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

Gu Yannian turned his head, looked at Minister Xia, whose face was full of pain, and smiled gently.

"Minister Xia, please don't be anxious. I said the Ministry of Revenue could afford it, but I didn't say that the money would have to come from the Taicang."

The three people in the South Study were all taken aback.

Zhu Gaochi asked in surprise, "If the silver isn't allocated from the Taicang granary, where will the money for repairing the river and building the Imperial Academy come from? Are you expecting the Ministry of Works to conjure it out of thin air?"

Gu Yannian stood up and walked to the map of the Ming Dynasty hanging in the center of the study.

His slender fingers traced the veins of the Grand Canal.

"Your Majesty, Yu the Great controlled the floods by combining dredging and blocking. The same principle applies to managing finances. Rather than having the court bear such a massive expense alone, why not use commerce to support industry?"

"Using commerce to support industry?"

Yang Shiqi murmured those four words repeatedly, his eyes full of doubt.

Gu Yannian turned around and explained the concept of "franchise rights," which had matured in later generations, in words that the ancients could understand.

"Once the Grand Canal is dredged, the biggest beneficiaries will not only be the imperial court's grain transport, but also the countless merchants traveling between the north and south."

"In the past, when the river was silted up, merchant ships often had to dock to unload their cargo and then travel by land, which was time-consuming and labor-intensive."

"If the canal is unobstructed, their cargo ships can reach Tongzhou directly, saving them a great deal in fire-related expenses and transportation costs."

Gu Yannian smiled faintly.

"Your Majesty may issue an edict to raise funds from the wealthy salt merchants, tea merchants, and silk merchants of Jiangnan. Whoever funds the repair of a certain section of the river will be granted special privileges by the court."

"In the next ten years, he can charge a small lockage fee on all merchant ships that pass through this section of the river."

"After the ten-year term, the power to collect toll fees, along with the repaired waterway, will be taken back by the imperial court."

The Southern Study was completely silent.

Zhu Gaochi opened his mouth in astonishment, while Xia Yuanji gasped.

Gu Yannian's plan is simply unprecedented!

The imperial court didn't have to spend a single penny to get those incredibly wealthy merchants to rush out their silver to repair the river.

Merchants, eager to collect long-term sluice gate fees, will certainly spare no effort in repairing the waterway.

We guarantee quality and quantity, and we would never cut corners.

Ten years later, the imperial court reaped the benefits without lifting a finger, gaining a smooth and unobstructed golden waterway for free.

Such calculations have deviated from the traditional way of taxation and reached a level that is beyond the comprehension of gods and spirits.

"Then...what about the Imperial Academy?"

Xia Yuanji stammered as he asked.

"You can charge tolls for building canals, but you can't charge merchants tolls for building schools and attracting students, can you?"

Gu Yannian walked steadily back to the brocade stool and sat down, straightening the wide sleeves of his scarlet robe.

“There are naturally other rules to follow when studying at the Imperial Academy.”

Gu Yannian's tone remained calm and unhurried.

"Throughout history, merchants have been of low social status and have often sought fame and prestige. Your Majesty may designate a vacant lot around the capital for the construction of the Imperial Academy."

"For any large merchant who donates more than 100,000 taels of silver, the imperial court may erect a merit stele in the stele forest in front of the Imperial Academy to announce their good deeds to the world."

"More importantly, the imperial court can grant a student of the Imperial Academy a place, allowing him to audit classes at the Imperial Academy."

Gu Yannian picked up the plum juice, which had long since gone cold, and took a small sip.

"Such an opportunity to bring glory to one's ancestors and change one's social standing is more tempting than mountains of gold and silver to those wealthy merchants who are struggling to gain official recognition."

"Let alone several million taels, even if it were tens of millions of taels of silver, they would still fight tooth and nail to donate it."

"Meow! Meow, beyond words!"

Zhu Gaochi slapped his thigh and stood up abruptly in excitement.

His plump body paced back and forth in the study, his eyes gleaming with ecstatic joy.

"Yan Nian, oh Yan Nian, just how many ingenious schemes and plans are swirling in your head! Using merchants' money to repair the imperial rivers, build schools for the Ming Dynasty, and then expecting them to be eternally grateful!"

"Such a plan, killing three birds with one stone, is truly unheard of!"

Yang Shiqi stroked his beard and sighed deeply, bowing with heartfelt admiration.

"Minister Gu's financial management skills are unprecedented. I have truly broadened my horizons today. In this way, without touching a single penny of the imperial granary, His Majesty can achieve a legacy that will last for generations. This is truly a blessing for the nation."

Xia Yuanji had long since forgotten his previous concerns and was now looking at Gu Yannian with a broad smile.

It was as if I were looking at a living, golden Buddha.

As long as it doesn't cost the Ministry of Revenue any money, you can do whatever you want.

The emperor and his ministers immediately began to discuss the specific rules of "using commerce to support industry" in the Southern Study.

Zhu Gaochi became more and more excited as he spoke, wishing he could immediately draft an imperial edict to announce it to the world.

Time slips away unnoticed.

As the sun sets, its afterglow shines through the window of the South Study.

A dappled pattern of light and shadow was cast across the gold brick floor.

Suddenly, a deep, resonant drumbeat came from the Drum Tower in the distance.

The evening drum at dusk, penetrating the red walls of the imperial city, clearly reached the Southern Study.

Gu Yannian, who was listening to Yang Shiqi explain the location of the Stele Forest, relaxed his straight back slightly.

He placed the brush in his hand on the brush holder with great ease.

He then stood up and slowly smoothed the hem of his crimson official robe.

Gu Yannian bowed slightly and performed a proper salute.

"Your Majesty, the evening drum has sounded. I have already fully explained this method of using commerce to support industry. As for the specific rules and requirements, the Cabinet and the Ministry of Works will take care of them properly."

He raised his head, his expression revealing a sense of natural ease.

"Your Majesty and the two officials have finished their duties for today and should now return home. I will leave the rest to Your Majesty and the two ministers."

The air in the South Study only froze for a moment before relaxing.

Zhu Gaochi knew what Gu Yannian was about to say when he saw Gu raise his buttocks.

So he waved his hand and laughed, scolding:

"Alright, alright, you came up with the solution, and you've saved me money from the national treasury. I keep my word, you're allowed to leave the office on time. Go now, don't be late for your dinner!"

"Your humble servant takes his leave."

Gu Yannian bowed respectfully, then turned and left the South Study.

As I stepped out of Qianqing Gate, a slightly cool evening breeze greeted me.

The setting sun painted the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City a fiery red.

Gu Yannian strolled along the long street outside the palace, his hands behind his back.

He casually tossed out those extraordinary strategies for governing the country, yet without a trace of smug self-satisfaction.

Once outside the imperial city, the hustle and bustle of the marketplace hit you.

Passing by a food stall on a street corner, the rich aroma of braised pork was mouthwatering.

"Boss, half a pound of braised beef, and a packet of five-spice dried tofu, please."

Gu Yannian took out a few copper coins.

Carrying the braised food wrapped in oil paper, Gu Yannian walked steadily toward his home in Xuanwu Lane.

The highest position in the imperial court governs the country and brings peace to the world.

These were all his pastimes to while away the endless years.

Only after leaving the office at dusk, with a steaming bowl of braised meat and a pot of warm wine, can one truly enjoy a leisurely day.