Chapter 36 is truly... just to his liking...
Unable to continue reviewing the memorials, Xiao Che simply put down his pen and strolled behind Lin Yan.
"Well? Did you see anything?" Xiao Che asked casually, as if it were just a casual question.
Lin Yan quickly stood up: "Your Majesty, the Northern Rong are indeed as Your Majesty said, fearing power but not virtue, greedy by nature, and fickle."
[It's more than just greed! It's shameless!]
[The first person to have both power and influence! No, the first tribe!]
Xiao Che nodded, his gaze falling on the paper in front of Lin Yan, which was filled with writing. It listed the number of times the Northern Rong had requested aid over the years, the reasons, and the "rewards" given by the Great Yu.
"Tell me your thoughts."
Lin Yan cleared his throat and began his report: "Your Majesty, I believe that the Northern Rong's marriage proposal this time is not sincere. Their real aim is still money and provisions. If our dynasty resolutely refuses, I fear they will be driven to desperation and launch another raid southward. However, if we readily agree, it will play right into their hands and fuel their greed."
[We can't just attack directly, and we can't agree to agree either, so what should we do?]
[I need help urgently.]
Xiao Che raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Then what do you think should be done?"
Lin Yan's mind raced, and combining the information he had just seen about those shady trade records, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind.
"Your Majesty, I have a plan that may temporarily alleviate the predicament of the Northern Rong and also serve as a slight punishment."
"speak."
“Since the Northern Rong have chosen marriage as their pretext, our dynasty will use this as a reason to send an envoy to the Northern Rong royal court to assess their sincerity in seeking a marriage alliance.” Lin Yan’s eyes brightened slightly. “The envoy can ostensibly bring some betrothal gifts, such as tea and cloth, to show our favor, but more importantly—”
He paused, then lowered his voice: "The delegation needs to include people who are proficient in mathematics and good at auditing accounts. On the grounds that the Northern Rong want to establish a marriage alliance and therefore need to show sincerity, they should thoroughly investigate the accounts of the trade in recent years and clarify all outstanding payments, substandard goods, and forced sales."
[Investigate the accounts! Yes, we're going to investigate the accounts!]
[Send the audit team over!]
【I'll expose all your dirty secrets and dirty laundry!】
Xiao Che's eyes flashed.
That's a clever method.
"What if the Northern Rong refuse?"
“Your Majesty, if they want to marry the princess, they should naturally show sincerity. If they don’t even dare to let anyone see their accounts, aren’t they hiding something?” Lin Yan said righteously. “If they make excuses and obstruct, it will only confirm their lack of sincerity. Our dynasty can then take the opportunity to firmly refuse the marriage alliance and use this as a reason to reduce or even suspend trade, cutting off a part of their livelihood. At that time, they will be the ones who are anxious.”
As the saying goes, "A loan repaid is a loan easily obtained again." Pay back what you owe first, you bastards!
Xiao Che: "..." How could his Hanlin Academician use a term like "turtle grandson" to curse someone?
This idea was both insidious and effective, and it suited his taste perfectly.
They are far better than those pedantic ministers who only know how to shout "fight" or "make peace."
"Hmm, this suggestion does have some merit." Xiao Che nodded slightly, his tone revealing little emotion. "Write down your thoughts in detail, making sure the points are clear and the advantages and disadvantages are thoroughly analyzed."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey." Lin Yan instantly became full of energy.
The boss nodded! Things are looking good!
Watch me write them down!
[Grandchildren of the Northern Rong, your Grandpa Lin is here!]
Xiao Che sighed silently. Oh well, let him curse if he wants. After all, no one from the Northern Rong tribes can hear him.
After turning back to his desk, Xiao Che picked up the vermilion brush again.
However, he still couldn't decipher many of the words on the memorial.
All he could hear was Lin Yan's inner monologue, a cacophony of calculations and scheming against Bei Rong, keeping him constantly on edge.
Yet...it's not annoying.
He looked up at the minister who was buried in his work and occasionally let out a silent, sinister laugh.
It's great to have such a capable little darling.
Lin Yan took a deep breath, trying to suppress the violent thought of "scattering the ashes," and refocused his attention on the case file.
I took a brand new sheet of Xuan paper, dipped my brush in ink, and began to organize the key points.
[The Northern Rong's core demands: money, grain, and ideally, a princess to gain leverage in negotiations.]
[Weaknesses: Continuous natural disasters have resulted in heavy livestock losses, making it difficult for internal tribes to survive and potentially triggering rebellions.]
[Traditional tactics: playing the victim, making threats, and occasionally feigning innocence; essentially, it's about bullying the weak and fearing the strong.]
[Our advantages: His Majesty is well-prepared, the border has ample supplies, and the army is ready for battle.]
[Our disadvantage: Some court officials may still hold outdated views on marriage alliances and are easily swayed by the Northern Rong.]
Lin Yan himself never expected that he would use SWOT analysis in ancient times.
[The first step in the response strategy: Play the victim and seize the moral high ground.]
【Didn't the Northern Rong say they couldn't make ends meet? Fine, our Great Yu has also experienced a severe cold wave this year. Countless people are suffering from cold and hunger. His Majesty is worried day and night, wishing he could empty the national treasury to help the people, and even then, we're still struggling. We're in even worse shape than you! And you still have the nerve to ask for money and grain? Don't you have any conscience? Although they might not even have a conscience.】
Xiao Che paused slightly as he held the pen, leaving a tiny red dot on the memorial with vermilion ink.
He raised his eyes and looked down at the minister below who was writing while his shoulders trembled slightly, clearly trying to suppress a laugh.
That's a rather unique way of thinking.
