Chapter 570: No Money, No Talk

Li E still took the news back, even if it was bad news.

The Fengxiang Military Governor is unwilling to dispatch troops; to be precise, the governor's attitude is acceptable, but the Qiu Ba seem inflamed and refuse to march far.

This makes things a bit difficult, more troublesome than imagined.

Because this cannot be solved by buying off a single general.

Yan Zhenqing was momentarily caught in a dilemma.

Yet almost at the same time, Minister of Revenue Di Wuqi brought Yan Zhenqing mixed news: inside Chang'an, a royal clan has begun selling grain at high prices!

This counts as good news.

At the same time there is bad news: a minister submitted a memorial demanding the court send troops to Luoyang to open the canal transport route and lift the He Yang three cities' blockade of the Yellow River! Suddenly many responded, the momentum was quite massive.

In the past, no one knew when the canal route could be opened, so the aristocratic families of Chang'an never dared to sell the grain stored in their mansions' granaries.

They feared that after selling grain, an unexpected disaster might occur, causing next year's grain supply to be interrupted.

So although grain prices in Chang'an have skyrocketed, one cannot obtain grain through ordinary market transactions. In other words, anyone who wants grain must use connections.

But now the rumor that the court's troops are preparing to attack Luoyang, unknown who spread it, has even convinced the officials in the capital!

Once the canal transport is smooth, the grain from Jiangnan and the two Huai regions can naturally be shipped to Chang'an, eliminating the shortage. Then a grain price crash is bound to happen.

Rather than smashing old grain in hand, it's better to lower the price and release it for profit. This way, they can buy up many shops and enterprises in Chang'an and recruit more slaves and tenant farmers.

For Yan Zhenqing, this is not a bad thing; high‑priced grain is still better than no grain, right?

However the real trouble is that now the officials and courtiers of Chang'an are angry, demanding the imperial army quickly capture Luoyang and open the canal node, no longer being controlled by others.

So the pressure began to reach Yan Zhenqing.

"Sir Yan, the matter of dispatching troops to Luoyang cannot be delayed any longer."

Di Wuqi said anxiously.

The blocked canal severely impacts the economy, causing all trades to decline. As the Minister of Revenue, he feels it more than anyone. His position is obvious.

In the Council Hall, Li Mi was absent; only Yan Zhenqing was discussing the deployment with Di Wuqi.

"I share the same view, but the issue now is not whether to send troops; the court is in a tight spot and cannot afford it."

Yan Zhenqing smiled wryly.

Where did the money go?

A large portion was spent on buying grain from the market to supply Chang'an's needs.

Otherwise, Chang'an would be full of starving corpses!

Also, after the bloody battle at Huayin against Huangfu Weiming's rebel troops, the court awarded the meritorious generals.

Although not fully paid, it was still a huge sum.

Losing a large governed area meant losing most of the tax revenue, so the treasury is naturally strained. Now that troops are needed again, where to raise money is a serious issue.

"The Kong He Army, are they unwilling to serve the nation now? Weren't they before…?"

Di Wuqi was puzzled; when Fang Youde led troops before, the Kong He Army obeyed orders strictly, so why can't the court command them now?

The superiors think "use it more if it's useful, use it to the death," without caring how the subordinates feel.

"There may be inside information; I can't explain."

"But if we don't give rewards, they won't mobilize; there should be no objections."

After speaking, Yan Zhenqing's brows furrowed into a "river" shape, clearly worried about state affairs.

Because Li Chang is a hands‑off emperor, Yan Zhenqing firmly believes he is merely a figure placed at the forefront by bureaucrats and aristocratic groups to maintain stability.

There is no such "imperial will" to protect oneself.

Now the deployment reflects the bureaucratic group's collective will, and some nobles are already profiting by opening warehouses to sell high‑price grain. If the canal cannot be opened, these people may fall into a severe disadvantage due to grain shortages in the coming years.

Then it's hard to say whose responsibility that bill will fall on.

The villainous Li Baochen and his men indeed cannot be beaten, but dealing with Yan Zhenqing would still be easy.

In this regard, Yan Zhenqing has been pondering what price to offer Li Jiaqing.

After all, with the Kong He Army marching, this battle is almost a sure win.

"How about using the old method: we first issue some bonds and give them to the Kong He soldiers. When they return victorious, the court will naturally have money. Then they can exchange the bonds for silk or grain."

Di Wuqi offered a "thinking‑outside‑the‑box" idea, simply put, writing IOUs.

Similar incidents happened many times when Ji Ge was still alive, so this can't be called Di Wuqi's "original invention."

However, back when the Great Tang was at its zenith, there were buyers for such IOUs. Now that the realm is shattered, trying this again may not work.

Yan Zhenqing felt some hesitation, but seeing Di Wuqi's demeanor, he knew there truly was no other way.

Di Wuqi handles the finances; when he says there's no money, it truly means no money.

"This month and next, officials' salaries will not be paid, redirected as military funds to Fengxiang Prefecture. The rest, issue bonds."

