Chapter 111: All the Fault Lies with the Aristocratic Families

Li Chunfeng's single utterance "Mr. Chen" left Li Shimin and Du Ruhui completely stunned.

No, you, the illustrious Grand Historian, respected by all civil and military officials and even Emperor Li Shimin himself, would call an eighteen‑year‑old youth "Sir"?

Is that correct?

And also, what does it mean that as long as Chen Yan says it, we don't need to calculate—it must be right?

Are you so sure that what he says is correct?

Li Shimin wanted to say something, but ultimately gave up, waved his hand and said, "Li Junxian, go fetch that boy for me."

"Yes, His Majesty." Li Junxian naturally understood that Li Shimin meant Chen Yan, and left at once.

After Li Junxian left, Li Shimin thought for a moment, then couldn't help asking, "Grand Historian, why do you call that stinky kid… 'Sir'?"

Since the longevity banquet, he hasn't even wanted to call Zi An.

He calls him "stinky kid" at every turn, spending the whole day pondering how to deal with Chen Yan.

Li Chunfeng, upon hearing this, perked up, "Your Majesty may not know, after that longevity banquet, I followed Mr. Chen to Weinan Bo Fu."

"I originally intended to see the true world treasure that Mr. Chen spoke of, but during idle conversation, Mr. Chen taught me a discipline that could change the world and make the common folk prosperous."

"I was impressed by Mr. Chen's unparalleled talent, and thus I call him 'Sir'."

Over the past two days, Li Chunfeng truly found that the more he contemplated Chen Yan's economic circulation, the more he sensed the profound depth of this discipline.

Grasping even a superficial strand can benefit him greatly.

Li Shimin became even more curious after hearing that.

Earlier, Li Chunfeng said that the reason he looked so disheveled was because he was studying a subject at home.

At first Li Shimin did not pay much attention, his focus remained on matters concerning floods.

Now Li Chunfeng brings it up again, and it was taught by that stinky kid, so Li Shimin could not contain his curiosity and asked directly, "Grand Historian, what exactly is the subject you speak of?"

"It can make you so impressed that you call an eighteen‑year‑old youth 'Sir' and even forgo sleep and food to study it for two days and three nights?"

Du Ruhui also spoke up, "Indeed, Grand Historian, what exactly did Zi An teach you? I, Du, am also very curious—could you explain it to us?"

Li Chunfeng replied, "Answering Your Majesty, Lord Du, the subject Mr. Chen taught me is called economics, primarily the benefits brought by economic circulation."

Next, Li Chunfeng reproduced Chen Yan's words almost verbatim, adding some of his own understanding.

When discussing Emperor Yang of Sui, he did not shy away at all.

After all, Emperor Yang of Sui may have been a bit tyrannical, but his achievements cannot be denied.

Setting aside the Grand Canal achievements, merely mentioning the Imperial Examination shows that the Tang Dynasty still retained the Imperial Examination system.

Their assessment of Emperor Yang of Sui may be a bit of a spin, but both Li Shimin and the other understood that he was not as deplorable as rumors suggested.

After hearing Li Chunfeng's explanation of economics, Li Shimin and Du Ruhui exchanged glances and instantly became excited.

They are not foolish; it naturally shows that Li Chunfeng's words are not empty.

As long as there is a way to continuously earn money from aristocratic families and then inject it into the hands of the common people, it is entirely possible to form an economic cycle and achieve circulation.

By then, the populace will be prosperous, living anew on this world.

Thus, the golden age they once longed for will no longer be an unattainable ideal.

But rather a goal that can be fully realized.

Du Ruhui thumped the bed heavily, his body trembling, and said, "Grand Historian, your words are correct—Zi An truly is a natural prodigy."

"His Majesty, I again request that Zi An succeed me; I believe that with Zi An's assistance, you will become a timeless emperor on par with Han Wudi!"

"The common folk… the common folk will also be proud to live in the Tang Dynasty!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's expression changed.

This time, he did not immediately refuse as before; after careful thought, he shook his head and said, "No, Zi An is too young and comes from a military background."

"If he were to replace you right away, I fear no civil officials would support him, only the generals."

"It is too early now; no rush… no rush!"

Li Shimin's eyes flickered slightly, his mind plotting some unknown scheme.

Du Ruhui, hearing this, also realized he had been impatient.

Previously, when his life was near death and he was helpless, he had suggested that Chen Yan take his place.

But his condition has improved, so there is no need to be so hasty; the best approach is to place Chen Yan in a suitable position first.

A position where he can fully showcase his talent.

"I was presumptuous, Your Majesty; please do not blame me," Du Ruhui said, bowing.

Li Shimin waved his hand casually, paying no mind to the matter.

At this moment, Li Chunfeng seemed to recall something, and his expression grew uneasy.

"Your Majesty, in recent days I have not only studied the economics Mr. Chen taught me, but also perused a great many books."

"I have discovered that the method Mr. Chen described—having the people build public works and then pay them wages—already existed in the Qi State during the Spring and Autumn period."

"It is recorded in the *Yanzi Spring and Autumn*…"

By the end, Li Chunfeng's old face flushed red.

He boasted daily that he was well‑read in history, yet he had never realized such a good scheme.

Had he discovered it earlier, the massive disaster relief efforts previously could have employed Replace Disaster with Labor.

The people would exchange labor for grain and wages, allowing them not only to survive but also to return home with surplus money after the disaster ends.

Meanwhile, the Court could construct numerous projects beneficial to the nation and the people, such as roads, canals, or reclaimed farmland.

This method is countless times better than simply handing grain to the people.

Thinking of this, Li Chunfeng lowered his head, "Your Majesty, I am truly ashamed."

Li Shimin and Du Ruhui both stared in surprise, then fell silent.

They… seemed to have no right to say anything to Li Chunfeng.

Because everyone has read the historical texts so many times they don't know how many times, the Replace Disaster with Labor method was something nobody had paid attention to before, let alone actually used.

Speaking of the flood we are discussing today.

The historical texts also record that after great droughts and heavy snows there will be heavy rain; didn't they all fail to notice?

In the end, it still had to be Chen Yan who reminded them.

The more they thought, the more embarrassed the three of them became.

Li Shimin gave a dry cough, "Grand Historian, you needn't blame yourself; if I were to say it, the blame lies with those aristocratic families."

"They constantly boast about how profound their scholarship is, how precious their private libraries are, yet they can't even discover this excellent method written in the historical texts; it's truly hateful!"

Li Chunfeng and the two others seemed to have found an outlet, nodding repeatedly in agreement: "Exactly, exactly, exactly, His Majesty is right!"

"It's all the fault of those aristocratic families; otherwise, the disaster relief effectiveness of the past few years would have been who knows how much better than now."

"Just like the flood we are discussing, if back then we had mobilized the people to build canals and a series of flood-control measures in advance, would we still need to worry about the flood arriving?"

"So, it's all the fault of the aristocratic families!"

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