Chapter 415: The Crooked Monk Reads Proper Scripture

"Censor Fang, what exactly is the method you have in mind?"

Yan Zhenqing asked curiously.

In truth, it was not that they were foolish, but rather that this kind of work requiring large amounts of ready cash in a short time had always been rather difficult to manage.

Because central finances were often a case of one radish per hole—before funds were allocated, each ministry basically knew how much money it needed.

Could you say the relay stations should not be maintained? That officials' salaries should not be paid? That roads and bridges should no longer be repaired, and waterways no longer dredged?

That obviously would not do.

Yet to fill the vacancies of the hundred thousand Imperial Guards, they were still short by at least tens of thousands of men. Where would the military pay, equipment, and rations for these people come from?

Refining the Imperial Guards was itself a matter of using central finances to support a front-line army. As for local military maintenance, that had been Great Tang's national policy since after Emperor Gaozong. The relationships involved were so tangled they could not be cut clean or sorted straight, and right and wrong could not be explained in a few words.

But it was clearly also an indisputable fact that Great Tang's state institutions were now rigid and the border garrisons had grown too powerful to control. Only by strengthening the Imperial Guards could they cope with the situation ahead. This was also the current consensus across the court and the country.

Reaching a consensus meant deciding whether this matter should be done. Having decided to do it, the first step was to raise money.

This was the same principle as an ordinary person having money ready before buying something.

However, the crux of the problem was precisely that there was no money!

"Actually, I feel that there are still many wealthy people among Great Tang's populace, and many among them who are rich without conscience.

Why not have them donate one-tenth of their assets to the court as military funds, which could also cover other various expenditures, with a five-year limit—after five years, return them an equivalent amount of silk, cloth, and grain, wouldn't that work?"

Fang Chongyong said with a calm expression, looking as though he did not feel there was anything wrong at all with what he had said.

You could do it this way?

Zheng Shuqing and Yan Zhenqing looked at each other in bewilderment, unable to fathom how anyone could voice such a deranged idea!

And right in front of them, two high officials of the court!

"Very well, Censor Fang, let us set aside everything else for now. Just tell us—five years from now, how will the court repay them?

Today the court has no money, and five years from now it will most likely be the same."

Yan Zhenqing asked in puzzlement.

It was not that he was diminishing their own morale, but rather that Great Tang had spread itself far too thin now! The deterioration of state finances was visible to the naked eye!

"No need to repay. Five years from now, it will be an entirely different picture."

Fang Chongyong said with complete self-assurance.

Borrow and not repay?

Yan Zhenqing and Zheng Shuqing looked at him with faces full of doubt, seemingly waiting for Fang Chongyong's explanation.

"Not only would there be no need to repay, but when the time comes, the court would borrow another large sum!

To be repaid together ten years later!"

Fang Chongyong was shameless rather than ashamed, and after finishing, he was even smug about it.

His words left both Zheng Shuqing and Yan Zhenqing speechless. Where in the world could you find people so foolish as to be swindled once by the court and then swindled a second time?

"Censor Fang, if there is no repayment, how can they be made to lend again?"

Yan Zhenqing asked with patience.

"Whoever lends again, ten years later, the court will exempt their family's lands from taxes for five years, and then repay the principal.

If they do not lend, the money owed to them previously will be repaid only after everyone else has been paid, last of all.

After all, not lending money means letting the Imperial Guards go hungry. In that case, the Imperial Guards will simply have to go eat at their house—who told their family to be rich?

You could call this 'the greater the ability, the greater the responsibility.'"

Fang Chongyong shook his head and sighed.

Hmm, it sounded like there was a tiny bit of twisted logic to it.

Yan Zhenqing and Zheng Shuqing exchanged a glance, then also shook their heads and sighed. It was too damn reckless, simply unreasonable.

If they really operated this way, the realm would surely be thrown into chaos.

"You are both high officials of the court, untainted by the stink of copper, so naturally you do not know the minds of merchants and wealthy households.

Since ancient times, the one who borrows is the father, and the one who collects debts is the grandson.

For the sake of Great Tang's stability, the court simply must ruthlessly borrow money from those wealthy households.

If Great Tang endures, they will have the chance to collect their debts. If Great Tang falls, they will lose everything.

This is precisely the will of the people.

If someone rebels in the future, these people will be the first to object.

Misfortune is what fortune leans upon; fortune is where misfortune hides. In my view, the court borrowing money from those people may not necessarily be a bad thing."

After Fang Chongyong finished speaking, Yan Zhenqing, who had already half-risen, sat back down in his original seat.

It seemed, apparently, that this sounded a bit interesting.

Yan Zhenqing and Zheng Shuqing both fell silent in thought, seemingly weighing the pros and cons in their hearts.

Seeing that the two of them were somewhat moved, Fang Chongyong continued to explain:

"The court need not be so crude in its methods.

