Chapter 119: Don’t say it, otherwise it will be invalid
The emperor urgently summoned him, and Xiao Changheng did not hesitate for long and simply asked Yun Qingqing to accompany him.
On the way, in the carriage, Yun Qingqing explained her plan to him.
Xiao Changheng was a little surprised. After pondering for a while, he asked:
"How sure are you?"
Yun Qingqing smiled slightly:
"Ninety-five percent."
The remaining half is because I’m afraid you might feel that what I said is too confident and therefore 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 want to 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 prince and several important officials of the court were already present.
The Ministry of Revenue wrote a letter to the emperor crying poor, saying that the floods in the two rivers in the middle of the year not only caused a poor harvest, but also allocated a large amount of money for disaster relief. Moreover, the military pay of the stationed troops in various places, the salaries of court officials of all ranks, the Ministry of Works for building bridges and roads, and the Ministry of War forging 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 quite a large sum.
We could barely hold on in a year of bumper harvest, but in this year of disaster, the treasury has run out of silver and we really can't get any money out.
"Your Majesty, everything I've said is true. I remember every single one of these accounts clearly, and there's absolutely no falsehood. Our Daliang treasury is truly empty!"
"Alright, alright, I get it!" The Emperor rubbed his temples with a headache, his face exhausted. "But the northwestern barbarians have been harassing our Daliang border time and again, and Xilan and Beicang are also ready to make a move. Even if the treasury is short of silver, we can't run out of food and fodder!"
"My dear ministers, do you have any ideas for dealing 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 Princess Regent 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. It's probably inappropriate for the Princess Regent to come here. It's best to leave immediately and wait outside."
Xiao Changheng glanced at him coldly and bowed to the emperor:
"This solution from my brother will not only solve our urgent need for military rations, but will also ensure that Daliang's granaries are fully stocked for at least three years, regardless of drought or flood!"
"But for this method to be effective, it requires the Princess's cooperation. Therefore, I believe that the Princess should be present at today's meeting."
Xiao Zirui looked worried, but when everyone heard that it 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 about it!"
Xiao Changheng nodded and said:
"As everyone knows, the Southern Jing State borders our dynasty. Its area is equivalent to the combined area of Qu and Lang states. Its climate is warm and stable, with good weather all year round. It is even 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 has no way to compete with it, whether in terms of army or weapons."
"If I extend a helping hand and form an alliance with them now, I will be able to exchange it for a large amount of food."
When Xiao Changheng said this, he was suddenly interrupted by Xiao Zirui:
"The Emperor's uncle has always been wise and powerful. How could he be so confused on such an obvious issue? I believe that you can all see without me saying anything that this plan is completely unfeasible!"
As soon as he started, Prime Minister Su immediately said:
"Your Highness is absolutely right. Jing State is south of Daliang, and it's the Northwest Army that's currently short of food! No matter how much food they can provide, it's 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 wasn't so tight, transporting food over such a long distance would require both personnel and fodder. Most of the food would be consumed before we even reach the destination! How could we possibly even 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 speaking, then he said calmly:
"The ministers think this plan is unfeasible simply because they believe the journey is too long, the food and fodder consumption is too great, and there is not enough time."
"What if I, the king, can solve these two problems?"
Everyone looked at each other.
"Uh...if the Regent can resolve these two problems, then forming an alliance with Kingdom Jing would naturally be a very good strategy," Prime Minister Su said. "But how would the Regent resolve this issue? I'd like to hear the details."
This time Yun Qingqing spoke:
"I can only assure you that I will be able to bring back the food and fodder on time and in the right quantity, with virtually no loss. However, I cannot tell you how."
Several ministers frowned:
"This... If the princess refuses to speak clearly, how can anyone believe that your method will work?"
"Yes, we only have half a month left to gather military rations. Even if we march quickly from the south to the capital, it will take another half a month. If we transport the baggage, the time will be several times longer. How can we possibly make it in time?"
"This is simply a fantasy. Why would a woman want to meddle in state affairs? It's totally unreliable!"
Yun Qingqing ignored them and looked directly at the emperor and said:
"Your Majesty, it's not that I refuse to share 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 it and said calmly:
"Since you are so opposed to this, surely there must be a better way to solve the food problem? I am all ears."
After he said this, everyone immediately shut up.
Are you kidding? If there was a way, would they still be here in such a state of panic being interrogated by the emperor?
Xiao Zirui frowned and said:
"That's not the case. You all have devoted yourselves to the country and racked your brains. But just because the current problem cannot be solved, you will not resort to a clearly unworkable method to get by."
"Transporting grain from the small southern countries is simply impossible. If we really implement this plan, not only will we fail to solve the problem of military food, but we will also waste a lot of manpower and material resources."
"Not only that, the great nation of Nanyu has long been eyeing the fat piece of meat of Jing State. If our dynasty forms an alliance with Jing State at this time, won't it be hated by the nation of Nanyu?"
"No matter how 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 the ministers for opposing it?"
Xiao Changheng finally looked at him straight in the eye and said calmly:
"The Crown Prince said this is not feasible, and the only reason is that the journey is too far."
"But I said that the princess can solve this problem. If the prince doesn't believe me, how can you prove that what she said is false?"
"This..." Xiao Zirui paused, "But she refuses to tell me the specific method. Uncle Huang has no way to prove that she can do it, right?"
"Heh." Xiao Xingheng sneered and looked at the emperor.
"I will guarantee this matter, is that enough?"
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