Yan Zhenqing let out a long sigh and decided to go personally to the Kong He Army's main camp today to persuade Li Jiaqing to endure a while.

"Now we have begun enforcing the Salt Monopoly Law; once it spreads, everything will improve. Opening the canal node is of utmost importance."

Di Wuqi bowed deeply to Yan Zhenqing and earnestly urged him.

If Guanzhong does not rely on external supplies, it cannot sustain the "Great Chang'an" that has been operating since the Sui dynasty.

Chang'an belongs to its people, to the Guanzhong people, and to the world; without the world's people, Chang'an would no longer be Chang'an.

Yan Zhenqing and Di Wuqi both understand this, but understanding does not solve the shortage of manpower.

"Understood, I'll head to Fengxiang Prefecture then."

Yan Zhenqing exchanged greetings with Di Wuqi, then called his attendants, and together they left the capital city.

…

At times in history, heroes shape the times.

But more often, circumstances are stronger than individuals.

Fang Chongyong handed the letter Wei Jian wrote to him over to Li Lan, thereby hinting to the prince: I still have choices, but you have none left. Whatever happens next, you handle it yourself.

It's unclear whether the earlier forced divorce of the daughter‑in‑law Yuwen Shi gave Li Lan a hard blow, or whether Wei Jian's recruitment letter truly made him panic.

Now the prince finally set aside all his face and came to the study in the Bianzhou Prefectural Office where Fang Chongyong was.

And Fang Jiedushi adopted a humble posture, greeting Li Lan at the office gate and ushering him into the study to sit.

After a pot of fine wine was presented, Fang Chongyong looked at Li Lan with a smiling gaze and asked, "Your Highness, amidst your many duties, you come to my humble office—what brings you here?"

He was asking knowingly.

Li Lan did not hedge either; he pulled the letter Wei Jian wrote to Fang Chongyong from his bosom and slowly placed it before the party concerned.

"I wonder what Fang Jiedushi intends by giving this letter to Wei Zichun? When Wei Zichun handed it to me, I was also completely at a loss."

Li Lan asked in a deep voice, still a bit lacking in guile, to ask so directly.???? Fang Chongyong smiled inwardly; if the person before him were Zheng Shuqing, he would have to go around a hundred twists before hinting the question indirectly.

Li Lan's willingness to come to the office shows he has indeed made some progress lately, but compared with those old, cunning officials, he is still a bit raw.

"Now that the world is in such chaos, I, the commander, believe three people bear the gravest sins.

The first is the late emperor's perverse policies. The countless offenses are beyond description. Your Highness should already know.

The second are Huangfu Weiming, Wei Jian and others, whose treacherous hearts never die, who first rebelled by installing Li Wan as emperor and carving out Hebei.

The third is Crown Prince Li Chang, who murdered his father and killed the sovereign, setting an example for the world, leading to rebels everywhere now.

With Huangfu Weiming dead, Wei Jian lost his backing, and Li Wan became a puppet—clearly a self‑inflicted fate, not anyone else's fault.

Wei Jian still has the nerve to write a letter urging me, the commander, to side with him and pledge loyalty to Li Wan, that treacherous traitor—truly absurd.

Fang Chongyong slammed the table with vigor, his righteous anger blazing as he said.

The amount of information in those words was considerable; Gao Shang, the strategist, was absent, and the administratively experienced Wei Zichun was also not present, so Li Lan strained to digest the deeper meaning in the other's words, finding it increasingly fascinating.

Fang Chongyong seemed merely to be complaining, but in fact he said everything that needed to be said. If others cannot understand, it only shows their level is too low to sit at the table.

For a moment, Li Lan felt a certain enlightenment.

Fang Chongyong's words were indeed factual; the world's chaos is not unrelated to Brother Ji's perverse policies, not unrelated to Huangfu Weiming's initial rebellion, and certainly not unrelated to Li Chang's patricide and regicide.

But those are not the point; the crucial point is that Fang Chongyong clarified his stance: he will not be loyal to the deceased Brother Ji, will not collude with the Hebei rebels, and will not sacrifice himself for the current emperor who murdered his father and killed the sovereign.

Did Fang Chongyong just say he would swear death‑long loyalty to Li Lan?

It seems he didn't say that, right?

Yet if we eliminate the above "wrong options," the remaining choice is right there, isn't it?

After hearing that, Li Lan couldn't help but sigh in relief.

It seems Fang Chongyong will not switch allegiance to Li Wan.

He gave Wei Jian's letter to Wei Zichun, presumably to give himself a reminder.

Li Lan felt a great calm in his heart.

Yet he suddenly thought of a problem he hadn't noticed before, making his spine tingle faintly. Not even Fang Chongyong nor his Yinqiang Xiaojie Army had ever given him such a terrifying feeling.

Li Lan suddenly recalled that Wei Zichun seemed also to be from the Jingzhao Wei clan. Which branch, he didn't know,

but it was certain that he was a prominent figure of some Wei branch.