Those willing to lend money can be considered as sharing the nation's burdens—the court can issue their family a plaque designating them a 'household of good standing,' to hang above their doorway.

If someone does not wish to lend money, the Ministry of Revenue can also issue permits to those unwilling wealthy households.

It would be agreed that any wealthy household receiving a permit could, during the lending period, lease a certain stretch of mountains, rivers, or lakes near their hometown, and set up road checkpoints nearby.

They would be permitted to collect a little in tolls.

After a few years, the court could then find some pretext at random—for instance, that these people were harming the local populace, rich without conscience, and that nothing short of execution would quell public outrage.

Then execute them on the spot, confiscate their property, distribute a portion to the local poor, and bring the rest back to the national treasury.

That way, wouldn't you have both public support and no need to repay the money?

In any case, that is the general idea. As for how exactly to carry it out, is that not for you court ministers and secretaries to decide? I am just a rough man, with nothing but these crooked notions in my head. You two should not think too highly of me."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand indifferently and said.

Yan Zhenqing and Zheng Shuqing couldn't help but nod silently, as if seriously considering how feasible Fang Chongyong's crooked idea was.

They are not at all stupid, nor are they pure-hearted lotus-like figures. In Yan Zhenqing's plan, they originally intended to set up toll stations everywhere to raise funds for military expenses. Only the concrete implementation still had some doubts, and they had not made a firm decision.

When an empire's internal contradictions have not erupted, of course society as a whole can continue to prosper.

But when its internal contradictions begin to intensify, it is necessary to "sacrifice" part of the populace to keep the state running.

The poor have little to squeeze; killing them yields little money.

So those wealthy households and merchants who have money but no power or troops are ready-made fat sheep.

The court saying it wants to borrow money from them is already polite; if not polite, it would just find a pretext, slap on a charge, and kill them outright.

"It's a pity that Censor Fang doesn't go to the Council Hall."

Yan Zhenqing couldn't help but sigh and say.

Compared to the absolutely unacceptable selling of offices and titles, selling the qualification to become an official based on having passed the same Mingjing examination, what Fang Chongyong is now proposing still falls within an acceptable range.

After all, there are only a few ways to make money quickly.

How could making money possibly look respectable?

The people's eyes are all sharp as snow!

"You two just say whether this can be done."

Actually there are more tactful ways, but I still feel that a swift cut is best.

"Don't go to Hebei; the court can simply send a pacification commissioner to Lianghuai and Jiangnan to handle this."

"This method can relieve the present, but it will bring endless future troubles."

Yan Zhenqing couldn't help but sigh and say.

"Minister Yan, for those who borrow high-interest loans, if they can repay, they shouldn't borrow at all; borrowing leads to ruin of family and life."

"If they absolutely cannot repay, it would have been better to borrow more in the first place."

"Which is greater, the court or the wealthy households?"

"Is it to squeeze a bit of scraps from the mouths of the poor, or to move wealth from the storehouses of the rich?"

"Isn't the principle of choosing the lesser of two evils obvious?"

"Let the wealthy households suffer a bit; I, Minister Yan, will bear the blame. If I don't go to hell, who will? Is this good or evil? Isn't that obvious?"

Fang Chongyong said in a persuasive tone.

"Indeed, as the Right Minister, I have decided to handle this matter this way."

"I, the minister, will now go to the Xingqing Palace to see the emperor."

Zheng Shuqing nodded slightly and said, not wanting to linger further.

Old Zheng always places a blind trust in Fang Chongyong at critical moments.

"Indeed, we have no choice but to do this."

Yan Zhenqing nodded slightly; Fang Chongyong's method, at least, is not a direct tax increase. As for the future, that can only be discussed later.

He thus consoled himself, thinking that as long as the court repays the money later, there will be no serious problem.

Although this sum of money is likely mostly unrecoverable.

As for the waived five-year rent... in fact, even now the wealthy households are constantly finding ways to evade taxes, so the court can squeeze little profit from them.

By then it will merely be turning unwritten rules into written ones, causing the court little loss.

When interests clash and intensify, a situation where everyone benefits is basically impossible. This is also one reason why revolution is not a dinner party.

There will always be some bloody, unsightly scenes.

The court needs money, so it must always extract from some people to cope with the past.

"I will go with the Right Minister."

Yan Zhenqing rose, clasped his hands in a polite salute to Fang Chongyong, and left the private room together with Zheng Shuqing.

He no longer dared to look down on this self-styled rascal, a young man with meticulous thoughts.

……

In the study of the Qinzhengwubenlou in the Xingqing Palace, Ji Ge listened as the Right Minister Zheng Shuqing reported to him the fundraising plan.

He listened while nodding slightly, obviously quite satisfied with it.

Yan Zhenqing silently observed from the side, inevitably admiring Fang Chongyong's meticulous thinking in his heart.

This person has practically seen through the present emperor of Chang'an!

