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

Wang Zhen was so excited that he trembled all over and kowtowed three times.

"Your Majesty is a brilliant strategist! This kind of feigned retreat while secretly advancing is something that even the old traitor Gu, with his superhuman eyes and ears, could never have foreseen! As long as we have our own troops and supplies, how can we not overthrow that old traitor and regain control of the court!"

Zhu Qizhen laughed triumphantly.

Over the past five years, he and Wang Zhen have proceeded with extreme caution, as if walking on thin ice.

At every court assembly, he was extremely obedient, and he always listened to and complied with the draft proposals submitted by Gu Yannian.

But he also grew up working with abacus beads; he learned to do accounting and break down huge expenses into smaller parts.

Hidden within those seemingly reasonable royal purchases and palace repairs are a mess of unresolved issues.

"However, we need to expand our land holdings even further."

Zhu Qizhen sat back down at his desk, his brows slightly furrowed.

"These few imperial estates on the outskirts of Beijing can only support a maximum of three to five thousand guards. What I need are tens of thousands of elite soldiers who can keep the Beijing garrison in check."

Wang Zhen's eyes darted around, and he offered a suggestion.

"Your Majesty, I have a plan. There is a large pastureland at the border of Daningwei and Xuanfu, which was once conquered by Emperor Taizong, but now it is mostly abandoned. We can issue an imperial decree to establish a pastureland for the Imperial Horse Stables there to breed warhorses for the royal family."

"In fact, we could simply send eunuchs to guard the area while secretly recruiting soldiers."

Zhu Qizhen's eyes lit up: "Great idea! The Imperial Horse Administration is one of the twelve administrations of the inner court, so it's perfectly legitimate. Establishing pastures to breed horses is something no one can argue with. However…"

He paused, a hint of apprehension flashing in his eyes.

"Such a large-scale operation requires the approval of the cabinet. That old scoundrel Gu is suspicious by nature. He may be able to hide the tricks in the accounts from others, but he may not be able to."

Wang Zhen stepped forward and whispered, "Your Majesty, rest assured. What Prime Minister Gu values ​​most is not touching the silver in the imperial treasury. All the expenses required for our Imperial Horse Stable pasture will be covered by the imperial treasury, without spending a single penny of the national treasury."

"We'll just say that His Majesty is considerate of the nation's financial difficulties and wants to raise horses himself. Minister Gu will certainly have no fault to speak of such a cost-saving measure."

Zhu Qizhen carefully considered the plan and found it ingenious, a cold smile appearing on his lips.

"Fine! That old scoundrel has taught me accounting. Today I'll take the calculated accounts and go meet him. I want to see how long he can stay in this position of Grand Secretary!"

The following day, the morning court session was held at Fengtian Gate.

The spring sunshine was bright, and officials lined up in attendance.

Gu Yannian stood at the head of the assembled officials, his expression serene and composed, exuding an air of leisurely ease.

The morning assembly proceeded quite smoothly.

The six ministries and nine ministers reported on the spring plowing arrangements in various regions, and Gu Yannian gave appropriate instructions in just a few words.

After the ministers finished their presentations, Zhu Qizhen sat upright on the dragon throne, leaning slightly forward.

"My esteemed ministers, I have a matter I wish to discuss with the Cabinet today."

The young emperor's voice echoed in the hall, steady and powerful, no longer the timid and tearful tone of his youth.

"I have heard from the Ministry of War that the warhorses on the nine borders are being lost at great cost, and every year a huge sum of money must be allocated from the Taicang treasury to purchase fine horses from the Western Regions. I find this very distressing. The silver in the national treasury should be used to build water conservancy projects and provide relief to disaster victims."

"After much deliberation, I intend to designate several wastelands in the suburbs of the capital and the area around Daningwei to establish imperial estates and pastures for the Imperial Horse Stables. The inner court will fund the breeding of warhorses to alleviate the heavy burden on the imperial granary."

Upon hearing this, all the ministers nodded secretly in agreement.

The Emperor has indeed been taught by Chief Minister Gu these past few years.