After all, Wei Zichun had been an old bureaucrat serving as a capital official since the Kaiyuan era, and his résumé was no worse than that of Wei Jian's brother Wei Lan.

Might Wei Zichun, upon seeing Wei Jian courting Fang Chongyong, harbor any improper thoughts? Like secret collusion or the like.

Or perhaps when Fang Chongyong gave the letter to Wei Zichun, the latter, after an extremely intense inner struggle, reluctantly handed the letter to himself?

Might Wei Zichun think that supporting Li Wan would be more convenient?

Matters concerning the aristocratic families… really aren't easy to speak of.

The Jingzhao Wei clan is truly too far‑reaching in influence.

Seeing Li Lan's shifting expression, Fang Chongyong guessed that the other was likely beginning to doubt Wei Zichun's stance.

I, the Marshal, originally wanted to personally send someone to deliver this letter to Chenliu County, but Wei Zichun happened to be present then. He volunteered to deliver the letter, and as the chief aide to His Highness, I thus let him do it.

"I originally intended to send someone myself to deliver this letter to Chenliu County, but Wei Zichun happened to be present. He volunteered to deliver it, and as the chief of Your Highness's staff, I went along and let him take the letter."

"Is there something improper about that?"

For ordinary people, possessing this letter is no big deal, but if someone from the Wei clan gets hold of Wei Jian's letter, the problem becomes serious!

An ordinary person holding this letter is no issue, but a member of the Wei clan holding Wei Jian's letter is a huge problem!

Li Lan's expression changed slightly, but he merely waved his hand lightly and said nothing more.

No matter how big the problem, he could not discuss it with Fang Chongyong.

"Today I, the lone, have come to Kaifeng County to thank Fang Jiedushi for his profound sense of righteousness, being able to put the nation first."

Li Lan bowed, and performed a salute with crossed arms to Fang Chongyong.

Such a level of flattery looks extremely clumsy, yet before a schemer like Fang Chongyong it appears oddly endearing.

"Your Highness, please do not wear me out."

Fang Chongyong hurriedly helped Li Lan to his feet.

He retrieved a palace sketch from beneath the paperweight, spread it on the desk for Li Lan to examine.

"Your Highness, please look; this is the sketch of Bianliang City's Imperial Palace. The palace walls are five li long and four li wide, consisting of an outer palace wall and an inner palace wall in two layers."

Li Lan studied the palace sketch on the desk carefully, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

Seeing his unmistakable joyful expression, Fang Chongyong suddenly recalled something a famous person had once said:

In life, there are three "noodles" that are hardest to swallow.

The first is "personal face," the second "emotional face," the third "scene."

The emperor's proper bearing is the "scene." It seems unnecessary, yet it is indispensable.

Many things are like that—for example, crowds of harem concubines; for example, endless ranks of elite soldiers kneeling on the ground, swearing allegiance; and for example, storehouses piled high like mountains, countless in number.

Many things qualify, such as hordes of harem consorts, endless ranks of elite soldiers kneeling in oath of loyalty, and countless treasury stores piled like mountains.

【121】 Yet these people or objects can never compare to a magnificent palace. It stands there, constantly displaying the emperor's majesty.

Even if the Son of Heaven departs the capital and settles somewhere, there will be a corresponding "imperial palace".

This is the emperor's setting.

What Li Lin lacks most now is a palace, a capital city, to showcase his own grandeur.

Otherwise, how could he issue commands to the four quarters?

"Your Highness, what do you think? By the autumn harvest next year, the palace will be finished on the banks of the canal.

And the construction of the new capital Bianliang will also be scheduled.

Your Highness can first ascend the throne and proclaim yourself emperor, residing in the palace while awaiting the capital's completion.

As for the future, gaining access to Chang'an is certainly desirable. If you cannot reach Chang'an, you may still wait patiently."

Fang Chongyong clasped his fists in a salute to Li Lin and said.

"Good! Very good!"

Li Lin suddenly felt that his second son's principal wife being snatched away was no longer a big matter.

Compared with the imperial palace and the capital, she's merely a woman—what does she amount to?

He secretly rejoiced that he hadn't spoken any harsh words at the time; otherwise, the saliva he had spat out would now be a nail lodged beneath his backside.

Li Lin grasped Fang Chongyong's hand excitedly and said, "With Fang Jiedushi's assistance, I will surely be able to rule the world."

As the saying goes, "Rivers and mountains are easy to change, but one's nature is hard to shift." Li Lin is the type who, when pleased, cannot keep his composure. In adversity he might still keep his head, but once he sees a bright prospect, he inevitably becomes boastful and loses restraint.

He hasn't even ascended the throne yet, and he's already dreaming of ruling the world.

Fang Chongyong found it secretly amusing.

Li Lin, Li Lin, the empire wasn't taken by your sword; how could you possibly sit firmly in the end?

He, with a respectful expression, clasped his fists to Li Lin and said, "Please, Your Highness, rest assured and recuperate in Chenliu County; once the palace is completed, Your Highness may relocate and move in."

(End of chapter)