Chapter 23: How About Ruling the Nation with Heroism?

Wuying Hall.

Old Zhu and Qin Feng sat cross-legged, laughing heartily.

"Your Majesty," Qin Feng said, "I never imagined there would truly be people in this world who would walk right into a trap."

"Qin Feng," Old Zhu replied, "now that the mastermind behind the scenes has been caught, how do you intend to deal with those imperial fugitives?"

"I will have them work the land with me! I have investigated their backgrounds; they are all desperate people who were forced into a corner and had no choice but to kill those wicked villains. Their nature is not bad, and they only ever targeted the truly corrupt; they never harmed innocent civilians. They are quite principled, in their own way. They were only incited by others to assassinate me. I implore Your Majesty to show mercy and allow them to atone for their crimes through service."

"Very well, I shall thank Your Majesty on their behalf."

"During this morning's court session, you mentioned you had a way to raise the funds for the flood-mitigation dam before the end of the year. I am very curious: what method could you possibly use to increase the imperial treasury by several million taels in such a short time?"

Qin Feng smiled mysteriously and asked, "Your Majesty, if I succeed, what will be my reward?"

Old Zhu rolled his eyes and scoffed, "I have already entrusted you with the two major tasks of the river works and the Shanglin Park. You are still asking me for a reward?"

"But can you find anyone else who could resolve the matters of the river works and Shanglin Park for you?"

Old Zhu was rendered speechless. The river works and the Shanglin Park were urgent matters that could not be delayed, and it was a necessity to leave them entirely in Qin Feng's hands. Old Zhu did not want to see the Yellow River suffer the same disasters as Huaixi, causing chaos for the people, nor did he want to see his subjects starving and corpses littering the land. These two goals were his lifelong aspirations; if achieved, he would secure a reputation that would last through the ages.

"What else do you want? I have even promised you my daughter's hand in marriage."

"I have heard that Ming officials are not permitted to engage in business. The reward I want is for you to allow me to be both an official and a merchant."

Old Zhu was slightly stunned. *Good heavens, this man is truly insatiable! I have even promised him my own daughter, and yet he wants to be a merchant while holding office?*

Since ancient times, the status of merchants had been extremely low. Under the prevailing policy of prioritizing agriculture and suppressing commerce, trade had always been restricted by emperors. The reason for this suppression was that capital could easily expand in an unruly manner, eventually evolving into monopolies and exploitation. This was something no ancient emperor wished to see. The lives of the common people were already difficult enough; if a mountain of capital were to crush them, would they not rise up in rebellion?

Prioritizing agriculture and suppressing commerce was done for the sake of social stability and the consolidation of imperial power. Therefore, emperors throughout history had little fondness for merchants, often comparing them to the greedy *pixiu*.

"Your Majesty, I am not doing this for my own selfish gain," Qin Feng argued. "Think about it: when you marry the Princess to me, I must ensure she lives a good life, right? With the meager salary I earn now, it is a struggle even to feed myself. If I have to take on a pampered Princess as well, how could I possibly survive?"

Old Zhu thought about it, and it seemed to make sense. His precious daughter, the apple of his eye, could not be expected to live in poverty after marrying Qin Feng.

Qin Feng continued, "Your Majesty, currently, engaging in trade is the fastest and most stable way to increase the treasury's reserves."

Old Zhu understood the implication. To raise millions of taels, Qin Feng intended to expand trade routes and reform the markets.

"What do you intend to do? Are you planning to change the policies on market vendors?"

Qin Feng shook his head. "Those are merely small-scale commodity trades; they would be like trying to put out a cartload of burning firewood with a single cup of water."

"Then what is your idea? Let me hear it."

"Your Majesty, in the future, more than six hundred years from now, there will be state-owned enterprises that can rapidly increase a nation's revenue. Things like grain, salt, minerals, and firearms could all become Ming state-owned enterprises. These are the lifeblood of the Ming and must be firmly held in the hands of the Imperial Court. These state-run industries can supply the nation internally and export externally. Grain, salt, minerals, and firearms can all be sold abroad through international trade."

Old Zhu felt a bit dizzy. It sounded as if Qin Feng was suggesting the lifting of the maritime ban. Otherwise, how would Ming ships be able to set sail?

"The goods sold abroad would generate a trade surplus," Qin Feng explained, "and our Ming would continuously reap gold, silver, and jewels from other nations."

Old Zhu squinted. "Is this how you plan to quickly earn those millions of taels?"

"This is merely my preliminary concept. To implement it would indeed be fraught with difficulties."

*Difficulties?* It was far more than that—it was nearly impossible! With so many pedantic, corrupt scholars in the court, how could one possibly persuade them to agree to lift the maritime ban? Furthermore, the Ming lacked formidable ships and powerful cannons; if the ban were lifted by force, how could they defend against the Japanese pirates who ruled the seas? To this day, the Ming did not even have a decent navy; overseas trade was far too idealistic.

Old Zhu sighed. "The Ming is currently in the midst of rebuilding. In the north, the Northern Yuan still watches like a tiger, ready to invade at any moment. I truly have no energy to pursue such grand endeavors."

Qin Feng said, "I mention this to you, Your Majesty, because I hope you will loosen the policies on commerce. Only then can my methods for increasing the treasury’s wealth be effective."

Old Zhu’s eyes lit up, and he asked in surprise, "You have other methods?"

"Your current policies on commerce are too strict; I fear my methods might not be effective. Only if you loosen the restrictions will merchants see a profit to be made."

Old Zhu pondered for a long while before saying, "If you want to do it, then do it. I will support you fully. Just as I did not question your efforts to procure grain for me, I will neither doubt nor interfere."

Qin Feng smiled. "Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty."

At that moment, Wang Jinhong suddenly shouted nervously from outside the hall, "Your Imperial Highness, slow down! Oh, my little ancestor!"

Zhu Xiongying burst into Wuying Hall, shouting at Old Zhu, "Grandfather Emperor! Grandfather Emperor! You haven't played with Xiongying for a long time!"

Seeing Zhu Xiongying, Old Zhu’s face immediately broke into a beaming smile. This was his most beloved imperial grandson. Seeing the child's adorable appearance, he quickly pulled him into his embrace.

"Qin Feng, this is my most beloved grandson. Look at how heroic he looks already," Old Zhu said. "You told me last time that the Crown Prince passed away before he could ascend the throne. If I were to let Xiongying inherit the throne in the future, how do you think he would rule?"