A faint smile flickered in Xiao Che's eyes as he lowered his head again, as if he hadn't heard anything.
Lin Yan became more and more excited as he wrote, his brushstrokes flowing like dragons and snakes.
[Second step in the response strategy: Propose a "pledge" plan—a scheme to get something for nothing? Or perhaps, to get it back in kind.]
【You want aid? Fine, bring something in exchange—gold and silver, cattle, sheep, horses, furs, minerals, anything goes. Or, you want to marry the princess? Fine, show some sincerity. Send your prince to our Great Yu capital for a "learning exchange," ostensibly to "enhance understanding and cultivate feelings," but in reality, he'll be a hostage.】
[It has to be a prince who is valued. We don't want the kind of prince who's unwanted and can be sacrificed at any time. If you're sincere, send someone of importance. If you can't bear to part with him... then it means you're not sincere at all!]
Xiao Che raised an eyebrow.
[The third step in the response strategy: debt settlement, settling both old and new debts together.]
[List all the loans, debts, and money you've extorted from us, including interest, and make a clear account of everything. Want new aid? Fine, pay off the old debts first. Otherwise, our own people are starving; why should we continue to fill this bottomless pit of yours?]
[Send the seasoned veterans from the Ministry of Revenue to settle accounts with them, until they're terrified, and let them know that we, the Great Yu, are not fools.]
Lin Yan wrote with great enthusiasm, as if he could already see the comical scene of the Northern Rong envoy being chased by officials from the Ministry of Revenue with abacuses.
Finally, the ultimate strategy: military deterrence, subduing the enemy without fighting.
[All of the above actions are predicated on us having a strong backbone. We need to have our border troops conduct "friendly" military exercises from time to time to flex our muscles and let them know that if they want to fight, we're ready anytime! We have ample supplies, a strong and well-equipped army, and we are not afraid of war; our dignity lies solely in the sword!]
[A carrot on one side, a stick on the other—let's see what they choose.]
Lin Yan finished writing the last line in one go, then let out a long sigh of relief, feeling as if all the pent-up emotions in his chest had been released, leaving him feeling completely refreshed.
He carefully checked it over, confirming that the logic was sound. Although he was inwardly a bit silly, the suggestions on paper still maintained the rigor expected of a Hanlin scholar.
Then, he stood up, holding the still-wet ink and faintly fragrant document, and walked to the imperial desk, respectfully presenting it: "Your Majesty, I have drafted a preliminary strategy to deal with the Northern Rong. Please review it."
Xiao Che put down the vermilion brush and took the few thin sheets of paper.
His gaze swept across the paper.
Looking at those schemes that could be described as "tricky" or even "unethical," from playing the victim to scapegoating the prince, from settling old scores to using force as a deterrent...
Xiao Che's lips twitched almost imperceptibly.
What's going on in Lin Yan's head all day?
It's just...to his liking!
His father, who advocated "appeasement" and "benevolence," would never have thought of, nor would he have agreed to, such a plan.
Those old ministers in the court who adhered to the "Doctrine of the Mean" and "won people over with virtue" would probably have heart palpitations upon seeing this.
But each of these points precisely hit Bei Rong's sore spot, expressing what he wanted to say and do in a clearer, sharper, and even more infuriating way.
Especially the "pledged prince" line, it was a stroke of genius.
Xiao Che could almost imagine how interesting the expression on the Northern Rong Khan's face would be when he saw this request.
Should they reluctantly give up their favored son, or completely break off relations?
No matter which option is chosen, the initiative remains firmly in the hands of Da Yu.
Xiao Che lifted his gaze from the page and placed it on Lin Yan, who stood respectfully with his hands at his sides below.
The young man was tall and straight, wearing a well-fitting scarlet official robe. His face was respectful and gentle, and his eyes were clear. Anyone who saw him would think that he was a steady and reliable young talent.
Only he knew what a lively, even somewhat silly, and interesting soul was hidden beneath that well-behaved exterior.
Principled, but not rigid.
They are flexible, but they have their bottom line.
They are quick-witted and adept at finding solutions from unexpected angles.
Most importantly, his insistence on not sacrificing women for peace and his dignified attitude towards power coincided with his inner beliefs.
Since ascending the throne, Xiao Che has been trying to reverse the deep-seated problems left by the late emperor and to create a stronger, more dynamic, and more submissive Great Yu.
However, most of the old ministers left by the late emperor were bound by old ways, and there were very few young ministers who shared his ideals and were capable of getting things done.
The implementation of new policies faces obstacles at every turn.
The attempt to rectify official corruption faces numerous obstacles.
Even when dealing with external threats like the Northern Rong, there were always dissenting voices in the court.
He often felt a sense of loneliness and irritability.
Until Lin Yan appeared.
It was like a long-stagnant pool suddenly being filled with a living current.
It's a bit reckless and silly, but full of vibrant energy and unexpected ingenuity.
Every time Xiao Che heard Lin Yan's inner rant and watched him outwardly obedient but inwardly scheming way of dealing with those seasoned officials, he felt that the tedious political affairs had become somewhat more interesting.
Now, this strategy report on the Northern Rong has made Xiao Che realize even more clearly that he has found it.
He found someone who could perhaps understand him, assist him, and even walk alongside him.
Xiao Che tapped his fingers lightly on the policy document, suppressing his surging emotions: "You've worked hard, go and rest first."
With that, Xiao Che pursed his lips and said, "Let's go to Qingyi Pavilion. A'man will go too."
Lin Yan: "!!!"
Ah Man Cat!
He's here! Hahaha!
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Author's Note: Bonus chapter for 1000 nutrient solutions! [heart emoji]
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