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

Upon hearing this, the warm pavilion fell into a deathly silence.

Zhang Mao and the others were so frightened that their faces turned ashen and their bodies trembled like leaves.

They were then shocked to realize that this seemingly gentle and refined chief minister had unknowingly seized control of the Ming army's lifeline.

That blade, called "Money and Grain," was far sharper and more deadly than the knives and spears in their hands.

"Your Excellency, spare me! Your Excellency, please show me the way!"

Zhang Mao kowtowed in despair, knowing that resisting would only lead to his death.

Using the safety of the border as leverage is tantamount to courting death.

Seeing that the time was almost right, the coldness in Gu Yannian's eyes gradually faded.

She regained her leisurely and composed demeanor.

He sat back down by the fireplace and tucked the folding fan into his sleeve.

"I have already prepared a path for you. It's just a matter of whether you are willing to walk it."

Gu Yannian spoke in a calm tone, as if he were discussing today's weather.

Several nobles pricked up their ears, as if listening to celestial music.

"What is the Emperor's purpose in inspecting the military farms? He wants to seize those abandoned and hidden fertile fields and bring them into the national treasury to fill the imperial granary. What the Emperor wants is a clear record, and he wants silver and grain."

Gu Yannian poked at the charcoal in the stove and said casually:

"Since you know that the Prince of Cheng's iron shovel will eventually dig into your territory, why are you waiting for him to investigate? Once he does, it will be a crime of deceiving the emperor, resulting in the confiscation of your property and exile to the army."

"But what if you settle the accounts before he leaves?"

Zhang Mao was taken aback, and hesitated before asking, "Does the Prime Minister mean that we should voluntarily return the occupied military farmland?"

"Return it? Wouldn't that confirm your crime of embezzling military farmland?"

Gu Yannian shook his head, a shrewd smile curving his lips.

"Are your subordinates incapable of writing memorials? Take this: Recently, the soldiers of the Nine Border Garrisons, grateful for the Emperor's boundless grace, have reclaimed millions of acres of wasteland in Xuanfu, Liaodong and other places during their training."

"Now that this wasteland has been transformed into cultivated land, you dukes are willing to present all of this newly cultivated land, along with this autumn's harvest, as a congratulatory gift to the Emperor to replenish the imperial granary."

Gu Yannian looked at them with deep eyes.

"In this way, the death penalty for embezzling military farmland becomes an act of loyalty by you, who are considerate of the nation's needs and have reclaimed wasteland to contribute to the country. The Emperor has obtained the land and grain, the accounts are balanced, and he will naturally be overjoyed."

"Do I really need to teach you how to make such a win-win deal?"

Upon hearing this, the dukes felt as if they had been enlightened, suddenly gaining a clear understanding.

They transformed the embezzled goods into newly reclaimed wasteland and presented them to the authorities.

This not only saved them from the catastrophic loss of their property but also earned them a reputation for unwavering loyalty in the eyes of the emperor.

Although it hurts to lose money, it's a worthwhile deal to keep my head and my hereditary title!

"Thank you so much for your guidance, Prime Minister! You have truly saved my life!"

Zhang Mao was so excited that he became incoherent and kowtowed repeatedly.

"Alright, go back and write the report neatly. The Emperor is watching the accounts closely right now, so don't falsify the acreage figures. The figures must be exactly what they say. If you dare to underreport even a single acre and it gets discovered..."

Gu Yannian didn't finish his sentence, but the unspoken meaning was enough to send chills down everyone's spine.

The nobles thanked him profusely and left the Prime Minister's private residence. They rushed back to their own residence that very night and summoned their staff to draft a memorial on "donating land".

Two days later, the morning court session was held at Fengtian Gate.

The weather was still bitterly cold, but the atmosphere in the court was strangely intense.

Zhu Qizhen sat upright on the dragon throne, with the large sandalwood abacus beside him.

He was in a particularly good mood today. The 750,000 taels of silver that had been transported back from Datong had made him smile in his dreams these past few days.

He was calculating that once the Prince of Cheng arrived in Xuanfu, he would be able to squeeze out another thick layer of profit.

"I have something to report!" Wang Zhen shouted.

As soon as he finished speaking, Duke Zhang Mao of Yingguo led a group of nobles and military officers, who stepped out of the ranks and knelt down beneath the imperial steps.

"Your humble servant, Duke Zhang Mao of Yingguo, along with the generals of the Beijing Garrison, has some extremely joyous news to report to Your Majesty!"

Zhang Mao's voice was loud and clear, and his face was beaming with joy.

Zhu Qizhen frowned slightly. These military officers were usually like wooden stakes when attending court, so why were they so enthusiastic today?

"What good news does Minister Zhang have?"

Zhang Mao took out a thick yellow book from his bosom, held it high, and read it aloud.

"Your Majesty! We are mindful of the nation's dire financial straits and Your Majesty's tireless efforts in managing expenditures day and night. Therefore, we have ordered the soldiers in Xuanfu, Liaodong, Jizhou, and other places to clear thorns and brambles and reclaim wasteland in their spare time from training and guarding the borders. After several years, the results are finally evident! To date, more than four million mu of high-quality arable land have been newly reclaimed!"

"We dare not keep any for ourselves. Today, we present to His Majesty the complete register of these four million mu of new land, along with the equivalent of two million shi of autumn grain, to replenish the imperial granary!"

Upon hearing this, all the officials in the court were dumbfounded.

Four million mu of new farmland?!

Two million shi of autumn grain?!

These notoriously stingy military families, who would haggle with the Ministry of War over even the smallest thing, actually offered up such a massive fortune?!

Zhu Qizhen suddenly stood up from the dragon throne, his eyes fixed on the yellow book in Zhang Mao's hand, his face full of disbelief.

He instinctively grabbed the sandalwood abacus next to him, his fingers trembling slightly.

"Four million mu...two million shi..."

Zhu Qizhen muttered to himself, his mind racing.

He had checked the accounts; Xuanfu and Liaodong were such desolate places, with such strong winds and sandstorms.

The soldiers didn't even have enough strength for training, so where would they find the time to cultivate four million acres of high-quality arable land?

This is clearly a military settlement they have secretly embezzled!

Zhu Qizhen was about to erupt in anger, denouncing them for deceiving the emperor.

His gaze, however, inadvertently swept over Gu Yannian, who stood at the head of the assembled officials.

Gu Yannian held the tablet in his hands, his eyes slightly lowered, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Noticing Zhu Qizhen's gaze, Gu Yannian nodded almost imperceptibly.

A flash of inspiration struck Zhu Qizhen, and he instantly understood.

These arrogant and fierce soldiers have always been like the mythical creature Pixiu, only taking in and never giving out.

It can make them willingly vomit up the meat they've eaten.

Apart from that Grand Tutor, there is no one else in the world who could do it.

The Grand Tutor was teaching him that if the water is too clear, there will be no fish.

If we force an investigation, it will incite these nobles to rebel, and the Nine Borders will surely be in chaos.

Now, they have voluntarily donated land, the accounts are balanced, and the national treasury is full.

The emperor's face has also been saved.

This is the ultimate financial strategy of subduing the enemy without fighting!