Not only did they not mention war, they also showed concern for the national treasury's money.

He was even considering paying out of his own pocket to raise horses for the imperial court; he truly embodies the qualities of a wise and benevolent ruler.

Zhu Qizhen gave Wang Zhen a wink.

Wang Zhen immediately carried a thick document and quickly walked down the steps, respectfully presenting it to Gu Yannian.

"Prime Minister Gu, this is the account book for the preparation of the imperial estates and the imperial horse stables, which His Majesty calculated overnight. The expenses for reclaiming wasteland and recruiting grooms were all paid from the previous surplus of the imperial estates and the imperial treasury."

"His Majesty said that not a single grain of rice will be taken from the Ministry of Revenue, nor a single tael of silver will be allocated from the Imperial Granary."

Wang Zhen spoke in a high-pitched voice, his tone revealing utmost subservience.

Gu Yannian reached out and took the document, but did not open it.

He simply fixed his quiet and profound gaze on Zhu Qizhen, who was on the dragon throne.

Zhu Qizhen met Gu Yannian's gaze, a cold sweat seeping down his back.

However, he outwardly maintained a magnanimous and selfless demeanor, even nodding slightly to show that the ruler and his subject were in harmony.

A slight smile appeared on Gu Yannian's lips.

He slowly opened the document, his gaze sweeping over the densely packed, tiny characters.

This "money-saving plan," which seemed perfect to the court officials, was riddled with flaws in Gu Yannian's eyes.

It's like a blank sheet of paper filled with ambition and conspiracy.

Is a pasture being established in Daningwei?

That place was originally rich in water and grass, and with just a little cultivation, it could support tens of thousands of people.

The recruited grooms must be strong and capable refugees and retired soldiers.

Not taking money or grain from the Ministry of Revenue meant that this force was completely free from the Ministry of War's military register and the Ministry of Revenue's control over money and grain.

It became a completely private army of the inner court.

The young emperor has learned to falsify accounts.

They want to pull off a "hiding troops in the village" trick right under my nose.

Gu Yannian secretly found it amusing.

It's like an accounting apprentice who has just learned how to use an abacus, trying to fool the top manager in the world with what he thinks is a flawless fake account book.

Those clumsy methods and self-righteous schemes appeared so ridiculous and laughable in front of Gu Yannian.

He could have rejected it on the spot, or even simply pointed out a few flaws in the accounts.

This would shatter the plan that Zhu Qizhen and Wang Zhen had painstakingly devised over several months.

But Gu Yannian did not do that.

In this long and endless lifespan, if he were to crush every hopping grasshopper to death with a single step, this grand drama of the mortal world would be far too dull.

Since this young emperor thought he had grown up and was fully capable.

If someone wants to engage in a power struggle and a battle of money, then the Grand Tutor must naturally grant their wish.

Only by letting him climb high enough can we personally cut down the ladder he thinks he can climb.

This profound lesson in governing the country is truly unforgettable.

"Your Majesty is concerned about the national treasury and cares for the people's livelihood. This is a blessing for the Ming Dynasty. Your humble servant is deeply gratified."

Gu Yannian closed the document, his voice gentle and calm, slowly echoing in the hall.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Qizhen was overjoyed, and his hands clenched into fists under his wide sleeves.

Become!

That old scoundrel was indeed fooled by the phrase "not even a tael of silver from Taicang"!

He only had his eyes on the keys to the national treasury, unaware that I had already dug a tunnel beneath his city walls!

"Does Prime Minister Gu think this proposal is feasible?"

Zhu Qizhen suppressed his overwhelming joy and tried his best to make his voice sound calm and dignified.

Gu Yannian bowed slightly and raised the tablet in his hand.

"Establishing imperial estates and pastures for self-sufficiency is naturally feasible."

Gu Yannian spoke calmly, but in the next instant, his tone subtly shifted.

"However, since the Imperial Estate is a model for the world, it should strictly abide by the laws and regulations of the Ming Dynasty. The reclamation of wasteland and the breeding of warhorses are long-term plans that require a large number of people."