"But if you observe closely, dynasties seldom last through centuries, yet rchants always thrive. Rember, being born into hardship leads to strength, but dying in comfort causes downfall."
After saying this, she glanced at the Second Prince.
If anyone else heard the Empress Dowager’s words, they might consider them outrageous.
But before the Second Prince, she revealed them openly.
It was rely to keep his mind clear, preventing him from being deceived by those in power.
Although the Second Prince did not completely understand, he morized them firmly.
Then he pointed at those few words and asked.
"Grand Empress Dowager, what does this an?"
"Do not underestimate those engaged in comrce; there are many intricacies within. To achieve the wealth that rivals nations, these four words are indispensable. One must have strategy, be bold and vigilant, adept in decision-making, and learn to seize the right mont; this is the most crucial."
The Empress Dowager tapped on the word "benevolence" with her finger.
Then she said.
"rchants prioritize profit over separation and are often stigmatized due to the lack of benevolence. Take what others discard and offer when others desire; this is both the key to comrce and the principle of being human."
The Empress Dowager spoke seriously, and the Second Prince listened attentively.
Grandmother and grandson discussed world affairs in the room, while outside was a white expanse, profoundly quiet.
However, these were rely superficial appearances.
Coincidentally, the Emperor was discussing military funding with Pri Minister Lin, the Fourth Prince, the Marquis of Northwest, and the Ministers of War and Revenue.
The Fourth Prince and Marquis of Northwest each commanded the Imperial Armor Army and the Northwest Army, which consud the most of Da Wei’s military funds.
Therefore, in today’s discussion on military funding, the presence of both was essential.
As for Pri Minister Lin, the Ministers of War and Revenue, they were rely in attendance today.
The Ministry of War needed to issue military pay, but the Ministry of Revenue found it challenging.
Pri Minister Lin had been diating for a long ti, but today he bluntly brought the matter to the Emperor.
Fortunately, the Fourth Prince and Marquis of Northwest were also in the capital, so it was best to discuss it together.
The Minister of Revenue suddenly felt that while imortals fight, the ones affected are those like him.
Thus, when speaking, he was exceedingly cautious.
"This is the surplus after this year’s tax collection, an increase of thirty percent compared to last year, but it does not fill the gap for the military pay needed by the Ministry of War. Your servant truly has no solutions, as even a clever housewife cannot cook without rice."
Anyone witnessing his tearless sorrow would feel pity.
But everyone present was experienced, so the Minister of Revenue’s act was of no use.
The Fourth Prince frowned at the Minister of Revenue and imdiately asked.
"Wasn’t a ransom recently sent to the National Treasury? How is it gone already?"
The Minister of Revenue felt distressed; the Imperial Armor Army was a full two hundred thousand, but the Northwest Army was six hundred thousand.
Three tis the number naturally required three tis the military pay to fill.
And, inside and outside the palace, everywhere required funds, so the Minister of Revenue had to ticulously calculate.
Maintaining Da Wei’s dignity while preventing hunger among the troops returned the dilemma.
Where would next year’s military pay for the sixty thousand soldiers of the Northwest Army co from?
"How much can the Ministry of Revenue manage now?"
"At most, military pay for thirty thousand soldiers; beyond that, I truly am powerless."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor’s face also turned unpleasant.
He could not let those soldiers shedding blood and sweat go hungry while defending the borders.
This was sothing he could not allow.
It was unbecoming of an enlightened monarch.
After contemplating, he turned to Pri Minister Lin, passing the problem over.
"What does Pri Minister Lin think?"
Pri Minister Lin, having been in the court for decades, was like a sly fox and wouldn’t speak easily.
If he said too much, it would offend the Marquis of Northwest; too little would anger the Emperor.
He was no fool, and the prospects of the Lin Family for generations hadn’t been absolutely secured; how could he speak casually?
Thus, after so thought, he bowed and said.
"Since entering the court, I have served in civil affairs and am not well-versed in military matters, so rash suggestions might not resolve the current predicant."
The Fourth Prince nearly rolled his eyes to the ceiling; this outright shirking was truly perford vividly.
But the reason Pri Minister Lin could stand firm in the court for decades was due to his abilities.
Just then, he continued.
"However, in my youth, while serving, I heard of tis when governnt offices and counties faced budget shortfalls, they would raise funds from rchants. The money they held initially ca from the people, so if returned to the people, it seed beneficial."
Upon hearing this, the Minister of Revenue’s eyes brightened.
Raising funds from rchants ant the money didn’t need to be repaid.
Getting military pay for thirty thousand soldiers for free, not to ntion keeping one’s official hat intact.
Thinking of this, he imdiately praised.
"Pri Minister’s thod is excellent, reminding of an old event when during Emperor Jing’s reign, the Ministry of Revenue faced financial strains and raised funds from rchants to alleviate the imdiate crisis."
Before he finished speaking, the Fourth Prince reprimanded.
"Nonsense, even if funds are raised today to uniformly distribute next year’s military pay, what about the year after, and the year after that? Rely on rchants continuously? Ridiculous! Not to ntion if rchants actually have that much money to give, even if they did, fundraising annually cannot last."
"When the people beco impoverished as a result, isn’t it digging one’s own grave?"
The Fourth Prince, being a mber of the Imperial Family, had his words heard by the Emperor, but the Ministers of War and Revenue and Pri Minister Lin fell to their knees.
Finally, the Marquis of Northwest spoke, having remained silent all along.
His voice seed carried by the Northwest’s sand, sounding sowhat rough.
"Fourth Prince, be careful with your words. Are you suggesting Da Wei will fall under the Emperor’s rule?"
"Don’t falsely accuse , ultimately our gathering to discuss this issue is due to the Northwest Army’s troubles. The Imperial Armor Army counts up to two hundred thousand, but the Northwest Army has expanded to six hundred thousand, triple its size."
"Marquis of Northwest, are you not going to offer an explanation?"
The Marquis of Northwest cast a sinister glance at the Fourth Prince and then said.
"What explanation does the Prince want from ? Are they just private troops of my Liu Family, defending only Liu territory? Laughable."
Such cold attitude caused so displeasure to the Emperor.
Recalling his rigid stance during the Ministry of War reform in the past, the Emperor beca more unhappy.
Thus, he lowered his voice and said with a hint of warning.
"Marquis of Northwest, there’s no need to be aggressive. That’s not what the Fourth Prince ant, and after all, I am here too and haven’t said I wouldn’t issue military pay to the soldiers. Why are you agitated?"
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