"My lords, you may dispense with the formalities."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Please take a seat."

The ministers sat down on the prayer cushions on the ground.

Unlike the usual morning meeting, today's political discussion session is likely to last all day.

Out of concern for the health of his ministers, Zhao Huan had additional seats added.

"As usual, today we will proceed with the deliberations. Regardless of rank or position, all of you may freely express your opinions. I will not punish you for your words."

The entire palace had underfloor heating, and the Daqing Hall was warm and cozy, making the ministers very comfortable.

Zhao Huan glanced around and asked, "Who wants to go first?"

The crowd looked at each other, and many more looked at Yu Yunwen.

Everyone was waiting for Yu Yunwen to step forward first. The new faction was ready, believing that Yu Yunwen would propose a series of policy suggestions to strengthen the Royal Trading Company and tighten lending to the private sector.

But Yu Yunwen sat there motionless.

The new generation is inevitably a bit impatient.

Looking at these silent ministers, Zhao Huan understood. These people naturally had so much to say that they could talk for ten days and ten nights, but they were just missing someone to take the lead.

Just as Zhao Huan was about to call out names, he saw Li Gang step forward. Li Gang said, "Your Majesty, I will go first."

"Okay, Li Qing, you go first."

"Your Majesty, I saw a store called Tokyo Supermarket on Chunxi Road today."

As soon as Li Gang spoke, many people around him were moved.

Because everyone saw it and was deeply impressed by it.

“Those supermarkets in Tokyo are different from ordinary shops.”

Zhao Huan pretended not to understand and asked, "What's the difference?"

"In this Tokyo supermarket, you can buy soap, shampoo, rice, cooking oil, alcohol, salt, and pens and ink. There's also a place near the entrance where newspapers are displayed."

To Zhao Huan, a person who had traveled from the 21st century, this was perfectly normal.

But to people of this era, this is simply a revolutionary store.

Zhao Huan continued to pretend he didn't know: "I've never heard of such a shop before."

Ding Qiu, the Vice Minister of Revenue, thought to himself: Your Majesty, your acting skills are becoming more and more superb!

"This is the store I wanted to talk about. I believe that the way the Tokyo supermarket operates will have a profound impact on the entire Song Dynasty."

What impact?

“For example, Zhang Asan from the village entrance wants to start a pottery business, but he can’t afford to rent a shop in Tokyo City because he lacks money. However, if he can partner with Tokyo Supermarket and only provide the goods, he can get seven-tenths of the income.”

"At the same time, it also reduces the reliance of skilled people who want to start a business on physical stores."

Li Gang's meaning was expressed fairly clearly.

Zhao Huan nodded and said, "This is a good thing."

Li Gang suddenly said, "Therefore, I believe that the court should add a thousand supermarkets in Tokyo."

As soon as he said this, the old guard naturally disagreed.

Unexpectedly, Li Gang was actually in cahoots with Yu Yunwen. When he was in charge of the Privy Council, he didn't interfere with people's livelihood and economy, so I didn't realize it.

Now, it's crystal clear.

Ding Qiu, the Vice Minister of Revenue, immediately stepped forward and said, "I object."

He spoke rapidly: "Your Majesty, Tokyo supermarkets are a good thing, but if the court opens a thousand stores, many people who could have increased their wealth will have their opportunities taken away by the court. This is competing with the people for profit, which is unacceptable."

Li Gang immediately interrupted, "Your Majesty, commerce is the lifeblood of the court's tax revenue. If it is arbitrarily handed over to the people, it will surely lead to disaster in the long run."

"Lord Li, you are mistaken. Merchants value profit, not power."

"How do you explain the situation in Fujian?"

"His Majesty has already severely punished those involved in the Fujian affair, serving as a warning to merchants nationwide. I believe that in order to increase the income of the people as soon as possible, we need not worry about these matters."

Li Gang insisted, "Your Majesty, I believe that the court should not only take control of supermarkets, but also bring all other industries, such as wine, tea, grain and oil, and mining, under its control, and prohibit private enterprises from operating them."

Ding Qiu said, "Your Majesty, this is absolutely not acceptable. If all of these are taken into the court, and this continues in the long run, the country will become rich while the people become poor. This is unacceptable."

"Your Majesty, I do not mean that all commerce should be controlled by the court. For example, restaurants, karaoke bars, grain shops, and transportation should be handed over to the people."

Ding Qiu said, "That's absolutely unacceptable!"

Li Gang asked, "Why not?"

"Your Majesty, the total population of Tokyo City has now exceeded five million. Many people come in and many people leave every day." Ding Qiu was the Vice Minister of Revenue, and he knew the registered population very well.

"If the imperial court takes back most of the trade of the merchant companies, many people will lose their jobs."

"The supermarket is still there, the karaoke bar is still there, it's just that the imperial court is now running it, so how could they be unemployed?"

"Lord Li, this is competing with the people for profit, it's unacceptable!"

"This is the only way to prevent risks."

At this moment, Zhou Chao stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I believe that the court should not easily interfere in private commerce. The royal trading companies are already sufficient."

As the very first question unexpectedly sparked a debate, the ministers thought to themselves: "It seems this political discussion is going to be quite a long one."

Zhao Huan said, "The Tokyo supermarket is a good thing; the court should not interfere arbitrarily."

"Your Majesty!" Li Gang exclaimed, "Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

Zhao Huan shifted his gaze to Yu Yunwen: "Grand Master, what do you think?"

Yu Yunwen said, "I believe that what Prime Minister Zhou said is absolutely right. The imperial court already has enough royal trading companies."

His words surprised some of the new-faction ministers.

Didn't Yu Yunwen always advocate bringing most of the merchant companies under the control of the imperial court?

Why did you suddenly change your tune today?

"I also believe that the court should not interfere too much."

A hint of surprise flashed across Zhou Chao's face.

Your Majesty, did you forget to take your medicine today?

Since Xu Churen was dismissed, Yu Yunwen has really tightened his belt, and you've been turning a blind eye to it.

Chen Yang was also quite surprised. He suddenly remembered that before the grand court assembly, the emperor had summoned Yu Yunwen.

He immediately jolted, realizing what was happening.

It turned out that the emperor summoned Yu Yunwen to discuss whether to bring some private commerce under the control of the imperial court.

Clearly, it must have been the emperor who persuaded Yu Yunwen.

Otherwise, Yu Yunwen would have been the first to step forward today!

Zhou Chao quickly replied, "Your Majesty is wise. I believe that not only supermarkets in Tokyo, but also winemaking, tea production, mining, and grain and oil production can be distributed to the people."

"Ordinary merchants understand what people like better than we do, and they also know more clearly how much goods are needed every day."

Li Gang was immediately a bit agitated. He had originally planned to advise the emperor to tighten control over the merchants and for the court to unify its jurisdiction.

But now the Zhou Dynasty not only opposes it, but also demands that more be opened up.

Li Gang said, "Your Majesty, the price of rice in the capital city of Dongjing has risen to 4 guan per shi. This is the consequence of letting private merchants run rampant. If the court had provided a unified price, this situation would not have occurred."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Huan did not mock Li Gang.

After all, he wasn't from another time, so he didn't know that this method had already been tried in human history.