Chapter 119: Don’t Say It, Otherwise It Will Be Ineffective
The emperor urgently summoned him, and Xiao Changheng did not hesitate for long and simply asked Yun Qingqing to go with him.
On the way, in the carriage, Yun Qingqing explained her plan to him.
Xiao Changheng was a little surprised. He pondered for a while and asked:
"How sure are you?"
Yun Qingqing smiled slightly:
"Ninety-five percent."
The remaining half is because I’m afraid you might think my words are too confident and not credible.
Xiao Changheng looked at her steadily, and suddenly curled his lips:
"What are your conditions this time?"
Yun Qingqing was stunned and frowned.
"I'm helping you for my own benefit. It's just a mutual benefit. There's no need to discuss anything else."
Xiao Changheng raised his eyebrows, supported his chin and looked at her quietly for a while.
Just when Yun Qingqing couldn't help but ask him whether he wanted to adopt her method, the man laughed softly:
"Okay, then I'll rely on you, Princess."
…
Imperial study.
When the two arrived, the emperor, the crown prince and several important officials of the court were already present.
The Ministry of Revenue wrote a letter to the Emperor complaining about its poverty, saying that the floods in the two rivers in the middle of the year not only caused a poor harvest, but also required a large sum of money for disaster relief. Moreover, the military pay for stationed troops in various places, the salaries of court officials of all ranks, the Ministry of Works' bridge and road construction, the Ministry of War's forging of weapons... all required money from the Ministry of Revenue.
The annual land tax, salt tax, and miscellaneous taxes may seem like huge amounts, but each expense is also a considerable sum.
In a year of bumper harvest, we could still barely hold on, but in this year of disaster, the treasury has run out of money and we really can’t get any more money out.
"Your Majesty, everything I said is true. I remember every single account clearly. There is absolutely no falsehood. The treasury of Daliang is truly empty!"
"Alright, alright, I get it!" The emperor rubbed his temples with a headache, looking exhausted. "But the barbarians in the northwest have repeatedly harassed our Daliang border, and Xilan and Beicang are also ready to make a move. Even if the treasury is short of silver, we can't cut off the food and grass!"
"My dear ministers, do you have any way to deal with this?"
Yun Qingqing pushed Xiao Changheng in.
"I have a solution." Xiao Changheng said loudly.
Everyone looked over, and the emperor first showed a look of joy:
"really?"
He was slightly stunned when he saw Yun Qingqing:
"Why is the Regent Princess here too?"
When Xiao Zirui saw Yun Qingqing pushing the wheelchair with her own hands, a hint of jealousy flashed in his eyes.
He took a step forward and said seriously:
"Here, the Emperor is discussing state affairs with important officials in the court. It may not be appropriate for the Regent Princess to come here. It is better for her to leave immediately and wait outside."
Xiao Changheng glanced at him coldly and bowed to the emperor:
"This idea of yours will not only solve the urgent problem of military rations, but will also ensure that Daliang's granaries are full for at least three years, regardless of drought or flood!"
"But if this method is to be effective, it must have the cooperation of the princess. Therefore, I think that the princess should be present at today's meeting."
Xiao Zirui looked worried, but when everyone heard that this could solve the problem of military rations, they immediately became interested and no longer worried about Yun Qingqing's presence.
The emperor asked quickly:
"Oh? What brilliant idea do you have, my brother? Tell me now!"
Xiao Changheng nodded and said:
"As everyone knows, the Southern Jing State borders our dynasty. Its area is equivalent to the sum of the two states of Qu and Lang. Its climate is warm and stable, with good weather all year round. It is more prosperous than our Daliang Jiangnan."
"But in recent years, Nanyu has gradually annexed several small countries and grown stronger. It seems that the next target is Jingguo. However, Jingguo cannot compete with it in terms of army or weapons."
"If I extend a helping hand and become their ally at this time, I will be able to get a large amount of food in return."
When Xiao Changheng got to this point, he was suddenly interrupted by Xiao Zirui:
"The Emperor's uncle has always been wise and brave, how could he be confused on such an obvious issue? I believe that you can see without me saying anything that this plan is completely unfeasible!"
As soon as he started, Prime Minister Su immediately said:
"Your Highness is right. Jing State is south of Daliang, and it is the Northwest Army that is short of food right now! No matter how much food he can provide, it is impossible to transport it across the entire Liang State to the Northwest in time!"
The Minister of Revenue also shook his head:
"And even if time is not so tight, transporting food over such a long distance requires the personnel to consume food and the horses to feed. More than half of the food will be consumed before we even get there! How can we provide enough food for the Northwest Army?"
None of the ministers present thought it was feasible and they all spoke out against it.
Xiao Changheng waited until they had finished talking, then he said calmly:
"The reason why the ministers think this strategy is not feasible is that the journey is too long, the food and grass consumption will be too great, and there is not enough time."
"What if I say that I can solve these two problems?"
Everyone looked at each other.
"Well...if the Regent can solve these two problems, then forming an alliance with Kingdom Jing would naturally be a great idea," Prime Minister Su stood up, "but how will the Regent solve it? I'd like to hear the details."
This time Yun Qingqing spoke:
"I can only assure you that I will be able to transfer the food and grass back on time and in the right quantity, with almost no loss, but I cannot tell you how."
Several ministers frowned:
"This... If the princess refuses to explain it, how can anyone believe that your method will work?"
"Yes, we only have half a month left to prepare military rations. Even if we rush from the south to the capital, it will take half a month. If we transport baggage, the time will be several times longer. How can we make it in time?"
"This is simply a fantasy. Why would a woman want to get involved in state affairs? It's not credible at all!"
Yun Qingqing ignored them and looked directly at the emperor and said:
"Your Majesty, it's not that I don't want to tell you the details, but if this strategy is to be effective, the most important point is that the method of transporting grain must not be leaked, otherwise it will be ineffective."
The emperor looked hesitant.
Xiao Changheng looked at the ministers who were still unwilling to believe and said calmly:
"Since you are so opposed to it, I guess there must be a better way to solve the food problem? I am all ears."
After he said this, everyone shut up immediately.
Are you kidding? If there was a way, would they still be here being interrogated by the emperor in such a state of panic?
Xiao Zirui frowned and said:
"That's not the case. You have all devoted your lives and racked your brains for the country, but you will not resort to unworkable methods to get by just because the problem at hand cannot be solved."
"Transporting food from the small country in the south is impossible. If we really implement this plan, not only will we not be able to solve the problem of military food, but we will also waste a lot of manpower and material resources."
"Not only that, the great country of Nanyu has long been eyeing the fat piece of meat of Jingguo. If our dynasty forms an alliance with Jingguo at this time, won't Guoyu bear a grudge against us?"
"No matter from which angle you look at it, this plan will only bring more losses to Daliang and will not solve the problem at all. How can the emperor's uncle blame you for opposing it?"
Xiao Changheng finally looked at him straight in the eye and said calmly:
"The only reason why the prince said this is not feasible is that the journey is too far."
"But I said that the princess can solve this problem. If the prince doesn't believe it, how can you prove that what she said is false?"
"This..." Xiao Zirui paused, "But she refused to tell me the specific method, so there is no way for the emperor's uncle to prove that she can definitely do it, right?"
"Heh." Xiao Xingheng sneered and looked at the emperor.
"I will guarantee this matter, is that enough?"
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