Chen Fan stood up and said, “Your Majesty, I believe that we can open trade routes. After all, the cattle, sheep and horses on the grasslands are also needed by the Han Dynasty. Moreover, things like strong liquor and silk will not have a significant impact and can increase the income of the people. As for grain and salt, these are also necessities for the people of the Han Dynasty. I think it is inappropriate!”

Liu Hong nodded, "Grand Tutor's words make sense!"

Liu Hong neither agreed nor disagreed with Chen Fan's opinion. After all, Chen Fan was right; if grain and salt reached the grasslands, they would more or less increase their strength.

"What is the Grand Minister of Agriculture's opinion?"

Seeing that Cao Song was still deep in thought and silent, he looked at Cao Song and asked for his opinion.

"Your Majesty, I believe that trading grain and salt with them is not impossible, but the quantity should not be too large. Just enough to ensure that they do not starve to death immediately. In this way, we can also reduce their incursions into the border!"

Liu Hong nodded: "Hmm! That makes sense! Continue!"

"Therefore, I believe that the price of grain and salt should be increased to five times the normal trading price, so as to obtain the most cattle, sheep and horses with the least amount of grain and salt, and strive to maximize profits!"

Cao Song's idea coincided with Zhang Huan's, Liu Hong also agreed, and Chen Fan, who was standing to the side, also seemed to be deep in thought.

"The Grand Minister of Agriculture's words are very much to my liking. I wonder what the Grand Tutor thinks?"

"I second that proposal!"

Chen Fan also felt that this was a good way to kill two birds with one stone. Although the national treasury was not exactly full, it was not a problem to use a portion of it for transactions. Moreover, it could greatly increase the national treasury's revenue.

Seeing that the two agreed, Liu Hong was in high spirits and said, "This is a chance to make money. If we can make money, let's all do it together!"

Then Liu Hong looked at Chen Fan, "Grand Tutor can go and discuss with the officials that all officials, whether they are powerful families or merchants, can go to the frontier to trade with them! Half of the trade volume will go to the national treasury, and the remaining half will be distributed by the Grand Tutor, the Minister of Works, and others!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Chen Fan and Cao Song greatly admired Liu Hong's approach of sharing the benefits.

The biggest obstacle to implementing a policy is not its difficulty, but the interests involved. A policy can only work if everyone benefits from it.

Soon Chen Fan and Cao Song returned to the government office and informed the officials of the news of the opening of the trade market.

Initially, many people opposed it, believing that it was aiding the enemy.

But when they heard that the emperor had allocated half of the trade volume to them, everyone immediately switched sides and unanimously agreed. Some even suggested squeezing the grassland tribes at ten times the price.