Chapter 103: Li Chunfeng Calls Mr. Chen

"Grand Historian, what are you thinking?"

Chen Yan looked at Li Chunfeng with curiosity.

Since he finished speaking, Li Chunfeng has seemed off, acting extremely anxious.

Hearing this, Li Chunfeng suddenly seized Chen Yan's shoulder and said, "Mr. Chen, I know your words just now were unfinished, and they contain great truth."

"But this humble monk is foolish and truly cannot comprehend; could you kindly enlighten me? I would be endlessly grateful!"

They were really eager to know what economics is.

Li Chunfeng had a premonition that this previously unheard-of discipline could indeed, as Chen Yan claimed, improve the lives of the common people.

Moreover, his address to Chen Yan changed again, from 'young master' to 'Mr. Chen'.

Chen Yan felt his shoulder ache from the grip, and he strained to break free, only to discover the strength was frighteningly great.

It left him feeling rather depressed.

In any case, Chen Yan is a descendant of a military commander; although he doesn't train rigorously every day, he has practiced enough to be far stronger than an ordinary person.

Yet why does he feel that anyone he meets could instantly kill him?

As for Wushe, need not mention; he is a eunuch close to the emperor, and it would probably be no problem to beat him ten times over.

How is it that now even an old Taoist can casually seize him?

Chen Yan said softly, "Grand Historian, I never said I wouldn't tell you; why are you in such a hurry?"

"First, could you let go of me?"

Li Chunfeng then realized he had indeed become agitated, quickly withdrew his hands, and said with deep remorse, "My apologies, Mr. Chen; this humble monk was eager to learn and was rude."

Chen Yan relaxed his shoulder and, still a bit downcast, said, "It's fine; just be more careful next time."

Li Chunfeng nodded repeatedly, with a look that promised it wouldn't happen again, looking just like a well‑behaved child.

Then he gave a hopeful gaze, his meaning obvious.

Chen Yan was amused by Li Chunfeng, and immediately stopped teasing, explaining, "In fact, we both already know the answer."

"If I gather the people, provide them three meals a day, guarantee their safety, and pay them wages on time, there would be no widespread complaints; instead they would scramble for a work slot and eventually even call me a great benefactor."

"Grand Historian, do you approve what I said?"

Li Chunfeng nodded heavily, having no doubt about Chen Yan's words.

Currently, the Tang Dynasty implements a rent‑labor‑tax system, where "labor" refers to the tax in lieu of corvée labor (paying silk or cloth instead of serving).

According to the regulations, each household must perform 20 days of corvée labor annually; if they exceed the term, they may be exempt from the labor tax.

In other words, the common people must serve corvée labor, receive no compensation aside from tax exemptions, and must also provide their own food.

If Chen Yan truly did as he described—granting the people generous pay and providing three meals a day—the populace might even be eager to worship him.

Widespread grievances would be utterly impossible.

"Alright, then let's discuss economic circulation," Chen Yan said confidently. "I earn money from aristocratic families, use that money to rally the people, and build nation‑benefiting projects like the Grand Canal."

"During this period, the people earn money; what is their purpose in earning it?"

"I don't think this is a hard question; when the people earn money, they must spend it, because they live in hardship and lack clothing, food, shelter, and transport."

"Thus, most of the money the people earn will be taken again by cloth merchants, grain merchants, and salt merchants."

"Am I right?"

Li Chunfeng finally grasped that flash of insight and began to understand, albeit slightly, what true economic circulation is.

He exclaimed, "And the money the wealthy merchants earn is being reclaimed by Mr. Chen through his schemes."

"Thus the money circles around, flowing back into aristocratic families, into Mr. Chen's hands, and finally back to the common people again."

"In this process, Mr. Chen gains reputation, builds projects that benefit the nation and its people; the people obtain money, can tear some cloth for new clothes, afford grain, and no longer face the horror of cannibalism."

"As money continues to circulate, the people's lives will improve more and more, and nation‑benefiting projects will increase across the realm."

"And what is spent is merely the wealth that aristocratic families have buried underground..."

Li Chunfeng could not articulate what emotion he felt inside.

Surprised?

A little, perhaps.

He had never imagined that the method to improve the people's lives could be both so difficult and so simple,

Shocking?

Of course, shocking!

He was thoroughly captivated by the discipline Chen Yan called economics.

But Li Chunfeng felt even more respect.

Previously, whether it was Gao Yang, Li Lizhi, or the couple Li Shimin, everyone praised Chen Yan's overflowing talent.

Yet actually, Li Chunfeng was not particularly impressed by that.

It's true that the Tang Dynasty loved poetry, but most poetry lovers were from the aristocracy; commoners lacked the right to appreciate poetry.

Chen Yan's poetic talent was indeed dazzling, but that was all.

After all, poetry can only lament the hardships of the people and serves little other purpose.

Now, Li Chunfeng finally understood that Chen Yan is truly overflowing with talent.

Poetic skill is merely the tip of Chen Yan's iceberg.

"......"

Chen Yan praised, "You understand it thoroughly; unfortunately, it's easy to talk about but hard to accomplish."

"The situation you describe is only the most ideal state."

Li Chunfeng sincerely said, "I believe Mr. Chen's ability will overcome all difficulties."

"If Mr. Chen needs anything and this humble monk can be of help, feel free to command me, Li Mou!"

Chen Yan really found Li Chunfeng very amusing, and said cheerfully: "Grand Historian, you're a child over four hundred months old, and you keep calling me 'Mr.'—is that appropriate?"

"I'm still young; I'd feel embarrassed."

Li Chunfeng: "......"

"Mr. Chen, as the saying goes, the capable come first—your learning is enough for a child over four hundred months old to call you 'Mr.'!"

"Fine, do as you like." Chen Yan waved his hand indifferently, "Any other questions, Grand Historian?"

"If not, I'm going to take Sizi out to sunbathe."

"Whether to say it or not, the Shangshi Bureau of the Imperial Palace has two brushes; what they make has a unique flavor—I've eaten my fill."

Li Chunfeng didn't pick up on that, but instead asked: "Mr. Chen, the hardest point of the economic circulation you just mentioned is probably how to make money from the aristocratic clans."

"Your tavern may be booming, enough to be described as 'rolling in gold,' but if you want to achieve your ideals and ambitions, relying solely on the tavern... probably won't work, right?"

"Relying solely on the tavern definitely won't work!" Chen Yan gave a slight nod, "But... when did I ever say I could only rely on the tavern?"

"......"