Chapter 455 Trade
In recent years, under Wen Zhiming's leadership, although the national treasury of Jin Yue Kingdom is abundant, the ministers only want to improve the capital city, rather than develop the impoverished border regions.
Wen Zhiming listened attentively to the officials' opinions, a smile playing on his lips, but said little.
Amidst a chorus of opposition, Meng Xingyuan stepped forward and solemnly said.
"I believe that the new ruler of Lanyu Kingdom's proposal to establish separate capitals for the two countries and open trade routes is far more sincere than using a princess for a marriage alliance. A marriage alliance uses a woman's marriage to stabilize peace between the two countries, which can at most guarantee peace for a few decades. However, the alliance between the two countries will form a benefit for thousands of generations to come. This move is more beneficial than harmful. If it can be accomplished, Your Majesty and everyone present will be meritorious."
From the moment Meng Xingyuan received Meng Lingge's message that she would be moving the major items from her dowry to her private residence soon, he had many guesses in his mind.
Although Meng Xingyuan hadn't seen Meng Lingge much lately, he had been keeping a close eye on his daughter's situation in the palace. The eldest princess had encountered danger twice, and the Empress Dowager had even brought up the idea of surrogacy in her desire for a legitimate grandson. Furthermore, the court officials had recently started discussing the selection of concubines.
He knew that Meng Lingge was unparalleled in her status in the palace, but she was not free and was deeply troubled by the lack of offspring.
Wen Zhiming has always been devoted to his daughter and couldn't bear to see her suffer any injustice. Based on his understanding of Wen Zhiming, he guessed that the emperor would definitely have a response. The idea of building a separate capital and opening a trade market was probably not the new emperor of Lanyu Kingdom's idea, but rather Wen Zhiming's idea.
Three years ago, due to Meng Xingyuan's momentary negligence, he was tricked by villains and lost Meng Lingge's unborn child. Meng Xingyuan has always felt guilty, and he also felt bad that his daughter had not conceived for three years. Now, although he does not know what Wen Zhiming's plan is.
But he knew that Wen Zhiming proposed this plan precisely to make this happen. Since he wanted to help his daughter and son-in-law, he should naturally do his utmost to facilitate this.
Of course, it's not all about selfish motives. Building a separate capital and opening a border market may sound a bit far-fetched, but things can be accomplished by human effort. If the Golden Moon Kingdom puts all its efforts into doing this well, the final result will indeed be more beneficial than harmful.
Meng Xingyuan was the prime minister, but in recent years he had shown a tendency to retire and rarely spoke eloquently in court. Moreover, he had always been conservative in his actions and did not like novel or unconventional political views. Now that he was strongly supporting the trade, the other ministers were somewhat surprised.
Hearing that this was a rare and grand event in the world, and that both the emperor and his ministers would share in the glory after its success, some ministers began to be tempted and expressed their willingness to give it a try. They argued that national policies should not remain unchanged and that good suggestions should be boldly implemented.
However, most of his ministers were still not optimistic.
"What Prime Minister Meng said is indeed feasible and can be done well, but what if it can't be done well or is done badly? Wouldn't that be a waste of time and money, and a waste of the court's hard-earned money?"
"Investing too much in barren land, who knows when we'll recoup our costs? In the end, it might be a losing proposition to try and gain some fame and political achievements."
Wen Zhiming remained noncommittal and said calmly, "Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Works, step forward."
The ministers and vice ministers of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works immediately stepped forward.
Wen Zhiming asked, "How much does the imperial court currently spend annually on relief and support for the border regions of Jin Yue and Lan Yu? If I were to establish a separate capital on the border and open a trade market, how much would that cost?"
Several ministers from the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue bowed their heads and carefully calculated the figures. Finally, the Minister of Revenue spoke.
"In the past three years, it has cost about 100,000 taels of silver each year, not including the additional funds allocated during natural disasters. Now, with the construction of a separate capital, the opening of trade markets, and the Prince commanding 50,000 troops to garrison the area, the initial estimate is no less than 500,000 taels."
These words surprised the other officials.
"Why does it cost so much? Hundreds of thousands of taels every year, yet the people on the border are still suffering from hunger and cold, and living in misery."
"I thought it would be at most tens of thousands of taels a year, but I didn't expect the amount to be so staggering. So, the border has already cost the court 500,000 taels in three years."
"This is a bottomless pit. Our hard-earned national treasury can't withstand their extravagance."
Wen Zhiming rose from the dragon throne and slowly walked to the officials.
"The border between Jin Yue and Lan Yu has been plagued by war for many years. Although they have been recuperating for three years now, they are still far poorer than other cities. The reasons are twofold: first, there is no market in the area, so the people cannot sell their harvest; second, there are many corrupt officials and bandits who seriously harm the local people."
"The northern frontier is within the territory of the Golden Moon. When the people are in trouble, the imperial court cannot ignore them. However, the emperor is far away and there are too many variables along the way. No one knows how much of the relief funds of tens of thousands of taels of silver and grain each year are actually used for the benefit of the people."
With his gaze sweeping over the officials, Wen Zhiming continued, "Sending a prince to garrison the area can relieve the local corrupt officials and bandits, and developing trade between the two countries can boost the economy of the northern frontier. If implemented properly, not only will we no longer need to rely on the court for relief, but we may even be able to pay taxes to the court in a few years."
After these words were spoken, the officials' eyes lit up.
The feeling of constantly having to take money out of your own pocket is definitely not pleasant. Everyone hopes that one day what they've given away can be taken back, and if they could even get more back, that would be even better.
Wen Zhiming slowly walked back to the dragon throne and sat down, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials, speaking with an air of authority without anger.
"My esteemed ministers, tell me, should we continue to provide hundreds of thousands of taels of silver annually to aid the Northern Frontier, with no return whatsoever? Or should we spend 500,000 taels to build a separate capital, open trade routes, and allow the Northern Frontier to truly grow, so that it can eventually benefit the court?"
The Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue were the first to respond.
"I support the establishment of a separate capital, the opening of trade routes, and the deployment of troops led by a prince to garrison the northern frontier."
"I second that proposal."
The money and food aid to northern Xinjiang has become the largest expenditure of the national treasury every year. If this expense can be saved, both departments will be much more relaxed, and the national treasury will be more abundant.
Meng Xingyuan and Guyan also stepped forward at the opportune moment, both agreeing.
Seeing this situation, other ministers also expressed their support for the implementation of this policy.
Seeing that most of the officials had agreed to the matter, Wen Zhiming picked up the royal seal, stamped it on the letter that the ministers had previously read, and immediately ordered it to be sent to Lanyu Kingdom as soon as possible.
He then looked at Wen Kehao, who had not spoken until now, and said gently.
"Prince Zhong is my younger brother, so I can only entrust the task of guarding the northern frontier to you. This mission is arduous, with high mountains and long roads. I am in the capital, awaiting your good news."
Wen Kehao, who had been watching the commotion for a long time, was relieved that the matter had finally come to a conclusion when he heard Wen Zhiming suddenly mention him. Looking at the prince's hoodie he was wearing, he belatedly realized that he was the only prince of the Golden Moon Kingdom.
Wen Kehao was extremely happy to be able to share his elder brother's burdens.
But considering his own situation, he quickly shook his head.
"Your Majesty, I cannot go. I..."
Wen Kehao's face turned red instantly, but he couldn't come up with a reason to refuse.
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