Chapter 572: Anyone Who Reads the Spring and Autumn Annals Isn't a Good Person!

"Ministerial Attendant Ma… what do you mean by this, sir?"

After stepping out, Han Zhongliang was rather puzzled, "That Money Shop is clearly a property of your household and the Imperial Family. Our Ministry of Revenue takes this money for the Court and the realm; borrowing it is one thing, but why must we also pay interest?"

"Not to mention using the autumn harvest as collateral… isn't that somewhat inappropriate?"

"There's nothing inappropriate." Ma Zhou shook his head, "In worldly affairs, without rules there can be no order; the Ministry of Revenue is the Ministry of Revenue, the Money Shop is the Money Shop."

"You favor no one, sir; everything is handled according to the rules, and that's the best way."

"Otherwise, if the Ministry of Revenue ever runs short of funds and borrows from the Money Shop, repaying only the principal would leave the Money Shop unable to continue operating."

"They run a Money Shop, not a charity; even giving us a convenience with low interest is already very good."

"One cannot look only at the present; we must consider the long term."

After hearing Ma Zhou's speech, Han Zhongliang was stunned for a moment before gradually grasping its deeper meaning.

Hiss!

"Ministerial Attendant Ma, I, Han, have been taught."

"Alright." Ma Zhou smiled faintly, "Today we'll return to tally exactly how much grain and supplies we need, and tomorrow we'll go to the Money Shop ourselves."

"Okay, then… His… His Majesty?"

Han Zhongliang was about to answer when he suddenly saw Li Shimin entering with Wushe, his speech stumbling.

"Your servant, may I have an audience with His Majesty."

Ma Zhou recovered a bit, and after realizing, hurriedly bowed.

"Rise, I am looking for Zi An; where is he?"

"Your Majesty, the Grand Secretary is currently in the Grand Secretary Hall."

"Alright, you may attend to your duties first."

Li Shimin uttered a casual remark, then, ignoring Ma Zhou and Han Zhongliang, headed straight for the Grand Secretary Hall.

After he left, Han Zhongliang asked in puzzlement, "Ministerial Attendant Ma, you say His Majesty came today—could it also be because the noble families deposited money in the Money Shop?"

"Absolutely."

Ma Zhou affirmed, "If not, His Majesty would not come to the Ministry of Revenue so lightly, let alone name the Grand Secretary by title."

"If it weren't urgent, they'd likely summon the Grand Secretary straight to Ganlu Hall; the fact that He comes in person now… suggests He's been similarly alarmed."

The two spoke in low voices, daring only a careful conversation.

Then they dared not speak further, silently praying that the Grand Secretary's mournful demeanor wouldn't be seen by His Majesty…

Zi......

He pushed open the Grand Secretary Hall's door and entered; Li Shimin intended to call out, but saw Chen Yan reclining in a rocking chair, legs crossed, engrossed in a book.

His temper flared instantly, "Chen Yan! Look at what's happening outside! Do you still have the leisure to sit here reading?"

"Uh… so it's His Majesty, ha ha, your servant pays homage to His Majesty."

Startled, Chen Yan lifted his head, saw the visitor, instantly broke into a smile, and courteously pulled Li Shimin over to sit.

"Your Majesty, what the outside has become has nothing to do with me. Apart from handling some official business in the Ministry of Revenue, I have nothing else to do."

"It has nothing to do with you?" Li Shimin said softly. "If it has nothing to do with you, then does it have anything to do with me?"

"The noble families' money, deposited into my treasury?"

"Ah, you bring that up," Chen Yan thought, realizing it was about the deposits, relaxed, and said nonchalantly:

"It's just storing some money; what could the outside possibly become?"

"After a couple of days the uproar will subside, and this matter will settle; Your Majesty need not worry."

Li Shimin: "Is that so? But how did I hear that you have already sent someone to have Dai Zhou promote you in the latest Great Tang Daily?"

"One family holds twenty‑five million guan, totaling over ten million guan; you, kid, are now the Tang Dynasty's number‑one dog household, no wonder when people get married you give a bride price of ten thousand guan."

"Lately I'm short on funds; why don't you lend me some money to spend?"

Chen Yan: "......"

"You say that, but don't you know how much money I have?"

"Moreover, it's already the sixth year of Zhen Guan, the Imperial Examination is about to begin, the Wujing cavalry is about to head to Wa Kingdom to replace the Xuanjia army, mining Wa's silver—everywhere, what doesn't require spending?"

"As for that ten thousand guan… honestly I later regretted it; Lìzhì even says I spend money recklessly; even the grandest estate can't endure my meddling."

"I have no money."

Li Shimin twitched the corner of his mouth, neither confirming nor denying Chen Yan's statement.

Could he possibly not know whether this kid has money?

Just as Chen Yan knows how much he has, everyone is clear in their minds.

After all, all enterprises often settle accounts together.

"Enough, I don't wish to discuss this further," Li Shimin said gravely. "I know you, kid, have given the noble families a big shortchange, but don't get too complacent; keep the silk price stable, and deposit the surplus production into the Money Shop."

"Don't let the noble families discover they've been shortchanged so quickly; keep them stable for a while."

"During this period, with so much money in your hand, expand the library if needed, expand the Money Shop if needed."

"Also, the Money Shop currently has too much cash on hand; find a place to store it and have the Eastern Palace guard it. I will issue orders; make sure no problems arise."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, I understand," Chen Yan said cheerfully. "When I went with the Crown Prince, I brought the Imperial Guard, but the sum is so massive that it's still being counted, not that quick."

"Moreover, this is the first batch of money the noble families have deposited. Tomorrow, when they come to acquire the hydraulic loom technology, I plan to discuss having them place a time deposit."

"For example, a two‑ or three‑year term that cannot be withdrawn, but with a higher interest, while the second batch remains a demand deposit, allowing them to withdraw at any time."

"Thus, the first batch of tens of millions of guan can be mobilized at our discretion within that term."

"After that term, the Money Shop will have already developed, and we will no longer lack movable capital."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin was stunned for a moment, then fell silent.

Damn, it's really dark.

Scheming against the aristocratic family to the extreme.

"Fine, as long as you have a plan, I have other business, I'm leaving now."

"Wait, His Majesty."

When Li Shimin was about to leave, Chen Yan hurriedly called out to him: "Last time, regarding the matter I discussed with Your Majesty, what have you considered?"

"Do you want to also deposit the treasury funds into the Money Shop?"

Li Shimin:???

Damn it.

You're not kidding?

Really still keeping an eye on my money?

"Get out, get out of my sight!" Li Shimin snapped irritably.

Just as he was about to step away, as if recalling something, he turned his head and asked, "What book are you reading?"

"...... The Spring and Autumn Annals!"

Damn it, anyone who reads the Spring and Autumn Annals is no good!

Chen Yan: "......"

"......"