

All personnel under the Jingbian Commandery are at your command, and their expenses shall be drawn from the proceeds of trade. You must be diligent in your duties and serve with utmost care, and not fail my expectations!

"Your Majesty, I accept your decree and express my gratitude! I will do my utmost to manage the Jingbian Division well for Your Majesty, in order to repay Your Majesty's grace!" Zhao Mingcheng said in a steady voice.

The Jingbian Division, a brand-new organization, was thus quietly established.

Now, in addition to a historical pen, Zhao Mingcheng also has a hidden sword in his hands.

Zhao Ji looked at Zhao Mingcheng in front of him, his heart also filled with anticipation.

He personally stepped forward to help Zhao Mingcheng up, and said with a smile.

"Defu, I entrust the affairs of the Jingbian Division to you. From now on, my eyes and ears, my arms, will be in your hands! Also, please wait a moment."

After Zhao Ji finished speaking, he immediately picked up a brush and wrote a handwritten edict.

This imperial edict was tantamount to Zhao Mingcheng's letter of appointment, proclaiming the authority of the Jingbian Division.

"Defu, this edict is the proof I have given you. It shall not be issued to the Secretariat, nor shall it be sent down to the Three Departments, nor shall it be announced to the court. Officials need not know it, and clerks need not ask it. In the future, anyone who dares to obstruct you shall be punished for disobeying my edict."

In addition, there still needs to be a government office; it can't be without a storefront. I'm granting you a residence, not far from the imperial city, east of Sweetwater Lane. From now on, that will be the office of the Jingbian Division.

1

Zhao Mingcheng solemnly accepted the imperial edict from Zhao Ji.

"Your Majesty, I will certainly not fail in your trust!"

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