"Five years is too long; the longer the period, the more the wealthy and big households will think, and they will resent the court.

"Better to set a three-year term. However, the means must be tougher; refusing to pay means refusing to share the Tang's hardships.

Such people, if the world falls into chaos in the future, will certainly be fickle, hedging their bets.

"For those who refuse to lend, let the Ministry of Justice send someone to investigate locally; if they find any wrongdoing, confiscate their property directly."

Ji Ge said with a calm face, as if he weren't talking about killing people but about killing a few pigs.

"I came to you to borrow money; how can you not lend it to me?"

"I am the Son of Heaven, after all, and this is the Great Tang!"

"I am the master of the Great Tang, you are its subjects. If you don't lend me money, are you preparing to lend it to rebels?"

"So, killing you would be justified, wouldn't it?"

"After all, your money's source is not right; that's what is meant by 'the wealthy lack benevolence'."

"Not helping me means you're preparing to oppose me in the future; I cannot let you stay!"

Ji Ge's way of doing things has always been very clear.

"Building a prosperous Great Tang, building a flourishing Chang'an, is all for this emperor's enjoyment. If others can also take it into account, then let them share in the glory brought by the Great Tang."

If they can no longer be looked after, then these people must become the oil and firewood that let the Tang shine and add bricks and tiles.

In short, whoever they are, they must not owe anything to me, the Tang Emperor.

Whether in the Kaiyuan era or in the present Tianbao years, Ji Ge's ideas and his principles of conduct have never changed.

That can be considered, to some extent, a "beginning and end".

At this moment, hearing the Emperor speak so, Yan Zhenqing finally understood why Li Shizhi would have "committed suicide".

His butt didn't sit in the right place!

Yan Zhenqing felt unusually ashamed; Fang Chongyong, only in his twenties, had already seen through what kind of "saint" this person truly was. He laughed at his own insight, which was still not better than that of a youngster!

"Minister Yan, what are your thoughts?"

Seeing Yan Zhenqing a little stunned, Ji Ge smiled and asked.

He was obviously in a good mood now; Zheng Shuqing, that mangy dog, is more useful than a disobedient Li Shizhi!

"Your Holiness, I concur with the Right Prime Minister's plan. Raising the Forbidden Army is indeed urgent."

Yan Zhenqing crossed his arms in salute to Ji Ge and said.

"Hmm, that works. Then handle this matter yourself. I appoint you as the envoy of Shannan and Jiangnan Fourth Dao, specifically responsible for fundraising. Transfer your post from Minister of Works to Minister of Revenue, and take the seal to assume the post."

Ji Ge acted decisively, granting Yan Zhenqing a commission, sending him to the Two Huai and Jiangnan to plunder land.

"I obey the decree."

Yan Zhenqing dared not voice any complaint; his expression remained calm as he crossed his arms in salute and said.

He felt in his heart that indeed, fear brings its own cause. He had originally come with Zheng Shuqing out of worry that Old Zheng would dump the money‑collecting task onto him, causing him to speak recklessly before the Emperor.

He did not expect Ji Ge to be completely unceremonious; Zheng Shuqing said nothing related, and the Emperor instead tossed the pot straight at him.

"The Emperor does not lack hungry soldiers; if Minister Yan needs anything, just tell me."

Ji Ge smiled and asked.

"Your Holiness, I require a Fang Military Envoy, to lead a unit of Yinqiang Xiaojie Army, to accompany me to the Two Huai and Jiangnan, in case of emergencies."

"After all, wealth dazzles the eyes. It's hard to say whether some will be driven by greed to take reckless risks."

Yan Zhenqing hoped for a strong army to accompany him to Jiangnan and the Two Huai to plunder wealthy households, and then transport the treasure back to Chang'an.

If he didn't have a few thousand combat‑ready Forbidden troops by his side, Yan Zhenqing truly wouldn't dare travel at night!

"Hmm, that works too. Fang Guozhong is someone who cannot stay idle; keeping him in Chang'an would waste his talent.

Then let him lead three thousand core members of the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army, to accompany the Minister on a tour."

Ji Ge nodded slightly and said.

Sending Fang Chongyong away would be just right for a sweeping consolidation of the Forbidden Army.

Ji Ge silently calculated in his mind, thinking that without Fang Chongyong causing trouble in Chang'an, it didn't seem like a bad thing.

"Your Holiness, the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army is the strongest force in Guanzhong; it cannot be lightly separated."

Zheng Shuqing suggested calmly.

Who would have thought Ji Ge waved his hand, a cold smile on his face, and said: "It is indeed Guanzhong's top army, but now the Tang shines like the sun at its zenith; who dares to rebel and try? Minister, you worry too much."

"I am slow‑witted."

Zheng Shuqing retreated with a sour expression, his belly full of bitterness, not knowing to whom to vent.

(End of chapter)