Zhao Huan had always had a mixture of love and concern for merchants.
As a person of the 21st century, Zhao Huan was very clear about this.
When a merchant's power grows to a certain point, he will launch a subversive coup.
Capital always desires power as a protective shield to safeguard its interests in the long term.
Without proper containment and balance, it is inevitable that tycoons will control the country.
A terrible situation can arise if capital is strong while the government is weak.
At that time, housing prices, basic commodity prices, transportation costs, and other daily necessities will all be controlled by conglomerates and will lose their controllability, making life increasingly miserable for ordinary people.
After discovering that many merchants had dealings with officials, Zhao Huan became increasingly suspicious and sensitive.
The free trade advocates, such as Xu Churen and Tang Ke, were replaced, and Yu Yunwen, who advocated strong government control, was put in power.
Yu Yunwen did indeed achieve some success after taking office; for example, the reserves of basic commodities such as rice, wheat, wine, and meat under the Song Dynasty's Grain Bureau increased.
These are very important strategic reserves, essential for war.
Zhao Huan was waging war on all fronts, and Yu Yunwen's approach suited his tastes perfectly.
Not to mention just the Grain Bureau, the production lines of the Arts and Crafts Bureau and the Products Bureau have also been completely reduced.
When Tang Ke was alive, in order to pursue large-scale production, he outsourced many handicrafts to the general public.
While the scale of production has increased, the quality is difficult to guarantee. In the long run, this will certainly be detrimental to the handicrafts of the Song Dynasty.
Regarding the mining, previously private trading companies won bids through the Ministry of Commerce, but now the mining rights have been largely taken back and given to the Ministry of Works for unified planning and mining.
Tang Ke once submitted a memorial stating that the court was competing with the people for profit, which would lead to the country becoming rich while the people become poor.
Whether to fully relinquish control to the private sector or allow the imperial court to take the lead has become a new factional debate in the court over the past two years.
However, Zhao Huan consistently directed the main conflict towards external wars, so the two factions did not truly break apart.
But this is an unavoidable topic. From Xu Churen's resignation the year before last to Tang Ke's transfer to the Northwest this year, only Zhou Chao remains as the core of the old guard, and they feel increasingly threatened.
Zhao Huan did indeed plan to tighten the reins over the next decade, bringing the government into control, and adjusting the tax ratio between government-owned and private businesses to eight to two.
In this way, we can meet the ever-increasing military spending and various daily expenses without any pressure.
Secondly, it can effectively curb the malignant expansion of the power of private businessmen.
Until two months ago, when Zhao Huan and Ye Chong were planning the supermarket, they suddenly realized that the imperial court couldn't do everything.
What needs to be handed over will still be handed over. As for how to control the excessive expansion of private businessmen and the resulting damage to national interests, he has already figured out a solution.
His work style is simple: as long as the boundary issues are controllable, everything should be done as quickly as possible.
Don't be afraid of complex problems. Every task will encounter a lot of problems as it progresses.
Those in power cannot hesitate to move forward out of fear of problems.
Yu Yunwen chimed in, "Your Majesty, if one day merchants really do take that path, what do you plan to do?"
The incense burner on the table emitted wisps of smoke. Apart from the emperor and the prime minister, there was no one else in Yanfu Palace.
Maps of the world's continents were hung behind the emperor.
Zhao Huan sighed and said, "If that day ever comes, I wouldn't mind starting all over again."
Yu Yunwen gasped.
If that day truly comes, it won't be as simple as the previous collusion between a small number of businessmen and officials.
The rise of private merchant groups, who are an integral part of the Song Dynasty's economy, will become an extremely dangerous force once they gain momentum.
Yu Yunwen seemed unwilling to give up. He tried to persuade the emperor not to take this risk, arguing that the new policies could not continue to develop like a runaway horse, otherwise the situation would eventually get out of control.
"Your Majesty, I dare to ask, why not proceed steadily?"
A flicker of pain crossed Zhao Huan's eyes, but it was fleeting.
Steady progress?
He wanted to, but he was just an ordinary person with a mortal body. How many years could Heaven give him?
If the overall structure of the Song Dynasty is not properly established during my lifetime, it may very well collapse.
Who can guarantee that things will continue in the same direction after they die?
To ensure that the great ship of the Song Dynasty does not deviate from its course, he wanted to lead the Song Dynasty into a healthy and balanced development during his lifetime.
Every nation and every country that wants to develop and rise must pay a price.
The faster a country rises, the greater the price it pays.
War kills people, and so does reform.
Zhao Huan didn't say it aloud, but Yu Yunwen already understood.
There is no greater understanding between a ruler and his subject than this.
The emperor is forty years old this year.
A sense of desolation suddenly welled up in Yu Yunwen's heart. Even an ambitious emperor, the ruler of the world, would one day grow old and die.
When considering problems, he also had to take his own death into account.
Yu Yunwen was from Sichuan, and people from Sichuan are known for their bravery, willingness to sacrifice, and sense of responsibility.
Moreover, Yu Yunwen had lofty ambitions since childhood. When he was twenty, he read the emperor's "New Theory on Society" and was amazed by its brilliance. His admiration for the emperor became uncontrollable.
He suddenly knelt on the ground, performed a deep bow, and said, "Whatever Your Majesty wishes to do, I will support you. If Your Majesty asks me to climb a mountain of knives, I will take off my shoes and climb up. If Your Majesty asks me to plunge into a sea of fire, I will not hesitate in the slightest. Please rest assured, Your Majesty."
Zhao Huan was deeply moved. He helped Yu Yunwen up and looked at this famous minister of history, feeling a surge of emotion.
Those who achieve great things in ancient times not only possessed extraordinary talent, but also unwavering perseverance.
Su Shi's words perfectly describe the sages throughout history who dedicated themselves to the country and its people.
Zhao Huan knew that Yu Yunwen was not only pledging allegiance to him, but also reaffirming his beliefs and bravely challenging the unknown ahead.
"Go back and prepare, the grand court assembly is about to begin."
"Your subject takes his leave."
Watching Yu Yunwen's departing figure, Zhao Huan felt a sense of relief.
When Yu Yunwen returned to the Hall of State Affairs, all eyes were on him.
Half an hour before the start of the grand court assembly, the emperor summoned the prime minister. What was the matter?
Everyone was curious.
Yu Yunwen's expression remained unchanged, revealing neither his joy nor his anxiety.
Chen Yang walked over and asked, "Grand Chancellor, may I ask what brings His Majesty here?"
"I just went to check next year's goals."
No one asked any further questions.
Zhao Huan changed into his court robes, boarded the imperial carriage, and headed to the Daqing Hall, where the emperor and his ministers held court.
Today's assembly is not about reporting on the year's achievements, but about raising questions and finding solutions.
Zhao Huan walked into the main hall, and the ministers shouted three times, "Long live the Emperor!"
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