"Your Majesty says there are corrupt officials in the court who extort and levy exorbitant taxes, selling official positions and titles, thus corrupting the morals of the bureaucracy. Since they can sell official posts to amass wealth, why don't you suggest that Father Emperor exchange low-ranking titles and nominal official positions for silver from wealthy merchants? Among scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, merchants are at the bottom, and they dream of changing their social standing. Now, if we give them a ladder to heaven, they will surely be overjoyed."
Tong Wanyan spoke softly, not daring to let anyone hear.
Even if Yuqing Palace is strictly managed, it is still necessary to guard against eavesdroppers and fickle people's hearts.
Yinreng looked at her with a panicked expression: "Who told you this?"
His expression was solemn, with a hint of panic and fear, but no joy.
Tong Wanyan frowned and asked softly, "Master, am I mistaken? This is something I figured out myself; no one has ever spoken to me about politics."
Yinreng carried her to the bed, took off her shoes, and covered her with a quilt.
"Luckily no one heard us just now. You are usually smart, but your political acumen is a bit lacking." Yinreng breathed a sigh of relief, as long as no one was deliberately leading Tong Wanyan astray.
Tong Wanyan looked at him, puzzled, seeking an explanation.
"Before the Sui Dynasty, few people from humble backgrounds held high office; power was held by powerful clans. Even emperors treated those from prominent families with respect and dared not be disrespectful. Later, with the introduction of the imperial examination system, scholars from humble backgrounds studied diligently for decades, hoping to become the emperor's protégés and enter the court as officials. Emperors were also less threatened by powerful figures and could appoint countless officials. Scholars were proud and looked down on money as dirt. If one day, merchants could obtain official positions with ten thousand taels of gold, what would be the point of their hard work in studying?" Yinreng explained slowly.
"Is it acceptable to have a title that sounds good, or a minor official position, but not to be involved in politics?" Tong Wanyan only wanted to make the merchants look good, and never wanted them to use their money to influence politics.
Yinreng gently removed the hairpin from Tong Wanyan's hair: "I know your heart is good. But you don't understand the greed of the human heart, which is never satisfied. If we give them a false title today, they can use that title to pave a smooth road for other members of the family and truly enter the center of power. Wealth easily moves people's hearts, and merchants are often cunning and treacherous, with little moral bottom line. If we let them advance through money, the world will be in chaos."
"Is Your Majesty worried that collusion between officials and businessmen will blind and deaf the emperor?" Tong Wanyan asked.
“Smart. Even now, how many ministers in the court dare to say they are incorruptible and ignorant of worldly affairs? If those business tycoons were to come, given their cunning, they would surely find countless loopholes, and might even be able to swindle a whole group of respectable scholars,” Yinreng said.
"That's only one thing." Yinreng kept her in suspense, slowly whetting Tong Wanyan's appetite.
Tong Wanyan was indeed curious, and she asked eagerly, "What about the second one?"
"Merchants are profit-driven and naturally fond of luxury. Human nature is diverse; some love poverty, while others love wealth. I will not comment on that. However, merchants do not make profits without capital. Where do they earn their wealth?" Yinreng asked.
Tong Wanyan quickly replied, "The wool comes from the sheep's back, and the common people will be fleeced!"
“That’s it. It’s said that the merchants provided the money, but in reality, the majority of it came from the common people.” Yinreng said with satisfaction. His little Yan was indeed clever.
Tong Wanyan asked again with doubt, "Then if we ask the ministers to recover the debts, won't they turn their attention to the common people and plunder their wealth?"
"What is an imperial censor for? With your little head, it's fine if you're thinking about other things, but politics is too complicated, a tangled mess. Don't worry too much, it'll only harm your health," Yinreng said with a smile.
Tong Wanyan pouted: "I'm worried about you, Master. Actually, the matter of collecting debts is best left to hooligans and scoundrels. You and Fourth Brother are both upright and honest people, so it's really not appropriate for you to be too serious. I have someone here, Master, you can definitely ask him and he'll be of some use."
Yinreng said, "Oh?"
“Olundai!” Tong Wanyan pronounced the three words clearly, and Yinreng’s eyes widened upon hearing this.
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