Chapter 102: Is Emperor Yang of Sui a Tyrant?

Of course. If I have to explain it to you, it's too troublesome; a sentence or two just won't make sense.

Let me first tell you why itinerant merchants can currently make the common people's lives better.

Li Chunfeng listened silently, saying nothing.

Chen Yan organized his thoughts and said, "Since ancient times merchants have pursued profit, which is true, but the itinerant merchant method I speak of is not those deceitful ways; it is a method that benefits the common people."

"How should I put it? Do you think those noble families are wealthy?"

Li Chunfeng replied immediately, "Is that even a question? The five prominent surnames and seven illustrious lineages of the Tang Dynasty have been passed down for countless years; the gold, silver and treasures they have hoarded are probably incalculable."

Chen Yan nodded, "You're right, but have you considered that although they are rich, they never spend; instead they keep earning money."

"When they earn money, they bury it underground and pass it down through generations."

"The world's wealth is limited; the more money they hoard at home, the less there is elsewhere."

"One could say that most of the world's wealth is held by noble families, rich merchants, and the aristocracy."

"More importantly, most of it never circulates, causing wealth to stagnate, so the common people become increasingly poor and naturally suffer."

Wealth circulation?

Li Chunfeng, intrigued by the term, asked, "May I ask, young master, what is wealth circulation?"

Chen Yan paused, then mused, "Explaining this is very troublesome; it already involves economics, a field I'm not proficient in, and any explanation would likely be mismatched."

"Alright, let me give you an example."

"Very well, the humble monk listens attentively," Li Chunfeng bowed slightly toward Chen Yan and fell silent.

Chen Yan said, "You must have heard of the restaurant I run; its hot pot, tea, and alcohol are sold at exorbitant prices, and ordinary common folk simply cannot afford them."

"Those who can afford it are precisely the noble families, rich merchants, and aristocrats I just mentioned."

"This move is essentially extracting the buried wealth from their hands."

"After earning money from them, I cannot keep it in my hands; I must spend it, otherwise I would become just like those noble families."

"For example, I could open branch stores—tea houses, wineries—each requires capital and can continuously earn money from the aristocratic class."

"In this process, as my branches multiply, I will need more laborers to work for me."

"Except for the first shop, most of these workers are recruited from the common people, and I must pay them wages on schedule, providing them with stable income."

"So tell me, has the life of these common people improved?"

Li Chunfeng pondered for a while, carefully considering every word Chen Yan said.

After a long pause, he gradually began to understand what Chen Yan meant by economic circulation.

"Young master, your approach is equivalent to extracting the aristocracy's buried money and distributing it to the working commoners, giving them stable and reliable income, so their lives will naturally improve."

"Hmm, you're right," Chen Yan gave him an approving glance and continued, "But what I just said is only the most trivial point."

"Because my profit margin is huge, the wages I give to the working commoners constitute only a tiny fraction of the profit."

"Then could I use the remaining profit to create more jobs, providing stable income to more common people?"

Li Chunfeng frowned and pondered, "Young master, do you mean opening branch stores in other regions?"

Chen Yan was momentarily taken aback, then laughed helplessly, "Grand Historian, opening shops is merely a channel for me to earn from the aristocracy; although branches can provide some jobs, strictly speaking they do little for the common people."

"What I refer to as providing other jobs is undertaking projects that truly benefit the nation and its people."

"What projects?" Li Chunfeng asked somewhat embarrassed.

For some reason, Li Chunfeng considered himself quite wise, usually the one speaking while others listened.

He was always the one teaching others.

But in front of Chen Yan, Li Chunfeng always felt he knew nothing and had to ask about everything.

It was like being a childish infant.

Chen Yan, not noticing Li Chunfeng's expression, tossed out a question, "Grand Historian, what do you think of Emperor Yang of Sui?"

"Speak without reservation, according to your true inner thoughts."

"This…" Li Chunfeng hesitated.

Honestly, if Chen Yan asked him about any other emperor, he wouldn't have any hesitation.

But since it's Emperor Yang of Sui, it's truly hard for him to speak.

After a long silence, Li Chunfeng whispered, "To be frank, young master, the world says Emperor Yang of Sui is a tyrant, but the humble monk does not think so."

Emperor Yang of Sui built the Grand Canal, running north–south with Luoyang as its hub, linking Zhuojun (Beijing) and Yuhang (Hangzhou); this not only allowed Jiangnan's grain, food, and silk to reach the north directly, but also secured logistical support for Sui and Tang expeditions against Liaodong and Goguryeo.

He also formally established the Imperial Examination, breaking the Nine‑Rank System that the aristocratic families had monopolized since the Wei–Jin era, thereby providing a path of advancement for children of humble families.

These are deeds that benefit the present and profit future generations.

If he were not so hasty, he could actually become an excellent ruler.

Chen Yan smiled and said, "Grand Historian, you are right; if Emperor Yang of Sui were not so hasty, he would surely become a renowned monarch in the annals."

Emperor Yang of Sui's vision was far‑sighted; the Grand Canal, Imperial Examination, and the reconstruction of Luoyang all have long‑term value, but Yang Guang attempted to 'accomplish in one generation what would take several generations,' far exceeding the state's capacity.

Building the Grand Canal caused widespread popular resentment, and the Imperial Examination system infringed upon the interests of noble families.

Thus the great Sui's second emperor perished.

Li Chunfeng wholeheartedly agreed, "Indeed, the ones who wield the pen in this world are the noble families, so Emperor Yang of Sui became an indisputable tyrant."

Chen Yan raised another question, "Then, what if I used the money I earned to build projects similar to the Grand Canal?"

I wouldn't need Corvée Labor; I would provide the working commoners with three meals a day and pay them generous wages daily, weekly, or monthly on schedule.

Then, do you think the common people would still lament?

When those words were spoken, it was like a bolt of thunder exploding in Li Chunfeng's mind, leaving him momentarily speechless.

Having read histories since childhood, he knew that every dynasty that undertook massive construction always conscripted Corvée Labor, forced the populace, causing unbearable suffering that eventually sparked rebellions.

But Chen Yan's words completely overturned his understanding.

It turned out that projects need not harm the people, and popular resentment does not necessarily arise from construction, but from the court's arbitrary exactions!

His fingers trembled slightly, a flash of spiritual light suddenly appeared in his mind.

Li Chunfeng urgently wanted to grab it, desperately trying to seize it.

He had a premonition; Chen Yan's words were not as simple as they seemed on the surface, inside they concealed knowledge capable of changing the world.

All the answers lie within that flash of spiritual light.

As long as he grasps that flash of spiritual light, he can truly understand Chen Yan's meaning......

「...... 」

PS：Wishing all you dear ones a happy Dragon Boat Festival; those working away from home also remember to eat on time~