Da Ming: The system granted me immortality; I clock in every day.

Zhu Zhanji looked up in surprise and stared at Gu Yannian.

"Prime Minister Gu, the prince is only five years old. He doesn't study the Four Books and Five Classics, and spends all his time doing accounting..."

Gu Yannian remained calm and bowed slightly.

"Your Majesty, the Four Books and Five Classics teach the virtues of sages and gentlemen. But the Ming Dynasty cannot be governed solely by sages and gentlemen. If the emperor only knows classical texts..."

"If one does not know the price of a peck of rice, or how many kilograms of cotton clothing a soldier on the front line wears, then one will be deceived by corrupt officials and bureaucrats."

Gu Yannian pointed at Wang Zhen on the ground, his tone calm yet every word precious.

"Your Majesty, look, Eunuch Wang can't settle the accounts of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, which means that the Imperial Kitchen is buying pork every day at a price 30% higher than the market price."

"If Your Highness is unaware of this, how many other Courts of Imperial Sacrifices are eroding the foundations of the Ming Dynasty?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhanji was suddenly struck by a jolt.

He recalled the major military settlement case he had uncovered in Shandong years ago.

If Gu Yannian hadn't noticed something amiss from the wear and tear on the carriages and horses...

The imperial court was almost swindled out of three million taels of silver by those corrupt officials.

A ruler who is unaware that the suffering of the people can still be remedied.

If one is unaware of the true value of money and provisions, then one is like a lamb to the slaughter.

"What Prime Minister Gu says is absolutely right!"

The look in Zhu Zhanji's eyes as he looked at Zhu Qizhen suddenly shifted from pity to stern expectation.

"My son! What the Grand Tutor taught you is the foundation of governing the country! Those pedantic scholars only know how to talk nonsense. Only by firmly grasping the purse strings of the world will you be worthy to sit firmly on the throne of this Ming Dynasty!"

Zhu Qizhen had originally hoped that his father could rescue him from this misery.

Upon hearing this, the last glimmer of hope in my heart was completely shattered.

He looked at Gu Yannian in despair.

I know that I am destined to be bound to this sandalwood abacus for the rest of my life.

"Your subject... Your subject will respectfully follow Your Majesty's teachings."

Zhu Qizhen sobbed.

He picked up the purple brush again and continued his relentless struggle with the summer grain accounts.

Zhu Zhanji nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Gu Yannian and smiled:

"Prime Minister Gu is a skilled educator. With Prime Minister Gu assisting me and the Grand Tutor strictly disciplining my son, the Ming Dynasty will be secure for a hundred years."

"Come, Prime Minister Gu, come with me to the warm pavilion for a game of chess. The Ministry of War has just sent over the memorial regarding the rotation of troops at the nine border regions. I need to discuss it with you."

Gu Yannian glanced at Zhu Qizhen and Wang Zhen, who were staring at him expectantly, and spoke in a calm tone.

"Your Highness, Eunuch Wang. If the accounts in Wenhua Hall are not settled today, no one is allowed to step out of the hall."

After saying this, he strode away with Zhu Zhanji.

Only two unfortunate souls were left trembling in the shadow of the abacus.

That night, I was on duty at the Jianji Hall.

Gu Yannian was wearing a worn-out crane cloak.

I sat by the red clay stove, with a pot of aged Shaoxing wine warming on it.

Minister of War Yu Qian pushed open the door and entered, bringing with him the chill of early spring.

"Prime Minister Gu."

Yu Qian sat down opposite him, his expression showing a hint of reverence.

In recent years, with the full support of the Ministry of Revenue, he has vigorously reorganized the defense of the nine border regions.

The firearms of the Ming army were already unparalleled in the world.

"Tingyi's visit so late at night, is there some trouble at the border?"

Gu Yannian poured him a cup of warm wine.

Yu Qian accepted the drink with both hands, took a sip, and dispelled the chill.

"With the border secure, Toghon of the Oirat has been quite well-behaved these past few years. I've come today to inquire about matters concerning the Wenhua Hall."

Yu Qian hesitated for a moment before speaking:

"Prime Minister Gu, I have heard that you are extremely strict in educating the First Prince, and even have Wang Zhen help with the accounting."

"This Wang Zhen is a eunuch; I'm worried about letting him handle the imperial treasury..."

Gu Yannian smiled slightly.

The smile, illuminated by the firelight, revealed a profound understanding of the world's affairs.

"Tingyi, the reason eunuchs can disrupt the government is because the emperor is incompetent and has delegated power. I sent Wang Zhen to learn accounting not to give him an important position."

"It's not about letting him know how many eyes are watching him hidden in the court's accounts."

Gu Yannian picked up his wine cup, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

"As for His Highness... he has the martial spirit of Emperor Taizong flowing in his veins. If left unchecked, he will surely develop a desire for militarism and aggression in the future."

"I used these complicated accounts to pressure him, to let him know that war is a waste of money, and to make him disgusted with war."

"Only in this way can he be a peaceful and stable ruler who maintains the status quo."

Gu Yannian did not mention the Tumu Crisis in history.

That catastrophe that Yu Qian managed to turn the tide of, but ultimately met a tragic end on the street.

He was simply changing the course of the Ming Dynasty little by little in his own way.

After listening, Yu Qian was extremely impressed by the chief minister's shrewdness.

"Prime Minister Gu is a man of profound wisdom and foresight, and I am ashamed to admit my inferiority. With Prime Minister Gu in power, the Ming Dynasty will truly prosper."

Gu Yannian calmly drank the wine in his glass without replying.

He didn't care whether the country prospered or not.

All he knew was that on his long and endless path to immortality, he would not tolerate those spendthrift sons tearing down the stage he had built with his own hands.

He worked hard to accumulate the wealth of the Ming Dynasty.

Anyone who wants to squander money on the grasslands will first have their head smashed with that thick abacus.

"It's late, Tingyi, you should go back and rest early. Tomorrow, I still have to go to the Wenhua Hall to test that boy's multiplication table recitation."

Gu Yannian waved his hand, his tone exuding a relaxed and composed air.

Outside the window, the moonlight was like water.